dennis franz’s chicago essentials

lodging
ambassador west, $99-$139; (312) 787-3700

the drake hotel, $235-$450; (312) 787-2200

four seasons hotel, $455-$3,500; (312) 280-8800

omni ambassador east, $139-$229; (312) 787-7200

the palmer house hilton, $99-$429; (312) 726-7500

dining
the berghoff, german; $7-$15; (312) 427-3170

como inn, italian; $13-$30; (312) 421-0022

el jardin, mexican; $7-$16; (773) 528-6775

golden cup, american; $2-$7; (773) 525-8833

the grill on the alley, american; $10-$35; (312) 255-9009

mike ditka’s, american; $9-$36; (312) 587-8989

mr. beef, italian; $2-$4; (773) 283-7444

pizzeria due, pizza; $5-$21; (312) 321-1000

pizzeria uno, pizza; $6-$22; (312) 943-2400

shopping
marshall field’s, (312) 781-1000;
(312) 335-7700

theater
goodman theatre, (312) 443-3800

the joffrey ballet of chicago, (312) 739-0120

organic theater company, (847) 475-2800

second city, (312) 337-3992

steppenwolf theatre company, (312) 335-1650

nightlife
yak-zies, (773) 327-1717

museums
the art institute of chicago, (312) 443-3600

museum of science and industry, (773) 684-1414