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Chicago
By Samantha Brown on May 28, 2009 12:05 PM | Permalink | 17 Comments
Chicago is one of those cities that has it all: great food, a famous music scene, shopping and just to rub it in -- a beach. As a New Yorker I find it hard to contain my jealousy as I jog along the lakefront watching Chicagoans lay out in the sun, play beach volleyball and swim. But then I remind myself that they have only three months of nice weather ;-)
I stopped at a great neighborhood bar called the Map Room that serves over 200 types of beer that represent thirty different brewing styles. I feel at home because it's called "a travelers tavern" you could taste a world of beers without ever leaving your stool.
Moto is one of those restaurants you can't believe exists. Chef Homaru Cantu is a chef/molecular scientist/modern day Willy Wonka. Moto is one of the few places in the United States where you can experience molecular gastronomy. Which is a mad scientist approach to cooking to challenge the way we perceive and eat food. One thing is for sure this is a lot more fun than the ubiquitous male's club steak house. No offense but how much 15 dollar creamed spinach can you eat?
I get to join them in the kitchen, which is equally a lab. I help make a dessert that captures grapefruit juice in a solid sphere form that bursts in your mouth with an incredible flavor.
And I helped cook a rather large piece of meat with a blow torch.
Chef Cantu has an incredible sense of humor one of my favorite dishes is tuna tartare wrapped in seaweed to resemble a cigar that is then laid in an ashtray with salt and pepper made to look like discarded ashes.
We stayed at the uber stylish James Hotel. It's a great location right next to all the shopping but what makes me really happy is that Trader Joes is right across the street.
Next up -- Critical Mass. Critical Mass is an organization that promotes bicycles over cars. Every month nearly 2,000 cyclists come to the downtown area where the police close down the streets to automobiles.
Many cities across the US have their own critical mass -- it's a great event and the energy created feels wonderful. I am always happiest on a bicycle -- I think it just goes back to being a toddler when I got my cherry red tricycle with streamers on the handlebars.
Not everyone in critical mass is channeling her inner four year old. While shooting a man keeps driving by our cameras yelling *&@# the media!!! Our soundman James keeps yelling back "we are not the media!" But that doesn't deter our chummy anti-establishment guy from doing more laps and yelling more expletives at us.
While I am standing with my bike on the sidelines waiting for my crew to catch up with me a women goes by, points at me and yells "I hate you, your show *#@+'s!!
I yelled back "oh yeah, well your Bicycle *#@+ 's!!! (I'm kidding I really didn't say that) but I did think to myself how can you be in a bad mood on a bicycle?
I have been working with Christina (my stylist) for two years now and I just got mad and yelled at her for the first time. As we were crossing the street she was texting on her phone. I was like, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT! NO ONE IS THAT IMPORTANT! If I EVER see you do that again so help me …" I have also started scolding her for not drinking enough water and not using an earpiece for her phone.
Then it was time for me to perform improv on stage at Chicago's famous Second City. It's with their new students on their experimental stage but I really don't think I have been this nervous in a long time.
I used to do improv a lot in college and was apart of a sketch comedy group in my early years in NYC. I love it but know that being able to improv is like a muscle that you have to keep in shape. Right now I am the comedic equivalent of a couch potato.
I think I held my own, but I won't be going on Second City's professional stage anytime soon.
After we were finished my soundman James Demer confessed that he thought I was going to bomb.
We end the Chicago episode doing my favorite thing: the River architecture tour. This will make it my third time and it never gets old. That's probably because I have terrible memory retention and don't recall what I learned the last time.
17 Comments
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I am one of thousands of fan followers of your travel programs. This is the first time I read your blog. Is really awesome like the bubbly programs.
I have been to Chicago for couple of times, so I believe that we cant forget music whenever we talk about Chicago.
It would be great feast for eyes if we get to see a musical tour of Chicago with the trademark Samantha Brown' touch :)
I believe that Critical Mass began in San Francisco. They are not popular there either with the commuters.
Hey Sam!
Saw your Brooklyn weekend. What a gorgeous couple you and Kevin make!! My 20 year old Dartmouth student, traveled to Barcelona and Paris ALONE, after her term in Madrid ended. A Samantha Brown in the making perhaps? xo
Hi Samantha,
Really enjoying the Chicago show! LOVE the purple dress you're wearing at Moto - where did you get it? Thanks for the great weekend ideas!
Anne
Sam,
Love you, love your show. I saw the cruise show, never been on one but now want to. I am from Chicago and just dvr'd your trip to Chicago. Can not wait to see it. Don't listen to the person who said "I hate you, your show *#@+'s!!" Maybe they forgot to put a seat on their bike. They're probably aren't even from Chicago. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to more traveling shows.
Enjoyed your show about Chicago. It was so cutting edge, I didn't recognize much except "The Bean", and I work here. The Moto's "Road Kill Fowl" seemed weird (I have a thing about cooking things in liquid nitrogen). For a more traditional dinner excursion, I recommend a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Chicago's skyline is beautiful. You did good.
Hullo Sam, I am from India, based in New Delhi. I would like to consider myself an avid traveller, having done my bit of Europe, Asia, India etc.
Needless to say, I love your shows and I envy your job. Its my dream to have a job like yours! I just love to travel, hotels, airports, pressure, home sickness, deadlines etc etc....love them all.
Please accept my application if you are looking for an apprentice. No kidding!
"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step" - Lao Tzu
Sam I'm originally from Chicago and love my Windy City! At one point I lived right across from Wrigley Field in an apartment with bleachers on the roof where we could watch the games over the walls of "The Friendly Confines." I never thought I would leave --- until I met my husband and moved to Minneapolis 17 years ago. Have you ever thought about doing a weekend show in Minneapolis? It's a great city with lots of surprising perks. Some things you could look into -- The Walker Art Center and (free) Sculpture Garden (with the infamous Cherry and Spoon Bridge sculpture), The Bryant Lake Bowl (trendy restaurant and bowling alley), The Mill City Museum and St Anthony Falls, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes (more than 25 miles of running and rolling paths around 5 city lakes). You could also try some local Minneapolis-made delicasies - The Jucy Lucy (cheeseburger) and Sebatian Joe's ice cream. I was so surprised by everything I found in Minneapolis including great theater (large and small)musuems and restaurants and I think you would be too.I love your show and know that - wherever you go, I'll be watching. Thanks for the fun!
Hi Sam,
I am glad you like Chicago. I have lived here all my life and have worked downtown for the last 20 years and still do not get tired of looking at the buildings. Sorry you had to deal with people swearing at you. Next time come in January and get over to hear Buddy Guy play!
Thank you so much for allowing us to live vicariously through your travels. I laughed out loud (scaring the cats)during your Second City appearance("Your my son" was brilliant!) Hail Samantha, Travel Goddess, bringer of joy!
Austin, TX(have you tried Chuy's on your trips to Austin?)
Loved your Chicago show! Being from the area, I thought it really highlighted some of the best of our great city. Just recently visited NYC for the first time and I'm not going to lie, I still think Chicago is better (although Times Square is definately one of a kind)!!
The only thing that really irks me about your visit is that you did not have a TRUE CHICAGO HOT DOG! I am pretty passionate about my hot dogs and the "thing" you ate looked pretty nasty if you asked me (a grilled dog on a monster thick roll). A Chicago dog is boiled and served on a steamed poppy seed bun, served with mustard, NEON GREEN relish (if it doesn't glow its not right lol), onions, tomatoes, peppers, celery salt, and a big spear of a pickle. If you are ever in town again, you should check out SuperDawg, a really retro and kitchy drive-in that has been around for decades. This place is an institution around here and it serves some of the best dogs.
Oh and I dunno what those ladies were talking about, but most people go to the Cubs games and actually know whats going on during the game! That team has a lot of hardcore fans and has no trouble filling up Wrigley Field on a daily basis!
Anyways, I am just now getting to watch your new cruise special, which I am sure I will enjoy since my family is a big fan of cruising and Carnival Cruise Lines :)
I too am a Chicago land lifer (yet I've never taken the architectural tour yet) and it was cool seeing your take on Chicago sites and people. You always find interesting things to do. Shames me I had to see your show to find out about critical mass and Moto. Now I know. Thanks for your travel shows! WE LOVE THEM! Please do not quit your day job...Ever!
My partner and I live in Chicago and think you are the cat's meow Sam! We're huge fans. Thanks for visiting our fabulous city. Moto IS an amazing experience (with an amazingly high price tag). Come back to visit again. There is never a lack of things to do and see in Chicago!
Hi Sam - Great show in Chicago! Was that Greg Browne, the brewmaster at Mickey Finn's, that you were talking with at the Map Room? That's a great bar, by the way. As you know!
LOVE LOVE your travel show never miss it..
Hey Sam:
We just watched your week-end in Chicago episode and we missed the name of the steakhouse where you had the fabulous ribeye, mushrooms and creamed spinach. Can you tell us? We are going there soon and would love to check it out.
Can not wait to see it. Don't listen to the person who said "I hate you, your show *#@+'s!!" Maybe they forgot to put a seat on their bike.