I have something to share with you.

I travel for work.  Lucky for me I am usually able to do a quick one night visit to most cities since I work with a small number of clients in each metro area.  I can very easily fly into Kansas City, Chicago, St. Louis or various other cities, do a couple visits, spend the night, do a few more visits and then fly home.  Yes, it means an early morning at the airport but it means I may get to kiss my daughter goodnight the next evening.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I love to eat and exploring the local dining scene makes work travel much more enjoyable.  I don’t visit national chains but opt to check out the more local spots that are getting great reviews.  OpenTable, Eater, Chowhound and the local magazine for that city are great resources for finding a great spot.

I was in Chicago recently, one of my favorite cities to visit and had a few great meals.

Nico Osteria:
Sometimes it is nicer when someone else orders and so I can explore new foods rather than my tried and true favorites.  My client did all the ordering so we each began with a glass of wine, one white, one red, started the meal with a hamachi crudo, shared the branzino as our main and ended with the Nico Torte.  The restaurant is great for a dinner with friends, with a partner/spouse or even a client.  I definitely enjoyed my meal and will be back!

Little Goat:
I have been to Girl and the Goat and loved it.  So I thought while I was in town, I would stop by Little Goat for a drink and a quick bite.  It is a bar, coffee shop, bakery and diner all in one.  If I had more time, I would have ordered more but I was off to the airport to make it home in time for my daughter’s bedtime.  We tried the Crisp Shrimp ‘”Cocktail” which is somen noodle wrapped shrimp served with cocktail sauce and lettuce cups.  Delicious!

Catch 35:
I needed to grab a quick lunch before a client visit and my hotel recommended Catch 35.  I sat at the bar and was given a special bar menu which was half price due to it being Agency Day.  Bowl of bisque and a lobster roll for under $15 – great way to stay within per diem.

The Wit:
Love this hotel!  It is a Doubletree(part of Hilton), the rooms and suites are all very modern and the location is fantastic.  Also, as a gold elite, I enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the restaurant State and Lake(my favorite perk as a gold member).  They have a rooftop lounge where you can end your evening and the hotel staff always provide great service.

Have any other recommendations for me when I return to Chicago?