ARIA RESTAURANT OFFERS MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH ON SUNDAY, MAY 11

aria, located at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, is offering a Mother’s Day brunch menu by Executive Chef James Phillips on Sunday, May 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The elaborate menu is $42 per person and offers a variety of specialty items that are sure to please not only Mom but the whole family. aria is situated next to Millennium Park and steps from the Magnificent Mile—perfect for a post-brunch activity.

The Mother’s Day brunch includes a salad bar with seasonal vegetables, a variety of cold buffet starters from assorted sushi rolls and nigiri, smoked and cured fish, jumbo shrimp cocktail, European cheeses and charcuterie, and beet and feta cheese salad. Guests may also choose one entrée such as blackened salmon niçoise, poached egg toast, French toast popovers, deep dish quiche, roasted rack of lamb, steak frites, crab omelet, or granola pancakes. The sharable dessert platter includes delectable chocolate coconut macaroons, red velvet cheesecake, fresh fruit tartlets, and yogurt ice cream with blood orange curd and lavender shortbread. 

The restaurant space features a modern yet warm atmosphere, highlighted by rich imported woods and exotic stones used throughout the bar and restaurant to create a serenely elegant aesthetic. Guests enjoy visiting aria’s lavish wine library complete with a librarian’s ladder. Surrounded by French glass doors, aria’s private dining room, which seats up to 14, features spectacular views of downtown and includes a large circular table and a sleek polished river stone back wall. Tabletops throughout the restaurant are made from 100% recycled concrete and glass. Resembling granite, this innovative material is eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable. Minimal linen is used on aria’s tables – setting the table with napkins only, allows for the conservation of water and energy resources expended in laundering. 

Executive Chef James Phillips has fourteen years of culinary experience including serving as Sous Chef of Fairmont Washington, D.C. and Banquet Chef at Fairmont Pittsburgh. Between October 2003 and 2005, James held the position of Executive Chef at Diamond Head Beach Resort in Fort Myers, Florida. Previously he was a Lead Sautee at Noble House Hotels and La Playa Beach Resort in Naples, Florida; Chef de Partie at Vail Resorts Allies Cabin in Beaver Creek, Colorado; and Chef de Partie at Manisses Resort at Block Island, Rhode Island. James began his professional culinary career at South Seas Resort on Captiva Island as a Culinary Extern in 1999 and worked his way up to a Sous Chef in 2001. 

aria serves three meals daily with Breakfast from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sundays through Saturdays, Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and Dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays through Saturdays. Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 11 will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For reservations, call 312-444-9494 or visit www.ariachicago.com.