If you haven't been to the Signature Room at the top of the John Hancock Building in many years (or you've never eaten there), you might be inclined to think that a restaurant with such a magnificent view of Chicago's skyline and a steady stream of tourists would rest on its laurels. That's what I thought until I dined there recently. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the sky-high restaurant turns out top-notch cuisine.
Everything I ate was freshly prepared, beautifully presented and served with a smile. The restaurant uses many locally sourced ingredients and has a seasonal menu, which on my visit, boasted summery treats like a roasted corn ravioli.
The menu is ample, with plenty of selections but not an overwhelming number of choices. The prices, considering the quality of the food and the breathtaking scenery, are shockingly reasonable. Starters and salads range from $8 to $12 and there are several entrees for less than $30.
The beet salad was one of the best I've had in a while. I find that most beet salads, which have become ubiquitous on restaurant menus everywhere, have too many beets and not enough other tasty ingredients. The Signature Room's version was a delightful mix of light greens, Maytag blue cheese, candied walnuts, tangy Dijon vinaigrette and just the right amount of fresh beets. I don't typically gravitate to mussels as starter, but I'm glad I sampled them at the Signature Room. They were tender and served in a broth that was spicy enough to make them memorable.
The entrée selections include the upscale dining staples you might expect like seared salmon, braised lamb, and surf and turf. While there aren't many huge surprises, there are also no missteps. Just about everything I tried was flavorful, properly seasoned and perfectly executed. It's worth noting that all of the food is cooked on electric stoves and ovens because gas can't be installed at that height—quite the culinary feat when you are grilling steaks and baking cheesecake.
Speaking of steaks, the one I tried was fantastic. It was tender and juicy, and served as an excellent vehicle for the rich, buttery béarnaise sauce that accompanied it. I also really enjoyed the lamb. The portion was quite large, and the tender meat fell easily off of the bone. On my visit, the lamb was served with soft, doughy spaetzle, which was flavored with spices that gave it some kick.
There was a lobster tail special on the menu when I visited, and for your sake, readers, I hope it's still available when you visit The Signature Room. I eat as many lobster tails as I can get my hands on, and this one was definitely among the best. If I heard my waiter correctly, it was steamed and then grilled. Every drawn butter-soaked bite melted in my mouth. The lobster paired nicely with a glass of Piper Heidsieck champagne, which is one of many wines available at The Signature Room. It was served on top of whipped potatoes and green beans, both of which made fine companions for rich seafood.
There's not a bad seat in the house, so you'll definitely want to stay and linger over dessert at the Signature Room. Between my many visits to The Signature Lounge and my recent dinner at The Signature Room, I think I've tried almost every dessert the establishment has to offer. They are all quite tasty, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the carrot cake. It is constructed of at least six super-thin layers of sweet and spicy carrot cake, each topped with rich frosting.
There is one very special dessert I did not have the pleasure of sampling, and that is a chocolate box the servers at The Signature Room use to deliver about 250 engagement rings every year. If you're looking for a stunning and memorable place to pop the question, I think this is an excellent place to do it. You'll never forget getting engaged at what I believe is Chicago's Empire State Building. No matter how many times you go to the top of the Hancock, no matter how many tourists you might have to wait in line with, the panoramic skyline views just never get old. Whether or not you plan to propose to someone over dinner at The Signature Room, definitely make a reservation before you go. That will allow you to bypass the typically long line of people waiting to get up to the lounge.
The Signature Room is located at 875 N. Michigan Ave.; call 312-787-9596 or visit www.signatureroom.com .
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