Terrace 16 Patio Now Open

Mother Nature has not been very kind to us this year. Record cold temperatures. Snowstorms in April. Incessant rain. Unseasonably chilly weather. But it won't last forever. There's a light at the end of the tunnel. We've hit mid-May and it will start to feel like summer - or at least spring - any day now. Soon we'll be frolicking in flip flops and sundresses, hitting the beach and sipping rose on rooftops enjoying summer in the city.

Terrace 16 kicked off the season with a patio grand opening event this week and I had the opportunity to attend. It was my first time at the venue, which I have had on my list for some time as I knew it provided one of the best views in the city. On the 16th floor of Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, new Chef de Cuisine Andrew Kelminsky has developed a new seasonal menu that we got to sample on our visit.

We tried some awesome bites - among them crab cakes, mini burgers, ceviche and arancini. 

We sampled four of the new seasonal drinks and I think my favorite was the Members Only with Bacardi, Myers, passion fruit and velvet Falernum.

It was my first visit to Terrace 16 and the views are stunning of the river out on to the lake, the Wrigley Building and other significant structures, the L tracks and just the bustling streets below, which look really cool once the sun goes down.

If you want to treat yourself to some upscale bites and cocktails in a lovely outdoor setting where you can view the best of the city, get Terrace 16 on your summer itinerary. 

New Menu Highlights

New Terrace 16 menu highlights include: Fried Brussel Sprouts (Mustard BBQ, Pickled Grapes, Fried Shallots); Spinach Salad (Poppy Seed, Strawberries, Candied Pecans, Feta, Red Onion Confit); Golden Trout Crudo (Avocado, Watercress, Tiger’s Milk, Trout Roe, Rice Cracker); and Lamb Flat Bread (Sesame, Spiced Yogurt, Preserved Lemon, parsley) for starters.

Main dishes featured include: Braised Octopus (Romesco, Kohlrabi, Shishito Peppers, Black Garlic, Hazelnut); Terrace Burger (Romaine, Caramelized Onion, American Cheese Burger Sauce); Veal Ragu (Tagliatelle, Burrata, English Pea); Fried Chicken (Spicy Salt, Green Onion Relish, Pimento Cheese, Buttermilk); Crab Cakes (Bloody Mary Broth, Fennel Jam, Fresh Garden Salad); and Prime Tomahawk Ribeye (Roasted Garlic, Rosemary, Morels, Smashed Potatoes).