Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/260419
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (MCDONOUGH) CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: John McDonough enjoys the welcoming feel at Harry Caray's, the USDA Prime Angus New York strip steak at Gibson's, and the friendly Irish vibe at Kitty O'Sheas. Going Green ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE GRAND MARSHAL JOHN MCDONOUGH SHARES HIS FAVORITE CHICAGO RESTAURANTS, IRISH AND OTHERWISE. BY J.P. ANDERSON C apturing the 2013 Stanley Cup champion- ship was a dream come true for Chicago Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough. On March 15, the proud Irishman (who was raised in the Catholic stronghold of west suburban Edison Park) achieves another major personal milestone when he serves as Grand Marshal of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade. "My father and mother would be very proud of this," enthuses McDonough, adding, "The Stanley Cup would be up there, but this might be number one for them." As McDonough prepares to lead the event, which draws an estimated 500,000 spec- tators, he shares some of the restaurants and bars in Chicago where he feels most at home. Harry Caray's "My favorite restaurant in the city is Harry Caray's. It's a place where I've always felt comfortable because I had a good relationship with Harry, and I'm also close to the owner Grant DePorter. It's a great place to have a meeting, and my family loves it as well. Chicken parmigiana is my favorite for sure; it's very f lavorful and a really good portion size." 33 W. Kinzie St., 312-828-0966; harrycarays.com Kitty O'Sheas "Kitty O'Sheas at the Hilton is a great Irish bar downtown where I've spent some St. Patrick's Days. In 1992 I arrived early for a St. Patrick's Day party and started talking to two gentlemen. After 10 minutes we introduced ourselves, and one of the guys said, 'Nice to meet you, my name is Harrison Ford.' They were shooting The Fugitive that day during the parade." 720 S. Michigan Ave., 312-294-6860 Carmichael's "I spend a lot of lunch hours at Carmichael's. It's close to the United Center, and it's a classy, elegant place, almost like a throwback supper club. I go in, and they don't even need to ask me what I want—I get the salmon, a baked potato, and water, and that's perfect." 1052 W. Monroe St., 312-433-0025; carmichaelsteakhouse.com Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse "Every time you go to Gibsons it's alive, and you'll run into half a dozen people you know— it's where relationships are born and f lourish. It's a social dinner kind of place; if you need a place to have a few drinks, it would be Gibsons. I order the New York strip steak." 1028 N. Rush St., 312-266-8999; gibsonssteakhouse.com O'Neil's on Wells "O'Neil's is an Irish bar that I really enjoy. It has a great sports bar atmosphere, and I'm good friends with the owner Joe O'Neil, whom I've known for 30-plus years. It's very festive—a great place to make friends and visit old ones." 411 S. Wells St., 312-922-1778; oneilsonwells.com Redstone American Grill "I go here regularly with friends and family. There's a beautiful outdoor bar with a gorgeous fountain, and the place has great ambience inside and out. I'm a big fan of the f latbread pizza." 13 Lincoln Center, Oakbrook Terrace, 630-268-0313; redstonegrill.com Carmine's "The quality of the food here is excellent —it's old-school Italian and just a great dining experience. It's very private, a little more understated, a little quieter, and good for business meetings." 1043 N. Rush St., 312-988-7676; rosebudrestaurants.com MA GUIDED TOUR 84 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 084_MA_Taste_Tour_Spring_14.indd 84 2/11/14 11:51 AM