Girls Weekend in Chicago - ALL recs welcome!

[SabrinaUF]

Hello Everyone!
Our annual Girls Trip has landed us this year in Chicago!! We will be celebrating one 40th birthday and are looking to see and taste Chicago! We are flying in on a Thursday morning and leaving on a Sunday afternoon.
We are staying at Swissotel on Wacker and are looking for places and restaurants that we can get to on foot or by city transportation (taxi, if the spot is worth it!). Obviously, a big request from the girls was "Chicago-style pizza." Can someone tells me what that really means (from what I've read, it means thick crust) and what is the best (within our area)?
Also, we typically eat at a "nice" restaurant one night and then just stick with budget friendly fare for the trip. By nice, I don't mean extravaggant, just a step up. Maybe around $30/plate.
We are all teachers from Atlanta, Georgia, aging from 32-41, we plan on shopping the Mile and sightseeing the city by boat, bus and foot.
I hope that I've given enough information to get some great advice! I've also been browsing the boards. Food network has been to Moto, iCream, Lutz, Rainbow Cone, Ann Sathers... are any of those worth our time?
Thanks everyone!!!! I'll make a note to come back and let you know how it went! :)

[nsxtasy]

>> We are staying at Swissotel on Wacker and are looking for places and restaurants that we can get to on foot or by city transportation (taxi, if the spot is worth it!).

There are many, many restaurants within a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel. There are a few that are very close, under 5 minutes, but not many. The Swissotel is part of a cluster of hotels, with the Fairmont and Hyatt Regency Chicago, and is located just south of the river and northeast of the Loop, Chicago's historical and commercial center.

>> Obviously, a big request from the girls was "Chicago-style pizza." Can someone tells me what that really means (from what I've read, it means thick crust) and what is the best (within our area)?

There are lots of styles of thick crust pizza, in Chicago and elsewhere. You can read a pretty good description of our local deep-dish pizza, which was first served at Uno in 1943, in the Wikipedia entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_dish_pizza Just below it, you'll see a good description of our "stuffed pizza", which is another style of thick-crust pizza served here, which features two crusts; it originated at Nancy's and was popularized at Giordano's. If you've never had pizza here before, I recommend starting with the deep-dish style; if you'd then like to also try the stuffed pizza as well, do so!

The original Uno and Due are the best deep-dish that are close to the Swissotel; they're at Ohio and Wabash, about a ten minute walk northeast from the hotel. Other good places (Pizano's, Lou Malnati's) are further from the hotel but may be convenient, depending on where you happen to be that day. For stuffed pizza, Giordano's is in the Prudential building on East Lake Street and Bacino's is on Wacker Drive, both about five minutes away. Wherever you go, you can phone ahead with your pizza order if you'd like to avoid waiting 30-45 minutes while seated (or while awaiting seating) for your pizza to bake.

>> Also, we typically eat at a "nice" restaurant one night and then just stick with budget friendly fare for the trip. By nice, I don't mean extravaggant, just a step up. Maybe around $30/plate.

There are lots of nice restaurants here with $30 entrees. Lots and lots. Some of the ones I recommend, in part for their convenience to the Swissotel, include: David Burke's Primehouse (steakhouse), Shaw's Crab House (seafood), Coco Pazzo Cafe (Italian), Emilio's Sol y Nieve (tapas), the Gage (gastropub), Heaven on Seven (cajun/creole), and Topolobampo and Frontera Grill (Mexican). There are two pan-Asian restaurants that I recommend, each with its own advantages. Aria is in the Fairmont, right across the street from the Swissotel. The menu is pan-Asian but also has some American dishes like steaks (last time I was there, I had an excellent smoked prime rib special). The atmosphere is elegant and refined. Sunda is in River North, about ten minutes walk northwest of the Swissotel. The menu is pretty much strictly pan-Asian and sushi. The atmosphere is raucous and festive (and noisy), with lots of younger people partying (and, in some cases, looking to meet others). So, depending on what you're looking for, you can take your pick.

For budget fare, go downstairs in the Swissotel to the level for Lower Wacker Drive, and walk across the river on Columbus Drive past the Sheraton and turn right at Illinois. If you don't get lost, it will only take you about five minutes to walk from the hotel to Fox & Obel. Fox & Obel is our premier gourmet food store, with the finest meats, cheeses, and other basics, as well as the finest baked goods and other prepared foods. Don't miss the yummy cinnamon swirl rolls at the bakery counter! There's a cafe in the rear if you want to eat anything on the premises, from a cup of coffee to an entire meal prepared to order. There's also a wine bar. www.fox-obel.com

For more recommendations in the budget category, there was a discussion a while ago started by students asking for budget recommendations near the Hyatt Regency, which is next door to the Swissotel; the recommendations there are still current, so check it out, at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/387291

>> Food network has been to Moto, iCream, Lutz, Rainbow Cone, Ann Sathers... are any of those worth our time?

No.

Here are a couple of topics whose recommendations will probably interest you; both were for girls weekends for those staying in hotels near yours:

5 Canadian Girls Gone Wild in Chicago - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/603040

Recommendations for Girl's Night Out in Chicago - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/617007

Feel free to ask more questions, and enjoy your visit!

[SabrinaUF]

Amazing information!!! Thank you sooo much!! I've read a number of your posts on here and they are very informative and well written. I appreciate your time and all of the great suggestions! I'm going to copy and paste your reply to send to the girls! We can't wait!! With sincerest thanks, S

[lbs]

A fun budget place to eat is Quartino's. It is small plates Italian. I went for a bachlorette party and we all (8) split the salumi sampler, got a speciality pizza, and each ordered a plate to be passed around plus chocolate fondue for dessert and 2 liters of wine/2 liters of Bellini's. The total came to be around $50 a person (only 7 people paid). Very fun atmosphere but not crazy loud or anything.

[nsxtasy]

Quartino, which is owned by the same group as Gibson's Steakhouse, is a good choice too. It's about a 10-12 minute walk from the Swissotel. In Chicago, there are always so many great choices!

[ferret]

I'm sure my go-to recommendation is in one of nsxtasy's links, but I'll mention it again. Carnivale is a lovely room with a great menu, great drinks and a lively Latin atmosphere. Hard not to have a good time. Less than a 10-minute cab ride.