Weekend in Chi-Town!

Barrett and I spent the weekend in Chicago visiting our great friends Matt & Katie Bullwinkel.  The trip was long overdue, as they have lived there for 4 years.  We just BARELY got there before they move back to SC, which we're super pumped about.  We've intended to go for years, and then I was pregnant, then had Champs, life happened, etc etc.  But we made it with one week to spare!

I thought I would recap the trip here, so I could remember it and in case anyone is ever planning their own trip to Chicago and looking for some great things to do and eat!  We absolutely loved this city and everything there. 

We flew out of Greenville on Thursday afternoon and were in Chicago by late afternoon.  We flew into Midway, which is about a 30 minute drive from downtown.  We took a cab to their apartment, which is in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and is just awesome.  It's on the prettiest street, North Hudson.  I felt like we were on Seinfeld when we rang Bullwinkel on the door panel outside and they buzzed us in.  After a few Peroni's  (one of the beers of choice for the weekend), and a shower, we headed out for the night.

After a few more drinks at Haymarket, we had 9:45 reservations on Thursday night at Girl and the Goat, an amazing restaurant in the West Loop opened by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard.   It was fabulous.  The menu is broken down into 3 categories: meat, fish and vegetable.  They recommend ordering 7-8 for the table and sharing them all.  That's what we did and we thoroughly enjoyed every one, even the pig face that Katie insisted we get b/c of her love of it from previous dinners there!  We started with gouda bacon bread with fat back butter - yes you read that right!  Then I think I remember correctly in saying we had grilled brocoli, pot stickers, pork belly, baby octopus, halibut (personal fav), pig face and pork shank!  Highly recommend this restaurant!

Drinks at Haymarket before dinner!

So happy to see Katie!

Fun night with this crew!

Friday morning the girls headed to Michigan Ave for some shopping, while the guys did Wrigglyville and a Cubs game.  Michigan Ave was full of many stores where I couldn't buy a thing, but it sure was fun to look and see them!  It also had some "normal" stores like H&M and Zara - my favorite spot - so we spent the majority of our time there.  After shopping we were ready to meet the guys for lunch and Katie had us reservations for a late lunch at RL - the Ralph Lauren restaurant.  I felt very chic eating lunch here amongst all the fancy ladies in there and remembering the time Vince Vaughn's mom ate lunch there with Jennifer Aniston!  I had lobster bisque and then a goat cheese tart with a salad.

Lunch at RL!

After lunch we went to the top of the John Hancock building for a great view of the city - both South and West sides!  That was fun and we drank the beer brewed in Chicago at Goose Creek brewery called 312.

Friday night we started at a place I know all my girlfriends would just love - a champagne bar!  Thanks to Matt for agreeing to let us start our night here!  It was called POPS!   I wish I could start every night out at Pops before going to dinner!  Some of Matt and Katie's friends went out with us this night and it was great meeting them.  Collin, the guy, actually went to Clemson with all of us and his wife Briget was great too!  For dinner on Friday, we went to GT Fish and Oyster.  This restaurant is in Gold Coast part of town and was phenomenal!  Barrett and I split 4 things: Arugula Gnocchi with shrimp, baby artichoke, oregano & burrata (this may have been my fav dish all weekend), Mussels, Lobster Roll, shrimp bruscetta and one more that I cannot recall! After dinner we went to a Blues Bar that was so much fun.  I'm not sure I've ever been to a Blues Bar but I've definitely never had so much fun at one!!  We closed it down and then just couldn't end the night so went to Gamekeepers for a little more fun.  Keep in mind we haven't had a big night out with our crazy friends Matt & Katie in a LONG time, so we made the most of it.  I won't say what time we came in, but I did hear a bird or two chirp as we headed in!

Champagne at Pops!

Cheers!

Saturday morning came early as their apartment was being shown and we had to get up and out of there!  We started the morning at the Farmers Market.  It was such a great market.  Soda City is doing very well for Columbia but this Market was just a "little" bigger with a few more option.  Barrett and I split a ham and cheese crepe.  After the market, we walked into the Lincoln Park Zoo.  It was so cool how it's free and no real entry - you just sort of walk into it and start seeing the animals!  We had lunch on Saturday at Lou Malnati's - a must for deep dish Chicago style pizza!  Ahh, I wish I could have another piece right now!  *Should have brought that piece you toted all day back on the plane with me Katie! ;) * After lunch we did the Chicago River Architectural Tour.  It's a great way to see all the big skyscrapers in the city up close and learn so much about the city's history and culture.  Since the boats dock right at Trump Hotel, we decided we had to go there for one drink after the tour before heading back to the apartment to get ready for dinner. 

Saturday night we went to Gibson's Steakhouse for our last meal.  It did not disappoint!  I went with the Bone-In Filet with a peppercorn rub - heavenly!  After dinner we closed out the weekend in a hilarious way - a stand up comedy show at Second City.  This was a first for me and I loved it!  Ironically the first comedian was the mom of a 9 month old so I found most of her jokes to be particularly funny!

We headed out on Sunday morning after an absolutely fantastic long weekend in Chicago.  This city is full of history, character, pizazz, pristine streets, delicious food, amazing shopping and so so many things to do!  It made it even better that we had two amazing tour guides who have lived there for several years.  We are so excited to have them heading back to SC now though. 

Champs liked his prize we brought him home :)  Boy was I happy to see this little monkey!!!!! 

Until next time, Windy City!