Kara Mann’s Mini Chicago Guide
Evanston local Kara Mann’s booming interior design business might keep her busy—particularly because she splits her time between Chicago and New York where she’s working on The Chelsea Hotel—but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t find the time to ferret out the best spots in her beloved hometown. Here, a rundown of her favorite spots in Chicago.
Eat
Big Star
1531 N. Damen Ave. | 773.235.4039
“With summer right around the corner all I can think about is one of their ridiculous margaritas and a taco el pastor.”
PRESIDIO
1749 N. Damen Ave. | 773.697.3315“The clean Northern California cooking at this new restaurant blows my mind.”
Nico
1015 N. Rush St. | 312.994.7100“I’ve learned to love fish thanks to this place and super star chef de cuisine Erling Wu Bower.”
Health
SoulCycle
1225 N. Wells St. | 312.951.7685“I could always get my cycle on in NYC thanks to several locations near my New York office so I’m excited about the opening of Chicago’s first location!”
Core Power Yoga
108 W. Germania Place | 312.470.6606
“There’s no better place to detox after a long night. Love the new Old Town Location.”
Shopping
Ikram
15 E. Huron St. | 312.587.1000“I don’t know if it’s the chic architecture and design of Ikram’s namesake shop or all the fabulous pieces found inside that draws me to this spot, but it is somewhere I consistently find amazing pieces.”
Elu
1211 W. Webster Ave. | 773.327.5100“The edgier reincarnation of Henry Beguelin in Lincoln Park is incredible”
Notre
5202 N. Clark St. | 919.608.9169
“The killer men’s store has hit Chicago. Great place to shop for the man in your life.”
Shinola
1619 N. Damen Ave. | 773.904.2417
“So proud to have Detroit’s baby, Shinola, as a new part of our Chicago lives. My dogs Shorty and Bob rock their Shinola leather collars daily!”
Pavilion Antiques
2055 N. Damen Ave. | 773.645.0924“I am always inspired when I walk through their doors.”
Wright 20
1440 W. Hubbard St. | 312.563.0020“There is no better place to find a perfectly edited array of some of the best designs of our time.”
Extra-Credit
The Hide Out
1354 W. Wabansia Ave. | 773.227.4433“This badass dive bar, off the grid, has live music almost every night.”
THE ART INSTITUTE
111 S. Michigan Ave. | 312.443.3600
“The Modern Wing is always a wonderful way to recharge and walk away inspired by possibility.”
Stay
THE LANGHAM
330 N. Wabash Ave. | 312.923.9988
“For a chance to sleep in a Mies Van der Rohe designed building.”