Skyline view

This is one of my favorite views of the city skyline. I took it yesterday on the Kinzie Street Bridge, near the East Bank Club. In warmer weather, I often see wedding parties on this bridge, stopping traffic as a photographer tries to get the perfect shot.

Cityscape Bar in the nearby Holiday Inn across from the Merchandise Mart also offers a beautiful and climate-controlled view of the skyline.

What are some of your favorite views of the Chicago skyline?

Caffeine buzz

My sister visited me a couple of weekends ago. She lives on the East Coast and usually travels with a husband and a two-year-old. But on this particular weekend, I had her company to myself.

We packed in a week's worth of activities into just a couple of days, including dinner at Friend's Sushi in the Gold Coast, a visit to Saigon Sisters in the French Market (yeah, I might be an addict...), a Second City show, dinner at Chilam Balam, yoga at Exhale, brunch at Meli in River North and a visit to the Christmas tree at Macy's.


To fit all of this in and to stay awake for the late show at Second City, we started the weekend with a strong caffeine buzz at the Roasting Works Tour at Intelligentsia Coffee. The tour covers the history of coffee, coffee-growing regions, the smells associated with coffee and concludes with a take-home gift--a 1/2 pound bag of freshly-roasted Intelligentsia Coffee!!

I've taken the tour once before, about a year ago. My only complaint with the tour I took with my sister is that the guide turned the roasting machinery on while he was talking. Despite his headset, we found it difficult to hear.

This tour is offered twice on the first Saturday of every month. It books up several weeks in advance, so be sure to reserve your tickets as soon as you know you can go.

Lunching in the West Loop-ish area

Today my friend Devin, who has been hounding me about writing a blog since I first told him I was thinking about starting a blog, asked me for lunch recommendations in the Randolph/Halsted area. Devin, you have given me the perfect topic for my second blog post!

I consider myself an emerging foodie. I don't think I have the appetite to be a full-fledged foodie. Frankly, I still like to fit into my skinny jeans. But I enjoy and appreciate food. Even if that means sampling rather than devouring the foie gras in front of me.

In no particular order, here is where I would want to lunch in the West Loop/Fulton Market District area:

Blackbird. Always a classic. Delicious at lunch, too. Blackbird changes its menu from time-to-time, so there's always a new reason to go back.

Sepia. Another Michelin star winner. More affordable at lunch. It's truly one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago and I'm consistently amazed by how easy it is to get a reservation here. Now that I've let the cat out of the bag, go show them some love.

For a more casual option, try Haymarket.

Dragonfly Mandarin also has a lunch menu. A solid Chinese option if that's what you're in the mood for.
De Cero offers yummy tacos. And a lunch menu, but March-August only.

Saigon Sisters is ultra-yummy Vietnamese food. I don't recommend the pho, but the sandwiches are to die for. The Porky is my favorite. My boyfriend will walk half-a-mile from his office in the Loop in 20-degree weather to pick up a sandwich.

Saigon Sisters also has a location in the nearby French Market. Pick up a Vietnamese sandwich at Saigon Sisters or an artisan sandwich at Pastoral. Sinfully Healthy is my favorite. Don't forget to save room for dessert at the French Market. You'll find plenty of artisan candy makers and bakers, including Sweet Miss Givings. Try the red velvet cupcake. AH-MAZ-ING!! Sweet Miss Givings is a social enterprise bakery offering employment opportunities and training to needy Chicagoans.

Meet the parents

I'm forever telling non-Chicagoans that my city has so much to offer. That a great new restaurant opens nearly every week and that I never run out of things to do here. Yet, when the time comes to show off my city and plan a weekend for visitors, I struggle to think of activities to fill a weekend.

I rely on publications like TimeOut Chicago, emails from DailyCandy or an occasional RedEye to help me plan my weekends. But not everything featured is family-friendly or relevant to my visitors. This summer, when my boyfriend's mother came to visit, I made a list. These activities are fun and family-friendly.

Architecture boat tour and Navy Pier

The Chicago Architecture Foundation also has other walking tours.

Art Institute. Rooftop area is very cool. Also, other outside gardens and spaces. From here we go to Millennium Park, the Bean, etc.

Other museums: MCA, Field, Shedd, Adler Planetarium

Green City Market (Wednesday and Saturday a.m. Out-of-doors during the spring/summer/fall)

Hancock Building Signature Lounge for a drink (I've never been to the restaurant, but I've heard it's nothing special. That's probably why I've never been...)

Sears' Tower (Aka Willis' Tower) for an amazing view! I first visited the Sky Deck when I was about five-years-old. I've never forgotten it.

Garfield Park Conservatory on far west side

Frank Lloyd Wright houses and tours

Street festivals

Movies in the Park in the summer (Check out the Chicago Park District. The schedule changes from year-to-year.)

Concerts in Millennium Park in the summer

Concerts @ Ravinia in the summer

Kayaking on the Chicago River. You could try this at another time of year, but I recommend summer.

Canoeing on the Chicago River