Stars come out as Pump Room re-opens after getting makeover
WITH ELIZABETH HAMEL October 17, 2011 6:20PM
Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten, Zoe Saldana and Ian Schrager.
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Updated: November 19, 2011 8:44AM
A legendary Chicago dining institution, the Pump Room, was retooled and re-opened under famed New York City chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten in an intimate dinner for a roomful of 160 VIP guests last week. After the meal, diners were joined by 400 additional partygoers for an invite-only unveiling of the new Public Chicago hotel — formerly the Ambassador East, built in 1926 at 1301 N. State — now under the helm of Studio 54 co-founder and New York hotelier Ian Schrager.
Schrager and Vongerichten were on hand to greet guests and tout the new Pump Room menu and design of the historic hotel, which now features striking white marble in the foyer and modern atom-like lighting in the dining room. Guests marveled at the black and white photos just inside the restaurant doors, salvaged from the original Pump Room, indicative of its reputation as a Chicago celebrity hot spot for Hollywood and Broadway royalty.
Since the Pump Room’s opening would not be complete without a couple of today’s stars, Chicago native Billy Zane and “Colombiana” actress Zoe Saldana were present and freely mingled at the soiree, signing a few autographs and snapping photos with fans. Other notable names spotted among the dolled-up crowd included socialites Mamie Walton, Rebecca Besser, Whitney Lasky and Toni Canada; former Playboy CEO Christie Hefner with her husband, Bill Marovitz; Johnson Publishing CEO Desiree Rogers and DJ Paul Oakenfold.
Those lucky enough to snag an invitation to the dinner enjoyed a family-style feast of dishes from the Pump Room menu. Later, at the cocktail party, waiters circulated with chicken liver canapes, tempura-fried shrimp and, for dessert, blueberry and lemon curd tarts. Champagne flowed late into the evening, and as the party wrapped up, many guests made their way upstairs to their rooms, which start at an affordable $135 per night.
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The Black Ensemble Theater celebrated 35 years at its “Legendary Celebration Gala,” held Friday night at the Intercontinental Hotel. More than 300 partygoers enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing and rousing musical performances from the ensemble members while feting next month’s opening of the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, to be located in Uptown at 4450 N. Clark, which will be the award-winning theater’s new permanent home.
Founder Jackie Taylor joined Board Chairman Gregory K. Morris; Judy Rice from lead sponsor BMO Harris Bank, Mesirow Financial’s Les Coney and Allstate Corp.’s Chief Legal Officer Michele Mayes to sip cocktails before sitting down to dinner of beet salad and baked salmon in the ballroom. During dinner, the Black Ensemble Orchestra played in the background while a loop of photos from the last 35 years tickled guests — many of whom have been involved with the theater for decades.
A ticket to the soiree began at $200 and in total, the record-breaking night raked in more than $200,000 for the theater.
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