Pendry Chicago brings Art Deco elegance and glamour to the Mag Mile

It's like comparing apples and oranges but there are a lot of similarities between the newly opened Greek restaurant Avli in Lakeshore East and the recently opened, May 26, Pendry Chicago. Located in the loop (230 N. Michigan), the Pendry is a re-imagination of the iconic 1920s era Carbide and Carbon Building. This hotel was formerly the St. James and the differences between then and now are stark. Where the St. James was dark, the Pendry is all light with sparkling brass touches. In its 364 guest rooms and suites, beautiful parquet floors were discovered under the old carpeting. In the grand ballroom, which seats 500+, an enormous window, that was previously covered over, was revealed offering great views of Michigan Avenue. And on and on. As the world opens up following the pandemic, restaurants, hotels and bars seem to be following suit, offering guests a more airy feel after the heaviness of isolation.

The rooms all have a delightful Art Deco vibe, with shades of white, cream and chocolate. The views are breathtaking too with Chicago opening up like a flower through its many, large windows. One can see down the Chicago River past the "corn cobs" (Marina City) and also down Michigan Avenue, past the Wrigley Building and the former Tribune tower.

There is ample event space, over 13,000-square-feet, as well as the intimate Bar Pendry, with a double-sided fireplace, a billiard gallery and a state-of-the-art fitness center. A curated art collection with works by both world-renowned and local Chicago artists can be seen throughout the hotel. On June 25, the rooftop, set 24 stories above Michigan Ave. will open as Chateau Carbide. The rooftop experience, with indoor and outdoor seating, was designed to evoke the lifestyle of the Cote d'Azur with striped loungers, a picnic-style menu and a pop-up rosé bar. The deck will transform in the evenings with a DJ and bottle service.

The restaurant, Venteux, situated on the ground floor facing Michigan Avenue, has floor to ceiling windows which will feature an outdoor patio shortly. This Parisian-inspired brasserie, cafe and shellfish bar is helmed by Chef/Partner Donald Young, Chicago's youngest Michelin-starred talent. A magnificent feature of this 4,000-square-foot restaurant, designed by award-winning Studio Munge, is its floor to ceiling floral murals which envelops diners in an airy, garden-like atmosphere. The menu offers coq au vin, Dover sole, NY steak and frites, Maine lobster, salmon, burgers, duck, short rib, ribeye and appetizers that include steak tartare, duck liver mousse, mussels, escargot, and Eggs 5 Ways (which is served topped with caviar).

What a beautiful addition to the Mag Mile! Congrats to GM Stephen Blackford.(For reservations and more details, click here and to see first-look photos, click here!)