14 Hours in Chicago

12:20 p.m. arrive at ORD

Reminded why I really dislike this airport. It’s like everyone just watched Home Alone and wants to reenact it. There is no other airport in the country where people run through the terminal like that.

12:40 p.m. hop on the CTA

Reminded that I do, in fact, love Chicago. Riding the train gave me a chance to see the city- which I haven’t visited since I was 20.

1:35 p.m. arrive at Hotel Monaco

This is a Kimpton property, and as expected, it comes highly recommended. But, I was there for only a minute before it was off to my next stop.

1:50 p.m. lunch at Old Timers

Dave was in the mood for some old fashioned diner food, and the concierge pointed us in this direction. I agreed because it was somewhat on the route I was taking over to Drinks Over Dearborn.

2:50 p.m. run into Todd Richman

Muse at the fact that Todd and I see each other very frequently- just not in NYC where we both purportedly live. He invites me to his shift behind the bar at Pops for Champagne that night to celebrate the launch of Ilegal Mezcal here in Chicago. How can I turn down that invitation?

3:25 p.m. arrive at Drinks Over Dearborn

I hoped to see Kyle McHugh but ended up making a new friend in Chris who was behind the counter. These guys have a pretty fantastic selection and virtually everything a budding mixologist could possibly need. Look at all of those bitters!

After we drooled over the general selection, Chris brought us back to the tasting room where Dave immediately gravitated to his favorite bottle, Pappy Van Winkle 15. I, of course, was distracted by the VEP Green Chartreuse. Yeah, they have both.

At this point, I was running dangerously close to missing my next meeting, so I thanked Chris and headed out-but not before picking up a bottle of Fernet. I know. You’re shocked.

3:45 p.m. cab back to the Hotel Monaco

Dropped off my newly purchased Fernet (not before taking a nip), checked my email, and made my way back to the lobby to meet with our Wines of Chile Team.

4:10 p.m. arrive at Chicago Illuminating Company

We stopped by to check out the location, and it’s spectacular. Natasha Saadat and the Soho Experiential crew really did a phenomenal job picking and finishing out the space. If any of you want to swing by (and are in Chicago), we’ll be here all day (until 9 p.m.). Next up is San Francisco on 4/29 and then LA on 4/30. @reply or DM me for details on either.

6:30 p.m. back to the hotel

Quick shower and costume change before dinner. My room keys kept demagnatizing, so I actually didn’t end up in the room until 6:45. I would say this was an annoyance, but it happens with half of the magnetic hotel room keys I touch. I cannot explain it. It merely is. Needless to say, I end up feeling really silly when the hotel staff has to come open my door- every time.

7:30 p.m. dinner at Avec

While we were waiting to sit, our very lovely and talented ringleader at Wines of Chile (Lori Tiezen or LT) ordered us a Saison while we waited in this tiny and crowded restaurant. Turns out, there’s a reason this place is packed. We ordered small plates of just about everything on the menu and, quite simply it was delicious. The couscous was my favorite- with a little spice on the end and lots of asparagus and fern for flavor. Lori also picked a few amazing wines for dinner- I thought it best to defer to the expert. I wish I could remember which wines she picked, but I can tell you the white was one of the better I’ve tried recently.

As we were wrapping up dinner, our wine educator and resident badass, Fred Dexheimer showed up and forced us to drink more beer. OK, so it was less force and more suggesting, but doesn’t it make him sound way more metal in my version? (Note: Fred does not need to be any more metal than he already is.) He picked Ferran Adria’s beer Inedit which is so crisp and light but still really full and citrusy. Very important lesson here: let the Master Sommelier order for you whenever possible.

9:15 p.m. Ilegal Mezcal Launch Party at Pops for Champagne

I’m a big fan of Todd Richman- not just as a friend or co-worker- but as a bartender too. Maybe I’m a little biased- since as soon as I walked in the door, I had a flight of Ilegal placed in front of me. I also got to meet Daniel Oliveras- a long time Facebook pal. He greeted me with a hug and glass of mezcal. If there’s a better way to make real life friends, I don’t know it.

 Joven, Reposado, Anejo. Those are three gorgeous words.

I’m sure you’ve all heard me talk about how much I love mezcal, but let me reiterate it for you yet again. There’s something about that vegetal smoke that I just adore. And, Ilegal makes one hell of a mezcal. I’ve really only had Ilegal neat (which is my preferred method of drinking), so I was a little surprised with how much I really enjoyed Todd’s take on a Tipperary Cocktail with the Anejo Illegal in place of the Irish whiskey. But, really. How can you fail with anejo mezcal and Green Chartreuse?

11:30 p.m.? Violet Hour for a nightcap

Most of the crew headed back to the hotel, but Fred and I thought we would like to try another cocktail or two over at Violet Hour. First of all, the place is beautiful. I was struck by the brilliant use of space to create intimacy and encourage conversation. Seeing as how Fred and I like to be up close and personal with our cocktails and our bartenders, we chose to sit at the bar where we met Kyle- our bartender for the evening. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I asked for something brown, bitter, stirred, and mean. I truly wish I could remember what went into the unbelievably amazing cocktails I drank, but, I simply can’t. I do know that Fred ordered a Last Word which was then followed by a Final Word. Of course, Fred couldn’t let the cocktail have the final word, so he ordered another. Have I mentioned Fred’s my hero?

So, in closing. Violet Hour more than lives up to the hype, and I hope to visit again when my palate is fresh. (How’s that for a euphemism?)

2:08 a.m. back at the hotel

Day 1 complete.