I have had two occasions this year after which I remarked that the thought of eating the next day was depressing and impossible because nothing could possibly be as tasty. The first time this happened was in March, after visiting the Four Seasons Hotel for brunch and Ron of Japan for dinner in Chicago. The second occasion was yesterday, after again visiting the Four Seasons Hotel for brunch and Ron of Japan for dinner.
We woke up early, early and headed out to Chicago with PhysOrg’s family, to be at brunch by 10:30. It was a drizzly day, but thankfully well above freezing and not even particularly cold (I was still glad to have a coat when I was outside because it was rainy and cool and I’m a weenie).
The Four Seasons Hotel is located in a large shopping complex on Michigan Avenue. You should go there to:
a) Celebrate some significant happening in life; or
b) Just completely enjoy yourself
Brunch takes approximately 2.5 hours. We had a private room this time, which was wonderful– nine people around a table and a very mellow five-month-old baby to pass around and generally entertain. It was fabulous and cozy. The only drawback to the private room is that you have more difficulty hearing the piano, but depending on how many trips you take out for more food, this may not be a tremendous problem.
Many, many different brunch items to try. Lots of vegetarian options. Brunch includes lots of breakfasty options, but goes far, far beyond breakfast. Insert every superlative adjective that comes to mind to describe the tastiness of brunch.
We did not see Keanu this time, Mlitiagrl.
After brunch, our party split up. Two members headed to a Puccini opera, two members headed to the Planetarium, and the rest of us went shopping!
Holiday season shopping in downtown Chicago is neat– it would be an especially wonderful place to take kids because of the decorations. We started in the same building complex where we had eaten brunch: 900 N. Michigan Ave. A huge Christmas tree (maybe 4-5 stories tall?) was in the middle of the building, easily visible from the interior where the shops and the stairs between floors are located.
We continued to the Water Tower Place, which was maybe a block away, and then visited the Apple store and a four-story Crate and Barrel. Electronics and furniture were the most-drooled-over items, although there was a small amount of clothes and toy store shopping. I think downtown Chicago is the place to shop– and I am finally beginning to understand why there are not many great places to shop in Madison and Milwaukee– people just drive to Chicago.
The beautiful baby was wonderful and content the whole time. I have never actually seen him fuss unless he needs something– food, a new diaper, or a nap. His daddy carried for him for a bit and then switched out with his two doting uncles.
We returned to the hotel lobby around 5 and waited for the rest of our group to show up at the appointed 5:30 meeting time. Then we headed to Ron of Japan for another amazing meal.
Ron of Japan is basically a hibachi-style steak/seafood restaurant. They make a mean Midori colada and a wonderful substance called shrimp sauce(because it’s traditionally used on the shrimp, but its usefulness has been extended to coating almost everything edible in the restaurant). ALSO, THEY GRILL UP TASTY MUSHROOMS, VEGETABLES, AND TOFU! And tofu can be coated with shrimp sauce with amazing results!
Tom also ordered tofu this time, which was neat because I was not the only tofu eater at the table (and PhysOrg’s sister tried a piece), but I think that is going to change on his next visit because he tried PhysOrg’s steak …
Completely sated (probably for the entire week), we headed back to Madison. The only glitch in the trip was getting caught in a huge traffic jam on the interstate on the way back from Chicago. We were delayed perhaps an hour in travel time and the only cause we could detect was a huge back-up at one of the toll booths (which we averted once we actually made it to the toll booth by using the iPass).
It was about 11:30 when I tumbled into bed, the end of a fun and busy holiday weekend.