ML - Michigan Avenue

2014 - Issue 4 - Summer

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!

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But it's not just British artist ic and sartorial savvy that's impacting Chicago. With the open- ing of his new Brit-inspired riverside restaurant, R iver Roa st , M ichelin- st a r red chef Tony Mantuano is bringing a taste of London to the Windy City. "For so long the food in London was the butt of the joke," he says with a laugh, "but I think it might be one of the most exciting places to eat right now." Mantuano is putting his money where his mouth is in his first non-Italian eatery, which was inspired by the London restaurant Roa st a nd w ill ser ve up homey cla ssics like whole roasted chicken, succulent beef slices, and market-fresh veg. "It's a return to sitting down at the table and having a great roast and farmers market vegetables," he says. Nick Spencer, owner of the recently expanded Lakeview grocery store and restaurant Spencer's Jolly Posh Foods, echoes Mantuano's sentiment, explaining that he's not necessarily on a mission to cha nge Ch icagoa ns' m inds about Br it ish food; he just "wants to give them a taste of home." And home seems to be the thread connecting the two cultures. Despite the stereotype of the chilly Brit, creating a warm, inviting feeling of comfort is part of the core philosophy of the Br it ish bra nds a r r iv ing in Ch icago. Ca se in point: Virgin, which is set to unveil the first prop- erty in its new boutique hotel line in the Loop this autumn. Says Doug Carrillo, vice president of sales and marketing for Virgin Hotels North America, "Elements throughout the hotel will take you through Virgin's British heritage and British heritage overall." Just as important, the hotels a re desig ned to offer "homey int imacy and heartfelt service." Carrillo explains that like Virgin's Limited Edition properties, the Chicago hotel w ill be like a n extension of home —but with all the innovations and cheeky touches for wh ich Virg in is k now n. Sim ila rly, Jones tout s Soho House a s "a home away f rom home" for it s members. To t hat end, Vicky Cha rles, t he company's head designer, is devoting 30 percent of t he f u r nish ings to v int age a nd recla imed finds, to give the space a comfortable, eclectic vibe. "That's the way you decorate your home," she says. "Your most comfortable chair may be a bit faded." It 's a n aest het ic t hat appea ls to Midwestern sensibilities. "I think Brits see kindred spirits in Chicago," says Soho House's Stevenson. "Chicagoans have a great sense of humor, they're drawn to authen- ticit y and shy away from anything that's too f lashy—it feels like British brands fit right in." Perhaps we a re, after a ll, simply t wo nat ions divided by a common language. MA continued from page 132 Although Stephen Bridges, Britain's consul general in Chicago, arrived in the Windy City a scant year ago, the career diplomat, former British ambas- sador to Cambodia, and renewable-energy entrepreneur has hit the ground running. Strategically targeting cities in his 13-state territory, he fosters opportunities for trade and investment, manages long-held business relationships, and promotes implementation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a proposed free-trade agreement between the US and the UK that would create as many as 30,200 jobs in Illinois alone. Rest from his formal responsibilities usually involves entertaining visitors and promoting British culture—from Shakespeare to the Beatles to Downton Abbey—in the stunning official residence just off Michigan Avenue, where he lives with his wife, Kim, and two dogs, Coco and Montague. Chicago's best: The people—they made us welcome from day one: People from the building found out my wife is Asian, so they brought moon cakes. Perception of Chicago in the UK and vice versa: Al Capone and Michael Jordan. And people's image of the UK is still soldiers with big fluffy hats and red tunics and inedible food. [Changing perceptions] is something I am going to be working on. Diplomatic approach: Too many diplo- mats remain aloof and detached—almost tangential to Chicago society. We want to be part of it. It's a lot easier if we are part of your society and we go to your parties, rather than you go to ours once a year and stick a flag up the pole and sing "God Save the Queen." Integration is key. The DiplomaT stephen bridges, uk consul general chicago 134 MIChIGAnAveMAG.CoM

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