A Day in the Near North
Morning
Line up early with the locals for a fortifying stack at The Original Pancake House (22 E. Bellevue Pl.).
Afterward, stroll south on Rush Street to Oak Street. Take a left and
walk the most exclusive shopping block in the city, where you can pop
into stores such as Barneys New York. Once you hit Michigan Avenue, it’s
a short jaunt to the
John Hancock Center
and its sky-high views. Back on terra firma, cross the street to the Historic Water Tower for a closeup look at a piece of Chicago’s history. Lovers of modern art should cross Michigan again and head to the
Museum of Contemporary Art
with its spacious galleries and sculpture garden.
Afternoon
Everyone will get what they want for lunch at Foodlife, a gourmet food court on the second level of the mall in
Water Tower Place
. You can shop the seven floors of Chicago’s first ever vertical mall, and then shop some more – and sightsee – along the
Magnificent Mile
. If you’ve worked up an appetite, stroll over to the
Drake Hotel
for high tea, which serves until 5pm.
Evening
Alternatively, NoMI in the
Park Hyatt Chicago
serves stylish contemporary fare
(reservations needed), as befits the neighborhood. Or just join the
smart set over cocktails at the Bar at the
Peninsula Chicago
.
Shopping
Ultimo Oak Street’s toniest designer boutique, Ultimo carries a range of cutting-edge European and American lines for women. Barneys New York This
branch of the Big Apple’s downtown department store draws together the
latest cosmetics, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and men’s and women’s
apparel in a minimalist, open-plan, tri-level space. Bloomingdale’s An outpost of New York’s hometown department store that features in-store designer boutiques and a well-stocked shoe department. Ikram Launched
by a former Ultimo buyer, Ikram specializes in high-end women’s fashion
sold at top dollar. Chic wares and lines change seasonally, but shop
assistance is uniformly personal. Polo/Ralph Lauren This
massive four-story shop so thoroughly transforms itself from a store to
a swell den devoted to Lauren’s to-the-manor-born lifestyle – note the
horse and hound paintings throughout – that it warrants a visit from
even the less well-heeled among us. American Girl Place Parents
accompanying girls age four to 12 make a beeline to this store, the
only retail outlet of the popular American Girl line of dolls. A theater
and café supplement three floors devoted to dolls, books, and accessories. 111 E. Chicago Ave. 312 943 9400
American Girl Place
Anthropologie Women’s apparel with a bohemian bent and housewares gathered from around the world sell briskly at this loft-like store. P.O.S.H. Recalling
the days of elegant steamships and grand hotels, this store uses
old-fashioned suitcases and steamer trunks to lovingly display vintage
china and silverware engraved with hotel and ship logos. Paper Source This
arty River North shop is part art supply store, part stationer. The
creative selection of cards and small gifts includes handmade
stationery, cloth-covered sketchbooks, and novel desktop accessories. Fly By Nite Gallery Amid
the River North fine art galleries, Fly By Nite sells Art Nouveau and
Art Deco decorative arts, including malachite jewelry, art-glass lamps
and vases, and collectible pottery.
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Most Near North shops are open 10am–7pm Mon–Sat & 11am-6pm Sun and have DA.
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Places to Eat & Drink
Frontera Grill Chef Rick Bayless’ regional Mexican cuisine warrants the two-margarita waits that inevitably face diners here.
Frontera Grill
Keefer’s A steakhouse that goes beyond the men’s club stereotype, also serving French specials and ample fish selections. 20 W. Kinzie St. 312 467 9525 Closed Sun & lunch Sat
Bin 36 A
wine bar of warehouse proportions, Bin 36 engenders an infectious
enthusiasm for wine and food. The many small dishes encourage sampling. 333 N. Dearborn St. 312 755 9463
RL An
in-store steakhouse and power-eatery, furnished in upper crust style by
the Ralph Lauren Home shop while elegantly attired hostesses sport
Polo. 115 E. Chicago Ave. 312 475 1100
Pierrot Gourmet Run by the elegant Peninsula hotel, this café serves inventive salads, open sandwiches and pastries. 108 E. Superior St. 312 573 6749 No reservations
Coco Pazzo In the gallery district Coco Pazzo prepares dramatic, earthy Italian cuisine in an impressive loft space. 300 W. Hubbard St. 312 836 0900 Closed Sat & Sun lunch
Kevin Chef
Kevin Shikami has struck out alone, offering a daily-changing menu that
puts an Asian spin on French cuisine. Enjoy a tuna tartare and favorite
cocktail at the wood and slate bar. 9 W. Hubbard St. 312 595 0055 Closed Sun
Pump Room A jazz trio, opulent decor, and a forward-leaning continental menu serve diners here. Celebrities love its famed “booth 1.” 1301 N. State Pkwy 312 266 0360
Whiskey Bar & Grill Run by Rande Gerber, husband of supermodel Cindy Crawford, this sophisticated, sleek bar attracts a trendy crowd. 1015 N. Rush St. 312 475 0300
Zebra Lounge A
classic piano lounge, the Zebra is intimate, friendly, and decorated
wall to wall in animal prints. It’s a funky place to drink cocktails in
the Gold Coast. 1220 N. State St. 312 642 5140
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