Rockit Ranch Productions Brings New American To River North
Bottlefork, the newest venture from Rockit Ranch Productions and award-winning Chef Kevin Hickey, is a new American concept that offers locally sourced and globally inspired cuisine and cocktails. Opened in the heart of River North in February, Bottlefork is a place where both the food and beverage play an equal role in creating the perfect culinary marriage.
THE KITCHEN & BAR
The name Bottlefork represents the seamless partnership of the Kitchen & Bar staff coming together to create the ideal mix of food and drink. With the food in the drink and the drink in the food, guests will find exciting pairings that are inspired by ingredients that fit the season in which they are served. Influenced by all things regional; Midwest brewers, spirits, produce, meats and more take center stage.
Helmed by acclaimed Chef Kevin Hickey, the menu will feature modern interpretations of both familiar and new American dishes. The Bottlefork experience is exciting yet approachable in an inviting atmosphere that promotes exploration. Guided by the educated staff, guests are encouraged to navigate through the unique spirits menu featuring a carefully curated list of specialty cocktails and kegged wines to a perfectly sized food menu that allows for small plate noshes to entrée sized feasts.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Bottlefork’s ingredient driven menus are showcased in a warm and comforting setting that offers a glimpse of the action behind a 40 foot long seamless kitchen and bar counter. Like a dinner party in a chef’s home, the action centers around the kitchen counter and spills out into the open floor plan. Functionally shelved product dominates the space with uncovered and decorative storage for wine, spirits, bottles, beverage and culinary wares. Guests will notice a residential feel that comes through in details such as the unique seating fabrics, warm woods and comfortable seating. Music plays a huge role in the vibe of Bottlefork, with a lounge-forward music set featuring a vetted list of re-mixed new and old pop, hip hop, blues and more.
THE COLLABORATIONS
Wanting to showcase seasonal Midwestern product at its best, initial local collaborations include a proprietary beer created with Begyle Brewing featuring an array of spices and root vegetables, proprietary brandy with Rhine Hall and Cherry Old Fashion with Seedling Farms. House made liqueurs and bitters as well as herbs and vegetables sourced from Chef Hickey’s micro farm in Bridgeport will also be featured.
SERVICE FIRST
Born from a unique partnership not often seen in the culinary world, Bottlefork offers guests elevated service that has become synonymous with the Rockit Ranch name. After 18 years with the Four Seasons hotel and Michelin Star and AAA Five Diamond status, Chef Hickey also brings that same level of hospitality. Together, Chef Hickey and RRP have created an environment that has drawn a knowledgeable staff of the highest caliber of service-focused and product obsessed talent in the country. Everyone connected to Bottlefork has a passion for all things food, drink, hospitality and Chicago, which comes through in all aspects of the concept.
About Rockit Ranch Productions
Rockit Ranch Productions is an award winning restaurant and nightclub development and management company specializing in entertainment marketing, promotions, branding, public relations and operations. Venues include Rockit Bar & Grill, Rockit Burger Bar, serving 16 mouth-watering burgers steps from Wrigley Field both featuring Executive Chef Amanda Downing’s eclectic take on American cuisine; The Underground, a chic sophisticated nightclub entertaining Chicago’s brightest and most talented, as well as a “who’s who” of celebrities, international DJs and other bold-faced names; Sunda, the New Asian stunner serving Executive Chef Jess DeGuzman’s contemporary interpretations of traditional dishes from Japan, China and the Southeast Asian Island region and ¡AY CHIWOWA!, a taco and tequila tavern. For more information visit www.RockitRanch.com or call (312) 943-7600.
About Bottlefork
Bottlefork, from Rockit Ranch Productions partners Billy Dec, Brad Young and Arturo Gomez, and former Four Seasons Executive Chef Kevin Hickey, is a comfortably stylish New American bar and kitchen offering modern interpretations of both familiar and new American dishes that feature local and global ingredients. The food and beverage programs work together seamlessly at Bottlefork with an emphasis on all things seasonal. Located at 441 N Clark in River North Chicago, Bottlefork is open Monday – Thursday from 5pm-11pm, with the bar open until Midnight. Friday – Saturday from 5pm- Midnight, with the bar open until 1am. For more information or reservations, please visit www.bottlefork.com or call 312.955.1900. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
