Valued Praise From Our Loyal Customers

Wonderfully eclectic cuisine, a captivating setting, and extraordinary service are what make Sofitel Chicago Water Tower an exceptional dining experience. Read below for what others have said about our very unique French brasserie:

Cafe des Architectes

Crain's Chicago Business

"Best Restaurants for Business"

Food critic Laura Bianchi writes "Modern architecture and sleek interior design combine with French-accented staff for cosmopolitan entertaining. Diners reap the benefits of luxury hotel service, from the welcoming doorman and valets to smiling staff at every turn."

Read the full article, Power Lunches that Impress, here.

Chicago Tribune

“Best Brunch under $25” by Food Critic Phil Vettel

Red Eye

3.5 out of 4 Eggs for Brunch Sampler by RedEye Food Reviewer Chris LaMorte

AAA

AAA Three Diamond Award

Zagat Survey 2007/08
Wayfarers say “oui oui” to this “chichi” “gem” in the Gold Coast’s Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, where the “sharp”, “stunning” interior is “one of the finest environments” extant, and dining “outdoors is almost like eating in a park”; the “creative”, seasonal New French–Med “food is as good as many restaurants costing much more”, and is available for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner – plus the attendants are “attentive”; N.B. free valet parking is provided at night.

Metromix.com
Cafe des Architectes, located in the lobby of the new Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, is a modern French brasserie with dramatic appointments created by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon.
The Cafe's menu, designed by French-born executive chef Frederic Castan, is fundamentally French with influences from Asia, the Mediterranean and Latin America.

Starters include foie gras with quince compote, walnuts and toasted brioche; steamed Puget Sound mussels and clams in a tomato broth with grilled rustic bread; and yellowtail tartare served with soy- and rice vinegar-marinated cucumbers.

Soups include a spring vegetable pistou (that's the French version of pesto) with parmigiano-reggiano and a garlic crouton. Salads include baby mixed greens with endive, roasted pear, candied walnuts, Roquefort cheese and port wine and shallot vinaigrette.

Entrees lean toward seafood. Recent offerings include lobster and scallops (baby vegetables, pearl potatoes, sauterne and lobster essence); fish stew (mussels, clams, shrimp and monkfish in a saffron, tomato, chardonnay and garlic broth with saffron aioli); and sauteed butterfish (basmati rice, crisped vegetables, soy and ginger butter sauce). Lamb chops, filet mignon and a bone-in ribeye are among the non-seafood options. All the pastries are house-made as are the croissants and breads.

The lunch menu has an extensive selection of hot and cold soups, entree-sized salads and sandwiches. Lunch entrees include grilled swordfish (on potato foccacia with baby spinach, grilled onions and yogurt-cucumber spread) and grilled New York steak (with wild mushroom fricassee and herb-garlic roasted potatoes). Continental and made-to-order breakfast is served from 6 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. daily.

The wine list features nearly 60 bottles, evenly split between French and Californian; 13 are available by the glass. Also on hand are several French spirits, including Armagnac, Cognac and various eaux de vie.

Vibrant colors, overstuffed chairs, sprawling banquettes and lamps that employ upside-down toques as lamp shades grab your attention. In keeping with the architectural theme, the wraps for the silverware are rulers, and, in the bar area, lighted drafting tables serve as tables. A lighted "water wall" surrounds both sides of the bar area.

Le Bar

ABC 7 recently featured the Mini Martini and Tiny Bites Flight on 190 North.

AOL Local CityGuide

2007 Best Conversational Bar

Metromix.com

Bucking the hotel-lobby-as-living-room trend popularized by the W Hotel chain, the bar at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower is removed from the activity of the concierge and registration desks. Located on the Wabash side of the lobby, it offers a fabulous view of the park across the street and is an excellent vantage point for people-watching.
The entrance has a small library, with books on architecture and art. Couches, overstuffed chairs and a fireplace lend an intimate feel. One wall features televisions tuned to 24-hour news and clocks displaying times from exotic locales. Fiber optic lighting and a sweeping wood and stainless steel bar create drama. Fashionistas mingle with the suits late night, and energetic club music pulsates in the background.

Le Bar specializes in martinis poured tableside. The drink menu features armagnac, cognac and various eaux de vie. Champagne and red and white wines are available by the glass, as are several premium spirits, including small-batch bourbons, single-malt scotches and port. Artistic appetizers like candied apricot and duck confit spring rolls and local and imported artisanal cheese flights are also available to complement drinks.

Escape To An Extraordinary Dining Experience