Two Dandelions travelled to Chicago! We are dear friends who talk almost every day, but we live thousands of miles from each other. It is a treat any time we get to see each other. Our schedules matched up, as Kalisa was accompanying her husband on a business trip and I was just finishing a trip to Ann Arbor to visit my Wolverine son. The pieces fell into place, and we met in Chicago.
We only had a day and a half, and we packed it in! What a wonderful city.
Kalisa knows Chicago very well from the days when she spent time there for work. I do not know Chicago, so I was lucky to have her as my wonderful tour guide. Here are some of the highlights from our trip, which was short and sweet.
Day 1: Sunday lunch at the Ralph Lauren Restaurant
We grabbed lunch at the RL Restaurant on Chicago Avenue. It is beautifully decorated and feels like you’re stepping into old Chicago. We both had a chopped veggie salad which was light and delicious. The service was terrific.
This restaurant was packed on a Sunday for lunch. We loved that many of the diners looked like Chicago’s elegant (older) crowd out for a lovely Sunday dining experience. Women had on suits and hats, and the men were dapper. We had on our jeans and sneakers, but we didn’t let that stop us.
(For more about how we love our white Keds sneakers, please see The White Sneaker: all-purpose shoe.)
Shopping the Magnificent Mile
Our first day was rainy and cool, so we made a mostly-inside day filled with shopping. We hit Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom’s and Saks.
In this picture Kalisa is working her way up the escalator at Bloomingdale’s. She wearing a gorgeous Veronica Beard jacket, and we didn’t find anything as great as this jacket. We didn’t buy much, but we had a ball searching for bargains and fabulous finds.
Drinks at the Langham Hotel
After working so hard shopping, we took a short break and met for pre-dinner cocktails at the bar at the Langham Hotel. The views are spectacular from this beautiful hotel.
The bar at the Langham has very creative and beautiful cocktails. It’s a great place to grab drinks before dinner out.
Dinner at RPM Italian
Our dinner that night was at RPM Italian. It was absolutely perfect, and I enjoyed every bite.
We arrived 10 minutes before our 8:30 reservation, thinking that surely they could take us earlier on a Sunday night. Nope. The joint was packed, and deservedly so. 
Our meal at RPM Italian was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. The reservations are hard to get, and you may have a very early or very late seating. It is worth it. Go to this restaurant.
We had the rosemary focaccia, which was perfectly grilled. It was served with whipped lardo, a pork-fat (nondairy) spread, like butter, only a thousand times better. Then Kalisa and I shared a wonderful roasted beet salad, and two pastas, a seasonal sweet corn agnolIotti, and a tomato bucatini. Both were fabulous.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been on weight watchers for 5 weeks (Not Your Mama’s Weight Watchers), but this meal was absolutely perfect in every way.
Nightcap back at the Langham
We finished our day with a nightcap at the Langham, enjoying the lights of the city. It was perfect — except for when I gestured a little too exuberantly, and sprayed Kalisa’s husband with half a glass of red wine. Sorry Fred. I owe you a white shirt.
Day 2: Millennium Park
We found this fun sculpture as we begin our walking tour:
A short walk took us to Millennium Park. It’s worth all the hype.
The landscaping is lush and groomed and was spectacular. There are so many great places to take pictures. And don’t forget THE BEAN:
Lunch at Eataly
If you haven’t been there, you must. It’s so awesome, it deserves it’s own post. Experience Eataly!
Architecture Boat Tour
I loved this! We had a 75-minute tour on an open boat down the Chicago River, with a historical tour about the buildings in Chicago.
I would never have thought it would have been so interesting. We heard when and why buildings were constructed, their histories, and even about movies that were famously filmed in town.
Our guide was lively, funny and articulate. It may have been the highlight of the trip.
Dinner at Sapori Trattoria
We ventured to Lincoln Park for dinner at Sapori Trattoria, a small and charming Italian restaurant. Dinner was delightful, especially the unusual appetizer that featured a whole tiny stuffed pumpkin — even the skin.
Nightcap at the Langham
We had one final nightcap in the terrific bar at the Langham, and I managed to not pour a glass of red wine on Fred. Then off to bed, after a very full day.
Lessons learned from two days in Chicago:
- A weekday in September is a terrific time to visit. No crowds.
- Ditch the cute uncomfortable shoes, and go for sneakers.
- Never miss a meal. The food is spectacular.
- Definitely do the architecture boat tour.
- Kalisa is a great tour guide; do whatever she proposes.
- Fred is gracious, even when sprayed with red wine.
And the number one lesson? Days spent with a dear friend can’t be beat. As busy as we all are, we need to take the time to have some adventures with our best friends.
For more about some of our favorite travels, please see Dior Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art is Feast for the Eyes, Celebration, Florida: A Welcome Break from Orlando’s I-4 Craziness!, Oh Ship! Cruising for senior spring break,and Celebration Park in Naples: Food Truckin’ Good Time.
