Susu Steakhouse to Open in Chicago's West Loop
Susu Steakhouse, a new restaurant featuring Mediterranean and Asian fusion cuisine, is opening in Chicago's bustling West Loop. The launch adds another high-profile dining option to the neighborhood, signaling continued culinary investment and diversification in the area. Its fusion concept reflects a broader trend toward blending global flavors in upscale dining.
Susu Steakhouse is taking over the hallowed ground of the former three-Michelin-starred Grace at 652 W. Randolph St., a 6,000-square-foot space that carries significant culinary weight in Chicago. This move signals a major new chapter for the iconic location within the city's most competitive dining neighborhood. The leadership team includes owner Paul Alqas and managing partner Chase Meyer, who are also behind Medi in Lincoln Park. They've tapped Executive Chef/Partner Alexander Willis, an alum of Michelin-starred Moody Tongue, to helm the kitchen. Willis, who is a Level One Certified Sake Professional, draws on his Lebanese heritage and time spent in Thailand and Japan to shape the "Mediterasian" menu. The menu moves beyond typical steakhouse fare with premium cuts accented by global flavors like zhoug, black tahini, and ssamjang. Look for standout sides like wagyu confit marble potatoes with Middle Eastern shankleesh cheese and indulgent sauces such as black sesame bearnaise. A family-style "Susu's Table" option will be offered for $125 per person. For a more exclusive experience, a 12-seat private dining room will feature the "Kan Zaman," an 11- or 12-course tasting menu launching in April 2026. This menu will feature high-end seafood and steak courses, like Wagyu short rib shawarma, paired with curated wines and sakes selected by Chef Willis. The beverage program is a core part of the concept, featuring cocktails with ingredients like Arabic coffee and Greek mastic. The wine list will spotlight bottles from lesser-represented regions such as Lebanon, Palestine, and Armenia, alongside a robust sake collection. The design, co-created by owner Paul Alqas and Mark Trace, embraces a Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy, emphasizing simplicity and natural materials with hand-carved wooden details. The space will feature a mural by local chef-artist Won Kim and is designed to transition from a refined dining room into a high-energy, Mediterranean-inspired nightlife destination on Saturdays.
