Condé Nast TravelerJul 10
Falling Back in Love With Chicago, After Years Living in New York
A native Chicagoan returns to realize that the city's food, culture, and good nature may just make the Midwestern powerhouse the most likable city in America.
artist, creator of The Land School
25 things in this story
- Obama Presidential CenterMuseumdebuted in June in a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted
- Lake MichiganSight18.5 miles of uninterrupted paths stretch along its shore
- Volume GalleryPlaceClaire Warner's design gallery in West Town
- Claire ZeislerPlacefiber work displayed at Volume Gallery
- Sheila HicksPlacefiber artist, peer of Claire Zeisler
- Jeanne GangPlacearchitect of Aqua Tower and The St. Regis Chicago
- Aqua TowerSightfeatures undulating concrete balconies inspired by limestone
- Mariane IbrahimPlaceart dealer with a Chicago outpost in West Town
- Monique MelochePlacegallery owner next door to Mariane Ibrahim
- Theaster GatesGalleryartist, creator of The Land School
- Kerry James MarshallPlaceartist mentioned by Mariane Ibrahim
- Nick CavePlaceartist, creator of works for Obama Center campus
- The Duck InnRestaurantBridgeport restaurant famed for its "duck dog"
- Kevin HickeyPlaceowner of The Duck Inn, Michelin-starred chef
- Longman & EagleRestaurantcorner joint awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand
- Goodman TheatreTheatreA major part of the Chicago theatre scene, it is the city's oldest currently active nonprofit theater organization.
- Lyric Opera HouseSightauthor saw Mikhail Baryshnikov perform here
- St. Regis ChicagoHotel101-story skyscraper with subtle, organic waves of glass
- St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox ChurchPlace of worshiplandmark in the author's childhood Greek neighborhood
- Auditorium TheatreTheatreLouis Sullivan-codesigned building, called greatest room for music
- Rick BaylessPlaceaward-winning chef, restaurateur, media personality
- Frontera GrillRestaurantmust-visit for authentic and inventive Mexican dishes
- RL ChicagoRestaurantRalph Lauren's clubby yet intimate spot
- Mon Ami GabiRestaurantFrench bistro in Lincoln Park
- El CheCafésteakhouse celebrated for live-fire cooking