Sophie's, A New Signature Restaurant, Debuts On Chicago's Michigan Avenue Saks Fifth Avenue Store January 31, 2014

CHICAGO, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue, a new signature restaurant from Fifth Dining, will make its debut in Chicago on the 7^th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue's Michigan Avenue store. Sophie's is inspired by American fashion designer Sophie Gimbel, the arbiter of style for Saks for nearly 40 years. Two Chicago restaurant veterans, Executive Chef Ron Aleman, formerly of the Fairmont Chicago, and General Manager Michel Gabbud lead the team at Sophie's. Chef Aleman created the Sophie's Chicago menu, along with Sophie's Corporate Executive Chef, Barcelona-born Alexandro Reyes. It will offer globally influenced yet decidedly American cuisine and libations in an intimate and modern setting overlooking Michigan Avenue, perfect for business or social dining.

"Every restaurant needs an inspiration and in Sophie Gimbel, we have found the perfect muse," said Michael Kaufman, president, Fifth Dining, which operates exclusively to serve as the food and beverage partner of iconic retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. "The first American designer to be featured on the cover of Time magazine, Sophie was a savvy businesswoman who also cooked, gardened, and canned her own fruits and vegetables. Moreover, she did this with an unending sense of wit and style, which we honor in the restaurant's menu and design."

Aleman's menu at Sophie's in Chicago will focus on simple ingredients, sourced locally and seasonally whenever possible, to create contemporary American dishes inspired by world flavors. Sophie's seeks to surprise guests with innovative combinations and flavors and present them in a way that is memorable, for late breakfast, lunch, and afternoon and early evening cocktails. Weekend brunch will be added in the spring. The menu includes small plates such as Salt-Crusted Baby Beets with Gorgonzola, Pecan Caramel, Orange and Yuzu Vinaigrette. Scottish Salmon with Cumin Heirloom Carrots, Red Cress with a Carrot-Mascarpone Sauce and a Pasture-Raised Burger with Fries and Sriracha ketchup are two selections among the seasonal entrees, sandwiches and salads. The specially designed cocktail menu will feature smaller bites and sharable plates. 

To complement the food, Sophie's mixologists created a beverage menu focusing on fresh, seasonal cocktails and handcrafted sodas, along with a carefully edited wine list featuring a selection of superb wines by the glass. Standout cocktails include the Sophie's Sonnet (Creme de Poete, fresh lemon juice, Imbue Petal & Thorn and Fee's Rhubarb Bitters) and the Bourbon Cherry Sour (Breaking & Entering Bourbon, Luxardo Morlacco Cherry Liqueur, fresh lemon juice and egg white).

Sophie's sits on the 7^th floor alongside the new men's store, The Fifth Avenue Man. Guests of the restaurant will be whisked up to the 7^th floor via a dedicated express elevator to experience sweeping views of the Magnificent Mile from the sleek, contemporary restaurant, designed by award-winning architect Andre Kikoski. Most recently lauded for the design of The Wright at The Guggenheim, Andre Kikoski Architect is the only firm to win three of the most prestigious hospitality design awards for a single project in a single year: the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant Design; the Gold Key Award for Hospitality Excellence and the Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Award. In describing the design vision for Sophie's Kikoski said, "We sought to engage the fundamental innovation, luxury and cool that is the core of both Sophie Gimbel and Saks Fifth Avenue in a way that is inviting, elegant and chic."

Sophie's is located at 700 N. Michigan Avenue on the 7^th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue. Hours of operation are 10am-7pm, Monday-Wednesday; 10am-8pm, Thursday-Saturday, and 11am-7pm on Sunday.  For more information or reservations, please visit www.sophies.com or call 312.525.3400.

About Fifth Dining
Fifth Dining LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centerplate, Inc., one of the nation's largest hospitality companies, operates exclusively to serve as the food and beverage partner of iconic retailer Saks Fifth Avenue.  This includes New York City's flagship store, which features the Cafe SFA and SnAKS restaurants. Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue is a new destination restaurant launching in select Saks stores beginning in 2014. For more information, please call 203-975-5917.

SOURCE Fifth Dining LLC