DAYS OFF! Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago

May 22 I flew to Chicago and Steve came in from a business trip in Niagara Falls Canada. I called Linda Lindquist just to say ‘hey’ I am in Chicago, where are you?’ and not only was she in town but Brian was back for a quick reunion as well! Steve and I checked into our hotel – the Allegro – art deco/theatrical – and after a shower we went to Lincoln Park and had a great dinner with Linda and Brian at a French steakhouse. REALLY good ?

On Friday, we did MILES of walking and shopping and caught up with Steve’s cousin. Well actually … we also did a fair amount of eating. Breakfast at the Original! Pancake house on the corner of Oak and Rush St., a mid-morning Bloody Mary at the Ralph Lauren Café on Michigan – how cool is that?

Then we split a salad with Steve’s cousin at Basil somewhere near there and then had a really-really good dinner at Samba Sushi. If you haven’t tried it already you absolutely should. It is a Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian fusion restaurant. The Pisco Sours were great and the food from the Sea bass appetizers to the South American Beef Maki Roll and the many small plates in between – were all awesome.

Saturday we took Linda’s suggestion and went to the “Oak Street Beachstro Café”. We got there at 9;30 (due to the time difference I had been up since 6) and discovered that they didn’t serve drinks until 11 so Steve went back for a second trip to Starbucks and some newspapers and 3 hours later it seemed appropriate to leave…We walked to Navy Pier and rented bikes. The area South of the Yacht Clubs is so much more developed than I remembered. We rode for about 5 miles south and then back to Millennium Park and then it was time to get ready for Tom Neil’s wedding party.

The party: I wore my new ‘frock’ and we went to the party at Amy’s parent’s house. It is inland a bit and their house is a part of a development that surrounds a private airport - similar to the communities build around a golf course. Different sport – same concept. It was really good to see them and quite a few other sailors from the lakes. Real sailors!

Sunday we let’s see… we walked back to the end of Michigan Ave and got a table in the shade outside of a very nice restaurant with starched white linens and crisp refreshing mimosas. The temperature was near 80 but with the breeze off the lake a few blocks away we were very comfy. When they came out and told us that the computers were down so our meals may be late – we just smiled and said – no worries just keep the mimosas coming. We wanted to make the morning last as long as possible because that afternoon we were flying back to our own sides of the globe.

Definitely a great weekend in Chicago – looking forward to the next time I see Steve – in July.