801 replies to this topic

[Vital Information]

How about the Mariott on North Sedgwick between Willow and Eugenie?  Or the Hyatt at McCormick Place?

There's a Marriott on North Sedgwick? That's new to me. Sedwick is mostly a residential street but for the sem-famous (or notorious) rib joint, Twin Anchors.

McCormick Place is pretty far away and pretty inconvinient unless you have a rental car.

Like I say, I would think any of the Michigan Avenue type hotels (including Marriott, Four Seasons, Ritz, Penisula, Omni (two), Drake, etc.) would fit the bill. Just take the El.

Rob

[Caseophile]

There's a Marriott on North Sedgwick?  That's new to me.

Yeah, I think I was wrong about that. I'm just an uninformed internet crawler, not a real Chicagoan. mapquest.com thinks there is a Marriott there, but marriott.com doesn't, and I'm inclined to believe the latter.

I believe I'll take your advice and stay in a Michigan-Avenue-Type hotel, and take a taxi. It's a relatively small price to add to what will already be an expensive food pilgrimage.

[cabrales]

Lunch at North Pond
After-lunch snack at Joe's Stone Crab

Rest in hotel

Drinks at Hancock Tower Signature Lounge, Grand Marnier Cuvee de Centenaire, etc.
Dinner at Alinea

[Steven Dilley]

Here's my plan for the Saturday when I will be dining at Alinea:

Lunch at North Pond
After-lunch snack at Joe's Stone Crab

Rest in hotel

Drinks at Hancock Tower Signature Lounge, Grand Marnier Cuvee de Centenaire, etc.
Dinner at Alinea

I had an enjoyable meal at North Pond a couple months ago. Also, they have '96 Dujac Morey St Denis on the winelist, which is drinking beautifully at the moment.

[cabrales]

I'm going very light on the wine during lunch, maybe ordering by the glass. I want to be sure to be in form for dinner.

I'm considering flying in mid-afternoon, so that I don't have to wake up too early to get to the airport.

[Leslie]

I heard Steve P. has a reservation at Alinea.

[cabrales]

And it's not a question of who will write it up the earliest; it's a question of who will be writing with greatest insight, should they choose to write. But writing is a function of many factors -- time available, inclination, impressions on the meal, etc.

[omnivorette]

I heard Steve P. has a reservation at Alinea.

How nice for him.

[omnivorette]

And it's not a question of who will write it up the earliest; it's a question of who will be writing with greatest insight, should they choose to write.

How lovely.

[Leslie]

Most people on boards who want early reservations at Alinea have reservations, I assume.   

And it's not a question of who will write it up the earliest; it's a question of who will be writing with greatest insight, should they choose to write.    But writing is a function of many factors -- time available, inclination, impressions on the meal, etc.

Cabby, I don't think Steve cares who writes it up first or who wrote about it the best. He's just happy he has a hard to get reservation. You have to assume that the restaurant must believe he will write about it with great insight or why else would they give him a reservation during the first week they are open? I heard they have a list of more than 300 people who are trying to get reservations.

[cabrales]

Cabby, I don't think Steve cares who writes it up first or who wrote about it the best. He's just happy he has a hard to get reservation. You have to assume that the restaurant must believe he will write about it with great insight or why else would they give him a reservation during the first week they are open?

Leslie -- This is a somewhat strange discussion involving your purporting to know what any other diner has a reservation for or not, or what they feel, no?

The restaurant could have given a diner a reservation because they called earlier or e-mailed earlier to place themselves on the list.

Just because I'm indicating early isn't better doesn't mean I wouldn't end up having the chance to go early ... And just because I'm indicating more insight is better doesn't mean I believe I would be the more insightful I guess your prior post may reveal certain assumptions you make regarding who will write about it "best", though.

[GG Mora]

Can we rename this thread “cabrales' Alinea Blog”?

[Chef/Writer Spencer]

Don't you go to a restaurant to enjoy the food? What's all this 'I'll get the most insightful writeup' business. Sounds like a competition or something. Do you exist to write up restaurant reviews? Why not shift gears and go for pleasure (unless there's cash involved, of course).

[ranitidine]

Can we rename this thread “cabrales' Alinea Blog”?

You started the English language thread and you don't understand the use of the apostrophe?

[omnivorette]

The apostrophe is correct in GG's post.

Cabrales' Alinea Blog

As in, the Alinea Blog of Cabrales.