RESTAURANT REVIEW – TRAVELLE AT THE LANGHAM HOTEL

Located at 330 North Wabash in Chicago’s Loop, Travelle is definitely an experience you want to have in this lifetime. The restaurant is located on the second floor of The Langham Hotel and easily accessible by public transportation. It is also walking distance to the Magnificent Mile for those who are feeling the need to be a tourist in our fair city.

I have been here multiple times for three menu offerings – brunch, lunch and dinner. Brunch is centered around variations on eggs benedict. When going to brunch with friends we actually ordered all five choices so we could taste through them. It was a tough choice, but my top three were the Florentine, the Travelle and the Moroccan. After a breakfast that large, you really only have room for mimosas to round out the morning.

The lunch menu is filled with farm to table options that really cannot be beat. There is a delicious watermelon gazpacho. The sweet potato soup is definitely comforting at this time of year. I’m a fan also of the whipped ricotta. Not to be missed is the prime beef burger with pepper aioli. And of course, you need to ask about the daily grilled cheese.

The dinner menu is also a culinary delight. A surprising taste sensation is the braised beef cheeks with porcini mushrooms and carrot puree. You would not normally consider putting these items together but they really do make an interesting flavor profile. If you are feeling adventurous, I would suggest trying the Fish Guy’s Whole Fish for Two. The Butternut Squash and Corn Risotto deserve a special mention.

Food aside, the service is amazing and responsive from the time you are seated until the time you leave (or slip over to the bar area). The cost ranges between $31-60 per person not including beverages and is so worth the experience.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO