A new upscale dining destination, "Butcher and the Bear," is set to grace Lincoln Park, Chicago, offering a distinctive blend of a boutique steakhouse with a modern speakeasy ambiance. Located at 2721 N. Halsted Street, the restaurant is the brainchild of Kosti Demos, owner of Sapori Trattoria, a popular Italian restaurant nearby. With the former Mayan Palace site as its home, the venue aims to provide a low-lit retreat with a touch of sophistication.
Demos, a former trader who transitioned to the restaurant industry, took over Sapori Trattoria in 2021, and with the success of the Italian eatery, he seized the opportunity to introduce a new culinary venture from the ground up. "It was nice to take Sapori, make improvements, and increase sales, but we’re able to start from scratch," says Demos.
"Butcher and the Bear" stands as the first of two planned restaurant openings in 2024 for Demos. The second, "Ilios," is expected to debut this summer at 310 S. Halsted Street in Greektown, offering a modern Greek dining experience with a focus on fine dining.
The centerpiece of Butcher and the Bear's menu is a selection of premium steaks, showcasing the partnership with Chris and Susie Maloyan, owners of Second City Prime, an Illinois-based meat and seafood distributor. The collaboration allows the restaurant to offer high-quality steaks at reasonable prices. The menu features a variety of steaks, including a 20-ounce bone-in ribeye, a 14-ounce New York strip, and a 16-ounce double-boned pork chop. A highlight is the Wagyu Steaks Tasting Board, featuring Australian and Japanese cuts.
Spearheading the culinary experience is Chef Saul Ramos, known for his expertise from previous roles at Barton G. and Siena Tavern. The menu extends beyond steaks, incorporating an array of seafood options, crudo, and enticing entrees like scallops with poblano cream sauce and umami-marinated sea bass. A standout pasta dish, wagyu beef cheek with cavatelli and aged fontina, is expected to be a perennial favorite.
The beverage menu complements the global cuisine, offering an array of wines from California, Washington, Italy, and France. The cocktail list, featuring concoctions like an olive oil martini, is expected to expand over time.
The 4,500-square-foot space is designed with a 10-seat bar, an elevated dining room, and a lower-level dining area known humorously as the "bear den." Decorated in dark green and red tones inspired by old speakeasy aesthetics, the ambiance is further enhanced with framed portraits of a bear mascot and hidden bear motifs throughout the design.
"Butcher and the Bear" strategically positions itself in proximity to another neighborhood steakhouse, Select Cut, emphasizing its unique style and clientele, ensuring a distinctive presence on Halsted Street in Lincoln Park.
