Exploring a Historic Building in Chicago

On Saturday, I braved the 32-degree heat and cycled 15 kilometers round trip to visit the popular "3 Arts Club Cafe" in Chicago. 🚴‍♂️☀️ This restaurant is run by the famous home furnishings chain Restoration Hardware (RH), located in a historic building from 1914 in the northern part of downtown Chicago. The building, which spans 6,500 square meters (70K sf), was originally constructed 110 years ago as a place for young women to study music, drama, and visual arts. 🏛️ Today, most of the space is used to display RH's furniture. The restaurant is situated in the atrium of the building, featuring a massive chandelier, a fountain, and olive trees—it's incredibly atmospheric and perfect for a little upscale experience. 🌴 We were seated in the wine cellar next to the atrium. However, by the time I arrived at the restaurant on my bike, I was drenched in sweat, feeling like I had just emerged from a swimming pool. I think I might have had a touch of heatstroke because I had no appetite at all. After drinking a lot of water and iced tea, all I wanted to do was sleep. 😪 So I only ordered a few appetizers, which were just okay in quality, not cheap, and average in terms of value for money. If I ever come again, I'll make sure to request a table in the atrium. 🍽️ RH's choice to use this century-old building for furniture display is truly tasteful. Their furniture is large in size, with simple lines, made from solid wood, and of high quality. However, it's best suited for environments with high ceilings and spacious rooms—think large houses, high ceilings in living rooms, and big bedrooms. This style has been very popular in the US in recent years. 🏠 My house is small and can't really accommodate such heavy furniture, so their style isn't really my cup of tea. But I did like the two decorative paintings for the kids' rooms, and I might consider getting them in the future. As for furniture, I prefer Ethan Allen; my main bedroom and dining room are both furnished with their pieces. 🖼️ The historic building has several floors, each with vast spaces, and even a huge rooftop terrace. It's definitely worth exploring every level after having a meal. On a hot summer day like Saturday, wandering through a unique, air-conditioned old building is quite enjoyable. 😎 #Chicago #ChicagoLife #FurnitureShare #HomeDecorShare #HiddenGemRestaurant