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The Chicago Traveler

August 7th, 2008

Brasserie Ruhlmann Serves Steak in Style

Chicago is well-known for its pizzas and beefs, but we’re a lot more than just fast food. Take Brasserie Ruhlmann steakhouse for example. This four-star establishment in River North (just east of the Freedom Center) makes dinner more than a meal; it’s an event.
People from New York City may recognize the name; the eatery is […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

August 2nd, 2008

Rebar Packs a Punch

Ah, the punch bowl. It’s a staple at every party and gathering, for better or worse. And it’s rarely as innocent as it appears. Under-spiked at the prom or over-spiked at college parties, these beverage bins are seldom just punch. It’s about time someone got the mixture right. The chic and sophisticated Rebar makes its […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

July 21st, 2008

Riverside Plaza: Another of Chicago’s Great Art Deco Designs

If you take a ride down the Chicago River, you’ll notice that many of the buildings actually incorporate the river into their design, either with reflective glass or stylish promenades and restaurants. But riverside buildings weren’t always this way. Originally, many of the structures were industrial, and a trip down the River would not have […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

July 14th, 2008

Centennial Fountain Is a River Blast

Buckingham Fountain is probably the most famous fountain in Chicago, but one of my favorites has always been Centennial Fountain. It is much more interactive, allowing visitors to get close enough to actually touch the water. Completed in 1989, it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago. The fountain is […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

July 7th, 2008

It’s Always Movie Night at River East Center

If you’ve ever caught a movie downtown, you’ve probably been to River East Center. This skyscraper was completed in 2001 and stands 644 feet tall (196 m) with 58 floors. The original design called for 4 small spires at the edge of each side of the roof and would have made the tower Chicago’s tallest […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

June 30th, 2008

The Regatta Has Several Rooms with a View

Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, The Regatta offers its occupants some great views, including picturesque scenes like Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. Completed in 2007, this 466-foot (142 m), 44-story building reflects the glistening water of the nearby lake and river. (Neighbor to The Tides & The Shoreham,) The tower is […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

June 9th, 2008

Seventeenth Church Attracts the Masses

Some people may be surprised to learn that this modern, strange-looking building (across from the George Washington Memorial) surrounded by incredible skyscrapers is actually a Church: the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, to be exact.
Encircled by tall, rectangular towers, this concrete structure’s round design makes it really stand out from the River North crowd. The […]

By Matt B -- 4 comments

June 9th, 2008

191 North Wacker Fits Right In

The Chicago Lantern Building at 191 North Wacker may not be quite as famous as its next-door neighbor, 333 Wacker Drive, but it holds its own in the downtown neighborhood. This 516-foot tall (157 m) skyscraper with 37 floors borders the Chicago River, and the building’s bluish-green glass complements the waters below. At the very […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

June 2nd, 2008

Cadillac Palace Theatre

The Cadillac Palace Theatre, another beautiful piece of Chicago’s historic Theater District, first opened its doors in October of 1926. Although the theatre may not look like much on the outside, it more than makes up for that inside. Visitors then and now saw breathtaking design inspired by the palaces of Fontainebleau and Versailles, both […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

June 2nd, 2008

Chicago Spire Is the Next Big Thing

The Sears Tower may no longer be officially considered the tallest building in the world, but that hasn’t stopped Chicago from building and reaching higher. The Chicago Spire is a skyscraper currently under construction that, when completed in 2011, will be 2,000 feet tall (610 m) with 150 floors. It will be the second-tallest building […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments