STARTER
Toro Fairmont Millennium Park CHICAGO
Words: Hannah Currie Photography: © Daniel Kelleghan
IN A BITE Owner: Strategic Hotels & Resorts Operator: Richard Sandoval Hospitality Architecture: GREC Architects Interior Design: KTGY Kitchen Consultant: Stuart Davis Design Concept Chef: Richard Sandoval Executive Chef: Alexander Quintero Head Bartender: James Van Der Bosch www.torochicago.com
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he spirit of Latin America charges into
of earthy terracotta hues and nods to Latino
Downtown Chicago with the arrival
culture. The dining room is reminiscent of a
of Toro at Fairmont Millennium Park.
traditional Mexican dance hall thanks to its
A collaboration between Strategic Hotels &
geometric flooring, while walls clad in Chicago
Resorts and Richard Sandoval Hospitality, the
brick-style tiling are a nod to local architecture.
venue is designed by KTGY to be as rich in
Vaquero motifs alongside decorative bull’s
colour and texture as the pan-Latin cuisine of
horns add rugged energy, and above a live-fire
Chef Sandoval.
‘suviche bar’ – where sushi and ceviche meet
Located at street level, the restaurant’s
Central and South American flair – a straw
dramatic new entry vestibule is characterised
thatched ceiling evokes vernacular roofing
by monumental wooden doors framed by a brick
techniques. To the rear, a private dining room
archway. Inside, a custom host station welcomes
is partially concealed behind sheer drapes
guests into a carefully choreographed layout
and a floor-to-ceiling totem partition, where
that unfolds across an L-shaped footprint.
vibrant artwork and curios are accompanied by
“The design is a reflection of the F&B concept, the rich tapestry of pan-Latin cuisine and its
a chandelier comprising pieces of wood carved in the shape of traditional cacao grinders.
integration into Chicago’s vibrant personality,”
“We are particularly proud of achieving a
says Sara Talleux, Associate Principal at KTGY.
balance between texture and pattern. Using
“Our challenge was to tell the story of how these
Chicago as a canvas, Toro transposes modernist
culinary influences come together to create a
architecture with influences from Latino
dining experience that resonates with the city’s
heritage,” Talleux concludes. “Our design
dynamic character.”
truly celebrates Pan-Latin styles and cultures,
The fusion springs to life through a palette
creating an experience rooted in one location.”