Contract Magazine – Foresight 2019 - 104

A day with Sarah Oppenhuizen,
director of interiors, HOK Chicago

The list of great places to eat, drink, shop, and visit
in Chicago is endless. But when you're looking for
a meal or place that is truly a local find, these are good
places to start. As a designer, I value places rooted
in the neighborhoods that they inhabit and create
a sense of place without being heavy-handed.
EAT
Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza. The pizza
at Piece Pizza is not deep dish, but it is delicious slices
with some atypical toppings. Pair it with a microbrewery in a warehouse-like setting in trendy
Bucktown and you have a great culinary experience.
Mity Nice Bar & Grill is a diner-type bar tucked
behind the Foodlife food hall on the mezzanine level
of Water Tower Place. This low-key spot just serves
good food. Ask for an extra helping of popovers served
before your meal.
104

Left Coast Food and Juice is a fast-casual
option where you can get a healthy delicious meal.
I crave their acai bowl on a regular basis, and with
names like the "D-O-Double G" wrap, try hard not
to smile when perusing the menu.
If there were a Jeni's Ice Cream on my street,
I would be there multiple times per week. Get the
three-scoop option so you can try as many unique
flavors as possible. Personal favorites include
Churro, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, and Lemon
& Blueberries Parfait.
SHOP
Go to the Southport Corridor: Take the Brown
Line north to Southport and walk north on Southport
Avenue for boutique and brand name clothing stores
mixed among bars and restaurants with great
outdoor patios.
Take the Brown Line to Armitage and walk
east to west for quirky gift boutiques, clothing, and
furniture stores, or try on some frames at Warby
Parker. Visit Six Corners in Bucktown. Trendy clothing
stores line North, Milwaukee, and Damen Avenues in
Bucktown. Stop into Goddess and Grocer for a rooftop
coffee and snack.
VISIT
The 606 trail is an elevated trail that stretches
through different parts of Wicker Park, Bucktown,
and beyond. It's a great path for a walk, bike ride,
or just people watching that's away from the traffic

below. As you travel its roughly five miles round trip,
the scenery, plantings and settings changes dramatically.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is in the heart of Lincoln
Park. It's small enough to be manageable in a small
amount of time, they have beautiful old buildings,
and it's free.
Grab a blanket and a bottle of wine for a primo
spot on the grass for a lovely evening of music at the
Grant Park Music Festival.
The Old Town Art Fair is the tonier of the two art
fairs, and it's great to peruse the offerings with a glass
of wine in hand. The Wells Street Art Festival is just a
couple blocks away and, if you're looking to add to your
collection, the prices are a little friendlier.

contractdesign.com

FORESIGHT 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF JENI'S (TOP LEFT); FABIEN MONTIQUE (TOP CENTER); COURTESY OF HAISOUS (TOP RIGHT); COURTESY OF LINCOLN PARK ZOO (BOTTOM LEFT); BARRY BRECHEI (BOTTOM RIGHT)

NEOCON 2019

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Contract Magazine – Foresight 2019

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