Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (North Michigan Ave - River North) Hotel Felix Chicago

[tamatem]

I first bid Millenium Park area at 4 stars at 90 and was rejected. Added NMA-River North area at 95--rejected. Added 3 1/2 stars at 101 and won the Hotel Felix for the four nights.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Very nice win for this well-located property - for snacks/drinks, there's a very nice Whole Foods a couple blocks due East.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[tamatem]

Thank you, Aaron. That's an excellent tip. I was just wondering what the convenient and delicious food options were in the neighbourhood :)

[AaronJB]

There's a LOT of restaurant options nearby - let us know likes/dislikes (generally what you are looking for in terms of style/atmosphere, etc) and we can offer more suggestions. However, Whole Foods is a good option on the way back if you need snacks/drinks to take back to the hotel or a good place to start the day if you're looking for a snack to take while touring the city.

[tamatem]

Thank you! Yes, I agree. Whole Foods is also handy for the salad bar for a picnic outside, if the weather wants to cooperate.

Any fabulous reasonably priced Mexican restaurants nearby? With excellent food quality as I'm a foodie :)

[thereuare]

I'm sure AaronJB will have some local suggestions, but for high-end Mexican i'd have a look at any of the Rick Bayless Restaurants.

[AaronJB]

The most famed Mexican restaurant nearby is arguably Frontera, the main restaurant of famed chef (and "Top Chef") Rick Bayless. Frontera is often busy though, and of interest for a somewhat quicker stop is newer restaurant Xoco, which is a more casual offering from Bayless. Mercadito (http://www.mercaditorestaurants.com/chicago/menus.php) is another option in River North. Chilam Balam on the North Side is another worthwhile Mexican option, and that neighborhood (Lakeview) is nice.

A higher-end option for somewhat more reasonable prices is the dining room at Kendall College, where prices are more reasonable because it's effectively a high-end training area for chefs at the famed college. For pizza, I like La Madia (http://www.dinelamadia.com/menu.php) - I'm not really a fan of Uno's; in terms of local chains I'd rather Lou Malnati's. "Masterchef" judge Graham Elliott's restaurant is a couple blocks West of your hotel. For more hot dog and fries-style, Al's Beef for Italian Beef and Portillo's are not far from your hotel.

It's part of a famed local chain - Lettuce Entertain You (which is a mixture of various restaurants, many of which are boutique-y), but I do like Wildfire a lot. Wildfire is very meat and potatoes, but I've enjoyed it every time I've eaten there. More steak-centric options include Gene and Georgetti's and Morton's.

I'd also highly recommend looking at Groupon, Living Social and Travelzoo's local deals for restaurant coupons (as they are frequently seen), as well as Restaurant.com

Please use the site's Restaurant.com link.

[tamatem]

Thank you so much for all that, Aaron. Much appreciated.

I liked Mercadito very much the last time I was in Chicago. Also, I had stopped into Xoco for lunch, something or other in a basket on their sidewalk benchy table, and enjoyed that too. The point being that your suggestions are spot on. Thank you again.

[AaronJB]

Glad you have enjoyed those spots on prior trips! :)

One non-restaurant recommendation that I often recommend is the Spice House, which is a mom/pop owned herb/spice place in the Old Town neighborhood. That's sort of like a museum for the senses - they have all manner of exotic spices, as well as blends based upon local neighborhoods. Very high quality, very cute place and the different smells are definitely apparent when you walk in. Many of Chicago's top chefs do their shopping there (http://www.thespicehouse.com/info/stores.html) Spice House is really one of my favorite places (and they do mail order, so if you do find something you like, you can order at any time.)

Old Town is an easy walk from Lincoln Park Zoo, so it can be combined with a trip to the Zoo. Also by the Zoo is the large Green City Organic Farmer's Market (http://www.greencitymarket.org/about/), which is in the park right by the South end of the Zoo.

There is also a very nice farmer's market in the Gold Coast area on Saturdays, on Division, between Clark and State.

[tamatem]

Aaron! This is exactly the kind of thing I love to do. Thank you so much for these insightful suggestions. Very much appreciated. Most kind of you to

take the time to scribble these thoughts down. :)