Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/297393
Prime Properties WHEN IT COMES TO CHICAGO'S HOTTEST SPRINGTIME RESTAURANTS, REAL ESTATE BROKER EXTRAORDINAIRE JANET OWEN IS SOLD ON THESE DOWNTOWN DESTINATIONS. BY ELLE EICHINGER I n the spring, every restaurant in the city swings wide its front windows or sets out tables for picture-perfect patio dining. For Janet Owen, the top producer at KoenigRubloff Realty Group, this time of year is her favorite, since it means she can enjoy her working lunches alfresco. Owen specializes in the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Streeterville, neighbor- hoods that are also her favorite destinations for dining. Here are her top springtime spots. NoMI Terrace "I have a lot of listings in the 800 North Michigan Avenue building, so I come here often. They know I like to sit in the shade and off to the side so I won't disturb anybody if I'm on my phone. My favorite dish is the salmon, and if they don't have that, they always have a great fresh fish on the menu." 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030; hyatt.com/gallery/nomi/index.html Pelago "There are no cell phones allowed, so if I'm having a lunch date, it's a great place. For dinner, I love the roasted sea bream. They have something called a frollino that is sinful but delicious: a cookie ring with mascarpone sabayon and blueberry sorbet in the middle." 201 E. Delaware Pl., 312-280-0700; pelagorestaurant.com North Pond "My husband and I love to have Sunday brunch here on the porch with the French windows open wide and the city skyline in the distance. I always start with a Bellini or mimosa. They have an herb garden tucked in right next to the restaurant and use the fresh herbs in the preparation. My favorite main course is the pan-roasted Arctic char." 2610 N. Cannon Dr., 773-477-5845; northpondrestaurant.com Chicago Yacht Club "There's a shuttle that will take you from Michigan Avenue to the club and back if you just go for lunch—it's like a mini vacation. For lunch I always get the Cobb salad with extra chicken or the salmon citrus salad." 400 E. Monroe St., 312-861-7777; chicagoyachtclub.org MA PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALDONES PHOTOGRAPHY (CRAB CAKES) cheddar hush puppies; or groups of Gold Coast friends getting together to celebrate over whole pork shoulder presented tableside, the place is packed nearly ever y night, and W hippen—the consummate hostess—is there strolling the room to greet table after table. "An integral part of what I do on a daily basis is interact with our guests," she says. "I'm excited about every conversation I have and for them to hear about our smoking methods, my history as a pitmaster, and to see via kitchen tours where and how the food gets to the table." Whippen makes it all seem effortless, despite the long hours at the smoker, at the restaurant, at charity events, and on the barbecue competi- tion circuit—where she has won "between 60 and 75" awa rds (she ca n't reca ll, adm it t ing t hat it may be more) since first competing with her dad in 1996. She credits her fat her's passion for barbecue, as well a s ch i ld hood t r ips to her g ra nd mot h- er's M issou r i hog farm, for getting her where she is today, a nd for g iv i ng her t he tenacit y to su r - vive in the admittedly testosterone-filled world of competitive barbecue. "My dad was well known, so that gave me a foot in the door," Whippen says. "When I started hitting the road myself, the men realized I could do this and beat them. I had to win repeatedly— but once you st a r t w inning, you ga in respect , and it evolves from there." Spoken like a t rue champion. 1160 N. Dearborn St., 312-642-1160; chicagoqrestaurant.com MA continued from page 96 LEFT: The Chicago Yacht Club is dedicated to serving sustainable seafood. BELOW: Janet Owen " Lee Ann's place really did a lot to elevate what barbecue can be." BARRY SORKIN Jumbo lump crab cakes 98 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM TASTE 094-098_MA_ST_SMD-GuidedTour_May-June_14.indd 98 4/14/14 2:10 PM