Chicago in Winter January 2017

Chicago

January 11-14, 2017

We planned a trip to Chicago in the heart of winter. On purpose. We are braving the cold like tourist troopers and respecting daughter E for going without gloves when my hands are like icicles. The flight was cheap, of course, and the rooms were very inexpensive comparatively and so off we went on another "bargain" adventure.

Chicago is one of the greatest cities in America for sights and culture and food and sports and transportation all coming together to form a kinder gentler New York City. The city is clean and the people are friendly and Midwestern kind. We knew we had to spend time mostly indoors due to the mid 20's outside, our California equivalent is -100.

We are never at a loss. The first night we got in late and ate a nice place next to the fantastic Residence Inn River North. Sienna Tavern was comfortable with decent food and we were able to get some late night light eats. Worth a trip back for a full meal.

Cool miniature windows at CMOA

We met E for coffee near us in the morning and walked to the Chicago Art Museum. This is a world class place that would take a month of Saturdays to get through, but each visit is wonderful and fun. Really a must see when in Chicago.

Usually our trips to Chicago are planned around meals. There are so many great places to eat in so many great neighborhoods, we 
make the effort to try new places. But not for lunch. Today we would return to Purple Pig on Michigan Avenue.   The tapas style dishes are always amazing and evolving and the atmosphere is welcoming and warm and friendly. We dove in face first to some old favs and a couple new choices that included a squid ink pita on a stew of what-the-heck deliciousness underneath.   One waiter had on a Hohdads tee shirt, the famous San Diego burger joint. We walked it off in clearing skies and picked up a selection of local brews from Trader Joe's. Probably the only chain we don't avoid when on the road. Great way to stock a hotel room. 

We headed back to watch the moon rise from the room and enjoy an evening drink. Dinner was Quartino, another favorite. Italian style tapas in a warm bustling setting. Always a good choice, even though we've made that choice a few times before.  

January 13, yes Friday,  we met for coffee in the lobby of an office, a great spot near the hotel. Another cold day so a movie indoors sounded like a good idea. It was our first visit to a full service reclining chair luxury theater. Matinee was $6 so a real value. The movie "Hidden Figures" was fantastic and we rooted for it through the Oscars in February. Lunch at True Foods was very good, trendy organic salady kombucha kind of place. 

We parted after lunch and the girls went shopping. I headed to a local watering hole near the hotel to have a beer. Every time I sit at a bar in Chicago, conversation with neighbors is always a part of the experience and today was no different. A guy sitting next to me asked me a question and off we went for 90 minutes of sharing views and ideas. He was young and a teacher on the south side (yikes) and he inspired me about our next generation. 

Tonight we had reservations for duck at Sun Wah BBQ. This place is large and old school and filled with local Asians enjoying authentic food. We sat with E and her roomie E and were wowed with the table side duck carving skills. A wonderful sliced duck is served with steamed bao, daikon radish and hoison sauce. It makes my mouth water typing it. First the duck then duck fried rice then duck soup,(minus the Marx Brothers) all brought out when ready and all using the carved duck. 

Another wonderful dinner in Chicago, we went back to E's place to have some wine and hang out. A great location and cool pad we are happy she is happy there. 


The morning of our last day we headed up north to have breakfast. The ride up was a winter wonderland of ice on Lake Michigan. 

After breakfast we walked to the lake (brrrr) and got some great pics of the city and the ice. On the El ride back we stopped to see the World Series Champion sign at Wrigley. The curse had finally been broken. Tourists gathered here even in the cold and off season to catch selfies with the famous signage. Baseball lore. 



We caught a late flight so we went back to the hotel then a short walk to the Orange line straight to Midway for a predictable comfortable Southwest flight back to...San Diego!