Chicago is a huge, vibrant city with a spectacular skyline, world-class entertainment, dining and a rich history. There’s something for everyone – from exploring the city’s lively nightlife to touring top museums. It’s easy to have a great time in The Windy City.
Summertime Chicago means enjoying the outdoors: festivals, cruises and sailing, rooftop bars, al fresco dinners, free events in the parks. This year, there are some great new exhibits to experience. The Chicago Architecture Center opens on August 31 and will be home to the Chicago Architecture Foundation plus 10,000 square feet of gallery space. Debuting in September, Art on theMart, a permanent digital installation along the Chicago River, will project onto the Merchandise Mart façade. Art on theMart is one of many programs taking part in Art Design Chicago, a year-long celebration spearheaded by the Terra Foundation and more than 75 cultural organizations. In the fall, the U.S. premiere of Hamilton: The Exhibition, a 360-degree, immersive exhibit, will debut on Northerly Island.
“Chicago is a city of bold ideas and creativity – from its role in the rise of the modern skyscraper to reversing the flow of the Chicago River and everything in-between, including gastronomy, culture, sports and urban design. It’s a city that boasts so many fantastic attributes – impressive museums, a stunning lakefront, expansive green spaces and diverse people – but it’s perhaps all of this combined with its welcoming spirit that makes Chicago so special,” said David Whitaker, President & CEO of Choose Chicago.
Here are a few things you won’t want to miss:
Music Chicago has been central to the jazz and blues scene for more than a century (The Blues Brothers, anyone?), and these clubs are still part of the city’s identity. Numerous clubs and concert halls offer shows throughout the year. The symphony is also a standout.
Sports Baseball fever takes over this town. Check out a Cubs or White Sox game to experience America’s pastime at its most pure. If soccer is more your speed, look for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. The Chicago Sky, the local WNBA team, also plays during the summer.
Architecture From Gothic churches to hip, Art Deco buildings, Chicago’s history is perhaps best explored through its architecture. The Pavilion at Lincoln Park Zoo has a fascinating modern style, whereas the Carbide and Carbon Building is a stately remnant of the early 20th century. Taking an architecture tour is an excellent way to see the city’s roots.
Museums Chicago’s deep cultural history is showcased in the city’s first-class museums. The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Field Museum and the DuSable Museum of African American History are all favorites.
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
There’s no shortage of lodging options. If you’re looking for a great mix of locale and prestige, it’s hard to beat The Sofitel Magnificent Mile. This hotel is conveniently located near Navy Pier, Millennium Park and, of course, the Magnificent Mile.
“We are thrilled for guests to see our recently completed renovation, which drew inspiration from the building’s award winning prism shape, modern metal tones, elegant lines and purposely functional design,” said General Manager, Matthew Blackmore. “Towering 32 floors above street level in the form of a triangular prism, the nouveau Sofitel Chicago Magnificent mile is unique because it presents an opportunity for travelers to experience the wonder of the Windy City through a creatively reimagined French lens.”
Influenced by the hotel’s new century skyline and faceted prism shape, all 415 guest rooms, including 63 suites, received new carpeting, refined furniture finishes and bold patterns. New in-room artwork showcases photographs of Chicago architectural landmarks. The black and white photography highlights the iconic lines of the hotel’s architecture. Guest rooms are outfitted with Wi-Fi, USB outlets and BOSE Solo 5 TV sound systems in suites. All rooms have spacious workstations and lounge space for reading. A PressReader delivers of publications from around the world.
Of course, the hotel also offers valet parking, taxi and limousine services, a fully renovated SoFit fitness center and much more.
The patio at Le Bar hosts Blooms and Bubbles summer event every other Friday in partnership with Chicago’s own Flowers for Dreams. 25% of the proceeds will go to local charity. Guests can create a complimentary mini-bouquet with the purchase of a bottle of champagne, wine or rose and choose from a special selection of small bites to enjoy.
Dining in Chicago
If you do choose to stay at the Sofitel, there are two dining options. Café Des Architects is the hotel’s stylish, contemporary spot, complete with an elegant dining room and outdoor terrace.
The Sofitel also offers a delightful experience at Le Bar, which features floor-to-ceiling glass walls for breathtaking views. A large shared table encourages mixing and mingling over Le Bar’s extensive wine and champagne menus. French-themed specialty cocktails are available, such as this summer’s Twisted Pépa, a cognac-based drink named after 1920’s French actress Pépa Bonafé. A refreshing Guarrigue Botanist features the fragrant herbs of Southern France, including lavender and rosemary.
“Luxurious leather textures and playful faux fur throw pillows have also been paired with elegant lines and metal accents to create a metropolitan and seductive setting, while a crackling fireplace offers a warm and cozy atmosphere during cold Chicago winters,” said Blackmore.
Maple and Ash
Beyond The Sofitel, check out the luxurious and fun Maple & Ash restaurant. An easy-going ground floor bar leads to a lounge and main dining room above, where a 12-foot wood-burning hearth takes center stage, roasting the restaurant’s selection of grilled meats, seafood and vegetables to perfection. When visiting Chicago, I had a chance to indulge in their scrumptious Sunday sparkling brunch that offers fresh salads, Slagel Farm eggs, house-made agnolotti, a filet mignon carving station, fruits and sweets. If that weren’t enough, I was treated to their fabulous Bananas Foster dessert. Picture soaring flames, and the smell of the rum, brown sugar, and butter. “We use custom built grill holders on top of silver platters to carry all of our supplies. It allows us to cook right in front of our guests without being intrusive,” said Maitre D, Mason Marks.
Dining here is a decadent choice with guests dressed to perfection, a true hotspot on Magnificent Mile. And Don’t be surprised if your dining among your favorite celebrities.
For dinner, the restaurant becomes a classic Chicago steakhouse. “Maple & Ash is an innovative take on the traditional steakhouse – mixing a modern aesthetic with authentic service to deliver classic wood-fired dishes. With a sumptuous menu crafted by two-Michelin-star chef, Danny Grant and a wine program named one of “America’s Best” by Wine Spectator, Maple & Ash finds a way to celebrate every moment. It’s more than a restaurant, it’s an experience,” said Head Bartender, Mario Flores.
Fig and Olive
Fig & Olive is another great choice.I came across the restaurant during a leisurely stroll from my Sunday brunch, and knew I had to eat there too – the next day of course. Capturing the spirit of the French Riviera, Fig & Olive is a 10,000 square foot dining destination with an open-exhibition kitchen, an expansive lounge and an open-air garden terrace. The menu highlights their focal ingredient, olive oil, which is paired with each dish and used in place of butter. Fig & Olive bottles of fresh pressed olive oil and barrel aged balsamic vinegar are also available for purchase in-store and online.
Popular dishes include their 20oz grass-fed rib-eye steak with hand-cut truffle fries and trio of homemade sauces that consist of an olive oil béarnaise, chimichurri sauce and a truffle aïoli, along with local oysters and jumbo shrimp cocktail. Complement with one of the restaurant’s many fine wines or hand-crafted cocktail. “We’re thrilled to unveil a newly updated cocktail list showcasing small-batch bourbons with an emphasis on tones of bitters and citrus. We also have an exceptional wine list which includes over 30 varietals from the South of France, Italy, and Spain that are offered by the glass, along with full bottles and champagne,” said Executive Chef Timothy Hughes.
The Purple Pig
In the mood for cheese, swine and wine? The Purple Pig is one of Chicago’s choice Michelin-star restaurants offering sharable plates in a cool and rustic setting on the Magnificent Mile. Opened in 2009 by Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr., the restaurant has received numerous accolades for its rich, delicious menu. Food and Wine called Bannos the “Prince of Pork” for his ability to bring outstanding Mediterranean cuisine to Chicago in fun and inventive ways.
Here, seating is first-come, first-serve, so be prepared to enjoy a drink while you wait for a table to open up. But once you’re seated, you can feast on some of their most popular dishes, including Milk Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder with mashed potatoes and puffed farro or Roasted Bone Marrow with herb salad and Sicilian sea salt and Salt-Roasted Beets with whipped goat cheese and pistachio butter. In between bites, sip on their Rosè Sangria with caña brava rum, niepoort white port, mas fi cava, lemon juice pineapple juice and dehydrated berries or how about the Man Bear Pigwith Purple Pig Vodka, lemon, Ramazzotti Amaro, Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao. And of course, any of the summer pours from their wine program.
“I love that our menu is so large and ambitious but every single dish always surpasses the mark. It’s an experience you don’t find frequently in Chicago or in very many cities across the U.S. I’m really proud of the team of people at the restaurant right now and the culinary program we have there,” said Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr.
It’s time to take a break from the daily grind and check out this epicenter of culture, fine dining and entertainment. Take in a show, have a relaxed brunch or stroll through the beautiful parks on your next trip to Chicago. And, what better way to experience the Windy City than by enjoying the comfort of The Sofitel and the dining adventures of the Gold Coast.
