A Hard Head Makes A Soft Behind

I can't be the only person who heard that as a child, but you get a better understanding when it comes to advice that wasn't heeded. It's hard when you get a guest who decides that they can figure things out on their own, like this unfortunate guest. Before the night's over there's a policeman calling or a guest quacking at the thought of going home without his wedding ring and/or wallet. Once I had a guest in police custody that I had to rescue. We're here to help - you don't want any guest to go through this so don't let this happen to you - get to know the Concierge at the hotel you stay at - or carry a bat and a cell phone with a 911 speed dial at the ready....

Reviewed 13 July 2006

22

people found this review helpful

This was our 4th trip to Chicago, but our first staying downtown (in the Loop). The Silversmith Crown Plaza was an unbelieveable. We arrived the weekend before the 4th of July. Starting with checking in, we were completley taken care. The hotel staff could not be beat!!! They were the best staff I have seen at any hotel I have ever stayed at and being in the military for 23 years, I have stayed at quite a few. The rooms were large with very comfortable beds. There was a turndown service everynight, with chocolates my kids looked forward to. The bath rooms were huge for hotels. The intricate tile floors and high ceilings spoke a lot of the quality of this fine establishment. The concierge was extrememly helpful for directions, places to go, etc... I wish I would have listened to her when she told me how to get to the Science and Industry Museum. She gave me the bus routes to get dropped off at the front door of the museum. I decided on my own to take the El and found out the museum was 3 miles from the stop in a VERY rough part of town. All the time we were waiting for the bus to complete our trip, I was thinking "I will ALWAYS listen to the concierge from now on"! The rest of the staff are just as helpful. When we left we discoverd our van battery was dead and the staff jumped through hoops to find jumper cables and a vehicle to get me on my way at 0430 in the AM. THEY ROCK!!!!!

There are absoluty zero downsides to this hotel. You are a fool to stay any where else unless you have money to burn.

bob

A Great Steak

You can't come to Chicago without having at least one steak dinner.  Chicago is known for great pizza, incredible polish sausages, and the best popcorn on earth!  But you can't live on junk food, and neither do we... there are a boatload of great steak places in Chicago, and depending on your favorite cut, you can find something worth sinking your teeth into.  I prefer my steak without toppings because for that kind of money, it should stand on its own. I hate a char broiled steak with a pink middle - I want the steak medium rare and moderately brown on the outside with a warm pink center. In this installment, I'm going to stick to the Chicago places:

Gibson's - if you're eating at Gibson's you either know a great Concierge like myself, or you stood in line for two hours and are so hungry they could bring you a plate with shoe leather on it and you'd think it was ambrosia. I recommend Gibson's all the time to my guests. The wait for a table is disgusting there, but the wait is well worth it.  I don't, as a rule, wait in line anywhere to eat.  If I have to wait, I will wait here.  You'll sit next to several local socialites, and you'll probably share the bar with your Alderman or Senator, but you're really there to eat, and they don't disappoint.  My favorite cut here is the filet mignon or the bone-in ribeye. Their filet has some fat and marbling, so there is some taste - it melts in your mouth.  The bone-in ribeye is succulent and delightful.  Pair that with a loaded baked potato or a vegetable with salted butter and you have a meal worth standing on three inch heels for.

Morton's - if the Yankees are coming to town, make your reservations in advance because you won't be able to get inside under normal circumstances - at this point, it's literally impossible.  I'll go here after my shift is over to get a real meal and one of the best Caesar salads in Chicago. Again, I'm eating the filet mignon or the ribeye.  I can eat at Morton's everyday, and sometimes I do. My guests invariably get sent here a lot also.

437 - after a day at Nordstrom or anyplace on the Mag Mile - I have guests that come here routinely. I come here for the strip or the bone in ribeye.  They have an edge on their ribeye, I have literally never been disappointed in it.  If you aren't in the mood for their steak, they also prepare crab legs that are perfection.


Sullivan's - I had my first strip steak here, and it was so good, I've never tried anything else at Sullivan's. When I walk in the door, they start cooking my strip because they already know what I'm getting.  I partner this with the lettuce wedge with blue cheese and a well made martini and I'm all set. The dinner here is reasonable and well made. You can't go wrong here.

Chicago Firehouse - when you want a romantic evening at a small restaurant with fabulous food - this is the place.  I sent a client here who wanted to propose, and it went so smoothly, he asked me to be in the wedding. The best porterhouse you can find is right here in the south loop.  Try this with the basked potato and the lobster bisque and you'll be in heaven.  I eat here frequently - especially after I've gotten my nails done or visited some friends on the south side.

Wildfire - these restaurants are all over now, but they started here in Chicago.  When I started out as a Concierge, I sent my clients here routinely. People like something familiar and most people have heard of Wildfire.  My clients always come back complimentary.  If you aren't a steak connoisseur, this is a good start for a good steak. You can get a great strip or ribeye cut here - the prices are reasonable and the service is very good.

The Saloon - believe it or not, this is one of the first steakhouses I visited when I first got into the business.  I had a client who was seeing a play around the corner and I had to make sure this steakhouse lived up to it's reputation before I sent them over. Their filet mignon is a very good size, tastes great, and the service is perfection.  This is a classy steakhouse and a closely guarded secret hotspot - try it out!