REGIONAL NEWS

Take a Swing

For groups that enjoy golf, Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook is one of the premiere facilities for events in the state, with the recent addition of Toptracer Range technology. “We are extremely excited to bring the Toptracer technology to the Mistwood Golf Dome, transforming our indoor dome driving range experience to a fun and virtual environment that will precisely track players’ shots as if they were outside on interactive screens and provide fun gaming applications for both golfers and nongolfers,” says Dan Bradley, Mistwood’s general manager. If your entire team can’t make it to one location, Toptracer technology makes it possible for players to compete against each other virtually on simulated courses like Pebble Beach. With an atmosphere similar to Topgolf, the 60,000-square-foot facility also includes lounge seating, TVs, and food and beverage via Mistwood’s sports bar, McWethy, named for McWethy’s Tavern in Romeoville. VENUE NEWS»

Cocktail Haven

The globally inspired cocktail bar Arbella in Chicago’s River North neighborhood extended its event offerings in early spring 2019 with the debut of a 1,000-square-foot event space. The grand room features 20-foot custom acoustic ceilings and a small VIP mezzanine level overlooking the space. The grand room can hold up to 50 for a seated dinner or 75 for a cocktail reception, and will also be set up for live music, with a Void Acoustics sound system and an area for a DJ or band.

Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center

Hyatt House East Moline (rendering) Hyatt Place East Moline (rendering)

HOTEL NEWS»

East Moline Additions

A pair of new nine-story hotels is now open in East Moline. Managed by Olympia Hotel Management, Hyatt Place East Moline/Quad Cities and Hyatt House East Moline Quad/Cities anchor a mixed-use development called The Bend, filled with retail, restaurants, apartments and offices, as well as three acres of green space. From December through March, the hotels will serve as an ideal spot for viewing bald eagles wintering in their natural habitat along the Mississippi River. The Hyatt Place has 134 hotel rooms, while the Hyatt House has 99 apartment-style rooms meant for extended stays. An 1,100-square-foot meeting space shared between the two hotels can hold about 80 guests. Both are only 15 minutes from Quad City International Airport and provide easy access to many corporate offices and educational facilities nearby, including Deere & Company World Headquarters, KONE, Alcoa, The Sedona Group, Von Maur, Rock Island Arsenal, Augustana College, and Western Illinois University.

Transformation Complete

The $25 million, three-year transformation of Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center was completed in July 2018. The new modern, midcentury design, led by local firm O’Kelly + Kasprak, also blended in the history of Oak Brook. The transformation touched nearly every aspect of the property, including the Grand Ballroom and 36 meeting rooms, amphitheater and 386 guest rooms. Located 20 miles west of Chicago, the resort offers more than 42,000 square feet of newly renovated, flexible event space as well as an 18-hole championship golf course, several dining options, indoor and outdoor pools, and a spa.

EMC2 Goes High Tech (and Tasty)

Art and science-focused Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection is now even more high tech. In November 2018, it rolled out a new room service delivery program with in-house concierge robots, Leo and Cleo, delivering food and beverage to the hotel’s 165 guest rooms from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It turns out the robots have good taste, serving up things like pimento cheese and toast, and milk and cookies. Continuing its innovation in the culinary department, Hotel EMC2 also recently rolled out new event menus, led by executive chef Larry Feldmeier. Sample menus include:

MORNING: Lakeside Breakfast

Smoked Great Lakes whitefish, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, an assortment of bagels, onions, pickles and spreads

NOON: Windy City Buffet

Fresh green salad, a choice of three meats (including Vienna beef hot dogs, Polish sausage and Italian sausage with garnishes), Jays Potato Chips and a choice of Twinkies or caramel popcorn brownies for dessert

MIDAFTERNOON: Garrett & Goose

Garrett Popcorn cheese and caramel mix and Goose Island craft sodas

DINNER: The Genius

One seasonal market soup, a choice of two entrees (like hanger steak with confit potato and veal jus, or braised eggplant with sweet soy and grilled bok choy) and two desserts like vanilla crème brûlée, fruit galette or flour-less chocolate cake

Virtue Michael Jordan’s Restaurant

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises

RESTAURANT NEWS» Steak Star

Michael Jordan’s Restaurant Oak Brook is a versatile space for private dining, accommodating intimate business lunches for 10 people as well as large-scale events for up to 320. Three private rooms, two semiprivate dining areas and outdoor seating areas (weather permitting) are available to meeting planners, along with a full buyout. Menus change seasonally, but the porcini-rubbed Tomahawk steak is a favorite as are hearty sides like creamed spinach. Healthier options include flavorful salads like the Jump Higher salad, which includes kale, spinach, fennel, quinoa, cranberries and more. New to Hyde Park

Executive chef Erick Williams (formerly of MK) is behind the new restaurant Virtue in Hyde Park, opened in November 2018. Centered around a culture of hospitality and showcasing the Southern flavors of Williams’ upbringing, the menu includes items like biscuits with pimento cheese, pork chops, roast half chicken and blackened catfish. Call to learn about booking private events at Virtue. virtuerestaurant.com, 773.947.8831 All Aboard for Pizza!

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises has partnered with two local favorites to serve more delicious cuisine aboard. Groups can now enjoy deepdish pizza party packages from Gino’s East and California-inspired dishes like sushi and tacos from Summer House Santa Monica, in addition to dishes from existing partners Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! and Mon Ami Gabi. Custom charters are available for parties up to 250, with the season starting in March.

AWARDS» Star GM

Karen McGuigan, general manager at Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago, was named Hyatt Full Service Franchise GM of the Year in the Americas for 2017. The award was announced in October 2018. McGuigan helped launch the first hotel under Hyatt’s new lifestyle brand and has guided her Chicago team to success, earning strong TripAdvisor rankings and customer service scores. She was also named the 2017 Interstate Hotels & Resorts GM of the Year.

PEOPLE NEWS»

The Kimpton Gray Hotel in the Chicago Loop has

named Josh Relkin the beverage director of two of its food and beverage concepts, Boleo and Vol. 39. Blending his culinary background with innovative mixology techniques, Relkin is focused on curating thoughtful beer, wine and craft cocktail programs to complement each concept’s unique offerings. He brings 15 years of industry experience to his new position, including previous stints at Sable Kitchen & Bar, The Sixth and most recently as head bartender of Proxi.

Nicholas Malloy is the executive chef of The Rose Hotel Chicago/O’Hare, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, which opened in fall 2018. His background spans high-end hotels and independently owned restaurants around the Chicagoland area, JW Marriott Chicago and Chicago Marriott Naperville. He is a graduate of Kendall College Culinary School.

RESTAURANT NEWS»

Suburbs to the City

A new restaurant called Bobby’s Lincoln Park opened in fall 2018 from the team behind Bobby’s Restaurant Group, known for North Shore spots like Bobby’s Deerfield in Deerfield and Café Lucci in Glenview. Located in the new luxury residential building called Elevate, it’s a two-level American bistro with a focus on prime steaks, fresh seafood, handmade pastas and delicious desserts. It also features 150 wines by the bottle and more than 120 boutique spirits. On the first floor, a dining room for up to 130 guests is available to planners, along with a private room for up to 30. The second level can also be used for events, seating up to 40.