Fall's Most Anticipated Steakhouses
Chicago's about to get a whole lot beefier as new steakhouses prepare to open throughout the city. Here are some of the top spots we're most looking forward to this fall in Chicago:
Swift & Sons: One of the most anticipated openings of the year, bar none, is Swift & Sons, a steakhouse from the BOKA Group and B. Hospitality. Originally dubbed Armour & Swift, the forthcoming West Loop steakhouse recently changed its name to Swift & Sons, an homage to legendary meatpacker Gustavus Franklin Swift. The restaurant is going into the new Google building on Fulton Market, with chef Chris Pandel manning the meaty kitchen. Expect big, big, and bigger, from the awe-inspiring design by AvroKO to the burly porterhouses, rib-eyes, and filets by Pandel. Sides and appetizers will also skew close to classic steakhouse accoutrements, albeit elevated. Ditto the dessert program, presided over by acclaimed pastry chef Meg Galus. Projected opening: October.
GT Prime: Giuseppe Tentori shucked gold with GT Fish & Oyster, his namesake seafood restaurant in River North. Now the seasoned chef is at it again with his upcoming venture, GT Prime. This time, Tentori goes in a meatier direction, offering what should be a more boutique, contemporary steakhouse experience. Somewhat similar to the menu format at GT Fish, diners can expect a more share plate-focused interpretation of steakhouse fare, with housemade steak sauces, and a casual, hip atmosphere. Projected opening: late 2015.
STK: Inching ever closer to making its Chicago debut is STK, a restaurant with feminine style. The One Group's STK chain has set its sights on a River North locale for their Chicago premiere, peddling its infamous "female-friendly" menu and design. This is evident in the restaurant's club-like atmosphere and the options to order steaks in small, medium, and large sizes. The bold new endeavor sets itself apart from the local steakhouse fray, due to open on two floors across 13,000 square feet of the Museum of Broadcast Communications building. Projected opening: late summer.
- Matt Kirouac