C’villeStyle on the road…ChicagoStyle

Fresh from the windy city, my cheeks are still rosy. But I think it has more to do with the inspiration imbued from all the great shops and restaurants discovered while there, rather than the wind chill. Nestled in the well-known Lincoln Park neighborhood is a street called Armitage. Between just four short blocks (from Bissel to Halstead), it’s a shopping jackpot! I was there on business but managed to sneak in a few of these highlights along the way:

Start at Art Effect (934 W. Armitage) which touts itself as a “modern day general store.” Offering a healthy dose of home goods such as plates, mugs, trays, cutting boards, and candles to accessories and gifts like books, pillows, jewelry, clothes, stationery, and more. You really feel like a kid in a candy store here.

Make your way to 1154 Lill Studio (904 W. Armitage) where you can design your own bag, mixing and matching with 28 different styles (some are even reversible!) and over 150 rotating fabrics. I heard about it through my friend who had just hosted a purse party. (You know, like a tupperware party, only much better.)  When she said to me, “fabric purses” I kept envisioning the likes of Vera Bradley. In case you’re thinking the same, check out this link, these bags are so much more stylish (not that there’s anything wront with VB; I went through a slightly-obsessed phase, myself). My favorite is the Molly or the Drea. As for fabrics, Yellow Stone is funky and would pair nicely with Moroccan Tile. I can personally attest to the quality of the sewing and the overall bag, as I saw my friend pick up 10 different bags!

   

Head slightly off the beaten path to Design Shoppe (2009 N. Fremont, just off Armitage), a hip boutique featuring new and vintage pieces in home decor, accessories, and gifts. The brown and white striped awning is retro but inviting. Unfortunately, this one was closed when I walked by, but looking in the window, I spotted this three-panel floor screen in white wood & glass with a clover design. I called the shoppe and found out it is $550 and they will ship it to you!

If you fall into the “dog enthusiast” category, don’t miss Dog-a-holics (and yes, if you have a picture of your pooch in your cell or wallet, you qualify!).

…And the award for cutest name goes to… Stinky Pants (844 W. Armitage), a trendy baby clothes shop offering “little clothes, big style.” So spoil the little stinker in your life with some designer duds.

Make a U-turn at Halstead where you’ll find Chicago’s answer to Charlottesville’s Duo: McShane’s Exchange (815 W. Armitage). Their motto: “If you can’t buy your own designer wardrobe, buy someone else’s.” Sounds good to me!

Who wouldn’t want to hang out at Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge (819 W. Armitage), where they’ve actually made “chocolate” a verb, as in, “a place to chocolate and chat.” My favorites are the Milk Chocolate Butter Almond Krisp and the Dark Chocolate Coconut Delight. Sadly, I didn’t find the gym on this block!

Climate Home (857 W. Armitage) is a quirky and whimsical shop of rotating cards and eclectic gifts. You’re sure to get a good laugh here.

If the specialty boutiques aren’t mainstream enough for you, there’s a virtual Sephora between the MAC store, Kiehl’s, Benefit, ColorLab Cosmetics, and Lush that all front to Armitage.

Paper Source (919 W. Armitage), while also mainstream, is still a paper lover’s dream-come-true: handmade papers, letterpressed cards, leather journals, rubber stamps, and crafts galore. I love my coffee mug with their tagline, “Do something creative every day.”

   

Is all this shopping making you light headed? Grab a bite to eat at HomeMade Pizza Company (850 W. Armitage), an all-natural approach to pizza and even voted Best Pizza in America by Oprah in 2006.

Did you already miss lunch and want dinner? How about ShineMorida (901 W. Armitage), a Chinese Cuisine and Japanese Sushi bar. The space is a study in texture, with oversized parasols hanging from the ceiling and porcupine lamps dangling over the bar, an interesting flat natural wood wall contrasts a white wobbly back wall that looks like bark (hard to explain but worth checking out). The food is adds another layer, making it a cozy neighborhood staple.

If you have a large group or are in the mood for tasting and sharing, Cafe Ba ba reeba (2024 Halstead) is another great option for tapas and paella. The Spanish tile feels authentic, but after a few glasses of wine, you wouldn’t know the difference, anyway! And their bacon-wrapped dates rival those of Mas.

The next 2 restaurants aren’t located in the Armitage area, but are worth checking out:

Sepia’s (123 N. Jefferson) die-cut and letterpressed menus are a nod to the restaurant’s location in a converted print shop dating back to 1890 (and did I mention they are stunning?). Self-described as “stylish without being sleek,” the large hanging chandeliers encased in more modern, round “shades” are perfect evidence of the seamless integration of vintage and contemporary (the website really sets this mood, as well). I sampled the market squash with serrano ham, arugula, and walnut salad along with the roasted cod, spaghetti squash, and wild boar sausage with paprika sauce. The cheese plate was also out of this world! Both the menu and decor reverberate an understated sophistication. And apparently, it’s Michelle Obama’s favorite restaurant in Chicago!

Graham Elliot’s (217 W. Huron) website alone, with it’s upbeat music, made me want to check this one out. It delivers on it’s promise to offer a juxtaposition of four-star cuisine with humor and accessability. I loved the waiters’ whimsical “GE” belts as opposed to a more traditional uniform. What’s the popcorn on their website for, you wonder? Mid-meal, we were brought a bowl of garlic popcorn—once again, an upscale twist on a normally-mundane snack. This “humor” was was also felt in my food selection: spicy buffalo chicken with celeriac slaw, blue cheese, hot sauce, and budweiser froth. Otherwise known as chicken wings in most restaurants, this was a more sophisticated and intriguting presentation of its pub-fare counterpart. The roasted monkfish wellington (like beef wellington only with fish) was like nothing I’ve ever tasted before; it simply melted in my mouth. And to top it off, pumpkin creme brulee served in none other than a miniature pumpkin! This relatively new (opened in June) “hotspot” next-to-guarantees playful and unexpected yet impeccably delicious dishes, all with a presentation that is second to none!

What’s your favorite restaurant or shop in Chicago?