The Team Behind Carpenter Street on Their Favorite Spots in the City
Lisa Futterman
May 13, 2025
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Every month, people from Chicago's hospitality industry will share recommendations for food, drink, ingredients, and more as part of our Chef Picks series.
Carpenter Street is a comfortably cozy neighborhood spot that opened in March in the West Loop, with a white oak bar and a timeless look and feel, as if it’s been there forever. Nadine O’Malley has turned heads with her fashion brand, NADE BAER, and decided to use her artistic sensibilities in the hospitality world. She hired executive chef Jess Zegers, an alum of Stephanie Izard’s Duck Duck Goat and Evanston’s Found Kitchen, to create an approachable all-day menu for dinners, happy hours, and a lazy Saturday lunch and brunch to draw in the local community and out-of-town visitors.
We asked these two longtime Chicagoans to weigh in on their favorite Chicago eating and drinking spots.
Owner Nadine O'Malley
Favorite Restaurant
I grew up going to [now closed] Lawry’s The Prime Rib for special occasions my entire life, and Carson’s Ribs
Favorite Dish
The red snapper from Le Colonial. I have loved it since day one.
Favorite Place to Drink
La Colombe for coffee (and sweets)
Favorite Place to Shop or Buy Ingredients
Believe it or not, it’s Pete’s Fresh Market. They have hundreds of imported brands of food.
Favorite Local Chicago Brand
Favorite Place in the City to Bring an Out-of-Town Guest
Gibsons Italia, sitting outside at a table overlooking the river
A Person in the Industry You Admire
Meg Sahs, owner of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Executive Chef Jess Zegers
Favorite restaurant
Favorite Dish
Corned beef sandwich from Manny’s Deli
Favorite Place to Drink
Central Park Bar in Avondale - Bingo Mondays!
Favorite Place to Shop or Buy Ingredients
Fresh Farms on Touhy Avenue in Niles - lots of different varieties of vegetables, cured meats, and cheeses
Favorite Local Chicago Brand
Favorite Place in the City to Bring an Out-of-Town Guest
Diner Grill on Irving Park Road, home of the Slinger!
A Person in the Industry You Admire
Debbie Gold [her former boss at Found Kitchen]! A James Beard Award-winning chef who has dedicated her career to helping the mothers of the restaurant industry
