Black History Month Chicago Staycation

February is a short and impactful month. Black History is celebrated this month to remember the important people and events in the Africa diaspora. Also, celebrated this month is LOVE. Valentine’s and Galentine’s often share their love through eating and endearing gifts.

I’m lucky to be surrounded by wonderful women in the blogging community. We decided to collaborate with Choose Chicago and plan a Galentine’s day weekend focused around Black History month in Chicago. Most of our activities and dining were done in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Chicago’s vibrant Hyde Park neighborhood is one of the most dynamic and cultuarlly diverse areas of the city, with locally-owned businesses and a large African American population.

Take a look at our adventures below and I hope it gives you ideas on how to celebrate
Black History month with LOVE. 🙂

Where We Stayed

SOPHY Hotel
1411 East 53rd Street, Chicago IL
Sophyhotel.com

SOPHY Hotel in Hyde Park is a 98-room hotel in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood that was named one of “The Best New Hotels in the World” by the editors of Travel + Leisure. SOPHY features Mesler Kitchen Bar Lounge, a fitness center, and a private dining room. The hotel displays artwork from renowned contemporary artists alongside works by Hyde Park Academy high school students, is helmed by an African American management team and was designed as a welcoming and sophisticated gathering space for the entire community.

One of the things I enjoyed most about staying at SOPHY is the neighborhood. The rich and proud diversity of Hyde Park dates back to the Great Migration of the 1920’s when African-Americans moving north from the rural south were drawn to the area for its diversity, jobs, gracious homes and the rich, creative cultural vibe of the neighborhood that remains present today.

When you stay at the SOPHY Hotel expect to be blown away by the decor inside the rooms and the lobby. We ate at onsite restaurant Mesler Kitchen Bar Lounge. I was in love with my entree of steak & eggs. Washing breakfast down with a strawberry mimosa was also the right move to make. I throughly enjoyed my SOPHY Hotel experience.

Where We Dined

For our staycation adventure we mostly remained in the Hyde Park neighborhood. However, we started off our time by visiting black-owned restaurant Ina Mae Tavern.

Ina Mae Tavern
1415 N Wood Street, Chicago IL
www.inamaetavern.com

Ina Mae Tavern is a black-owned restaurant that brings the taste of New Orleans to the Chicago Wicker Park neighborhood. We went during lunch time on a Saturday and got to enjoy Live music from Joey J. Saye while sipping some mighty strong cocktails and chowing down on delicious food prepared by Owner/Chef Brian Jupiter.

The Mardi Gras decor at Ina Mae Tavern really puts you in the spirit to have a Hurricane cocktail or two! We enjoyed a plethora of food items. My favorites would have to be the chargrilled oysters, red beans & rice, and the Po’Man seafood tower. The tower is big enough to share and comes with fried shrimp, oysters, crawfish & catfish, served with hush puppies & crispy potatoes.

Don’t forget to leave room for dessert! Of course we had to get New Orleans style dessert beignets. Melt in your mouth warm doughy goodness is always a plus! I definitely plan on heading back to Ina Mae Tavern soon! Also, as a side note Chef Jupiter will be competing on Foodnetwork Chopped television show this Tuesday, February 15th at 8pm. Make sure to tune in and cheer him on!

14 Parish
1644 E 53rd Street, Chicago IL
www.14parish.com

I was super excited to revisit 14 Parish on our staycation. 14 Parish Restaurant & Rhum Bar is located in Hyde Park and serves Caribbean inspired cuisine. The restaurant is black and woman owned. I had the pleasure of interviewing the owner, Racquel Fields, during Woman’s History Month last March. (Click HERE for interview)

14 Parish is known for their extensive Rum list. There are over 100 different types of Rums offered. We indulged in quite a few and my favorite were the ones that taste like Bourbon. 🙂

Last time I visited 14 Parish I went with the Red Snapper for my entree. This time I tried the Jerk Catfish and it was seasoned perfectly. A few other staple items are the Island crab cakes, coconut shrimp, and I always finish my meal with the caramel rum cake. This is the perfect date spot, chill spot, and if you’re looking for an invigorating Caribbean food experience in Chicago. Let them know I sent you!

Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant
6120 N Broadway, Chicago IL
ethiopiandiamondrestaurants.com

For lunch the next day we ventured North to Ethiopian Diamond restaurant. Ethiopian Diamond opened its doors in 1996. It is a destination for authentic Ethiopian cuisine served in a vibrant atmosphere.

Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant & Bar provides exotic elegance in the heart of the Edgewater neighborhood in Chicago. Executive Chef & Owner, Almaz Yigizaw welcomes you to her namesake Ethiopian restaurant (Almaz means diamond in Amharic). The Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant & Bar is known for its extensive, menu of authentic, Ethiopian dishes and is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. All of the Ethiopian food is served in a welcoming, comfortable, and hip and inviting cultural setting.

We started off our meal with the sunrise cocktail and some honey wine. Then we ordered an array of sambusa appetizers. My favorite would be the spinach sambusa. For my meal I went with the Shrimp Wat (Spicy) and I added two sides (Yemisir Wat – Spicy and Quosta – Mild). I’ll be honest I didn’t really find anything to be spicy, but the flavors were excellent!

We didn’t save room for dessert, but we did partake in the coffee service. It’s very unique and I suggest you try it out.

Kilwins
3 Locations
Kilwinschicago.square.site

Last, but not least we got our sweet tooth craving satisfied with a visit to Kilwins on Michigan Avenue.

Kilwins is African American owned and operated by a mother daughter team. It’s the destination for those who wish to treat themselves with high-quality confections! Kilwins dedicates themselves to providing an extravagant guest experience by providing only the finest and premium chocolate confections! They handcraft their chocolate treats, waffle cones, corns and brittles, fudge, and delicious homemade caramel right before your eyes! Also, there is a selection of delectable ice cream flavors for you to enjoy.

We left with a box of chocolate covered strawberries. I can’t wait to go back and get some fudge!

Activity’s

No staycation is complete without planning a few activities to do! Check out a few we did below!

DuSable Museum
740 East 56th Place, Chicago IL
www.dusablemuseum.org

DuSable Museum has diverse holdings that number more than 15,000 pieces and include paintings, sculpture, print works and historical memorabilia. Special exhibitions, workshops and lectures are featured to highlight works by particular artists, historical events or collections on loan from individuals or institutions.

Recommendation: Visit The March exhibit.

Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lakeshore Drive, Chicago IL
www.msichicago.org

​The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the country! Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Fair, MSI is a Chicago must-see! You’ll experience mind blowing, hands-on exhibits and have the chance to navigate through a mirror maze; manipulate a 40-foot tornado; climb aboard a World War II German submarine; take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel; descend into an Illinois coal mine; board a 727 hanging from the ceiling; transmit your pulse to a 13-foot, 3-D, beating heart; and much more! It’s fun and interactive!

Recommendation: Visit the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibit 

The Silver Room
1506 E 53rd Street, Chicago IL
thesilverroom.com

Located in the heart of Hyde Park, The Silver Room is much more than a storefront. the silver room is a gathering place, event space and artist gallery. the silver room represents community, culture. Founded in 1997 by Owner Eric Williams, The Silver Room is a Chicago Institution and brand whose mission is to create a global community through art and culture.and art.

Recommendation: Don’t pass up the $15 sunglasses wall!

Well there you have it! A Black History Month Staycation filled with FUN and lots of LOVE!

All accommodations and activities were complimentary. All opinions within article are honest commentary of Tavi Johnson of the Chicago Lifestyle Blog Chiataglance.

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