On a recent work trip to Chicago, I had the chance to experience all of Eataly's offerings. During…read moremy first visit, I picked up some sweet treats to enjoy after dinner. First, I explored the endless snack aisles and selected a bag of chocolate-hazelnut biscuits to take home. I couldn't resist the gelato and tried the pistachio flavor (yum!) On my next visit to Eataly a couple of days later, I ordered a cappuccino, and while my beverage took a long time to prepare, the espresso tasted very high quality. The pastries looked stunning and decadent, and I imagine they'd pair wonderfully with espresso if you have time to linger at the cafe (I was in a hurry to get to a work meeting). The next day, my team and I visited Eataly's restaurant for lunch. I selected the anchovy toast as my starter and the gnocchi for my main as part of the lunch special. The toast consisted of two slices of sourdough bread topped with creamy lemon spread and anchovies. The contrast of the bright lemon flavor with the ultra-salty anchovies was tempered by the creamy butter - these all paired together quite well. The gnocchi, on the other hand, was underwhelming. The gnocchi was much too soft (it had the texture of mashed potatoes), and the red sauce was bland. All in all, visiting Eataly was a cool way to experience gourmet Italian food.

We have never been here before and saw they offered a summer Fridays tasting event. The event…read moreitself I wouldn't recommend - they give you tiny sample portions of preselected items on paper hotdog containers. Considering this place is supposed to have some class, we were pretty appalled that they seemed to do the bare minimum for this event. I felt very deceived by how this event was advertised online vs in real life. It seems they intentionally left out details and was marketed as five tastings at five counters, but we receieved barely a sample at each sation. The website said 1. house made pasta - you have one option and it was three bites, no vegetarian option 2. roman-style pizza - only thing I won't complain about although still a small portion 3. Curated drink from Caffe Lavazza - this was a dixie cup portion of a blended Frappuccino 4. house made pastry - they gave you the option of literal bite sized dessert, not a whole pastry 5. the artisanal salumi and formaggi - pathetic, literally 1 piece of meat, three pieces of the same type of cheeses, three olives, and dry stale crackers. Honestly for what they offer this was a slap in the face and from a consumer perspective Eataly's attempt at a summer money making scheme. I would find it hard to believe anyone who rave about this event, in fact I imagine most left very underwhelmed and still hungry. Eataly itself might be a great experience but we did not have the opportunity. We enjoyed the spritz drinks we ordered for their $9 summer special but this event did not make me want to return at all. It unfortunately dangled everything they could have offered in front of us, but then gave us the lowest tier. Driving in traffic to do this was not worth the time, gas, parking or inconvenience and the best part of our city night was when we stepped out of Eataly.

A trip to Chicago is not complete until we also make a trip to Garrett. I love getting the caramel…read moreand cheese corn mix. It is so quintessential Chicago experience. The service is always great. Please come and create your own adventure.

First time trying Garrett's this trip. Had it earlier, but had to restock up…read more On pricier side, but enjoyed the nut mix options. If you haven't had it before, ask the staff to sample!

Behind an unassuming storefront lies one of the most unique stops I've visited in the city! Raw…read morevegan establishments are few and far between, and this will definitely be a new go-to. Originally on a mission for a smoothie, I was greeted by a friendly staff member and a much larger menu than expected. There is a slew of inventive food that all looked amazing, ranging from sandwiches to noodles and sushi. I opted for the Maca Picchu smoothie, a mini cranberry muffin, and an empanada. I was blown away by how flavorful everything was! The smoothie was creamy, lightly sweet, and very refreshing. The mini muffin tasted like a firmer version of edible cookie dough and was a perfect sweet treat. The empanada was not crunchy, but it was flavorful and the vegan cashew cream was incredibly smooth. I was really impressed not only by the taste of the food, but the texture and presentation as well. There is a level of detail and care that is apparent and really exceptional. Consider me a fan- I'm already looking forward to not only the next visit, but to bring more plant-based meals into my kitchen as well!

So excited to find a real RAW food spot in Chicago. This place is legit. High quality fresh…read moreingredients for any real raw vegan looking for the raw fix. The staff are friendly and helpful finding whatever you need. Clean and small. This is a grab and go spot. The food looks simple but tastes incredible!

I have been eating these chocolates since 1997. I have had the privilege of buying these chocolates…read moreall over the world from the states to actually going to Zürich locations where it all began. On this visit, which it has been quite some years since I've been back, I was a little surprised to see very low stock if not only limited stock. For example, I am used to seeing the logs of three hazelnuts laid together and covered in dark chocolate or milk chocolate, these were nowhere to be found on the counter. There are several other versions that were not visible or laid out on the counter. However, they did have a wider assortment of the solid animals for example, how convenient that they had the horses in preparation for Chinese new year Prices here haven't changed at all, not surprised. Glad the staff on this particular day there were three of them behind the counter, which is a lot and we're very friendly and attentive as well. Disappointingly, though despite the amount of chocolates I bought, which was a little short of $100 was never offered a sample of anything and every time I go I'm always offered multiple samples. Not sure if this is a new policy or a new practice. One of the employees also noted that the owner of the store was sitting directly outside of the store and she and the gentleman were seated at a small table. The woman was on the phone the entire time, and the man was gazing at his cell phone as well. I'm glad that they let their employees do their jobs and they don't micromanage apparently which is good. I also expected to see more Christmas decor and just more decor in general as these stores are typically filled to the brim with their cute decorations and the sample giveaway boxes and the flowers so I was a little surprised to see it pared back this year.

Fabulous, stunningly beautiful chocolates. Delicious and varied. Great gift boxes as well are…read moreavailable.

My friends and I came in for a girls' lunch, and we had such a great experience! The food was…read moreabsolutely delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect for catching up and enjoying a relaxing afternoon together. A special shoutout to our server, Sergio, who made our visit even better. He was attentive, friendly, and gave us excellent recommendations that we all loved. His knowledge of the menu and great service really stood out. From the food to the service, everything was wonderful. We'll definitely be back for another girls' lunch soon!

Celebrated my 65th birthday at Francesca's on Chestnut--and wow, what a night…read more I was lucky enough to utilize their wine room to host 40 guests, which made the whole evening feel intimate, warm, and a little extra special (exactly what you hope for on a milestone birthday). The atmosphere struck the perfect balance between cozy and elegant--like you're tucked away in your own little celebration bubble. From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed and taken care of. Attentive and thoughtful--just really gracious service all around. And the food? Absolutely delicious. Every dish felt fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. You can tell they take pride in what they serve. I was bombarded the next day with questions on how to get more of the coconut cake and cookies. And the chocolate fountain? A work of art! It's not always easy to make a birthday feel truly memorable--but Francesca's nailed it. If you're looking for a place to celebrate something special (or honestly, just want a fantastic dinner), I can't recommend this spot enough. Thank you Francesca's for making my birthday perfect in every way it

Thank you, Poit! We stumbled into this store for the kids and ended up laughing and really enjoying…read moreour time. Poit knows everything about candy, is super friendly, and made our first night in Chicago very memorable. Thanks, Poit!!

Today on Christmas Day, when almost all the stores on Michigan Avenue were closed, It'Sugar was…read moresurprisingly open. It felt nice to find a colorful and lively place while everything else around was quiet. The store had a cheerful holiday vibe with bright lights and shelves full of candies, chocolates, and fun treats. There were some really good deals going on, with many items on 50% and even 75% discount, which made it a great time to shop. You could find a mix of classic candies, chocolates, and fun novelty items at reasonable prices. Even though it was Christmas, the store was not very busy, so it was easy to walk around, browse comfortably, and take your time choosing items. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the overall atmosphere was fun and relaxed. Overall, It'Sugar on Michigan Avenue was a nice surprise on Christmas Day -- colorful, cheerful, and perfect for picking up sweet treats or small gifts while enjoying the holiday mood.

Walked in and immediately greeted with the smell of donuts, yum!…read more We asked for donut recs and got one of each of their most famous flavors: vanilla bean glazed and old fashioned. Both were delish! The glazed donut was fluffy, sweet and my fave. My husband loved his old fashioned donut! He said it was crunchy yet moist. We also both got the Hot N' Spicy chicken sandwich which was so good!! Flavorful and spicy, with toppings that helped add some freshness to it. Pair it with a soft brioche bun, and this sandwich was heavenly! Def check this spot out for breakfast! One of the best places we tried while in Chicago!

I saw glowing review after glowing review, so I decided to make my way out to a Do-Rite after…read morelanding in the early morning in Chicago. Pulled up just before 6:30 AM on a weekday and there were just a few folks ahead of us in line, but service is quick. Cake donuts were actually pretty solid here; the Blueberry Cake Donut was the best item, super soft and moist with a good amount of berries throughout. The Pistachio Cake Donut for some reason was texturally firmer and drier than the other. Unfortunately, the fried donuts were all misses. The dough was just really dense and none of the toppings really hit. The Glazed Donut just made me sad that the dough was bad and the bacon on the Maple Bacon Donut wasn't crispy, so you got a cold, chewy, greasy bite that wasn't super pleasant. The chopped dough pieces in the Apple Fritter were also oddly firm instead of soft. For a place with rave reviews, I was pretty bummed by the donuts, but maybe the fried chicken sandwich is where it's at.

We went to the bar here expecting a one off experience. Ricky and Zachary on the 4th floor made all…read morethe difference. From friends visiting from out of state, you could not have picked a friendlier or more attentive staff. Thank you for making our visit memorable and fantastic! promote these two!!

Mood: Chicago must With a fun Chicago trip landing super…read moreearly going to the reserve was a must! I am not much of a Starbucks girl but this place was 4 floors of coffee, delicious bites, & a full bar! Started my morning with an espresso martini flight and omg- just what you need to start the day! 10/10 bold, fresh pressed, & right amount of sweetness. Pistachio croissant 9/10 the right amount of pistachio but not as sweet as I'd like Chocolate croissant 10/10 it was perfectly fluffy and filled with chocolate. This will be my forever Chicago staple.