WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK: On the recommendation of my trusted concierge, I
headed to Publican (
thepublicanrestaurant.com) one night for dinner, where I found myself gleefully imbib- ing on obscure Belgium draught. This restaurant can be louder than a beer tent in Munich, and almost as festive. The earth-toned walls and ceiling of antique pressed tin and large walnut communal tables give this unassum- ing eatery a northern European edge. Meat dishes here centered on pork, all certified organic. And a menu that changes daily reflects hearty seasonal vegetables such as beets and cauliflower. Typifying Chicago’s diversity, Publican’s high-quality and low attitude is the perfect combination for mingling with urban locals. While a sampling of Chicago’s iconic street food like
deep-dish pizza and Chicago dogs are a must for any visit, where the city has really begun to shine is in its haute cuisine. Chef de Cuisine of Avenues at The Pen- insula Chicago, Curtis Duffy, was recently named one of the “legacy chefs” at the James Beard Awards in New York City. Often lauded as Chicago’s “Best Chef,” his philoso- phy celebrates flavors and purity. My ten-course dinner was a romantic whirlwind that included a lemony Diver scallop and Wagyu beef that melted with the flavor and
WHAT TO SEE AND DO: Bonnie Kaplan is a shopaholic and Chicago expert,
and her unique business gets you exclusive access to top boutiques throughout town. Shop Party (shop-
party.tv) is a luxury experience for exploring Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods while touring top shopping destinations. Bonnie works directly with clients to tailor each excursion according their desires, from a holiday shopping extravaganza to a romantic retail escapade. Whatever is on your wish list, Bonnie personally escorts you around town in the comfort of a limousine with plentiful champagne and insider access to special discounts. Her local expertise adds a fun flair to the experience with occasional gossip and tips for getting the most out of Chicago. While I toured many fine shops with Bonnie, her one “off the wall” recommendation re- ally stood out. If John Waters were to ever open a tacky tourist shop on Route 66, it would surely resemble Uncle Fun (
unclefunchicago.com). This is one place in Chicago where social deviants can find such handy accessories as whoopee cushions and Mexican wres- tling masks. While most of Bonnie’s retail suggestions cover more upscale products, it’s always good to have a backup whoopee cushion on hand. Reservations for Shop Party are handled through The Peninsula Hotel, though you need not be a guest of the hotel to book this unique retail experience. Following a three-hour shopping blitz with Bonnie,
I happily retreated to the Peninsula’s Spa by ESPA (
peninsula.com/chicago), located on the top floor of the hotel. Treatments begin with a ceremonial tea
texture of butter, all artfully presented in an almost liter- ary fashion. Chef Duffy’s never-ending quest for quality is exemplified by his long and unique list of vendors. He told me at dinner that he receives regular shipments of organic truffles and fungi from a Native American who forages for top chefs in the Pacific Northwest. Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday and reservations are a must. While such quality comes at a hefty price, such
service, followed by a relaxing foot ritual, where tired feet are cleansed and massaged with warm mint water and oils—perfect for a post-shopping comedown. The spa’s facilities include a eucalyptus steam room, hot tub and sundeck where one can dine from a sophisticated spa menu with spectacular views. Chicago’s world- famous Millennium Park (
millenniumpark.org) is an impressive 25-acre civic center and outdoor gallery. This top tourist destination and popular gathering place for locals now boasts some of Chicago’s most recognizable landmarks. Among the outdoor art, sculpture and expansive park grounds is the Frank Gehry designed
The Publican Restaurant
a dinner in New York or Los Angeles would be twice as much. Gay bars are to Chicago what arrests are to George Michael, entertaining and seemingly endless. The gayborhood here is Boystown in the Lakeview neighborhood, just north of The Loop, which frames the downtown area. You can find a helpful directory of gay bars in Chicago and other GLBT community events online at
chicago.gopride.com.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, considered by many to be the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue in the United States, with seating for over 10,000. The Pavilion is home to the Grant Park Music Festival and other free concerts and events. Also in the park, you’ll find the 110-ton elliptical Cloud Gate sculpture, forged from a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates. The whimsical Crown Fountain is a monolithic piece of pop art where giant faces spritz out water onto willing crowds in summer months. You can even download a Millennium Park self-guided audio tour online and explore the park at your own pace.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
SEPTEMBER 2010 | RAGE monthly 59
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