A Trip Through Chicago, Rooftops and New Adventures
Travel
Traveling to the US has never been my favorite thing to do. In fact, I had been avoiding this trip for months. Eventually, I could no longer dodge the work visit I needed to make. I’m supposed to visit Chicago once a quarter, but for the past year, I hadn’t because I saw it as a hassle. Why can’t we connect via Zoom? Do I really have to go?
With all the apprehension, I finally got to the airport. Coincidentally, it was the day of the major IT malfunction from Microsoft. I waited in line for over three hours. Thank goodness I arrived early because I thought I could hang out in the lounge and do some work. At this point, I was exhausted. Eight hours later, I arrived in Chicago and checked into The Peninsula Hotel. My stay at The Peninsula was transformative. It taught me something about luxury, what it truly means to be taken care of and catered to. Everyone should experience a hotel like this at least once in their lives.
My trip to Chicago left me in awe of the city. I fell in love with the skyline, the architecture, the food, and the generally more laid-back vibe compared to New York. The city left me with positive feelings about Americans, their friendliness, and just seeing a different side of the US. I left Chicago feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to take on the world. My time at The Peninsula played a big part in this feeling.
I visited some absolutely fabulous restaurants and rooftops that I wanted to share. The views were honestly unbelievable. Also, can I just say I really enjoyed the food in practically all the restaurants I visited? Anyway, here’s a list of my travel itinerary:
RPM Seafood
The views at RPM Seafood are amazing! I booked outdoor seating, which costs an extra $3. I didn’t mind because it was totally worth it. I ordered the Miso Cod, which was spicy and a little sweet. I like a mix of sweet and savory, although I’m also suspicious of restaurants that use this mix in most of their dishes because it feels like a cheat sometimes.
Giordano’s
Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza, but when I saw how much cheese there was, I was a bit hesitant. Eventually, on my last day, I decided to try deep-dish before leaving, at least to know what it tastes like. So, I ordered the plain old margherita with some pineapple topping. I was sitting on my bed when I tried the first bite. I had to pause for a moment and really look at what I was eating. It was so good I forgot to use the sauces. When I remembered I bought the garlic and BBQ sauce, the pizza was already done. I still imagine what it would have tasted like with the dipping sauces. Some men in the elevator said Giordano’s has gone down over the years, but as a visitor, I loved it.
Terrace 16
I visited Terrace 16 on a very busy Saturday night. A company was having an event, but I wonder if it’s that busy generally. There were so many people there. What stood out to me were the fire pits on the rooftop combined with the skyline. It was so unique. The backdrop to that was the fireworks going on in the city. You can imagine how romantic that scene was. It’s an aesthetically pleasing location, especially at night.
Z Bar
Z Bar is at The Peninsula Hotel, so it was easy for me to go to. I went a few times and you know what? It’s a great rooftop for a more laid-back type of night. When I researched the best rooftops, Z Bar came up consistently. It’s quite popular in Chicago. I don’t have passionate feelings towards Z Bar, but it’s that reliable spot you can always count on.
The river in Chicago is baby blue. Imagine a city with very tall buildings having baby blue water cut through it. It’s like having the water from the Maldives but in the city. You can imagine how it completely elevates the city. The Riverwalk had a backdrop of interesting-looking apartment buildings with unique shapes, and I kept wondering how people live on anything beyond the 10th floor. I’ve lived on the 35th floor before and I promise you I felt the building sway from time to time. Along the walk, there are stalls selling drinks. Ideal. Buying a drink, sitting down in the sun, looking at people on their boats, and creating unforgettable memories with friends? Unbeatable.
The Bellevue
I was randomly walking to RH when I spotted this restaurant with its bright orange al fresco seating area. I thought, “Where is this place?” It’s located in a very high-end part of Chicago, potentially the Knightsbridge equivalent in London, simply because of the number of supercars parked around the area. I had the salad with cranberries—don’t remember the name—and now I look for salads with cranberries everywhere. The vibe is almost European. The restaurant was honestly just aesthetically pleasing. Inside, there were interesting paintings and photographs that looked like they were from old Hollywood, if I remember correctly.
Where I Stayed
The Peninsula
I am so glad I decided to stay at The Peninsula. The service in this hotel is the epitome of luxury. You can tell the level of investment, pride, and love each of the staff have for what they do. There was a sense of dedication from the staff at every level to ensure the guest has the best experience possible, and that every touchpoint the guest has was impeccable. The Peninsula deserves a post of its own because this hotel really changed my life. Nine nights there taught me something about creating an experience for people around you. It taught me what it means to think a few steps ahead of other people’s needs and serve them proactively