chicago Archives | Brad A. Johnson

Hotel Review: LondonHouse, Chicago

Posted on December 17, 2016January 15, 2019
Brad A. Johnson

The LondonHouse opened in May and overlooks the Chicago River from the famous corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. The 22-story historic landmark emerged from a dramatic three-year reconstruction project that saw the addition of a glass and steel annex next door, juxtaposing the original beaux arts structure with an ultra-modernist annex, creating a 452-room hotel…

View Post

View Post

72 Hours in Chicago, 27 photos

Posted on December 16, 2016January 15, 2019
Brad A. Johnson

Forever one of the world’s most significant cities for architecture, Chicago’s skyline has grown even more spectacular in recent years, both around the river and along the lakefront. Here’s a quick look around of the city I used to call home.

View Post

View Post

Hotel Review: The Robey, Chicago

Posted on December 10, 2016January 15, 2019
Brad A. Johnson

After what seemed like the longest delay in hotel-opening history, The Robey finally opened its doors in November in the heart of Chicago’s Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood. A member of Design Hotels, the 69-room, 12-story Robey is the second U.S. property for Mexico City-based Grupo Habita…

View Post

View Post

Alinea, Chicago: 3 hours, 28 photos

Posted on December 9, 2016January 15, 2019
Brad A. Johnson

Alinea reopened in May after a five-month closure to refreshen the restaurant for its 10th anniversary. They nailed it. This is still one of the greatest restaurants in the world.

View Post

View Post

Quick Review: Public Hotel Chicago

Posted on December 15, 2011January 15, 2019
Brad A. Johnson

Public Hotel, Chicago (Brad A. Johnson) Legendary hotelier Ian Schrager (formerly of The Mondrian, The Royalton, Gramercy Park Hotel, etc.) recently took control of Chicago???s aging Ambassador East and transformed it into a budget-conscious hipster…

View Post

View Post

Quick Review: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago

Posted on December 15, 2011January 15, 2019
Brad A. Johnson

Radisson Blu Aqua isn’t your typical Radisson. In Europe, the Blu brand is well known and respected, and the outposts in Rome and Berlin are pretty damn cool. The first American location, Radisson Blu Aqua opened last month in Chicago.

View Post

View Post

Quick Review: NoMi, Chicago

Posted on December 15, 2011January 15, 2019
Brad A. Johnson

Sea bass with smoked ham hock at NoMi (Brad A. Johnson) Earlier this year, the Park Hyatt Chicago closed its 7th-floor restaurant, NoMi (800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030), to revamp it, expose the kitchen and relaunch it as something far more ca…

View Post