So, I spent a long weekend in Chicago. I decided to see my beloved White Sox play.
We drive to Chicago. We stop for a picnic lunch at Allerton State Park. My friend packed me a delicious lunch of sandwiches, chips, apples and bar cookies. My travelling companion is pictured choosing a sandwich labeled "meat with more meat." I'd never heard of this park, but it was lovely.
http://www.continuinged.uiuc.edu/allerton/
We then check into the hotel. It was perfectly nice and a good deal off of Hotwire. I would not have selected it otherwise, but it was quite nice and in a very good location.
http://www.hardrockhotelchicago.com/
I chose the Thursday night game against Cleveland. I took a pic on my phone and sent it to a friend and fellow Sox fan, when the Sox were winning. And then everything went to ^#%$. But no matter. The food good, the beer refreshing. Unlike that repulsive swill they serve at Busch Stadium and those fourth-rate hot dogs and stale nacho chips, when watching the Sox one gets Leininkugels, MGD, polish with grilled onions, and nacho chips that have - get this - crunch. Plus the el ride was easy and quick. Comiskey-Cell Phone Field 1000, Busch-Beer Field 0.
Friday, got breakfast. Lou Mitchells was a bit of a hike, so I opted for Petros on N. LaSalle.
http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=18664&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=22&home=Y
I went to Loopy Yarns, but it was still closed.
http://www.loopyyarns.com/
I then got some delicious tea at the Starbucks of Tea, Argo.
http://www.argotea.com/
Then, to the Museum of Contemporary Art. I think it's mostly BS, but some ideas are unique.
http://www.mcachicago.org/
I then hit Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, looking for design ideas for my home office. I find my new desk at Pottery Barn.
http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_magnificent_mile_shopping_map.htm
I left my cranky and unpleasant companion in the hotel room and wandered around, my favority thing to do in the Loop. I found myself in Nordstroms, pouring over sweaters priced at $450 or so, thinking I could knit it with no trouble at all. I did the same thing at Benetton, as it is in the same shopping mall as Nordstroms. Then, I went to Afterwords used books.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/9K-DIM1jfDG0SkjgDw4q4A
Then, back to Loopy, and to the hotel for a quick shower and dinner.
We take the El to Doug and Mickie's condo. We sit on the tracks. And sit. But we finally get there, the margaritas are on ice, and we take the short and pleasant walk to dinner at La Fonda. Mmmmmmm, delicious authentic Mexican.
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/localguide/neighborhoods/andersonville/64367,0,7280573.venue
We have more margaritas, a wonderful time, and then back on the El. Where we sit on the tracks. And sit. And sit. And try not to sleep past the stop at Lake.
Saturday, coffee with my cranky and unpleasant companion, who really needs to learn to suck it up when he's tired and not act like a spoiled two year old.
To the Ikea. Okay, I'll say it. I, unlike most of the people I know, do NOT believe that Ikea is heaven on earth. I find that design style cold, boring, trying too hard to be cool, and bordering on butt-ugly. But, they might have good ideas for my home office, for more reasonable prices than Pottery Barn. They do.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/
Then, a stop in Bloomington for lunch.
http://www.flattopgrill.com/menu.htm
And, since it is conveniently located right next to Von Maur, a stop there. I get a new outfit and PJs.
http://www.vonmaur.com/
And then, home. I finished the top on the way, knit in Artful Yarns Grafiti, which finally became a closeout.
We drive to Chicago. We stop for a picnic lunch at Allerton State Park. My friend packed me a delicious lunch of sandwiches, chips, apples and bar cookies. My travelling companion is pictured choosing a sandwich labeled "meat with more meat." I'd never heard of this park, but it was lovely.
http://www.continuinged.uiuc.edu/allerton/
We then check into the hotel. It was perfectly nice and a good deal off of Hotwire. I would not have selected it otherwise, but it was quite nice and in a very good location.
http://www.hardrockhotelchicago.com/
I chose the Thursday night game against Cleveland. I took a pic on my phone and sent it to a friend and fellow Sox fan, when the Sox were winning. And then everything went to ^#%$. But no matter. The food good, the beer refreshing. Unlike that repulsive swill they serve at Busch Stadium and those fourth-rate hot dogs and stale nacho chips, when watching the Sox one gets Leininkugels, MGD, polish with grilled onions, and nacho chips that have - get this - crunch. Plus the el ride was easy and quick. Comiskey-Cell Phone Field 1000, Busch-Beer Field 0.
Friday, got breakfast. Lou Mitchells was a bit of a hike, so I opted for Petros on N. LaSalle.
http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=18664&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=22&home=Y
I went to Loopy Yarns, but it was still closed.
http://www.loopyyarns.com/
I then got some delicious tea at the Starbucks of Tea, Argo.
http://www.argotea.com/
Then, to the Museum of Contemporary Art. I think it's mostly BS, but some ideas are unique.
http://www.mcachicago.org/
I then hit Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, looking for design ideas for my home office. I find my new desk at Pottery Barn.
http://www.chicagotraveler.com/chicago_magnificent_mile_shopping_map.htm
I left my cranky and unpleasant companion in the hotel room and wandered around, my favority thing to do in the Loop. I found myself in Nordstroms, pouring over sweaters priced at $450 or so, thinking I could knit it with no trouble at all. I did the same thing at Benetton, as it is in the same shopping mall as Nordstroms. Then, I went to Afterwords used books.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/9K-DIM1jfDG0SkjgDw4q4A
Then, back to Loopy, and to the hotel for a quick shower and dinner.
We take the El to Doug and Mickie's condo. We sit on the tracks. And sit. But we finally get there, the margaritas are on ice, and we take the short and pleasant walk to dinner at La Fonda. Mmmmmmm, delicious authentic Mexican.
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/localguide/neighborhoods/andersonville/64367,0,7280573.venue
We have more margaritas, a wonderful time, and then back on the El. Where we sit on the tracks. And sit. And sit. And try not to sleep past the stop at Lake.
Saturday, coffee with my cranky and unpleasant companion, who really needs to learn to suck it up when he's tired and not act like a spoiled two year old.
To the Ikea. Okay, I'll say it. I, unlike most of the people I know, do NOT believe that Ikea is heaven on earth. I find that design style cold, boring, trying too hard to be cool, and bordering on butt-ugly. But, they might have good ideas for my home office, for more reasonable prices than Pottery Barn. They do.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/
Then, a stop in Bloomington for lunch.
http://www.flattopgrill.com/menu.htm
And, since it is conveniently located right next to Von Maur, a stop there. I get a new outfit and PJs.
http://www.vonmaur.com/
And then, home. I finished the top on the way, knit in Artful Yarns Grafiti, which finally became a closeout.
