Hollywood Blvd Cinema

How BLVD Helped Bring Luxury Back to Chicago’s Restaurant Scene | Eater Chicago

"Founded by first-time restaurateurs Kara Callero, Frank Callero, and Steven Zaleski after discovering a long-vacant former nightclub in Fulton Market in 2015, this bilevel, high‑ceilinged space was transformed from “half decayed” into a vintage Hollywood–glam destination by designer Karen Herold of Studio K Creative. Drawing on 1950s Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Regency references, the team incorporated Art Deco touches, curves, gold and metallic accents, plush velvet booths, mood lighting, intimate niches, and a dramatic ribbon-like grand staircase cut through the second floor; even the women’s bathroom was styled as a boudoir with an ottoman and multiple makeup tables. Praised for balancing sceney glamour with restrained sophistication—favoring curated showpieces over overdone ornamentation—the restaurant became Chicago’s 2017 poster child for midcentury luxury and glamour, won Eater Chicago’s Design of the Year, and generated major pre-opening buzz on social media. Its emphasis on design often drew diners before the food and beverage programs were fully known (the opening chef was replaced within a week), and the project helped cement a return to special-occasion, luxe dining in the rapidly evolving Fulton Market/West Loop area." - Daniel Gerzina