PLACES TO EAT

Tavern on Rush, 1031 N. Rush - Official Web Site

This Chicago favorite is located on busy Rush Street, with patrons ranging from tourists to regulars. There is a large lounge on the first floor with luxurious reserved sections, an enormous bar and plenty of tables for parties of 2-4. Décor both in the lounge and in the restaurant upstairs has the look and feel of a gentleman’s club; there are cigars for sale and mahogany and leather everywhere you turn.

Upstairs, the gentleman’s club theme continues with racing stats on the walls and grand wooden furniture. Ask to be seated at one of the large, curved booths; from this perspective you can observe the scene both indoors and out. The dim lighting gives the dining room a formal tone, but the sounds of glass tinkling, laughter and the noises from the nearby open kitchen keep things lively.

Begin your meal with the steak teriyaki with crispy noodles. Tavern on Rush is known for its steak, and this appetizer will not disappoint. The steak is tender and deliciously flavored; it is an excellent way to whet your palate.

The Caesar salad is also superb. It is large enough to share and flavorful enough to truly satisfy, with shreds of American cheese layered over the crisp lettuce for added taste. Order the linguine to go along with your salad; this pasta dish is light and subtly flavored with chunks of stewed tomato.

The dessert menu is extensive; try the 7-layer chocolate cake, covered in crème anglaise and chocolate fudge. It is huge, moist and incredibly chocolaty. The leftovers will last for days!

Eating at this establishment is an experience in itself; after one visit, you will know why locals casually refer to it as “The Tavern” and return for its fare again and again.

Bistrot Zinc, 1131 N. State - Official Web Site


This airy French café is spacious and uncluttered; there are framed posters high on the lemon-yellow walls and mirrors everywhere, but the furniture is kept to a minimum. Booths line the walls and tables cluster near the immense front windows, but the feeling persists that one could easily convert the dining area into a dance floor without much effort. The result is a light-filled experience that is anything but stuffy.

The café is so persuasive in its French ambience that glancing through the floor-to-ceiling front windows, one would expect to see the quiet streets of a sleepy French town.

Stop at Bistrot Zinc for dessert as you explore North State Street; you have your choice of crepes, gateaux (cake), and a variety of other confections. Try the Warm Apple Tart for a twist on a traditional favorite. It is served with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce which emphasizes the cinnamon and vanilla flavors infused in the crust. Wash it down with a huge glass of milk or a mug of coffee and relax as the jazz swirls around you. Half an hour at this lovely café is the perfect complement to your day.

BARS/CLUBS

The Back Room, 1007 N. Rush - Official Web Site

This intimate bar is one of Chicago’s best-kept secrets. Tucked away on a corner of busy Rush Street, The Back Room is easy to miss from the outside. Enter via a long hallway and emerge in this small, candlelit lounge. There are tables throughout the room, as well as seating at the large, curved bar. The stage is only feet away, even from the farthest table. With live jazz, rich lighting and a cozy décor, this is a great place to spend time with friends.

For private parties, you can book the VIP lounge. This is located on the second floor and is situated directly above the stage. Reservations for the lounge include a private staff for your party.

Live jazz is played every night; the bar opens at 8 pm and shows begin at 9 pm. Cover charge: $15. Two drink minimum.

PLACES TO STAY

Hotel Indigo, 1244 N. Dearborn - Official Web Site

Walking into the lobby of this hotel is a breath of fresh air. The décor is blue and green and reminiscent of the sea; the murals on the walls conjure the beach. There are massive chairs scattered about with brightly colored cushions. Even at night, the lobby seems sun-kissed.

Hotel Indigo has 165 guest rooms, with singles, doubles and suites available. There is the Phi Tapas Bar Cocktail Lounge and a full service restaurant on the ground floor, as well as a fitness center, salon and spa.

There are meeting rooms with available catering, A/V equipment and wireless internet, a business center, courier and overnight delivery service and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Parking is also available.

For your convenience, the locations of all the businesses mentioned in this article are shown on our Gold Coast Neighborhood Map.

Gold Coast Web Links:

• Gold Coast Feature Article

• Gold Coast Neighborhood Map

Chicago Neighborhood Information

• See our Chicago Neighborhood Overviews & Map.