In Our Neighborhood takes you on a journey through some of our favorite cities. Cities where having a shop has resulted in building a community of neighbors that we now get to call friends. We’re sharing our favorite spots to eat, stay, and play. Welcome to the Windy City!
Girl & The Goat
TO EAT
Girl & the Goat can be found on Restaurant Row in the West Loop neighborhood - an area full of excellent restaurants, but we’re partial to this hot spot. For over ten years, Chef Stephanie Izard has been serving up a thoughtful, seasonal menu of bold dishes and fresh flavors within the four walls of a chic hangout. We highly recommend the sautéed green beans. They’re simple yet sublime.
It isn’t easy to know where to start with Au Cheval. Located in the West Loop, a moody backdrop meets an approachable yet refined menu with everything from their storied cheeseburger (a must) to a bologna sandwich (an acquired taste) to our team’s favorite - General Jane’s honey fried chicken (it’s just so good). We recommend getting there early as they seat guests on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Two locations mean two times the good times. Swing by Estereo in the neighborhood of Logan Square to get a taste of the OG location, or head over to Fulton Market (in the West Loop) to experience their new spot. Both vibrant bars offer coffee by day and wine, beer, and inventive cocktails by night. Our team’s drink of choice is the Pisco. Trust us on this.
It doesn’t get more picturesque than Metropolitan Brewery. Situated on the North Branch of the Chicago River in the Rockwell on the River space, Metro has been brewing killer German-style beers since 2009. It’s got beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows and an impressive interior where rustic meets modern. The space was a tannery from the 1880s and is something quite special. We favor the Flywheel Pilsner Bier.
Over in Wicker Park, you’ll find Independence Shop. A former neighbor to our Billy Reid Chicago store and a personal favorite of ours owned and carefully curated by our friend George Vlagos. At Independence, you’ll find an impressive roster of American-made pieces, including the made-in-the-USA Oak Street Boots, a handcrafted boot and shoe brand where George is also at the helm. If you’re on the hunt for great Americana brands, this is the place to be. Bar none. And if you see George, tell him we sent you.
Making a stop at the the Art Institute of Chicago in Grant Park is an absolute must. It’s a local gem recognized as one of the leading fine-arts institutions in the United States. You could spend a few hours or a whole day, but you’ll not walk away disappointed. There’s permanent collections, impressive galleries, and special, rotating exhibits all year-long.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend spending some time in our shop situated in the West Loop at 845 W Randolph St. Opened in 2015, we were one of the first to open a retail shop in this former meatpacking district. The shop is a stunner, and so are the thoughtful touches we made - a custom marble staircase, brass and reclaimed barn wood throughout, antique apothecary cabinets all the way from Alabama, and a custom centerpiece made of recycled wrought iron doors. Explore the neighborhood, visit with our shop team, preview our latest collection, and let us pour you a drink if you’re so inclined.
There’s a lot of rich history at Thalia Hall. It’s a storied venue that opened in 1892 as an opera house. It’s seen many years and heard many things, but it has remained a landmark of the city and was most recently revitalized in 2013 to what you see today – a lively music, bar, and restaurant space. It’s also one of our favorite spots to enjoy music from notable artists to up-and-comers alike.
Schubas Tavern is a beloved music venue situated on the corner of Belmont and Southport in the Lake View neighborhood, housed in the old Schlitz Brewing Company brewery. It has no frills but instead is simple and stately with its rich mahogany bar and walnut wainscoting. It has a concert hall in the back and hosts some of the most diverse groups of musicians - from indie to pop to jazz.
There’s no place like home. And to us - that’s what Nobu feels like. It’s a stone’s throw away from our West Loop Billy Reid Shop and one of our favorites. Its customer service is hard to beat (hey, neighbors!), and so are the rooms, the dining, and the convenience. Within 15 minutes, you can be at some of the best spots in the city for food, drink, and shopping. Tell them we sent ya!
There’s no shortage of vibe-y hotels in Chicago, but easily, one of our favorite spots to hang your hat is Hoxton Chicago. It’s airy, artful, communal, and comfortable, with dining and drink options galore. Chef Stephanie (of our beloved Girl & the Goat) has a Peruvian restaurant, Cabra, that is not to be missed. Plus, don’t miss out on the basement jazz found at Lazy Bird. Last but not least, there’s a rooftop pool - one of few in the West Loop neighborhood. What’s not to love?