dianaschnuth

Yesterday was a laid-back day, after a packed Saturday. The morning involved us forgetting that it was Sunday freaking morning, so nothing was open for breakfast. We ended up back in Chinatown, where we enjoyed a twist on our traditional dim sum Sunday brunch, then wandered around some local shops.

A good part of our afternoon was spent relaxing and people-watching in various locations, including Hancock Tower and Navy Pier. We did pay the $15 each to go up the Tower, and another $30 each to take the Architectural Boat Tour, both of which were totally worth the time and money.

Dinner was at an Asian fusion joint near our hotel; the food was good, but my dining experience was marred by our close dining neighbors and the one song that played on repeat the ENTIRE TIME.

After dinner, we took a stroll up and down S. Michigan Avenue, had a drink at Kitty O’Shea’s, and called it a night.

Today, the plan is to check out, head NW to Mitsuwa Marketplace for lunch and Japanese shopping, then head back home to our lives of boring normalcy once more. Laundry and shopping!

After a morning at Ann Sather’s for breakfast and a stroll around Navy Pier, we spent the afternoon atop a double-decker tour bus, seeing the sights of downtown. We then took the West Neighboorhood tour (included in the price!) and stopped off for a walk through Chinatown.

By the time we hitched the next tour bus back to Millennium Park and walked back to the hotel, it was dinnertime. Our first attempt was the Dearborn Street Oyster Bar; alas, when we arrived, it seemed to have been closed for some time.

Our second choice was the Ethiopian Diamond, which we didn’t realize was 18 stops up the Red Line. Despite the drunks on the way out and the panhandler on the way back, it was definitely worth the trip. Delicious food, helpful waitstaff, and upscale ambiance that still didn’t make us feel underdressed. This was our first experience with Ethiopian food, but it certainly won’t be our last.

When we returned to the hotel, we enjoyed some Guinness chocolate cake, some adult beverages, and some live Irish music before turning in for the night.

What a fantastic first day in Chicago!

We still need to eat Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef, check out the Skydeck at Willis Tower (or maybe the John Hancock building instead), and hit Mitsuwa tomorrow on our way out. Not sure what’s on today’s agenda, but we’ll figure it out.

This was only part of our fantastic breakfast. Would never have known about this place if not for the Food Network!

Showing up at Giordano’s in our shorts and t-shirts with my camera bag in tow must have stamped us as tourists. I certainly felt much less urban-chic than the woman in 3-inch heels and a short cocktail dress, balancing a kid on one hip.

At any rate, when we asked for a box for the last half of our medium pizza, she asked if we were in a hotel and would need plates, forks, Parmesan. Even though our room in the Hilton has no refrigerator (but does have a minibar we won’t be using), we accepted all the accoutrements and brought our leftovers back to the hotel.

Our trip is pretty freeform; we don’t have a strict agenda. Our immediate plans include getting a 3-day pass for the local rail/bus system, then heading north to Ann Sathers to get some cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Thanks, Food Network!

Expect more tweets, posts, and pics as the weekend progresses…