Namesake
Marisol is named for Venezuelan-American artist Marisol (1930–2016), a star of the New York art scene and friend of Andy Warhol. Marisol’s iconoclasm and glamour, combined with her international outlook, make her a fitting inspiration for the MCA’s new restaurant.
Marisol’s gift of the sculpture Six Women in 1968 started the MCA’s collection. As a nod to our namesake, some of the items featured on the menu are inspired by the artist’s favorite dishes.
Marisol with Six Women, 1965–66.
Photo: Courtesy of the University of Iowa
Museum of Art, Iowa City, IA
The Space
Marisol can be your neighborhood coffee spot, or an art-filled destination for dinner and drinks. Surrounded by an immersive art environment by artist Chris Ofili, diners enjoy table service with a full bar and private dining space, or counter service with communal tables.
Marisol private dining room. Photo: Kendall McCaugherty, © Hall+Merrick.
Chris Ofili, Artist
The MCA commissioned British artist Chris Ofili to design an immersive art environment for Marisol. The centerpiece of this permanent commission is a vibrant wall painting in the private dining room that inspired the restaurant’s gem-toned color scheme.
Born in Manchester, England, Ofili represented Britain in the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003, and won the prestigious Turner Prize in 1998. His work, which has been exhibited and collected internationally, draws on a wide range of sources including jazz and hip-hop, poetry, and the Bible.
Johnston Marklee, Architects
As part of the renovation of the MCA’s public spaces, award-winning architectural firm Johnston Marklee reimagined the interior layout of the museum to include a new restaurant and bar that blur the boundary between the old and new.
Johnston Marklee principals Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee were recently named the Artistic Directors of the 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial. The firm is recognized for collaborations with contemporary artists and chefs; the art and cultural institutions with whom they have worked include the Hammer Museum, Harvard University, University of California, and the Menil Foundation.
People
Jason Hammel, Chef
The creative spirit behind the new restaurant is celebrated Chicagoan Jason Hammel, Executive Chef and owner of award-winning Lula Café in Chicago’s Logan Square. Known for his trailblazing seasonal cuisine, Hammel made Lula Café a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement. He was one of the first chefs to source local, organic ingredients and build close relationships with Midwestern farmers, emphasizing freshness and seasonality and adding creative new dishes every week.
Sarah Rinkavage, Chef de Cuisine
Marisol’s Chef de Cuisine Sarah Rinkavage will work alongside Jason Hammel, her longtime mentor. Rinkavage is inspired by a seasonal palate of fresh, locally grown vegetables. Most recently chef de cuisine at Hammel’s Lula Café, Rinkavage has become known for her sophisticated culinary style and her elegant preparations of meats and seafoods featuring a delightful balance of flavors.
Gift Cards
Marisol gift cards make gift giving easy! Treat your friends and family to a culinary adventure in Marisol’s immersive interior.
Press
BEST NEW RESTAURANTS
– Chicago Magazine
Review: Marisol
– The Infatuation
10 Best: New Chicago Kitchens Topping the Must-Visit Lists
– USA Today
Marisol: A little masterpiece at the MCA
–Crain’s Chicago Business
With Marisol inside the MCA, Jason Hammel paints a new canvas
–Chicago Reader
6 Chicago Restaurants You Should Know About Now
–Vogue
Review: Lula Cafe Chef Makes Marisol at the MCA Worth a Trip
–Chicago Magazine
Review: Marisol off to impressive start in artful MCA space
–Chicago Tribune
Hottest Restaurants in 15 American Cities
–Zagat
10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago
–Zagat
Marisol’s inventive, fleeting menu from the chefs behind Lula Cafe lives up to its locale inside Chicago’s modern art museum.
–TimeOut
Open Now: Marisol, A New Eatery that Marries Craft and Cuisine
–Splash
This New Restaurant Blurs the Lines Between Food and Art Beautifully
–Martha Stewart Living
Marisol is Redefining the Museum Restaurant
–Zagat
The Windy City arts destination is as hot as ever
–Architectural Digest
Marisol Brings Beauty to the MCA
–Chicago Tribune
Marisol is Now Open and the Menu is a Masterpiece
–TimeOut
The MCA’s Dazzling New Restaurant
–Chicago Eater
Jason Hammel opening new restaurant inside Museum of Contemporary Art
–Chicago Tribune
5 New Chicago Restaurants and Bars to Get Excited About this Fall
–TimeOut
The 10 Most Anticipated Restaurants in Chicago, Fall 2017
–Eater Chicago