Sixteen… For an Enchanted Evening of Food and Wine

Any evening will be enchanting when you dine at Sixteen, located on the 16^th floor of Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago at 401 N. Wabash Avenue. In my case, a Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago was exceptional. Thanks to an invitation to experience Executive Chef Nick Dostal’s ingredient-driven summer menu and Sommelier Parag Lalit’s carefully chosen wine pairings, I was transported from ho-hum thoughts of another weeknight meal to an elevated and unforgettable experience of culinary brilliance. And the impeccable service? That, too.

 

16 stories above the Chicago River is Sixteen, a stunning restaurant offering sweeping views of the skyline, the river, and Lake Michigan from 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. I quickly realized why Sixteen was awarded two well-deserved Michelin stars in 2017, Five Stars from Forbes Travel Guide, and Five Diamonds from AAA. On that beautiful weeknight, as the sun began to set, I discovered the summer tasting menu paired with incredible wines, both of which are offered Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm during a luxurious dinner service.

Executive Chef Nick Dostal, a Chicago native with experience at some of the most renown restaurants in the city (and elsewhere), is known for his philosophy to showcase seasonal ingredients, allowing each to express their essence and natural flavors. Featured are vegetables and herbs, grown in Chef’s terrace garden adjacent to the restaurant, as well as pure ingredients from local and international sources. Currently, the delectable eight-course tasting menu is $175 per person and includes decadent desserts from Executive Pastry Chef Evan Sheridan (an extended chef’s tasting is available for $245).

Oh, those wines. Having had plenty of international experience in the wine industry, Sommelier Parag Lalit is sharing his expertise with fortunate winelovers at Sixteen. Prior to dinner, he carefully selected fascinating, authentic wines from around the world to complement each dish which, in turn, brought out the best in the wine. Lalit “pays close attention to the environments and winemakers that have stood the test of time and produced historically consistent products”. Genuine in his demeanor and knowledgeable about each wine, Lalit was passionate about those he poured. Pairings may be added to the tasting menu for $150 (Cru pairing), $250 (Premier pairing), and $750 (Clos pairing).

The summer tasting menu at Sixteen will be offered throughout the month of September. In October, Chef Nick Dostal will unveil his fall tasting menu menu, guaranteed to be as distinctive and delicious as everything I experienced. And those wine pairings? I promise that Sommelier Parag Lalit is already considering the extraordinary selections. Enchanting evening, indeed.

Cheers! ~ Cindy