Where to Stay
Budget lodgings in downtown Chicago are few and far between, but one recent addition to the hotel scene aims to keep prices at least somewhat affordable. The Hotel Cass, a Holiday Inn Express, at 640 N. Wabash Ave. (tel. 312/787-4030; www.casshotel.com), has the look of a boutique hotel, with modern furniture and flat-screen TVs. Designer touches include green fabric-covered headboards and bold brown wallpaper in the bathrooms. The location is a main selling point: a few blocks from Michigan Avenue shopping and surrounded by the many restaurants of River North. Rates start at $189 per night and include breakfast.
You'll have to move up a few price levels to stay at one of the city's most talked-about new buildings. The Trump International Hotel & Tower (www.trumpchicago.com) has taken shape along Wabash Avenue, overlooking the Chicago River, and whether you love Trump or hate him, this soaring, shimmering skyscraper is now part of the city skyline. In addition to ultra-expensive residences, the building also houses "hotel condominiums," which owners can rent out when they're away. This will be your chance to experience life Trump-style...assuming you want to.
Where to Dine
Calling all Oprah fans! If you haven't been able to snag tickets to her talk show, you can at least dine Oprah-style at Table Fifty-Two, 52 W. Elm St. (tel. 312/573-4000; www.tablefifty-two.com), a new restaurant run by her long-time personal chef, Art Smith. The gregarious Smith specializes in homey, Southern-influenced dishes such as buttermilk fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and goat cheese biscuits. The space is cozy-there are only 15 tables-but that's part of its charm. The restaurant makes you feel like you're dining at someone's home, especially when Smith himself is there to greet you.
Millennium Park has become one of the city's must-see destinations, and finally local restaurants are catching on. Tavern at the Park, 130 E. Randolph St. (tel. 312/552-0070; www.tavernatthepark.com) sits directly north of the park, but it's one of the few places you can eat while enjoying a view of Frank Gehry's stunning steel Pritzker Music Pavilion. The can't-miss location has made this spot a hit since it opened in late summer 2007. Also drawing in diners is the accessible but upscale menu, heavy on comfort-food favorites such as braised beef short ribs, double-cut pork chops with a cherry cola barbecue sauce and chicken pot pie. Expect the place to draw even more crowds next summer, when its large outdoor terrace debuts.
One of my favorite River North restaurants, the wine-centric Bin 36, has added a new twist on its lower level. A Mano, 335 N. Dearborn St. (tel. 312/629-3500; www.amanochicago.com), is a trattoria specializing in simple, authentic Italian dishes. All the pastas are made in house (you can even order a half-portion as an appetizer), and there's a large selection of antipasti and thin-crust pizzas. There's lots of seating at the bar, making this a good spot for a glass of wine and snacks; grazing from the appetizer menu is highly encouraged. My favorite feature is the gelato bar, one of the few spots in town where you sample a genuine version of this Italian dessert staple.
What to See & Do
The most high-profile cultural opening of fall 2007 was the debut of the new Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, 610 S. Michigan Ave. (tel. 312/322-1700; www.spertus.edu). The bright, modern, glass façade contrasts dramatically with the somewhat monolithic buildings surrounding it, making this a welcome addition to the South Loop. Inside, the Spertus Musuem has temporary and permanent exhibits on Jewish life, a bookstore and gift shop featuring work by leading Israeli designers, and a kosher café run by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
Another highly anticipated museum will hopefully open by the end of 2008. The Richard H. Driehaus Museum, 25 E. Erie St. (tel. 312/482-8933) is a stunning restoration of a luxurious 19th-century mansion. Driehaus, who runs a successful local investment fund, has a passion for historic architecture and design; he owns one of the world's largest collections of Tiffany lamps, windows and chandeliers. Many of his pieces will be on display in the new museum, which offers a look at the lavish lifestyle of Chicago's original business tycoons. Initially, the museum will only be open by appointment, something worth scheduling if you're a history buff.
Shopping
New shops come and go so quickly in Chicago that even the locals have trouble keeping up. Now, you can call the experts at Urban Shop Guide (tel. 312/533-1256; www.urbanshopguide.com) for help. This personalized shopping-tour service puts together tours of the city's best shopping neighborhoods, complete with transportation, snacks, drinks and a personalized guide. Whether you have a specific goal (shoes, vintage finds, great jeans), or simply want to browse the coolest boutiques, they'll create an itinerary that works.
Girly girls were rejoicing at the opening of Bucktown's newest boutique, Nanette Lepore, 1623 N. Damen Ave., (tel. 773/489-4500; www.nanettelepore.com). The designer's feminine frocks and cozy coats are well represented at the new store, along with Lepore's shoe collection.
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