BizBash Best 2020 - 54

chicago

in the works

catering

on the Water
Here's where to go for the best views of the Chicago River.
Pizzeria Portofino, the ambitious Riverfront
project on the Chicago River from Lettuce
Entertain You Enterprises, opened in July 2019.
It was a first for the three-phase project that
includes the fall opening of RPM Events On
The Water and the winter opening of RPM On
The Water. Designed by the Rockwell Group,
Pizza Portofino takes guests to the Italian Riviera
through the decor such as yellow and white
striped booths and rustic white-washed wood,
along with greenery and string lights. The menu
features items like hand-stretched pizza and
charcoal-grilled seafood, along with a variety of
coastal wines. Perfect for yacht spotting through
floor-to-ceiling windows, the location offers an
80-seat, 1,600-square-foot patio. Full buyouts are
available in the 2,000-square-foot restaurant for
108 seated guests. For those keeping their party
on the water, there's a special "Marina Menu" for
guests who pull up in their boats for take away.
(317 North Clark St., pizzeriaportofino.com)
1 River Roast has brought new life to its
private dining space the Murdoch Room, located
adjacent to the main dining room, unveiling
a complete refresh in August 2019. The new,
brighter space in the vibrant River North neighborhood features updates including indoor/
outdoor bar service, a new mobile bar, new
lighting, artwork, and contemporary decor. The

menu of American fare is helmed by James
Beard award-winning chef Tony Mantuano and
executive chef Cedric Harden and features carved
table-side meat, fish, vegetables, charcuterie and
cheese, and oysters. Spread over 6,000 square
feet, the entire venue can accommodate events
ranging from an intimate riverside dinner for
eight to a full buyout for as many as 1,200 people
with six customizable event spaces. The Murdoch
room alone can accommodate between 250 to
400 guests. (315 North LaSalle St.,
riverroastchicago.com)
Ocean Prime restaurant opened at Shops at
LondonHouse last spring. A ground-floor entrance
leads to the second-floor restaurant of the luxury
425-room hotel by Oxford Capital Group. The
upscale chain from restaurateur Cameron
Mitchell has some 15 locations across the United
States. Guests can enjoy lunch and dinner with
a variety of seafood, steaks, cocktails, and an
impressive wine list, all housed in more than
12,350-square-feet of space designed by architect
Mark Knauer of Knauer Inc. The space features
floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Chicago
River and includes two bars. It is available for
private events for as many as 350 guests. For
smaller groups, three private dining rooms seat
24 guests each or used together can seat 72.
(87 East Wacker Drive, ocean-prime.com)

Where to Entertain at the Largest Rooftop Venue
Billed as the nation's largest rooftop venue-and confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records-
Offshore is the newest entertainment space, restaurant, and bar at Chicago's Navy Pier. Located on
the third floor of Festival Hall, the all-weather 36,000-square-foot venue has views of Lake Michigan
and a unique vantage of the city skyline. It suits large private events of as many as 1,000 guests, and
during the summer months it's the perfect perch to take in Navy Pier's biweekly fireworks. The venue
includes a 20,000-square-foot terrace studded with seven fire pits and two private lawns. Indoors,
the Play Pen seats 24 guests or holds 125 for receptions. The popular Ring of Fire outdoor space seats
eight guests or holds 30 standing; it can be combined with the Play Pen to hold 150 people. The venue
opened in May 2019. (1000 East Grand Ave., navypier.org/restaurant/offshore-rooftop-bar)

54

2020 bizbash best bizbash.com

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The Revel Group (therevelgroup.com) is
whipping up inspired menus with Italian
cheese such as burrata balloons. Made at
action stations, chefs inject mozzarella with
different fillings like basil or truffles to serve
up custom burrata on the spot. Or try the
burrata bar, in which burrata and fillings are
served atop an acrylic bar. -a.C.

1

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Walden, a sprawling two-floor, 19,000square-foot private event venue, plans
to open in spring 2020 in the West Town
neighborhood at 2145 West Walnut St.
The art-focused 21c Museum Hotel
will open its first Chicago location at a
297-room boutique hotel in the former
James Hotel space at 55 East Ontario Street
in early 2020. Slated to be the largest
property in the brand's portfolio, the hotel
will include more than 10,000 square feet
of meeting and event space and a rotating
art exhibition.
Curio Collection by Hilton will open a
222-room hotel in spring 2020 adjacent to
Festival Hall at Navy Pier at 600 East Grand
Avenue. A 30,000-square-foot rooftop
restaurant, bar, and event space is planned
for the property.
http://www.riverroastchicago.com http://www.therevelgroup.com http://www.pizzeriaportofino.com http://www.ocean-prime.com http://www.navypier.org/restaurant/offshore-rooftop-bar http://www.bizbash.com
BizBash Best 2020

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