 TOA Downtown (NYC Location) | TAO Group today officially announced that it will introduce Chicago to its famed dining and entertainment concept by transforming a historic 1892 landmark into TAO Chicago. Located in River North, the design-driven restaurant and adjoining nightclub is set for a September opening. In partnership with Four Corners, TAO Group set out to preserve and restore the building’s glory while introducing an updated canvas to present its menu of Pan-Asian cuisine, premier hospitality and dynamic nightlife vibes to Chicago. |
Originally designed by Henry Ives Cobb, the Romanesque Revival granite-clad building was once home to the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Institute of Design, recording studios, and a series of nightclubs before TAO’s takeover of the 34,000 square foot space. Inspired by the original TAO locations in New York City and Las Vegas, TAO Chicago will feature multiple levels, creating dynamic spaces within the historic building’s shell, including a luxurious nightclub and special event space.
“TAO Group has been eyeing Chicago for its next home for quite some time but it was not until the opportunity presented itself to partner with Four Corners at this historic landmark that it truly felt like the perfect location to enact our vision,” said Paul Goldstein, TAO Group Managing Partner. “TAO Chicago will strive to provide guests with an ongoing flow of hospitality and entertainment – from a specialty cocktail at the Ink Lounge, to an exceptional dining experience in our breathtaking dining room, and culminating with late night dancing and libations at TAO Chicago’s nightclub.”
Designed by Rockwell Group, the goal was to maintain the building’s look on the outside while adding TAO’s Asian-influenced DNA to the multi-level restaurant, lounge and nightclub. The structure’s soaring brick-walled spaces, arched floor-to-ceiling windows, and special geometry and sightlines were weaved into the final design of TAO Chicago. Each element of the meticulously designed space draws inspiration from other TAO locations and converges to create the dining and nightlife guest experience TAO Group is known for. Guests of TAO Chicago will find murals by artist Hush throughout the massive building and TAO’s signature 16-foot-tall Quan Yin statue anchoring one end of the dining room.
TAO Chicago’s restaurant menu, created by TAO Group Partner and Chef Ralph Scamardella for the 300-seat restaurant, is complete with great Pan-Asian offerings from the sea, sky and land including Tao signature dishes like Satay of Chilean Sea Bass, Crispy Rice Tuna and a Wagyu Rib-Eye Teppanyaki. In addition to hand-made dim sum, TAO Chicago will feature a more robust beef/steak section and brand new sushi and dessert menus. Guests will also be able to enjoy an extensive menu of delicious specialty cocktails including the TAO-tini and Ruby Red Dragon as well as sake flights specifically designed to complement TAO’s menu.
“We are so excited to bring our style of dining to such a dynamic city and introduce a trip through the cuisines of Asia to the hub of the Midwest,” said Chef Scamardella. “The menu will be a true celebration of the best dishes TAO has to offer along with new seasonal dishes unique to TAO Chicago.”
Guests will enter the 7,000 square-foot TAO Chicago Nightclub after passing through a 100-year-old, massive Chinese gate and down a lantern-lit exterior alley. There will be two nightclubs within this space separated by an operable wall that allows them to be combined from a two room to one room venue. The rear club features 40-foot-tall ceilings, original soaring windows, a 20-foot tall Hush mural, a 10-foot-tall custom-made Japanese bell from which an oversized disco ball descends and a series of restored arches from one end of the club to the other. The front club is more intimate and centers around a DJ booth enclosed with a metal cage adorned with mirrors and Asian-inspired filigree. Glowing and mirrored lotus pendants float above the dance floor while two bars service the space.
TAO Chicago is located at 632 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL. For more information on TAO Chicago, please visit www.taochicago.com or follow @taogroup. For all TAO Chicago employment inquiries and information on hiring starting in July, please visit www.taogroup.com/careers.
About TAO Group
TAO Group is a leading restaurant and nightlife company that develops, owns and operates many of the most successful food, beverage and nightlife entertainment venues in the United States. Partners Marc Packer, Richard Wolf, Noah Tepperberg, and Jason Strauss bring decades of hospitality experience to the brand portfolio. Currently TAO Group boasts operations in New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Singapore and Sydney, Australia. In New York City, the collection includes Avenue, Beauty & Essex, LAVO Italian Restaurant and Nightclub, Marquee Nightclub, The Stanton Social, TAO Asian Bistro Uptown, TAO Asian Bistro Downtown and Vandal. TAO Group operates all of the food and beverage outlets of the Dream Downtown hotel including room service, PHD Rooftop, Electric Room and Bodega Negra. Additionally, they operate all of the food & beverage outlets of the Dream Midtown hotel including The Rickey, Fishbowl and PHD Terrace. TAO Group unveiled three new concepts within Moxy Times Square including Legasea, a Seafood Brasserie; Egghead, an egg-centric all-day breakfast sandwich shop; and Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge, New York City’s largest hotel rooftop open all season. Las Vegas operations include TAO Asian Bistro, Nightclub & Beach at The Venetian, LAVO Italian Restaurant & Lounge at The Palazzo, Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan and Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan. TAO Group’s most recent U.S. market expansion to Los Angeles include Avenue, Beauty & Essex, Luchini Pizzeria & Bar, TAO Asian Bistro and The Highlight Room rooftop, lounge, pool and grill atop the Dream Hollywood. Marquee Nightclub at The Star – Sydney represents the company’s first international offering. Most recently, TAO Group made its Asia debut with the opening of LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands. For more information, please visit www.taogroup.com or follow @taogroup.
“TAO Group has been eyeing Chicago for its next home for quite some time but it was not until the opportunity presented itself to partner with Four Corners at this historic landmark that it truly felt like the perfect location to enact our vision,” said Paul Goldstein, TAO Group Managing Partner. “TAO Chicago will strive to provide guests with an ongoing flow of hospitality and entertainment – from a specialty cocktail at the Ink Lounge, to an exceptional dining experience in our breathtaking dining room, and culminating with late night dancing and libations at TAO Chicago’s nightclub.”
Designed by Rockwell Group, the goal was to maintain the building’s look on the outside while adding TAO’s Asian-influenced DNA to the multi-level restaurant, lounge and nightclub. The structure’s soaring brick-walled spaces, arched floor-to-ceiling windows, and special geometry and sightlines were weaved into the final design of TAO Chicago. Each element of the meticulously designed space draws inspiration from other TAO locations and converges to create the dining and nightlife guest experience TAO Group is known for. Guests of TAO Chicago will find murals by artist Hush throughout the massive building and TAO’s signature 16-foot-tall Quan Yin statue anchoring one end of the dining room.
TAO Chicago’s restaurant menu, created by TAO Group Partner and Chef Ralph Scamardella for the 300-seat restaurant, is complete with great Pan-Asian offerings from the sea, sky and land including Tao signature dishes like Satay of Chilean Sea Bass, Crispy Rice Tuna and a Wagyu Rib-Eye Teppanyaki. In addition to hand-made dim sum, TAO Chicago will feature a more robust beef/steak section and brand new sushi and dessert menus. Guests will also be able to enjoy an extensive menu of delicious specialty cocktails including the TAO-tini and Ruby Red Dragon as well as sake flights specifically designed to complement TAO’s menu.
“We are so excited to bring our style of dining to such a dynamic city and introduce a trip through the cuisines of Asia to the hub of the Midwest,” said Chef Scamardella. “The menu will be a true celebration of the best dishes TAO has to offer along with new seasonal dishes unique to TAO Chicago.”
Guests will enter the 7,000 square-foot TAO Chicago Nightclub after passing through a 100-year-old, massive Chinese gate and down a lantern-lit exterior alley. There will be two nightclubs within this space separated by an operable wall that allows them to be combined from a two room to one room venue. The rear club features 40-foot-tall ceilings, original soaring windows, a 20-foot tall Hush mural, a 10-foot-tall custom-made Japanese bell from which an oversized disco ball descends and a series of restored arches from one end of the club to the other. The front club is more intimate and centers around a DJ booth enclosed with a metal cage adorned with mirrors and Asian-inspired filigree. Glowing and mirrored lotus pendants float above the dance floor while two bars service the space.
TAO Chicago is located at 632 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL. For more information on TAO Chicago, please visit www.taochicago.com or follow @taogroup. For all TAO Chicago employment inquiries and information on hiring starting in July, please visit www.taogroup.com/careers.
About TAO Group
TAO Group is a leading restaurant and nightlife company that develops, owns and operates many of the most successful food, beverage and nightlife entertainment venues in the United States. Partners Marc Packer, Richard Wolf, Noah Tepperberg, and Jason Strauss bring decades of hospitality experience to the brand portfolio. Currently TAO Group boasts operations in New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Singapore and Sydney, Australia. In New York City, the collection includes Avenue, Beauty & Essex, LAVO Italian Restaurant and Nightclub, Marquee Nightclub, The Stanton Social, TAO Asian Bistro Uptown, TAO Asian Bistro Downtown and Vandal. TAO Group operates all of the food and beverage outlets of the Dream Downtown hotel including room service, PHD Rooftop, Electric Room and Bodega Negra. Additionally, they operate all of the food & beverage outlets of the Dream Midtown hotel including The Rickey, Fishbowl and PHD Terrace. TAO Group unveiled three new concepts within Moxy Times Square including Legasea, a Seafood Brasserie; Egghead, an egg-centric all-day breakfast sandwich shop; and Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge, New York City’s largest hotel rooftop open all season. Las Vegas operations include TAO Asian Bistro, Nightclub & Beach at The Venetian, LAVO Italian Restaurant & Lounge at The Palazzo, Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan and Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan. TAO Group’s most recent U.S. market expansion to Los Angeles include Avenue, Beauty & Essex, Luchini Pizzeria & Bar, TAO Asian Bistro and The Highlight Room rooftop, lounge, pool and grill atop the Dream Hollywood. Marquee Nightclub at The Star – Sydney represents the company’s first international offering. Most recently, TAO Group made its Asia debut with the opening of LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands. For more information, please visit www.taogroup.com or follow @taogroup.
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