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Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Chicago Best Restaurants

Best Restaurants - Chicago River North, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, and Uptown

Open Table recently published an article on “Chicago Greats” which is an article in a series on restaurants around the country that define their cities.  “Chicago Greats” are restaurants who helped shape Chicago’s world-class dining scene.

Included are restaurants from the “Chicago Greats” list in River North, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, and in Uptown Chicago. 

The Restaurants are organized by Neighborhood:





River North "Chicago Greats" Restaurants




  • Tanta - by Owner Gastón Acurio - one of Peru’s most famous chefs

Tanta by Gaston
Photo: by Rieder
    • Highlights:  Delivers inventive Peruvian food served in a stylish Peru-inspired space.  Tanta is known for its pisco sour cocktails too.
    • Cuisine:  Peruvian fare
    • Address:  118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
    • Phone:  (312) 222-9700

  • Jaleo - by Chef José Andrés in a light-soaked dining room
    • Highlights:  Open Table describes Jaleo as “a vibrant celebration of Spanish flavors and techniques. Its whimsical approach to tapas offers croquetas de pollo served on a ceramic chicken and paella by the pan in a light-soaked dining room lush with tiled accents.”  
    • Cuisine:  Spanish fare and tapas
    • Address:  500 N Clark St #465, Chicago, IL 60654
    • Phone:  (312) 820-7771


  • Shaw’s Crab House A Chicago premier Seafood Restaurant
    • Highlights:  Shaw’s is the top seafood destination in Chicago and offers great seafood and an extensive oyster selection.  Offers classic fare & sushi in a relaxed space with a vintage vibe.
    • Cuisine:  Seafood and Oyster bar
    • Address:  21 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611
    • Phone:  (312) 527-2722


  • Chicago Cut Steakhouse patio overlooking the river & nice wine list
    • Highlights:  Modern steakhouse located downtown alongside the Chicago River.  Offers a few dining spots with a view of both the tour boats cruising the river and the lively dining room.  Menu includes a full array of classic steakhouse options and a mix of originals too.
    • Cuisine:  Steak and seafood
    • Address:  300 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654
    • Phone:  (312) 329-1800


  • Gene & Georgetti Chicago’s oldest steakhouse

Gene & Georgetti steakhouse
Credit:  Gene & Georgetti

    • Highlights:  Established in 1941, Gene & Georgetti options include steak, seafood, & Italian specialties.  Restaurant is in a traditional setting and atmosphere.
    • Cuisine:  Steak, seafood, and Italian
    • Address:  500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654
    • Phone:  (312) 527-3718

Lincoln Park "Chicago Greats" Restaurants





  • Boka -  stylish, modern setting with a lounge & candlelit back garden patio
    • Cuisine:  American Fare
    • Address:  1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
    • Phone:  (312) 337-6070


  • North Pondoffers creative American fare made with local ingredients

North Pond in Lincoln Park Chicago
Photo by Martha Williams

    • Highlights Hidden gem.  Open table says “North Pond may be one of the most overlooked restaurants in Chicago.” and that the restaurant location is “tucked inside Lincoln Park, the Arts and Crafts-style structure—formerly a warming shelter for ice skaters—was converted into a restaurant in 1998.”
    •  Cuisine:  American Fare
    • Address: 2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
    • Phone: (773) 477-5845


  • Café Ba-Ba-Reeba - serves authentic Spanish fare and Sangria


Café Ba-Ba-Reeba in Lincoln Park
Credit:  Café Ba-Ba-Reeba


    • Highlights:  Chicago's original tapas bar, serving authentic Spanish cuisine
    • Cuisine:  Spanish Tapas
    • Address:  2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
    • Phone:  (773) 935-5000


  • Juno Sushi Chicago ultramodern surroundings

Juno Sushi Chicago
Credit:  Juno Sushi


    • Highlights:  Japanese fare & sushi pairs with sake & cocktails in ultramodern surroundings.  Open table describes Juno as, “a fan favorite for creative sushi displays” and that it, “has served some of the city’s freshest sashimi since 2013”.  
    • Cuisine:  Japanese fare and Sushi
    • Address: 2638 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
    • Phone: (773) 935-2000


Gold Coast "Chicago Greats" Restaurants




  • Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - Quality steak and memorable desserts

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Credit:  Gibsons


    • Highlights:  One of the highest grossing independent restaurants in all of Chicago.  This is the quality Chicago steakhouse and in a prime location just off the Magnificent Mile.  Open Table indicates Gibsons is the first restaurant in the country to have its own USDA certification, Gibsons Prime Angus beef.
    • Cuisine:  Steak and seafood
    • Address:  1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
    • Phone:  (312) 266-8999


  • Maple and Ash - Redefining the steakhouse experience
    • Highlights:  This is a sprawling restaurant with velvet dining chairs and soaring ceilings.  Has an extensive wine list, where the priciest bottle is $10,000.
    • Cuisine:  Steak and seafood 
    • Address:  8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610
    • Phone:  (312) 944-8888


Uptown "Chicago Greats" Restaurant




  • Demera Restaurant - City’s top destination for Ethiopian food, flavors, and culture
    • Cuisine:  Ethiopian fare
    • Address:  4801 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
    • Phone:  (773) 334-8787

Source Article:   The Greats Chicago 



Sunday, July 24, 2022

Chicago Area Craft Breweries

Chicago Loves Beer

Craft and Microbreweries abound in Chicago.  We are blessed with many options of craft and local breweries.  This list is compiled from different sources including Karl Klockars book Beer Lover's Chicago.  Our list is categorized by different towns.


Chicago Breweries

  • DryHop Brewery - 3155 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
  • Goose Island - Multiple Locations
    • BREWHOUSE - 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
    • TAPROOM - 1800 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612
    • BARREL WAREHOUSE - 603 N Sacramento Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612
  • Moody Tongue Brewery - 2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
  • Whiner Beer Company - 1400 W 46th St, Chicago, IL 60609

Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Linconlnshire Breweries

  • Arlington Ale House - 111 W Campbell St UNIT 3, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
  • Mickey Finn's Brewery - 345 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
  • Half Day Brewing Company - 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire IL 60069

Downers Grove, Geneva, St Charles Breweries

  • Stockholm's Restaurant & Brewery - 306 W State St, Geneva, IL 60134
  • Penrose Brewing Company - 509 Stevens Street, Geneva, IL 60134
  • Art History Brewing - 649 West State St., Geneva, IL 60134
  • D and G Brewing - 303 N 4th St Suite A, St. Charles, IL 60174
  • Riverlands Brewing Company - 1860 Dean St Unit A, St. Charles, IL 60174
  • 93 Octane Brewery - 1825 Lincoln Hwy, St. Charles, IL 60174
  • Alter Brewing - 2 locations
    • 12 S. First St • St. Charles, IL 60174
    • 2300 Wisconsin Ave • Downers Grove, IL 60515


Algonquin, Barrington, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, and Roselle Breweries


Church Street Brewing Company

Church Street Brewery

Address:  1480 Industrial Drive Unit C, Itasca, IL 60143

Phone:  630-438-5725

Website:  https://www.churchstreetbrew.com/

Kid Friendly

Founded:  2012

Founders:  Lisa & Joe Gregor

Tours:  Yes






Flesk Brewing

Flesk Brewery
Address:  200 Applebee Street Suite E, Barrington, IL  60148


Phone:  (224) 655 – 7291

Founded:  2011

Founders:  William & James O’Brien

Tours:  No






Mikerphone Brewing Company
Mikerphone Brewery
Address:  121 Garlisch Drive, Elk Grove Village, IL  60007

Phone:  847.264.8904


Founded:  2010, went professional 2015

Founder:  Mike Pallen

Tours:  Check




Pollyanna Brewing Company
Pollyanna Brewery
Address:  245 E Main St, Roselle, IL 60172

Other Locations:  Lemont & St. Charles

Phone:  847-285-1909


Founded:  2014 in Lemont, IL

Founders:  Ed Malnar, Brian Pawola, Ryan Weidner

Tours:  Check



Scorched Earth Brewing Company
Scorched Earth Brewery
Address:  203 BERG ST., ALGONQUIN, IL 60102

Phone:  224-209-8472


Founded:  2014

Founders:  Michael & Jennifer Dallas

New Owner:  Greg Doyen

Tours:  Yes




Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets
Wild Onion Brewery and Banquets

Address:  22221 N. Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington, IL 60010

Phone:  847-381-7308


Founded:  1997

Founders:  Mike, Pat, & John Kainz

Tours:  Yes




Additional Thoughts

Chicago is blessed with a great variety of micro, Nano, craft, and local breweries.  We will continue to add to this list of Chicago craft breweries that call the Chicago area home.  If you don't see a brewery on the list you feel should be included please include it in the comments or email us.  Thanks!

(C) 2022-23 jspublishing.blogspot.com


Sunday, March 27, 2022

Fun at Art Institute of Chicago

Fun at Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois

Have you ever been to Chicago?  

If not, you’re missing out!  

The city of Chicago is lots of fun, and is home to many well-known museums, such as the Art Institute, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and much more!  We visited the city, and our trip was a blast!  We rode the train, ate at an incredible restaurant, and visited one of the museums that calls Chicago its home.

Our Amazing Day in Chicago, Illinois


To start off our trip we drove to a family friends house to meet up with them, and parked at their house, then we walked to the train station.  The train arrived and we boarded and made our way to the first destination of our trip, Lou Mitchell's!  

Lou Mitchell's 


After getting off the train, we left the station and walked to Lou Mitchell’s.  Lou Mitchell’s is a restaurant in Chicago and is known for their wonderful breakfast!  You may be thinking, what makes this restaurant different from any other breakfast restaurant?  Well, for starters, if there is a long line to get into the restaurant, they serve donut holes and milk duds to those waiting in line, which, if I may add, are delicious!  Also, for people who have a huge appetite, like me, you must visit this place the next time you’re in Chicago!  Unlike a normal restaurant, their portion sizes are two times bigger, and so, so delicious!

Art Institute


After breakfast, we left the restaurant and made our way the Art Institute.  To those who don’t like museums, and much less looking at art all day, give the Art Institute a chance!  It is an amazing museum and has lots of cool pieces to check out.  

When we arrived at the museum, the first thing we decided to check out was the miniatures.  This might not seem like a cool thing to check out, but they were amazing!  They were little, tiny rooms of houses and it was so fascinating to look at all the little, tiny details that went into each one of them.  

The next thing we decided to check out was the photography section.  In this section of the museum, there is a piece of art that is the entire length of the wall, and it was astounding to check out.  In all honesty it was fascinating to see how art can look different depending on how close you are to the piece.  This piece looks like clouds when you are standing a good distance from it, but when looking at it closely, it messes with your brain a little bit.  After checking the photography section and the miniatures out, we decided to explore the museum more.  

What makes the Art Institute stand out to me is that the museum itself is a work of art.  From the entrance we walked in, the museum doesn’t look very big, and seems small.  Except, when we were exploring, I found that its actually huge, and has lots of things to see.  While exploring we saw lots of famous pieces of art, one of them being Nighthawks.

For more information go to the Art Institute web page:  https://www.artic.edu/

Edward Hopper - Nighthawks
Nighthawks by Edward Hopper at Art Institute of Chicago


Other magnificent pieces of art we saw are below:

Vincent van Gogh - The Drinkers
The Drinkers by Vincent van Gogh at Art Institute of Chicago


American Gothic at Art Institute of Chicago
American Gothic by Grant Wood - 1930

Claude Monet - Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer)
Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer) by Claude Monet -1890 - 91


Apples and Grapes by Claude Monet
Apples and Grapes by Claude Monet - 1880

Édouard Manet - Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers - 1925 Art Institute of Chicago
Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers by Édouard Manet - 1925


Train Ride back from Chicago

After having a blast at the Art Institute, we walked back to the train station.  When we arrived at the train station, we boarded the train to leave.  As the train was about to leave, all the stops were announced.  After hearing all the stops, we realized we had gotten on the wrong train by mistake!  We had gotten on the express train!  Luckily, we had gotten off the train just before it left the station.  We went back into the station to wait for our train, and we learned a very important lesson, always make sure to listen to all the stops the train makes, and, if your stop isn’t stated, get off the train right away!  We then boarded the correct train, and made our way to our stop, reflecting on the amazing day we had at the Art Institute in Chicago Illinois!


(C) 2022-23 jspublishing.blogspot.com

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I am James Bamberger, an experienced long term investor, MBA, PMP, and Certified Scrum Master who enjoys traveling, the outdoors, family, and spending time with my four kids. You will find Information on leadership, journaling, investing, travel, and the outdoors here. Post a comment if you don't find the information you are looking for. We (my oldest daughter and I) are adding new material often.

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