Chef Michael Lachowicz unveils new George Trois, Aboyer

In April, chef Michael Lachowicz took to Facebook to announce a “seismic change” at each of his acclaimed eating places in suburban Winnetka, Aboyer and George Trois.

“A catapult-like thrust forward is necessary,” he wrote, with a “complete disregard for tire firms, aristocratic, N.Y. culinary royalty or scores of any sort apart from the full happiness and fulfillment of every single and each individual 1 of my treasured attendees.”

Now we can ultimately see what Lachowicz experienced in head. Equally of his dining places, which are positioned in the identical creating, have been gutted, completely redesigned and refreshed with new menus. Even the facade of the developing, which was black, has been painted ivory.

In his 17 years in the suburban house, Lachowicz charmed many diners with his consider on French delicacies, with George Trois turning into the initial suburban cafe to win Restaurant of the Calendar year in the 2019 Jean Banchet Awards, which rejoice Chicago’s eating scene.

Lachowicz realized he had to adjust during the pandemic, and that started out with the menu. “I went absent from what ever I thought was progressive and contemporary,” he mentioned. “I lower absent the panic of worrying no matter if my cooking would be recognized by more youthful folks.”

Instead, he needed to refocus on the kind of French delicacies that made him drop in appreciate with becoming a chef, which he uncovered when performing with planet-renowned cooks this sort of as Paul Bocuse and Jean Banchet. “It’s like ‘Rocky III’ where he’s teaching at the gymnasium,” he reported. “I truly feel satisfied to be cooking all over again.”

When he introduced in designer Leah Oros to help him function on the diverse spaces, she immediately noticed a disconnect among the new menu and the ambiance, Lachowicz reported. “She instructed me, ‘Why really do not we make the room match the food stuff?’ ”

For Aboyer, this indicates the modern, streamlined sense of the area is long gone. With new menu items such as escargot Bourguignon en croute — snails wrapped in puff pastry bathing in a parsley-butter sauce — and a house-smoked salmon board with chive omelet, the space appears a great deal closer to a traditional French brasserie.

“It’s a full 180,” Lachowicz reported. “I realized it had to be extraordinary. It was a massive possibility.” The the moment-bare wood tables are now lined in linen and butcher paper, when a new 8-seat bar options typical brass accents. There is also a new 44-seat patio modeled on a French back garden, with a protected and heated pergola.

You’ll also recognize new images from Thomas Gavin, which were all a short while ago shot above a six-day time period in Paris and the Palace of Versailles.

For George Trois, the cozy 16-seat area functions new lights, a redesigned fire, oak Versailles panel flooring and plusher decorations, including velvet chairs, satin-band napkins and heaps of white linen.

Lachowicz admits he had a significant id disaster about George Trois when it 1st opened. “I thought I had to compete with all these tasting menu dining establishments in Chicago,” he mentioned. “That was absolutely incorrect for me. The menu has morphed into some thing far more authentic and authentic and fearless. Additional Michael Lachowicz.”

1 new dish he’s especially proud of, named foie gras & foie gras, options a seared medallion of foie gras established in excess of foie gras-stuffed potato gnocchi. Also search out for a saddle of rabbit with morel souffle and sauce moutarde. “I’m cooking the foodstuff I absolutely appreciate,” he stated. “You’ll feel each and every bit of that enthusiasm.”

Alter is, of program, nothing at all new for Lachowicz. Right after opening Restaurant Michael in 2005, he resolved to transform the private dining place in 2015 into the tasting-menu concept, George Trois. 4 decades later on, he closed Restaurant Michael, split the place in two, and launched Aboyer and Silencieux. The latter restaurant closed throughout the pandemic, leaving Aboyer and George Trois. “I like modify,” he stated. “It keeps things fresh and everybody engaged.”

Although the pandemic was hard, he feels blessed that he was able to preserve most of his staff members. “I’ve been capable to retain my core staff, most of whom have been with me for a extended time,” Lachowicz mentioned. “There’s not a far better team that I have ever labored with than the a single below.”

The two eating places have been in a gentle opening method, but are ready to formally reopen. Lachowicz is thrilled to see how people today react when they see the new house and foods. “The full notion, gutting anything and commencing clean, is that I wanted to return the pleasure to my eating places,” he reported. “Dining really should be a joyous activity. We will be content to see you, and you are going to ideally be satisfied to see us.”

Aboyer and George Trois are both at 64 Environmentally friendly Bay Road, Winnetka 847-441-3100 georgetroisgroup.com.

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