Haute Insider: Chicago Med Star Jessy Schram’s Guide to Chicago

Welcome to Haute Insider, where Haute Living asks the city’s most discerning residents for the addresses they hold closest: the tables they return to, the boutiques they swear by, and the hidden corners they rarely share.

Jessy Schram left Chicago’s suburbs for Los Angeles at 18, chasing an acting career that would take her from Mad Men and Once Upon a Time to Unstoppable opposite Denzel Washington and a run of Hallmark holiday favorites. Then Chicago Med brought her home. As Dr. Hannah Asher on NBC’s long-running drama, Schram now works in the city where her story began, and she’s rediscovering it with fresh eyes, from deep dish at Lou Malnati’s and sushi at Momotaro to Sunday brunch on the river and the architecture boat tour she calls the one thing you can’t miss.

Some cities you visit. Others have a way of bringing you back.

It’s a fitting full-circle moment for an actress defined by range. Her television credits also include Nashville, Veronica Mars and Falling Skies, and on film she’s shared the screen with Chris Pine in Unstoppable and Jon Bernthal and Lake Bell in Shot Caller. On Chicago Med, Hannah’s journey through addiction, recovery and romance has given her plenty of emotional territory to explore.

Next comes something far more festive: Schram stars in the upcoming Hallmark film Christmas in Canterbury, joining a holiday résumé that includes A Royal New Year’s Eve, Road to Christmas, Nashville Christmas Carol and Mystic Christmas. The season matters to her off-screen too. A singer-songwriter with a folk-pop sound, she’s released two original holiday singles, “Til the Seasons Change Again” and “My Present Is You.” Away from the set, she champions Corazon de Vida, which supports orphaned children in Baja, Mexico, along with animal welfare groups including Liberia Chimp Rescue and Layla Rose Ranch.

Here, the Chicago Med star shares her personal guide to the Windy City, from the tables she books on repeat to the places that keep Chicago close to her heart.

Photo Credit: Sterling Taylor

Jessy Schram’s Chicago, in Her Words

Where She Dines

Favorite Restaurant: Trivoli Tavern

Best Sushi: Momotaro

Best Italian: Volare

Best Steakhouse: “There’s a great steakhouse on every corner, but Hawksmoor or Asador Bastian are my picks.”

Best Lunch: Mirra in Bucktown and Doma Cafe in Old Town

Only in Chicago: Portillo’s for a hot dog. Parlor Pizza, or Lou Malnati’s for classic deep dish.

Brunch, Sweets and Date Night

Best Sunday Brunch: Cupitol for the gluten-free pancakes, or Beatnik on the River for the scenery

Best Dessert: Margie’s Candies in Wicker Park

Most Romantic: “My favorite date night was at Tango Sur a few years back, and Bavette’s (downstairs) is a lovely time.”

Wellness and Members Clubs

Best Spa: Organic Spa Chicago: “the most nurturing facial experience you’ll ever have”

Best Workout: Fala Moves Pilates & Gyrotonic

Best Members Club: Soho House

Photo Credit: Emily Sandifer

Culture

Favorite Institution: The MCA

Best Museum: “Chicago is abundant in top-tier museums, but the Art Institute of Chicago is my No. 1, along with the Field Museum.”

Favorite Cultural Event: The Chicago Marathon, Taste of Chicago, the Grant Park Music Festival “and any block party you’re lucky enough to stumble on”

Favorite Charity Event: Bike the Drive, when Lake Shore Drive closes to cars and thousands of cyclists ride the shoreline

Shopping and Getting Around

Best Shopping: The streets of Lincoln Park and Wicker Park

Best Way to Get Around: “I love to beat the traffic with a Divvy bike or scooter.”

All-Around Favorite: Big City Pickle

The One Thing

“The architecture boat tour. If you only have time for one thing, this is it. It’s a must.”