The City Of Broad Shoulders

Let Fortune’s concierge expert show you how to do the perfect weekend in Chicago.

- Adam Erace

TRAVEL IN A PRIME LOCATION among Chicago’s award-winning restaurants, platinum shopping, and inspiring architecture, you’ll find the hip Virgin Hotel, the first property in Sir Richard Branson’s hotel line. Its concierge, Chad Edwards, is the man in the know to get the best out of your time in the Second City.

Best new restaurant: One of my personal favourites is the Dearborn. It’s modern yet kind of classic, like my mom’s taste mixed with a minimalist’s Pinterest board: old tiles, industrial light fixtures. The white bean hummus on its meze plate and the bone-in filet mignon are my go-tos.

Exclusive reservation: Outside of a ticketed dinner like Alinea, the hardest table to grab is at Girl & the Goat. It has been open for a few years, but the demand is as high as ever because of chef Stephanie Izard’s reputation for quality food. No one I know has ever had anything bad to say about it.