BHAM BUZZ



by Jenny Watkins
Only a thin sheet of glass and a 1,000-foot gain in elevation separate me from Lake Michigan and its shoreline dotted with Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, thousands of other structures and millions of people hustling and bustling on the streets of downtown Chicago. It’s my virgin voyage to the city and The Hancock Observatory is my first stop. I’ve always heard that Chicago is beautiful—a “clean New York City”—but here, with fingertips pressed to the floor-to-ceiling window, I stare in silence at what lies underneath me. The contrast is remarkable; the calm, jade sealike body of water borders a booming city that never sleeps. It would take a lifetime to discover all of the restaurants, parks, museums and retail stores that this metropolis boasts but I only have a couple of days to explore, which will whet my appetite just enough to book a return trip ... soon.

WHERE TO STAY The James Chicago
 KT Tunstall’s “Other Side of the World” softly filters through the speakers as my husband and I wheel our bags into the lobby of The James Chicago—the tune appropriate as the stacked suitcase artwork, mod couches and tree trunk décor evoke a feeling that we are in a place unlike anywhere we’ve ever been. The hotel has achieved a perfect balance between elegance and modernity—not pretentious in the slightest although indisputably upscale and refined.

In our “loft,” the plush platform bed adorned in white linens and a surplus of fluffy pillows is separated from the sitting room by a curtain of long, dangling beads. The media room, elevated from the rest of the quarters, is cushioned by a textured fabric-covered mattress that extends the full length of the space and is equipped with a high-definition projector and Bose surround sound—a dream for a technology enthusiast. And that’s not all—in every room guests have access to multiple plasma screen TVs, complimentary wireless Internet and an iPod docking station.

Since the hotel stands just a block or two from Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) in the trendy River North district of Chicago, we set out for an afternoon shopping excursion and return hours later to a complimentary cheese platter, fresh fruit and sparkling water—a thoughtful snack for tired travelers. Also that evening after a late dinner, we’re greeted by fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and snugly bathrobes on our turned-down bed. 55 E. Ontario St.; 312-337-1000; jameshotels.com

WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Viand I’m mesmerized by my husband’s Millionaire Pancake Stack—an arrangement of mini buttermilk pancakes deliberately drizzled with a Champagne strawberry sauce and accented with light powdered sugar. Its presentation is a close rival to that of my Classic Benedict which appears a moment later.

Breakfast at Viand doesn’t disappoint and the venue’s American cuisine with an artsy twist is prepared with the freshest ingredients by Chef Chiappetti who was featured on NBC’s Today Show in March.

155 E. Ontario St.; 312-255-8505; viandchicago.com

Snack: L’Appetito A breeze in Alabama is different than a breeze in Chicago, hence the nickname. “The Windy City.” The blustery conditions, no matter what the season, send Southern travelers straight to cafés for warm-up-your-body coffee breaks. We stop into L’Appetito, a precious little authentic Italian deli in the John Hancock Center, to enjoy a hot illy latte and biscotti. Not only is it an ideal place to grab a quick snack, it’s inspiring to browse the cases adorned with Tostinos, gelato, prosciutto, cookies and more Italian goodies.

Visit lappetito.com for a list of locations.

Lunch: Pizzeria Due Imagine how Ike Sewell felt in 1943 when he invented the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza— what a feat that must have been. If he were still alive, he’d probably be thrilled that his restaurant, Uno Chicago Grill, still remains as one of Chicago’s most famous pizza venues. And its sister restaurant, Pizzeria Due, is just as charming and delicious as the first. Due’s menu offers a wealth of salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes but it’s a mistake not to order the deep dish pizza—the dough is handmade daily with a buttery, flaky and savory crust and topped with fine meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables, spices and exceptional sauce.

619 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-280-5110; unos.com

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