Before Michigan Avenue shoppers could say "what happened to Cielo?" the restaurant on the 4th floor of the Omni Hotel underwent a serious renovation and emerged 676 times more colorful. Enter 676 and find yourself surrounded by a sea of lights that would fit right in in Wonderland: Clusters of lanterns that look like they've been splatter-painted form kooky chandeliers and a metal vine spouting stained-glass leaves hangs on the ceiling. Behind the bar, a menagerie of colored martini glasses mingles with oversized beakers filled with red liquids.
A seating area full of blue and gold faux-suede couches unfolds behind the bar, and a more formal dining room sits behind a screen of colored glass squares to the right. The painted clouds that graced the ceiling of the space's previous tenant still form a quaint cielo over the main dining area, and the sprawling views of Michigan Avenue remain.
As for the fare, the chef cooks up Northern Italian and American fare. Look for options like striped bass with shitake and lemongrass-coconut broth or farfalle chicken with minted peas and cilantro pesto. The dessert menu features fig creme brulee and warm apple crepes. Prices average about $15-$20 for entrees and $10 for dessert.
Centerstage Reviewer: Jennifer Berg