I was a devoted viewer of Bravo’s “Top Chef” this season, and last week, I was in for a real treat. I watched the finale with Stephanie Izard, the eventual winner. (Not that this was an intimate affair — we were part of a crowd of about 200).

The party, sponsored by Bravo, was at Room 21, a restaurant at 2110 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago’s South Loop. Legend has it that the building was a speakeasy and one of Al Capone’s liquor warehouses, but today it’s an upscale restaurant with unusual, eye-catching light fixtures and a beautiful patio.

After an hour or so of appetizers (lamb chop “lollipops” with Dijon sauce and an herb crust, scallops with a dollop of chimichurri and pickled shallot, duck confit rolls among them), drinks (I tried a Gin Rickety, Room 21’s name for a classic gin rickey made with fresh lime juice and soda water) and mingling (Stephanie was pleasant but seemed a bit subdued), the partygoers assembled on the patio to watch the show on a big-screen TV. Stephanie, her parents and her sister sat front and center.

The guests cheered when Stephanie did well, chatted during the commercials and nibbled on chocolate-covered caramel corn, mini red velvet cupcakes, peanut butter and jelly truffles and other desserts.

Toward the end of the hour-long show, a few eagle-eyed guests noticed the bartenders lining up champagne flutes. Sure enough, waiters circulated with trays of champagne as soon as Stephanie’s win was announced.

What’ s next for Stephanie? She plans to open a restaurant in Chicago. She’s focusing on the area around downtown, hoping to attract lunch and dinner crowds.

Meanwhile, the show’s finalists are taking to the road for a summer promotional tour. St. Louis is on the schedule for July 16, although the exact location and the name of the chefs who will be here are yet to be announced. Admission is free, but tickets are required. When the details are firmed up, they will be available from the tour website.

(Photo courtesy of Bravo.)