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Inside Gibsons’ New Tri-Level Steakhouse With Gorgeous Skyline Views

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Gibsons Italia debuts on Monday with a retractable roof

Gibsons Italia
Barry Brecheisen

As Chicago’s steakhouses modernize, the stakes have never been higher for Gibsons Restaurant Group as they debut its first new restaurant concept in more than a decade. Gibsons Italia is a lavish three-level Italian steakhouse that includes a third-floor bar with a retractable roof. The restaurant stands where the Chicago River begins to bend north inside a sparkling new skyscraper at 233 N. Canal Street. While Gibsons is a name synonymous with old-school Chicago — with a martini in hand and Sinatra blaring through the speakers — Italia hopes to show customers how the brand has evolved.

The restaurant layout is as follows: There’s a bar and lounge on the first floor. The main dining room (which includes a private dining area in the back) sits on the second floor. The third floor features the retractable roof and another bar. All three feature views of the Chicago River toward the east that lead north and a skyline view devoid of a certain politician’s name sprawled out on the side of a building.

Gibsons owner Steve Lombardo and his family once again trusted architect Mark Knauer to design the restaurant. Knauer designed the original Gibsons and Hugo’s Frog Bar off Rush Street. Knauer brought out the restaurant’s Italian focus by modeling the second-floor dining room’s gray leather chairs after chairs found at Enzo Ferrari’s offices. The design travels to Milan for inspiration with high-end finishes throughout including white marble tables and backlit onyx walls.

Lunchers will find comfort on the first floor thanks to the huge windows which draw plenty of sun. They’ve also installed fireplaces on the first and third floors. The third floor’s roof quickly retracts, staff said. Chicagoans won’t have to worry if temperatures quickly dip, as they are so prone.

Check out the photos below. Gibsons Italia should open on Monday, October 23 at the 52-story River Point building.

Bar/lounge greets visitors on the first floor.
This is Gibsons Restaurant Group’s first restaurant in 12 years.
The first-floor lounge will be a happy hour destination for Loop workers.
The bar is one of two in the restaurant.
The lounge grabs plenty of sunlight.
Fireplaces are a must.
Gorgeous views of the river are just part of the draw.
Italian leathers upholster the seats.
The art matches the similar views from the windows.
The designers used mid-century Milan as inspiration.
This is the second-floor dining area.
These shelves separate the dining and host areas.
Diners can wave to the boats passing by.
Look up to see the restaurant’s logo.
Enzo Ferrari’s office provided inspiration for the seats.
A fuller view of the main dining room.
The logo on the ceiling.
A view from the top of the dining area.
These giant, comfy booths dominate the raised part of the room.
Another view of the booths.
These raised tables mean clearer views of the riverfront.
The bar on the third floor features tanned leather seats.
A look at the third-floor bar.
The third-floor lounge.
The roof quickly retracts.
A Trump Tower-free view of the river.
The doors slide to open.
Marc Much
Never trust a restaurant without books on its shelves.
There’s a flatscreen and fireplace on the third floor.
Space on the third-floor deck is sparce.
There are no ledges for drinks on the deck, but that’s OK.

Gibsons Italia

233 North Canal Street, , IL 60606 (312) 414-1100 Visit Website

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