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Happy Concierge Day, Chicago!
Posted on January 24th, 2012 by Amber Holst
By official proclamation from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the City of Chicago will celebrate its second annual “Concierge Day in Chicago” on January 26, 2012.
Concierge Preferred has worked with the mayor’s office to create a day dedicated to all concierge – from residential and corporate to hotel and other types – as a way to formally pay tribute for all they do to make Chicago the world class destination it is.
The impact of concierge on Chicago’s visitor market is undeniable. Almost five million referrals are made by Chicago’s 700-plus city and suburban concierges each year.
“We are happy that people are recognizing the various types of concierge and the things that we do in our wonderful city,” says Kathy McClanathan, President of the Chicago Hotel Concierge Association.
Sheryl Novak, President of the National Concierge Association’s Chicago Chapter and Concierge Event Services World Wide adds: “It is going to be a special day for Chicago’s concierge community.”
To help spread the word about “Concierge Day”!
• Visit Concierge Preferred’s Facebook Page and use the official “Happy Concierge Day Chicago” logo as your Facebook profile picture leading up to January 26, 2012 or “Concierge Day in Chicago”
• Post your favorite concierge tip or give a shout out to a particular concierge on Concierge Preferred’s wall
• On January 26 write “Happy Concierge Day in Chicago” as your Facebook Status Update
• Use the hashtag #conciergeday in all related tweets promoting “Concierge Day in Chicago” and make sure to @reply others who are using it as well to help spread the word and show the world that we support our city’s concierge.
Happy Concierge Day, Chicago!
Tags: chicago concierge, Chicago Concierge Favorites, Chicago Events, Chicago Hotel Concierge Association, City of Chicago, Concierge Day in Chicago, Concierge Preferred, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, National Concierge Association
Vivo’s $20 Seasonal Menu Benefits Children’s Memorial Hospital
Posted on January 24th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Back by popular demand, Vivo Restaurant is offering a new $20, three-course menu (available for both lunch and dinner) through March 31 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Children’s Memorial Hospital.
“Chicago has supported Vivo for 20 years, and as a thank you, we want to give back with a $20 menu to help out important causes throughout the year,” says Owner Dan Krasny.
Executive Chef Vicente Duran has created an exceptional three-course menu for the winter months featuring the season’s best ingredients.
The rustic and chic décor invites guests into a setting of exposed brick walls and beams, wood floors, soft lighting and an inviting bar. There is even an intimate table tucked away in a converted elevator shaft, perhaps the best seat in the house.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out or to dine with colleagues, dine out for a great cause this winter.
Tags: Chicago Restaurants, Children's Memorial Hospital, Vivo Restaurant, West Loop Dining
Bulls, Blues & A Bit of Spice
Posted on January 24th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Looking for some Bulls-Pacers hoops action? Want to see the legendary Buddy Guy perform at his South Loop club? Maybe you’re looking to sample some cuisine from different regions of Nepal and India that have been spiced to perfection…
No matter your flavor, Trump International Hotel & Tower Concierge Gwendolyn Ramsey’s got you covered. Check out what tops her list for things to do in Chicago in this short video clip.
Tags: blues in chicago, buddy guy, Buddy Guy's Legends, chicago concierge, concierge video picks, Curry House, Gwendolyn Ramsey, Madhouse on Madison, South Loop dining, things to do in chicago, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
Park Grill Appoints New Executive Chef
Posted on January 18th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Park Grill announced today the appointment of Thomas Donnelly as executive chef. Donnelly is passionate about food and is committed to using high quality, seasonal ingredients that reflect a farm-to-table approach.
Donnelly was born and raised in Chicago and is a graduate of the Culinary Arts program at Kendall College. He comes to Park Grill with over 15 years of restaurant experience that includes Le Bouchon, ten years with Levy Restaurants and Bistro 110, Bistro Margot, Lettuce Entertain You’s Brasserie JO and Sopraffina Marketcaffe.
His most recent position was with Eurest Dining, a division of Compass Group International, as both a general manager and executive chef.
Tags: Chicago Chefs, Millennium Park, park grill, Thomas Donnelly
Slàinte and Happy Cruising!
Posted on January 18th, 2012 by Cecilia Ehlenbach
Yes, winter has arrived, but there may be a cruise in your near future. And, if you act fast, you can snag a seat on a boat headed down the Chicago River during one of the most popular Chicago traditions of the year!
Shoreline Sightseeing has just released tickets for its 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Cruises! Beat the crowds and watch the annual Dyeing of the Chicago River from the comfort of a cruise deck.
Set sail at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 and enjoy a 90-minute tour of all three branches of the river, while learning a little about the history of the Irish in the city of Chicago.
Feeling peckish? Enjoy the Irish offerings at the buffet; on the menu is Corned Beef and Cabbage and Bread Pudding, of course. Or order a round of drinks for your blokes from the cash bar. To really get in the spirit, try an Irish coffee or a Guinness.
Cruises depart from the Gateway Park at Navy Pier. Boarding commences 15 minutes before departure. Because the cruises are on open-air boats, guests are advised to dress for the weather. Tickets are $37 for adults, $35 for seniors, and $20 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased here.
Tags: Chicago Events, Chicago River Cruise, Chicago River Tour, Dyeing of the Chicago River, Shoreline Sightseeing, st. patrick's day, Tickets
Concierge of the Week: Christopher Rodriquez
Posted on January 18th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Christopher Rodriquez is concierge at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago and is a South Side native who feels that Chicago’s warmth, inviting people and diverse offerings make it second to none.
“The friendliness you find here, even though it’s a huge city, is one of my favorite aspects,” he says.
Christopher has held many jobs over the years (and some interesting ones at that!), including stints as a ranch hand and repo man. It wasn’t until Christopher was working as a retail manager in a woman’s clothing store that he considered the concierge profession.
“While I was firmly trenched in guest service, I got my start as a concierge sort of by luck,” he says. “At the clothing store I was approached by a manager from the W Chicago Lakeshore hotel who asked me to follow up with her as she had a job in mind for me.”
That follow up meeting resulted in his being named head concierge at the W Chicago Lakeshore, where he worked for three years. Prior to joining the concierge team at the Trump hotel, he helped to start the concierge program at the then newly-opened Affinia Hotel.
“I have had the privilege to work with some of the best and brightest stars of this industry,” he says. “And my present team is a great example.”
Christopher Rodriquez’s MyChiGuide
“Being a concierge gives me the chance to work with people from all over the world and all different backgrounds,” he says. “That’s what makes this profession so incredibly enjoyable!”
So, what tops his list of things to do in Chicago? “I would recommend spending time walking around Millennium Park – especially taking in the gorgeous, serpentine BP Bridge and, of course, the Pritzker Pavilion which is my favorite aspect of the Park,” he says. “Couple that with grabbing a Polish sausage or Chicago-style hot dog from Downtown Dogs for lunch and some people watching on the Magnificent Mile and you’re guaranteed to have a great afternoon.”
Oh, he also suggests ending the night by indulging your sweet tooth at Sprinkles cupcakes. “It’s an absolute treat,” he adds.
Looking for more tips and advice from Christoper? Make sure to check out his MyChiGuide
Tags: Affinia Hotel, Chicago Style Hot Dog, Christopher Rodriguez, Concierge of the Week, Downtown Dogs, magnificent mile, Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Trump Hotel Chicago, W Chicago Lakeshore
From D-Day to Dancing, It’s All Here
Posted on January 18th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Whether you’re looking to delve into history at the Pritzker Military Library, take in the legendary music of Frank Sinatra or to relax with friends before dancing the night way, Wyndham Chicago Concierge Kaitlyn Lawlor offers up her three picks for weekend fun in Chicago.
Tags: broadway in chicago, Chicago Events, Chicago Musicals, chicago theater, Chicago Travel, Come Fly Away, concierge video picks, Kaityln Lawlor, Millennium Park, Pritzker Military Library, The Mid, things to do in chicago, What to do in Chicago
Expanding UPon a Comedy Tradition
Posted on January 11th, 2012 by Cecilia Ehlenbach
For over 50 years, The Second City, Chicago’s premier comedy club, has been tickling funny bones and with the creation of a new sister club, UP Comedy Club, the tradition is expanding.
UP Comedy Club, launched in December in a performance space right next door to The Second City (230 W. North Ave.), has already started making a name for itself in its signature shows (many developed in part by The Second City) and in the diverse set of stand-up comedians on its calendar.
This winter expect to see:
The Second City’s History of Chicago
A hilarious revue of the city of Chicago through the years; no historical event, and no notable person, is off-limits. Rated PG.
- Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30. Dinner available before or during the show.
- Sundays: 1:00 p.m. Tickets: $35. Lunch available before or during the show.
Sex, Love & The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy
Beginning January 12, this play pokes fun at relationships in today’s largely online world and asks the question: is love doomed by social media? Rated R.
- Saturdays: 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $35. Lunch available before or after the show.
- Sundays: 4:30 p.m. Tickets: $35. Lunch available before or after the show.
- Wednesdays: 7:30p.m. Tickets: $25. Dinner available before or during the show.
The Second City’s Improv All-Stars
Join the best of The Second’s City’s performers for a totally improvised, interactive, off-the-wall show. Rated R. 60 minutes, no intermission.
- Mondays: 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $16. Appetizers available at this performance.
The Second City’s Improv Extravaganza Explosion
Beginning January 21. Load up the family and cart them on down to the funniest show in town: an hour-long comedy fest extravaganza that uses audience suggestions to create brilliant masterpieces and hilarious flubs. Rated G.
- Saturdays: 11:00 a.m. Tickets: $11. Appetizers available at this performance.
Chicago Live!
Beginning February 2. Come be a part of history and the taping of WGN Radio’s (720 AM) news show, Chicago Live! hosted by reporter, Rick Kogan.
- Thursdays: 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $18. Dinner available during the show.
Ian Bagg (the Canadian funny guy who’s been on Conan, the Tonight Show, and was featured in the History Channel’s special, History of the Joke)
- January 19 at 8 p.m.
- January 20-21 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- January 22 at 8 p.m.
Pete Holmes (best-known for sojourns on Jimmy Fallon, his cartoons for The New Yorker, and his voice—he’s that silly e*trade baby)
- January 27-28 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- January 29 at 8 p.m.
Garfunkel & Oates (a Los Angeles comedy/folk-singing girl power duo who’ve been featured on The Tonight Show and are creating their own show for HBO)
- February 3-4 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Brian Posehn (star on the now-defunct The Sarah Silverman Program, graphic novel author, and self-proclaimed Slayer of Comedy!)
- February 10-11 at 8 p.m.
- February 12 at 8 p.m.
Gary Owen (former Navy man, winner of the “Funniest Black Comedian in San Diego,” and once character on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne)
- February 23 at 9:30 p.m.
- February 24-25 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- February 25 at 8 p.m.
Tags: Comedy Club, Lincoln Park, Old Town, The Second City, things to do in chicago, UP Comedy Club, Winter Events
Concierge of the Week: Anthony Gates
Posted on January 11th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Concierge at the Hotel Allegro – A Kimpton Hotel, located in the heart of Chicago’s theater district, Anthony Gates is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves to keep himself informed on the best happenings around town in order to tailor his guests’ experiences accordingly.
“I love helping to create a great experience in Chicago,” he says. “Helping to organize guests’ sightseeing itineraries so they get the most out of their visit in a specific time frame is incredibly rewarding, challenging and fun.”
And when those guests return to the hotel and have nothing but positive feedback on their experiences? Well, that’s just icing in the cake for Anthony. “It’s what makes me feel especially passionate about my job,” he adds.
So, how did he get his start as a concierge? “I was working at the Westin Hotel on Michigan Avenue as a night auditor and when I would leave at 7 a.m., I noticed that there would be a line at the concierge desk,” he says. “I took the initiative of going over there and helping with basic questions and really discovered my passion for hospitality and the profession.”
Anthony Gates’ MyChiGuide
When it comes to helping his guests explore all that Chicago has to offer, Anthony excels at staying current on what’s happening in Chicago. Whether it’s street closures due to construction and giving his guests’ directions to avoid the hassles to knowing the top places to see and be seen.
“As a concierge, it is so important to be on top of the timely events that are taking place around town,” he says. “From watching the news and reading the newspapers, keeping yourself informed is a necessary—and fun—part of the job.”
What tops his list of things to do and see in Chicago right now? “Ice skating outdoors at Millennium Park or indoors at the John Hancock Observatory is an absolute-must,” he says. “I also encourage my guests to catch Buddy Guy when he performs at his eponymous club.”
When it comes to dining options, Anthony is passionate about our hometown eats. “You can’t be in Chicago without trying some of our specialties like a Chicago-style hot dog, deep-dish pizza or indulging in a steak,” he adds.
Looking for more of tips and advice from Anthony? Make sure to check out his MyChiGuide.
Tags: Anthony Gates, Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago Events, Chicago Steakhouses, Chicago-Style Hot Dogs, Concierge of the Week, concierge picks, Deep Dish Pizza, Hotel Allegro-A Kimpton Hotel, ice skating in Chicago, John Hancock Observatory, live music, Millennium Park
Where Gills Goes
Posted on January 10th, 2012 by Amber Holst
This week, Concierge Correspondent Philippe Gills of the legendary Palmer House offers up his top three picks for escaping the winter chill! In this short – and always entertaining! – video clip, Philippe tells us how you can delve into Chicago’s history without freezing, about the latest addition to Wicker Park’s eco-conscious dining scene and where to go for some Blues n’ booze.
Looking for additional insight from Philippe?
Head on over to his MyChiGuide for some additional tips, picks and more.
Tags: Blues Chicago, chicago detours, Chicago Loop, Downtown events, Palmer House Hilton, Philippe Gills Concierge Picks, Prasino, River North, Wicker Park, Winter Events
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