Haute Secrets: Marie Whitney

In the five years that Marie Whitney has lived in Chicago, she’s seen more sides to the city than many lifelong residents. As a mom, she’s navigated preschools and public parks. As an entrepreneur, she’s built one of Southport’s prettiest brick-and-mortar stores and a community of fans with her clothing brand Two-Penny Blue. And as the wife to Cubs President Theo Epstein, she’s witnessed (and supported) the monumental effort of building of a history-making sports team from an intimate perspective that few other Chicagoans could understand.

Here, Whitney shares with us a guide to the city from her unique point-of-view.

Where were you born: New Jersey, I’m a Jersey girl through and through.

How long in Chicago: 5 years

Neighborhood:  Lakeview

Occupation:  Founder and Creative Director, Two Penny Blue

Favorite Restaurant:  Girl and The Goat

Best Sushi: Momitarro

Best Italian: well RPM Italian for the win.  It’s our favorite spot  for Italian – we even have Christmas Eve dinner here every year.

Best dessert: The skillet chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream from Crosby’s Kitchen.  Life changing.

Best place for a romantic date:  Get yourself some wine, some great music, head to the lake and hop on a boat right before sunset on a summer night …

Best Sunday brunch: Southport Grocery has an amazing Sunday brunch.  Plus you can do a little shopping on Southport Corridor before or after.

Best place for a power business meeting: RL or Travelle Kitchen.

If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend?  I love Soho House, The Thompson and The Penninsula.  

Favorite shopping venue/boutique:  Well can I say Two Penny Blue on Southport? I might be a little biased but that place has heart and soul

Best Spa:  I rarely have time to go – but the Chuan Spa at The Langham is really beautiful.  

Favorite Charity Event:  The Chicago Children’s Choir Red Jacket Optional Gala is always so inspiring.

Favorite Cultural Event:  It’s hard to pick just one – Chicago has a great live music scene and great theater as well.

Favorite Cultural Institution: The Art Institute of Chicago

Best Steakhouse:  Swift & Sons

Best Pizza:  Spacca Napoli hands down.

Best Lunch:  3 Arts Café

Best Gym/Athletic Facility:  I am a Pure Barre girl.

Best Massage:  Soothe App 100% –  have you heard of it? On-demand massages right in your own home – it’s amazing

Best Limousine/Driving Service:  You can’t go wrong with an Uber but if you want to get fancy – Atlantis Car & Limousine is great.

Best Museum/Exhibit:  Museum of Science and Industry

Describe your city in three words:  Sports, Soul & Culture

Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore:  Wrigley Field

All-around favorite spot in Chicago:  The lake – you just have to love being on the water …

Best Aspect of Chicago:  I am going to go on record here as saying that Chicago has the best people of any city in the country…  and really, what matters more than that?