In the heart of the West Loop lies a long rectangular box known as the restaurant Avec. This seemingly sci-fi ultramodern design is truly one of the most captivating spaces in Chicago. When temperatures in the Windy City drop below zero, there is nothing like sitting in the warm environment of Avec. The interior is comparable to a futuristic log cabin but instead of logs that are stacked to the ceiling, wood planks are finished and flush.

Wood fired flatbread “pissaladiere” with saffron, house-cured sardines, olives and thyme

The 1,500 square foot space, designed by Thomas Schlesser has garnered numerous interior design and architecture awards. It was designed in a Danish Modern style and houses five communal tables which are optimal for a social environment. The perspective of lines push to the end of the restaurant, leading the eyes to a shiny green wall of glass bottles.

house-pickled sardines with barley bared, butter, shaved apples, red onion and radish sprouts

Everything from the minimalist rectangular wooden chairs to the long narrow row of floating florescent lighting is in sync, creating an optical paradise. Even though the restaurant is a long narrow box, there is so much more to it, including the 90 degree angles which are prevalent throughout the space. The parallel and 90 degree intersections are an engineering feat within themselves.

Beef daube with carrots, celery, onion, cumin, corriander and shaved carrot salad

The restaurant is popular to the after-work crowd and has an eclectic crowd of many personalities. At night, you will see a mixture of scenesters, working professionals and even foodies. The environment appeals to a large demographic. Though it is sleek and sophisticated in design, it is warm and inviting.

Roast pheasant sausage with lentils, brussel sprout agridolce and candied bacon

The cuisine is Mediterranean inspired and can be described as simple and rustic with American influence. There is a peasant quality of comfort—Chef Koren Grieveson uses secondary cuts of meats that are familiar and oh so juicy. Try the peasant sausage, served with lentils, brussel sprouts and candied bacon.

“la quericia” proscuitto with pears, lemon, slivered almonds and marinated manchego

The food might not but fancy but it is truly sophisticated. Chef Koren knows how to make a non-pretentious cuisine that fits a super sleek environment. Who knew that dining in a wooden box would be so spectacular?

Avec

615 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 377-2002

www.echelonatkstation.com

photography by David C Lee

There are few steakhouses in the Midwest that combine a zen-like atmosphere with the majestic sentiment of an American steakhouse. At AJA Steak, you feel like you are one with the elements. This 2-story lofty restaurant has a bustling entrance that houses the main bar.

The second floor houses the main sushi bar where you can catch glimpse of hotel guests through the beaded metal curtain. A 1950s art deco-style chandeliers hangs from the ceiling while some of the finest sushi in Chicago is prepared. An authentic Japanese Kimono is displayed on the wall next to parabolic wooden tables. Overall, the design of the restaurant is simple and organic. You feel you are one with the elements as you dine on delicious cuts of the most superb meat.

Coveted cuts of robust-flavored meat cohabitate with sushi and yakitori in an east Asian inspired yet culturally flavorfully eclectic palate. The brainchild of chefs behind the scenes of such notable dining successes as Morimoto, Buddakan, Spice Market and Nobu. Ambiance neither overwhelms nor fade providing the ideal setting for gathering culinary gratification.

Aja Steak
660 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60611

www.danahotelandspa.com/restaurant/index.cfm

Not one corner, wall or fixture of the hotel has been left untouched in order to create a hip, yet comfortable environment decked with eclectic décor and custom furnishings featuring unexpected colors and textures.

Set in the epicenter of Chicago’s shopping, nightlife, entertainment and business districts, the hotel provides a true “Cityscape” experience with a scenic rooftop bar, destination restaurant and insider recommendations to all the city has to offer.

166 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: 312.787.6000 l Fax: 312.787.6133

Your stay at our Chicago hotel, a Kimpton Hotel of course, begins with a touch of red carpet treatment the moment you are ushered through the front door of our beautifully renovated hotel… The color bursts of ruby reds, burnt oranges and luscious greens of the lobby enrich the senses, offsetting the luxuriously deep grays and blues underfoot… all mixing with the glitz and glamour of that baby grand piano just off of the three-story staircase and the double-sided fireplace… You have arrived.

photography by David C Lee

The star power continues. The dazzling renovation of the Hotel Allegro Chicago transformed our 483 guestrooms and suites into the perfect setting for your 15 minutes and more. Indulge in the four-star level of services and amenities that every celebrity deserves, including the furry four-legged type—Hotel Allegro Chicago is a pet-friendly hotel.

photography by David C Lee

HOTEL ALLEGRO
171 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Reservations800.643.1500

photography by David C Lee

Sexogonal, 2 feet tall, chandeliers hang throughout the main dining room. A grand green speckled granite counter top serves as the main bar. At the back of the restaurant lies a treasured collection of American and Italian wines. The wine wall serves as a structured sight for patrons and complements the dark masculine colors of the restaurant.

The second story features raised ceilings with crown molding. Geometric designs surround the white light boxed lamps. The backroom has a piercing romantic light that seeps through the windows—the perfect light to set the mood for an enchanting evening. A view of the wine wall, luxurious striped brown/green booths and a candlelit ambiance make the backroom ideal for a date.

Every detail in the restaurant was planned to be precise, rich and grand. The materials of the restaurant create a warm masculine environment, afterall, this is an Italian Steakhouse. The cuisine is a collection of classic Italian-American cuisine. Feast on a tender juicy filet of beef. The magic of being in the bustling theatre district only enhances the flavor.

312 has an ever-changing crowd based on the time of day. For breakfast, many Allegro Hotel guests feast on the finest buffet items. For lunch, many legal and government dignitaries seal the deal over a hardcore business lunch. The dinner crowd tends to be pre-theatre—in fact, when Mel Brooks was having a musical next door, he was there all the time. Other celebrities spotted here include Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Michael Richards and Christina Applegate.

Grilled Proscuitto Wrapped Prawns with chick peas, roasted chilies and mint

Grilled housemade rabbit sausage with local apple mostarda and watercress

Grilled octopus with olive oil poached tomatoes, white beans and Sicilian olives

Grilled Organic Pork loin with grilled figs, fregola, hazelnuts and honey balsamic glaze

Grilled filet of beef on Sicilian potato cake with gorgonzola dn Barolo wine sauce

312 Chicago
Hotel Allegro
136 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 696-2420
www.312chicago.com
photography and article by David C Lee

30 foot ceilings and magnificent arches provide an amazing view for guests waiting in the lobby. Classic concrete columns and ornate golden vaulted ceilings are visible on the second floor. Traditional art deco green and brown marble floors complement the contemporary furniture of the living room.

The mixture of classic and contemporary design make the living room one of the most unique places I have seen. The grandeur and scale of a historic building can never be replicated. The W has taken the best elements of the past and combined it with the present.

The W rooms are simple, minimal and extremely comfortable. Checkered patterns and geometric shapes are prevalent throughout the room. An abstract floral sculpture hangs on the wall above a floating bed.

The words “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself” are displayed above some of the trendiest magazines in Chicago. Rectangular desks, shelves, drawers and a plasma screen are visually soothing for the eyes.

Acura provides a convenient car service to all guests of the W. They will give you a ride to anywhere within a 5 mile radius of the hotel. Experience the new 300-horsepower Acura MDX as they take you to your destination of choice. The SUV is stocked with goodies, water and first class service of course.

Other information:
Complimentary wi-fi in the living room
Pet-friendly
24 hour gym
Business Center

The W @ City Center
172 West Adams Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603-3604
312-332-1200

Echelon@ K Station
353 North Des Plaines St
Chicago, IL 60661

312.441.0500

www.echelonatkstation.com 

Check out the shoot we did with the models of Echelon:

Echelon@ K Station
353 North Des Plaines St
Chicago, IL 60661

312.441.0500

www.echelonatkstation.com
photography by David C Lee

A meal at ristorante we can begin in the traditional Italian Tuscan form…Chef Bradford Phillips offers guests a delicious Antipasti platter with the best cured italian meats, shaved parmesan and castelvetranno olives availabe. Any of Phillips’ specialties’ are sure to delight, but with a visit to this Windy City favorite your best bests are the Braised Short Ribs (served with roasted sunchokes, cippolini onion and saba) or the tender Grilled Pork Chop (served with farro salad and wild mushrooms).

Here, hand-cut, USDA Black Angus steaks are flavored with a signature coffee rub (fresh-ground coffee, porcini mushrooms, garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, rosemary, oregano, thyme, kosher salt and sugar) and served with a wedge of grilled lemon. A quartet of house-made, market-driven sauces like Salsa Verde and Salsa d’Olive or a complimentary crust (like parmesan, herb-roasted garlic or gorgonzola) accompanies each steak. The menu is speckled with Italian-inspired steak dishes such as the 26-ounce Bistecca alla Fiorentina and a 16-ounce NY Strip Steak Tagliata and alternatives like the inspired Salmon Saltimbocca with sage, prosciutto, arugula and tapenade vinaigrette or the Grilled Flattened Chicken marinated in lemon and rosemary with whole roasted garlic.

Pasta dishes round out the menu with items like Duck Confit Agnolotti with shaved truffled pecorino and micro greens or Oven Roasted Pork Belly Risotto with grilled radicchio and asparagus. Contorni or side dishes range from classics like Garlicky Spinach and Roast Fingerling Potatoes to savory creations like Gorgonzola Orzo Casseruola or Tuscan Frites tossed with fried artichokes and fresh herbs.

Keeping with the restaurant’s inventive theme, the wine list at ristorante we offers a respite from the conventions of steakhouse beverage programs. “We wanted to put together a wine list that was different from what’s usually offered at hotels,” says General Manager Mark DiDomenico who designed the wine program at ristorante we. To that end, the list is primarily Italian, dipping into American and worldly varietals based on their compatibility with Chef Hazen’s cuisine. “Wine is about having fun and getting people to try new things,” says Didomenico of his single vineyard and small production driven program. 

Located in the heart of the Loop, ristorante we is a respite from the bustle of Chicago’s financial district and a refreshing update of old-school steakhouse décor. While deep burgundies, a tiled floor and velvet design elements capture the charisma of a Chicago steakhouse, ristorante we is appointed with an elegant swagger and modern style that takes the genre to an exciting new level. The intimate 55-seat, high-ceilinged space features strong linear elements and sparsely set tabletops set off by relaxed seating at velvet-soft banquettes. Grand floor-to-ceiling windows offer a view that stretches towards West Adams Street. 

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Ristorante We
172 W Adams St
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 917-5608

www.ristorantewe.com

photography by David C Lee

Tom Nahabedian, Carrie’s cousin and Michael’s brother, created the architecture and design of the restaurant, including furniture and accessories. A graduate of the prestigious IIT school of architecture and founder of Collaboration, a Beverly Hills design firm, Tom’s dressed-down approach to clean, contemporary design brings affability to the polished restaurant.

Nahabedian commissioned local artisan Lora Fosberg for the restaurant’s artwork. Using a unique technique that combines print and sketch mediums with found objects, Fosberg injects a bit of drama to an otherwise clean-lined aesthetic.

Enter into a relaxed lounge with a bench of soft fabrics and leather ottomans. Above, a sinuous soffit leads one through the restaurant, where clean lines dominate: A walnut host table sits in front of a blue silk and brown velvet drape; a bar of concrete and leather curves in the space; raised tables create a transition into the dining room, where back-to-back banquettes separated by a built-in planter sprouting tall grasses create areas within. Large expanses of glass enliven and visually extend the space into the surrounding city. Softly colored walls recess into niches as expressive works by Fosberg become a part of the restaurant, not simply objects hanging. Natural materials in Mediterranean colors give the room a warmth and quality that enhance the entire dining experience.

But the experience is not about concept at all. Innovatively, it is simplicity in completeness; it’s excellent food served thoughtfully in a warm environment.

NAHA

500 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60610
www.naha-chicago.com
(312) 321-6242
photography by David C Lee

The main dining room sits in front of an open kitchen. Copper pots and pans hang above the lively kitchen. An authentic wood-burning pizza oven sets the mood for the evening. If you sit inside, you will have a spectacular view of the garden terrace. When the weather is right, the sight of trees, flowers and the dimly lit candlelit ambiance are perfect for a romantic date.

The Room de la nanna reminds us of a quaint cottage on the country-side. Wallpaper with grapes and pears are warm, homely and nostalgic. The view of the garden patio creates a feeling of exclusivity and wonderment.

Piccolo Sogno has many loyal regulars who appreciate the use of local and organic ingredients. Chef Tony Priolo searches for the freshest produce and materials and if they cannot be found locally, he imports them from Italy. His inspiration is drawn from his Italian heritage.

Insalata dip ere: roasted pears, baby arugula, lemon oil, laurel chenel goat cheese

Insalta di Barbabietole: local beets, shaved fennel, imported buffalo ricotta, local greens

Paglia e fieno con ragu: straw and hay green white ribbon noodles, veal ragu

Bianca con rucula (pizza): mozzarella, arugla, olive oil, Reggiano curis

Sapore de mare: assorted shellfish and fish stew, garlic rubbed toast

Pesce intero: wood fired Sicilian sea salt encrusted whole fish of the day, with braised fennel and a fennel flavored, citrus caper infused olive oil

Dessert: saffron and honey scented Panna Cotta with Berrie and Caramel

house vinagrette

Piccolo Sogno
464 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60622
www.piccolosognorestaurant.com
(312) 421-0077
photography by David C Lee