One fine day
Louis R. Carlozo
January 19, 2008
My pet theory -- one I can't support, but a pet theory
nonetheless -- is that the burgeoning Harrison Street Arts
District in Oak Park will someday tip its hat to the Groovy
Beatle, George Harrison. Regardless, it's a wonderful,
wonderwall place to spend One Fine Day in an artsy way.
Morning
At Bead In Hand (145 Harrison St., 708-848-1761), you'll
catch shoppers at all hours searching for just the right
bauble to adorn that handmade bracelet. The shop offers
lessons for all skill levels at $40 and less. Roughly a
dozen art galleries line the eight-plus blocks of the
Harrison Street strip, including outsider art haven Art
Gecko (19 Harrison St., 708-358-1950) and primitive-to-fine
showcase Just One More ... (203 Harrison St., 708-848-4398).
If all that stimuli has you feeling fleet of foot, stop by
Diane VanDerhei's Intuit Dance (237 Harrison St.,
708-524-0500) -- a creative dance mecca for kids and young
adults that will feature open studio days 10 a.m.-noon
Monday, Feb. 18 and March 3 (in conjunction with Bead in
Hand).
Afternoon
I don't comprehend half the paintings festooning the
Buzz
Cafe (905 S. Lombard Ave., 708-524-2899), which makes me
either a snob or a slob. A jumbo redo of Vanity Fair's Harry
Potter issue cover? A slightly psychedelic rendering of
Wrigley Field? Regardless: The java is killer, and brunch
packs 'em in as the wait staff dispenses French toast and
tofu veggie wraps. After the Buzz, it's around the corner to
the Brown Elephant (217 Harrison St., 708-445-0612). I could
spend hours browsing amid the sweaters, sport coats, odd
gadgets and furniture -- all priced way below reasonable. On
this trip, I missed landing a Black & Decker Workmate bench
by seconds. Rats. If you still need to work off those brunch
calories, there's no finer place than Val's Halla Records
(239 Harrison St., 708-524-1004). The new-and-used music
shop -- yes, vinyl is spoken here -- has been an Oak Park
fixture since 1972, and its new location means easier access
to other arts outlets. And pizza.
Evening
Trattoria 225 (225 Harrison St.; 708-358-8555) marks a
sorely needed new dining entry in the area, and its
selection of rustic Italian dishes adds continental flair to
the strip. Check out the thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas --
oak wood, Oak Park, how fitting -- from the white clam to
the big cheese (mozzarella, provolone, Gorgonzola and
Romano). You can always make your own, too, choosing from up
to two dozen toppings. And what do you know? A block west
sits Wonderwall Music Shop & Emporium (329B Harrison St.,
708-754-7026). With its hand-painted tambourines, belly
dance adornments and "Beatles thingys," it's just the spot
to put the Harrison in Harrison Street. Fab!
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