Yesterday I got to escape the Quad Cities, and took a day trip to the wonderful Windy City. I have to say that despite having crappy weather for all of my visits up there except one, I have fallen in complete love with it. I have braved snow storms, downpours, ice storms, wind, and lightning to spend time up there. And anyone who knows me will tell you, I'm not likely to leave my house for anything on days like those.
This trip I checked out the Printer's Row Lit Fest in the South Loop. The Lit Fest is an exciting event for book event for any age. You can find anything from rare editions, to hand carved leather bound sketch pads, children's books or comic books. Some new sellers are around too. Author lectures, book signings, cooking demonstrations and children's activities are all FREE. With the exception of the Herold Washington Library which just requires FREE tickets.
It was a little overwhelming. Thousands of people packed into a couple mile area, elbowing each other to get at the books gets a little bit intimidating at times. Though I was just wandering to check it out, I think if you had something in particular you were looking for it, and much more patience for people than I do, it could be a real treat. The restaurants along the festival open their doors to invite people in. I can only imagine they pulled in all their staff to prepare for all the people but they had to do some bang-up business yesterday and today.
I also got to eat some wonderful ethnic food while I was up there. YUM! The one thing I've missed since moving out of Detroit some years ago, is the ability to find different foods and neighborhoods. Surviving on pizza and southern food in Charleston, only stays interesting for a short time; although they have expanded their food choices in the last year. And in the Quad Cities, it seems the good restaurants that serve more than steak and hamburgers, don't survive.
We ate lunch at a Thai restaurant called the Silverspoon on Rush Street. While it is not my FAVORITE Thai restaurant (which is actually owned by Russians in Birmingham MI) it serves really good food. Though it should considering it is next to the Thai Consulate. I stumbled across it a couple years ago when I was up there and every couple visits I stop in.
The other place we got wonderful food was Athena Restaurant on S. Halsted in the Greek District. Recommended by local friends, we wondered around Lincoln Park looking for the Athenian Room thanks to Sprint Navigation before realizing we had the wrong name. (BTW kinda fell in love with the beautiful neighborhoods around Lincoln Park. ) Finally finding the correct restaurant, I was stoked to get great saganaki, tzatziki sauce and Ionian pasta. I highly recommend both of these restaurants for anyone looking for good food!
Chicago is such a fun city! In the summer it's filled with free activities almost every weekend. The hotels are beautiful and you can find any type of food or event to satisfy your needs. Not to mention the people are friendly and helpful. I stopped by Dana Hotel and Spa where I have a reservation for a couple weekends from now and I have to say, I'm really excited to stay there. Normally I would stay at the Hotel Burnham down in the Loop. But I have some friends who are coming up from Charleston who wanted to stay closer to MI Ave. It will be my first stay at the Dana but the international atmosphere you walk into is more like walking into a hotel in Europe than in the US and that makes me very happy. Hearing multiple languages and accents always get my heart rate going with anticipation. I know, call me strange.
All in all, I had a wonderful day in Chi-town. I cannot wait to get to spend multiple days there later this month. I want to check out the pirate exhibit at the Field Museum and the Taste Festival in Grant Park. Always more to do there than I have time for! However now I must get back to my mundane life in Iowa and finish painting the living room....
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