Steak With Sex Appeal

 

 

The sexiest steakhouse in Chicago is finally here. Nationally renowned The ONE Group has set up shop with its first Chicago location of STK, a steakhouse famous for its social standing and sex appeal, two qualities long absent from the pantheon of manly, burly branding associated with the template. Now officially open, here’s what you need to know about Chicago’s newest steakhouse: 



 

STK

 

 

The new River North STK, located on the same property as the Museum of Broadcast Communications, marks The ONE Group’s 10th outpost, on the heels of other openings in Milan and Los Angeles. Unlike many other steakhouses that aptly put herculean portions of meat at the forefront, here it’s more about the social aspect, the mingling, the chic atmosphere, and the vibe. The steak and all its accoutrements serve to fuel all of that. And with 210 seats throughout the 13,000 square foot space, there’s plenty of room for mixing and mingling. 

Upon entry, diners will be greeted with a signature horn wall and a ceiling bedecked with sculpted fiberglass fins in a white bone finish, lending the feel of oceanic movement and providing a palpable flow throughout the space. This leads you to a central bar area at the heart of the restaurant, where guests are encouraged to do more of that mingling. A series of banquettes are positioned throughout the dining room, awash in light, in a fashion that also enforces interaction. 

That sleek, mod design is courtesy of ICRAVE, an innovative design studio that has previously put its stamp on other STK locations in Atlanta, Midtown New York, and Miami. 

Other assets that set this place apart from the steakhouse fray include a bistro area and a DJ booth, the latter of which is a far cry from the subdued piano players found at more classic restaurants. The DJ booth at STK lends a high-energy, mobile vibe, with upcoming DJs like Dante, Miss Meg, and A Mart on deck.

In terms of food, STK thinks outside the standards with lighter fare like mini burgers, salads, shared plates, tuna tartare, and more. Classic steaks like bone-in filet are present and accounted for, for the ardent meat-lover looking for the more familiar experience, but it’s refreshing to mix up the formula a bit, something STK isn’t shy about doing. New and exclusive to this Chicago location are menu originals like Burrata with Serrano Jamon, poblano pesto, and pine nuts; Alaskan halibut with maitake mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, and truffle-lobster brown butter; and grilled lobster Rockefeller with leeks, spinach, and king crab. 

- Matt Kirouac

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