Chicago Museums Announce Hours/Closures During NATO Summit
Posted on May 9th, 2012 by Amber Holst
As Chicago prepares to welcome international guests of the NATO Summit, the Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium announced today the decision to close an additional two days to the public on Saturday, May 19 and Monday, May 21.
The United States Secret Service previously announced that the three museums would be closed on Sunday, May 20 due to security restrictions.
Collectively, the institutions strongly support and welcome the Summit and its international delegation to the city as it showcases Chicago’s great offerings to the world. For the clarity and convenience of museum guests, the additional operational adjustments were made with the consideration of each organization’s close proximity to McCormick Place and other designated event areas.
Each institution will be open during normal business hours leading up to the Summit through Friday, May 18 and will reopen to the public on Tuesday, May 22. Regular transportation and parking access will be available.
Field Museum’s Hours during NATO Summit
The Field Museum will be open on Saturday May 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. but will be closed Sunday, May 20 and Monday, May 21. They will reopen on Tuesday, May 22 at 9 a.m.
Visitors who drive can access the Museum Campus by turning east on McFetridge Dr. from Columbus Dr.; parking will be available in the Soldier Field garage (north entrance). Pedestrians can use the public walkway leading to the Museum Campus.
Drumbar to open next month above the Raffaello Hotel
Posted on May 7th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Drumbar, the latest concept from Menin Hotels, is set to take the speakeasy-style bar to new heights: 200-feet up, to be exact.
Perched atop the 18th floor of the Raffaello Hotel (201 E. Delaware Pl.), Drumbar will boast an intimate lounge area, an outside rooftop terrace, and an ever-evolving cocktail menu.
The existing architecture of the historic Rafaello Hotel, built in 1925, provided much of the inspiration for the atmosphere of Drumbar which was designed by Jun Aizaki of the Brooklyn-based creative design firm Crème Design.
Upon arriving at the 18th floor of the hotel, guests will be welcomed into the warmly lit indoor space and greeted by a white marble bar where cocktails take center stage.
Opposite the main bar, groups can find sanctuary in one of the dark alcoves or venture to the Great Room, a dramatic space east of the main bar boasting 20-foot high ceilings, dark wood panels, and a custom designed antique brass light fixture.
A dramatic arched doorway will open in warm months, framing a 1,500-square-foot outdoor terrace. Through a small corridor, a semi-private VIP room will offer city views in three directions and completely private access to the outside terrace, creating a balance of scenery and seclusion.
A second terrace will be available for private parties and events. For more information, visit www.drumbar.com.
Tags: drumbar, gold coast, nightlife, openings, Raffaello Hotel, rooftop lounge
Signature Room Announces New Executive Chef
Posted on April 12th, 2012 by Amber Holst
The extensive search for The Signature Room at the 95th’s new executive chef is complete.
Today Brandon K. Wolff, 43, takes the lead in the kitchen that serves up to 800,000 guests each year in the fine dining setting high atop the John Hancock Building. Most recently serving as executive sous chef for Chicago-based One SixtyBlue, Wolff now directs a team of five sous chefs, 35 cooks and a pastry kitchen of eight.
“This position requires a certain management style and ability to maintain the highest quality of food and service while infusing the menu with personality and flavor,” said Angela Aspito, director of operations.
“Brandon is very experienced in producing outstanding fine dining fare, and his passion for working with high quality, farm-fresh ingredients perfectly melds with our passion for delivering memorable, gourmet cuisine,” she added.
Wolff describes his cooking style as simple yet refined, sourcing the highest quality produce from local growers, using minimal ingredients in each dish, and focusing on seasonality and flavors that work together.
Wolff’s new menus for The Signature Room will be infused with this same upscale simplicity and fresh approach. Considering his mastery of Italian cuisine, guests can expect to sample handmade, fresh pastas daily.
Tags: Chefs, News, Signature Room
White Sox Debut Special Tourism & Hospitality Nights
Posted on April 5th, 2012 by Amber Holst
In recognition of the professionals who work in Chicagoland’s hospitality community, the Chicago White Sox are offering specially-priced tickets. On these special days, the White Sox are offering industry professionals, their family and friends specially-priced tickets.
Tickets regularly priced at $40, $36, $34, $22 and $14 are available for $20, $18, $17, $11 and $7. To take advantage of this special offer please visit www.whitesox.com/tourism
The dates available are:
- May 22-24
- June 5-7
- July 3-5
- August 7-8
- September 11-13
Tags: Chicago Tourism, hospitality industry, ticket deals, White Sox
Land of Lincoln
Posted on March 5th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Joie de Vivre Hotels is thrilled to announce that Hotel Lincoln (1816 N. Clark St.) will officially open its doors to guests on Thursday, March 8, anchoring Lincoln Park with a vibrant new gathering destination.
Ideally situated along the lakefront, this new boutique hotel offers polished, yet approachable service across its diverse programming platforms, which include 184 fully renovated guestrooms, award-winning dining, and executive meeting capabilities — all within a five-minute cab or bus ride from downtown.
Highlights of the hotel’s unique amenities and signature services include:
Guest Rooms: With layouts ranging from chic studios to family suites outfitted with bunk beds, Hotel Lincoln’s 184 completely smoke-free accommodations feature an eclectic design scheme with an all-American appeal. Sixty percent have a direct view of Lake Michigan, with others offering views of downtown Chicago. Guests with four-legged companions will delight in access to the hotel’s pet-friendly programming.
Elaine’s Coffee Call: Located off the east side of the lobby, Elaine’s Coffee Call is a European-style coffee bar, presenting La Colombe coffee and a daily selection of freshly made pastries from the Perennial Virant team, plus other beverages and light bites.
Rooftop Lounge: In June 2012, Hotel Lincoln will unveil an expansive rooftop lounge, with capacity to accommodate 175 outdoors and up to 75 indoors. The space will offer a menu of creative bar bites and seasonal craft cocktails designed by Chef Virant, which guests can enjoy while marveling at spectacular, unobstructed views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
Reservations for stays at Hotel Lincoln beginning mid-March are available now and can be made by calling (888) 379-7994 or by visiting Hotel Lincoln’s website.
Tags: Accommodations, Hospitality, Hotel Lincoln, Hotel Opening, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Lincoln Park
Illinois Restaurant Association Announces Culinary Crossroads with G8 & NATO Host Committee
Posted on February 27th, 2012 by Amber Holst
Today at the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA), President Sheila O’Grady announced the formation of Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads, a dine-around initiative developed to celebrate the nations that will be represented during the G8 and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summits, to be held in Chicago May 2012.
The announcement followed a presentation by guest of honor Lori Healey, Executive Director of the G8 and NATO Host Committee.
From Tuesday, May 1 through Friday, May 25, Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads will highlight Chicago’s world-class culinary industry, bringing together the area’s preeminent restaurants and chefs with thousands of food and wine lovers from across Illinois, its surrounding states and from around the world. Esteemed Chefs Dirk Flanigan (Henri/The Gage), John Hogan (Keefer’s), Tony Hu (Tony Gourmet Group) and Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno) comprise the committee of Chicago’s culinary leaders who will spearhead the program in conjunction with the Illinois Restaurant Association.
International Chef Partnerships
During Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads, 50+ restaurants throughout Chicagoland will present special tasting menus inspired by the cuisines of G8 and NATO nations. Internationally renowned chefs from each of the nations – including Chef David Colcombe of Opus Restaurant in Birmingham, UK; Chef Adolfo Muñoz of the Adolfo Group in Madrid, Spain; Martins Ritins of Vincent’s Restaurant in Riga, Latvia; Chef Charles Tjessem of Charles & De in Stavanger, Norway; and others -will be paired with many of the participating restaurants to collaborate on menus that truly reflect their nation’s cuisines. All of the international chefs’ cities are members of Delice, the Network of Good Food Cities Worldwide. The network, created in 2007 at the initiative of the Mayor of Lyon, France, promotes and forges bonds between cities all over the world renowned for their gastronomic tradition, their professional know-how and the outstanding quality of their products.
The Illinois Restaurant Association is proud to broaden its partnership with Chicago Public Schools on culinary programming to increase students’ cultural knowledge of G8 and NATO nations. The visiting chefs will also conduct cooking demonstrations and guest lectures at ProStart® culinary classes to encourage global discussions and bring an international flavor to the classroom.
For more information about Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads, visitwww.illinoisrestaurants.org or www.chicagogourmet.org. For more information about the G8 and NATO Summits, visithttp://www.chicagog8nato.org/.
Jan. 26 Designated ‘Concierge Day in Chicago’
Posted on January 5th, 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’s President & Publisher Tim O’Malley 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.
“Chicagoland’s concierge are behind the scenes orchestrating a variety of activities and are true ambassadors for our city,” says O’Malley. “They are centerstage answering questions and coordinating important functions that enable tourism to thrive in Chicago and are constantly creating memorable experiences for their guests.”
The impact of concierge on Chicago’s visitor market is undeniable. Almost five million referrals are made by Chicago’s 750-plus city and suburban concierges with over 1.3 million dining recommendations; 1.1 shopping suggestions; advice on 658,000 nightspots; and almost 1.2 million referrals to the Chicago area’s various cultural attractions being made 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”, Concierge Preferred developed the following ways in which the city and visitors can show their support:
- 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 a picture of yourself hugging, high-fiving, or just with a concierge and post it to Concierge Preferred’s wall
- 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
- Follow @CP_Chicago and use the official “Happy Concierge Day in Chicago” logo which you can download from our TwitPic account (which CP_Chicago will be tweeting) and/or click on CP_Chicago’s logo, save as, and then upload to your personal Twitter profile
- 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.
Does Your Business Have a Concierge?
We encourage you to work with your marketing and PR teams to develop creative ways to show your support for all that your concierge do for your property. Whether it’s disseminating a press release about Concierge Day and highlighting your concierge team members and the services they provide, including information in your e-newsletter, or promoting via your social media channels – help spread the word and create awareness about all that Chicago’s concierge do to make our city – and businesses – great.
Tags: 2012, chicago concierge, Chicago Concierge Favorites, Concierge Day in Chicago, Hospitality Industry News, January 26, Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Ritz Concierge Laurel Gray Named Illinois’ Guest Services Employee of the Year
Posted on December 19th, 2011 by Amber Holst
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons Hotel, announced today that one of its concierge, Laurel Gray, was named Illinois’ Guest Services Employee of the Year by the Illinois Hospitality and Lodging Association.
Gray, who received the honor for the Chicagoland area in November, was named the state’s Guest Services Employee of the Year on Friday at the IHLA Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon in Chicago, which honors outstanding talent and performance of hospitality employees who provide extraordinary service.
From setting up a top-secret hair dye appointment for a rock band member so he would not be recognized to fulfilling the most unique guest requests, Gray is a 15-year member of the Ritz’s Concierge team and has an impeccable reputation of going above and beyond for the hotel’s guests.
She has even played tour-guide for a couple from overseas who rented a limousine to tour the North Shore, going along with them and narrating the entire itinerary that she put together.
Gray, a resident of Chicago, is a member of the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or USA and the Chicago Hotel Concierge Association.
Tags: Concierge, Illinois Hospitality and Lodging Association, Laurel Gray, Ritz Carlton
Concierge Preferred to Donate $1 for Every Facebook ‘Like’ to Kids in Need
Posted on December 8th, 2011 by Amber Holst
‘Tis the season of giving! Concierge Preferred is running a promotion on their Facebook page for local Chicago charity One for the Kids.
For every “Like” that Concierge Preferred receives, we’ll donate $1 to help benefit deserving kids. This promotion will run through December 31, 2011, or to the equivalent of $1,000. It’s just another way that Concierge Preferred is continually proving its commitment to the Chicagoland area.
About One for the Kids
Established in 1993, One for the Kids is a Chicago-area charity that has raised over $400,000 for a number of different charities and causes. While they contribute to many different organizations, including The Heart Institute for Children, the primary beneficiary of their fundraising efforts is Special Children’s Charities of Chicago, which is the fundraising organization for Special Olympics Chicago. Truly, this is a worthwhile charity that promotes causes that are near and dear to many people’s hearts throughout the city of Chicago and Concierge Preferred is honored to help them raise funds this holiday season.
So, are you going to join us in the spirit of giving?
Tags: Charity, Christmas in Chicago, Holidays in Chicago, One for the Kids, special children's charities, special olympics chicago, The Heart Institute for Children
Pinkalicious Gives “Day of Pink” to Child Battling Pediatric Lymphoma
Posted on October 27th, 2011 by Amber Holst
Broadway In Chicago and Emerald City Theatre are excited to be partnering with Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation for a “Day of Pink” on Sunday, Nov.6, for 4 year-old Carli Highberger, who is currently battling pediatric Lymphoma. Carli will receive the pink-carpet treatment at Pinkalicious: The Musical as her “Bear Hug” from Bear Necessities. Carli is being treated at Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital.
Carli’s Pinkalicious Experience
A pink limousine, compliments of Exotic Coach, will pick Carli up from her Lombard home and drive her downtown to the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place to see Pinkalicious: The Musical. Upon arrival, she will be greeted with a pink carpet and photographed by “paparazzi” from Club Photo Booth. Following the show, the limo will take Carli to Heavenly Cupcakes (Elmhurst, IL) to decorate her very own pink cupcakes.
When asked what she wanted as her “Bear Hug” from Bear Necessities, Carli answered, “Ride in a pink limo to Pinkalicious and then eat pink cupcakes!”
The Bear Hugs Program supports cancer patients (ages 0 –19), as well as their immediate families that face the many challenges that accompany the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer. Our outreach serves both in state and out of state children that are being treated at one of the nine major Chicago area hospitals with pediatric oncology departments. A Bear Hug is a customized experience that brightens the life of a child going through cancer. The Bear Hugs Program also provides immediate family support for financial burden and essential needs.
Pinkalicious: The Musical is the story about Pinkalicious Pinkerton who eats one too many pink cupcakes, and catches a serious case of “Pinkititis” and turns pink from head to toe! Will her broccoli-eating brother be able to help cure her before it’s too late? Find out in the colorful musical adventure, remounted from Emerald City Theatre’s sold out production at their Chicago home at The Apollo Theater. This heartwarming musical’s Gateway Theme of healthy eating is sure to strike a chord among parents and picky eaters alike.
Tags: Bear Necessities, Broadway in Chicago, Charity, Emerald City Theater, Pinkalicious
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