As the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago is filled with trade shows, expos, and major conferences year-round. These events help hardworking entrepreneurs grow their businesses, land new clients, and network with other hardworking company owners. If you have an upcoming business trip to Chicago, make sure you are prepared and know where to stay and which must-experience establishments to take your colleagues and clients to!
Home Business Magazine recently took a trip to Chicago and found the best hotel, restaurant picks, and nightlife hotspot in the city. The below establishments will help you have a fantastic, memorable trip with all your business associates!
Where to Stay: Found Chicago River North
This chic hotel is perfectly situated in the River North area of Chicago, a happening neighborhood bustling with elegant galleries and shops. Housed in the fully restored, original Olympia Building, Found Chicago River North offers clean, über-comfortable, and affordable rooms for traveling entrepreneurs. It also has a relaxing, modish lobby to decompress in after a long day of networking. Entrepreneurs can also grab a morning cappuccino from the wonderful in-hotel Mason&Mason coffee shop!
You can select a private room or bunk up with a colleague in one of the comfy shared rooms that feature a bunk bed. Co-founded by Ross Walker of Hawkins Way Capital (in collaboration with nightlife mogul John Terzian of The h.wood Group), FOUND is an ingenious and groundbreaking new travel & co-living lifestyle platform that is changing the face of the hospitality industry. Book now at foundhotels.com.
Where to Take Your Clients to Dinner: Mason
If you’re meeting with VIP customers, treat them to a luscious steak and seafood dinner at this first-rate restaurant. Located right inside the Found Chicago River North building, Mason offers marvelous appetizers like Escargot Vol Au Vent–a spectacular dish featuring mushrooms and anchovy garlic butter inside a puff pastry. Other must-try appetizers are the splendid Beef Tartare, Spiced Pawns, and scrumptious Roasted Trumpet Mushrooms made with sweet potato and huckleberry gastrique.
For the main course, the Dover Sole will leave you in complete bliss. This masterful, awe-inspiring fish is prepared table-side with fried capers, buerre blanc, and parsley. It packs so much flavor and just might be the best fish dinner you ever have! The Walker’s Filet Mignon (available in 8 oz. or 16 oz.) will also really impress your client, especially if it is paired with the impressive Mason Steak Sauce. To finish off the evening, order the Banana Toffee Pudding that features delicious banana cake and salted toffee caramel!
To see the menu and reserve a table, visit masonrestaurant.com.
Where to Have Dinner with Your Colleagues: Katana Chicago
After a long day of work, enjoy an invigorating sushi and Robatayaki dinner with the people who work hard for your business every day! Katana boasts an opulent atmosphere to mingle, enjoy wondrous eats, and toast to your company’s success! Definitely order the Hamachi Diced, a truly tantalizing dish featuring yellowtail sashimi, jalapeño, ginger, and sizzling olive oil. Another glorious appetizer is the Sunomono spicy marinated cucumbers.
Sushi lovers will go absolutely gaga over the White Lotus Roll, a true masterpiece featuring shrimp tempura, avocado, asparagus, salmon, and crispy onions. Another top pick is the Katana roll, featuring spicy tuna, tuna sashimi, jalapeño, and yuzu oil. Those who don’t prefer sushi would love Katana’s tasty skewers, such as the Suzuki (Chilean Seabass) and Sake (salmon). After dinner, definitely order their signature Volcano dessert–it features a cotton candy cloud that is lit on fire to reveal a succulent chocolate cake and ice cream!
To see the menu and reserve a table, visit katanarobata.com.
Where to Bond with Your Colleagues: Blind Dragon
Business trips can definitely be an exciting bonding experience for you and your employees! To show them your appreciation for all that they do, reserve a karaoke room at Blind Dragon (located right inside Found Chicago River North) and order a punch bowl for everyone to share. Blind Dragon has an electrifying atmosphere, snazzy decor, and unique cocktails your teammates will love. Everyone will have a blast singing tunes while sipping on the delectable Singapore Slang punch (made with plymouth gin and Hennessy VS)!
After your time is up in the karaoke room, your group will love dancing to the DJ, who plays all the latest hits. Best of all–once the night is over, you can simply walk upstairs and you’re already in your hotel! There’s no need to spend money on pricy cabs or Ubers. Blind Dragon will promise many wonderful memories for you and your teammates. To book a private karaoke room, visit blinddragon.com.
