Edition: Springtime Hotspots Uncovered
Celebrity Concierge Rachel Dratch
Author: Carrie Williams
Rachel Dratch's Chicago
Former SNL cast member Rachel Dratch spent a good amount of time living in the Windy City. Starting with The Second City, Dratch’s stardom has expanded nationwide and keeps America laughing on NBC's “30 Rock” (with fellow SNL alum Tina Fey, Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. Central).
Rachel Dratch takes us through her ideal day in Chicago.
9 a.m.
One of my favorite places to eat breakfast is the Walker Brothers Original Pancake House (153 Green Bay Rd. , Wilmette 847-251-6000) which is related to The Original Pancake House in the Gold Coast (22 East Bellvue Pl. 312-642-7917). Order the apple pancake. It will arrive at your table as a steaming, living, breathing, gooey apple concoction that will make you feel like you are made of dough when you are done eating it.
11 a.m.
If the weather is nice, get out by the lake. I have always enjoyed biking on the path that runs alongside Lake Shore Drive . The lake is beautiful, you can see the skyline, and you can bike right by Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave. , 312-595-PIER) if you want. You can even stop there and take a Chicago architectural cruise (Chicago's First Lady, southeast corner of Michigan Ave. and Wacker Dr. , 847-358-1330). It is a great way of seeing the city and learning about it, too.
1 p.m.
Now that you have worked off the huge apple pancake you ate a few hours ago, why not eat another dough bomb in the form of Chicago pizza? You can't go wrong wherever you pick, but I really like Gino's East (162 E. Superior Street, 312-266-DEEP).
2:30 p.m.
Another fun neighborhood to walk around is the area near Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St.,773-404-CUBS,). You will get a better feel for the city here rather than the Loop or the Magnificent Mile. There are cute little stores and restaurants here, like the women's clothing store Hubba Hubba (3309 N. Clark St., 773-477-1414).
It’s about time for a snack. And my favorite restaurant in Chicago, which I pine for, is Cafe Iberico (739 N. LaSalle St., 312-573-1510), a tapas place with a fun atmosphere, awesome food, great sangria, and surprisingly reasonable prices. Order the goat cheese. If tapas isn't your style, head to Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern (1655 N. Sedgwick St., 312-266-1616) for a rib dinner. Cute, casual, and fun, it is right near the Sedgwick L stop on the Brown Line.
7 p.m.
Of course, I must send you to my alma mater, The Second City (1616 N. Wells St., 312- 337-3992). Check out the wall, which has photos of me from my younger days (as well as Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and many more). Excluding Fridays, there is a free improv set after the shows when the cast takes suggestions from the audience and makes up everything on the spot.
10 p.m.
If you haven’t eaten enough yet, Kamehachi Cafe (1400 N. Wells St., 312- 664-3663) is down the block from Second City. It's a great sushi place with a really cool atmosphere that is open until 2 a.m. It's a find!
