Chic Shelter
Even though a weekend outing with girlfriends means getting away from home, this big city outing in Chicago can bring out your inner interior designer when you visit the 2010 DreamHome at the Merchandise Mart, on display until December 10. The nine-room “home” within the Mart, the world’s largest wholesale design center, features the latest eco-friendly furnishings, colors and ideas, some of which you can adapt to even the most humble abode.
For practical souvenirs that you can bring or ship home, visit the nearby Bloomingdale’s Home Store, housed in the historic landmark Medinah Temple that features the structure’s original stained-glass windows. You’ll find everything from ultra-chic china to handy kitchen gadgets, and you may even chance upon a cooking demo by a prominent local chef. European imported housewares at the nearby intimate P.O.S.H. boutique make ideal gifts.
After all the activity, it’s time for a post-shopping libation. Just steps from P.O.S.H. is Pops for Champagne, which offers gourmet small plates and excellent live jazz in the evenings. Other good dining and sipping options in the vicinity include SushiSamba Rio, a lively Brazilian/Japanese fusion restaurant and nightclub; Naha, a Mediterranean-accented contemporary American hotspot; and Vermilion, an inventive one-of-a-kind East Indian/Latin American white tablecloth restaurant.
This area, known as River North, also boasts several boutique hotels, including the Dana Hotel and Spa and the Kimpton Hotel Palomar. Both have their own noteworthy restaurants and offer luxurious spa services for relaxing before or after a busy day.
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