Trotter Backs Out Of Elysian Hotel Project

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Feb 27, 2009 4:20PM

One of the big happenings fine dining fans were looking toward was the opening of Charlie Trotter's planned restaurant in the Elysian Hotel downtown. Trotter said at the time of the announcement of his deal with the Elysian in 2006, "We're very choosy about who we get into bed with, to put it bluntly."

Looks like someone had second thoughts, or was beer-goggling, at the very least. In a joint statement, Trotter and the Elysian announced that they had "have mutually and amicably agreed to part company, effectively dissolving their relationship immediately." This is a lucrative arrangement Trotter's leaving; the original business relationship also had Trotter handling the Elysian's room service and banquet fare. The planned restaurant was to be a a fine-dining, dinner only concept with a casual-themed extension serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Elysian hasn't given up on plans for a new restaurant, and are interviewing candidates including one local unnamed chef to take over for the mecurial Trotter. Meanwhile, Trotter still has his eponymous Lincoln Park hotspot; two Trotters-to-Go locations; restaurants in Vegas and Mexico; a planned restaurant opening in New York; and consults United Airlines for menus for its business and first-class passengers. [Crain's, Sun-Times]