Trump’s Sixteen and Rebar the New Hot Spot!

D.C. “Fete TV” Crenshaw, NBC5 Street Team

Been to Sixteen yet?  Have you checked out Rebar?  Well if you haven’t, you may want to check these two new hot spots out this weekend.  Sixteen is the new fine dining restaurant in the Trump International Hotel & Tower.  Located on the 16th floor, Sixteen touts itself as ” a world class dining desitination”.  I’ve had the pleasure of getting an inside look at this restaurant and was impressed with Executive Chef Frank Brunacci’s daily changing menu, the vibe and service that they provided.

Phillip Posch, Director of Food and Beverage says that they are attempting to avoid a pretentious atmosphere, but want to attract a hip down to earth crowd.  They want diners to feel luxurious but “with a sense of modernity and dynamism”.  The modern American cuisine has been getting good reviews and the views are spectacular.  Upon completion, the Trump International Hotel & Tower will be the second largest building in Chicago.  Guests will be able to enjoy panoramic views of Chicago’s famous skyline, the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

Rebar is Trump’s hip new lounge on the Mezzanine level of the hotel.  Managed by Michael Frank, Rebar offers a vibrant, social atmosphere with picturesque views.  This lounge has been getting a lot of buzz, since more and more Chicagoans discovered the new hot spot.  Just like other lounge concepts in the city, Rebar boasts bottle service for those that want to reserve a table with friends.  They also have creative drink concepts which include a punch bowl concoction that goes for $215.  Be ready to share that with friends.  Check out Sixteen on our Fete Select TV segment below or log onto www.efete.net to view our other Fete Select TV featured hot spots.

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Word On The Street: May 2, 2008

Marcus Riley, NBC5 Street Team (video)

Check out the weekly “Word On the Street” segment on “24/7 Chicago: Secrets of the City,” Saturday nights at 12:05 a.m. following SNL.

Rebar: Trump Hotel

This week’s “Word On The Street” segment took us to new swanky lounge inside the Trump Hotel and Tower,
Rebar. Thanks to the Trump folks for being so gracious and providing us with a beautiful backdrop for the shoot.

I sampled several of the signature cocktails offered at Rebar and I have to give them a thumbs up, based on the originality and the freshness of the ingredients. (Cocktail Menu) And the same can be said for the sushi, which was also phenomenal.

Fellow Street Teamer Liz Holland visited Rebar’s official opening a couple of weeks ago. Click here to check out her take on Rebar.

In a wonderful city filled with a generous amount of things to do and see and places to hang out, add another stellar contender to the mix.

Cinco de Mayo

While compiling information for our Cinco de Mayo portion of the segment, I ran into Esteben Creste, Telemundo’s VP of News. He gave me an interesting tidbit. Apparrently a lot of people believe that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, but that celebration actually occurs on Sept. 16. Cinco de Mayo is actually a celebration of the victory of Mexican forces over the French in 1862. So there you have it.

Click here to check out a list of Cinco de Mayo events.

Legends Of House Music Party

Everybody knows that Chicago is the home of house music. At least I think everyone knows that. I was surprised by a recent conversation with a Chicagoan who had no idea the extent of Chicago’s involvement in the evolution of house.

There will be no bigger celebration of house music culture than next Friday, at the Legends of House Music Party in Dolton, IL. Frankie Knuckles, Steve Silk Hurley, Andre Hatchett and other legendary house music figures will be in the house, along with hundreds of people jack-jack-jack-jack-jacking their bodies. Click here for ticket information.

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Now Open: Rebar

Liz Holland, NBC5 Street Team

Spring is finally here, and my love of Chicago has been renewed. Nothing makes me happier than to be out and about now that the weather is nice!                    

                                        

Last weekend, I went to the just opened Rebar, at the Trump International Hotel & Tower (named after the 50,000 tons of reinforced bar structuring the hotel). Needless to say, Trump did not disappoint my expectations for high end-hospitality, with the intricate design and floor to ceiling views overlooking the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue Bridge. 

Following the walking staircase to the mezzanine level, Rebar has a comfortable lounge setting with eye-catching black and white photography adorning the walls. Definitely a business crowd pleaser, this lounge is convenient for entertaining, with a VIP room seating 25 overlooking the immaculate lobby. At the bar, you can taste specialty cocktails with fresh squeezed juices and garnishes, as well as an extensive champagne list. They are also first on the scene to include “stirs” in their cocktails. I don’t know how functional they were, but they’re definitely a talking point!

Next to come from Trump Tower Chicago is outdoor patio dining at Sixteen Restaurant, which will open in summer 2009 when the construction is complete.

Trump International Hotel & Tower

401 N. Wabash Ave.
http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com

 

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