Chicago Trip (End of September 2018)

Make a reservation as soon as possible at Girl and the Goat, if they still have any.

When we went all we could grab was a 10:30. Went to the hotel and took a nap, then got up for dinner. Worth it.

I was there for work the last two days. I've been many times and have had all of the big name pizza places...but this time I finally tried Pequods and oh my God did it blow away the competition.

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Only an 11:30 pm reservation! Haha

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Keep your eyes peeled each day leading up to the day of your reservation. I tell this board, quite a bit, that all of my Girl and the Goat reservations have been made only a week (or sooner) prior to my dining date. People book so far in advance and, inevitably, plans change and times open.

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2. LSU v Ole Miss Game (Anyone know the Chicago Area LSU Bar?

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Standard. Eat at Big & Little's at some point that day.

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We are looking for recommendations on (a) things to do and (b) places to eat.

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- Breweries / Brewpubs: Half Acre (Balmoral or Lincoln), Forbidden Root, Spiteful, Maplewood, Corridor and DryHop (same owners; brewpubs), On Tour, Begyle, Dovetail, Hopewell, Moody Tongue Revolution, Goose Island, Lagunitas, Off Color, Old Irving (brewpub), Band of Bohemia (brewpub; excellent food), Ballast Point (recently-opened their taproom here). Couple others outside the city are Une Annee, More, Noon Whistle, Mikerphone, and FFF.

- Things to do: Lakeshore Path, Chicago Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile, Northerly Island, 606 in Wicker Park/Bucktown, LP Zoo, CityPASS for museums and Willis, Millennium / Grant Park, North Pond and South Pond, Montrose Beach, Ohio St Beach, Wrigley Field tour.

- Best steak I've had is Bavette's, Swift and Sons, and Kinzie.

- Best Italian I've had is La Scarola, Piccolo Sogno, Formento's, Rosebud, Monteverde, Club Lucky, and Sabatino's (went at the recommendation of someone here).

- Favorite pizza is Pequod's, Lou Malnati, Art of Pizza, Pat's, Coalfire, and Vito & Nick's (pretty far).

- Best burgers are Maillard's, Au Cheval, Mott Street, Small Cheval, Bad Apple, and DryHop (they have a great Monday deal).

- Favorite sushi is Kai Zan, sushiDOKKU (go to Booze Box in the basement), and Momotaro

- Wicker Park is lively. Some weird people as you walk up/down Milwaukee between Division/Milwaukee/Ashland and Damen/Milwaukee/North, but plenty of boutique clothing stores and bars along the way. Links for beer, Jeni's for ice cream, Oiistar for Ramen, Bongo Room for brunch, and Public Anker for brunch, lunch of dinner. Would also recommend Big Star patio (if weather cooperates) for tacos and margaritas, Violet Hour across the street for cocktails, etta for dinner, and Small Cheval for a burger and shake. If you walk along Division between Ashland and Hoyne, also plenty of bars and restaurant. Bangers & Lace for beer, Pub Royale for Indian pub fare, Black Bull for dinner, and Parlor for solid pizza and expansive patio.

- North of Wicker Park is Logan Square, which is becoming a hotbed for quality restaurants and cocktail bars. Go to Irazu or 90 Miles for Latin American eats and Serai or Fat Rice for Asian. Other spots to eat are Longman and Eagle, Owen and Engine, Giant, and Lula Cafe. Few cocktail bars are Scofflaw, Todos Santos, Spilt Milk, The Whistler, Estereo, Heavy Feather (above Slippery Slope), Lost Lake (tiki), Billy Sunday, Best Intentions, and bar below Lonesome Rose (not sure if it has a name).

- My favorite part of Lakeview is the Southport Corridor. A lot of local shops, bars and restaurants. Wicker Park is in Lakeview, obviously, but sounds like you'd like to avoid it.

- Lincoln Park is expansiv and difficult to navigate its entirety on foot. However, Armitage corridor has a number of boutique shops, J. Parker has a great rooftop / views, and you can visit Lincoln Park zoo.

- Number of high-end restaurants and bars in West Loop. Girl and the Goat is most-popular with this board, but other great options are: Oriole, Blackbird, Publican, Fulton Market Kitchen, Elkse, Cold Storage Roister, Duck Duck Goat, Beatrix (other locations in River North and West Town), Green Street, avec, El Che, Maude's, Grange Hall, and Bonci for a slice.

Id spend some time on Michigan Ave if for any other reason people watching. The river walk looks great I haven’t had a chance to walk much of it though.

The boat tours have multiple pick up points so keep that in mind as far as what is easiest for you to access. If there is any kind of fall breeze bring a good jacket because off the water those boat tours can be very chilly the wind can whip down the river.

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Rooftop bars are a plus (I know there is one overlooking Millennium Park that I really like and will be back to).

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You're thinking of Cindy's, which is a good spot.

Other rooftops: J. Parker, Up & Up (Robey), LondonHouse, Raised, Apogee, IO (Godfrey), Royal Palms, Ballast Point (recently-opened their taproom in West Loop), Aba, and Waydown (Ace Hotel).

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Also, if China Town interests you at all for sure swing by there. It’s like a $5-7 Uber from Soldier field if fares are normal rates. You can take the El there the stop is 100 yards or less from the entrance of China town and only 2-3 stops south of the loop.

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If OP makes it to Chinatown, he and his wife need to hit Go 4 Food. Phenomenal stuff.

Sunset from the Londonhouse rooftop bar was surreal. Wish I had taken a legit camera instead of my cellphone.