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air. These days, after some recent renovations, the spiffed-up mall remains pop-
ular, but doesn't have much to distinguish it from any other upscale shopping
center. Water Tower is a magnet for suburban teenagers (just like your mall back
home!), and can get quite crowded during prime summer tourist season. Most
of its stores are part of national chains (Gap, Victoria's Secret, and so on). But
there are a few shops that make it worth a stop, including hip young designs
from the British store French Connection (fifth floor; & 312/932-9460 ) and
wearable women's clothing at Eileen Fisher (second floor; & 312/943-9190 ).
The department stores anchoring the mall are the Mag Mile outpost of the
Loop's famed Marshall Field's (floors one to eight; & 312/335-7700 ) and a
Lord & Taylor (floors one to seven; & 312/787-7400 ). One of Water Tower's
best features is the funky food court foodlife (p. 135).
900 NORTH MICHIGAN The most upscale of the Magnificent Mile's three
vertical malls, 900 North Michigan (often called the Bloomingdale's building,
for its most prominent tenant) avoids the tumult of Water Tower Place by
appealing to a more well-heeled shopper. In addition to about 70 stores are a few
good restaurants and a nice movie multiplex on the lower level. For mall infor-
mation, call & 312/915-3916.
The Chicago outpost of Gucci (ground floor; & 312/664-5504 ) has the
same hip attitude as the label's sexy clothing and much-in-demand purses. Also
on the ground floor is MaxMara ( & 312/475-9500 ), the Italian women's fash-
ion house known for elegantly constructed coats and separates (some of which
will cost you about as much as a flight to Italy). Other goodies worth checking
out include funky European footwear at Charles David (second floor; & 312/
944-9013 ), amazingly intricate French glassware at Lalique (ground floor;
& 312/867-1787 ), and an eclectic selection of hats, mittens, scarves, and other
accessories at Glove Me Tender (fifth floor; & 312/664-4022 ), which should
be your first stop if you're caught here during an unexpected cold spell.
CHICAGO PLACE Chicago Place, 700 N. Michigan Ave. ( & 312/642-4811 ),
has been looking for an identity ever since opening in 1991. Although it is home
to Saks Fifth Avenue ( & 312/944-6500 ), the rest of the stores are not as upscale;
they include a three-floor Ann Taylor (1st, mezzanine, and 2nd floors; & 312/
335-0117 ) and the furniture store Home Element (fifth floor; & 312/587-8752 ).
The mall has also attracted a good selection of import stores, the best of which are
Umbria Ceramics ( & 312/266-9600 ), which stocks a nice selection of Italian
tableware; Design Toscano ( & 312/587-1199 ): and Russian Creations ( & 312/
573-0792 ).
Lunch on the Mag Mile
When I worked just off Michigan Avenue, my favorite spot for lunch was
the Food Court on the eighth floor of Chicago Place. A bright, airy space
with a fountain and palm trees, it's my pick for the best cheap eats in the
area. You'll find the usual mall favorites (Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy's), but
healthier dishes are available at Pattie's Quick and Lite (salads, wraps, pasta)
and Pita Pavilion (Mediterranean). My true downfall, though, were always
the crispy french fries at the Great Steak and Potato Company. Grab one
of the tables behind Pita Pavilion for a great Michigan Avenue view.
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