New Season at The Terrace at Trump

The Forbes Five-Star Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago is pleased to announce The Terrace at Trump, the downtown Chicago hotel’s sophisticated outdoor dining venue, opens early May 2014. The newly expanded outdoor oasis, located on the 16th floor, now seats 250 guests, introducing 50 additional seats from previous years. The Terrace at Trump showcases unobstructed, picturesque views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and its famed bridges, as well as the summer fireworks displays from Navy Pier.

Outdoor revelers arrive at The Terrace at Trump via the 16^th Floor Bridges Room, one of the hotel’s popular dining spaces. Upon entrance, an elegant, vibrant atmosphere is revealed, accented by contemporary décor that includes dramatic lighting, lush foliage, and the stars of the show: Chicago’s magnificent architecture and waterways. Guests can unwind and enjoy the vibrant scene in custom-designed lounge, booth, and table seating, creating a chic environment to accommodate a range of party sizes. The vibe is accented by an eclectic musical soundtrack that includes down tempo, electronic, big band, cabaret, and electro swing music.

Guests will savor Executive Chef Michael Fiddler’s menu of Mediterranean-inspired summer fare that presents a range of crowd-pleasing dishes ideal for sharing or individual enjoyment. Focused on utilizing best-of-the-season ingredients, the menu combines delicate flavors to truly showcase the bounty of the warmer months. Perfect for a warm weather respite and to accompany The Terrace at Trump’s beverage selections, the menu celebrates al fresco dining with creative presentations on updated classics and new selections that offer a variety of options to fit any palate.

Guests can begin their culinary journey by starting with a flavorful selection of Bites – pickled chayote and peppers, bacon cheddar cookies, chili lime cashews, and cheese and habanero jelly. Additional menu highlights include three levels of Trump Tower Platters – decadent seafood towers offering fresh oysters, jumbo Alaskan king crab legs, lobster, and more. The Fresco section includes items like Yellow Fin Tuna Tartar with dashi gelee, yuzu pearls, scallion and pink peppercorn; and Octopus Salpicon with roasted red peppers, capers, cornichons, avocado and lime sour cream. The On a Bun category presents upscale sandwiches including P.L.T., a warm lobster tail with tarragon lemon butter, pancetta and heirloom tomato on a toasted new England bun; and Spiced Chicken Triplets with garam masala spiced ground chicken, tzatziki relish and spinach on soft pretzel buns.  Finally, By the Coast showcases guaranteed seafood favorites like Grilled Red Snapper with roasted almond and tomato romesco and charred lemon-dressed watercress; and Tamarind Prawns with glazed and grilled prawns, roasted corn salsa and fried plantain.

Executive Pastry Chef Aya Fukai has created a whimsical series of summer desserts, showcasing her modern interpretation of nostalgic summertime classics full of bright, bold flavors. Guests seeking an indulgent finish to their meal may select from five desserts, including a foot long Coconut Cream Pie with coconut custard, rum chantilly and espresso; Nutella Chocolate Profiteroles with hazelnut profiteroles, chocolate ice cream and Nutella fudge sauce; a lovely presentation of Posch Melba with almond financier, raspberry coulis and peach sorbet; a trio of Whoopie Pies with banana caramel, chocolate marshmallow and red velvet cream cheese flavors served with a glass of bourbon-spiked milk for dipping; and Fruit Raspado with fresh berries, vanilla ice cream, shaved ice and choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic fruit syrups.

The Terrace’s cocktail program features a bevy of unique cocktails created with rare ingredients, custom-made flavored ice cubes and creative presentations. The expert beverage team has developed a list of balanced, refreshing cocktails, with highlights including Sacred Lotus with Sochu Yokaichi Mugi, Griffard grapefruit liqueur, roobis tea, lemon juice and rose water; Grand Cru Punch with Courvoisier VSOP, Perrier Jouet brut, maraschino liqueur, lemon oleo syrup, grapefruit juice and eucalyptus & pink peppercorn tea; the Spanish Crown with 10 Cane rum, Mount Gay Black Barrel, Mount Gay Eclipse, whiskey barrel bitters, pineapple gum syrup, lime, and pomegranate passion fruit sorbet garnished with a caramelized pineapple slice; and a Manhattan/Boulevardier that features Larceny Bourbon, Carpano Antica, and angostura bitters built over Campari ice cubes that transform the drink as the cubes melt and the flavors blend.

New this year, a Reserve List of cocktails – only available after sunset – takes the cocktail and ice creations to new heights. Inspired by the four elements of water, wind, earth and fire, the reserve cocktails present unique flavors served in handmade ice sculptures. Guests can enjoy The Rock with pisco, lemon juice, and pineapple gum served in a vessel carved from a large ice cube as well as The Teardrop that features vodka, acai liquor, ginger, lychee, lemon, lime, and crushed blackberries served in an ice creation shaped like it’s namesake.

A boutique selection of wines and craft beers from around the world offer a distinct variety of flavors to complement the dining experience. Craft brews from local breweries are highlighted, including the newly launched Five Rabbit Cerveceria from Bedford Park, IL and Greenbush Brewery from Sawyer, Michigan. There will also be a rotating list of ciders, including Citizen Cider from Vermont, and a wine list that will change throughout the season with a selection of varietals that complement the weather.

Providing personal service unrivaled in the city, The Terrace’s fashionable staff is outfitted in stylish uniforms ideal for a cosmopolitan outdoor environment. Designed by Chicago craftsman Nicholas Joseph, the uniforms for male staff members feature black and red gingham short-sleeve dress shirts with black trousers, while the women don fashion-forward dresses in navy blue, eggplant, orange and cobalt created by lauded local designer, Anna Fong.

The Terrace at Trump will open daily from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m., weather permitting. Guests may call (312) 588-8600 for more information, or visit www.trumpchicagohotel.com.

Via Trump International Chicago/ The Terrace at Trump