HotelChatter

As far as eats, there's only a short bar menu available. The gnocchi were fluffy pillows stuffed with ricotta and topped with cream sauce, oven-dried tomatoes, Parmigiano and fines herbes. Though if you are hungry, request a full-sized portion; although the menu doesn't say it, this dish is served appetizer sized. For a more hearty meal, try the sirloin burger with lettuce, tomato, caramelized red onion, Dijon black pepper aioli.

A better reason to keep coming here during the renovations is the drinks. Go for the signature concoctions like the Lemon Ginger Cosmopolitan, with Canton Ginger liqueur, citrus vodka and triple sec, or the Chocolate Martini, with vanilla vodka, creme de cocoa and a chocolate-sugar rim.

While we agree that the worn-around-the-edges Pump Room is in need of some updates, from the shabby carpet to the outdated bar chairs and decor, we hope to see the storied bar to keep its old-school Chicago feel.

[Photos: Jennifer Kester]