Chicago Meetup?

[fashionx]

It was brought up a few weeks ago (in the wine purse post)
and I was just reminded by Bimbi and HZ's meetup post... are we still planning to do a Chicago meetup??

When is everyone available? I think Mav was going to be in town and maybe a couple others?

[bimbi284]

Yes! So I think (correct me if I'm wrong), we expanded the Chicago meet-up to go to some outlet thing in Michigan? So the ladies in Chicago would carpool up there, and we'd meet up with the ladies in MI and IN...I think.

I think we decided to wait until the fall due to people's schedules and budgets (since we decided to go to the outlets hehe), but I think we had originally thought to do it this month some time.

I'm still down for another meetup this month if people are in town and want to get together for drinks or something!

[fashionx]

OOOOH! I missed that convo, but sounds awesome. Well I'm down for a drinks get together if anyone else wants to come. I'm pretty flexible since I work from home, just have a wedding (in town) on the 21st. Other than that, I'm game.

[FormerCityGirl]

I'll be up the 12th and beyond. Sunday would work best for me, but I can be flexible. I'll be in Notre Dame country and have no problem getting there. I just need something gluten free. We're still working out the dates and schedule with DH's co-irkers.

[315bride]

I'm still in the 'maybe' camp for a Chicago weekend. Keep me posted, however. I probably won't decide until later this week.

[fashionx]

Maybe Sunday the 15th for brunch? Or some evening 16th-18th if we do drinks?

If we do brunch, gluten free shouldn't be a problem. My best friend has allergies to wheat and corn so I know a few restaurants near downtown that have gluten-free menus.

[bimbi284]

Sounds good to me! I know HZ and I are both on the North Side (Lakeview/Lincoln Park), so that would be preferred for location, but I can take CTA anywhere too!

[hz80408]

Ditto Bimbi! I'm in for 7/15 brunch (although I have something 11:30a-2:30p, so I'll come if can since that's prime brunch hours) and also fall MI City outlet meetup too.

[bimbi284]

I just did a little searchin' for gluten free, and here's what I've come up with. (Disclaimer, many of these are what Urbanspoon considers "gluten free friendly"):

www.cassavachicago.com

www.veggiediner.com/wp/

eatyolk.com/ (one of my faves, but usually packed! The location on Wells is where we would go)

www.southportgrocery.com/ (really good, but small, so can get packed quickly too)

www.3rdcoastcafe.com/3rd_Coast_Cafe/brunch.html (this one's in the Gold Coast, Mav!)

www.melicafe.com/ (we'd go to the one on Wells, been here once and it was pretty good!)

www.wildberrycafe.com/chicago.html (in the Loop, but easy enough to get here, close to lots of touristy stuff)

[fashionx]

I agree Mav, mimosas are a must!

I'm cool with meeting around 10ish so HZ can come for awhile, but I'm fine with whatever gets decided. As long as it's not 7am lol! Meli's Cafe looks really good, and I saw they have an actual gluten-free section of the menu. Maybe FormerCityGirl can weigh in on what she likes too though.

[bimbi284]

I've heard good things about Meli's too!

I agree, earlier may be better not only for HZ, but also cuz brunch is a big deal in Chicago and places get packed haha.

I was thinking FCG could glance at the menus of the places listed and weigh in!

ETA: I'm dumb...I've actually BEEN to Meli's, and YES its good haha.

[hz80408]

Meli's looks good and the location is great! (I have to be south of I-55 at noon; so I could have H pick me up on his way).

What's the alcohol rule for Chicago on Sundays? I'm fairly certain it can't be served before 11am; just FYI! I know we're had a few 10am brunch where right at 11 on the dot our waiter brings out our mimosas.

Ha, Mav! I just realized you are staying right next to my first place in Chicago! Your hotel is attached to my old building. It was remodeled and reopened about a year ago; although I haven't been, it looks nice.

Tavern on Rush has an excellent brunch and is close to Mav, but I'm not sure about it being GF: www.tavernonrush.com/menu-brunch.html

[bimbi284]

If champagne is a must, I'm a big fan of Angelina's champagne brunch. Basically all you can drink mimosas and good food.

Not sure about the gluten-free options there though

www.angelinaristorante.com/brunchmenu/

[hz80408]

Jul 9, 2012 14:33:53 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

HZ--What a small world that I'm staying at a building adjacent to your 1st place! MH said the Gold Coast was the ritziest neighborhood in town, ha.

I could probably make a 2:30 brunch, but that seems fairly late! If 1pm works best, I'll miss out, but I understand!

Ha, it IS Mav! But it's fun. There's a popular strip of bars on Division btwn State St and Clark and there's "Viagra" triangle.

Although I hated feeling like a slob going to Starbucks in the morning without any makeup on!

[bimbi284]

Deleece also has bottomless mimosas deleecegrillpub.com/

also Kanela:

kanelacafe.com/

Fun fact: I think Kanela takes reservations, and I know Angelina's "sorta" does, in that you can let them know that you have a large group coming and they will try to have a table for you, but no guarantees. I know when I've gone at 11, its been easy to get a table, even with a group of like 10 of us.

[hz80408]

I LOVE Kanela!!!

[hz80408]

Jul 9, 2012 14:55:07 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

HZ, I want to meet you. I don't care about the time, really! 10 am or whatever time is cool.

Aw, I feel so special ;D Lets do 10am then.

[photon]

i wish i could come - boo! i sadly just moved from chicago to minneapolis last weekend

[bimbi284]

Jul 9, 2012 14:56:43 GMT -5 photon said:

i wish i could come - boo! i sadly just moved from chicago to minneapolis last weekend

Booo . But YAY for Minneapolis! I grew up around those parts . Minneapolis is a great city!

[fashionx]

10 am works for me -- whichever place you guys think is best I'll be there!

[bimbi284]

Jul 9, 2012 14:49:17 GMT -5 hz80408 said:

I LOVE Kanela!!!

I haven't been there yet! I went when it was Orange and I lived right around the corner. Then it was some other place that sucked and lasted like a week, and since Kanela opened in that space I haven't been back, but I always see lots of people there, so it must be good!

[FormerCityGirl]

10 Sunday works for me. I can call Kanela to make sure it works. Usually any place that keeps an actual Chef in the kitchen can do gluten free. It's just a matter of how willing they are to do it. I'll need an idea of where to park since I'm driving in from Domerland.

Mav- Remember that's 11 our time! Also, if you want this year's football shirt I can grab one if you PM the size. I think it's out. They go crazy fast, but I'll be hitting the bookstore's block for dinner and UO before Sunday.

[fashionx]

FCG - great let us know if the food works. As for parking, there will be meter parking on Clark, which may be pretty easy on a Sunday. But if you can't find anything right away, there's also parking on the side streets (School or Buckingham), and is likely free. Belmont sometimes has parking too but I find Clark is easier. I'll be driving too, but not *quite* as far as you.

[bimbi284]

Sounds good FCG! In addition to street parking, if you can't find any on Clark or the side streets, there is a small parking garage on Halsted that's about a block or 2 away from Kanela if we choose to go there. I used to live on Belmont right around the corner from Kanela and that's where I would always have my visitors park .

[hz80408]

Awesome; I'm pumped! I've been a handful of times and always had delicious food. They've been open for slightly over a year now and just started serving dinner in the past couple weeks too; so they must be doing well!

[photon]

Jul 9, 2012 15:04:24 GMT -5 bimbi284 said:

Booo . But YAY for Minneapolis! I grew up around those parts . Minneapolis is a great city!

no way! we like it here so far. it is a beautiful city. you can't really beat all of the lakes.

[bimbi284]

Jul 10, 2012 8:19:00 GMT -5 photon said:

Jul 9, 2012 15:04:24 GMT -5 bimbi284 said:

Booo . But YAY for Minneapolis! I grew up around those parts . Minneapolis is a great city!

no way! we like it here so far. it is a beautiful city. you can't really beat all of the lakes.

Yup! Its great!! I visit often since my parents, one of my brothers, and a lot of my friends are still there.

[photon]

Jul 10, 2012 8:20:21 GMT -5 bimbi284 said:

Yup! Its great!! I visit often since my parents, one of my brothers, and a lot of my friends are still there.

you will have to let me know when you are in town. maybe we can do a minneapolis meet up!

[bimbi284]

Jul 10, 2012 10:29:10 GMT -5 photon said:

Jul 10, 2012 8:20:21 GMT -5 bimbi284 said:

Yup! Its great!! I visit often since my parents, one of my brothers, and a lot of my friends are still there.

you will have to let me know when you are in town. maybe we can do a minneapolis meet up!

YES! Totally! I have a crazy few months coming up, so I probably won't be back in town until the holidays .

[bimbi284]

Jul 10, 2012 10:43:13 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

Jul 10, 2012 6:18:59 GMT -5 FormerCityGirl said:

10 Sunday works for me. I can call Kanela to make sure it works. Usually any place that keeps an actual Chef in the kitchen can do gluten free. It's just a matter of how willing they are to do it. I'll need an idea of where to park since I'm driving in from Domerland.

Mav- Remember that's 11 our time! Also, if you want this year's football shirt I can grab one if you PM the size. I think it's out. They go crazy fast, but I'll be hitting the bookstore's block for dinner and UO before Sunday.

Aww, that's so sweet of you to offer but we're good on t-shirts. Thank you though!

I am hoping Kanela will serve gluten-free, please let us know if this is a good place for you.

I'm so excited for this Sunday! Most important question, what are you wearing

Not gonna lie, that was my FIRST thought when the meet-up idea came up. I feel like I have a lot to live up to...we are gonna be one stylish group, that's for damn sure! Its supposed to be in the upper 80s, which for me means a dress or skirt for sure. All of the places listed are casual, but I always like to look nice for brunch, haha.

I say if you have a bubble, wear it, lol!