Spring is the season of renewal and a prelude of what’s to come in the summer months. At SOPHY Hyde Park, Executive Chef Alejandro “Chef Eddie” Arreola of Mesler Chicago has unveiled a menu of delicious surprises to mark the return of balmier weather and seasonal celebrations.

The Sanctuary, Mesler’s alfresco dining area, reopens on Memorial Day Weekend. This welcoming lounge offers cocktails and lighter fare beside warming firepits and under twinkle lights. On weekends, brunch is served, and there are Hours of Happy every weekday.

Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 14, will have two seatings, at 10 am and 12 pm. The featured three-course menu starts with Asparagus Soup with truffle cream, croutons, and pickled ramps. The star attraction is Maine Lobster Benedict, served with a spring vegetable salad and Béarnaise sauce. For dessert, there’s a Berry Tart made with citrus cream, mascarpone, and berry coulis. The full brunch menu will be available as well. Reservations are recommended.

Springtime marks the start of the new cocktail season at Mesler, with more than a dozen new creations worth sampling. Among them is the Fig Gimlet, created with Tanqueray Gin, fig vodka, Scarborough bitters, and citrus; the Raspberry Julep, made with Seagrams 7 Crown Whisky, raspberry puree, citrus, and mint; and a Chitown Blues made with Koval whiskey, blueberry puree, pineapple juice, citrus, and chocolate bitters.

New non-alcoholic cocktails have also been introduced, celebrating the current trend for mocktails. They include The Kenwood, made with hibiscus tea, pomegranate syrup, ginger beer, and citrus, and the frozen Ube Spirit Free Mai Tai. This refreshing concoction mixes Seedlip brand distilled botanical spirit with orgeat, a sweet almond syrup, and the violet-hued ube yam syrup, stirred with pineapple and citrus juices.

A new draft lager from Mexico, Cruz Blanca, has been unveiled at Mesler, as have beer flights featuring five four-ounce pours of Mesler’s draft selection.

Mesler Chicago has become famous for its legendary brunch. Served Friday to Sunday between 7:30 am and 2 pm, Chef Eddie’s brunch has something for every taste, from Vegetable, Eggs, and Quinoa Hash to Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, the famous 5^th Ward Burger, and a Maine Lobster & Shrimp Salad.

Mesler’s Happy Hour happens Tuesdays – Thursdays, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. These hours are one of the liveliest times in the hotel, with Bartender’s Choice for $10, a glass of House Wine for $8, and selected Beers for $5. Accompaniments include Mesler Fries, House Wings, Signature Deviled Eggs, Petite Cauliflower, and Seasonal Burrata. Check out Happy Hour Entertainment Thursdays, which offer the same great Happy Hour classics and the bonus of live entertainment.

Mesler Chicago’s signature Sunday Suppers continue with live music from Flowers for the Living. Sunday Supper Music is held every Sunday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with a menu that includes Mesler classics from the Midday Menu, like the signature Lobster Roll, the 5th Ward Burger, and the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich.

Visit Mesler Chicago for more information and reservations.