gistfile1.txt

My favorite restaurant in town right now is Bavette's. I liked the downstairs which is a bit more lounge-y, the upstairs is nice too and more like a brasserie.
http://bavetteschicago.com/

*Chicago Pizza - a must!
Pizano's on State Street (Gold Coast) is my personal favorite (known for cornmeal crust, thin or deep dish, just order one of each!) but I also love Lou Malnati's (deep dish). Lou's in the Gold Coast is a fun spot to eat.

http://www.pizanoschicago.com/state-street.php

http://www.loumalnatis.com/Locations/Details.aspx?ID=34

Other "Chicago Food"
*Portillo's - it's a hot dog place but everything is amazing from burgers and cheese fries to Italian beef sandwiches, chopped and garbage salads, baked mostaccioli, bread and the chocolate cake is mandatory. Portillo’s is like a step above fast food but amazing.
*Donut Vault

Newer Hot Spots
*Chicago Athletic Association- Cindy's - amazing views and the whole place is really cool. Just go for drinks.
http://chicagoathletichotel.com/#

*Restoration Hardware Gold Coast - beautiful space, it's the new hot spot for lunch/brunch. Must go here! Also make sure to tour the entire place. It has a nice history.
https://www.restorationhardware.com/content/promo.jsp?id=557012

*Bar Siena - West Loop. Lunch, Dinner or Drinks. Fun vibe in the West Loop.
http://www.barsiena.com/

Dinner
*Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab - Stone Crabs are in season in April! So make sure to try them. Also excellent King Crab legs. They have good lunch specials which is a little cheaper.
http://joes.net/chicago/

*Chicago Cut or Mastro's for traditional steakhouse. Both are excellent. Mastro's has a fun bar. You definitely need to try a Chicago steak!
http://www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com/
https://www.mastrosrestaurants.com/Locations/IL/71-Chicago-Main/Default.aspx

*Girl & The Goat - Regarded as one of the best restaurants in the US. Book your reservation asap.
http://www.girlandthegoat.com/

*Sunda - best sushi in town
http://www.sundachicago.com/

*Au Cheval - known for their burgers and bloody's (brunch or late night)
http://auchevalchicago.com/

Brunch / Lunch
*Gibson's
Go for brunch and sit in the bar area. Must sit in the bar! Try for the corner table overlooking the triangle. Great area for people watching.
http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/

*RL
Brunch or dinner, its in the flagship Ralph Lauren store. Such a gorgeous room and great food. Make a reservation.
http://www.rlrestaurant.com/

*Bandera
Ask for a table overlooking Michigan Ave. Get the "Chicago style" spinach dip, French dip sandwich and the jalapeno cornbread.
http://banderarestaurants.com/locations/chicago/

Dives (not in the heart of Chi)
*Big Star - best Mexican in town, Wicker Park
*Kuma's Corner - best burger in town

Drinks

*Gold Coast Pub Crawl: Butch McGuire's on Division (This is a Chicago institution. Good bar food too! Great Bloody Mary's). Then move on to The Lodge across the street. Then walk over to Dublin's on State. Dublin's is adorable and has the best spicy chicken tenders.

*Drinks at the top of the John Hancock building.

*Rebar at the Trump Hotel for views of the river.

Shopping

*Nordstroms Michigan Ave - THE BEST. Great Men's section. Def go there!
http://socialinchicity.com/2015/09/02/shop-dine-and-drink-at-nordstrom-chicagos-habitant/
*Oak street and Michigan Ave. The Neimans is pretty good.

Activities for winter
*Blackhawks game or Bulls game

*Architectural Boat Tour is a must (I like Chicago's First Lady, think it's 90 mins)- might open early April.
http://www.architecture.org/tours/boat-tours

*Millennium Park/ "The Bean"
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html

*Great theatre in Chicago. See if you can swing tickets for Hamilton!

Museums- depends what you're into but the Art Institute is the best. It's right next to Millennium Park and across from Chicago Athletic Association.