Monthly Archives: May 2015

Review

Best Restaurants in Chicago for Business Meetings

Nothing powers up a business meeting more than great food, especially if you’re out there trying to impress a client or close a crucial business deal. Your choice of restaurant when it comes to business meetings also says a lot about how you celebrate your victories in the field as you recall highlights of a recently signed contract while attacking a sumptuous dish. Grab a Universal Taxi and head out to these awesome restaurants perfect for your business meetings:

  • Aria. The signature restaurant of the Fairmont, taking a single step into the place would make your realize instantly that you couldn’t have picked a better place for a quiet business meeting. The crowds here all respect each other’s space, and the restaurant offers such a diverse mix of different flavors that you can’t help but stretch that meeting just to have one more bite.aria-bar-with-people
  • Capital Grille. Nothing beats experience, and Capital Grille has been serving steak after steak for the past 14 years. It has a completely corporate air to it, which makes it the top choice for those who are hoping to impress potential clients.The_Wine_Room
  • Chicago Cut. The fact that this restaurant quickly and aggressively muscled its way onto the list of the best places to grab a steak in Chicago says a lot about their food and service. Aside from offering great food, it’s also a place where you get to sit at the table next to Oprah Winfrey’s or the mayor’s.chicago cut
  • Coco Pazzo. It usually happens at midday. The Tuscan ambiance suddenly takes on a crowd that’s here to entertain clients and partners, which is made perfect by the well-spaced seats and amazing food choices. The fact that they’ve been around for 20 years seals the deal, putting a few extra stars when it comes to experience.coco-pazzo_54_990x660_201405311841
  • Deca Restaurant and Bar. If you want to make it a little more casual, just head to the Ritz-Carlton and step right into Deca, a 100-seat restaurant that allows you to sit under the natural light for that breakfast or lunch meeting.CRC_307_599x337
  • The Florentine. Located at the JW Marriott, its location right at the financial district makes it a favorite among Chicago professionals. Their food gives you both a familiar and a unique experience as they add their own twist to classics that you have always loved.20110107_the_florentine_560x372
  • Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse. No matter what the weather may be, there will always be a line at Gibson’s. This is pure evidence of how well they cook their food: hormone-free, grass-fed beef cooked to perfection every single time.81b27571-6c0d-42a0-9a7a-13656831f782
  • Prairie Fire. Another great choice for that casual business lunch, the menu here is simple and confident, the perfect combination for power lunches. Even the dining atmosphere adheres with the requirements of a great business lunch, which makes it one of the favorites among businessmen both local and from elsewhere.376011520-20065945

So when you’re at a loss on where to take that big client, this list should be enough for you. These are definitely places where every Universal Taxi driver has picked up passengers who did not at all look like they were just there for business, but for great food and fun as well.

Insight

Best Chicago Hotels for Business Travel

Chicago is a magnet for opportunities, which means that it is not at all surprising how businessmen flock into the city day in and day out. Chicago is ready for every businessman and his needs of course, and taking a Universal Taxi from the airport and into these hotels would give them both the luxuries of travelling on business, and the comforts that come with being right at home.

  • Trump International Hotel & Tower. Feel like you’re definitely more than an apprentice in this 339-room modern glass tower found right on the Chicago River. A mere walking distance from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, you’ll find yourself right at the heart of where all the business action is.
  • The Waldorf Astoria Chicago.The Waldorf in Chicago may have a slight boutique feel to it, but it definitely has every amenity you’ll find in a much larger hotel. With 188 rooms, five meeting rooms, and two private dining rooms, it lets you clear up the steam from a serious meeting in style.
  • Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. All 415 rooms within the Sofitel Chicago show you sleek modern décor and everything else that a businessman looks for after long trips and grueling business meetings. With all amenities available around the clock, and being located a mere two blocks from the Magnificent Mile, it definitely brings all that you need in a business trip in a single place.
  • The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Nobody would expect anything less than elegance and style when it comes to the Ritz. The 453-room premier hotel is still fresh from a 2010 redesign, and truly allows you to savor the perks of traveling on business in style.
  • Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront. The Wyndham is found smack at the center of The Loop, which allows you to mix some pleasure with business as you enjoy the Theatre District. Pick any of the 357 rooms available and you can treat yourself to city or river views, as well as all the basic amenities that you always look for in a business hotel.
  • Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. Also found in The Loop, this 687-room hotel brings you a more affordable version of the luxurious but incredibly expensive hotels. It still offers 62,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, plus a private lounge and reception area perfect for the regular business traveler.
  • Omni Chicago Hotel. Here’s one hotel that wouldn’t require you to fight your way through the traffic just to get to the middle of the business district. It’s located right on the Magnificent Mile, with this 347-room establishment offering even bigger rooms that give you all the space you need to close that deal.
  • The Westin Chicago River North. Sure, it doesn’t have the usual charm and character that comes with a lot of business hotels in the area. It does make up for it with its amazing views of the river and the fact that it’s where a lot of business professionals gather to mingle and have drinks after a hard day’s work.

The moment you get to the airport, get a Universal Taxi to take you to any of these places and find out firsthand why people just love traveling to Chicago on business.

Insight

Does the RayGo App Lessen Driving Accidents?

If there’s anything that has proven to be one of the downsides of having all these mobile devices, it’s the fact that it has caused so many accidents on the road and has killed so many lives in the process. You see pedestrians swiping and tapping away on their phones as they cross the road, or drivers answering their phone or texting while the vehicle is in motion. Well, as far as the pedestrians are concerned, they would just have to restrain themselves for now. But for drivers who just can’t fight the urge to look at their phone at every sound it makes, the RayGo App promises not only to make their mobile experience hands-free, but ‘eyes-free’ as well!

Based on a kind of smartphone technology created for the blind, the RayGo app promises to make driving a whole lot safer, especially for those who just can’t get their hands and eyes off of their phones. You can check notifications, texts, and emails, receive calls, and a lot more using a nifty RayGo controller clamped onto your steering wheel. With an attractive black and yellow motif, it has five buttons that allow you to interact with your phone and the app that powers the gadget up. The unit is paired to your phone via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the companion app is only offered for Android users at the moment, but an iOS version would probably be in the works.

What Does the RayGo Do?

What does the app do? It basically converts your calendar, your Gmail app, and a lot of other apps that you frequently use into drive mode. And once they’re set up for drive mode, they become simplified versions of their full apps and can then be operated using your steering wheel controller or by giving voice commands.

But it still could be a distraction as you drive, right? Its inventors, Michael Vakulenko and Boaz Zilberman, actually anticipated these questions and decided to add a few safety features. For instance, the device actually pauses or stops functioning when it know that it’s a critical time. It relies on your GPS components and on your accelerometer, which means that it knows when your speed is quite fast, or when you’re making a turn. And in both of these instances, the app automatically goes on standby mode and only works once you’ve slowed down again or have finished making the turn.

Of course, despite these safety features, the RayGo could still possibly be a distraction for drivers especially when they’re still starting to get used to the device. There will definitely be no ‘eyes-free’ driving happening if you’re fumbling around your steering wheel, trying to look for the right button to press. This also means that your hands would have to stay at specific positions on the wheel, just so you could have easy access to the device. The airbags are also an issue, as the device could be a possible distraction when the airbag is deployed.

So is it a worthy investment for $299?

Image Source:

http://www.digifloor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/raygo-device-one.jpg

 

Insight

A Quick Guide to Hailing and Riding a Cab in Chicago

Chicago is a big city and typically, taxis here are very much in demand.  If you’re new to the place, you will find out that it is easy to grab a cab here than in any other big cities in the country. There are thousands of taxicabs roaming around, but it would be a wise move if you would go to the major streets or more popular areas in the neighborhood because that’s where they usually are. There are the usual cabs and there are those that you could book through your smartphone, like the Universal Taxi service with its mobile app.If you don’t find the usual cabs where you’re currently at, you have to option to call for a cab or walk to the next or the nearest intersection, or you could do mobile booking.

Here’s a quick guide to hailing and riding a cab in Chicago:

  • The minimum running rate for the ordinary cab is around $2.25. You will be charged about 20 cents for every 1/9thof a mile. Additional passengers are charged too, at $1.00 for the first adult and another $0.50 for the next one. At standstill, during traffic jams, you would observe that the meter will add 20 cents every 30 seconds that the taxi is idle or not moving.
  • Be prepared to pay the tolls. The taxis that come from or end at the airports are estimated to charge additional $1.00. Be informed that Chicago does not allow charges for baggage.
  • Since you hired the taxi, you have the right to specify the route. You could ask the driver to make adjustments to the temperature of the AC or the volume of the radio. When moving and you notice that the driver is using his cell phone, you have the right to tell him that he shouldn’t be using the phone. In the city, tipping is optional. If you consider giving some, 7.5% is the fair minimum.
  • All taxis are required to accept credit card payments. Be cautious about many drivers who say that their machines do not work, especially if they sense that you are a tourist and you could actually pay more. You could pay cash for short trips of less than $15. If paying with credit card, consider adding a dollar or two as a tip.
  • You could demand a receipt. This minute piece of paper shows the driver’s taxi company affiliation, the driver’s name and number, as well as the date, time, and places you’ve gone to during the trip. You can use this if you have any complaints to file or report when you dial 311.

As there are many scams that drivers can do, passengers like you should be alert and attentive, especially on the amount charged to your credit card if you’re using one. Some taxi drivers in the past have used the card number of a passenger to drain the account. For most, it is still wise to pay cash.

To avoid fraud and abuse of any kind, you may want to consider getting the services of companies like Universal Taxi if you want to be assured of your security and safety.

Insight

How to Commute from One Chicago Tourist Spot to Another

When traveling to any place new to you, part of the adventure is finding your way around and learning how you could get to your destination with ease. Chicago is a walking city and it is easy navigate; if you’re not up for walking, you’ll find that you have many options for a ride. One of the most visible modes of transportation would be the Chicago cab. If hesitant about riding the usual cabs for so many reasons, you could go for your other option aside from the bus and train. However, if you favor cabs more but don’t want the hassle of hailing one, you can go for the new mobile technology for cabs.  Universal Taxi has launched a mobile app that gives you immediate access to a city cab.

Here are some pointers to remember when commuting around Chicago:

  • The city’s grid is simple. Madison Street divides the north and south parts while State Street divides the east and west. The intersection of the two streets is the point of origin in the whole grid system of Chicago. All addresses are marked and measured from that origin with eight blocks counted for every mile.
  • There are other means of public transportation. The Chicago Transit Authority serves the city and 40 neighboring areas through the rail and bus. You can pay cash for one single trip or pay through the Ventra Transit card and purchase beforehand. You may choose an unlimited pass if you’re staying for a few days and you have a strict budget for transportation.There’s also the train that connects the downtown to the suburbs. This is an easy way for you to get to the heart of Chicago fast. The high-speed the El would be a good part of your adventure, especially if you would like to explore the suburbs.Aside from the taxis on the ground, there are boats that you can use as water taxis between the top tourist spots in Chicago. This ride gives you the opportunity for sightseeing as you are conveniently transported to your destination. For the more athletic or more adventurous, you could go around the city using bikes as there are bike lanes and bike rack parking areas. You could check with your hotel on how you could rent or have access to the bike sharing program available in the city.
  • You can always hail a cab. Yes, you have several options if you need to go from one place to another while you are in Chicago for pleasure or business, but riding a cab is one must-do you need to check off your travel list. If you don’t have much time to spare and you are in a hurry and you don’t want to risk getting lost on your own, hail a cab or request for one. The mobile app launched by Universal Taxi should be able to give you access to the city cabs that could bring you to the best spots in the city or back to your hotel after a long day.

To make the most out of your Chicago adventure, I urge you to try all of these forms of transformation at least once during your stay.

Insight

5 Tips on Riding a Taxi in another Country

When you cannot bring your car to a certain destination, you are left with the option to travel using the available public transportation of that place. It could be overwhelming and could be stressful if you do not know what you’re doing or exactly where you’re going.

There are a few things you have to keep in mind when you are traveling to a foreign city or country. I’ve sorted the most important ones for you.

  • Plan ahead. If it’s a vacation that you have set for some time already, it should be part of your preparations that you plan your itinerary. Knowing what activities you are set to do and where you’re doing these activities will give you an overview of what you need to research about that place. If you plan to take the taxi, you should check how much the minimum rate is and how much you will be charged per mile. This way, the drivers will not have a chance to scam you.
  • Prepare loose change. Your credit card could be handy, but it is best that you prepare cash or some loose change to pay for your taxi ride. Some drivers are hesitant about accepting credit card payments, although in cities like Chicago, the taxis are required and are equipped to accept CC payment. If you pay via credit card, it is considered fair to give a tip of about 7.5%.
  • Make a list of the reputable cab companies patrolling the city. You can ask the hotel staff for recommendations too. Keep this number handy so you could call a reliable cab company any time you need a ride. You can also use your mobile phone to book a taxi ride via an option like that of Universal Taxi’s mobile booking app.
  • Take note of the plate number.You might as well take note of the make and color of the taxi you are riding.Ask for the driver’s name.
  • Always sit in the back seat of the car. This is the best seat for a passenger.

There are taxi cabs that are not at all regulated and you should be cautious of them. The legal ones provide insurance in the event of an accident and you can be more certain that you could trust them. Open your senses and be alert every time.If you opted to call for a cab or book one via your smartphone, you should not approach the car you suspect to be the one you are renting. The cab should approach you. If it has been booked via Universal Taxi, you will be phoned by the driver or the car itself will approach you.

You can also always consider riding other means of transportations like buses, rails, or trains if you have the time and the knack for adventure. If you are in a hurry or you simply want exclusive rides, you can download a mobile taxi booking app like that of Universal Taxi and get a cab ride in no time at all.