I miss the restaurants.  Those that are old and established like ‘Chicago Chop House’ or ‘Gene & Georgetti’ or ‘Rosebud.’  Those that are trendy like ‘Japonias’ or ‘Sunda.’  Those with weird names like ‘The Slurping Turtle’ or ‘The Girl and The Goat.’  Those that were truly terrible like ‘Vong’ where you had to go home and order a pizza because you were still hungry (well I guess I don’t miss that one).  and Those that were favorites like ‘Coco Pazzo Cafe’ or ‘The Grill on the Alley’ or ‘Quartino’s’ or ‘Roy’s.’

You could go out to eat every night and never go to the same place twice (unless you wanted to).  There was always someplace new to try and I never got to all the ones that were on my list.  When I think back to my favorite times in Chicago I always remember the restaurant, whether is was just a spontaneous lunch out with my girlfriends or a big get-together dinner.

This is a void I don’t think any other city could fill.  There was just something almost magical about trying a new restaurant, settling into a booth and breaking bread with your friends or family, enjoying a night of keeping your kitchen clean and relaxing over a nice glass of wine while you forgot the stresses of your day.  Maybe it’s because the city is so hectic and crazy busy that the restaurants are such a wonderful oasis but whatever the reason they will always be part of my best memories of my time in the city.