The Oui Hours
Oysters and Sushi from a French Chef

The crushed velvet jacket: a holiday party staple.

What you need now: the restaurant to go with it.

So we bring you BLT American Brasserie, now open to be a glamorously adorned tribute to all the things you love about France. And America. And Japan.

If you remember Brasserie Ruhlmann—which this replaces on the first floor of the former Montgomery Ward headquarters—you’ll have a head start on what to expect. If not, here’s a recap: soaring ceilings, art deco bas-relief above the bar and enough crushed red velvet for all the department store Santas north of the Kankakee River.

The chef is Laurent Tourondel, the famed French-born restaurateur, so your steak frites and NY strips are in great hands (the sushi, pizzettes and raw bar are doing just fine, too). For the holiday brunch with your parents, you’ll appreciate the joint’s smoky barbecue Bloody Mary and challah french toast with gingerbread spices—probably the single best Christmukkah item we can imagine.

For that holiday cocktail you’ve been promising to have with your college roommate, there’s a front lounge with leather club chairs and a boisterous bar scene on the side. Order a yellowtail-caviar roll and knock back jalapeño margaritas and Red Apple & Bourbon Fizzes and catch up.

First order of business, find out when he got into drinking things like a Red Apple & Bourbon Fizz.