Viand: American cuisine with a Mediterranean flare.
Hidden away in a section of Chicago called Streeterville, Viand is located in Marriott hotel. I've said on a number of occasions that I'm not really keen on hotel restaurants, but I think I'm going to have to adjust that view. Though many hotels (hello Sheraton) still stick a mediocre sports bar or overpriced steakhouse in the hotel and call it fine dining, increasingly hotels are actually putting quality eateries on premises.
Viand is an excellent example of such a place. An eclectic mix of ingredients and cuisines, with leanings towards the Mediterranean, the full menu made for some hard choices.
The table was started off with a small tumbler of complimentary, and very tasty, gazpacho. This nice touch set the tone for the rest of the meal.
For starters, I had an order of the homemade potstickers in a dark soy and brown sugar glaze. The potstickers were good, and a nice large serving, but didn't quite blend with my main course, a lovely tangine of lamb and root vegetables with couscous. Nicely spiced, a great choice.
The dessert tray was tempting (including a basket of freshly baked cookies), but I'm not really a dessert person, so I let that go by.
Service was excellent and attentive. Highly recommended (even if you have to go through a hotel lobby too get there!).
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 13 July 2009
Address: 155 E Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611-2822
Website: http://www.viandchicago.com/
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