Can you believe Kim and I have hosting this linkup for almost a year?  This was my first post from said linkup.  Thank you again to everyone for making this a fun linkup you all look forward to every Tuesday.  🙂

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s one fun running related thing you did over the holidays?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I am going to write about the opposite: One fun non-running related thing I did over the holidays.  I could have sworn that that is what I wrote or read when we were thinking of topics for 2020.  🙂  Oh well, I hope you enjoy it!

As most of you know, I was on Winter Break these past two weeks.  I went back yesterday and my goodness, I was exhausted.  Plus, I was still a little congested so that did not help.  I left at 3, did a few errands, and went home to rest.  I missed my run in the morning so I thought I could do it in the evening and no that didn’t happen.  Anyway, going back to Winter Break.  The best things I did were eat, rest, sleep, and spend time with family.  I definitely needed that to happen.

However, the most exciting thing I did was visit the Starbuck Roastery Chicago.  I’ve been wanting to go there since since it first opened in November.  My mom and I went on Sunday, December 29.  The weather was perfect for a trip downtown. 

We took an Uber because I didn’t want to deal with parking and then walking from said parking lot to the roastery.  We arrived and we noticed right away a long line.  I did not know that was the line to get in.  The Uber driver had dropped us off in front of a hotel so I asked one of the guys there.  He said that the wait time was about 1 hour and to come back during the week or closer to closing time since that is when the line is much shorter.  We decided to get in line anyway since we were already there.  The line in the picture on the right is from across the street.  In order to get in, you wait there in line.  Then you cross the street and then wait again in another line.  Total wait time was maybe half an hour?

Once inside we took our time.  There are 4 floors.  We checked out each floor.  The first floor had a gift shop, a roaster, and a coffee bar.

The second had a bakery and a cafe.  There were so many people and it was hard to find a place to sit.  Eventually we found a place to sit because I saw a lady and there were a few empty seats next to her.  I asked if they were available.  I can’t remember what she told me but I do remember her saying that we could sit for a few minutes because she was waiting for her son and grandchildren.  I told her that that was OK because I just wanted my mother to sit down for a few minutes.  A few minutes later we left but went back there to eat tiramisu and enjoy some iced coffee and a chocolate espresso martini.  

The third floor had a coffee bar.  There were so many options for coffee drinks (I wanted to try the Nitro Mole Mocha) but the line was too long so we sat at the bar and watched people picked up their drinks.  They all looked pretty good!

The fourth floor had a cocktail bar.  We looked around but there seemed to be even more people there.  There was an area to sit but you needed a reservation.  I don’t know if that is always the case or just that day because there were a lot of people.

Finally, there is a 5th floor/roof deck but that is only available as weather permits.  Although it was a beautiful day, it wasn’t open.

My mother and I went back to the 2nd floor to relax and drink some coffee.  We sat at the bar and ordered a martini too.  My mother had never eaten tiramisu and I was actually surprised to find that out.  She did like it!

Couple of things:

⇒ The guy from the hotel told me that the place is overrated.  I agree with him but at the same time glad I went.  Obviously it is nothing like a local Starbucks coffee bar.  Not all of the drinks from the coffee shop are available at the roastery, but the “basic” one are like lattes, cold brew, and iced coffee.

⇒ It is EXPENSIVE!  Now I know a martini is not cheap but I paid $16 for mine.  The tiramisu and iced coffee was $15.

⇒ I am sure it would have been less crowded during the week.  However, we ended up not waiting too long to get in.

⇒ It is a nice place to hang out and quite an experience. 

⇒ I don’t think this is a place to take kids.  I didn’t see anything there that they would find interesting that those are my two cents.

⇒ You can buy something to eat such as pizza, salad, and panini but it isn’t the place to eat a full meal.  Did I mention that it is expensive?

⇒ Definitely check it out if you are in Chicago.  Let me know so I can meet you there too!  🙂

Would I go again?  Yes, I want to try the Nitro Mole Mocha.  Doesn’t it sound yummy?  Also, I want to check out the cocktails on the 4th floor.