From the creators of The Gage comes Henri — energetically American, French influenced. Heralded as an “instant classic”, Henri offers fine dining without pretention. Henri takes its inspiration, as well as its name, from the pioneering American architect Louis Henri Sullivan, whose work re-imagined our turn-of-the-century urban landscape.
Although he studied at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Sullivan was not limited by deference to convention in his pursuit of the bold. With a vision unique for his era, Sullivan used his classical education as a tool to inform modernity in his early designs for the steel-frame skyscraper, a quintessentially American structure. Sullivan’s work, which includes the terra cotta ornamental facade of Henri’s building, illustrated that only a strong foundation supports innovation. Henri embraces this guiding principle in both its design and its menu.
Under the direction of Executive Chef Chris Gawronski, Henri’s menu is influenced by the refining principles of classical cuisine. Innovative dishes like kampachi crudo join traditional favorites such as foie gras, steak tartare, Dover sole and ribeye au poivre. The tasting menu highlights the bounty of the season, accompanied by perfectly paired wines by sommelier Jason Wagner. The carefully curated wine list is almost exclusively biodynamic, while cocktails are both creative and classic.
Reminiscent of a European salon, Henri’s decor echoes the building’s turn-of-the-century origins with sea green mohair-covered settees, chocolate velvet-covered walls, herringbone patterned hardwood floors, silk drapery, ornate crown moldings and chandeliers swathed in brown silk shades. Just steps from the city’s cultural landmarks including museums, theaters, Millennium Park and the Symphony, Henri provides an elegant respite from bustling Michigan Avenue.