Dining out

Chicago's sidewalk cafes beckon in shirt sleeve and sundress weather, but wintertime means comfort food and steakhouses. Join the politicians at the newest, Chicago Cut Steakhouse (300 N. LaSalle; 1-312-329-1800; www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com), or try the legendary Gene & Georgetti's -- where the waiters are tough but the meat magnificent (500 N. Franklin St.; 1-312-527-3718; www.geneandgeorgetti.com).

On a leaner budget? Grab a cheeseburger at the original Billy Goat Tavern (430 N. Michigan Av.; 1-312-222-1525; www.billygoattavern.com).

For comfort fare choose a booth where you can feel the heat from the open kitchen at the acclaimed Sable Kitchen & Bar (505 N. State St.; 1-312-755-9704; www.sablechicago.com); then order the pork tenderloin schnitzel (with mashed potatoes and apple-bacon cider sauce) and don't skip dessert: warm rum raisin carrot cake.

Lunchtime, the Atwood Café's chicken pot pie with its sky-high puff of pastry atop is awe-inspiring (1 W. Washington St.; 1-312-368-1900; www.atwoodcafe.com).

For breakfast, the authentically retro Lou Mitchell's is a must (565 W. Jackson Blvd.; 1-312-939-3111; www.lou mitchellsrestaurant.com). A Chicago landmark since 1923, it's complete with waitresses of a certain age and free doughnut holes.

If you need some heat, you can sweat over dinner at the original Heaven on Seven (111 N. Wabash Av., seventh floor; 1-312-263-6443; www.heavenonseven.com), where hot sauces line the walls and the voodoo shrimp is superb.

CHECKING IN

There's no shortage of hotels in Chicago; but midwinter, special offers abound. In downtown Chicago's River North neighborhood, Hotel Palomar (505 N. State St.; 1-312-755-9703; www.hotelpalomar-chicago.com) has the requisite cool of an evolved boutique hotel -- including complimentary wine receptions every evening and in-room movie packages complete with candy.

For classical elegance, the Drake Hotel (140 East Walton Place; 1-312-787-2200; www.thedrakehotel.com) is hard to top -- especially with winter rates starting at $119. Hotel Burnham (1 W. Washington St.; 1-312-782-1111; www.burnhamhotel.com), designed by Daniel Burnham in 1895, is one of the city's great architectural jewels. Packages include a "Breakfast in Bed" for two (up to $50 value) plus late checkout.

Chicago's Hyatt Regency (151 E. Wacker Drive; 1-312-565-1234; www.chicago regency.hyatt.com) recently underwent a $90 million renovation and features hypoallergenic rooms. The Hyatt offers several packages, including one with shopping discounts.