2007 CASTL Concierge

Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago’s South Loop area. It is a short walk from Grant Park, Chicago’s lakefront, and a plethora or restaurants, bars, cafes, and museums. CASTL attendees are especially lucky to be in Chicago June 7-9: the 24th annual Chicago Blues Fest, a fabulous and free celebration, will be happening in nearby Grant Park.

Finding your way around Chicago:

Maps:
A map of the Columbia College Chicago campus (in .pdf format).
A map of downtown Chicago (a MapQuest map).



Below you will find a list of recommendations for dining, grabbing a cup of coffee, absorbing art & culture, and relaxing Chicago-style.
All of these recommendations are within walking distance or a short cab ride away from the Columbia College campus, the University Center, and/or the Hotel Blake.

For a more extensive selection of options that what the Concierge has listed for you below, check out one one of these online resources devoted to Chicago:

www.chireader.com
Website for the Chicago Reader, the city’s premier entertainment publication

www.metromix.com
The Chicago Tribune’s entertainment website.

www.centerstagechicago.com
A local website devoted to Chicago entertainment and culture with fabulous maps.

Chicago Transit Authority Information:
www.chicagotransitauthority.org
The official CTA website which includes maps of the “L� train system.



NEARBY RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CONCIERGE:

Bongo Room
1152 S. Wabash
(312) 291-0100
One of the city’s best brunch spots, Bongo Room offers up eggs, gourmet sandwiches and salads all in a sunny, earthy space with exposed brick and Ikea-style furnishings. Way hip and appetite appeasing.


Edwardo’s Natural Pizza
521 S. Dearborn
(312) 939-3366
Though Chicagoans would say that Giordano’s or Lou Malnati’s dish up truer, heartier Chicago-style pizzas, this pizzeria is convenient for CASTL attendees: it is locate two blocks west of the University Center.

Eleven City Diner (NY-Style Diner)
1112 S. Wabash
(312) 212-1112
This 24-hour diner, inspired by New York Jewish delis, just opened in February of 2006. From matzo ball soup to reuben sandwiches to pastrami on rye, you will not be disappointed. Great food.


Tamarind (Fusion Asian)
614 S. Wabash
(312) 379-0970
Fresh Thai, Japanese and Chinese eats set in bright, bamboo-covered environs. About a block from the University Center right across the street from Columbia College. 


Everest (Upscale French)
40 S. LaSalle, 40th Floor
(312) 663-8920
www.everestrestaurant.com
On the 40th Floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, this upscale French restaurant’s view of the city is spectacular. Both the wine list and chef have won multiple awards.


Gioco (Upscale Italian)
1312 S. Wabash
(312) 939-3870
www.gioco-chicago.com
Chicago Magazine voted Gioco “One of Chicago’s Best New Restaurantsâ€? when it opened. The  cuisine is rustic Tuscan and the décor is turn-of-the-century charming. There is a patio for those who love to dine al-fresco in the summer. A good seven block walk south from the University Center, maybe hop the Red Line train to the Roosevelt stop, or in a cab.


Hackney’s Irish Pub (Bar with a Patio)
733 S. Dearborn
(312) 461-1116
This favorite hang-out for Columbia College faculty and staff serves hearty burgers, decadent fried onion rings, a great variety of beers, and has a fabulous patio for outdoor dining.


Nicks' Fish Market (Seafood)
21 S. Clark St.
(312) 621-0200
The Loop’s seafood destination is not inexpensive, but seafood lovers think it’s work every penny. Be sure to notice the gorgeous Chagall mosaic fountain in the outside Daley Plaza. Upscale dining.


Opera (Creative Chinese / Upscale dining)
1301 S. Wabash
(312) 461-0161
www.opera-chicago.com
Diners revel in a riot of colors, textures, and shapes at this South Loop restaurant devoted to Chinese cuisine. Though this is not your usual Chinese restaurant experience. You won’t need the extra soy sauce here, as the flavors and dishes are carefully and precisely contemplated. A hearty six block walk south from the University Center, maybe hop in a cab.



Oysy (Sushi/Japanese)
888 S. Michigan
(312) 922-1127
This sushi spot overlooks Grant Park and is a walk away from the Hotel Blake and the University Center. The atmosphere is modern and the sushi is fresh, while being relatively affordable for sushi.


Orange on Harrison (Breakfast / Brunch)
75 W. Harrison
(312) 441-1000
This Columbia College student hangout is a great choice for breakfast and lunch. Orange is famous for its fresh-squeezed orange juice and juice bar; they even have orange flavored coffee here. The place really boasts the artful Columbia energy!


Rhapsody (Contemporary American / Upscale Dining)
65 E. Adams
(312) 786-9911
www.rhapsodychicago.com
Located in the Chicago Symphony Center, Rhapsody is a fabulous pre-theater destination. Consistently ranked as on of Chicago’s best restaurants, Rhapsody is thought o have one of the best wine lists in the city.


Taste of Siam (Thai)
600 S. Dearborn
(312) 939-1179
Good Thai food at affordable prices on Printer’s Row. All the usual Thai noodle and rice dishes are on the menu. The staff is friendly and quick!

Trattoria Caterina (neighborhood Italian)
616 S. Dearborn
(312) 939-7606
This family-run small Italian restaurant is a great neighborhood secret–there is rarely a wait for a table. It’s BYOB, so be sure to pick up a bottle of wine at the wine shop across the street.


BARS

Buddy Guy’s Legend’s – Legendary Blues club owned by Buddy Guy
754 S. Wabash
(312) 427-0333
www.buddyguys.com
Within walking distance from the University Center, Hotel Blake and the Palmer House Hilton, this blues destination is the only venue in Chicago to offer blues 7 nights a week.


Hackney’s
733 S. Dearborn
(312) 461-1116
Located on Printer’s Row, this is a favorite hangout for Columbia College faculty and staff.

Bar Louie – Dearborn Station
47 W. Polk
(312) 347-0000
Professional types flock to this lively restaurant and bar for the upscale pub grub. Just a couple of blocks from the University Center in Printer’s Row. (Waitress’ are trixies.)


Kasey’s Tavern
701 S. Dearborn
(312) 427-7992
Laid back neighborhood bar in Printer’s Row that serves mediocre bar food, but features a great variety of bottled and draft beers and ambience for relaxing (with pool table).


Kitty O’Shea’s Irish Pub
720 S. Michigan Ave.
(312) 294-6860
Locate in the Chicago Hilton & Towers on Michigan Ave., this pub is so authentically Irish that the wait staff is from Ireland. The bar food here wins rave reviews from Columbia staff and faculty. There is a summer-time patio for those who love the al-fresco experience.


COFFEE SHOPS / CAFÉ’S

Starbuck’s
555 S. Dearborn
You know what to expect here. In case you’re addicted, we thought to mention this Starbuck’s location within quick walking distance from the University Center.

Gourmand
728 S. Dearborn
With comfy sofas and artwork on the walls, this Columbia College resting spot is located in Printer’s Row, a historic neighborhood once devoted to the printing of books. In addition to teas and coffee drinks, there is a hearty snack menu. The sidewalk patio is a great spot to enjoy good weather.


Caribou Coffee
41 E. 8th St.
(312) 786-9205
On the corner of Wabash and 8th Caribou is 2 blocks south of Columbia–from straight-up coffees to Turtle Mocha’s, it is another Seattle import with a more earthy feel.


MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS
Within walking distance from Columbia College campus

Chicago’s Millennium Park:
Address: corner of Monroe and Michigan Ave.
Website: www.millenniumpark.org
The 24.5 acre Millennium Park has been put together by world-renowned artists, architects, planners, landscape architects and designers, including Frank Gehry, Anish Kapoor and Jaume Plensa. Walking through the park to enjoy the public sculptures, gardens and art exhibits is a joy. In the summer there are free concerts at the Gehry designed stage. Blues Fest 2007 is held in the Park June 7th-10th.
The Park is located just north of the Art Institute between Monroe and Randolph streets (east-west), and Columbus Drive and Michigan Ave. (north-south).
It is open everyday from 6 am–11 pm.



The Museum Campus:
This scenic 57-acre lakefront park that connects three of Chicago’s world-class institutions into a collective destination. The museums include The Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum of Chicago, and the John G. Shedd Aquarium.


The Art Institute of Chicago
Address: 111 S. Michigan
(312) 443-3600
Website: www.artic.edu
With one of the most prized collections of Impressionist art in the United States, as well as impressive permanent collections of Asian, African, Renaissance, Medieval, Decorative, Modern & Contemporary art, this world-class fine art museum is one of Chicago’s most valued treasures. Located a few blocks north of Columbia College.



Chicago Architecture Foundation
Address: 224 S. Michigan Ave.
(312) 922-3432
Website: www.architecture.org
The CAF Archicenter is felled with free exhibits; it is also the starting point for many fabulous architecture tours. In all there are nine types of tours offered by CAF: you can venture on foot; via riverboat cruise, or by bus and can choose tours devoted to skyscrapers, the Chicago neighborhoods or solely Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.


Museum of Contemporary Photography
600 S. Michigan Ave.
(312) 663-5554
website: www.mocp.org
Columbia College is proudly the home of one of the world’s only museums devoted solely to contemporary photography.


Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St.
(312) 744-6630
The Chicago Cultural Center is known for free art exhibits as well as concerts, a café, and gift store. Completed in 1897, housed the City’s first public library. The interior is covered with mosaic tiles and is worth the visit alone.

Sears Tower
www.sears-tower.com
The city’s tallest, and one of the world’s tallest buildings located on the West Side of the Loop. On a clear day, you can see Wisconsin, not to mention all of Chicago. For more info on times of operation and tickets, please consult the website. This is a hearty walk from the center of the Loop (the University Center and the Palmer House).



Spertus Museum (Institute of Jewish Studies)
618 S. Michigan Ave.
(312) 322-1700
www.spertus.edu
This museum is devoted to explore Jewish heritage and culture is on the Columbia College Campus, though it is an independent institution. For more info on programming, current events and more please consult the website.