Things To Do
Joe's Imports
Lunch/Dinner; Mediterranean Cuisine and Wine Bar This is Morgan and Tommy's first date spot! Known for Joe’s curated selection of unique wines inspired by his travels and modern Mediterranean noshes. Joe’s goal is to take each guest on a vacation in a glass, through each sip of wine. The whipped ricotta, smoked cauliflower and brussel sprouts are a few of Morgan and Tommy's favorites.
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Dinner; Italian Cuisine This is Morgan and Tommy's FAVORITE restaurant in the city! The pesto gnocchi and Oma's salad are must-haves. Reservations fill fast. Book early!
Lazy Bird
Cocktails A speakeasy located in the basement of The Hoxton, Lazy Bird is a swanky cocktail and music lounge with over 50 cocktails on the menu. First come, first serve (no reservations). Opens at 5pm. Come early to put your name in!
Au Cheval
Lunch/Dinner; American Cuisine Home of the best burger in the city! Au Cheval elevates traditional diner fare ranging from roasted bone marrow, to traditional sandwiches, and the signature cheeseburger. First come, first serve (no reservations). Add your name to the waitlist & hop into a bar on Randolph St. while waiting!
Parlor Pizza Bar West Loop
Brunch/Lunch/Dinner; Pizza Looking for a casual spot? or a place to accommodate a large group? Parlor is perfect! Their Bloody Mary Bar is incredible with every topping under the sun. The Sgt Pepper is Tommy's favorite and the Burrata Be Kidding Me is Morgan's favorite. Get the Parlor Pizza Bread as an app!
Federales
Cocktails; Mexican Cuisine Federales is the infamous bar where you take a shot and throw the shot glass (made of ice) at the bell! A favorite spot of Jay Deihs :)
LÝRA
Lunch/Dinner; Greek Cuisine Rooted in the Greek ethos of wellness, dishes range from comforting and traditional to lighter Mediterranean fare, all of which are designed for guests to share. In true Greek fashion, the menu also includes plenty of vegetarian options. This is one of Chicago's hottest new restaurants; make reservations in advance!
Time Out Market Chicago
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner; All Cuisines Time Out Market is perfect for a large group with over 20 restaurants, 3 bars, and a rooftop. The Chicago outpost follows a simple rule when it comes to curation: If it's good, it goes in the magazine; if it's great, it goes in the market. A meal at Time Out means you're truly digging your fork into the city's most delicious dishes cooked by some of the most decorated chefs in the Midwest.
Little Goat Diner
Brunch/Lunch Little Goat Diner is one of Stephanie Izard’s many restaurants in the West Loop. An elevated take on diner classics -- ranging from biscuits and gravy to pancakes, chicken fingers, avocado toast and more. Make a reservation.
sugargoat
Bakery connected to Little Goat. The brown butter pecan cookie is the BEST COOKIE EVER!
Alla Vita
Dinner; Italian Cuisine Alla Vita means “to life” in Italian which recognizes overcoming life's challenges and creating a space for shared meals and memorable experiences. Executive Chef Lee Wolen shares his passion for fresh, delicious Italian food made simply with the best ingredients. Reservations are hard to come by. Book early!
La Josie
Bruch/Lunch/Dinner; Mexican Cuisine An upscale-casual Mexican restaurant with three agave bars, including one on the rooftop.
Rose Mary
Dinner; Mediterranean Cuisine Joe Flamm’s debut restaurant inspired by his Italian heritage and the bold, bright flavors of Croatian cuisine. Reservations are hard to come by. Book 3+ months in advance!
Soho House Chicago
Coffee/Brunch Check out the first floor of the Soho House (open to the public) for coffee/tea or brunch. They have an awesome high tea!
The Art Institute of Chicago
Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world's major museum, housing extraordinary collection of objects from across places, cultures and time.
Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours
To truly appreciate Chicago's famous skyline, admire it from the water. Get an insiders perspective on history-making skyscrapers including Willis Tower, the John Hancock Building, and the Wrigley Building. Tickets are about $50 and tour lasts 1- 1.5 hours. Highly recommend this!
Chicago History Museum
Located in Lincoln Park, the Chicago History Museum is the city's oldest cultural institution. The Museum is devoted to collecting, interpreting and presenting rich multicultural history of Chicago. Entry fee is $19 for adults and $17 for seniors.
Lincoln Park Zoo
A tradition among the Deihs and Mullins family is to visit the ZooLights each winter. Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, take a walk through the zoo on the way to the Lake or the Lincoln Park Green City Farmer’s Market (one of Morgan's favorite summer activities on Saturdays). Entry is free for Zoo and Farmer’s Market.
Riverwalk - The Boardwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is one of the city's most beautiful outdoor spaces where you can find public art, boat tours, kayak rentals and an array of restaurants and bars. Take a walk along the river, grab a drink at City Winery, Chicago Brewhouse, or Tiny Tapp.