I usually DO NOT have high expectations when dining out on a holiday. Most restaurants overbook, the timing is usually off with longer than normal wait and service times, and the food quality is usually not as good as it usually is.
 
Also, I usually DO NOT have high expectations for restaurants that are inside hotels. I have usually found them to be overpriced  and never consistent, with sometimes mediocre food.

There are always exceptions to the rules! CAFE DES ARCHITECTES, located inside the beautiful Sofitel Chicago Water Tower  Hotel in downtown Chicago, proved me wrong ON ALL COUNTS. (Last year I dined at the Sofitel Ohare , not on a holiday, and it was quite awful and overpriced!)

I must say EVERYTHING was perfect. The setting is intimate and romantic for dinner. The restaurant was not overcrowded or overbooked. We were sat immediately, the service was spot on, the kitchen's timing was perfect, the food was flawless with amazing flavors and  portions were perfect, we  did not leave hungry (like some  upscale restaurants) and  we did not leave feeling overstuffed. I was worried when I saw the menu only offered a 4 course Prix  fixe, but everything was perfect.

Executive Chef Martial Nougier updates traditional French flavors, offering gorgeous dishes with influences from the Mediterranean, Asia, and Latin America.  About the food he says, My food is not French. It’s French technique. You can say the same thing about Michel Richard or Joachim Splichal. The food is French but not French. It’s modern food—very light, no cream, no butter. The technique is to make sure the fish and meat is cooked perfect. And  I like using a lot of farmers in the Midwest. I go to  Chicago’s Green City Market every Wednesday and Saturday, and use local farmers for the food."

The Thanksgiving menu was awesome. We had a dish called Madagascar Shrimp that was shrimp with grilled octopus, honey caramel, and a Meyer lemon supreme. I love grilled octopus and this was THE BEST I have eaten in my life. My salad was Baby Romaine Hearts and my entrée was Roasted Turkey, of course! It was Thanksgiving!  Everything exploded with unique and different flavors, which is what you want when you dine out at nice restaurant. Not a plateful of  "sameness." - My partner, a meat lover, tried the Beef Tenderloin instead. Both were excellent. And for desert we finished off with a light and tasty Pumpkin Tart and their Chocolate Tea Dream.

The service and staff were always within eyesight and checked with us often (but not too often), making sure we did not need anything. (And they did not know I was working on a story. So there was no favoritism.) Our waiter, who was Latin,  made sure that we never wanted for anything. Even the charming bus boy, from the Ukraine kept our water glasses full at all times.  Chef Nougier made an appearance at all the tables to make sure everything was perfect. The only flaw was when we arrived, they could not find our reservation, which had been made about 3 weeks in advance, through OPEN TABLE. I did not bring my confirmation number with us, usually it's not needed!  But it was not a problem, the manager, who was from Paris,  came over and seated us right away. - I think there is something to be said about an International staff.

Obviously, overall, we rate this restaurant a "10". Perfect for a special occassion. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinners. Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. And Special Dinners, like on December 8th, they are hosting a Bordeaux Wine Dinner! 5 courses and some amazing wines!  (Benefiting the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls).

For dinner they offer Prix Fixe  meals for $42. Lunches  $10-$20. Brunch  $17-$25.

As Arnold always said,  "I'll be back!"


Café des Architectes
20 East Chestnut Street      Chicago       (312) 324 4000   
  Reservations  at Open Table (take your confirmation with you!)


The Best of Gay  Chicago and the New Gay Travel Guide

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