A Refreshing Alternative To Traditional Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotels

Consider the concierge at Swissôtel Chicago as your personal guide to Chicago. It is our pleasure to delight you with the precise, attentive service that distinguishes us from nearby Chicago hotels on The Magnificent Mile. You'll enjoy an immediate sense of arrival when you enter the lobby. Discover what makes us a preferred alternative to standard Magnificent Mile Chicago hotels. Rely on our helpful staff to assist with your every need -- from recommending restaurants to planning the perfect romantic weekend or family vacation. Use the following links to learn more about local restaurants and attractions highly recommended by our concierge staff.

Helene's Favorite Things

John's Favorite Things

Local Flavor

Click here for Additional Downtown Attractions & Tourist Sights close to our Navy Pier Chicago Hotel.

Helene's Favorite Things:

Chicago has a lot of great restaurants and here are some of my favorites that are walking distance from the hotel:

Zed451.(River North / 739 N. Clark;(312)266-6691) www.zed451.com International steakhouse that has wonderful harvest tables with exquisit meat and seafood. The ambience of the restaurant is warm and comfortable but modern. There is a superb rooftop with an impressive view.

Catch 35.(Loop/ 35 E. Wacker Drive;(312)346-3500) www.catch35.com If you like seafood this restaurant has extremely fresh seafood with a lot of tasty seafood dishes,it also have nice steaks. The interior is more of a business like atmosphere

Aria.(Loop / 200 N. Columbus;(312)444-9494) Ecclectic restaurant with superb food and an impressive winelist. Their ribeye steak is fantastic and if you like dessert try the passion fruit brulee. Very modern and sleek interior.

Le Colonial.(Gold Coast / 937 N. Rush;(312)255-0088) www.lecolonialnyc.com Romantic French/Vietnamese restaurant with a cozy bar. The food is wonderful and very interesting prepared for example grilled shrimp wrapped around sugar cane

The Gage. (Loop/ 24 S. Michigan Ave;(312)-372-4243) Irish American Pub/Restaurant that has wide variety of draft beer and a interesting wine list. The food is very tasty and the restaurant has a warm and elegant pub feeling to it.

A tour that is a must see is the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise, this is a great way to see Chicago. It will take you on the river and give you the architectural history of some of Chicago's finest buildings.

John's Favorite Things:

Lincoln Park Zoo - 2200 N Cannon Drive

              Located on the Southern end of beautiful Lincoln Park, this free Zoo offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown.  Whether you’re a kid or an adult, this zoo is the perfect place to stroll through for a fun and relaxing afternoon.  Explore the Regenstein African Journey and see meerkats, hyenas, giraffes and other exotic animals.  Watch colorful birds in free flight in the McCormick Bird House.  My personal favorite, though, is to observe the 24 different kinds of apes, which are always sure to make me laugh.

Art Institute of Chicago - 111 S Michigan Avenue

              At the Art Institute of Chicago, even if you’re not an art buff you’ll still find many pieces that you will recognize in a heartbeat.  If you are an art buff, you may think you’ve died and gone to heaven.  The newly remolded Impressionist galleries are home to one of the largest collections of Impressionist paints, second only to the Louvre in Paris.  The newly opened Modern Wing not only displays modern and contemporary art by the likes of Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, but is a work of art itself by architect Renzo Piano which frames the picturesque skyline outside.  Other great pieces that you’re sure to recognize include Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” Georges-Pierre Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” and (my favorite piece) Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.”

Lincoln Park Conservatory - 2391 N Stockton Drive

              Tucked in the park just next to the Zoo, this beautiful greenhouse, which is over a century old, is the home to thousands of different plant species from around the world.  It consists of the Palm Room, Fern Room, Orchid Room and a Seasonal Show Room.  Palms that look prehistoric boast leaves larger than grown men.  This is a great place to take a deep breath and enjoy some fresh air while looking at the many varieties of orchids; from one that looks like a miniature pineapple to carnivorous pods that trap insects.  There is even a “Sensitive Plant” which shrinks and closes its leaves when touched lightly.  You’ll find me here on a snowy Chicago winter day enjoying the green, lush and humid atmosphere.

Mercat a la Planxa - 638 S Michigan Ave.

              This elegant tapas restaurant is located in the Blackstone Hotel.  You ascend to the second floor through a spiral staircase and find yourself in the stunning multi-tiered dinning room.  The oversized arched windows overlook Grant Park and let in the moonlight on a clear evening.  While the space itself is stunning, it is second to the cuisine.  They execute traditional tapas wonderfully with a selection of cured meats, cheeses and olives. However, their real strength is in the adventurous combinations of flavors in their unique dishes such as Patatas Bravas, potatoes served with spicy paprika aioli; and the Langosta y Vainilla, poached lobster served with roasted garlic flan with flavors of basil and vanilla.  Try a season sangria with hints of pomegranate, blood orange and basil.  For a real treat allow the chef to choose for you and pair your wine. 

Vermillion – 10 W Hubbard Street

              In a city where cultures from around the globe combine, fusion restaurants are popping up everywhere.  Vermilion, an Indian-Latin fusion spot, is at the top of my list.  The space has a modern yet comfortable atmosphere of red and white décor.  Black and white photographs of women adorn the walls because the namesake of the restaurant is femininity itself.  Latin heat infuses the food such as the Chili-Glazed Blackened Tamarind Ribs which fall right off the bone.  Tradition is never overlooked though, which is evident through the Pani Puri, a traditional Indian street food of small flour shells filled with spicy potatoes.  And yet another way they mingle flavors is with their fresh herb and spice cocktails such as an Indian Margarita infused with lime, curry and chili pepper or a cucumber watermelon martini infused with cilantro.

Quartino - 626 N State Street

              This lively eatery offers some of the best Italian food in the downtown area in a casual atmosphere.  The menu features small plates designed to share, kind of an Italian tapas concept, as well as pasta dishes that can serve as an entrée.  As much as I love fine food, I love more to be casual and comfortable while I dine. This puts Quartino at the top of my favorite places to dine.  Their selection of meats cured in house, cheese and olives pair perfectly with their extensive wine list.  Their scallops are always prepared perfectly with lemon and caperberries.  The cavatelli is simple and fresh, with tomatoes, basil and ricotta cheese.  No white table clothes, just hard wood and reclaimed tile makes me feel at home here.

The Hopleaf - 5148 N Clark Street

              In Chicago, this Andersonville neighborhood bar is a Mecca for beer lovers.  Chicago truly is a city of neighborhoods. While Andersonville is on the far north side of the city, if you desire an amazing beer selection the pilgrimage is worth it.  I’m not going to gush about the interior, as it’s pretty much standard tavern décor of brick walls and vintage beer posters.  But with over 200 beers from around the world to choose from, who’s looking at the posters?  Cold beer, a genuinely knowledgeable staff and a laid back real Chicago atmosphere make this Belgian tavern my favorite bar in the entire city.  Be adventurous and go a bit off the beaten path.

Local Flavor: