Gibsons Planning a ‘Modern Steakhouse’ With Retractable Roof in the Loop

Gibsons Restaurant Group is planning—surprise—a steakhouse inside the River Point Building, the under-construction high-rise office tower off the Chicago River, near Canal and Randolph streets in the Loop. Specifically it’s a “modern steakhouse with authentic Italian influences,” according to a Gibsons spokeswoman. The restaurant will also have a retractable roof on the top floor.

Beef remains the focus, as the menu will include cuts from around the world in addition to Gibsons’ familiar USDA Prime Angus chops. The restaurant will occupy three floors. Gibsons still hasn’t shared the name of their new restaurant, which, slated for a fall opening, is the first new downtown restaurant in 12 years from Chicago’s top-grossing independent restaurant group.

When they announced the restaurant at the end of 2015, Gibsons didn’t share the concept they had planned. It’s unclear how the venerable steakhouse group intends to modernize their formula. Perhaps they’ve seen how recent openings GT Prime, Swift & Sons, Maple & Ash and Boeufhaus have handled their steer. Chef John Coletta, a Gibsons partner, is developing the menu. His work at Quartino Ristorante in River North obviously shows his expertise in Italian cuisine, some of which appears to be planned at River Point.