Perspective

In the words of Anton Ego from the movie Ratatouille, “…That’s it. I’d like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that?”

Oddly enough, the position of a concierge is to do just that – and on occasion that also involves wine. I would like to cast some perspective on the most common questions I am asked.

Taxis – There are many cab companies operating in the downtown area. They are pretty much the same expect I have found that the purple ones have more leg room, which is important to taller people such as myself. Ninety Nine percent of them take credit cards; although cash is always nice…

Coffee – The closest Starbucks is on Walton and Rush, just two blocks away. After that they repeat every two blocks, and if you don’t believe me, I will place them all on a map. For a more local flare head to Sarah’s Pastries on Oak Street and get a cup of Intelligentsia coffee, a locally roasted coffee.

Food - We have plenty of it. This is where a lot of my perspective goes into play – whether it is a fun place, interesting cuisine, atmosphere, your favorite dish or drink. The Chicago Style deep dish pizza is an excellent choice. If you have leftovers, stick them in the refrigerator and have them for breakfast.

Music – Chicago has a diverse music scene. Close to the hotel you have places like jazz clubs such as Jilly’s, Backroom, and Andy’s, plus the Underground Wonder Bar which has a mix of rock/blues/jazz. Otherwise clubs in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and the South Loop are just a short taxi ride away.

Popcorn – The famed Garrett’s Popcorn has relocated their Michigan Ave. store to Ontario Street next to the Coach store. It is worth the wait and try the warm caramel corn – good stuff.

Weather – It is always windy.

Hotel History – The hotel was originally built in 1927 as the Davis Hotel. There is a rich history behind the hotel, the meaning of “Knickerbocker”, the secret staircase, the Playboy years, and other intriguing aspects. Stop by the desk and I would be more than happy to take you around.

Area Maps – We have them available to the Concierge Desk. We have maps for shopping, eating, walking, jogging, transportation and every other thing that takes a map. You can also scroll down on our blog and view our Google map. It is loaded with restaurants, bars, nightlife, movie theatres, stage theatres, tours, links and more.

Hotel Features – The hotel has three different options for dining. Our main restaurant, NIX, is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. for lunch. After 2 p.m. our famed Martini Bar opens and offers a small menu of seasonal faire and over 50 different martinis. They also have live music Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Our room service department is open Sunday – Thursday from 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; 5:30p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; and 10:45 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Friday’s and Saturdays it will be open 24 hours. Also, the hotel offers complimentary shoe shine, valet laundry service, and a fitness center with cardio equipment that is available 24 hrs. Unfortunately, our hotel does not have a pool/hot tub, but our concierge team can offer alternative choices – I have heard Lake Michigan is wonderful this time of year…

That covers the basics. As you might expect, I have a lot to say, so just ask. It will be well seasoned, and if you’re nice it might include a glass of wine.

The Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel’s
Holiday Celebrations, 2009


The historic Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel welcomes you to the best destination in downtown Chicago for the holidays. Located in the gateway to the Magnificent Mile, the Knickerbocker is near Water Tower Place, John Hancock Tower and Navy Pier and offers accessibility to all the city’s landmarks and attractions to make your holiday season memorable.

We invite you to kick off the official holiday season with us on November 21, 2009. Before attending Chicago’s 18th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, join us in the hotel lobby which will be transformed in to a magical holiday setting complete with Charles Dickens carolers from 2:00pm-5:00pm along with complimentary hot apple cider, eggnog, and assorted petit fours. The hotel’s culinary team will showcase a gingerbread replica of the Knickerbocker Hotel made environmentally friendly with green roof and solar panels and roof-top herb gardens.


Thanksgiving Dining in Nix
Thursday, November 26, 2009 12:00pm-4:00pm

Choice of one from each course:

Starter
Baby Mixed Greens Tossed with Roasted Pear Wedges, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Roasted Yellow Beets and Dried Cranberries with a Sherry Walnut Vinaigrette
-or-
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon and Sage

Entree
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast Sliced with Traditional Gravy, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots and Chicken Broth alongside Homestyle Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes
-or-
Dijon and Rosemary Crusted Pork Loin with Sauce Robert,
Roasted Root Vegetables Finished with Parsley and Thyme
Whipped Sweet Potatoes Drizzled with Brown Sugar, Pecans and Butter

Dessert
Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake or Caramel Apple Pie with Cinnamon Whipped Amaretto Cream
Assorted Dinner Rolls with Butter Roses

Adults $45.00
Children 3 to 12 $22.00


Christmas Day Brunch in Nix
Friday, December 25, 2009 9:00am-2:00pm

Freshly Baked Breakfast Breads Including Croissants, Muffins, Danishes & Assorted Bagels with Cream Cheese

Fresh Seasonal Melons & Berries

Oatmeal with Dried Cranberries, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar

Traditional Eggs Benedict
Seared Canadian Bacon & Toasted English Muffins Topped with Hollandaise Sauce

Farm Fresh Scrambled eggs

Omelet Station
Diced Tomato, Onions, Peppers, Spinach, Mushrooms, Cheddar, Swiss or Goat Cheese, Brown Sugar Cured Bacon, Maple Syrup Sausage, Ham, Chicken Sausage or Fresh Chopped Herbs

Classic Belgian Waffles

Orange Granola Pancakes
Accompanied with Maple Butter, Whipped Butter, Whipped Cream,
Sliced Strawberries & Hot Maple Syrup

Fresh Herbed Breakfast Potatoes

Brown Sugar Cured Bacon Strips

Maple Syrup Sausage Links

Juice:Cranberry, Fresh Squeezed Orange & Grapefruit

Fresh Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee & Teas

Adults $25.00
Children 3 to 12 $13.00


New Year’s Eve
Thursday, December 31, 2009 5:00pm – 2:00am

Join us in the Martini Bar on New Years Eve where we will feature live jazz piano from 5:00pm-7:00pm and the Chad Willets Trio from 10:00pm-1:00am. At midnight we will welcome 2010 with a balloon drop, party favors and a Champaign toast.

New Year’s Day
Friday, January 1, 2010 8:00am-1:30pm

Join us for breakfast in Nix Restaurant and enjoy a breakfast buffet with Assorted Juices, Cereal, Seasonal Fruit, Flavor yogurt, Fresh Baked Breads, Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, Bacon, Sausage & a Specialty Entrée, Includes Coffee, Tea or Decaf
Adult $18.00 Children 3 to 12 $9.00

Seussical Chicago

Following my theme of creative writing, I’ve decided to partially translate Dr. Seuss's One Fish Two Fish into suggestions for a guest of the Windy City.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Black Fish, Blue Fish, Old Fish, New Fish
This one has a little star, this one has a little car.
Say! what a lot of fish there are.

Obviously this would translate into the John J. Shedd Aquarium. This is one of the largest aquariums in the United States and consists of an oceanarium, wild reef exhibit, Caribbean reef, Amazon exhibit, and many more fish and mammals from all around the world. They have a new show opening on Oct. 16th called “Fantasea” which features dolphins, whales and penguins. It is open weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and weekends until 6 p.m. The aquarium is discounted Oct. 16-22 as well as every Monday and Tuesday thru November 30th. Here you can find any size, shape, age, design, and color fish but none driving a car – although that would be funny.

Some are red and some are blue. Some are old and some are new.

When wandering downtown I’m sure you’ll notice a white and blue flag with four red stars – this is the City of Chicago flag. It has been changed over the years, but the 3 White stripes represent the North, West, and South Side of the city; the 2 blue stripes represent Lake Michigan/North Branch of the Chicago River and the South Branch of the Chicago River; the 4 Red stars on the center represent Fort Dearborn, the Chicago Fire, the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893; and the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933.

Some are sad and some are glad, and some are very, very, bad.
Why are they sad and glad and bad? I don’t know, go ask your dad.

Chicago can never get away from its shady past. During the Prohibition Era Chicago became a hub of criminal activity and vice. The Untouchable Tour is an excellent way to find out more information about the hot spots and hits spots from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Also, the Chicago Haunting tour takes you around the city to all the haunted areas, many of them stemming from the violent acts of that era. Lastly, Graceland Cemetery is a short taxi ride from the hotel and they have self guided tours that focus on Chicago’s great architects and their influence, the city’s turbulent history, its powerful and inventive citizens, and the Cemetery’s natural beauty. Mobsters, murderers, ghosts and ghouls – best let dad take care of that.

Some are thin and some are fat. The fat one has a little hat.
From there to here, here to there, funny things are everywhere.

My best interpretation of this would be the city's comedy clubs. For the best stand up head to Zanies in Old Town – they have host celebrities and locals alike for many years. For improv, take a short taxi ride to IO (Improve Olympic) in Wriggleyville. Lastly, Chicago’s main comedy troupe is Second City. Their main stage show is called “America: All Better!” which is a follow up to the election and packed full of social and political satire.

Here are some who like to run. They run in the hot, hot sun.

The hotel is located one block from Oak Street Beach and a run/jog/bike path along the lakefront.

Oh me! Oh my!
Oh me! Oh my!
What a lot of funny things go by.

Two blocks away from the hotel is Rush Street which holds several restaurants and also is the main nightlife hub. So, if you like to people watch, that is best place to do it. Also, the Blueman Group performs every week at the Briar Street theatre – their show is packed full of crazy things, even toilet paper.

Some have two feet and some have four.
Some have six feet and some have more.
Where do they come from?
I can’t say.
But I bet they have come a long, long way.

Check out the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free every day and excellent to view animals from all over the world. Lions, tigers, monkeys, polar bears, rhinos, giraffes - oh my! After the zoo head to the Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum to bird watch, check out turtles and snakes, and walk through a butterfly haven with over 300 species flying around.

We see them come. We see them go.
Some are fast and some are slow.
Some are high and some are low.

This describes the public transit perfectly. We have elevated trains, subways and buses that take you throughout the city. A single one-way ride is $2.25 (exact change). You can also purchase one, three, five or seven day passes which allow you unlimited rides for that time period. The trains and buses can take you to every Chicago attraction, neighborhood, and event. For maps and more transit information, stop by the Concierge Desk.

Not one of them is like another
Don’t ask us why,
Go ask your mother.

Every trip to the Windy City is different from the next. Please contact myself, Paul, Sheryl or Kathy at the Concierge Desk via email or phone and we can build a custom itinerary for your stay – and you don’t have to ask your mother (unless you are under 18).

It Tastest Like...

Beginning Note – None of the following taste like chicken.

It is always fun to try something new – even if it is a spin off of something else. There are many breakfast spots around the hotel that take pride in creating interesting dishes for their patrons. The majority of these dishes are made to taste like something else; the rest are classic dishes but done in a unique way.

The first place is Orange, which is best described as a fine dining breakfast restaurant. I know that it sounds like an oxymoron, but it is a casual place. They have a dish called Chai Tea French Toast. It is baked chai tea infused french toast stuffed with ricotta cheese served over a chai tea latte reduction and topped with honey and caramelized apples. It tastes like a mix of a Starbucks chai latte and apple french toast – good stuff.

Next is the Bongo Room, which is the choice breakfast place for all those hipsters in Wicker Park. It is a unique menu blended with an urban/rustic atmosphere. They serve what has become my new favorite breakfast item, Berry and Banana Cheesecake Flapjacks. Imagine fresh banana pancakes with graham cracker crumbs topped with warm vanilla creme and three berry coulis served with fresh bananas. Yes, it tastes like a melted New York Cheesecake on top of pancakes – sweet, heavenly pancakes.

The Crepe and Coffee Palace in Lincoln Park is a casual coffeehouse that specializes in North African and Mediterranean cuisine made with fresh and often organic ingredients. They have over 30 different crepes to choice from, but their signature crepe is the best. It is called the Crepe Palace - go figure. It is a crepe with Algerian compote (raisins, pears and rose water) with pistachio ice cream. I honestly can’t describe the taste, but it is really good and ice cream for breakfast is fun.

Close to the hotel is the Oak Tree restaurant on the 6th floor of the 900 N. Michigan Shopping Mall. This casual American café serves everything from sandwiches to fresh fruit and granola, and all the classic breakfast items. My favorite dish is the Baltic Eggs Benedict. It is house cured salmon with hollandaise sauce and salmon caviar. It tastes so good but has a treacherous end…

Lastly, there is Tempo Café – a 24hour diner about 4 blocks away from the hotel. This restaurant is a great place for late night (early morning) diners as well as lunch and dinner. Their Poor Man's Skillet is a skillet full of hash browns, ham, green pepper, and onion, topped with melted american, mozzarella, cheddar and swiss, then topped with three eggs. It is the perfect name (and price) for those looking to eat after spending all their money on a night out. It tastes a bit greasy but oh so good.

Hungry Yet?

Dancing with Cows

In the 1933 film Duck Soup, Groucho Marx said, "I could dance with you till the cows come home. Better still, I'll dance with the cows and you come home."

I’m not sure what meaning that has, but it inspired me to write about dancing – and also cows. Since I have two left feet and can’t dance, I’ve included some ballet options. But, for those who can, here are a few places to groove, swing, or just dance.

The Hubbard Street Dance Company has been internationally and locally celebrated for years. Their latest performance is called 27’ 52". “This performance takes the viewer along for a game of seeking and being sought, of holding and being held, pulling and pushing, a game in which the dancer must ultimately exit the stage solo” - Jirí Kylián (Choreographer). They will be at the Auditorium theatre October 1st – 4th.

On October 2nd – 4th the Miami City Ballet will be making their Chicago debut at the Auditorium Theatre. They have captivated audiences around the world with a thrilling company of dancers and broad repertoire that includes George Balanchine's masterworks and works by contemporary choreographers such as Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp. The company will perform Balanchine's "Symphony in Three Movements" and "Valse Fantasie," Marius Ivanovich Petipa's "Black Swan Pas de Deux" from Swan Lake, and Tharp's "In the Upper Room."

The Joeffrey Ballet will be opening their new season on October 14th with Othello at the Auditorium Theatre. Chicago-born Lubovitch makes his Joeffrey debut by bringing his rhapsodic interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic tale of passion, jealousy, ambition and betrayal. Lubovitch’s compelling synthesis of classical and modern movement is heightened by a powerful score by Academy Award winner Elliot Goldenthal.

For those who can dance, or think they can dance, here are a few clubs to choose from. Every Tuesday at the Green Dolphin, approx. 10 minute cab ride, there is a Latin jazz band. It is a great place to lounge, groove and eat. Martini Park, located in River North, just a 5 minute taxi ride away, transforms itself into a speakeasy every Tuesday night offering dining, cocktails, and live swing music. Lastly, there is Avila, a Latin-centric nightclub. The club's look takes its inspiration from the Spanish city of Avila and plays music from Rock en Espanol to bachata and salsa every Wednesday through Sunday.

Now I come to dancing with the cows. There might be a few of us who remember the cow parade of ’99, where Chicago had nearly 320 art cows on display throughout the city. They are almost all gone now, but a bronze cow still stands in front of the cultural center on Randolph Street. Dance with it, hop on its back, just take a picture because I’m sure it will look funny. More can be found at Wrigley Field, Damen Ave. in Bucktown, the Talbott Hotel, O’Hare Airport, and Harry Carey’s on Kinzie. You can also find cows, live ones, at the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free everyday. They stay in the barn at the John Deere Farm located at the southern portion of the zoo. I’m not sure if you can dance with them without alarming some large security guard, but it is worth a shot. Again, take a picture because I would love to see it.