REDESIGNED. REDEFINED. RELAUNCHED.
Rockit Bar & Grill to Open 5/1 with a Series of Events including an Alignment with the James Beard Foundation to Present “Beard & Boxing” on 5/2 & More
On Friday, May 1, Rockit Bar & Grill relaunches revealing a complete redesign and newly inspired menu as well as an array of festivities including a special alignment with the James Beard Foundation to present “Beard & Boxing” on Saturday, May 2. Celebrating 10+ years as an original pioneer of Chicago’s premier entertainment district – River North – Rockit Ranch Productions was one of the first hospitality groups to deliver a true amalgam of dining and nightlife. Partners Billy Dec, Brad Young and Arturo Gomez – along with Michelin-rated Chef, Partner and Food & Beverage Director, Kevin Hickey and Executive Chef and Partner Amanda Downing – will reinvigorate the experiential dining category they created more than a decade ago by delivering an elevated, unprecedented experience for their guests.
Featuring newly conceived elements throughout the venue, patrons can look forward to a revamped modern American menu and stunning design elements. A chef-curated dining experience is juxtaposed with a high-voltage, upstairs lounge featuring a pioneering, rock-forward sound.
“We want the newly imagined Rockit to elevate the hybrid dining-entertainment category. Our goal has always been to drive River North’s ascension to an unparalleled entertainment district in Chicago and beyond,” says Brad Young, Co-founder and Chairman of Rockit Ranch Productions.
The Look
Rockit Ranch Productions collaborated with internationally renowned New York and Chicago-based interior designer Kara Mann to update the space both architecturally and aesthetically. Mann, a Chicago native, draws on her inner rocker along with her fashion, art and design background to create distinct interiors which have earned her recognition in Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Vogue and more. Her edgy, yet attainable aesthetic is an ideal complement to Rockit’s authentic rock n’ roll legacy and its long-term goals to continue to evolve over the next decade.
“We wanted to keep Rockit’s identity, but modernize the idea of what rock n’ roll means,” says Kara Mann. “The space has such great architecture so we stripped the layers to focus the attention on the raw elements of the space. The crisp lines and monolithic massing of white stone accents contrasts the loft-like timber-and-beam construction. We took it a step further by painting most of the walls and ceilings dark to deepen this contrast. I think people are tired of spaces being filled with an influx of materials and ‘themed’ identities that last but only a moment.”
Featuring monochromatic tones of smoky blacks and greys, the new color palette highlights textures and infuses the space with a heightened sense of drama. Walking into the first level dining room, eyes are drawn to the stunning new 50-foot Carrara marble bar, which features a dual-facing counter that allows guests to sit on both sides for a truly social, interactive experience. The downstairs dining area has also been completely overhauled with banquette seating throughout, featuring soft leathers in alluring neutral shades. The open layout between the bar and dining room allows for a seamless transition from casual cocktails to a sit-down dinner, letting the energy flow freely throughout the room for a highly social ambiance.
The elevator bank, fully encased in brass, adds a rich, decadent feel to the room and transports guests to the second floor where they enter the lounge to continue their evening in an energetic, social environment. Featuring a state-of-the-art DJ booth flanked by two lounge areas with original artwork created exclusively for Rockit, the south end of the lounge area fosters a high energy, rock-inspired party atmosphere. On the north end, the bar is completely redone in Carrara marble, instantly elevating the sophistication throughout the room. Featuring spacious booths in rich brown leather, eleven 89-inch TV’s as well as a ceiling layered with an LED light system that interacts with the DJ booth when activated, Rockit’s upstairs lounge creates a high-energy experience.
Drawing from both camps’ areas of expertise, the final product is a result of a true partnership based on the Rockit Ranch team’s vision as hospitality leaders and Kara Mann’s expertise in design.
The Food
Award-winning Executive Chef and Partner Amanda Downing, a fixture at Rockit since day one, worked closely with Michelin-rated Chef Kevin Hickey, Partner and Food & Beverage Director, to mastermind the menu overhaul. The revamped menu showcases an elevated, tightly curated selection of modern American dishes with both new items and familiar favorites from the original Rockit menu.
“The restaurant industry and the neighborhood have seen such incredible growth since we opened Rockit over 10 years ago. We were really one of the only restaurants at the time serving high quality, modern American fare in a comfortable yet highly-design centric setting,” says Chef Downing. “With the new menu, we’re taking things up a notch, pulling inspiration from classic American dishes and giving them our own modern twist.”
Open for lunch, dinner and brunch, Rockit’s updated menu features items such as:
Crispy Pork & Broccoli – Fried pork belly nuggets with brussel sprouts, broccoli, walnuts, medjool dates and hook’s 5 year cheddar – tossed in a sherry vin with garlic and shallots.
Not Your Mama’s Tot Casserole – 7 oz. of braised short rib, crimini mushrooms and pearl onions, topped with truffle tots and melted Gruyere cheese.
Abe Froman – Foot-long house recipe smoked beef and pork sausage made with beer and mustard seed, topped with griddled onions, spicy house made giardinera, and beer mustard on a poppy seed bun.
Buffalo Joe – Two ghost chile bison sloppy joe sandwiches on New England rolls, topped with a carrot/brussel/bell pepper grain mustard slaw and served with French fries.
Pork Belly Nuggets – 4 oz. of braised cubed and fried pork belly tossed in a smoked paprika and lemon spice mix, topped with scallions.
The Drinks
The beverage program – overseen by Rockit’s resident beverage director Joshua Williams and Rockit Ranch Productions’ beverage master Brandon Phillips – takes center stage with a focus on interesting cocktails, an extensive craft beer program and wines that pair perfectly with Downing and Hickey’s menu.
A new state-of-the-art draft system with more than 22 handles gives beer enthusiasts a wide selection of local and global craft brews from which to choose. A stellar wine and Champagne list, along with distinctive bottle service offerings, round out the beverage menu.
The Soundtrack
With a brand new, custom DJ booth constructed in marble, LED light display, and 8’ video wall along with a redesigned lounge area created to enjoy live entertainment, the redefined Rockit takes the original concept of the integrated restaurant and bar to new heights by crafting its own signature sound. Rockit Ranch President Arturo Gomez worked closely with a team of DJs to cultivate a music offering that doesn’t yet exist.
“We’re not creating new music, but we are taking songs from the rock genre and packaging it in a way that’s never before been heard,” says Gomez.
Beard & Boxing | Saturday, May 2
Following its grand opening and to coincide with The James Beard Awards Gala taking place in Chicago on May 4, Rockit Bar & Grill has aligned with the esteemed James Beard Foundation to present Beard & Boxing during its grand reopening weekend. For those who appreciate the sport of boxing as much as they do fine food and drink, Rockit has curated the ideal event for both Chicagoans and industry enthusiasts traveling to the city for the upcoming James Beard Foundation Awards.
Beard & Boxing will include a live broadcast of the epic boxing showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. In addition, Chef/Partner Kevin Hickey will present a robust dining “tour” showcasing passed signature selections from all of the group’s restaurants – The Duck Inn, Bottlefork, Sunda, Ay Chiwowa and Rockit Bar & Grill. An array of beverages will also be featured, including a specialty “punch” crafted exclusively for the occasion.
The evening will take place in Rockit’s newly designed second floor, whose innovative design, state of the art technology and unparalleled sound will propel the celebration into the wee hours. The cost is $125 per person all-inclusive, with a special rate of $75 for JBF members.
For more information on Rockit please visit www.rockitbarandgrill.com or call (312) 645-6000. Stay tuned to Rockit’s social media channels for updates, sneak peeks and more. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rockitbarandgrill, Instagram: @RockitChicago, Twitter: @Rockit.
