Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/260419
CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW: Don Welsh and Jen Hoelzle talk tourism over beer, Gravity bourbon cocktails, and pork tacos at The Dawson. COUNTER POINTS What: Shared plates with a view at the chef's counter. When: A lively Wednesday night. Where: The Dawson, 730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955; the-dawson.com City and State AS CHICAGO PREPARES TO HOST THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY'S PREMIER INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE, TOURISM BIGWIGS JEN HOELZLE AND DON WELSH TALK SHOP OVER DINNER AT RIVER WEST HOT SPOT THE DAWSON. BY J.P. ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALDONES PHOTOGRAPHY Gage probably 10 times in my first months on the job, and Billy said, "Don, there are 5,000 restaurants in Chicago—you've got to spread the love." He's good for the city. Jen Hoelzle: I came here for my birthday party and had the smoked chicken, which was fantastic. What in particular about the space appeals to you? JH: I like that you can see those folks over there all the way across the bar from the chef 's counter here, but I'm nosy like that. DW: I love the architectural elements; the space is raw but elegant. And I just love the open kitchen. Let's talk about IPW. Why is it so significant that Chicago is the host city? DW: There's always been a push in the city and the state to drive A s the president and CEO of Choose Chicago and the deputy direc- tor of the Illinois Office of Tourism, respectively, Don Welsh and Jen Hoelzle are passionate about showing off Chicago and the rest of the Prairie State. On April 5–9, they get their chance, as the Windy City welcomes thousands of international journalists and travel buyers for IPW, the tourism industry's top annual marketplace. Over a lively dinner at the chef's counter of The Dawson, Welsh and Hoelzle exchange ideas about Chicago's emergence as a global visitor destination, Mini Abe, and how the state of tourism has changed since IPW was last held in Chicago in 1998. Coming to The Dawson was your idea, Don. Why are you a fan? Don Welsh: [Owner] Billy Lawless has been a big supporter of what we've been doing at Choose Chicago. It's funny, I went to his restaurant The continued on page 88 86 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM ON THE TOWN 086-088_MA_Taste_OTT_Spring_144.indd 86 2/11/14 11:46 AM