I traveled to Chicago three years ago for 24 hours. I fell in love then. I visted Millinium Park, the bean, and the shoreline. A mini tease of the city. I remeber it feeling like a clean New York, a Disneyland type of the big apple.
I returned for work this year to spend 5 days. I stayed at the Mariott Chicago Dowtown Magnificent Mile. The location was fantastic for the alloted small time of being outside the hotel walls. I was able to hear Blues at Buddy Guy's Legends with collegues, but when I was venturing alone I got a chance to develop my relationship with the city on a little deeper level.
One of the things I love about wandering a city without anyone else is that you notice everything. You come up with the core feeling of the city, what it means to you. How the architecture makes you feel, how the people strike you, how you feel in the place. The true test of a first impression.
After working and working some more, I decided to go around the corner to a sushi place I scouted while running an errand to Office Depot the day before. The place was called Oysy. It looked chic, but approachable. It also boasted a fav, the sushi bar.
I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio to melt the day away, and quickly checked out the menu. The bartendress was delightful. Very attentive and could make a drink in no time with the grace of a true artist. I decided on an order of Hamachi (shocking), Softshell Crab Tampura, and the Rainbow Dragon roll, she mentioned it was a favorite.
The Hamachi was delectable as always. The crab was pretty tasty and a good serving size for softshell crab. It came with two sauces, one spicy and one sweeter. The Dragon roll was well cute. It had a lot of flavors going on, no shining stars but still good.
I happen to head back to Oysy my last night in the city. I had become a fan of convenience, and this time sat at a small table for two by the window. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which I never do and tried the Super White Tuna sushi. The wine was alright, but the tuna was incredible. If butter and perfection made a baby, it would be super white tuna. I also tried another specialty roll, the Arizona Summer (tuna tempura, yellowtail, cilantro, masago, green pepper, avacado, chili oil, spicy sauce and lime juice). The flavors were excellent, and no lime was needed. I suppose the chilly weather made me miss the warmth of home, and the Arizona Summer was the cure.
Oysy is great for friendly service and good sushi. I'm glad I was a regular over my trip.
After my second serving of sea life, I headed to Pops for Champagne a few blocks away. A wonderful friend of mine who went to school in Chicago suggested it for a glass of bubbly. I called to see if any music was playing and a jazz band was going on shortly. I made my way there and was happy to find an amber warm atmosphere with a bar as the center of attention. I posted up and got a hold of the menu. I decided on a glass of Sorelle Branca Valdobbiadence Extra Dry. At $13 for 5 oz. I wanted to see what this light golden glass had to offer. I picked out the Chocolate Ganache Cake with cardamon wafer & ginger cream as not to leave the drink lonely.
The champagne was so smooth, it was excellent. The sounds of jazz were the perfect background to the chocolate bubbly pairing. Glad I got one last dose of Chicago. The prices weren't cheap, but it was a great spot to step inside and relax for a moment.
I left feeling satisfied with what I got to see. A little of this, a little of that. It made me want more. Can't wait til next time Chi-tow, can't wait.
I returned for work this year to spend 5 days. I stayed at the Mariott Chicago Dowtown Magnificent Mile. The location was fantastic for the alloted small time of being outside the hotel walls. I was able to hear Blues at Buddy Guy's Legends with collegues, but when I was venturing alone I got a chance to develop my relationship with the city on a little deeper level.
One of the things I love about wandering a city without anyone else is that you notice everything. You come up with the core feeling of the city, what it means to you. How the architecture makes you feel, how the people strike you, how you feel in the place. The true test of a first impression.
After working and working some more, I decided to go around the corner to a sushi place I scouted while running an errand to Office Depot the day before. The place was called Oysy. It looked chic, but approachable. It also boasted a fav, the sushi bar.
I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio to melt the day away, and quickly checked out the menu. The bartendress was delightful. Very attentive and could make a drink in no time with the grace of a true artist. I decided on an order of Hamachi (shocking), Softshell Crab Tampura, and the Rainbow Dragon roll, she mentioned it was a favorite.
The Hamachi was delectable as always. The crab was pretty tasty and a good serving size for softshell crab. It came with two sauces, one spicy and one sweeter. The Dragon roll was well cute. It had a lot of flavors going on, no shining stars but still good.
I happen to head back to Oysy my last night in the city. I had become a fan of convenience, and this time sat at a small table for two by the window. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which I never do and tried the Super White Tuna sushi. The wine was alright, but the tuna was incredible. If butter and perfection made a baby, it would be super white tuna. I also tried another specialty roll, the Arizona Summer (tuna tempura, yellowtail, cilantro, masago, green pepper, avacado, chili oil, spicy sauce and lime juice). The flavors were excellent, and no lime was needed. I suppose the chilly weather made me miss the warmth of home, and the Arizona Summer was the cure.
Oysy is great for friendly service and good sushi. I'm glad I was a regular over my trip.
After my second serving of sea life, I headed to Pops for Champagne a few blocks away. A wonderful friend of mine who went to school in Chicago suggested it for a glass of bubbly. I called to see if any music was playing and a jazz band was going on shortly. I made my way there and was happy to find an amber warm atmosphere with a bar as the center of attention. I posted up and got a hold of the menu. I decided on a glass of Sorelle Branca Valdobbiadence Extra Dry. At $13 for 5 oz. I wanted to see what this light golden glass had to offer. I picked out the Chocolate Ganache Cake with cardamon wafer & ginger cream as not to leave the drink lonely.
The champagne was so smooth, it was excellent. The sounds of jazz were the perfect background to the chocolate bubbly pairing. Glad I got one last dose of Chicago. The prices weren't cheap, but it was a great spot to step inside and relax for a moment.
I left feeling satisfied with what I got to see. A little of this, a little of that. It made me want more. Can't wait til next time Chi-tow, can't wait.
-Oysy-
888 S. Michigan Avenue
-Pops for Champagne-
601 N State at Ohio
-View from the Marriott-
Yay "wonderful friend" shout out! I would have been even more wonderful if I could have come up to see you. Next time you're in my favorite city we will make this happen!!
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