CSGSP member Ryan Calabretta-Sajder has put together a list of some Chicago area recommendations for food and entertainment.
Restaurants:
• Pizzeria Uno & Due (classic deep dish pizza)
• Giordano’s Pizza (classic deep dish pizza)
• Ed Debevic’s (Chicago hot spot; waitresses are purposely rude to customers)
• EATALY (Italian market and restaurant; pricy but nice to see)
• Weber Grill
• Rock Bottom Brewery
• Café’ Iberico (Spanish tapas)
• Spacca Napoli Pizzeria (true neapolitan pizza)
• Greek Islands (Greek Town restaurant)
• Pegasus (Greek Town restaurant)
• Acropolis (restaurant but also Greek caffè with pastries and cookies)
• Fogo de Chao (Brazilian)
• Texas de Brazil (Brazilian)
• Brazzaz (Brazilian)
• Rosebud Prime and Carmine’s (Italian American; steak; more pricy)
• Osteria Via Stato (Italian)
• Italian Village (Italian; classic restaurant in Chicago)
• Piccolo Sogno (Italian)
• AVEC (French)
• Al’s Beef (Italian beef, sausage, hot dogs)
• McCormick & Schmicks (two locations; happy hour is very reasonable!)
Bars & Clubs:
• Excaliber (dance club)
• Soundbar (dance club)
• 9 Muses (Greek Town)
• Bizantium (Greek Town)
• The Red Head Piano Bar
• House of Blues – Sunday Gospel Brunch (need reservations)
Entertainment:
• Navy Pier (Shakespeare Theatre, IMAX Theatre, ice skating)
• Geoffrey Ballet
• Lyric Opera House
• Chicago Opera House
• Skate in Millennium Park
• Original Marshall Fields & Co. (Now Macy’s with the Walnut Room on State St.)
• Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower)
• John Hancock (second tallest building in Chicago; can have a drink at the signature room restaurant/bar instead of paying the fee of the observatory)
Museums:
• Art Institute of Chicago (Michigan Ave)
• Field Museum (History Museum)
• Planetarium
• Oceanarium & Shed aquarium
• Museum of Science and Industry (Hyde Park near Univ of Chicago)
• Frank Lloyd Wright Homes and a Church (Oak Park; available by public transportation)
• Loyola University Art Museum (Downtown Campus)
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