Wine and Spirits Travel

My road trip through the Midwest  had started nearly a week ago. I was now in one of my favorite cities with my mom. We had stayed at the Palmer House Hilton previously and I knew how much my mom loved it. I also always had a great time at this classic hotel. I called my friend, Ken Price, the hotel’s Director of Publicity, to arrange our stay. Every time I’ve been to Palmer House, Ken has fascinated me with stories of the hotel’s history. He has mentioned his “ History is Hott ” tour and I was finally able to work out a time to do it. After a good night’s sleep, we had a light breakfast and got ready to meet Ken. We were saving our appetite for lunch at the Palmer House’s Lockwood Restaurant, which is included with the History is Hott tour. Ken met us and we caught up over lunch before the rest of the people arrived for the tour. I had the delicious French Onion Soup while Mom enjoyed the salad with shaved pears, hazelnuts, and greens in a buttermil

We had a perfectly relaxing day at Hotel Arista , enjoying the spa, food, and amenities.  It was time for the Midwest girls’ getaway with my friend Lynn to end, but not before we explored more of the hotel and Naperville, Illinois . I slept very well on the king bed in my spacious suite. It was a shame I only had it for one night. Lynn and I met with Barb Hocker of Hotel Arista at Lavazza Café, which was a short walk through the hotel to the City Gate Centre. We refueled with lattes, muffins, and yogurt, and talked about the hotel, which four diamond and a Preferred Hotel , as well as part of the Kiwi Collection. After we finished breakfast, we toured City Gate , which also included the Tap Inn Pub & Carvery. Barb also showed us the golf simulator and I got to take a swing at it. Lynn and I went back to our suites to freshen up for the rest of the day. Carmia Stanovich, Director of Sales for the Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau , pick

It was time for me to check out some more of Chicago and I planned a great two day jaunt through some restaurants, a distillery, a grand opening, and one of my favorite hotels. Lisa and I made the two hour drive to downtown Chicago and our first stop, BLT American Brasserie . I  was instantly impressed with the combination of modern elegance in a very welcoming atmosphere. We got comfortable with some Infamous Goose Sauvignon Blanc and tried to narrow down the menu choices. The restaurant is the first Chicago brainchild of Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel. The menu is creative, offering interesting touches without going to the wild side. It seemed as if we sampled it all, starting with the flavorful Spinach & Mushroom Dip. As good as it was, it couldn’t possibly top what came next. Chef de cuisine Aksel Thielkuhl worked a week to perfect the Apple Soup and it was well worth it. It came with a “snow” shred of foie gras and shavings of roasted chestnut. We also

I try to take one big trip and one quick getaway each month. I often do the latter in Chicago, about two hours from my home. Even though I’ve been in the Midwest over two years now, I never have a problem finding something unique to do in the Windy City. I started my latest Chicago adventure with a Chef’s Table event by The Local Tourist.  My friend Theresa Carter does a wonderful job with these events, which include everything from seven course formal meals, to pizza and wine pairings -- like the one I attended at Red Flame Pizzeria .  This restaurant/wine bar has many wine selections are reasonable, wide ranged and many are available by the glass. The Chef’s Table event is a great way to network for business, or make new friends, while tasting food that Chicago’s Local Tourist will stand by.  At Red Flame we had a Brushetta Trio for a starter, followed by a selection of pizzas (including the veg HEAD, with wild mushrooms, spinach, roasted garlic, basil and extra virgin olive oil