Last Summer we asked MoCo Loco contributors what their favorite places were in their city. This Spring we're asking them to identify the top five design places. Starting with Joshua Wentz, here below are his Top 5 Design places for Chicago.

1. Architectural Artifacts
2. A.Okay Official
3. Prairie Avenue Bookshop
4. The Boring Store
5. Millennium Park/ Frank Gehry Music Pavilion


Details after the jump...

During my final days in Barcelona this past summer, I was lucky enough to be invited to the office of ItteStudio. Ana and Alex shared some of their work with me (as well as some delicious serrano ham) and some tips on not-to-miss places in BCN. Their office, a sunny space just off of the Gran Via, instantly had me feeling envious and considering an international relocation.

ItteStudio's designs cover a wide spectrum of aesthetics, but uniformly present an artistic touch, clean execution and underlying meaning. Jw

Time flies! Over the summer, I visited Barcelona and wrote up some of my more interesting MoCo finds, and I've saved the a few of the best for last.

Just around the corner from the Museu Picasso was a sweets shop called Demasié; with packaging design as delicious as the cookies themselves. Jw

Click on the map above to see all of Jaime's favorite places.

COFFEE
City O' City | 303.831.6443 | watercoursefoods.com | 206 East 13th Ave, Denver, CO

From the owners of Denver's beloved vegetarian restaurant Watercourse comes City O' City, a combination bar/restaurant/coffee house that works surprisingly well as all three. The interior is warm and welcoming with art adorned walls, a long wooden bar and a corner filled with comfortable couches. The menu includes a delicious variety of vegetarian pizzas as well as freshly made vegan pastries. Whether you are looking to get some work done on the laptop, enjoy happy hour with friends or join in on the weekly craft nights, City O' City provides the perfect atmosphere with unpretentious style.

DESIGN
P Design Gallery | 720.259.2516 | pdesigngallery.com | 2590 Walnut St. Denver, CO

The P Design Gallery has been working hard to bring cutting-edge, contemporary design to Denver ever since it opened its doors last July. Owners Paul and Pifuka Hardt carefully curate their showroom with a variety of lines ranging from the high-end outdoor furniture of Gandia Blasco to affordable accessories by D-Bros and Tord Boontje. Unlike other retail stores in town though, P Design has a gallery space which exhibits the work of today's most noted emerging and professional designers. Recent shows have included couture quilts by Denyse Schmidt, collective works from Citizen:Citizen and an exhibition of Colorado designers.

THEATER
Buntport Theater | 720.946.1388 | buntport.com | 717 Lipan St., Denver, CO

Based in a warehouse off of Denver's popular Santa Fe arts district, Buntport Theater is creating some of the most innovative and imaginative productions in town. The six person company does everything from writing to acting in-house, often utilizing creative means to augment their small ensemble. In a recent adaptation of Hamlet for instance, Ophelia was played by a goldfish, while the role of Polonius was skillfully handled by Teddy Ruxpin. Other original performances include audience favorites such as Titus Andronicus! The Musical and Kafka on Ice. With a full calendar of programming that includes two bi-weekly live sitcoms, it's easy to see why fans of Buntport are some of the most devoted theater patrons you'll ever meet.

SHOP
Colfax Avenue may be best known as the country's longest commercial thoroughfare, but in recent years an influx of neighborhood restaurants, galleries and independently owned shops have brought a community focus back to the area known as East Colfax. One of the pioneers in the Colfax comeback is Mod Livin', a modern and mid-century home furnishings showroom that is a must-see for any design lover. The revitalization has also brought in newcomers such as the Fabric Lab, a boutique which features clothing and accessories from over 60 local designers. Just a few doors down is Plastic Chapel, Denver's hip designer toy store, which also hosts regular openings for area artists.

Mod Livin' | 720.941.9292 | modlivin.com | 5327 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO

The Fabric Lab | 303.321.3604 | thefabriclab.com | 3105 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO

Plastic Chapel | 303.722.0715 | plasticchapel.com | 3109 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO

DRINK
Thin Man | 303.320.7814 | 2015 East 17th Ave, Denver, CO

Patrons of the Thin Man enjoy this Denver hot spot because it's the every-man's bar. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere cozy and the variety of homemade flavor-infused vodkas can't be beat. There's an outdoor patio and garage door that stay open during summer months while in the winter, customers warm up by the wood stove inside. The clientele tends to lean towards the 30-something range, though you'll find everyone from pedi-cab drivers to the after-work set mingling at this neighborhood haunt. And if it's caffeine you're craving, not cocktails, the adjoining St. Marks Coffee House is only a few steps away.

Click on the map above to see all of Sabine's favorite places.

MUSEUM
National Gallery of Canada | 613.990.1985 | 380 Sussex Drive

Being greeted by Louise Bourgeois’ Maman on the plaza outside the national Art Gallery of Canada is a spectacular way to make an entrance to this extraordinary space designed by Moshe Safdie. Tucked inside are the Rideau Chapel and the Garden Court, two excellent places to sneak away for some peace and quiet. And there’s always Ron Mueck’s giant baby head …

FOOD
The Whalesbone Oyster House | 613.231.8569 | 430 Bank Street

Don’t like oysters? Not a problem. The Whalesbone’s menu is a small yet varied grouping of fresh offerings … Oysters are your thing? Then you’re in luck, as there are usually about half a dozen different kinds on offer, from both coasts fed’exed in from the boats. The space is tiny, the atmosphere lively and intimate, the service is friendly and quick – and home to Ottawa’s favorite chef, Steve Vardy.

COFFEE
Planet Coffee | 24A York Street

Lots of windows and magazines, the artwork often changes, good music selection. Hard to focus if you bring work, there are people to watch and conversations to listen in on. Grilled paninis have interesting fillings, the bean salad is comfort food and the coffee cake a perennial weakness. Oh, yeah, there’s coffee, too.

WINE
The Fourth Avenue Wine Bar | 613.236.0040 | 107 Fourth Avenue

Tucked away on a residential street just off the main drag of Bank Street, the Wine Bar is like a well-kept secret. A good thing, too, ‘cause it’s tiny, and that’s part of the charm. A good selection of wines by the glass, loads of tapas-sized eats and attentive service make this a favorite spot for spilling confidences or festive celebrations. Off the beaten track means you can hear the conversation you’re part of. I know I can go out and buy white port from a store, but it’s much more fun to imbibe here.

CLOTHES
Kaliyana | 613.526.3676 | 515 Sussex Drive

Japanese-inspired designs with European flavour is one way to describe Kaliyana’s linen blend separates and assorted knits for all seasons. Elegantly comfortable is another. Go for the one-on-one service that is friendly and in-depth, the Trippens (shoes with attitude from Germany) and the wide selection of jewellery from Italy, Germany and all over Canada.

(unfortunately no map available)

DESIGN
Ginza Graphic Gallery | Tel. 03.3571.5206 | dnp.co.jp | DNP Ginza Bldg. 7-7-2 Ginza

In terms of design galleries Ginza is pretty much the area of Tokyo you'll want to visit, especially when it comes to graphics and art direction, and my favorite is the Ginza Graphic Gallery. Their monthly shows are usually comprehensive retrospectives of a designer or unit, with the occasional group and award exhibitions to give some perspective on the direction the scene is heading. The gallery's series of affordable GGG Books (only 1000 yen) is also great, with a new volume accompanying most shows.

FOOD
Ootoya | Tel. 03.5954.0218 | ootoya.com | MASHITA5 2F 3-13-17 Minami-Ikebukuro

Of all the food choices in this city, why do I include a fast food chain? Ootoya is more than just your average food chain; the food -- typical Japanese fare, in the form of a teishoku, which means served with rice, miso soup, and the like -- tastes great, it's quite affordable, and the atmosphere is nice, especially at the branch I always visit on Azuma street in Ikebukuro (they renovated the space 2 years ago, giving it a simple wooden interior). You'll find Ootoya shops throughout the city, and I highly recommend you stop for a decent meal on a budget. Also, the menu includes pictures of every plate, so no need to worry about any language issues.

CAFE
Cafe Pause | Tel. 03.5950.6117 | jeansnow.net/cafepause | 1F-2-14-12 Minami-Ikebukuro

I couldn't really have a top 5 without including a cafe -- one of my main obsessions in this city -- and even though I could have done a top 5 just on cafes, I'll instead focus on Cafe Pause in Ikebukuro. Located a couple of minutes from my apartment, I was lucky to get involved early on, when they opened 3 years ago -- I went so often that I got to know the staff and the owner. It's now the main place where I write, produce the occasional event (usually during Tokyo Design Week), as well as manage the gallery space. My daily chai there is a must.

SHOP
MUJI Yurakucho | Tel. 03.5208.8241 | mujiyurakucho.com | Infos Yurakucho 2 2F 3-8-3 Marunouchi

If you love MUJI as much as I do, then it doesn't get better than their flagship store in Yurakucho (walking distance from Ginza and Marunouchi). The only store to feature every single MUJI item, it also has their pre-fab house on display (currently the "Mado no Ie" model), the MEAL MUJI cafeteria, and the ATELIER MUJI gallery space. An absolute must-see for anyone who considers themselves part of the cult of MUJI (of which I am a card-carrying, and quite vocal, member).

BOOKS
Junkudo | Tel. 03.5956.6111 | junkudo.co.jp | 2-15-5 Minami-Ikebukuro

I'm the fist to admit that I'm quite the magazine addict, and luckily I live just a couple of minutes away from the Ikebukuro branch of the Junkudo bookstore chain, which just so happens to be one of the largest bookstores in the world. With 10 floors of books on offer, there's plenty for everyone, but for me it's mostly about the magazines. My routine? Grab the latest Japanese design/culture magazines on the first floor, and then head to the 9th floor where I grab some of the international ones, and then find a seat by a table and dig in. I do buy some though -- really!