Travelle at The Langham

Travelle at The Langham Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Go to the second floor of The Langham, Chicago, for a culinary experience as stylish as the Mies van der Rohe building. Off-the-clock executives lounge on mid-century modern chaises with a prime view of the Chicago River, while bartenders pour specialty cocktails such as the Apple Locke and a select group of white and red wines. The dining room — fitted with mirrors, light wood tables and cream-colored booths that channel “Mad Men” — sits just off the exhibition kitchen, which turns out big flavors and generous portions.

Likes: This is flexible fine dining — dinner with the client, date night, even solo.
Dislikes: The dining room can be a little too quiet sometimes.

Food & Drinks: Chef Jeff Vucko celebrates the bounty of the season with upscale American fare. In Chicago, diners expect Prime beef, and Travelle's version is worthy of its carnivore reputation. The Prime bone-in tomahawk steak pairs with Maine lobster for an over-the-top presentation of shishitos in manchego and togarashi and multiple sauces. That said, the lighter dishes are also striking. Take the monthly (from May to October) Green City Market series which has boasted such options as chilled asparagus soup and kale polenta. Lemon dill herb broth delicately enhances Icelandic cod. Finish with a caramelized rhubarb ginger cake. A well-edited wine list highlights Europe and the West Coast. Sip on the Foucher-Lebrun, “Le Mont” Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, 2017 all year long.