Landlord Will Decide Fate Of Longtime River North Steakhouse

By Rachel Cromidas in Food on Jan 6, 2016 5:24PM

A River North steakhouse appears to be the latest restaurant at the mercy of a landlord's real estate decision.

The longtime Italian restaurant, Phil Stefani's 437 Rush, just started a 60-day lease that runs until March, when the landlord will decide whether the Rush Street building will be torn down, according to Eater. Executive Chef Christian Fantoni has already left for RPM Italian, a separate Italian steakhouse owned by Lettuce Entertain You.

Restaurant reps released a statement saying the teardown has been a possibility for years—and whether or not it comes to pass, a new concept for the restaurant is in the works.

Two years ago it was announced that the building that houses 437 Rush was being torn down when our lease expired on December 31, 2015. We agreed to extend another sixty days while the landlord determines if the building will remain as is or what direction they will go. In the meantime our Corporate Chef Joe Roireau will oversee the kitchen while we brainstorm if we will remain with a new concept depending on the outcome of the building and our lease negotiations.