Tre Dita

Dane Chilton
Aug 7
3 min read

Chicago, Illinois

Dinner – Spring 2025

Final Dane Score: 4.2 — Recommended.

Elegant, well-executed, and worth the view.

Tre Dita is undeniably beautiful. Set inside the new St. Regis, the room opens dramatically with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that spill the city light over a space dressed in dark marble, brushed brass, and warm leather. There’s a touch of Art Deco in the lines, but the overall effect is more modern Milanese than Gatsby revival. It’s sleek, rich, and intentional.

The dining room is sophisticated and dim. It feels thoughtfully lit, if a touch too cavernous. The bar, however, might be the real gem here. It has a movie feel, with a view of the river that glows against the skyline. It’s one of those rare spaces where the architecture adds to the meal.

The Meal

I started with the Schiacciata Bianca, A Tuscan-style focaccia topped with rosemary, sea salt, and olive oil. It was beautifully blistered, well-salted, and a good introduction to the table. Crisp at the edges, soft in the center. No notes. We followed that with the Polpette di Brasato, braised short rib meatballs in sugo di brasato with pecorino dolce. They were rich, soft, and savory. The sugo is concentrated and clings to the meat. One of the stronger dishes of the night.

My chosen main was the Rigatoncini all’Arrabbiata; a housemade pasta in a spicy tomato sauce with garlic and pecorino dolce. A pleasant kick throughout, without being aggressive. The noodles had excellent bite. Balanced and plated with quiet confidence.

Here, Tre Dita doesn’t reinvent the wheel and it doesn’t need to. The menu stays in its lane and does so with skill. The portions are restrained, and the plating feels modern without being sterile.

The Drinks

The wine list is smart, classic, and anchored in Italy with respectable bottles across Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto, alongside a few French and Californian entries. The markup is expected at this level, but the curation is thoughtful. Where the wine list is steady, the bartender was the real standout of the night. She was knowledgeable, generous, and confident in her recommendations. The drinks were well-balanced and poured properly, which is definitely not a given in a hotel bar setting.

Photo courtesy of the Gallery at Tre Dita

The Service and Experience

Service was professional and mostly unmemorable which, in this context, is a success. No major faults, but no particular warmth either. Plates were cleared smoothly, pacing was on track, but nothing about the table-side experience elevated the night beyond the standard. If the bar staff hadn’t set the tone so high, it might not have stood out.

Tre Dita is what happens when a clear culinary direction and a luxury hotel backdrop meet and don’t overdo it. It doesn’t try to surprise you, but it doesn’t underwhelm either. There’s a clarity to the concept and enough texture in the space to make the evening feel like more than just a meal. While the bar may quietly outshine the dining room in atmosphere, the total experience is cohesive and deserving of its reputation.

The Dane Standard

Category Score

Palate 4.3

Atmosphere 4.5

Service 4.0

Identity 4.0

Final Score 4.2 – Recommended.