Eater Inside

Tour Richard Sandoval’s Baptiste & Bottle Inside The Conrad Hotel Chicago

Also, check out what diners will eat

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Nov 10, 2016, 1:31pm CST

Photography by Nick Fochtman

Baptiste & Bottle, the new Richard Sandoval concept inside the Conrad Chicago, is opening soon.

Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

Richard Sandoval wants Baptiste & Bottle, the new restaurant and whisky bar on the 20th floor of the Conrad Chicago Hotel, to be more than just a pretty view. Sandoval, the renowned chef who brought the Latin American food hall Latinicity to the Loop, will open his newest Chicago restaurant on Nov. 14. It's the second of three dining concepts coming to the hotel.

American is the theme of the menu, which begins with a Mark Twain quote on the cover and continues with executive chef James Lintelmann's (Boka, Charlie Trotter's) new American dishes. Bone marrow and oxtail marmalade highlight the starters, as well as a selection of house-made charcuterie. Heavier plates include a red snapper and a triple-seared prime New York strip beef steak.

Whisky is highlighted here, most notably in a variety of flights that include cellared selections, Japanese varieties, and scotch. Baptiste & Bottle's woods and aged metals help continue the focus on brown liquor. Management wants this to be a space for dates, and encourage couples to take advantage of the table side bar carts.

Meanwhile, scope out the custom millwork inside the 4,442-square-foot space. The main dining room has 162 seats, and there's also a bar area and private dining space. There's also a few TVs for sports fans.

Baptiste & Bottle has already hosted a few previews, but won't officially open to the public until next week. Check out the photos and menus below.