Tribute to a Saga

The Tribute Restaurant Saga continues in the Essex Hotel

09/02/2011 8:53 AM

By Bonnie McGrath

2 Comments - Add Your Comment


The new and improved: Jared Case/Tribute blog

Is there something in the sparkling water at the new Tribute at the Essex Hotel on South Michigan Avenue? The very new destination restaurant is now on its fourth exeutive chef. The first one, Paul Wildermuth, died (by the way, the new one was his mentee at one time), just as the restaurant's concept was getting off the ground. The next one, Brandon Baltzley, wound up in a well-publicized drug rehab--shortly before the restaurant opened. And now the third one, Lawrence Letrero--who was there for the opening and the growing pains--is gone. His successor is Jared Case, formerly of the defunct Marche, East Bank Club, Soul (in Clarendon Hills) and most recently, a private club in St. Louis. He's also worked at a bunch of other places during his career--including the now shuttered Red Light on Randolph Street.


So the saga at Tribute continues. Will the fourth executive chef be the charm? I have yet to try Tribute (save for some delicious muffins they served when they hosted the Greater South Loop Association meeting recently). Once again, I'm telling myself: "I'll go when all the kinks are out."


2 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Chi910 from South Loop
Posted: 09/14/2011 4:17 PM

We couldn\'t wait for this place to open. We went in for dinner and when I read the menu I realized there was nothing on it for me to eat. I don\'t eat meat or fish but will sometimes eat chicken. The menu is off the wall. Have they forgotten what works in this area? We were hoping for a place like Sweet Water and instead got a rest. that doesn't know how to meet the demands of the people. 3 others left the same night we were there. Please change your menu!


By Jessica
Posted: 09/10/2011 8:04 PM

I was there two days ago for a late dinner. Our table shared the lobster mac and cheese and crabe cakes for appetizers, both were delicious. The lobster mac had a subtle truffle flavor, a richness that was perfect and not too over powering.. Just a great dish. The crab cakes were some of the best I've had. I ordered the burger for dinner, white cheddar, bacon, grain mustard aioli and it was as tall as a coffee mug.. What more can I say? It was great. Overall, great food, great prices, great drin