March 2002

In the Hood -
The Loop

   By day it is the hub of business and by night it is busy with activities of the night. The Loop is back in swing as the prime spot for nightlife, theater and dining.
   To get a sense for what the Loop was like in the 1940s-head to the classic locales for classic cocktails including the Mai Tai –a mix of two rums and fresh lime at Trader Vic's (17 E. Monroe St.). Another great Loop institution to try is The Italian Village Restaurants (71 W. Monroe St.). The location houses two different restaurants so you can make a choice depending on your mood. The first floor is home to Vivere, downstairs you will find La Cantina, a wine-cellar themed room that is more intimate and devoted to seafood.
   If pre- or post-theater drinks and dining is more your thing that head to Petterino's (150 N. Dearborn) which caters to the theater crowds. And if your show happens to be at The Goodman, where the restaurant is housed, stop by during intermission for drinks.
   Looking for a great post-show place then belly up to the large curvy bar at Encore (adjacent to the Cadillac Theater) (171 W. Randolph St.) and order one of the martini specials.
   Need to get away from all the hubbub?
Go one floor below street level to Trattoria No. 10 (10 N. Dearborn). The romantic lighting and cozy setting is a nice retreat from the Loop streets above. If you want to feel like you are in Little Italy instead of the Loop grab a table at La Rosetta (70 W. Madison St.).
   To catch the scene from the business day, check out Catch 35 (35 W. Wacker Dr.). Centrally located in the Leo Burnett building, you are sure to see ad executives and industry big wigs mix and mingle.
   To make sure your meal is not all business, grab a cozy booth or curved loveseat at Nick's Fishmarket (2 S. Dearborn St.). Downstairs you find luxurious seafood dining. Upstairs you'll find a new bar and cabaret space called Nick's Grill.
   For all your one stop shopping needs head to Marshall Fields (111 N. State) open weekdays until 7pm.
   Hotels are no longer just for tourists. The Loop's hotels are filled with great restaurants and bars including We and Whiskey Blue (172 W. Adams St) in the W Hotel, and the Atwood Cafe (1 W. Washington St.) connected to the lobby of the Hotel Burnham Chicago.