Last week the weather turned for the better and I declared the winter officially over (at least in Chicago).  I jumped at the chance to rediscover parts of Chicago, reconnecting with some old friends, businesses and areas. Last Wednesday I spent the day in downtown Chicago.

I stopped by my alma mater, DePaul University, to see all of their improvements.  The Loop branch is so much more like a campus now.

The Art Institute was next on my list.  I really need to spend a whole day there. I enjoyed a great lunch with my old friend Chuck.  The Green Door Tavern has one of the best turkey burgers in town.

On the way back to Michigan Avenue, I stopped at Sarah’s Pastries, my favorite sweets place.  I love their biscotti. I spent the rest of the day checking around at various hotels and talking to concierges.  I was happy to hear that business is good and Global Traveler is popular among guests!  I went home feeling great.

I spent most of Thursday with my nephew Matt, who is living in Lincoln Park (an area just south of Wrigley Field).  I took a quick tour of the LP DePaul campus.  We enjoyed a great chicken pizza at Vini’s and then went to Wise Fools for an evening of sports TV, relaxation and silly bets.

I finished the week with a Blackhawks game with my childhood friend Tom.  The United Center is a great place for hockey, although we talked and laughed too much to really have seen much of the game.  Nonetheless, we celebrated a Hawks win at the Beer Bistro, a great pub nearby.  I love their portabella sliders, baked goat cheese and buffalo calamari.

It was a great three days.  I always fall back in love with Chicago every time I spend time in the downtown area.  It was especially fun sharing it with some great friends.

— John Wroblewski, distribution specialist