Mikel Marketing Newsletter

i’ll take chicago!
By: Mimi Dinh

Our main reason for coming to Chicago was for work this past July, but hey, any excuse for my husband and I to get out of Houston once in a while is okay by us, especially to a place we’ve never been before. And although known as the “windy-city,” I thought Chicago was fabulous…including the weather!

While I had managed to finish-up work within the first day, my husband’s conference lasted the entire time we were there. It’s safe to say I had a lot of time to myself; so, I decided to explore Chicago solo. By foot, trolley, and taxi, I hit what seemed to be the majority of Chicago’s hot-spots. While I could pay tribute to each and every place I visited, I will spare you and list only my favorites…

Sitting By The Dock of A Bay… - Our hotel was within walking distance, so it would have been a shame to come to Chicago without experiencing the history and excitement surrounding the Navy Pier. Encompassing more than 50 acres, the Navy Pier offers attractions like the IMAX Theater; The Chicago Children’s Museum, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Navy Pier Beer Garden, more than 80 retail shops, the Crystal Gardens indoor botanical park, and most notably, the 148-foot Ferris Wheel, built for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition.

As boring as it may sound, my morning routine included walking over to the pier and jogging up and down the area. Then catching my breath afterwards on the bench, just watching people. Sometimes I would bring my work and contemplate on the bench, feeling happy just “being” in the moment, deep in my thoughts.

They Don’t Call Magnificent Mile For Nothing – To come to Chicago and not experience its shopping on “Magnificent Mile” is like going to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower. The Magnificent Mile Retail District, the northern part of Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River and Lake Shore Drive, is one of Chicago's most prestigious boulevards; compete with exclusive shops, museums, restaurants and ritzy hotels. It’s like Rodeo Drive with plenty of flashy, designer stores, but with a lot more store selections. From Bloomingdales to Saks Fifth Avenue, from Chanel to Juicy Couture, every fashion store you can think of. Just when you thought you had died and gone to shopping heaven, another store caught your eye, and then another, and another… I felt so overwhelmed and exhausted at the end of the day, even though I mostly did just window shop. It was more like Magnificent Dozen Miles. I tried to embrace some self-control but I eventually gave in and did some damage. (I guess this is why male conference attendees have been known to leave their wives at home! It’s too dangerous a place for us females).

In addition to shopping, I was surprised to find that the Magnificent Mile also embodied some of the city’s most amazing architectural landmarks, like the John Hancock Center and the Tribune Tower. This made my shopping experience even more special, since I love architecture as much as I do fashion.

Something A Little Edgier - As magnificent as the Magnificent Mile, I have to admit, I am more of an “independent label”, “boutique-y” kind of girl. I later found myself in Lincoln Park, a pretty, tree-lined neighborhood that is home to some of Chicago’s best boutiques, and the surrounding area, Bucktown. Visiting shops like Alphabetique, 1153 Lill Studio, Krista K, Red Head, and Penelope’s; I was as much inspired by their creative styles as their eclectic spirits. It was fun to see quirky stores, from create-your-own bags, to vintage skirts and sequined cardigans. This was more “downtown” compared to magnificent Mile’s “uptown” vibe.

Martinis anyone? – My former intern, Jason – who had moved here eight months ago – took me to the most amazing scene for drinks one evening. Japonais is known for its uber-trendy French/Asian fusion cuisine, boasting the most coveted tables in town. But it’s Japonais’ exciting, yet intimate Jeffrey Beers-designed setting that impressed me. Entering the restaurant is awe-inspiring experience, but we came late, so we bypassed the red-hot upstairs dining room and descended downstairs to a cool-white, low-lit swanky lounge. I loved its aesthetics with clean, modern couches, low tables, and sexy artwork on the walls; each area is created in a separate vignette that allows a guest to have different experiences. The unique décor was the basis of much of our evening’s conversation. Japonais’ extensive drinks menu is difficult to rival, with 20 types of sake and an impressive wine list features wines from all over the world which can be purchased by the bottle. I ordered their signature ‘floating orchid’ cocktail made of Stolichnaya vodka, Cointreau, fresh pear juice topped with an edible orchid garnish.

With our martini in hand, we ventured outside to the patio that was even more fabulous than the indoor lounge. Beautiful people everywhere either sitting on the canopied deck, in a private cabana, or standing by the rail at river walk level overlooking the Chicago River. We felt a little buzzed, as the delicious martinis gave us license to own the patio like we were anonymous. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed every minute soaking in the breeze beneath the gorgeous skylight as we were catching up on each other’s lives.

Attention chocoholics – Chocolate lovers beware, I stumbled upon Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge and haven’t stopped thinking about it ever since. Among the truffles and cocktails, the nuts and the caramels, and the fruits and fondue, I found unique flavors like gingerbread, maple mania, key lime limbo and classic cabernet. Trust me; just one bite will leave you craving more.

Even more unique about Ethel’s are their private parties. Guests can reserve the lounge and choose from four different party packages such as The Chocolate Tease, which offers warm-blended fondue, a choice of coffee, cocoa, tea or water, and a selection of fine chocolates, or the Chocolate Decadence package, which offers, dipped strawberries, fondue, specialty beverages, chocolate bars, one specialty bagged item, and a 48 piece chocolate collection.

The best thing of all is you get 2 complimentary pieces of chocolates with any order of beverage. They don’t serve alcohol so the drink selections are coffee, tea, smoothies and colas. Wish my daughter were with me, as I found myself enjoying a berry/mango smoothie with a piece of apple pie chocolate and mojito chocolate.

You Ain’t Been to Chicago Unless You Had Some Deep Dish Pizza - Gino’s East was like any other pizza parlor, with cheap, red vinyl booths, complete with red and white checkered vinyl tablecloths. Hey, this is no place for one of those frou frou thin pizzas that I normally love so much. You gotta have deep dish, meaty, gooey, cheesy pizza at a place like this. Afterall, this is what Chicago is known for. When in Rome… I was telling myself. So, I ordered a Meaty Legend (every once in a while, a girl’s gotta have some meat). It seemed like ages before the pizza was brought out, maybe from my impatient anticipation, as the waitress clanked the pizza pan down on my table.

A self-proclaimed pizza snob, I personally prefer my pizza crust to be more like Mario Batalie’s: yeastly, crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside – as in his LA pizza joint, Mozza. But didn’t I say “when in Rome” earlier? Sorry, but this crust was too crumbly, like the texture of a scone. Oh well, it was still a good pizza. They can’t all be like Mario Batalie’s. He has really spoiled it for the rest, that Batalie!

All that dough and cheese made me sleepy and sluggish. I found myself catching a taxi home with the leftover pizza in a little box, smelling up the entire car. I felt like such a dork but I just couldn’t leave the half un-touched pie at Gino’s East even though I didn’t love it. (The result of decades of brainwashing from my parents of not wasting food).

Pancakes To Die For- On our last day there, my husband joined me for our last brunch before catching our flight home. When a friend made me promise to add Orange on Harrison on my Chicago “must do” list, at first I was a little hesitant as someone who isn’t huge on the idea of carbs for breakfast. Good thing I let go of my inhibitions.
Orange is a fun and creative breakfast and lunch fare served in a loft-like space, with quirky décor such as artificial orange trees and orange crate light fixtures. They’re famous for their extensive menu of fresh-squeezed fruit juices from every fruit you can imagine.

The drink menu has a “build-it-yourself” concept that even make ordering fun. Once seated, guests fill out a little three-step card to create the ideal drink. First you chose a basic (orange, apple, grapefruit, pear, etc.), then you chose a mixer (grape, cantaloupe, pineapple, lemon, lime, or celery), and then an extra to top it all of (banana, kiwi, strawberry, ginger, or mango), all fresh-squeezed, made-to-order. This was by far the most yummy glass of juice I have ever had. My husband chose their organic house-blend coffee infused with orange peel extract.

Its food menu has the same whimsical fare: exotic flavored silver-dollar pancakes, frushi - afresh fruit plate that resembles sushi, and basil pesto-flecked "green eggs and ham." I ordered the pancake flight, Orange’s signature dish. Four piles of silver dollar pancakes served on one plate. Each square contains a pile of yummy silver-dollar pancakes in yummy flavors such as “apple martini” and “white Russian” pancakes. Trust me, they taste as delicious as they sound – and I’m not normally a big fan of pancakes.

The trip was fantastic for many obvious reasons listed above. It was good to get away from the daily grinds and go somewhere totally new for a few days. It brought out both the silly Rachael Ray tourist enthusiasm in me, as well as my Tony Bourdain foodie sense of curiosity and adventure. I came back a little poorer (from my shopping damage) but much richer in spirit and experience. Priceless!