Chicago offers great weekend getaway

As I walked along Lake Shore Drive last weekend, I kicked myself for not getting to
Chicago sooner. I’ve managed to hit most of America ‘s great cities, but somehow Chicago
eluded me. Most of the time when I travel, I don’t go the touristy route. I eat off the grid, look for unique entertainment opportunities and hang with the locals. I try to blend into the landscape and avoid the buzz of known tourist traps.

Way up!

Last weekend was different. In Chicago, I did the must-do things and willingly walked into the
traps. I’m glad I did. The biggest challenge of a Chicago vacation is getting there. When I was planning my trip, I looked at dozens of travel options and decided to drive to St. Louis and train north. Amtrak’s Texas Eagle Superliner round-trip set
me back $132. Airfares from Tulsa and KC were higher. The St. Louis Gateway Station offers
long-term parking at $6 a day.
It’s been years since I hopped a train and it was my travel companion’s first time to ride the rails.
For a relatively short, six-hour trip, Amtrak is a fun way to travel. Superliner service includes a lounge car with cocktails, a dining and observation car and great view of old Route 66 most of the way. Seats are big, comfortable and nap-able.
Cocktail and beer prices ($6 for an Absolute mini bottle) are comparable to what you would
pay on an airline flight. The beer was warm and almost as much as a cocktail.
Don’t plan any tight connections – we we’re late both ways. Union Station is in downtown
Chicago and an easy cab ride to most accommodations. Cabs are affordable, but tack
on $1.50 for each additional passenger. If you
don’t have a tight schedule to keep, or want to travel with friends or family, give Amtrak a try.
Lodging
Accommodations in Chicago are expensive. We booked a room using Orbitz and snagged a
good deal. At $179 a night, Whitehall Hotel, 105 East Delaware Place – one block off Michigan Avenue and The Magnificant Mile – offered a great location. Our Whitehall room had a Delaware view, good restaurant and mini-bar (Water: $3.59 plus tax and 15 percent service charge). There are many hotels from which to choose, so look around.
If you’re headed out to a Cubs game, the “L” (short for “elevated train”) is key to travel
success. It will get you to Wrigley Field, China Town and North Halsted, the Second City’s arty neighborhood. You can ride the L about anywhere for $2.25.
On top of the city
The John Hancock Building is a block away from the hotel, so a trip to the observation deck
of one of America ‘s tallest buildings was a no-brainer. For $19, the Hancock Building
experience is unbeatable. You really get an idea of the city’s size from 94 floors above the street and Lake Michigan. I was lucky enough to be at the tower when a huge thunderstorm blew in. It was an awesome sight. The building sways in the wind on the calmest day, but really got rolling with 70-mile per hour winds. There was a moment of fear when they shut the elevators down due to the building’s excessive movement. The kids didn’t mind, but you could see the looks of concern in adult eyes. When the rain and wind came, the bars along Michigan Avenue filled fast with the
umbrellaless. Here’s a challenge: Try and find an open bar stool when a sudden rain storm sweeps through downtown Chicago.
Great art
The Art Institute of Chicago, on Michigan Avenue, is another great way to occupy a couple
of hours – it has maybe the most impressive collection of art in the country. I had no idea The Art Institute of Chicago was home to so many iconic works of art: Van Gogh’s self-portrait, Monet’s Water Lilies and Grant Wood’s American Gothic, to name a few. For $18, you can browse galleries filled with works of modern artists, antiquities and the old world masters.
Included in my ticket price was admission to a special exhibition of Henri Matisse. That’s a lot
of bang for your travel buck. Arrive early in the day; there’s a lot to see.
Hungry?
After a long morning traipsing around The Windy City – named for its politicians, not its weather
– I was hungry. Chicago is an eater’s town. We grabbed lunch one afternoon at Sofitel, an up-scale hotel off Rush Street. A prime rib sandwich, club sandwich and a few drinks at the trendy lobby
bar rang in at $84, plus tip. Later in the day at China Grill, curry chicken satay ($22) and two, double vodka cranberry cocktails cost $72. At Fornetto Mei, the restaurant back at the hotel, chicken pot stickers, a couple of sandwiches and four screwdrivers came to $55. Two arugula, pear and chicken salads, a small pizza and carafe of pinot grigio were $75 at Frankie’s Pizzeria in The 900 Shops on Michigan. I found cocktail prices higher than beer, but most places offered a liberal pour.
“Cheesborger, cheesborger”
A Chicago landmark since 1934, The Billy Goat Tavern is an institution and popular tourist
destination. It sets below Michigan Avenue across from the Chicago Tribune building.
It’s the original “Cheesborger, cheesborger” diner made famous by John Belushi and Dan
Akroyd on Saturday Night Live. A “cheesborger,” chip (no fries) and Pepsi (no Coke) was around
$7. I didn’t have a Pepsi, but I had a pint of Billy Goat Lager. It was $4.The walls of The Billy Goat sport Chicago newspapers, political and mob memorabilia.
During the hour I sat there soaking in thesurroundings, dozens of tourists wandered in,
ordered “cheesborgers” using cheesy accents and bought Billy Goat souvenirs. Chicago, while pricey, is a great vacation destination. I wish I had made the trip years ago.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. Get to Chicago. It’s a great American city.

A world of flavors await in Branson

I love it when Branson and the Booze Beat collide.
Last week I headed to Branson on a busman’s holiday, of sorts. I scheduled a day of business calls Wednesday and decided to take a vacation day on Thursday.
When it comes to relaxation, Branson has a lot to offer. I booked a room at the Branson Convention Center Hilton, 200 E. Main St.
The view from my eighth floor balcony was spectacular. From atop Branson’s premier hotel you to see down Lake Taneycomo and up river towards the dam on Table Rock Lake. Shopping and dining on the Branson Landing are just steps away. It’s a hard combo to beat.
Rates for a king room run between $179 and $209 a night, but government, military and other special rates may apply.
Since I last stayed at the Hilton on New Year’s Eve, a few things had changed. The Hilton has recently changed up its lobby bar and remodeled and rethemed its restaurant.
Clear, the revamped lounge in the hotel’s lobby, is a welcome change. Drink prices at the dark, comfortable lounge are reasonable. A good-sized cosmopolitan martini set me back $8 and a vodka cranberry was $5.50. Not bad. The service was fast and friendly.
All American
Upstairs at Level 2 Steakhouse, the hotel’s renovated restaurant, the dining experience was memorable. Level 2 serves 28-day aged, Angus corn-fed, Midwest beef; fresh seafood imported from Hawaii, Missouri pork and locally grown produce. As always, the Hilton’s dessert selection impressed.
A Kansas City strip ran $29; an Angus burger $12 and a beef tip appetizer came in at $10. Salads were $7.
On the drink front, a glass of Francis Ford Coppola’s cabernet was $12, a sauvignon blanc $7 and a Bud Light was $4.50. A long, relaxing dinner for two and several drinks set me back $112 plus tip.
I discovered a couple things about The Branson Hilton. It’s a pet friendly hotel. I didn’t know. It welcomes four-legged guests and makes accommodations for them without any fuss.
Hilton’s fitness center is top notch and the pool areas — inside and out — are outstanding. Another plus: Bar service from the lounge extends to the outside pool area and private cabanas are available.
Mediterranean fare
Downtown Branson has several good restaurants. A couple of blocks from the Hilton is Blue Olive, a Mediterranean grill and bar. I hit Blue Olive — inside the Chappy Mall — a couple of times throughout the stay.
On Wednesday evening it offered a quiet happy hour and great appetizer selections. I opted for the medley of Mediterranean spreads ($9.95) including hummus, a red pepper and feta spread, an olive tapenade and grilled pita wedges. Great stuff and just enough to get started.
The bartender, Claude, suggested the drinks. The app, a pear vodka and pomegranate martini and couple of cocktails ran around $40. Check out Blue Olive the next time you travel down Branson way; it’s worth the time and the price.
Gourmet Mexican
When In Branson, I usually make a stop at Cantina Laredo, 1001 Branson Landing. Last week was no exception.
Laredo sets on The Landing with a fantastic patio view of the Fire and Water show. With a big selection of unique tequilas and margaritas to try, it’s easy to waste a few hours watching the Landing crowd and taking in the view of Taneycomo.
I’m not a guacamole fan, but my friends who are say Laredo’s is the best. Ask about their small-plate appetizers and flavored margaritas. A couple of small plate apps and two drinks came in under $25. The view alone is worth that and the service has always been great.
Italian cuisine
Around the corner from Blue Olive is Rocky’s, a locally owned restaurant specializing in Italian fare.
Rocky’s, 120 N. Sycamore, reminded me of the kind of places you see in a Soprano’s episode. The food is authentic, the portions large and the bar a little dark.
After a couple of cocktails in the lounge, I settled in at a table for my meal. A great, sweet marinara covered my veal. The drinks are reasonably priced. Four well vodka drinks in the lounge before dinner ran $17.
Dinner for two including veal Parmesan, linguini with meat balls, salads and two glasses of wine was only $44. Here’s a bonus: Legendary musical impressionist Bob Anderson performs in the lounge on weekend nights. Bob’s show pays tribute to the Rat Pack and he always entertains and interacts with the crowd. His show is a must see: Call Rocky’s for show dates and times.
Downtown isn’t the only place to find a good meal when in Branson. Just off the Strip is Florentina’s Ristorante, 2690 Green Mountain Drive. The Italian spot is reasonably priced and close to shows and attractions on The Strip.
I was a first time diner and will return. Drinks came in under $5 and dinner entrees were around $14. Check out the Best Read Guide Branson for a buy-one-get-one half price coupon. That will save you $7. Fifteen-ounce draft Beers are $3.50 and cocktails $4.75.
It’s no secret, I’m a big Branson fan.
Cheers!

Save the Gulf Coast; drink Louisiana beer

As I watched TV news last weekend, waves of workers cleaned up oil washing ashore in Louisiana. I wondered what I could do to help. Should I text in a donation, write my congressional representative or shear off my beard and make a boom to soak up gallons of British Petroleum’s spill? The gulf disaster seems so large; I wasn’t sure where to start and what to do. Then, as I casually scoured the shelves at a local beer retailer, I spotted a pile of Abita Beer boxes stacked on the floor. It hit me like an oil slick rolling over pristine Louisiana wet lands. I can drink to show support for my brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast. I should also encourage Joplin-area residents to support Louisiana ’s economy by drinking the state’s beers. After all, supporting the state’s economy in the face of this environmental tragedy seems like a good way to lend a hand –12 ounces at a time. Every little bit helps.

Founded in 1986, Abita Brewing Company sets in the piney woods 30 miles north of New Orleans. The brewery produced 1,500 barrels of beer in its first year of operation, according to its Web site, www.abita.com. Now, a regional brewing powerhouse, Abita brews and distributes more than 90,000 barrels of beer annually. (A barrel of beer is 31 gallons. Most consumers are familiar with the half-barrel or common keg — it’s 15.5 gallons and what you see at most frat parties and creekside events.) Privately owned and operated by local shareholders, the brewer has become an institution in Louisiana. Abita Beer — the site details — uses only British and North American malted barley, German and American yeast strains, Pacific Northwest hops and the pure artesian water of Abita Springs. Abita contains no preservatives, additives or stabilizers. It’s good stuff.

Always a sampler pack fan, I snapped up a box. There’s my first $14 towards the Gulf Coast cause. The Abita Party Pack included two each of their Amber, Turbodog, Purple Haze, Jockamo India Pale Ale, Restoration Pale and a pair of seasonal offerings. Often a sampler will only have three of four beers from which to choose. I felt like a got a bonus with six different beers to try.

Try this

First up was Purple Haze, a raspberry flavored wheat beer. Abita flavors their take on American wheat beer with raspberry puree after it’s filtered to give it a crisp, berry character and a slightly purple color or “haze.” The berry flavor isn’t overpowering, as many artificially flavored fruit beers are. At only 4.2 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), it’s recommended for pairing with salads, cheeses or desserts.

Abita Wheat, the party pack’s seasonal offering, was next on my sample list. Available from May through September, the wheat (4.2 ABV) differs from many wheat beers you will find on the market. Abita’s wheat is a lager, not an ale. “For a change of pace, try Abita Wheat with a twist of lemon,” Abita.com suggests. “Feta and goat cheeses pair well with Abita Wheat beer. Great with summertime fare such as pasta and salads, but don’t forget barbecue and anything right off the grill.”

I agree. The brew is light, smooth and easy to drink with no bitterness to fight the flavor of your grilled fare.

Abita’s Restoration Pale Ale was so good, I had two. “The citrus flavor and aroma make it an excellent choice with most fish, especially ones that are prepared to match the flavor of the beer,” the site advised. “American, Muenster, Havarti and Monterey Jack cheeses pair well with Restoration.” I bet they are correct. The pale was rich and has the character to stand up to stanky cheese or bold fish dishes. At 5.0 percent ABV Restoration packs a punch.

Looking for something a little more bitter? Some are. The Jockamo India Pale Ale has bitter down.

While drinkable, like most IPAs, bitter beers are an acquired taste. Pale ale fans will like it, but real IPA people might find it a little thin. Jockamo stacks up at 6.5 ABV and 52 International Bitterness Units (IBUs, and that’s a lot of bitter. More on IBUs another time).

Abita Amber was the first beer offered by the brewery. The product information offered on the bottle says the Amber (4.5 percent ABV) is the company’s leading seller. “Amber is Abita’s most versatile beer for pairing with food and has been voted ‘best beer’ in numerous polls,” according to the Web site. “Try Abita Amber with Cajun favorites, fried catfish and spicy cuisine.”

Turbodog is Abita’s darkest offering from their standard line. Dark, malty and rich, Turbodog dark ale began as a specialty brew, but is now a flagship brand for the company. At 5.2 percent ABV Turbodog packs a punch and pairs well with the richest of dishes. According to the company site, it’s a “good match with smoked fish and can even stand up to wild game dishes.” Turbodog, they say, is great for marinating and braising meats and a great compliment to Southern favorites such as greens and cabbage.

Abita may be Louisiana’s largest beer producer, but a quick Internet search found around a dozen brewer’s who can use our help.

Cheers!