PLACES TO EAT

Kamehachi, 240 E. Ontario - Official Web Site

Sushi is all the rage lately, and Chicago has more than its share of sushi restaurants that cater to this craze. Yet not all sushi bars are created equal: Kamehachi is in a class of its own. With one of the most extensive sushi menus around, the most discerning sushi aficionado as well as the most hesitant sushi novice will find something to please the palate.

Kamehachi is decorated in an Asian theme and sits below ground level; walking into the restaurant you are met with a cool, airy room with a grand sushi bar to your left. Sushi chefs line up behind the bar, poised and ready to create your meal.

Once you are seated and handed a menu, you will see that the choices are endless at Kamehachi. The best way to proceed is to try a little of everything; the Sushi A La Carte menu is ideal for this. Start out with the Kappa Maki, which is cucumber sushi; it is light and fresh, and eases you into the sushi experience. Alongside this, try the Agadeshi tofu; this tofu is battered and fried in soy broth, with added ginger. It is flavorful and soft, literally melting on your tongue. Next, take a more daring step and try the Tako; this is octopus sushi. It is a sliver of octopus tied to rice and is very fresh; the flavor is tangy and strong, and surprisingly delicious.

After these airy bites, you will need something more hearty as an entrée. Try the Asian Lamp Chops; these are marinated in a garlic and sesame soy sauce. Or try the New York Strip Steak, which is 12 ounces of meat grilled with teriyaki sauce and comes sliced, for maximum flavor penetration. Both are delicious, and although the helpings are generous, you will clean your plate. This is the kind of excellent cuisine you cannot help but devour, no matter how large the portion.

Top off the meal with some tea; served in small cups, this tea will let you linger over the end of your sushi experience and leave you anticipating your next visit!

Navy Pier,  600 E. Grand Ave. - Official Web Site

Navy Pier draws visitors both far and near; walking along the Pier, taking in the view of the Lake and enjoying good conversation is one of the city’s great delights. As with any experience, your day at Navy Pier can be sweetened by indulging in a little dessert.

There are dozens of dessert kiosks located along the Pier, temptingly showcasing their wares as you walk by. And what a variety of treats there are!

In the midst of a hot Chicago summer, you can choose cool Italian ice or delicious ice cream. On those brisk autumn days, try a warm elephant ear sprinkled with powdered sugar, or a churro rolled in cinnamon. The choices seem as endless as the Pier itself: go ahead, indulge yourself!

BARS/CLUBS

PJ Clarke’s Streeterville, 302 E. Illinois - Official Web Site

This bar is slightly upscale and, because of its proximity to the Loop, usually caters to the after-work crowd. However, its clientele certainly knows how to let their hair down! With a boisterous, amiable staff and late hours, PJ Clarke’s promises a good time. It is no surprise that PJ Clarke’s has amassed quite a following in Chicago.

The décor hearkens back to Chicago’s 1920’s heyday, with high-top tables, walls adorned with signed photographs of celebrities and a speakeasy atmosphere throughout. Upstairs there is a large party room that can be rented for anything from informal gatherings and boisterous birthday parties to wedding receptions and formal dinners.

The bar features a full menu, including the famous Minnieburgers, which were first introduced in 1989. Quickly becoming one of the most popular items on the menu, they became the featured food item at a restaurant opened in their honor, called – you guessed it - Minnies. Come in to PJ Clarke’s and try one for yourself!

PLACES TO STAY

W Hotel, 644 N. Lakeshore  - Official Web Site

The W Hotel is the epitome of style and luxury. As you walk into the swanky, modern lobby, the staff immediately caters to you; with such first-class service, you can already see that the W strives to give each guest the experience of a lifetime. Every convenience is provided and every detail is in place, effortlessly catering to each guest’s unique needs.

The hotel has 520 guest rooms, and because of its fabulous lakefront location, many of these rooms offer beautiful lake views. Suites are available as well. Each room offers several amenities, including 350 thread count Egyptian sheets, Bliss bath products, an in-room munchie box and mini bar, a CD/DVD library and complete business services. Other services available at the hotel include a business center, a fitness center, an indoor pool and beach access, 24 hour concierge, in-room dining and valet parking.

In addition to these amenities, the W has a spa, Bliss, on the first floor that is open to all W guests. There is also a restaurant, Wave, that serves seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. Altitude, a revolving rooftop room, is available for meetings and parties and offers a great view of the city and the lake.

For accommodations in Chicago that are as memorable as the city itself, the W Hotel is certainly the place to stay.

Other Streeterville Resources:

• See More Shopping Streeterville Shopping Guide

• Wikipedia on Streeterville

• Streeterville Chamber of Commerce

Chicago Neighborhood Information

• See our Chicago Neighborhood Overviews & Map.