The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Chicago Insider
Home›featured-blogs›Chicago Insider›Chicago Insider: Nicole Fortman on hotel bars and Sunda’s avocado mousse dessert

Chicago Insider: Nicole Fortman on hotel bars and Sunda’s avocado mousse dessert

By TheRealChicagoOnline
September 29, 2011
704
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Ever wish you had an active local’s advice on how to enjoy the city? We have too, so here are some answers

NICOLE FORTMAN
CHICAGO CHINA RESOURCES GROUP

How long you’ve lived here: 11 years.

What you like best about Chicago: This is a difficult question to answer, because I love Chicago so much! It has a little bit of everything. We have amazing shopping, museums, Broadway shows and sporting events. We also have the quiet areas where you can sit and relax and enjoy a smoothie. My favorite thing about Chicago has to be the nightlife. We have great bars, restaurants and festivals.

Best meal you’ve had recently: Tofu dinner at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe (two locations in Logan Square and Roscoe Village).

Favorite big-name restaurant: Sunda (110 W. Illinois) in River North. You have to try the avocado mousse dessert.

Favorite “hidden gem” restaurant: Yen’s on Clark Street in Lincoln Park. They have the best Chinese food and really good prices. Their tofu appetizer is so delicious!

Best sports bar to catch the game: Timothy O’Toole’s (Fairbanks & Ontario).

A great night out with friends usually includes… starting with a nice dinner and then maybe a movie or a night of dancing.

Favorite store or best shopping area: The Southport Corridor in the Lakeview neighborhood is by far the best shopping area.

The best way to spend a Saturday in the city: Cuddling up with my boyfriend and watching the White Sox game! Ok, now for the helpful answer: I will split this into two sections, summer and winter. In the summer, the best way to spend a Saturday would be getting up early and going to Orange to have their veggie juices and pancake flights. After breakfast, meeting up with friends and then playing tennis or going to the Diversey driving range, which has a little miniature golf course behind it. We would then get a shake and head over to do some shopping or go to the park. Later, we’d catch the views at the rooftop bar at The Wit hotel before a little more pre-dinner shopping. After dinner, head to The Redhead Piano Bar (16 W. Ontario) and then LaSalle Power Company (500 N. LaSalle). Once that closes, it’s time to check out Studio 25. In the winter, we’d grab brunch at Shaw’s Crab House (21 E. Hubbard). They have the best brunch I have ever had, and they have a room designated to tiny desserts. My parents always take me here when they visit. After Shaw’s, it’s all about catching a matinee at the theatre and then shopping at Water Tower. Water Tower is all indoors, so it allows you to escape the cold outside. After doing a lot of shopping, it’s time to grab sushi at Japonais and then head to the bars along Hubbard Street.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

One thing every visitor must do here: In the summer, the architecture boat tours. In the winter, ice skating in Millennium Park.

While in Chicago, don’t bother… trying to hail down a taxi if it is raining or snowing. It will be almost impossible to get one! Please call a taxi instead.

Secret Chicago spot: Baladoche (2905 N. Clark). This place has the most amazing European chocolates, gelato and espresso! The energy in the café also brings a smile to your face. You must try the Zucker waffle. It is to die for.

Underrated activity in the city: Hanging out in high-class hotel bars. Hotel bars are some of the most unique and fun bars in the city. People usually only visit them if they are staying there, but this is where Chicago luxury lies.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Tags90 Miles Cuban CafeMillennium ParkRedhead Piano BarShaw's Crab HouseSouthport shoppingSundaTimothy O'Toole'sWit Hotel
Previous Article

Chicago Insider: Scott Graham on the tacos ...

Next Article

A trio of tastes: Great meals at ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • OldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Rick Bayless’ new Xoco, Broadway in Chicago’s free concert, wine events and more

    August 14, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Anthony Gates on architecture boat tours and the Kinzie Chophouse

    June 8, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

    July 31, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Inside Scoop

    Inside Scoop: Bears game shuttles, 13th Floor Haunted House, Second City’s holiday show and Nature Nuts at the Notebaert Museum

    September 22, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Chassidy White on Lincoln Karaoke and European styles at Zara

    March 12, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Halloween events at Brookfield Zoo, Fall Fest, Chili Fest, wine dinners and more

    October 5, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Relationship rejuvenation: Try these unique ideas for adding some romance and fun

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Coffee craze: Exploring the best, most unique independent coffee shops Chicago has to offer

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Southport shopping spree: Plenty of unique stores on this quaint street

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.