Tripology Travel Experts Blog

Hampton Inn & Suites - Chicago North Shore

veronique — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:23:48 GMT

When traveling to the Chicago North Shore, a newly remodeled, affordable property with friendly, helpful staff is the Hampton Inn & Suites – Chicago North Shore in Skokie, IL.

The newly remodeled Hampton Inn & Suites is ranked #1 on TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index for Skokie hotels. The property is just two blocks from the fashionable Old Orchard Shopping town, which features retail giants such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy’s, and Lord and Taylor. From numerous historical attractions to an abundance of dance, music, and theater, the area around this hotel is full of things to do.

The Hampton Inn & Suites – Chicago North Shore offers the following services and amenities to ensure a pleasurable leisure or business trip:

On The House™ Hot Breakfast
Fitness Facility
Indoor Swimming Pool, Whirlpool, and Sauna
24-hour Suite Shop
Complimentary Business Center
Same-Day Laundry Valet Service
On-Site Ruby Tuesday Restaurant & Bar
Room Service Provided by Ruby Tuesday
Shuttle Service within 3-mile radius

For help booking a Chicago North Shore vacation, complete the Tripology trip request form on this page and be connected with up to three travel specialists who’ll plan and book a memorable trip.

Hampton Inn & Suites – Chicago North Shore

5201 Old Orchard Road

Skokie, IL 60077

Restaurant Blue Pepper is Amsterdam Foodie Haven

veronique — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:39:46 GMT

Blue Pepper is a very intimate space near the popular Leidseplein in Amsterdam. The restaurant is away from the touristy places, but within close proximity to the nightlife and fun of Leidseplein.

First, the service at Blue Pepper is impeccable. Our server was very well-versed about the menu and the ingredients and had great wine recommendations. Very impressed by him, and can’t say this about many people in that role.

Executive chef Sonja Pereira does an amazing job at recreating the famous Indonesian rice table. The 70 Euro tasting menu features over 25 dishes, yes 25, each more outstanding than the next. Stellar were the citrusy soup, the lamb saté, the extra spicy meat ‘stew’ and the banana and caramel fritter.

We’re experienced diners and this might be one of my top 5 meals ever. A must-try in a city not typically known for its cuisine.

Restaurant Michael - Old School Atmosphere, New School Food

veronique — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:01:50 GMT

I was told about Michael by a Twitter follower who was outraged that I’d eaten at my hotel’s mediocre restaurant while I could have been dining at this great dining establishment in the vicinity of my Chicago North Shore office. I was touched that a local foodie would go out of his way to recommend Michael, so I quickly booked a table and I’ve enjoyed dining at this fine restaurant several times since then when in town.

Culinary Institute of America-trained chef Michael Lachowicz, of Les Deux Gros fame, prepares “his version of unpretentious fine French food in a casually elegant setting” at Restaurant Michael which he opened in Winnetka, IL in 2005. Michael is a warm, comfortable space catering to the upscale crowd of this affluent Chicago North Shore neighborhood. The staff is led by an old school maitre d’ who knows his loyal clients and makes newcomers feel welcomed. The wait staff is attentive and knows the menu and wine list well enough to make helpful recommendations.

While the atmosphere is appealing, guests are here for chef Lachowicz’s fabulous food. Fresh, quality ingredients meet the skillful hand of a classically-trained chef. The menufeatures a three ($48), four ($54) and seven ($65)-course prix fixe menu and the staff gladly offers to accommodate a three-course menu encompassing two starters and an entrée instead of the common starter-entrée-dessert combination.

On my two recent visits, some must-try starters were thepan roasted jumbo diver scallop with baby spinach, brie and tarragon corn blinis, the sautéed medallion of Hudson Valley foie gras over foie gras strudel, and the paté of squab & chicken liver mousse with dried garlic sausage. All were masterly prepared and beautifully presented.

Some winning entrees to consider are the wild Japanese black cod over roasted beet risotto with saffron sauce, the baby Australian lamb chops and osso bucco ravioli over mission fig and exotic mushrooms and the beef tenderloin “Rossini” with foie gras medallion over Madeira sauce. How amazing are those descriptions? Just a tad less amazing than how they actually taste.

Desserts range from the artisanal cheese plate (good choice), the Tahitian vanilla bean duo of panna cotta and crème brulée and the warm, fallen chocolate soufflé.

The wine list features some old favorites but also offers creative alternatives for the more adventurous patrons. There are several options of wine by the glass.

For social media conscious diners can follow Michael on Twitter, like Michael on Facebook or sign up for Michael’s newsletter at www.restaurantmichael.com.

Hours of Operation: Lunch: Thursday – Friday: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner: Monday – Thursday: 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Friday – Saturday: 5:30pm – 11:30pm, Sunday: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

64 Green Bay Road
Winnetka, IL 60093

(847) 441-3100

Travel Snacks - A Healthy Alternative

jpeters — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:47:50 GMT

Ok, this may seem silly but I’m always looking for something healthy to eat when I travel. Unfortunately, the unhealthy stuff is so much easier to find. I’m not the Foursquare mayor of “Pagassus on the Fly” at Midway airport for nothing. Sometimes, if I had a healthy snack, that would be all I needed. The good news is I think I found one.

Wings of Nature (TM) sent me (yes, consider this a disclosure that I received a few free ones) some of their new, organic snack bars and I have to tell you, they’re awesome. I particularly loved the “Cranberry Crunch Bar.” It was really very tasty with lots of sesame seeds, raisins and cranberries. It was soft but doesn’t stick to my teeth. Apparently it is organic, they haven’t added refined sugar, it is trans-fat free and gluten free. It was 170 calories with zero cholesterol and only 20mg of sodium.

They also make other types including “Espresso Coffee Bar” or my other fave; “Almond Raisin Bar.”

I’m on airplanes all the time so this is a welcome alternative to that little package of pretzels. I would certainly buy some of these (I understand you can get them at Whole Foods and Walgreens).

Fashion-Focused Hotel in the Heart of Manhattan - Wyndham Fashion 26

veronique — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:45:05 GMT

Fashion 26 – A Wyndham Hotel, newly opened in New York’s Garment District in Spring 2010, is NYC’s first hotel dedicated solely to fashion, and the first full-service Wyndham in New York City. Located where Chelsea meets the Garment District, the hotel offers a quiet alternative to the hustle and bustle of Times Square and midtown.

The shimmering-glass and brick tower set back from 26th Street entices travelers with 280 harmoniously crafted guest rooms designed to create a relaxed and uncluttered sense of place through décor and texture. In-room furnishings are custom-designed and amenities include radio frequency room keys, iHome® Clock-Radio Docking Stations, complimentary Wi-Fi, fine chocolates, Gilchrist & Soames bath products and Crumbs® cupcakes upon check-in.

Fashion 26 – A Wyndham Hotel’s contribution to New York’s restaurant scene is Rare, a new restaurant paying tribute to the great American hamburger, and Rare View, a rooftop bar and lounge that will offer the city’s best views of the Empire State Building and the Manhattan cityscape.

With its heart-of-the-city location, Fashion 26 – A Wyndham Hotel is an inviting spot for meetings and events, offering intimate space for up to 14 and a conference room for up to 80 attendees. All meeting and event space is equipped with contemporary communication and presentation technologies, with food and beverage selections provided by Rare Bar and Grill.

With 24-hour room service and full concierge services, Fashion 26 – A Wyndham Hotel offers the services of a boutique hotel at Wyndham affordability.

To find out more, complete the trip request form at the right and Tripology will connect you with up to three travel specialists that can help you plan your vacation.