Rachael Lowe Lands at Bonsoiree as New Wine Director

Following her surprising dismissal from Sixteen and the Trump Chicago, Rachael Lowe has been consulting and helping out at Ada Street and Nellcôte. But she's now found herself a new home: Starting Aug. 16, Lowe will be the wine director for the new iteration of Bonsoiree.

This will mark the first time since 2005, save a stint at the French Laundry, where Lowe has worked at a free-standing restaurant and not in a corporate-driven environment. "I'm really excited to get back in more of a familial environment where everyone works as a team," she said. "There's more creative freedom."

That freedom will allow her to work with chefs Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark and owner Shin Thompson to create pairings for their multi-course tasting menu that will debut in late August with a new ticketing system.

Lowe envisions having a 35 to 40 bottle list with wines from around the world, but with a concentration on French labels. She said she wants to bring on some of esoteric Italian wines that are "fun and fun to play with" and that there are "some really cool wines out there that will play off that umami style" that will be reflected in the tasting menu. Lowe said nothing is set yet, but that they've discussed having both standard and reserve wine pairings at different price points.

"I'll constantly be working with an ever-evolving tasting menu and I'll cater my pairings to reflect that," she said. "There will be more interaction with the chefs and food. I think that will be a positive challenge."
· Rachael Lowe Out at Sixteen as Trump 'Eliminates' Wine Director Position [~EChi~]
· Beverly Kim Leaving Aria to Partner With Shin Thompson at Bonsoiree [~EChi~]