Author Archives: jmatie22

Washington DC 2024

Posted on by
Reply

We ended up going to Washington DC last minute from New York as a DJ we were going to see (Fisher) cancelled a few days before.

We took the Amtrak (which left from Penn station and cost only $100). It took 3 hours, and we arrived at DC’s union station.

The area that was recommended to stay was DuPont circle (hotel we stayed at was called the Royal Sonesta), which was a 20 minute Uber ride from Union station.

From the hotel, we basically checked in Ubered another 20 minutes to the Wharf area, where we were going to eat at Hell’s Kitchen. Before going there we had a drink nearby at Whisky Charlie:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/05/12/whisky-charlie/

The wharf area seems like a pretty good place to hang out, like Santana Row. Also could stay there next time in terms of hotel.

For Hell’s Kitchen, this is the review:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/05/12/graham-hotel-rooftop/

Afterwards, we headed east to go to a club called Echostage to see a DJ called Mau P. Clubs is the number 3 club according to DJ mag. Sound system was good, and visuals. Seemed like the average age was 25.

Next morning we explored Georgetown. We got brunch at this place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/05/12/1310-kitchen-bar/

After, shopped in the area along M street (bought stuff at Rag & Bone and Rothy). They also had a Capital One cafe on that street (you get 50% off if you use their card). We also checked out this rooftop bar:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2024/05/12/graham-hotel-rooftop/

We the headed for the airport to DCA. DCA has limited lounges (we tried the United lounge and it was pretty bad). Next time would fly out of IAD (they have a Chase Sapphire Reserve Loinge

Mexico City 2023 – Day 6

Posted on by
Reply

Last day in Mexico for the year!

We started this day off by waking up at 4:30am (yes another early day) to go to do a hot air balloon excursion. It was located an hour away from the Airbnb (near the Teotihuacan pyramids, which the balloon did fly over).

As part of our tour, it included transportation to and from.

Some things I learned from the hot air balloon pilot:

-wind direction changes 50 minutes after sunrise

-there is a fast landing position you may need to do depending on wind speeds (which we ended up doing… although our landing was fairly ok for the most part)

-you will likely land in some private property (for safe landings). Usually owners are ok and want 200 pesos. If not, the pilot would go back up and try another private property

-there is a military zone near where the balloons fly, and only they are allowed over it

-after completing one’s first hot air balloon landing, it is tradition to celebrate with wine. We got a red sparkling wine (it’s one local to Italy). The tradition apparently stems from the earlier days when they had successfully hot air balloon landings.

After the hot air balloon ride, our driver picked us up from the landing site and brought us to the main office, where we bought some photos and videos.

After (included in the tour), we got breakfast at a place called La Cueva:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/20/la-cueva/

From there we went to a shop where they sold some crafts (I think these shops are called Artesanians). Learned a couple of things. First, white Agave is used to create many things like plants, threads, and of course alcohol. We were also taught about the obsidian stones. You want the “gold” ones (they’re black, but if you stare through them at the sun you can see the sun). Also we had a sample of alcohol from agave.

After the shop, we checked out the Teotihuacan pyramids (our driver took us there). It was 90 pesos for the entrance fee. You could walk around the area in 45 minutes (as you can go inside, it’s only an outdoor thing). Apparently Teotihuacan was once the largest city in Mexico.

After our excursion above, went back to the Airbnb (took 2 hours drive because of traffic) and slept until dinner.

For dinner, we were celebrating a friends birthday, and ended up going to Auna, a restaurant in Polanco. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/21/auna/

Afterwards, checked out a bar/drinking restaurant called GinGin. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/21/gingin/

We ended the night by going to a club bearby called Vanderbilt. Cover was free (since it was a Wednesday). Got some Macallan 12s. Music was on / off (ie. Some edm, and sometimes it would transition). Probably wouldn’t go back.

And that is a wrap for this Mexico City trip! (Will say that we ended up stopping by the Amex Lounge the next day. It is sort of like the Chase sapphire Reserve lounge in that food is sit down (but even drinks are also, which is slightly different). Got the tuna tar tar and rib eye tacos. Both were great.

Mexico City 2023 – Day 5

Posted on by
Reply

This whole day we basically spent going to a national park called Tolantango.

Tolantango is in the state of Hidalgo (we went to a new state!).

We woke up at 6am to leave at 7am to drive 4 hours. The tour we got for the national park included a big van to bring us to and from the park.

The national park is basically a huge nature water park.

Some pro tips. Make sure to get water shoes (which we stopped at a place a long the way). Also, goggles might be good.

We went to some water caves at the national park. Definitely only bring your water proof phone, and not cash (it gets all wet).

We also went swimming in a river and to hot springs (which is what this national park is known for). The hot springs definitely had good instagram vibes, but probably the least exciting part of the whole trip.

FYI we did get some food at the national park. The

We ended the day by going back to the airbnb and ordering Uber Eats. Also we partied on the rooftop with Ben on the DJ deck. (For dinner, we got some take out Thai food at a place 10 minute walk from the airbnb).

Mexico City 2023 Day 4

Posted on by
Reply

We started the day by (of course) going to brunch at a place that was a 15 minute walk from our AirBnb at Roma called Cafe Comunidad (a vegan restaurant. Also learned huevo means scrambled eggs!):

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/18/cafe-comunidad/

After, we explored another part of Mexico City, Alameda Central. We Uber’s to a market, where they sold many handcraft things (ie t-shirts, jewelry, glassware, and beaded art crafts. We also spent time at a cafe, Ocelotl, within the market that served mezcal infused with various things. I tried the ones infused with mushrooms, scorpion, and cactus. (They’re supposed to have some interesting effects, but felt it very mildly).

From the market we decided to visit an art museum in another part of Mexico City, Polanco. Polanco is an area with very high end restaurants and high rise buildings.

The museum we went to was called Museo Soumaya. It is owned by the telecom billionaire from Telcel. The museum’s six floors, and you should take the elevator to the top, and take the spiral walkway downwards. I would say the human sculptures, the religious art, and some Van Gogh pieces were some of the memorable pieces. One thing I would do if I did go back is get an audio guide (as every wall description was in Spanish).

After the museum, we went to a nearby high end shopping center to grab food at Sonora Grill:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/20/sonora-grill/

We then grabbed whisky (Glenfidich) at a grocery store in the same mall.

After, we ended the night going back to Zona Rosa at a gaybourhood club.

Mexico City 2023 – Day 3

Posted on by
Reply

We started the day by going to brunch at Mari Gold:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/18/cafe-comunidad/

After, we spent an hour in the Uber going to Xochimilco, where we did a boozy boat ride (called Trajineras boat ride. We also didn’t reserve in advance. We just booked it on the spot. It was 1200 pesos for two hours). Honestly, this was a really great experience. The boat stopped some side areas where we got more drinks and junk food (we did bring our own food and drinks, but it wasn’t enough).

As an fyi, after the boat ride, there is a market to shop. We also played with the sticker feature in our group chat on the way back (now we’re all experts).

After the boat ride, we headed back to the Airbnb to play Uno (the dinner situation was some pizza place that was a 10 minute walk from the Airbnb).

Mexico City 2023 – Day 1 and 2

Posted on by
Reply

Flew out of SFO Friday at 2pm, and landed in CDM at 7:30pm. Immigration into Mexico was pretty easy. You just scan your passport, and you are in (no person or stamp).

Our AirBnB was in Roma Sur (south), which is conveniently located Av. Insurgentes (a street which seems fairly safe to walk during the day time, and has lots of shops and eateries).

Our first place we checked out is in the nightlife area of Roma, called Zona Rosa (apparently where the rich and gaybourhood is). We went to the 3rd best bar in the world, Handshake Speakeasy. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/16/handshake-speakeasy/

After, we walked around a bit. Got some tacos (at the Taconte place pictured below). They were just alright (so not blogging about it). Also checked out a “sort of club”. It was $4 per person to enter. Sound system and drinks were not good (and would not recommend).

I’d be down to explore the area again, but definitely need to really see reviews of places first before committing.

Before ending the first night we did try to find alcohol to take back to the AirBnb. FYI, seems like buying alcohol you can’t do past 2am in Mexico City. You can buy it at convenience stores like Circle K or 7 eleven. Also it is available by Uber eats. (You can buy it past 2am at circle k if you pay by cash).

The next day (our 2nd day), started by walking from our AirBnb to brunch on Av. Insurgentes street. As mentioned above, lots of shops and eateries, and also found an ATM to withdraw cash (at the BBVA bank).

For brunch, we went Marques. Details can be found here

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/16/maque/

After brunch we went to a nearby Park, Parques Mexico. Lots of things going on in it. It’s a place where people sell dogs, a dog park, people throwing frisbees, people salsa dancing, and some water fountains.

After, we walked towards the Condesa area, where I got some Starbucks, and also people clothes shopped. We also stopped by this Korean restaurant, Jowong, for drinks:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/16/jowong/

After we walked to our dinner place called Contramar. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/17/contramar/

After, we got drinks at a place called Limantour:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/12/18/limantour/

To end the night, we went to this club (they technically classify it as a bar) called Departamento. It has three floors, with the top being a rooftop club, and the middle floor looking like a warehouse. They played playa tech house music in the top floor, and more progressive in the middle floor. Would totally come back to this “club” (fyi, security does check thoroughly, and some people’s socks were checked).

Boston 2023

Posted on by
Reply

First time in Boston! Staying downtown at the Hyatt Regency. Chose this area mainly because of the tourist attractions that are close by.

Landed around 4pm at BOS, and took about 30 minutes to get to the hotel (apparently traffic isn’t the greatest in Boston according to the Uber driver).

After settling in the hotel, walked around to try and find whisky. CVS does not carry it, but Apparently one of their grocery chains, Roche Brothers did (they also had a bunch of things liked cooked food. Will say their floor layout was a bit confusing).

After, got some free clam chowder from the hotel (clam chowder is a thing in Boston).

After, went for dinner at Ruka Restobar, which is a 2 minute walk from the hotel. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/22/ruka-restobar/

After, from the recommendation of the bartender at Ruka, went to a speak easy that was a block away called the Wig Shop. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/22/the-wigs-shop-speakeasy/

Ended the night by going to a g thing called Cafe Bar. Will say age range was all of the place, but I guess can’t expect much on a Tuesday night.

Tips from Bar Tender at Ruka: would stay next time I would stay around the Cambridge area. Apparently that’s where you can bar hop (likely because of the college crowd).

The next day (Wednesday before Thanksgiving), I started off my going to the Museum of Science to meet up with the Boston Duck Tour group. The tour drove around downtown, Boston Commons, and the Back Bay. And then went into the Charles River. Here are some facts I learned on the bus ride:

  • First chocolate factory in US was in Boston
  • Boston was founded in 1630
  • Puritans landed in 1630 to the peninsula now known as Boston (there was only one person there back then, and the Puritans renamed it Boston)
  • Omni Park Boston is the oldest operating hotel here (~1850)
  • John Adam (2nd President) defended the British soldiers of the Boston Massacre (but was an American)
  • Back Bay is called that because it used to be a river, and it was filled in.
  • Beacon Hills is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the US
  • Sam Adams – Beantown pub is the only place you can get a cold Sam Adam’s staring at his grave
  • Boston Tea Party – colonists threw tea into the river to not pay taxes to the British for the tea. British put Boston under Marshall law
  • Cambridge is a different city from Boston (founded in the same year)
  • The Big Dig is the largest spanning Bridge in the US
  • I93 is mainly underground to avoid traffic
  • The type of vessel the “duck” is based on is a replica of. World war 2 boat (Duck was a codename for the vessel)

The boat/bus tour ended back at the Museum of Science (fyi Duck tour was excellent… tour guide gave great facts and good jokes). Unfortunately couldn’t go tour it because I needed to go to my next tour (I did however get a quick bite (a quesadilla) and coffee).

The next tour I did is a walking tour of the Freedom Trail (the sites downtown). There are 4 other sites outside of downtown, one of which I visited later. During this tour, here is what I recall remembering at each site

  • Boston Common – you can do a lot of things there like raise cattle (even until this day), and duels (which are illegal now). Also I think this is the site where the first guy to live in Boston met the Puritans (in 1630 this happened, and they were Catholics)
  • Massachusetts State House (don’t recall too much about that one)
  • Granary Burial Ground – Sam Adams, Paul Revere graves are there, plus John Hancock Memorial (and across the street you can get a cold Sam Adams from the Beantown Pub)
  • Park Street Church – might be the first Catholic church in Boston
  • King’s Chapel Burial Ground – first Anglican Church (it was ordered to be built by Britain to show they still had control)
  • Old South Meeting House
  • Boston Massacre Site – (I think) 5 Americans got killed by British Soldiers. In England this is known as the Unfortunate Incident on King St
  • Old State House (don’t recall too much of this either)
  • Faneuil Hall (don’t recall too much of this either)

I would definitely recommend this tour. The tour guide was excellent in his jokes and his acting.

After the tour, since we were right at Quincy Market, went inside and looked for a lobster roll (lobster rolls are also a thing in Boston). Got one at Boston & Maine Fish Company. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/23/boston-maine-fish-company/

After, went to one of the Freedom Trail sites outside downtown, Paul Revere’s House.

After, visited the Holocaust Memorial. Definitely very sad.

After, stopped by the Cheers pub (the one from the show!) for a drink. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/23/cheers/

After, spent a few hours in the hotel sleeping, then got room service (a pasta dish and Boston Cream Cheese, which I might as well try while in Boston).

Then went out for a night clubbing at Royale (in the theater district) to see Vintage Culture. Club was already packed by 11:30pm. Opening DJ went on at 12am, and done at 2am.

When I flew out the next day, I stopped by the Chase Sapphire Lounge. Overall, lounge looks great. Only drawback is I think I like the food at the Amex lounges better (at the Chase lounge you have to order the good food, which makes you not be able to select the quantity you want). I will say though they did have Toki Highballs, so that won me over. Will also say that the lounge was located the very last number of the B gates, and my flight was B1 (so entered through the B40 security, and then walked to B1 for 15 minutes, but still within security).

That’s basically wraps up my first time at Boston. Here are some things I would try for next time:

  • Newbury St is where some high end stores are (at Backbay)
  • Nick’s Comedy club (oldest and best comedy club in Boston)… should go next time
  • Boston Public library is more of a free art museum, and it has a bar
  • John F Kennedy statue (he was from Boston and casted his vote there)
  • Chicken and Rice Guys?
  • Maybe stay in Cambridge and check out the EDM scene and bar hop around there (288 Green St had Dubfire play there, and it was sold out)

New York City (Lower East Side) + Buffalo 2023

Posted on by
Reply

The week before the annual Thanksgiving break that Apple gives us, I decided to work remotely in New York with a friend. I’ve mentioned before that the New York office Penn 11 is pretty sick. It’s located across Penn Station, you basically have a full sized office (first come first serve phone rooms), and there are a lot of eateries around it.

I flew out of SF around 8:25am Monday, and landed at 4:20 in EWR. Since I had meetings, I used my United Club pass to take meetings (stayed there for 2.5 hours). The EWR lounge in terminal C is one of the best United lounges, and it allows people arriving to go in them (you don’t have to book a refundable ticket).

From the airport, Ubered to our AirBnb in Hell’s Kitchen. It only took 35 minutes as there was zero traffic for some reason.

The AirBnb was not what we were expecting though (the heat was not working… so they had to buy us space heaters, and the main area was super small). The next day we ended up switching to a hotel the lower East side (which I’ll get to later).

That same night my friend and I went to a a bar called Valerie (near Rockefeller center). I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it because the food was just ok, and the bartender didn’t know what Asian glow was. We then pivoted to a speakeasy in the flat iron called Patent Pending. Details can be found here (I highly recommend this place):

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/patent-pending/

The next day (Tuesday), worked until 10:30am to 6pm. Grabbed lunch at a Mediterranean placed called Naya. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/naya-penn-station/

After work, we met up with Jon’s friend Nick for drinks. We went to one bar near the Apple office called District Tap House. I liked the vibe there (very after work professionals type thing), and they had a full bar (could go from whisky to Aperol Spritz). We then decided to bar hop to the cafeteria area under Penn Station. Grabbed a bunch of whisky drinks there. Will say, that cafeteria in general is great and I highly recommend for just quick eating as well.

Afterwards we ended up checking into our hotel at the Lower East Side called Hotel on Rivington (we were able to get a full refund for our AirBnb, minus one night plus cleaning fees). Hotel itself is very nicely located.

Staying at the lower east side for a week sort of has given me a view of what it’s like to live in New York. Going to and from the Apple office I just need to take the F line (hotel was 5 stops away from Penn Station). Admittedly I did Uber a bunch (as I can work / use my laptop in it… however the estimates to get to work were usually off since closer to Penn station traffic becomes unpredictable). Also lots of eateries and bars close by the hotel.

Should also note that I went to the coffee place, Froth, every morning since it was so close to the hotel:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/froth/

The next day (Wednesday), worked until 6:30pm. Ate at a ramen place in the Penn Station cafe with our friend Yash. After work, we walked over from work to the Nederlander Theater to see a play called Shucked (fyi, we brought our bags, and they let us bring it in. Search was super lite). I will say the play was great. Very funny about all things related to corn. (Drinks were a bit pricey though. $40 for a double whisky on the rocks).

After the play, we ended up going back to the lower east side to a so called “speak easy” (it’s just a late night Chinese restaurant with a full bar). Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/froth/

Next day (Thursday) we started the day by going to Katz’s, where I got a pastrami sandwich and matzaball soup. Soup is fire.

After work, met up with another friend for dinner in the meat packing district called Buddakan. Really like this area and want to explore it more (Tao nightclub is close by). Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/buddakan/

Afterwards, we checked out a really great rooftop near our hotel called Mr. Purple. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/mr-purple/

We ended the night by meeting some people in Williamsburg. Not sure what the name of the bar was, but it was a very whisky type night.

The next day (Friday) was great day, and what we did is kind of why working remote and staying the lower east side made sense. We basically started the day by going to the great bagel places called Russ and Daughters. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/russ-daughters/

Worked only a 4 hour day. At around 1pm, we did a 15 minutes walk to SoHo for some shopping. I specifically was looking for a jacket to keep me warm for the upcoming Bills game and Boston. Visited ArcTeryx and Moncler. Would’ve for a jacket at Moncler, but they didn’t have my size (and at $1700 it should fit perfectly!). So ended up getting one at ArcTeryx.

After shopping, we started the night at 7pm by bar hopping around West Village. The places I remember us hitting up are (in this order): MacDougal Street Ale House, Off the wagon, Down the Hatch (had a sick beer pong set up) No and Duplex. After duplex, things are a bit blurry. We did end off the night at a friends Eric’s place (only for like 10 minutes). Also, most people in the group, uh, became very lit.

Also, I did meet up with two other friends, Sam and Celine. We went to Off the Wagon and grabbed Chinese food around that area with the rest of the group.

The next day (Saturday) we started off by having brunch near our hotel called Sons of Essex. Full review can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/sons-of-essex/

We then had some drinks at our hotel (we had a free bottle of champagne to finish). Then walked around SoHo for some shopping. Bought some gloves at North Face. Also stopped by this Rice Pudding place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/rice-to-riches/

We then went back to Moncler since some people in the group really wanted to check it out.

After shopping, we met up with my friend Vince, and got some Prince St Pizza:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/prince-st-pizza/

After eating, we wanted to go to a speakeasy called Attaboy, but basically had to wait a bit so we went to another place nearby for an hour called Two Doors Down (would recommend Hong back, just the music is slightly louder than expected). For Attaboy, you can read the recipe here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/19/attaboy/

We ended the night at McDonalds, bringing it back to the hotel.

The next day (Sunday) we got up at 5:30am to go to Buffalo for the Bills game. We got a hotel in downtown, the Hyatt Regency (apparently the Jets stay there during their away games). We then chilled a Jon’s friend’s place, Pete for some drinks.

Afterwards headed to the stadium for tailgating. When we got off our Uber, we were greeted to a party bus with some awesome shots. We then spent time at a bar called Prohibition 2020 (it is actually right in the middle of the tailgating action). Drank a bunch of beer, some pizza, and also did a Red Bull vodka. After, we got some beers at a gas station across the street to party at Pete’s friend’s fire truck for like 20 minutes.

Went to the game shortly after. We won! I learned some things about football. (1) there is a 4 in 10 (sometimes could be more if there is a penalty), which mainly describes how many yards (the ten in this case) needed to reset the downs. And (2) there are 5 avenues for points in a game (field goal (3), touch down (6), touch down plus kick off (6 + 1), touch down plus replay (6 + 2), and one other one). For the stadium itself, will say it is almost impossible to find hard liquor. I did end up finding one near section 140 at a very not obvious cart.

We ended the night at a bar to get Buffalo Wings called Bada Bing. Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/11/21/bada-bing-sports-bar-and-grill/

And that concluded the New York experience for this trip. Honestly, really had a good time. (next day headed out to Toronto by getting a rental car through Avis).

Joshua Tree

Posted on by
Reply

Although this is the second time I’ve been to Joshua tree, wanted to actually write down this one for future logistics.

First, we went here in early November. Weather during the day is actually pretty nice (around 25 degrees). However at night it can go to around 14 or 14 degrees, which is pretty cold if you’re sleeping without a heater (which we accidentally did the first night out of the three nights we’ve been here).

We stayed at an Airbnb that is 12 minutes away from the entrance of the actual national park. I think the location is pretty good (3946 Anita Ave). Also less than 20 minutes from downtown Joshua tree (where we usually got our morning coffee, at a place called Joshua Tree Coffee (haha yes, very original)).

One thing to also note is that Door Dash is available (which is useful since there was an initial stop at the Costco at Palm Springs, but some things were forgotten). Vons and other eateries were door dash able.

The Airbnb we got had a hot tub, corn hole, and pickle ball court. Utilized them fairly well during this trip.

We ended up going to Joshua Tree national park the third day we were here. We went to the trail called Skill Rock trail. It’s only 1.7 miles, but we took around 1.5 hrs with it since we stopped by to take photos. I recommend the trail because of how easy it is, and the scenes. Also it loops back to where you parked your car!

A couple of things to mention about this trip is that we did go for a friends 25th bday. And so she had some theme nights like PJ night, ABG/ABB night and cocktail dress to impress hour.

Chicago 2023 (all days)

Posted on by
Reply

First time in Chicago! Landed at ORD at 5pm. We ended up Ubering to the hotel (was $45), which took 50 minutes. The alternative was the train, but we wanted to look up thing on our laptop and sleep.

The hotel we’re staying at is at The Loop (The Chicago Athletic Association). It’s a Hyatt hotel. I like the older vibe they are trying to maintain. However, for next time, definitely gonna try and get the junior suite with two double beds. But I will say the hotel is conveniently located around all the major tourist spots, like beside Millennium Park and the Chicago River

For our first night out, we went towards the west loop to eat at Chicago Q. Details are here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/09/01/chicago-q/

The area reminded me of church and Weasley apartments in Toronto.

After dinner, we stopped by watched a comedy show in The Second City. It was a mix of a scripted sketch and improv. Definitely recommend going again.

We then went to a rooftop bar nearby called Utopia. It’s a chill place to hang out. We played beer pong, connect 4, and bean bag toss.

After, we visited a place near the River North area called Celeste. It’s a four story club (but since it was a Wednesday only 2 floors were open). I would recommend going back (they also surprisingly had food).

On the second day, we first did some shopping on the Magnificent mile. We hit up the Nike store, as well as Saks.

We then went to get some Chicago deep dish pizza at Gino’s. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/09/01/ginos-east/

After grabbing some food, we walked off the food by going to the Water Tower Place mall. It’s fairly large, clean, looks new with multiple levels and lots of store. Seems like a good place to shop.

We the did an architecture tour that is on a boat in the Chicago river (only 45 minutes for $27!). Some things I remember from the tour:

-river flows opposite direction forcefully because of pollution reasons (Lake Michigan is full of pollution)

-many buildings have water tanks in the top floors to help with wind

-there are several “adaptive reuse” building in Chicago (re-purposing old factories)

-there’s a building that you can pay $1000 to propose to your significant other and get champagne

-the former Sears Tower is the the tallest building in Chicago

-they mentioned the Apple Store (which is by the river, and similar to the NYC 5th st store since it is two stories) use to have its roof like a MacBook cover with an Apple logo on top. They were told to remove the Apple logo

After the tour, took a bit of a nap before heading out to a fancy dinner at Aviary. Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/09/01/aviary/

We then went to a speak easy underneath the restaurant, where our waiter at the Aviary helped us bypass the waitlist. It is called The Office (likely since they pretended it was an office to conceal it from being a speak easy). Details here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/09/01/the-office-2/

The rest of the days in Chicago were spent at the Arc Music festival. Here are some key highlights and details:

-Taking the subway is probably the best way too and from the festival (5 min walk from the hotel, and 5 stops away). It can get crowded at night, but still fairly fast

-Security is better with VIP global (instead of GA) since you don’t get groped in case you want to sneak anything in (since you get to choose the person that you would want to search you, so obviously the member of the opposite sex). Also if you are VIP you are forced to use VIP line (can’t use GA).

-It is dusty at the expansion stage. Bring a mask, and shoes will definitely get wrecked

-Elrow stage is super fun with lots of inflatables, and oversized puppet things, plus tons of confetti!

-Day 1 we saw Sam Divine, Boris Brejcha, Adam Beyer, James Hype, Eric Prydz (Holo)

-Day 2 we saw Dombresky, Hot Since 82, Fisher b2b with Loco Dice, and John Summit

-Day 3 we saw Peggy Gu, Vintage Culture, and Tale of Us

-Radius is a great club. It’s fairly large. Easy to get drinks, and like the production set up overall. Only thing is they don’t have Redbull, only Ghost (which is disgusting)

-Eric Prydz and Adam Beyer’s after hours set at Radius was the best ones each of them have done (maybe because it was more dancey/clubby than their usual sets).

-John Summi my set (at least the part I catches) at the festival was better than the after party at Radius

-Radius has a second room. Need to check it out next time

-We saw Vintage culture at Concord Music Hall. Great venue, but his set was better at ARC

Lastly, here are the other restaurants we went to during the trip…

-The Dearborn: http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/09/01/the-dearborn/

-Cindy’s Rooftop: http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2023/09/06/cindy-rooftop/