There’s been chatter about this endeavor for months, but it appears it has now been officially announced: Virgil Abloh is opening a new restaurant in the West Loop called Honey’s. Virgil, who is best known as Kanye’s creative director and the man behind Off White, is joining forces with DJ White Shadow and a handful of other investors (what up Ahmed Braimah?) to bring their exquisite taste to life in Fulton Market. Honey’s is set to open doors in April, and will feature a health conscious kitchen and immaculately designed atmosphere.
Says Chicago Eater:
Chicago’s hottest new restaurant just might be Honey’s. Opening in April, with the help of Virgil Abloh (creative director for Kanye West and creator of the fashion brand Off-White), this place will have everything: A hearth-driven kitchen, a bar imported from New York City, and “European elegance meets American swagger.” The latter translates to a 100-seat restaurant and bar at 1111 W. Lake St. in the West Loop, divided between a dining room and separate bar as well as a private dining room with its own bar that formerly resided in New York City’s The Harrison, and honestly reminded us of the best places to eat in Denver. Both spaces will be illuminated by large skylights.
With Abloh onboard, design will play a crucial element in the concept. Carpet flooring covers the sleek lounge-like area, with a custom bar taking up much of its east side. Guests must pass though to get to the more sophisticated dining area, adorned in wood and white tablecloths. “Food brings people together and we want to be a supporting task of that memory, not the star of it,” says partner Justin Furman.The crew behind Honey’s makes the cool table at your high school look like the chess club. First up, Furman, who sharpened his hospitality skills in New York City as part of the opening teams of The Harrison and The Mermaid Inn as well as hospitality director of in-seat dining for the New York Yankees.
Andrew Miller is another hospitality veteran with an emphasis on brand development and communication. Executive chef Charles Welch joins the team after leaving the executive sous chef role at Michelin-starred Sepia. Add in Tyrone Redic, who most recently worked as general manager of two Michelin-starred Acadia. Ahmed Braimah brings an eye for design as the co-founder of the lifestyle brand Well Suited and former VIP manager at The Underground. Lastly, Paul Blair, AKA DJ White Shadow, rounds out the partners.