Chicago is one of 3 cities in the country to have at least 1 on this much-coveted list. From the moment L 20 opened its doors, Chef Laurent Graz and his staff endeavored to offer exquisite seafood dishes and service to their customers.

Michelin Red Guide was the brainchild of the Michelin Tire Company created to spark interest in traveling by car. Achieving a 3-star ranking in this guide is an advertisement in and of itself since it guarantees superb dining and customer service.

Not only is L20 the finest seafood restaurant in the city of Chicago, in the year 2008 L20 was voted ‘Restaurant of the Year’ by Esquire Magazine. In spite of the news that L20′s head chef has recently disengaged himself from the establishment for personal reasons, L20 is still in the hands of a capable and highly-trained French chef.

The chef of the three-star restaurant Alinea is Grant Achatz. That is in charge and cooks with a radical new way of fine foods in the history of United States. The restaurant is not the only a number one restaurant to try but the history has made Grant Achatz, the chef to be called a superstardom chef in Chicago, Illinois.

Everything that this amazing restaurant and chef offers to their customers is its unique deconstructed food. With the unfamiliar flavor of combinations, even the theatrical tableware. Once the customer has placed their order, they dishes served will be through implements of cylinders, large multi-layered bowls that will come apart allowing you to shift between the great foods served.

Alinea is necessary see and eat at restaurant. With the contemporary seating, and unique design of the hallways to your table, with artwork you will never see elsewhere. If you go to Chicago, Illinois, look up Alinea restaurant and visit this unusual and unique dining experience.

My conference had just commenced and I was starving. Most of my coworkers had grand illusions of big night out at the new “IT” spot, which was merely an overpriced, IKEA decorated nightclub with a cute girl at the door. I on the other hand opted for a steakhouse that I had read about.

This classic steakhouse was an experience. I took a spot at the bar and ordered a vodka martini. The handsome bartender immediately gave me some personal menu recommendations, which I accepted with enthusiasm. First I started with the center cut iceberg salad. Wow… what a plate! If you don’t like a LOT of blue cheese then this is probably not your salad. I devoured mine in a matter of minutes. Next I got a nice pour of wine to compliment the entree. Across the room I watched the server carrying over a sizzling plate to me. Finally…. the steak! It was the most succulent and well marbled rib-eye steak I had ever seen. Plates of steamed fresh asparagus and potatoes soon followed. Dinner concluded with a fabulous keylime pie that was on par with that of my late grandmother.

One can’t visit Chicago without stopping in at the museums. Shedd Aquarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Adler Planetarium are some of the more well know museums. The Chicago Art Institute has free admission everyday. The Museum of Science and Industry offers free admission on certain days of the year and Shedd Aquarium offers discounts on admission for certain days throughout the year. Check their websites for specific days.

A stroll down Michigan Avenue or State Street gives you a real feel for the breadth of what is available in this great city.

The Home Insurance Building, built in 1885, was the first skyscraper. It was torn down, but other, even taller buildings have since gone up: Sears Tower was, for many years following its erection in the 1970s, the tallest building in the world. (Today, though, several buildings in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates exceed its height.)

Reliance Building was the first skyscraper made with most of its surface consisting of plate glass windows.

The Frederick C. Robie House, in Hyde Park, was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in his so- called Prairie style, with numerous flat roofs. It is a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

The John Hancock Center is famous for the observatory perched way up atop its roof.

But if you really want to see just how exciting Chicago’s architecture is, you’ll have to go see for yourself. I’ve been there.

The theater area is home to The Chicago built in 1921 with a unique marque shaped like that famous arch in Paris. All the theaters in the district have been restored to their original facades. In the midst of the loop is a Jewish synagogue built in 1929 with one side almost entirely composed of beautiful stained glass. The art of some of the Jewish master of the craft are displayed on other areas of the building.

The south and west loop areas are home to some of the finest residential architecture in the city. The south loop boasts what is believed to be the oldest dwelling known as Clarke Manor. The west loop is an example of what can be done when old factories are rehabbed into condos, specialty shops and charming eateries. In the west loop, one will find a monument to the famous Haymarket Riot that occurred in the late 1800s.

During the 1920′s the business district grew by leaps and bounds. The hotel supported a 25 story addition to make it the worlds largest hotel. It was rebuilt in various stages as to not lose any guests. AT the end of WWII it was bought by the Hilton chain.

The hotel is within walking distance of many great attractions in Chicago, including the theater district. It is also conveniently located to Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile.

In 2004, the hotel underwent a restoration and remodel. The lobby was fashioned with a ceiling mural depicting various gods and goddesses of Greek mythology. A formal staircase was also added to the lobby along with velvet seating that was fashionable during the time of the original opening.

If you want to stay in a hotel that is rich in history and luxury this the one!

• Rosebud (1500 West Taylor Street) serves up signature dishes such as Chicken Vesuvio and Pappardelle. The restaurant proudly proclaims “Little Italy, Big Portions” where the food is kept simple and discriminating diners like Tony Bennet, Oprah Winfrey and any number of professional athletes proclaim it as “the ultimate dining experience.”
• Pompeii Pizza (1531 West Taylor Street) pride themselves on serving hot, gourmet-style Italilan dishes including hand-rolled pizzas and hand-cut pastas from three generations of Sicilian family recipes. Apart from the obvious pizzas you can enjoy delights like baked mostaccioli, spinach ravioli, or an eggplant parmigiana sandwich and don’t you dare forget the tiramisu for dessert!
• Tuscany (1014 W. Taylor) offers an extensive selection of unique Italian entrees, sure to tantalize anyone’s taste buds. Besides one-of-a-kind pasta dishes, we also offer the finest steaks and freshest seafood, as well as daily specials prepared to perfection by our executive chef. Tuscany is the ideal destination for revealing the rich virtues of a Tuscan village, even down to the very best wines Italy has to offer.
• Francesca’s on Taylor (1400 West Taylor) features the zesty, earthy cuisine of Rome and the surrounding areas of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. Chicago Magazine notes, “It brings a new kind of abbondanza to an old Italian neighborhood.” It is the fourth restaurant opened by Chef Scott Harris, whose philosophy is to encourage the lively art of dining with a contemporary, casually sophisticated trattoria ambiance, good, rustic cooking, friendly service and fair prices. The hand-printed menu changes every two weeks based on seasonality of ingredients so you know you’re onto something fresh and inventive with each visit!

If you do decide to explore the area for a dining delight, try to also take time to enjoy the rich heritage and storied history that comes with it!