I Eat Alone

I never thought of myself as someone who would not only eat alone but, would also enjoy it!
Then again, when you’re eating something as delicious as this Black Truffle and Fontina Cheese Flatbread, does it really matter?
All that matters is that I get to be one with the melt-in-your-mouth delicacy with no pressure to share it!

You see I’m in Chicago for a few days and staying at the fabulously chic Public Hotel, an Ian Schrager masterpiece in the heart of the “Viagra Triangle.”
Yup, you read that right.
I quickly learned that this area, due to the high-end bars & restaurants, old, rich men and young women has been dubbed the VT.
Of course I had no idea when, on my first night, I joined in on the fun at Gibsons where I sat at the piano bar wedged between the “Condo King of Chicago” and a bevy of younger women.  All of whom were from the area, didn’t know each other but ended the night exchanging digits with a plan to visit Nice, France together…ooh lala!

If this looks familiar than you’re a fan of the League and the reason why I walked into Gibsons in the first place.

That was a fun intro to the area but to be honest, the Public House is really more my style and where I hung out for the remainder of my stay.
This cluster of crystal chandeliers greets you as you enter the lobby of the hotel…

The hotel lobby and bar are fantastic second only to the award winning decor and food of The Pump Room.

The new food concept was created by world-renowned chef and 2011 James Beard award winner Jean-Georges Vongerichten.  The Pump Room menu supports local purveyors, regional flavors and offers a “farm to table” experience.  At night, the restaurant’s bar transforms into a supper club recapturing the glamour of the 30’s and 40’s with a modern twist. This is the view from the lounge across to the sexy gold leaf cavernous bar where I enjoyed 2 amazing meals during my stay.

The restaurant offers late night tapas style small plates, great music as well as local, domestic and international draught and bottled beer; exotic, specialty cocktails by very talented and extremely attractive mixologists…

Visiting Chicago and want a cool experience in one of the nicest parts of the city?  The Public Hotel is your spot and make sure you try the Black Truffle and Fontina Cheese Flatbread, it’s out of this world!

Not going to Chicago any time soon? You’re in luck as I found out that Ian Schrager is set to open not one, but two Public hotels in NYC!

The first will be located at 215 Chrystie Street and in line with Schrager’s expansion plan, a second Public Hotel is afoot in NYC located on “the far West Side.”  Is this Schrager’s new MO? Developing his brands two by two? It was just back in November that it was reported that he was bringing two Edition Hotels to New York City within a year of each other. And what does this mean for London, where an Edition just opened?
I know what it means, London is calling!
Bye Chitown, hope to be back soon!

Alya