Weekend Get Away - Chicago Style

We are lucky enough to live just three hours away from Chicago. Chicago has to be one of my favoritest (yep, that's a word) cities. I just love the vibe of the whole city. We typically travel there at least once a year.

We realized on our drive up this past weekend that we hadn't been in a few years. What?

Well, our dear friends, the S's, moved there almost a year ago. We finally made it up to visit them and what a wonderful time we had. They are actually in Evanston, Illinois which also happens to be the home of Northwestern University. Which happens to be where my husband went to graduate school.

Evanston is just a short and scenic drive from Chicago. We prefer to take Lakeshore Drive when we go.

Anywhoo the day started out great as we were able to see there beautiful, huge apartment and enjoy some wonderfully prepared chicken salad, croissants and Michigan cherries. Oh, and a glass of chilled Moscato.

Once we finished our lunch, it was time to head to The Chicago Prime Outlet Mall in Aurora. It was about a 45 minute drive that went quickly as we all caught up.

On the way there, we passed by the new Fashion Outlets of Chicago Mall which is actually closer to them, but doesn't open until August 1st, 2013. This one will have a Tory Burch and a Gucci outlet!

We shopped a bit - they had some GREAT deals this weekend. Check out some of my purchases from the Kate Spade Outlet:

Kate Spade Outlet - Wessley bag and iPad cover

After a few hours, we headed back to their place to prepare for dinner at Roy's Restaurant. This weekend was particularly chilly. So glad we packed for it.

Roy's is a Hawaiian Fusion restaurant known for it's seafood dishes. They are also known for having extremely slow service. What should have been an hour and a half meal turned into much longer. Thankfully, the company was wonderful and the atmosphere was nice. The food was very good, but the wait was not. Ken had sushi which was DELICIOUS! I opted for the Thai Lemongrass Chicken. Which was a chicken breast with a leek and creamy lemon jasmine rice. It was out of this world. Our friends had a pork dish with egg and the shellfish entree. Each meal begins with a complimentary plate of edamame for each customer. We also ordered lobster pot stickers and the calamari. Both were quite tasty. Would I go back? I'm not sure - the food was good enough, but they were just too slow. There have been quite a few reviews on Yelp! referring to the slowness. The waitress who just moved here from Ireland was delightful.

The next morning, we were treated to a fabulous breakfast of quiche, fresh fruits and chocolate croissants. Oh, and a latte from the machine below:

I can not even tell you how cool this machine is. I love my Keurig, but this machine was out of this world. I think I had two or three lattes.

After breakfast, we headed out to take a drive around Evanston before heading home.
Again, it was a bit chilly but we dressed for it. Lots of great scenery - runners, families out for walks, etc.  I LOVE CHICAGO.

We had such a great time with our friends. They were the PERFECT hosts.

Travel Tuesday: Chicago

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Camino on Pinterest

 I  have to tell you that Chicago is probably one of my favoritest (i know, I know) places in the world. We are fortunate enough to live only 3 hours away. So, we are able to get there whenever we feel the urge.

I remember my first trip to Chicago many, many, many years ago. A group of friends and I traveled there for the Taste of Chicago. The Taste of Chicago is held in Grant Park and showcases the diversity of Chicago's dining community. The festival also showcases many bands. The girls and I had a ball! I was hooked. This years event is being held July 10th thru 14 from 11AM - 9PM

We've traveled to Chicago for Musicals - Wicked, The Color Purple and a few others. The Ford Center/Oriental Theatre is a beautiful place where we have enjoyed many a great play. Crazy as it sounds, we went to Chicago in the winter to see Wicked a few years back with a group of friends. Believe me, it was cold. I mean is was very cold - Chicago cold, but I loved it!


There are a few restaurants that we must go to when we visit Chicago:
 Giordano's Pizza and Wishbone.

•  Giordano's has (in my opinion) THE best pizza ever. Honestly, one slice is usually enough for most people. You MUST there is you go to Chicago. Giordano's was founded in 1974. Can't get to Chicago to try it or just need a fix? You can order it online here. Yikes, I wish I didn't know that - lol!  

• Wishbone is described as Southern Reconstruction Cooking. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I know that it is good  eating. Since it's located one block from Harpo Studios, we've eaten there just about every time we went to an Oprah show taping. I ALWAYS get the same thing - eggs fried HARD, cheesy grits and blackened catfish. (Wonder what I would get now that I am a Shredder?) Check out the website here.

Source: unscene.com via UNSCENE on Pinterest

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Camino on Pinterest

We get the best hotel deals when we purchase through Priceline or even Groupon. You can get 4-5 Star hotels for a great deal. Many of the hotels are boutique hotels which we tend to like. We (well, I do)  like to stay within an area near or on Michigan Avenue. Close to the action. This next trip, I am searching for a hotel near the Oak Street Beach. We've stayed at The Drake, but looking for something else. It's just a lucky coinkydink that Oak Street Beach is very near Oak Street which is where Kate Spade and Tory Birch stores are..........................................

Source: thebrowsingbrunette.com via Veronica on Pinterest

Be sure to check out Chicago's many, many museums. They have some of the best. You'll likely spend a whole day in one alone. The Field Museum is a massive natural history museum. Be sure to check the times for all museums when you visit. 

One trip we always make when we visit Chicago is a trip to Evanston - home of the Northwestern Wildcats. This is where my husband went to Graduate School. Many found memories for him when we go. we now always visit one of his (and now my) favorite restaurants - Davis Street Fish Market. This restaurant was a cozy little place when he went and even the first few years of our marriage. A few years ago, they remodeled and it kind of lost that feel. However, the food is still as delicious as ever! 

Source: davisstreetfishmarket.com via Charlene on Pinterest

The Donut Vault

Chicago is my kind of town. The food, the fashion, the culture - just about everything. I was delighted to find a new place in Chicago on our next visit - THE DONUT VAULT. This has to be the cutest donut shop I have ever seen!

I love a good donut. Not the prepackaged kind - but a true blue, made that morning, we're open until we sell out kind of donut place. This looks like it fits the bill. With flavors like pistachio, they have to be good - right? We'll I'll tell you once I try them!

The Donut Vault

400 1/2 N Franklin
Chicago, IL 60654
Be sure to get there early as the lines tend to be long and they close once they sell out!