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.
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