We recently took a whirlwind trip to Chicago for a few days.  What a great city!  So gorgeous and so approachable.  I will tell you that we splurged on this trip and it was worth it!  We ate, we drank, we saw Hamilton (totally lives up to the hype!) and wandered the city.  So much to tell but for now I will focus on where we stayed and our favorite places to eat.

We stayed at the amazing Four Seasons hotel.  It may be the perfect city hotel. Everything about it, from the artwork, to the atmosphere, to the rooms is so lush!  And the views!! OMG, check out the photos below.  I was so mesmerized by the views of Lake Michigan. There is also an amazing indoor pool with views of the city.  The hotel is located in a prime spot near all the best shopping and several fantastic places to eat.  It’s a short walk to several museum, the “bean” and other landmarks.

Lunch at RL Grill – A restaurant designed by Ralph Lauren?  Yes please!  Located adjacent to the world’s largest Ralph Lauren store, this is a “must do.”  Honestly, this is my favorite type of restaurant.  A great restaurant is about two things…the food (of course) and the atmosphere.  RL hits a home run on both accounts.  As you would expect at a Ralph Lauren restaurant, it is a beautiful space.  Everything you would dream that a restaurant designed by RL should be.  It also hit that perfect mark of being “bustling” while still having perfect service.  The restaurant was full and fun and you felt like you were in the place to be!  It exudes casual elegance.  And the food – inspired by American classics – is fantastic.  We also had a great waiter, and great wine.  What more can you ask for?  I highly recommend a stop here.

Dinner at Alinea – this is a bucket list item for many.  If you’re not familiar with Alinea, check out the movie “Chef’s Table.”  It has been named the Best Restaurant in America and has three Michelin stars.  It’s known for its innovative approach to modernist cuisine.  All I can say is that you will never have a dining experience like this one.  The food, the presentation is like no other!  Each serving is designed to ignite all the senses. This experience is extremely expensive but like I said, it will be a once in a lifetime experience.  Each dish is a masterpiece and an experience…The one pictured below included oranges and dry ice!

A burger like no other – The Athletic Association Hotel is a private club that’s been transformed into a hotel with several restaurants.  This is a beautiful building with a chic crowd, great food and lots of fun.  This place just seemed so authentically Chicago to me. We went there several times for food and drinks and just loved it. We ate at theCherry Circle Room, which is all curves and swanky wood panels.  Everything we had on the menu is good but one thing stands out and that is the CCR Prime Double Cheese Burger.  I mean you need to leave your diet behind but this is seriously worth the calories.  Soooo good.  And they have great cocktails!  We also spent time in The Game Room – yes, it really is a game room! Originally a billiards room it is now part club/part games with built-in bocce bay, shuffleboard, chess and checker tables.  So festive and so fun!

Of course there are hundreds of restaurants in Chicago but these are just a few of my favs if you are visiting for a few days and want to leave your budget behind!