9 Reasons to Love Chicago

Chicago at night

For the 24th time in 25 years I attended the annual meeting of the Radiologic Society of North America , traditionally starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving in Chicago.  In recent years, Barbara and I look forward to this as an annual vacation in this great city, with Barbara doing research at the Newberry Library and other interesting explorations of art museums and other establishments while I attend the meeting.  The weather is often "iffy," but along with the Christmas decorations and lights there is a festive atmosphere to the city.  After the meeting ends on Thursday, we stay over to play and explore in the city together.

We usually skipped lunch and/or breakfast, and enjoyed a nice dinner in the evenings.  There were two restaurants we already knew well, but we had 7 new discoveries.  I just thought I would list our findings with short comments, for what it's worth.

Bistrot Zinc is an oxymoron; a moderately priced French Restaurant.  Very, very good however:  http://www.bistrotzinc.com/

Le Colonial is a Viet Vietnamese French (Colonial French) restaurant.  My partner Paul pointed this out as one of his favorites.  The dishes have a bit of kick, but excellent quality and preparation, and the service was top notch:  http://www.lecolonialchicago.com/

At The Tavern on Rush we arrived early and were seated next to the 2nd story glass wall overlooking the small park where Rush merges with State.  We both had the small fillet, and it was just about as good of a steak as we have ever eaten, anywhere:   http://www.tavernonrush.com/

A repeat, Shaw's Crab House, produced the best king crab legs Barbara has had since Alaska:  http://www.shawscrabhouse.com/

The unique experience of the trip was North Pond, a restaurant crafted from an old warming house at the edge of a pond in the Lincoln Park area, just east of the zoo.  You have to walk down a path from where the cab will have to drop you off.  http://www.northpondrestaurant.com/

Pane Caldo is a small Italian cafe on the two-block walk from the Newberry Library to Michigan Ave; about 2 blocks from Water Tower. We had the set three course lunch menu for $19; quite good.  We will go back for dinner at some point. http://www.pane-caldo.com/

James Burk's Primehouse is in the James Hotel, and is known for it's dry aged beef.  We had a very special dinner here with Barbara's cousin Steve and his wife Janet, who like me attends the RSNA as a triple boarded Internist/Nuke/Radiologist:.  http://www.jameshotels.com/Chicago-Hotel.aspx?name=The-James-Chicago&page=Primehouse-Bull-Story

The other repeat was our perennial fishouse favorite, Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House. Contrary to one's first impression, it is not named for the amphibian whose legs are served there.  "Frog" was the nickname Hugo Ralli called his Grandfather, General Bruce Hay of Her Majesty's Imperial Forces:  http://www.hugosfrogbar.com/

Eggstasy, a new discovery for breakfast or brunch, is in the Oakbrook area if you are on your way into or out of downtown Chicago and you are very, very hungry.  It's just off the I-88 turnpike:  http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=284486