Cookaholics Bulletin Board

All,

I'll be in Chicago in mid-September this year for a conference (Kris will too).

In addition to possibly meeting some folks, I'd like recommendations for:

(a) somewhere affordable and nice to stay with good access to downtown public transportation, or nearest approximate, for the weekend (the conference hotel is $$$$).

(b) Restaurants, of course! With non-meat entrees for me. Not just dinner -- I could use breakfast and lunch recommends as well.

Conference is here: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/pr ... rtyID=1030

Josh,

I used to stay at that Westin frequently when I had a client in Chicago. From the pics it looks like they (thankfully) have done a complete renovation since the last time I stayed there. You couldn't ask for a better location, it's in the heart of the Magnificent Mile.

Some of the hotels that are more convention oriented do have pretty good deals on weekends. I did a quick Orbitz search, and Club Quarters is one of them. I know other people who have stayed there, and were pretty happy with it. It's not the best location (in my book) as it borders the loop, which is the business district. And as I'm a north-side girl, it's just a little too far south for my taste. But, it is certainly not a bad location.

There are some boutique hotels further north that are very nice, but they do cost more.

However, I usually stay up in Northbrook when I'm there as my family lives on the North Shore, so my downtown knowledge just isn't what it used to be.

September is a really wonderful time to be in Chicago.

Amy

Oh, and if you swing reservations (and don't mind paying what you saved on a hotel) at either Alinea or Next, go for it.

Check out the Stafford, where people stayed in the summer of '09. A bus to downtown runs past the door and it's right at Lincoln Park. As for great vegetarian foods, Green Zebra needs to be on your list of places to eat. There are plenty more, and the reviews at the Chicago Reader (.com) are usually reliable.
Let us know what dates, so I can be sure to be in town.

I'm with Becky on staying in Lincoln Park. One of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago. If you do end up staying up there, I'll ask my sister for recommendations. She lived there for about 25 years and ate out a lot.

Amy

The Stratford was wonderful. You don't just get a room you get an apartment. Even the smallest one that 3 of us shared was very spacious. The prices were reasonable. You should talk to Sherida she got her 2 bedroom apartment for a rediculously low price by calling and talking to the rental manager.


Laurie

Thanks, all,

I'll check some of these recommendations.

I don't think we'll be going to Alinea. Kris shudders when I tell her about MG meals.

All,

So, this is next week, now. How about some restaurant recommendations? Esp. near the Miracle Mile.

While it may be a "miracle," it's called the Magnificent Mile.

Amy

Fuzzy,
The best sources of information may be Chicago Magazine LINK, their Dining Guide LINK and Eater Chicago's Essential 38 Restaurants LINK and Eater's Heat Map LINK.

A lot of the best restaurants are rather meat-centric like my favorites, Purple Pig, Girl & the Goat, Davanti Enoteca, Hot Doug's and Xoxo. You'll do better at Green Zebra, Mana Food Bar and Lula for vegetarian choices.

Good luck,

Tim

Any of the restaurants at the Peninsula are worth visiting. A second vote for Green Zebra. The Chicago Reader has a nice restaurant listing at chicagoreader.com. Enjoy the city, I wish I was going to be in town.