California native and current Chicagoan, Lauren Viera, loves Milwaukee.

In a Sunday article on chicagotribune.com and in the newspaper's Travel section of its print edition, Viera urges Chicagoans to "Escape to Milwaukee."

The nearly 1,300 word piece opens, "When it comes to winter getaways, Chicagoans think warm: Cabo, Jamaica, Miami. These are the literal hot spots, where bone-chilling winter blahs melt like so many snowflakes into sandy beaches, tropical drinks and balmy sunsets. But a quick jaunt to Cabo, Jamaica or even Miami isn't always an option, for obvious reasons: money, timing and availability. Consider, then, the rogue winter excursion: Consider heading into the cold instead of warmth. Consider trekking north instead of south. Consider the urban retreat instead of the beach getaway. In other words, consider Milwaukee."

Featuring photos of the Wicked Hop in the Historic Third Ward, a Solly's butter burger, the Pabst Mansion and a wind surfer in front of the Milwaukee Art Museum, the story is fine tribute to Brew City, mentioning many different restaurants, neighborhoods and tourist destinations.

Viera loves Milwaukee, tipping her hat to Alterra Coffee Roasters, writing, "I also like its coffee better. Milwaukee's Intelligentsia, so to speak, is Alterra Coffee Roasters, and there are a half-dozen outposts (my favorite is the Fifth Ward Foundry) and Bacchus saying, "(its) creme brulee, by the way, is rich enough to earn Milwaukee its Cream City nickname all over again."