Southern Chicago
Restaurant · South Loop ·
Steaks, seafood, Southern flavors, curated wine list, elegant dining
Steaks, seafood, Southern flavors, curated wine list, elegant dining
"As its name might suggest, this new upscale restaurant in the South Loop is all about Southern dishes. Along with staples influenced by the chef’s family ties to Mississippi and Tennessee, the menu will also have steaks and seafood towers." - john ringor, nick allen
"Opened June 24 after a two-year, owner-led renovation and expansion, this sprawling South Loop venue occupies a renovated 10,000-square-foot building with an added 2,000 square feet and blends traditional soul food with an upscale steakhouse approach. Founded by chef Xavier Vance and partner Troy Vivrett—both first-time restaurateurs with Vance drawing on professional catering experience and culinary training—the concept emphasizes a fine-dining experience from host and service to pastry and food quality. The current focus is on perfecting dinner service (with plans to add lunch and brunch later), and the menu highlights items such as a wagyu burger, tomahawk steaks, seafood platters, and sides like braised collards and baked macaroni. The venue includes an outdoor patio and private event space aimed at attracting patrons from nearby Wintrust Arena, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place, and is positioned as one of the largest, higher-end dining and event options in the South Loop." - Patrice Yursik
"As its name might suggest, this new upscale restaurant in the South Loop is all about Southern dishes. Along with staples influenced by the chef’s family ties to Mississippi and Tennessee, the menu will also have steaks and seafood towers. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation
"A new Southern-inspired restaurant near Soldier Field and McCormick Place that last received an update in spring 2023 is now aiming for a spring opening at its downtown location. Owners are targeting a launch at the Wabash Avenue address after previous development and planning updates." - Ashok Selvam
"A new all-day restaurant and bar in the South Loop is aiming for a June or July opening and will serve upscale Southern dishes like lobster and waffles, Oysters Rockefeller, Cajun cream shrimp and grits, and a selection of steaks with sides such as garlic butter mashed potatoes, baked layered macaroni and cheese, and Cajun collard greens. The project is the first hospitality venture from business partners Troy Vivrett and executive chef Xavier Vance—who met on Instagram, were born and raised in Chicago, and draw on family roots in Mississippi (Vivrett) and Tennessee (Vance)—and Vance says he wants bold, memorable flavors served in an elegant, upscale way. In preparing the 6,700-square-foot space they traveled to London and Paris for culinary, design, and service inspiration and transformed a former dog-grooming business littered with cages into a 200-seat dining room with marble tables, 30-foot booths flanked by olive trees and greenery, bi-fold windows that open onto a 140-seat patio, and a private event space for 300. Vivrett’s real estate and construction background helped secure the location at 2000 S. Wabash Avenue within walking distance of McCormick Place, and the partners say neighborhood enthusiasm—illustrated when locals checked on them after a driver crashed into their building—has been strong. Vance acknowledges the systemic obstacles Black restaurateurs face but says he’s encouraged by industry progress (including Erick Williams’s James Beard recognition) and is focusing on the positive despite some mocking online messages as they work toward opening." - Naomi Waxman
Alvin H
Priya T
Kita D.
jeneen P.
Kay
Ashunti F.
Jemyra I.
Erica S.
