Torali, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago’s 12th-floor modern Italian steakhouse, has launched new breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus, highlighting fall and winter flavors and the freshest in-season ingredients. Executive Chef Guenther Moreno and Executive Pastry Chef Toni Roberts lead the restaurant’s culinary program with a strong focus on local flavors. All dishes are presented in the sophisticated and luxurious style for which The Ritz-Carlton is known.
Globally Inspired, Locally Sourced
Traditional Italian dishes made with local Midwestern bounty results in hearty and approachable fare. New fall/winter menu highlights include Chicken Vesuvio ($39), Torali’s take on the Chicago classic, which has been made heartier by adding root vegetables such as turnips, celery root and parsnips, and Braised Lamb Shank ($60), featuring meat that falls off the bone accompanied by creamy Parmesan polenta, charred leeks, heirloom carrots and bourbon cranberry jam. “The smoky flavor of the charred leeks makes it a perfect meal to finish off the day in this cold season,” says Executive Chef Guenther Moreno.
Other new dishes include Squid Ink Bucatini Fra Diavolo ($44), featuring scallops, shrimp and mussels, inspired by the regions of southern Italy where they are known for the shore, sun and seafood; Bone-In Rib-Eye ($97), a 22-ounce steak wet-aged for 20 days topped with truffle jus and accompanied by fall vegetables; and Galetti ($37), a pasta dish inspired by a rooster’s curved, hollow and ridged crest. “The Galetti is a perfect fall-winter dish,” says Moreno. “The truffle cream and mushrooms give it a bit of body, but at the same time, it’s not too heavy of an entrée.”
The Perfect Way to End Your Meal
Executive Pastry Chef Toni Roberts’ recent travels to Europe inspired her latest additions to Torali’s fall/winter dessert menu. For example, the Apple Millefoglie ($14), the perfect ending to a fall meal, is a layered dessert with warm braised apples, smooth and creamy apple crémeux, crunchy cinnamon pastry and cool nutmeg gelato. A classic Italian dessert gets an upgrade with the Raspberry Swirl Cannoli ($6 each), which features house-made fried dough and ricotta filling swirled with raspberry orange blossom jam capped with crushed pistachios. “The stuffed-to-order cannoli can be ordered by the piece for a small sweet bite or as a platter for the table,” Roberts says.
Dining and Cooking