<p>Will be in Chicago this upcoming weekend, at the Palmer House. Have tickets for Billy Elliott and hoping to get tickets for Second City. Planning to check out the Art Institute museum and the Architecture boat tour. Other ideas?? Where should we eat??</p>
<p>For lunch, eat at the new restaurant on top of the new wing of the Art Institute. I really miss Chicago and hope you have a great time.</p>
<p>Atwood Cafe and Trattoria 10 are two of my favorites in the theatre district. Near Second City, go to Perennial if it’s in the budget, or check [Chicago</a> Reader](<a href=“http://www.chicagoreader.com%5DChicago”>http://www.chicagoreader.com), <a href=“http://www.yelp.com%5B/url%5D”>www.yelp.com</a> or [Metromix</a> | Your Restaurants, Nightlife & Events Guide](<a href=“http://www.metromix.com%5DMetromix”>http://www.metromix.com) for reviews. There are lots of good places along Wells Street or Clark Street.
May Street Market is a gem in a neighborhood just outside the downtown area; would be a short cab ride from your hotel or Second City.
Second City tickets usually sell out for early shows on the weekend (order them at the ticket office and pick up 40 minutes before the show), or you can sometimes get the 11 PM show on hottix.org
Go to the Signature Lounge at the Hancock for a drink, or to the rooftop bar at the Wit Hotel, or try the new see-through ledges at the Willis (Sears) Tower if you’re feeling brave.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips. Not sure if I can stay awake for the late shows! If my DH goes to the theater, can he get tickets in advance for Second City?</p>
<p>For a dining experience unlike any I have ever had…you might consider Moto Restaurant.
[m</a> o t o | c u i s i n e : 2010](<a href=“http://www.motorestaurant.com/]m”>http://www.motorestaurant.com/)
One of my favorite dishes was the cigar with ashtray…the visual plays with your mind, and the taste delights the palate.</p>
<p>Have him call the Second City box office and buy the tickets over the phone. He can pick them up anytime before the show if the office is open. I suggested 40 minutes before because seating is first-come, first served, and starts about a half-hour before showtime. Prepaying makes the line move fast.
They have some new dinner-theater packages:
[Shows</a> & Tickets - Chicago - Dinner & Show - The Second City - 50 Years of Funny](<a href=“http://www.secondcity.com/performances/chicago/dinnerandshow/]Shows”>The Second City)
Right now, the only availability for early shows with four star reviews (Best Friggin Time and Spoiler Alert) is Sunday night at 7.</p>
<p>Wow! All great suggestions I am passing along to DH. I had heard of moto but had forgotten all about it. The website photos are incredible. Looking forward to my trip!! Any other things to suggest?</p>
<p>“or to the rooftop bar at the Wit Hotel, or try the new see-through ledges at the Willis (Sears) Tower if you’re feeling brave.”</p>
<p>Did both of these things this summer. Wit Hotel, pricey. Wilis tower ledges are quite an experience, not sure worth the time of herding into elevators, short movie before was very interesting. Just took more time than I expected. </p>
<p>If you want a comprehensive view of Chicago, buy one of the double decker tour buses, where you can hope on and off at all the spots, and the tickets are good for three days. Wish we knew beforehand.</p>
<p>S’s girlfriend lives 20 minutes from Chicago, and recommended Geja cafe in Lincoln Park. Will be going on future trip.</p>
<p>Report back, Jym- S now lives in Lincoln Park.</p>
<p>We had a nice weekend in Chicago this past summer. We ate at Keefer’s on Kinzie St. and at Phil Stefani’s on Rush St. Both were good. Don’t forget to take in the Navy Pier (maybe for lunch) if the weather is nice. We went to the Natural History museum, which was interesting if you like that type of thing.</p>
<p>It’s an October weekend. The summer crowds have faded… That being said, I just looked at the weather forecast for the weekend: cold and rainy. I’m rescinding my rec for all skyscrapers and places with views. A good place in bad weather is right on Adams, between your hotel and the Art Institute: Russian Tea Time.</p>
<p>[36</a> Hours in Chicago - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/09/15/travel/escapes/15hours.html]36”>36 Hours in Chicago - The New York Times)</p>
<p>Miller’s Pub at 134 South Wabash, just around the corner from the Palmer House! They serve a somewhat superior class of “pub food,” have an excellent bar, lively yet genteel atmosphere, and you can sometimes spot famous people who are acting in local theater productions. (I’ve seen John Lithgow and Robin Williams.) Not very expensive, either.</p>
<p>^^^ I can second Miller’s Pub. We ate there this summer after we saw Billy Elliott. Great ribs!</p>
<p>can you fix the weather, midwesterner?? Please???
A few days ago it said clear-- I hope it will change back again. If not, the pub sounds like a good idea!! And thanks for that link, zapfino!! So many options!! I’ll have to come back
again!! Will happily report back, southjerseychessmom. Does your s need anything??</p>
<p>^^^^ yes, Jym my son does need something ----Notre Dame to start winning again. Think you can arrange that!
Saw Billy Elliot with D on long weekend visit last April, our first time in Chicago. The “Oriental Theater/ Ford Theater” is beautiful.
You’ll be smelling lots of popcorn- Garrett’s Popcorn is on the same block, but they must sell it in the theater, because it was so pungent. Didn’t realize how popular that Chicago style Garrett’s popcorn is, people stand in long lines for it. </p>
<p>Have you every been to Chicago, Jym ?</p>
<p>LOL, southjerseychessmom. You get the Braves into the wildcard playoff seat and I’ll work on ND.</p>
<p>I’ve been to Chicago twice, but the last time was about 12 yrs ago. The first time was when I was a teen, and stayed in the same hotel!!</p>
<p>Ok, but you know if Braves make it, they may have to play Phillies, and well you know how that story ends :)</p>
<p>This is Bobby Cox’s last season as manager. They gotta make it to the playoffs!!</p>
<p>jym, DH took to S1 to Miller’s Pub this summer. It’s near where S1 was working. 
DH also loves Carson’s Ribs, but said when he was there two weeks ago they were doing some renovations and there was not as much seating as usual.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!</p>