Friday night we ended up at Blue Chicago. I loved it! It was a small bar and we had to share a table with Garfield and Judy (those are their real names). They were a fantastic older couple from Brighton, MI. Garfield asked us a lot of questions and Judy told him to be quiet. Garfield kissed our waitress and the one and only Charlie Love. Charlie Love was the lead singer of the Charlie Love Blue Band (or something like that) and Patricia Scott also accompanied them at times to belt out some tunes. I felt like it was my kind of place the moment we walked in the door. Two Long Islands and half a Stella later I was a little silly walking back to the hotel. (I rarely drink so when I do, I'm a lightweight.)
Saturday morning we were feeling tired. We went down to the Navy Pier to acquire tickets for a boat ride during the fireworks. I saw more sail boats than I have ever seen in my life! They were all coming past the end of the pier and being announced for the Race to Mackinaw. Mike even convinced me to ride the Ferris Wheel. A first for me in Chicago. And I got to ride for free because some nice man gave me an extra ticket he had left on his ride pass.
We had lunch at an Irish pub across the street from our hotel, Timothy O'Tooles. We discovered Goose Island 312 (urban wheat ale) which is really good and I don't even like beer. I haven't been able to find it in Columbus but it is readily available in NW Ohio. (I made a friend at the Kroger in BG when I asked as guy to get it off the top shelf for me - he had tried in Chi-town the same weekend as us.) Mikey had fish and chips and I had an interesting black bean and rice veggie burger - it was good.
With rain threatening the afternoon we decided to go see HP rather than take a nap. Sadly, the IMAX at the Science and Industry Museum was already sold out so we went to an AMC that was just a few blocks from the hotel. I feel sad for those that haven't read the books because so much is left out of the movies however, it was still a good (not great) movie.
Saturday for dinner we ended up at a place called Bandera (after about an hour of wandering around and not being able to settle on anything). It was great and I would recommend it to anyone going to Chicago. In fact, I didn't know it was a chain until just now when I looked up the link. There was live jazz while we ate dinner; good live jazz actually. I had chicken and spinach enchiladas, cucumber salad and green rice (this recipe seems close to the green rice at Bandera). Mike had the same (minus the rice add steak...). For some reason I didn't take any pictures here; I must have been enjoying it too much.
After dinner we headed to The Tall Ship Windy for our fireworks excursion. There are fireworks every Wednesday and Sunday during the summer at the Navy Pier. Mike was a first time sailor so, I convinced him to help hoist the sails. We took in the views of the city and the fireworks and were nearly lulled to sleep by lake Michigan.
After the sailing adventure we took a crazy cab ride (aren't all cab rides crazy?) to get cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory (which is at the base of the John Hancock Building). We had the biggest (pardon my language) douche bag waiter ever. Thankfully the cheesecake was delicious as always.
Sunday morning, we packed up and grabbed some Panera for breakfast around the corner from our hotel. We had already consumed all the make it yourself waffles we could handle in the hotel the previous two days. Sadly, after this we checked out of the hotel and headed home...after a quick drive down Lake Shore Drive.
On the way out we saw the Sears Tower or, at least this is the Sears Tower that I managed to convince my brother into believing was THE Sears Tower. I'm not sure if that was before or after we found out my Grandpa was carrying a billy club with him for the trip... Another blog for another day.
My severed hand story gave me some redemption for your "sear's tower" trick. I'm glad you guys are enjoying the 312. I can't think about it otherwise my mouth will start watering.
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