Next Year's Pinkfest

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This posting is from: Laura Wright
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I know it's early, but as long as Pinkfest is fresh in our minds, what
would people like to see on the schedule next year?

How about an "Old Town Day," a "South Loop Day" and a "Theatre District
Day"?

Old Town

Old Town is a terrific neighborhood just south of Lincoln Park which has
not gotten a lot of attention from Pinkfest in the past. I think the
Twin Anchors would be an interesting place for dinner. It has been
visited by stars from Frank Sinatra to Conan O'Brien. Famous for their
ribs. www.twinanchorsribs.com

Right around the corner from there is Second City - the comedy club
which started the careers of scores of actors including Alan Alda, Alan
Arkin, Ed Asner, George Wendt, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Tina Fey, Amy
Poehler, Steve Carell and many others... They all played the main stage
at Chicago's Second City. www.secondcity.com

Theatre District

We have talked about substituting Smith and Wollensky's for the Chicago
Chop House next year. http://www.smithandwollensky.com/sw-chicago

Smith and Wollensky's is an upscale steakhouse restaurant overlooking
the Chicago River. It is a short walk from there to the Theatre
District, with places like the Chicago Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Ford
Theater and even theHouse of Blues is not too far. Another great place
to stop in the Theatre District is Petterino's which features original
charactures of famous actors who have performed in Chicago theatres.
www.petterinos.com

South Loop

We had a nice dinner this year at The Berghoff. Several have said they
would like to go back. There are a lot of other things to do on the area
including the museum campus, with the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and
Adler Planetarium, also nearby is the Art Institute and Chicago
Symphony. I would personally love to go back to the symphony - I loved
it this year. Shopping is also plentiful on State Street in the Loop. We
have discussed doing lunch at the Walnut Room, 7th floor of Macy's (old
Marshal Field's) which is still a Chicago tradition.
www.visitmacyschicago.com

One of the most popular entertainment spots on the South Loop is Buddy
Guy's Legends for those lovers of Blues music.
www.buddyguy.com

What would you all like to do? Chicago is a great city. It can be a very
memorable vacation with a little planning.


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(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> How about an "Old Town Day," a "South Loop Day" and a
> "Theatre District Day"?

This year, for the most part we kept the daily activities within a reasonable proximity of each other, and I think that works well as an effective overall strategy.

> We have talked about substituting Smith and Wollensky's for the Chicago
> Chop House next year. http://www.smithandwollensky.com/sw-chicago

> Smith and Wollensky's is an upscale steakhouse restaurant overlooking
> the Chicago River. It is a short walk from there to the Theatre

Another one I've always wanted to try is Harry Caray's, corner of Dearborn and {mumble}.

> We had a nice dinner this year at The Berghoff. Several have said they
> would like to go back.

Berghoff has to be the find of the year for 2011!

Over the past few years we've really found some nice places, all over.

> One of the most popular entertainment spots on the South Loop is Buddy
> Guy's Legends for those lovers of Blues music.

Gina has suggested this one. Now if we could only get Gina to actually show up for Pinkfest!

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This posting is from: Laura Wright
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The Berghoff is one of my favorites. I have been going there for decades.

Three places representing Chicago on Emeril Lagasse's "Originals" TV
show this summer where The Berghoff, Twin Anchors and Gene & Georgetti.
All true Chicago originals with long running traditions.

I think we should try the other two. Twin Anchors has even been featured
in a few movies, including the Dark Knight...

Harry Caray's would be nice. Ditka's is actually a very nice restaurant
too.

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(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

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This posting is from: Crystal Frost
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Lawry's was absolutely fabulous. Food was exceptional. Service
outstanding. Gorgeous dining room. Located in the Mag Mile area. Shrimp
cocktail, salad, prime rib and lobster tail ran $85. That included a
generous tip. Loved it!

-Crystal

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(This posting was entered by Crystal Frost, an external user of MyDLV.)

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This posting is from: Ginger .
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Sounds wonderful!

I had steamed salmon and a plain baked potato and plainly ordered
"Chicago River Water" - I repeat "I had steamed salmon and a plain baked
potato with water" - at Chicago Chop house and my bill, after I
contributed to the overage fund, was $89.

Part of the overage I found out can be attributed to the fact they
served us "fancy" bottled water although no one asked for it and I
specifically asked for "Chicago River Water." I figured my bill should
have been $69 which was still high, and maybe even higher than I thought
it should have been compared to Crystal's bill at Lawry's, for much more
fare, see the message below.

I am very unhappy and complaining to the Chamber of Commerce and
wherever else I can and can no longer recommend it -- the manager told
me they have new ownership. From my experience it is no longer what it
was. I predict they will be out of business soon unless they change
their policies.

The total bill for the group was over $200 more than it should have been
for the food, tax and gratuity as figured by each couple or individual.
I asked the server to itemize the bill with each person or couple and
she refused, so did the manager!

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(This posting was entered by Ginger ., an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> "Chicago River Water" - I repeat "I had steamed salmon and a
> plain baked potato with water" - at Chicago Chop house and my
> bill, after I contributed to the overage fund, was $89.

The Chicago Chop House was the disappointment of the year!

They have never been cheap, but up until this year I've always felt like I did get my money's worth.

> I am very unhappy and complaining to the Chamber of Commerce and
> wherever else I can and can no longer recommend it

I put in an updated review on Centerstage:

http://www.centerstagechicago.com/resta ... house.html

You'll note that all of the recent reviews are negative.

I also pinged the primary reviewer, noting the change of management, and suggested that they circle back.

> I predict they will be out of business soon unless they change
> their policies.

My guess is that they are well aware of what they are doing, and that the new management does not care about repeat business, but simply wants to take the tourist-trap trade and the expense-account set for all they can.