Will be in town for a work thing from Sunday to Wednesday. Will be staying and working at the Swissotel at Wacker and Columbus Drives.

Looking for assorted bars or restaurants in the area. Preferably walking distance but am willing to cab it within reason in the evenings.

Only thing I've got planned so far is Braves@Cubs on Sunday. Any good patios or rooftop bars nearby there?

Work conference is offering a night at 2nd City one night but have not committed to that as of yet. Worth it or overrated?

Any must try beers? Record stores?

Welcome to town! You gonna have any time to hang/meet up? I'd love to try to get down there if I can and have a beer or two with you.

As to restaurants, etc.:
You are walking distance from the original location of Heaven On Seven on Wabash. Some excellent Cajun fare.
A little further down Wabash, another mile or so, is Eleven City Diner -- a Jewish deli/sandwich shop. Owned by a guy that I went to high school with. But I wouldn't send you there if it weren't very good. It is.

When you're up in Wrigleyville for the game… unless you really want to be part of a huge, extended frat party, you'll probably want to get out of Wrigleyville. But, in case you can't, The Gingerman has a pretty great beer selection, if you want to brave the crowds there on a game day.

The Second City IS a good time. Although, I have not been to a show there in years, so… it really depends upon the folks that they have in the cast at this time. I can't speak to that currently.

Record stores:
Reckless Records out in Wicker Park is the classic hipster vinyl stop. Excellent selection. Snobby staff. The whole nine yards.
Dusty Groove is a must-hit for soul and international music.

So yeah, let me know if you're gonna be available for a meet-up anytime over the weekend. Put the word out on Facebook and all that, too!

stay away from second city. i don't know the last time they were ever funny. I had a lot of exposure to them, multiple times due to the nature of my job...schlocky.

Yeah, go meet todd...nice guy.

Not many good bars in that area but Haymarket is a 5 minute Uber ride away and the bar at the West Loop Whole Foods next door is always solid. They usually have Zombie Dust on at the very least. Jake Melnick's, which is kind of a shitty place on the surface for food, has a decent tap list. You could walk there... probably 15 minutes at the most.

You're really close to my favorite Italian restaurant, Volare. It's north of the river a block... about a 5 minute walk from the Swissotel.

Reckless in the loop is walking distance but very small and probably not worth the effort. My favorite store is Permanent but that's a good 10-15 Uber away. Worth it though as they have a ton of prog. Roots pizza is next door which is QC style and they have a good tap list as well.

Thanks, Laura! You are quite the sweetheart.
(She is.)

i met some people from second city once. crashed on their floor i think. then i looked them up on youtube and it was the most unfunny thing.

Have him take you to that tiny central american food joint. SO good. SO cheap and lo-fi.

And ditto for Jasmine, if she'll be around. She knows some good spots.

You mean the Costa Rican place? Irazú?
I love taking people there. One of those spots that only folks who lived or hung out in that particular neighborhood would know about. Delicious and cheap and different.
Most folks that I know from Chicago and the 'burbs have never heard of it. Although probably everyone here from Chicago has been there.

I *lived* in Chicago for TWO YEARS and never met Todd.

Which reminds me, what happened to Z?

I do regret that it never seemed to work out. My kids were younger when you were here and that took up a lot of my time. If you ever get back, please do drop me a line. I'd love to correct that!

I've had good times at bars in Wrigleyville (don't ask me which ones, its been a long time). Just saying I don't think you need to venture far away from the stadium. I wish we had a bar scene like that by Dodger Stadium which is isolated on top of a hill with no bars, restaurants or anything in walking distance.

Dusty Groove is great and not just for Soul or World Music. Jazz, Soul, Funk, Latin and World Music are the specialties (and where they blow away other stores in selection) but they carry most everything. I've gotten some good deals on country records there -- probably either because they don't know it as well and/or it won't sell as quickly unless priced well since its not what they're known for.

You're less than a mile from the Purple Pig which is a restaurant I've heard and read great things about. Might be a tough reservation though???

If you find yourself in or close to Lincoln Park, Delilah's would be worth checking out. It's a Punk Rock bar with 700+ whisk(e)ys and 200+ beers/ciders.

Get everyone together for a band revue...go find KoCF