Chicago Weekend Staycation 🏙️

With a sudden free gap at the start of the new semester, I decided on a relaxing staycation in Chicago! 🎒🍃 Checked into the Waldorf Astoria Chicago—service was lovely, though I didn’t push for a suite upgrade 💎. Since I mentioned my birthday during booking, a box of handmade chocolates arrived in my room an hour after check-in! 🍫🎂 Another highlight: you can pre-order breakfast the night before, and it’s delivered right to your room at 9 AM sharp! ☀️🍳 The accompanying Maison Laurino jam was especially delightful—perfect for a laid-back, do-nothing kind of day. The bathtub here is probably the largest I’ve ever seen 🛁💫, which made up for the single-lane pool. On the Amtrak ride into the city, I ordered a glass of Red 39 wine 🍷—and it officially set a new low for my wine standards 😅. After a few sips, I left the rest in the seatback pocket. The train was, unsurprisingly, delayed ⏳… but my e-reader and noise-canceling headphones saved the day! 📖🎧 Spent the weekend totally unwinding in Chicago 🧘‍♀️💖. Tried Cafe BaBa Reeba for lunch (booked a week in advance). The seafood paella was a letdown 🥘😬, and the tapas had… unique flavors. The garlic shrimp felt like something from Texas Roadhouse 🍤. The only safe bet was the bread served with goat cheese and tomato sauce 🥖🧀. While it tasted authentic to what I’ve had in Spain, if you’re not already a tapas/paella fan, maybe skip it—head to Chinatown for Chu Shang’s lobster sticky rice instead! 🦞🍚🔥 Near the Waldorf, there are plenty of luxury stores to browse 🛍️, plus a Japanese ramen spot open until 2 AM—Friends Ramen 🍜🌙. They serve sake, nigiri, ramen, and okonomiyaki. The flavors lean rich and hearty, but paired with warm sake on a chilly winter night, at around $30 per person, how can you complain? ❄️🍶 Eating here gave me nostalgic Tokyo vibes—like the famous Jiro-style ramen shops near Kōenji. Not mind-blowing, but comforting in its own way 🏮💭. January in Chicago is brutally cold 🥶—the wind feels like ice blades on your face. See you in the spring, Chicago! 🌸👋 #ChicagoStaycation #WaldorfAstoria #WeekendGetaway #ChicagoEats #RamenLovers