Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/385207
Jackson Blvd., 312-253-0594; intelligentsiacoffee.com). I got hooked on their coffee years ago, and now this is my favorite place. I get a cappuccino—they're art- ists with pulling a shot and making the drink. That's sort of my tradition: I get my shoes shined next door, grab a coffee, and stop into the shop. "Optimo's heritage is from the South Side: It has an authenticity and toughness, and it's also not 'trendy.' Likewise, I've always really loved the feel of the Loop, too. It's the heart of the city, and it gives a real sense of history. A funny little thing is, if you do a Google Maps search for "Chicago" and just keep hitting "zoom," it points exactly to the Monadnock Building, which is certainly cool. I remember com- ing into the city when I was a kid and getting a great feeling when I came down here. I love the walk on my way to lunch, looking at all the great buildings by fabulous architects. "My favorite place for a special dinner is Topolobampo (445 N. Clark St., 312-661-1434; rick bayless.com), and just yesterday I had a really fabulous meal at Sunda (110 W. Illinois St., 312-644-0500; sundachicago.com)—I met up with an Optimo regular, Billy Dec, there. I went to school in Japan and find it very hard to find really consistently fresh fish in Chicago, but I was impressed with the sushi. Since I was a little kid, I have been going to Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company (2121 N. Clark St., 773-248-2570; chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com), and what I love about that place is it has not changed at all in 30 years. Another spot I frequent, which is just a couple blocks from my South Side workshop, is the original Fox's (9956 S. Western Ave., 773-239-3212; foxsrestaurant.com). I get a pizza with sausage and giardiniera, well done. I'll take people there to get the true taste of the South Side of Chicago." MA Thompson recommends the sushi at Sunda and shoes from Paul Stuart. Residential lending provided by Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. NMLS #449042. ©2014 Wintrust Mortgage Building your dream-home begins with securing the right type of loan. At Wintrust Mortgage, we provide access to all types of lending options and we have the expertise to help you through the process. Our loan officers work to provide exceptional service while tailoring your home loan solution to fit your specific needs. With Wintrust Mortgage, you'll get a competitive rate, a local decision process and innovative home loan solutions like our construction-to-permanent loans. PROUD TO BE A WINTRUST COMPANY. We are nearly 3,500 community and commercial bankers, home loan ofcers, fnancial advisors and specialty lenders focused solely on our customers and the communities where they live. We all have the same mission: To provide best-in-class fnancial services to all of our customers, be the local alternative to the big banks, and to improve the communities which we call home. ) www.wintrustmortgage.com CHICAGO'S HOME LENDER