Hungry For More Than Just Hoops?
3/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The United Center would like to thank you for purchasing tickets to attend this year's 2005 Big Ten Conference Men's College Basketball Tournament, which will be the most attended tournament in Big Ten history. For your convenience, we'd like to provide you with all the necessary information and details you may need heading into the weekend.
- For directions to the United Center click here.
- To view the 2005 Big Ten Tournament bracket please click here.
- If you're driving to the United Center, advanced pre-pay parking in our secure lots is still available. Please click here for additional information and a diagram of parking accommodations.
- For further information regarding your seat location please click here for a seating diagram of the United Center.
- The United Center stocks and staffs 46 permanent, conveniently located concession stands throughout the building, where fans will find traditional arena fare. Likewise, the Chicago Brew Pub and Carvery, located at section 109 on the main concourse, serves a variety of fresh carved sandwiches and handcrafted micro brew beers. The Brew Pub also houses 11 state of the art high definition big screen TV's and a great sound system providing the perfect game-day environment.
- Beginning at 10am on Thursday morning the grounds of the United Center will be hosting the Miller Tent in Lot K of the United Center (located on the south side of the building). The beer garden will be open the duration of each day from the opening whistle of the first session to one hour following the completion of the last session. In addition to beer and sandwiches, the tent will also be outfitted with televisions broadcasting other NCAA competition from the day.
When the final horn blows, regardless if your team stormed on with a run-away victory, got stung with a last minute buzzer-beater or went down hard with a valiant fight; one thing unites all Big Ten fans at the end of the day - you've still got to eat. You cheered loud, you cheered hard, and you wore your school colors with pride. The night is still young and you're in the West Loop, after all. In the last decade, this area has become one of the hottest dining destinations that Chicago has to offer. And it's right outside the United Center doors. From Taylor Street and the heart of little Italy to the perpetually hip Restaurant Row on Randolph street - the Near West side offers hundreds of bars and restaurants for any taste palette or school affiliation. You face a wide range of choices, and researching the area is always a good idea, but if you don't have time for your own reconnaissance, here are a handful of places that have made a name for themselves in our neighborhood.
CARMICHAEL'S CHICAGO STEAK HOUSE
1052 W Monroe Street at N Aberdeen Street
(312.433.0025)
1 mile from the United Center
This comfortable steakhouse has all the custom woodwork, clubby atmosphere and wafting cigar smoke of the big downtown steakhouses, only more accessible and a little warmer to the casual diner. There's a full roster of microbrews on tap to chase all the meat on the menu, as well as humidors stocked with stogies. Friday nights feature live piano in the lounge, rounding out Carmichael's commitment to offering the complete steakhouse experience at a more comfortable level. All the steaks cuts are prime, from the tender, flavorful garlic and herb filet to the Chicago cut, a 20-ounce, bone-in rib-eye with big, smoky flavor and an impressive marbling of fat.
ONE SIXTYBLUE
160 N Loomis at Randolph/Ogden
(312.850.0303)
0.6 miles from the United Center
Michael Jordan is a co-owner of this stylish restaurant. In fact, two of his favourite dishes are menu staples: 'peekytoe crab' (layered potato and crab) and Delmonico steak. The name incorporates the street number and color of the screaming cobalt blue exterior of the building, a former pickle factory. Inside one sixtyblue, high ceilings, an open kitchen, spacious table arrangements and intimate lighting combine to create a sleek, modern setting. The menu is a surprising mix of French and American elements artfully assembled by French Chef Martial Noguier.
LA LUCE
1393 W Lake Street at S Ogden
(312.850.1900)
0.6 miles from the United Center
This restaurant, located in the meatpacking district about five blocks from the United Center, is a romantic Italian bistro that caters to pre-show crowds and neighborhood folks alike. This northern Italian eatery has quietly built a reputation over a decade with its well-made pastas include linguine and clams, and cavatelli with vodka cream sauce. Housed in an 1892 building that was once a butcher's shop, it incorporates original wooden meat lockers into its current decor. La Luce Restaurante
AMELIA'S MEXICAN GRILLE
1235 W Grand Ave at N Ogden
(312.421.2000)
1.2 miles from the United Center
Amelia's Mexican Grille offers a refreshing break from other downtown area Mexican restaurants with big names and very little character. The Sanchez family owns and operates this intimate yet casual eatery with candlelit tables and made-from-scratch sauces. Menu favorites are steak, chicken, shrimp and vegetarian fajitas and well as chile rellenos and pork chops with pico de gallo and mole poblano. The house specialty is enchiladas with mole rojo also mole verde.
MARCHE
833 W Randolph Street
(312.266.8399)
1.5 miles from the United Center
Is it possible that a French restaurant in Chicago could be more fun than the ones in France? Whimsical decor provides the backdrop for this brightly decorated upscale brasserie. The restaurant's menu captures the spirit of French cuisine. Not to be missed are two classic side dishes - the haricots verts (tiny green beans) were done to the perfect point of residual crispness and pommes frites, which are wispy French fries, may keep you from ever going back to the American ones. And don't get us started on the restrooms - the decor is so engaging that your meal could get cold before you examine everything.
AMORE RESTAURANT
1330 W Madison Street
(312.829.3333)
0.6 miles from the United Center
This new Italian restaurant features a menu loaded with Italian favorites. The owners have plenty of experience; they owned an Italian eatery in the suburbs for four years before settling in the West Loop. Look for appetizers like baked clams, beef carpacchio and two kinds of bruschetta for starters. Pasta highlights include the tri-color cheese-stuffed ravioli, and cappellini pomodoro. Chicken Marsala, veal saltimbocca and pork chops vesuvio are a few of the meatier choices. One of the best upbeat and charming gems in the neighborhood.
VIVO
838 W Randolph Street
(312.733.3379)
1.5 miles from the United Center
This area pioneer has been serving up Italian food in an airy loft space with ethereal indirect lighting, brick walls outfitted with wine racks and a straightforward menu featuring good prices for this area. The traditional Italian menu includes appetizers include polenta, carpaccio, antipasto, and several salads. Entrees include pasta dishes such as tomato and basil spaghetti to the more adventurous spinach and ricotta ravioli. A handful of veal and fish dishes available as daily specials, prepared to accent their natural flavorings.
RED LIGHT
820 W Randolph Street
(312.733.8880)
1.4 miles from the United Center
Thai, Indonesian, Chinese and Vietnamese flavors are fused together beautifully in the open kitchen. Red inverted pyramid lamps hang from the ceiling, intricate brushed steel grillwork surrounds the dining room and brushed copper ceilings vault over all five of the unisex restrooms. Two entrees not to be missed: the crisp Shanghai Style Whole Catfish, which is as impressive to see as it is to taste and Red Light's version of Peking duck, which is available nightly. Expect well-executed food, visually arresting decor and an overall sense of fun.
BAR LOUIE
1321 W Taylor Street
(312.633.9393)
1.5 miles from the United Center
It's the neighborhood joint that's invaded Chicagoland. This funky, mosaic-heavy decor has a variety of seating option from small tables to booths that seat up to fifteen. Locally themed martinis (try the Midnight Flame) and a selection of over 20 draft and bottled beers assure no one will leave parched. The signature Luigi steak sandwich and the Vesuvio chicken sandwich are two examples of their oversized sandwiches, which as a rule run large enough for two. Wraps, pizzas and salads are among the other choices offered.
JAK'S TAP
901 W Jackson Boulevard
(312.666.1700)
1.5 miles from the United Center
This spacious bar and grill, featuring over 40 beers on tap, is conveniently located west of the loop on the way to the United Center. The laid-back menu features American, Cajun, and Mexican cuisine. With rooms large enough to host parties, but small enough to be a great place to talk, Jak's offers an at-home atmosphere that makes you feel welcome at your first time there.
PEREZ RESTAURANT
865 W Randolph Street
(312.421.2488)
1.4 miles from the United Center
In the past, few have known about this little gem on trendy Randolph Street row, but their recent expansion and dependable Mexican fare have put it on many must-see lists. Arguably the most authentic, dependable and affordable Mexican in the West Loop.
If you have any questions about the Big Ten Tournament or need any additional information about your visit to the United Center, please don't hesitate to contact us at events@unitedcenter.com.
Sincerely,
The United Center
The United Center
1901 West Madison St.
Chicago, Illinois 60612-2459
