Chicago, part one: The food! The food!

So half of my trip to Chicago was spent working on our Real Simple event at Union Station. The other half, on the other hand, was supposed to be spent exploring Chicago (I took an extra day or so after the event to hang out); however, in reality, it was spent eating Chicago.

Also in reality? Most of my food choices were guided by good old-fashioned reality TV. Along with friends/co-workers, we took an unofficial Top Chef Masters tour, starting with lunch at Frontera Grill, the restaurant from Rick Bayless (oh the guac--the guac!). We soon breakfasted at Rick's next-door joint XOCO (I swear I will dream of his chorizo, egg, and avocado torta until the day I die). After most of the team had left, I also ended up having lunch at Terzo Piano, the restaurant from Tony Mantuano in the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago (his "Top Chef Masters ravioletto" with crescenza cheese and wild mushrooms was heaven, I tell you).

We stayed at the sophisticated and classy Trump International Hotel and Tower--the construction project Bill Rancic chose to manage after winning the first season of The Apprentice--and I had an amazing dinner at its restaurant, Sixteen. I was also lucky enough to experience the sophistication and class of Trump's room service. After two days of working our events, my friend/co-worker/hotel roommate Kruti and I melted into our beds each night, too exhausted to bother with much more than putting on our pajamas. But we had to eat. So not only did we get to try Trump's "Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger" made famous on Oprah (recipe is here, and yes, it was beautiful), but we also got the waiters to position the room-service table directly between our two beds. Meaning that we never had to get up to eat.

Which shows you just how classy and sophisticated we both are. (In reality.)

The turkey burgers and the table

Terzo Piano

XOCO

Two classy ladies at XOCO: Kruti and me

Comments

[Kendall]

Amy - this was a fun post! I love Chi-town, but have only been there for one night (and one day) business trips. Isn't that sad? You have inspired me to go back for a long weekend.

Also, I just love room service too - it feels so decadent!

[michele]

yum. YUM! i have been to chicago a few times only. 3 times to change trains during cross country amtrak sleeper car trips and another week stay during a tour. and i remember always eating well. i need to get back for a proper stay and eating vacation! (seems like it should be easy seeing as my brother lives there!)

[mdashing]

Michele--get on it! Your stomach will thank you (and if it's anything like mine, it will come home at least three happy pounds heavier).

[mdashing]

Definitely go back, K! You and Bob would love it. Would be a great romantic weekend away. (-:

[kruti]

It's too bad we actually had to get up to open the door for room service (I'll speak to Bill Rancic about it). Loved the post and shacking up with you!

[mdashing]

We probably would have even let those guys feed us, if they had asked...

Thanks for being my roommate, lady! I'd shack up with you any time.

[Ashley]

fun post! love chicago! have you been to avec?? amazing food!!

[Stephany]

Chicago does have some good food! Sadly, even though I inhabit Chicago, I've never been to Frontera Grill. But I am now certainly going to try it!

[nichole]

Amy - I was digging all these photos, and then when it got to you, I was like ... "WHOA! Holy cute hair." That hair is sassy. Seriously love it.

[mdashing]

I read about Avec but didn't get the time to go. It's on the list--sounds amazing! Great foodie town, no?

[mdashing]

Oh, thank you! My hair stylist keeps convincing me to go shorter and shorter...I am growing used to it and am kind of digging it now, too. (-;

[tess]

the hair does look great! love the pics of you, dear kruti and your adorable fur collar. ;)