Ducasse At The Essex House Restaurant Receives Four-Star Review

CHICAGO— Alain Ducasse at the Essex House restaurant received a rare four-star review from New York Times restaurant reviewer William Grimes. The rating is the newspaper’s highest culinary acknowledgement. In his review, Grimes wrote, “Ducasse, a chef in the classic French tradition, promised New York a great restaurant. Now he has delivered it.” Laurence Geller, CEO/Strategic Hotel Capital, (SHC) owner of the 597-room Essex House Hotel that is home to the restaurant, said, “When we acquired the hotel in 1999, we created a new strategy to significantly enhance the quality of one of New York’s most recognized hotels. We set out to significantly upgrade the hotel, and partnering with Alain Ducasse, who rightfully is recognized as one of the world’s greatest chefs, was a good example of that strategy.” The restaurant was part of a complete restoration of the art deco-style property, which included creating the St. Regis Club, a 104-room “hotel within a hotel,” that offers luxury service and accommodations within the 597-room upscale hotel located on Central Park South.