:Sixteen (restaurant)

Sixteen was designed by Joe Valerio, whose previous credits included the Garmin flagship store on the Magnificent Mile. Valerio's design had to work within spatial constraints determined by the tower's architects, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, leaving him to deal with complications stemming from a variety of column shapes — some square, some round, and others rectangular. He was also obligated to incorporate the skyscraper's aluminum window frames and a garage for window washing equipment, which uses floor space overlooking the Chicago River. Sixteen opened in February 2008, a few weeks after the lower floors of the Hotel had a partial opening, even though construction on the building had not been completed.

File:Sixteen.jpgSixteen had been described architecturally as a sequence of spaces that do not reveal themselves at once, but rather in "procession".{{cite web|url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/03/chicago_architecture_critic_gets_to_grips_with_fine_dining.html|title=Architecture critic attempts to eat dinner, but is distracted by giant dome|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=March 3, 2008|publisher=Emap|work=Architects' Journal|author=Slavid, Ruth|archive-date=December 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201101450/http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/03/chicago_architecture_critic_gets_to_grips_with_fine_dining.html|url-status=dead}} The restaurant's foyer is T-shaped, and a passageway to the hotel is lined with floor-to-ceiling architectural bronze wine racks in opposing red and white wine rooms.{{cite web|url=http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Food_Wine/sixteen.asp|title=Sixteen|access-date=May 10, 2008|publisher=Trumphotels.com|archive-date=May 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510112034/http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Food_Wine/sixteen.asp|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|title=A Supersweet Sixteen: At Trump's sky-high eatery, the views are only rivaled by the food|last=Shames|first=Lisa|periodical=Chicago Social|date=July 2008|page=204}} The passageway leads to views—praised by Chicago Tribune Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin—that showcase the Wrigley Building clock tower and the Tribune Tower's flying buttresses. Kamin regarded these views to be "more intimate" than the panoramic ones of the Signature Room, a restaurant near the top of the 100-story John Hancock Center. The views were described to be equally impressive by day and by night. The main part of the procession was the Tower Room, a dining room with a {{convert|30|ft|m|adj=on}} dome-shaped ceiling made of West African wood. The dome was furnished with Swarovski chandeliers{{cite web|url=http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/review/review-sixteen/374024/content|title=Review: Sixteen: Bold and luxe, Trump restaurant lives up to the hype|access-date=May 10, 2008|date=April 10, 2008|publisher=Metromix|author=Vettel, Phil}} and incorporated mirrors so that all diners can experience the view. The restaurant had two other dining rooms, named for their views: the Bridge Room and the River Room.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=2203|title=Trump This!|access-date=June 10, 2008|work=WorldArchitectureNews.com}}

Sixteen was originally led by executive chef Frank Brunacci who had worked in two AAA Five Diamond establishments, Diamond Victor's at The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, Louisiana and The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, and also at restaurants in London and Australia. In addition to using European techniques, he relied on spices from North Africa and India. The cuisine, decor and architecture have all drawn impressive reviews.{{cite news|title=Sixteen soars with city's finest|date=March 31, 2007|publisher=Crain's Communication, Inc.|work=Crain's Chicago Business}} Food is available à la carte or in tasting services.{{cite book|title=Zagat: Chicago Restaurants 2009/10|chapter=Sixteen|publisher=Zagat Surveys, LLC|editor=Wilkins, Donna Marino}}

Thomas Lents was appointed executive chef of Sixteen in January 2012. Lents began his career as executive sous chef of Chicago's four-star restaurant Everest, under the direction of chefs Jean Joho and Thierry Tritsch. After a five-year tenure, he moved to Dublin, Ireland, where he worked as a sous chef at the Michelin two star-rated Thornton's Restaurant. During his time abroad, Lents staged in acclaimed kitchens, including the Michelin three star-rated Waterside Inn in Bray and Le Manoir Aux Quatres Saisons in Great Milton. Upon returning to the United States in 2007, Lents worked at the Michelin three star-rated, five-diamond Joel Robuchon at The Mansion inside MGM Grand Las Vegas, where he was quickly promoted from sous chef to executive sous chef. In 2008, he moved north to San Francisco to take the chef de cuisine position at the Michelin-rated Quince Restaurant, before Chef Joël Robuchon offered him the opportunity to be the first American to serve as chef de cuisine of his namesake restaurant. Lents holds an advanced placement culinary art degree from the New England Culinary Institute, where he studied under founding chef, Michel LeBorgne, as well as a BA in philosophy from Wabash College in Indiana.{{cite web|url=http://www.zagat.com/buzz/thomas-lents-talks-about-new-position-at-sixteen|title=Thomas Lents Talks About New Position at Sixteen|access-date=July 11, 2012|date=January 19, 2012|work=Zagat|author=Olvera, Jennifer}}{{cite web|url=http://michiganavemag.com/dining/articles/all-grown-up|title=Sixteen Skyrockets Under Thomas Lents|access-date=July 11, 2012|work=Michigan Avenue|author=Bendersky, Ari}}

In February 2017, Lent departed making way for his Chef de cuisine, Nick Dostal. Dostal's prior experience included stints in at Ria at the Elysian Hotel (now Waldorf Astoria Chicago), executive sous-chef at Grace Restaurant, Larkspur Restaurant in Vail, Colo., and chef de partie at San Francisco's Quince Restaurant.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/restaurants/ct-sixteen-restaurant-trump-tower-new-chef-nick-dostal-story.html|title=New chef at Sixteen in Trump Tower trusts public to look past the 'noise'|access-date=May 18, 2017|date=February 9, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Daley, Bill}}

File:20080615 Wrigley Building clock and Tribune Tower from Sixteen.jpg clock tower and Tribune Tower from The Terrace at Trump]]

Fodor's called the food a "unique fusion of European and Asian flavors."{{cite web|url=http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3016.html|title=This Week: New York, Chicago, Cape Town, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Liverpool|access-date=June 10, 2008|publisher=Fodor's Travel|work=Fodor's|date=May 27, 2008|archive-date=June 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601023953/http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3016.html|url-status=dead}} According to a 2008 review from Time Out Chicago, the restaurant is more a place to impress clients and dates, rather than a top–notch dining experience with top-notch cuisine, due to its association with Donald Trump and its views.{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/restaurants-bars/27494/sixteen|title=Restaurant review: Sixteen: Trump's Chicago debut finds a niche, but a tiny, tony one.|access-date=May 10, 2008|date=March 13–19, 2008 |publisher=Time Out Chicago|author=Shouse, Heather|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509064749/http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/restaurants-bars/27494/sixteen |archive-date=May 9, 2008}} The magazine's annual Eating & Drinking guide describes the dining room as stately and impressive, the staff as attentive and professional, and the food as "well-presented."Shouse, p. 47 Chicago Tribune reviewer Blair Kamin noted that some e-mail correspondents considered Trump Tower the "ultimate McMansion in the sky," but at least Sixteen provided opportunity for people to emulate Guy de Maupassant, who is said to have disliked the Eiffel Tower so much that he ate at the tower's restaurant daily so as not to have to look at its monstrosity. According to the Forbes Travel Guide: 2010 City Guide: Chicago, the hotel hosted one of the seven four-star restaurants in Chicago, which had two five-star restaurants.Forbes Travel Guide: 2010 City Guide: Chicago, p. 4 Three years later, according to the Forbes Travel Guide: 2013 City Guide the restaurant was one of only three five-star restaurants in Chicago.{{cite web|url=http://www.startle.com/about/awardwinners|title=Forbes Travel Guide 2013 Star Award Winners|access-date=June 30, 2013|publisher=Startle.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420175542/http://www.startle.com/about/awardwinners|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 20, 2013}} It remained one of only 3 five-star Forbes-rated restaurants in the 2015 Forbes Guide (along with Alinea and Grace).{{cite web|url=http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/the-2015-forbes-travel-guide-star-award-winners|title=The 2015 Forbes Travel Guide Star Award Winners|access-date=January 22, 2016|publisher=Forbes Travel Guide|date=February 13, 2015}}

When Chicago became one of three American Michelin Guide star-rated cities in November 2010, Sixteen was one of 23 restaurants to receive at least one star for 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/us/17michelin.html|title=A Hurried Announcement for a New Michelin City|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 16, 2010|work=The New York Times|author=Davey, Monica}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/November-2010/23-Chicago-Restaurants-Get-Their-Michelin-Stars/|title=23 Chicago Restaurants Get Their Michelin Stars|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 16, 2010|work=Chicago|author=Ruby, Jeff|archive-date=July 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724031220/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/November-2010/23-Chicago-Restaurants-Get-Their-Michelin-Stars/|url-status=dead}} However, the following year, it lost its rating during its chef transition.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/11/15/anonymous-michelin-restaurant-inspector-talks-stars-snubs-demotions-and-promotions/|title=Anonymous Michelin restaurant inspector talks stars, snubs, demotions and promotions|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 15, 2011|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Pang, Kevin}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/11/15/alinea-ria-charlie-trotters-among-michelin-starred-restaurants-in-2012-chicago-guide/|title=Alinea, Ria, Charlie Trotter's among Michelin-starred restaurants in 2012 Chicago guide|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 15, 2011|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Phil Vettel and Pang, Kevin}} Sixteen regained its one-star rating for the 2013 edition under first-year executive chef Thomas Lents.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/11/13/michelin-chicago-guide-2013-alinea-l2o-graham-elliot-grab-top-honors/|title=Michelin Chicago Guide 2013: Alinea, L2O, Graham Elliot grab top honors|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 13, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}} The restaurant was promoted to two-star rating by Michelin for 2014 and retained that rating in 2015. It was one of 5 Chicago restaurants to achieve at least a two-star Michelin rating in both years.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/11/12/michelin-chicago-guide-2014-elizabeth-el-ideas-among-winners/|title=Michelin Chicago Guide 2014: Elizabeth, EL ideas among winners|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 12, 2013|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/dining-drinking/November-2014/Here-Are-Chicagos-2015-Michelin-Star-Ratings/|title=Here Are Chicago's 2015 Michelin Star Ratings|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 11, 2014|work=Chicago|author=Engleman, Joe}} In 2016 & 2017, it again retained its two-star rating as one of five restaurants in the city with such a rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-michelin-stars-announced-for-chicago-restaurants-20151027-story.html|title=Michelin 2016: Two stars for Acadia, one star for Parachute, Dusek's|access-date=January 22, 2016|date=October 27, 2015|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-27/chicago-michelin-stars-2016-restaurant-guide-ig9jol5k|title=Michelin Stars for Chicago 2016 Are Announced|access-date=January 22, 2016|date=October 27, 2015|publisher=Bloomberg Business|author=Rao, Tejal}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20161102/BLOGS09/161109973/26-chicago-restaurants-awarded-michelin-stars|title=26 Chicago restaurants awarded Michelin stars|access-date=May 18, 2017|date=November 2, 2016|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Frost, Peter}} In 2018, it was one of six two-Michelin star or better restaurants in Chicago.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/dining-drinking/October-2017/Michelin-Stars-2018/|title=Here Are Chicago's 2018 Michelin Stars|access-date=February 26, 2018|date=October 20, 2017|work=Chicago|author=Boers, Carly}}

The restaurant was described as expensive, and one critic partly attributed the prices to Sixteen's status as a hotel restaurant. However, others felt the prices to be expected for the ambience created by the interior design, architecture, and views, despite the association with Trump. According to a Chicago Tribune critic, the prices were respectable given the overall experience.

Sixteen had a bar that Kamin complained had "negligible" views that did not justify the prices, but another raved were "pleasant."{{cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11FF7C1D32E9A548&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Bold and luxe, Sixteen lives up to Trump hype|access-date=August 6, 2009|date=April 10, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}}

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| alt1 = View of a tall building at a bend in the river.

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In addition to Sixteen and the traditional hotel room service dining option, Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago provides two other food & dining options for its guests.

The Terrace, opened on June 25, 2009,{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS203133+16-Jun-2009+PRN20090616|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703165748/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS203133+16-Jun-2009+PRN20090616|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 3, 2012|title=The Terrace at Trump Opens June 25, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2009|date=June 16, 2009|publisher=Reuters}} has views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan as well as Navy Pier's seasonal Wednesday and Saturday evening fireworks and was designed for al fresco dining.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/lounge/the-terrace-at-trump-river-north/1240258/content|title=The Terrace at Trump|access-date=August 10, 2009|publisher=Metromix}} It is located adjacent to Sixteen on the first setback of the tower, and it was part of a larger 2009 movement to supply al fresco dining options to the Chicago marketplace.{{cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=128C3B12D1225658&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Supper in the sky – The hottest dining spots are up on the roof |access-date=August 13, 2009|date=June 11, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}} The view also features a close-up of the Wrigley Building's clock tower.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.timeout.com/bars-clubs/old-town-river-north/38367/the-terrace-at-trump|title=Restaurants & Bars: The Terrace at Trump|access-date=August 10, 2009|work=Time Out Chicago}} Although it offered a menu of appetizers and entrees, it was said to focus on serving drinks, and Time Out Chicago describes it as a posh playground for consuming cocktails. The Chicago Sun-Times praised its views and ranked it as the number one al fresco dining venue in Chicago.{{cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=129232DBAB914260&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=3 Things we love about Al Fresco Dining|access-date=August 10, 2009|date=June 29, 2009|work=Chicago Sun-Times}} It was open daily afternoons and evenings, weather permitting.{{cite web|url=http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Food_Wine/The_Terrace_at_Trump.asp|title=The Terrace at Trump|access-date=August 10, 2009|publisher=trumpchicagohotel.com|archive-date=August 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810232724/http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Food_Wine/The_Terrace_at_Trump.asp|url-status=dead}}

Rebar is a mezzanine-level hotel bar that opened in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CREB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=120419A1CD5AAF98&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title= Send In The Reinforcements – Can this new hotel lounge Trump your standard night out?|access-date=June 9, 2008|date=April 23, 2008|work=RedEye|author=Budell, Karen}} It describes itself as a "liquid kitchen" because it uses fresh and solid herbs, fruits, and vegetables.{{cite web|url=http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/_files/pdf/Rebar_Cocktail_Menu.pdf|title=Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago: Cocktails, Liquid Kitchen|access-date=June 10, 2008|publisher=trumpchicagohotel.com|archive-date=August 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824015236/http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/_files/pdf/Rebar_Cocktail_Menu.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2008/Working-for-the-Man-and-the-Woman/|title=Working for the Man—and the Woman|access-date=June 10, 2008|date=February 2008|work=Chicago Magazine|author=Preston, Sarah}} RedEye contributing editor David Himmel called it the best new bar to take a date to in 2008. He called it "sleek" and spoke highly of its river views.{{cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CREB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=120668FB209500E0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title= Meet me in the lobby – Chicago's hot new hotel bars aren't just for tourists|access-date=June 9, 2008|date=April 30, 2008|work=RedEye|author=Himmel, David}} The bar was named after the reinforcing steel bars, called rebar, that support the hotel.{{cite web|url=http://nbc5streetteam.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/now-open-rebar/|title=Now Open: Rebar|access-date=June 10, 2008|date=April 23, 2008|publisher= NBC5|work=NBC5 Street Team|author=Holland, Liz}} Another RedEye critic also complimented the views and described Rebar as a cozy, hotel bar. In 2008, one member of the WMAQ-TV Street Team commended it for its signature cocktails and sushi,{{cite web|url=http://nbc5streetteam.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/word-on-the-street-may%202-2008/|title=Word On The Street: May 2, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2008|date=May 4, 2008|publisher=NBC5|work=NBC5 Street Team|author=Riley, Marcus}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} while another preferred to highlight its stainless steel swizzle sticks. Rebar includes a 25-person VIP room with peerless views of a hotel lobby.

Sixteen shut its doors on April 28, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.eater.com/2018/3/21/17147860/sixteen-trump-tower-chicago-restaurant-closing-reconcept|title=Trump Tower's Two-Michelin-Starred Chicago Restaurant Sixteen To Close|first=Ashok|last=Selvam|date=March 21, 2018|website=Eater Chicago}} By August 2018, Terrace 16 reopened as a more modest and casual restaurant.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-terrace-16-restaurant-trump-hotel-review-0905-story.html|title=Trump hotel restaurant Terrace 16 not as good as Sixteen was — but makes best s'mores ever|access-date=November 9, 2019|date=August 30, 2018|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}}

• Les Nomades
• Charlie Trotter
• Alinea

{{reflist|2}}

• {{cite book|title=BlackBook: Guide To Chicago 2009 Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Hotels|year=2008|isbn=978-1-932942-43-9|publisher=Blackbook Media Corp.|editor=Gil, Fernando Cwilich}}
• {{cite book|title=Forbes Travel Guide: 2010 City Guide: Chicago|year=2010|isbn=978-1-936010-05-9 |last1=Atkinson |first1=Kim |last2=Roufos |first2=Anna |publisher=Five Star Travel Corporation }}
• {{cite book|title=Time Out: Chicago 2010 Eating & Drinking|year=2009|publisher=Time Out Guides Ltd|isbn=978-0-9793984-7-6|editor=Shouse, Heather}}

• [http://www.zagat.com/Verticals/PropertyDetails.aspx?VID=8&R=130160 Sixteen] at Zagat

{{Near North Side, Chicago}}

{{Restaurants in Chicago}}

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{{good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sixteen (Chicago Restaurant)}}

Category:2008 establishments in Illinois

Category:2018 disestablishments in Illinois

Category:Defunct Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago

Category:Restaurants disestablished in 2018

Category:Restaurants established in 2008