Saturday, March 25, 7:00 pm
Members $90, guests $115

When the owners of Rhapsody set out to create a fine-dining restaurant inside Chicago’s Symphony Center and in the heart of the Loop, they knew they would have to overcome some serious skepticism. But when Rhapsody opened in 1997, it was evident from the start that it was far more than a convenient place to grab a bite before the show. The restaurant’s cachet only rose when Doran Payne was promoted to executive chef in 2005.

At Rhapsody, Payne infuses contemporary American cuisine with subtle Caribbean accents, a style informed by his native St. Lucia and several years of formal European training. After graduating from the Cordon Bleu in London, Payne embarked on an extensive tour of Europe, working at several five-star hotels and restaurants, including the Four Seasons Hotel in London, the Hotel Le Royal in Luxembourg, Auberge des Saints Pères in France, and a stage under Michel del Burgo, the chef de cuisine at the Michelin three-starred Taillevent in Paris. He was awarded a James Beard Foundation Scholarship in 1999 to continue his studies in Paris.

In its three-star review, Chicago magazine called Rhapsody “a stellar Loop destination.” Robert McCoppin of the Daily Herald praised the restaurant’s “straightforward yet subtle cooking style.” But Front Desk Chicago magazine summed it up best: “Whether you’ve just been to the symphony or you’re just looking for a lovely meal, chef Doran Payne’s contemporary American cuisine with global influences is just the ticket.” Diners—whether concertgoers, food lovers, or both—clearly agree.