Chicago

Just came back from Chicago for a weekend trip.

Here are the list of restaurants that I have picked and visited

My grading system will be adjusted by how much it costs and how much do I desire to go back.... when I spend more, I expect more.

It ranges from
✔-- I won't go back even if you pay me
✔- If you treat me, maybe
✔  I'll go back for only the specific dish
✔ + I'll definitely go back
✔++ Can I take the chef home?


Girl and the Goat
✔ + recommended dish: grilled marinated pork belly.  This paper is very popular. Recommendation, put your name down. Go to some bar and come back in an hour (or 1.5 hour).

Frontera Grill
✔ + recommended dish: Sope Rachero.  Rick Bayless's restaurant.

Longman and Eagle
✔ ++  recommended dish: Housemade Potato Gnocchi, One Hour Duck Egg, Fava Beans, Morels, Garlic Scape Relish, Parmesan.
After having too much meat, I decided to order a vegetarian dish. This dish was so good that I can't tell it's vegetarian.... How did they get so much flavor in that broth w/o using meat?  It is also the most laidback/casual Michelin restaurant I have seen in the US. From outside it looks like a dive bar. Who knows the food can be so good. Good late night hang out place.

Publican

✔ recommended dish: bacon. This is one of the best bacon I have ever had. convenient with opentable

Next
✔+ tapas. I'll go back when they change menu. It was good, but not as memorable as Alinea. I definitely want to try Aviary. Note to self. book Aviary early next time.

Little Goat

✔++ recommended dish: pork belly pancake, tempura mashed potatoes, convenient with opentable


Staying at  Hyatt Place Downtown the Loop  great deal using hyatt points.

Level 3 hotel =12000 points with limited time 20% off promotion, 9600 points per night. (i value Hyatt point at 2 cents / point), so if you can book for under ~$200, that's pretty good deal.  

Simple hotel. great location. take train from/to Midway costs only $3 per person per ride. Train to O'Hare costs $5 (about 5 minutes walk) hotel is 2 minute walk from the subway station and 3 minute walk to Divvy (bike) station.