Chicago trip part 2 help!

[emathias]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Those things are fun but not something the OP really asked about. If we're talking neighborhood experience of sitting on a patio and people watching, I still think Wicker Park wins hands down.

Just for the record, while I did cite the Bijou as a sign that Old Town isn't all vanilla, I don't actually recommend it to anyone - least of all not to straight tourists. :-)

[faintlyamused]

You have Xoco on Monday's schedule, and I'm pretty sure it's closed on Mondays...

[Drover]

Originally Posted by faintlyamused

You have Xoco on Monday's schedule, and I'm pretty sure it's closed on Mondays...

If that's the case, head up to the food court on the 7th floor in Macy's on State and order from Frontera Fresco. Same chef, same basic concept (up-market fast-casual Mexican).

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Drover

If that's the case, head up to the food court on the 7th floor in Macy's on State and order from Frontera Fresco. Same chef, same basic concept (up-market fast-casual Mexican).

Yes, Xoco, Topo, and Frontera are all closed on Mondays.

As for going to Macy's - no. Just ... no. Same chef designed the menu. But not nearly as good. I mean, it's not bad for food court food, but it's not supervised by Bayless, and it's really not comparable. It's his menu, but executed by Macy's employees and, well, part of the success of his three places on Clark is his constant leadership.

With those closed on Monday, if you wanted a nice lunch at a local place that wasn't too expensive, near Michigan Avenue, I would recommend maybe Café des Architectes in the Sofitel, or Balsan in the Elysian hotel. Both would be a little more expensive than Xoco, but very nice. Tell them you're in a hurry and don't order too much and they don't have to be long lunches.

Alternately, you could eat at Feast on Delaware, or closer to Xoco, Sable Kitchen and Bar in the Palomar Hotel. Or just grab some tapas at 1492 on Superior St.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by emathias

Yes, Xoco, Topo, and Frontera are all closed on Mondays.

As for going to Macy's - no. Just ... no. Same chef designed the menu. But not nearly as good. I mean, it's not bad for food court food, but it's not supervised by Bayless, and it's really not comparable. It's his menu, but executed by Macy's employees and, well, part of the success of his three places on Clark is his constant leadership.

They are not Macy's employees, they are Frontera Fresco employees. I find it to be a good way to get a quick sample of Bayless' creations. I guess you disagree. Some of the menu items at Frontera Fresco and Xoco are the same.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Drover

They are not Macy's employees, they are Frontera Fresco employees. I find it to be a good way to get a quick sample of Bayless' creations. I guess you disagree. Some of the menu items at Frontera Fresco and Xoco are the same.

I used to work next door to Macy's, so I'd eat there frequently. I never felt the Frontera Fresco execution was comparable to the restaurants Bayless actively supervises. Which isn't surprising, and doesn't mean it's bad food, but I think if you're wanting to actually see what Chef Bayless is capable of - or even just what chefs in Chicago are capable of - it's not a great way to be introduced.

It's a bit like having kobe beef for the first time as a burger. It makes a fine burger, but you don't really experience any of the aspects of kobe that made it famous so, in my opinion, it's kind of a waste of money.

[TexasAggieGirl]

Thank you all for the advice!! I have tweaked the plan.

[tomcho]

From Foster to Navy Pier is around 7 miles on the bike path, it's an easy ride. It's less than an hour even at a slow pace. It will however be crowded from Fullerton all the way down to Navy Pier.