CASUAL UPSCALE DINING, CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MENU LIFT POPULARITY OF THE SIGNATURE ROOM AT THE 95TH®

Since the introduction of casual upscale dining, The Signature Room at the 95th’s popularity has soared with Chicagoans as well as visitors attracted to its menu of contemporary American fare – with an accent on natural ingredients from the heartland – and unparalleled views of the cityscape and lake.

Located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center, it has become a top spot for lunch with a weekday and Saturday buffet, priced at $13.95 ($9.95 for children) and proven popular with Michigan Avenue shoppers and office workers. Served 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the buffet includes an array of seasonal salads, poultry and fish specialties, chef’s soup and carving selection. A la Carte dining is also available – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – including salads and sandwiches ($9 to $13), main course specialties ($15 to $22) and desserts.

In the evenings, under the direction of executive chef Michael J. Pivoney, the 180-seat Signature Room caters to diners who favor and savor a contemporary approach to classics. Among the 11 entrees ($21 to $39) on the a la carte menu are: sautéed wild striped sea bass with lobster and parsnip ravioli, citrus beurre blanc; sautéed linguine pasta and wild mushrooms with roasted garlic porcini and sage broth; sautéed Atlantic salmon with melted leeks, and coriander beurre rouge; roasted rack of lamb with ragout of French lentils and baby carrots, and Chardonnay natural juice; grilled breast of chicken with artichokes, pearl onions and grilled Portobello mushrooms; and grilled New York strip steak with haricot vert, and Cabernet natural juice.

A monthly, four-course dinner special also is served with 10 percent of sales benefiting a local, often neighborhood, non-profit group. “From day one, we have felt that it is our duty to give back to the community that supports and gives us so much. Thanks to our partnership with diverse Chicago-area non-profit organizations, we are able to have a direct impact on the number of people we help in our community, through our Charity of the Month program”, said co-owner Rick Roman, who is credited with implementing the restaurant's charity program. Donations since the feature premiered in 1993 exceed $475,000.

The Signature Room’s selection of seven appetizers includes a seafood timbale, an asparagus risotto and Alaskan Dungeness crab cake. Caesar salad, with pesto croutons, is a menu perennial to accommodate popular demand. For a final flourish, pastry chef Jose Silva prepares for dessert a blueberry tart with crème anglaise. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Signature Room offers a Wine Spectator award-winning list with worldwide selections, but with an emphasis on California wineries. There is live jazz on weekend evenings.

Only On Sunday – Brunch In A Magnificent Mile Setting

Sunday brunch, with more than 50 items, is a special occasion. In addition to a buffet laden with gourmet salads, fresh vegetables, smoked salmon and trout, lox and domestic caviars, there are carving and omelet stations, pastry selections and freshly-baked breakfast breads. A “for kids” buffet serves popular items such as macaroni and cheese and pizza. Brunch, with live jazz, is $37.95 ($16 for children 12 and under) and served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The design/setting at The Signature Room respects and reflects its magnificent expansive-glass views of Chicago, with bold murals by local artisan Gregory Gove carrying cityscape themes. Private dining rooms are sized to accommodate groups from 30 to 1,000 guests. Up one level on floor 96 is The Signature Lounge. It is open 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and till 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and hosts live jazz on weekends.

Reservations are accepted for dinner and Sunday brunch: 312-787-9596. All major credit cards are honored.

Brought To You By… Infusion Management Group

Since summer 1993, The Signature Room at the 95th has been under the direction of Infusion Management Group, whose introduction of casual upscale dining and menu of contemporary American cuisine has lifted popularity of the restaurant.

The group – with its name taken from the culinary art of imparting natural flavors from herbs and spices into sauces – is comprised of veteran personnel previously associated with other top dining establishments and who came together as a team at the original The 95th restaurant.

Principals include co-owner Nick Pyknis, on staff since 1979 at The 95th where he served as lounge manager, and co-owner Rick Roman who came to The 95th in 1984 and whose previous positions included room service/dining room manager and assistant food & beverage director at the downtown Hyatt Regency Chicago. Roman was named “Restaurateur of the Year” in 1999 by the Illinois Restaurant Association.

Luigi Millacardi, vice president of operations, is a nine-year veteran at The Signature Room. Earlier he was affiliated with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Pump Room Restaurant, Le Ciel Bleu and the main dining room at the Ritz-Carlton.