Chicago in the Summer

The Hyatt is attached to the McCormick Convention Center. As far as convention-center hotels go, I would say that this one provided the easiest access from the room to the actual convention hall, and I even found that if I had a few minutes free, I was able to go back up to my room, which was nice.

The room was relatively clean, though I noticed some stains on the dust ruffle. I liked that the desk had three outlets on it for me to plug in all of my chargers. I especially liked the front desk staff here, as they were the friendliest I've experienced in the last six hotels I've stayed in. They had no problem making changes or giving directions.

Negatives: The concierge was difficult to locate. Additionally, this hotel is located south of the city, so it's good for the museums, but not good for shopping Magnificent Mile, as it's a $12 to $15 cab ride to the heart of Michigan Avenue. I would not choose this hotel because of the location, but I think that for a convention hotel, they do a pretty good job.

I stayed here for a small conference in early June. I admit that I am slightly biased, as I have a soft spot for Renaissance hotels. I like that they are artsy but perhaps less expensive than the other chains. This one did not disappoint.

The front desk was quite accommodating of my coworker’s need for a refrigerator for medical reasons. Additionally, I asked for a water view and got one. One of my other coworkers somehow got a free upgrade to the club level, which he was quite pleased to have.

The rooms are nice, though I got a towel with a mysterious stain on it that had not come out in the wash. I admit that I did not report it to the housekeeping staff. I was a little disappointed in the water pressure, but I think that happens in many large hotels.

Negatives: This hotel is centrally located between the museum areas and the shopping, but it’s a good 10-minute walk, and perhaps not the safest. I did not feel safe in the area around the hotel, as there seemed to be numerous panhandlers. I would not have wanted to walk by myself. Additionally (and this is serious), while I was working at the conference, there was a young man who came into the conference area to panhandle with a scam story about a lost wallet. Security at the hotel needs to be addressed, as there does not appear to be anyone guarding the front door to keep beggars out. That being said, I suppose it’s only fair to acknowledge that when staying in a large city, one should never let one’s guard down.

Bandera was recommended to me by no less than three people on three separate occasions. I am a very picky eater (no vegetables or seafood), so I usually am rather wary about upscale recommendations. However, this place was absolutely wonderful. I was pleased to see that there were many meat/carb options on the menu, but also salads should anyone feel like eating healthy.

Located across the street from Nordstrom's on Michigan Avenue, you might miss the entrance to the second-level restaurant. The atmosphere is immediately noticeable. Live, light jazz music in the background, Bandera was humming, but not too busy for us to get an immediate seat on a Monday evening. The lighting is dim, and the large, round booths are secluded from one another. It could very well be a romantic spot, but it's not so overt so as to make others feel out of place.

The menu has mostly American fare, and though not advertised as comfort food, it turns out that the food is quite comforting. I don't claim to be a foodie, but I can tell you that we liked everything that we ate - from the fresh, homemade cornbread, which is their specialty, to the pork chops with a sweet sauce (another specialty). The portions are generous, and I broke all dieting rules by eating too much of the garlic herbed mashed potatoes. While I had the pork, my coworkers both had filet mignon, which they both said was really good.

Lest you think I'm whitewashing, I will admit that our waitress was a little slow in refilling our drinks and clearing our plates. I believe, though, that this is the type of restaurant where you go when you're not in a hurry. Everything in Bandera is meant to be savored, slowly.

If you want to experience Chicago blues like the locals do, this is the bar to do it. Located on Halstead in Lincoln Park, it's a bit of a ride if you're staying on Magnificent Mile. It's an intimate crowd, but quite friendly. The night we were there, Mark Hummel & the Blues Survivors jammed. I'm not familiar with harmonica players, and I can't say I'm normally a huge blues fan, but I'm a *music* fan, and I enjoyed this evening immensely.

This is the type of place that welcomes both the new blues fans, but with talent good enough to please the discriminating ear as well. I ended up staying much longer than I intended. For more information on the bar, the schedule, hours, and whatnot, check out their website at www.chicagobluesbar.com/welcome.html.

I wanted to go to Navy Pier, not because I knew much about it, but I guess I thought since it was a popular landmark, it had to be good. Well, I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of time, but I would say that it appeals to a very narrow audience. I would say Navy Pier is ideal for people in the Navy, groups who want to drink, or families with little budgetary constraints. I did enjoy the ferris wheel view of Chicago, and I would recommend it if you happen to be at Navy Pier anyway, but I would not go to Navy Pier just for that. The whole pier is crowded, touristy (cheesy), and expensive.