Sieglinde

Goldsmith and jewelry designer (www.lindelim.com); 32; joyfully married with a dog, 3 cats, and 5 miniature chickens (for organic eggs); Chicago resident since 2001; lives in the Bronzeville neighborhood

What neighborhood do you live in?
My husband and I purchased our first home in the historic, friendly, and tree-lined Bronzeville neighborhood last April. I was always drawn to the allure and social juxtaposition of this area. During the Civil War, it was the site of Camp Douglas (one can visit Stephen Douglas’ memorial located in a secluded spot down east 35th Street). The area then transformed at the turn of the 20th century into long avenues of spacious limestone mansions - including the only row houses Frank Lloyd Wright constructed - which were meticulously crafted to display the financial might of Chicago’s affluent merchants. Then in the 1950s-90s the neighborhood struggled to survive when many historic homes were demolished to make way for subsidized public housing buildings. Today, it's a community deeply rooted in history. Constantly accumulating new traditions, it exemplifies how Chicago has evolved within the intersections of race and cultures.

What is your favorite thing about Chicago?
I would say how green our city is; specifically, on two levels. The gardens and parks are lovely to stroll around and one cannot help but notice the carefully planned out ornamental landscaping. Mayor Daley has also done such a terrific job encouraging city dwellers to be more environmentally sensitive through such measures as: rooftop gardens, biking lanes, water conservation, allowing chickens in city back yards, and expanding recycling programs.

What is your favorite neighborhood and why?

Chicago is unique in that each neighborhood is quite distinct from the next. I love where we live, yet I also appreciate exploring different cultures and do so by going to locally owned ethnic restaurants and markets throughout the city. My favorite stomping grounds include Chinatown for the bakeries and markets; Pilsen for the many spectacular taquerías; Avondale for authentic Polish deli fare; and Edgewater for Middle Eastern and North African delicacies.

What is your favorite restaurant?
I have several casual favorites: Couscous (great Middle Eastern cuisine in a relaxed/dive-like setting within the Little Italy neighborhood), Fox & Obel’s Café (close to Navy Pier that offers delightful gourmet meals that are perfect right before a movie at the River East 21), and in Bridgeport, Gio’s Café & Deli  (half pantry store and half restaurant; it almost brings you back to Al Capone’s era!).

What is your favorite place for hot dogs?
Maxwell Street Polish (near UIC campus & down the street from the White Sox Stadium) – Chicago style with everything on it, of course!

Favorite pizza place?
Connie’s

Stuffed crust or thin crust?
Thin! That way I can enjoy even more of it!

Favorite summertime activity?
Bicycling and picnicking along the lake with my husband and dog!

Favorite Chicago tradition?
A tradition during childhood was to take the train into the city to view Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) Christmas window displays. My husband and I continue this and have also included Daley Plaza’s Christkindlmarket! He is from Germany and we go there for hearty potato pancakes and mulled wine with our dog the day after Thanksgiving!

Cubs or Sox?
The White Sox - what other baseball team exists?!

Favorite place in Chicago?
Home.

Where can you find the best view of the Chicago skyline?
From the grounds of the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The city’s architecture amidst the bold lines of the pavilion make for a striking visceral experience.

Where do you like to bring visiting friends or out-of-town guests?
I enjoy starting them on an unofficial tour of Chicago’s South Side ranging from where Louis Armstrong and other famous musicians once lived to the Parkway Ballroom on 44th & King Drive, and then the University of Chicago campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood. From there, we would veer north to hop on the Architecture Foundation’s river boat tours, enjoy sweeping views from the John Hancock Observatory, and finally settle in the beautifully landscaped Michigan Avenue corridor where they can visit museums, shop, eat, or attend a show.

Favorite hidden spot?
Osaka Garden in Jackson Park (behind the Museum of Science & Industry). I go there with our dog to sketch and think as it is a beautiful and serene setting!

Photo by: Dan Merlo