Baby, It was Cold Outside

The idea of a trip to Chicago began about six months ago. My best friend Amy, our friend Brian and I were talking on the phone. Brian relocated from California to Washington, D.C. to Chicago. He asked me my thoughts on the Windy City and was stunned to learn I had never been there. 

“We’re going to have to get you out here,” he said.

I later asked Amy if Brian’s comment was just a throw away line like, “Let’s get together soon to have lunch.” No, she assured me, adding that he was probably on the airlines’ websites at that minute to book our flights.

Turns out she was right.

Last Thursday, she and I flew out of LAX to O’Hare. Brian warned us that it would be cold and seeing my weather app display a reading of 9 (I thought that was a dress size, not a temperature) he was right. I quickly warmed up with an adult beverage and dinner at Gibsons Steakhouse where Brian took us. 

That was the beginning of a perfect, albeit too short, stay in Chicago with food being the focus of the trip. In addition to the fabulous Gibsons, we had lunch at the Signature Room at the 95th in the Hancock Tower (what a view!), ate Chicago-style pizza at Labriola, brunch at The Lakefront Restaurant that boasted both lake and city views and ended with a five-star meal at RPM Italian. 

But it wasn’t just the inside of amazing restaurants that I saw. In addition to eating our way through Chicago, on Friday afternoon we climbed aboard the Crime and Mob Bus Tour. 

I knew little of Chicago history when I arrived, but the bus tour offered a slice of the seedier side of the rise of “Chi-Town.” I had a ball!

Another not-to-miss event for me was going to a show at The Second City. So many well-known comedians came from The Second City – John Belushi, Gilda Radner and John Candy to name a few – and it was nostalgic to see photos displayed of when they were just starting out. And you probably didn’t know but CV High School is represented among the club’s players; Kyle Ryan from the class of 2007 is making his mark. I didn’t get a chance to see Kyle when I was there, but if he is half as funny as the troupe we did see then I know he’s doing well.

 Underlying all these outings (and eatings) was the cold. I never knew the meaning of “bitter cold” until I ventured out into a Chicago winter night. However, I was warned beforehand and came prepared: gloves, mittens, earmuffs, scarf, long underwear and a heavy coat with hood. Thankfully, these kept the freezing temperatures away.

Will I ever use these supplies again? I can’t say for sure but who knows? Maybe New Year’s in New York is in my future…

To Brian, I give a warm California thank you for a trip that I’ll never forget.

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I must clarify a note from my column last week. In my eagerness to share my thoughts about the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce installation dinner and awards ceremony, I didn’t give the complete description of the recipient for the Community Endearment Award. That would be Once Upon A Time, the nation’s oldest children’s bookstore. 

Sorry about that.