Sage Restaurant Group—the Denver-based independent restaurant group dedicated to providing innovative, playful, and locally focused food and beverage experiences —introduces Torali Italian—Steak, a new Italian concept housed in the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. Officially opening to the public today, July 31, Torali is overseen and led by Chef Gregory Elliott and General Manager of Food & Beverage Steve Serdar. The restaurant specializes in fresh pastas made in-house daily, prime & dry-aged meats, wild fish and seafood and is dedicated to supporting local artisans. Torali is a polished gathering place resolute in providing a cultured, interactive and authentic dining experience.
“We are excited to introduce Torali to Chicago as we have been in love with the city since the opening of Mercat a la Planxa in 2008. We’ve had great success here and are thrilled for what the future holds with Torali,” says Sage Restaurant Group co-founder Peter Karpinski.
At Torali, Chef Elliott focuses on celebrated Italian classics with elevated and refined twists made with locally and internationally sourced ingredients. Menu highlights include Ricotta-Stuffed Squash Blossoms with nduja vinaigrette; Garganelli featuring lamb bolognese, English peas and fiore sardo; a Porterhouse for Two finished with house sale, olive oil and herbs; and a Seafood Tower fit for royalty with oysters, king crab, lobster, prawns, and crudo.
The space, designed by the San Francisco-based interior design firm BAMO, embraces guests in plush oversized booths, fine Italian leather and exquisite white Italian marble throughout the dining room. Light woods, blue upholstery and custom lighting installations of brass and glass globes seamlessly tie the space together providing the perfect backdrop for a polished dining experience. The design evokes a refined, yet approachable, nod to Italian modernism.
Adjacent to Torali is Torali Bar, featuring an Old World-inspired beverage program. At Torali Bar, 19-foot walnut fins echo the waves of Lake Michigan, drawing the eye to the copper-clad and white Italian marble-topped bar. The bar showcases a beverage program curated by General Manager of Food & Beverage Steve Serdar and Assistant General Manager of Food & Beverage Raul Carmona. Together, they scoured the city for top talent for Torali’s wine and cocktail program, which highlight local and authentic Italian spirits, handcrafted drinks and innovative housemade infusions. Original cocktails include the Sbagliato made with Hendrick’s gin, Bonal Gentian liqueur, Earl Grey-infused bianco vermouth, prosecco, herbs and citrus; and the Ligurian Riveria featuring Cruzan single barrel rum, Campari, lime, pineapple syrup and a blackstrap rum float. Venture past Torali Bar to the modern rooftop bar and lounge, Rooftop at Torali, for light, shareable plates and breathtaking views of Chicago.
The Café, clad in marble and featuring mosaic floors, boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that curve gently, creating a sun roof that floods the space with natural light. The Café, open all day, offers specialty coffee from La Colombe, fresh-squeezed juices, gourmet sandwiches, and decadent desserts and pastries in a relaxed atmosphere outfitted in a palette of cool blues, greys, greens and cerused white oak.
Torali Italian—Steak is open for breakfast and lunch daily from 6:30-10 a.m. and 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; and for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5-10 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 5–11 p.m. and Sunday from 5-9 p.m. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.
Torali Bar is open Monday through Thursday from 11-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 11-2 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Rooftop at Torali is open daily from 3-11 p.m. The Café is open daily from 6 a.m.
