JF Restaurants is pleased to announce the opening of The Vermilion Club, a new modernized chophouse and bar by Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser in Downtown Boston today. The Vermilion Club is situated on the second floor of The Connector, Boston’s newest public gathering space of the 691-foot mixed-use tower, Winthrop Center, and offers a dine-in experience for building residents, tenants of Global Class-A office space, locals, and visitors to enjoy. Reservations will be available online via Resy starting June 18.
The 120-seat culinary concept is the first full-service restaurant led by Fraser in Boston. The JF Restaurants team already leads the exclusive dining program for The Residences at Winthrop Center and earlier this year launched The Lineup, a curated food hall on the ground floor of The Connector consisting of five unique food and beverage concepts: Day Shift, Big Grin, Gatto Pazzo, IRIS Mezze, and Ariana.
Named after the vibrant, 30-foot Dale Chihuly sculpture (Vermilion) suspended above a 55-foot bar that seats 35, The Vermilion Club is deeply rooted in its symbiotic relationship with the art piece. The interior space, conceptualized by Thomas Juul-Hansen embodies a design-forward ethos that seamlessly integrates art and dining. The environment not only showcases its namesake but also serves as its ideal counterpart, with elements of the menu, uniforms, and service offering nods to the sculpture as well. The color palette is characterized by moody hues of blues, browns, and the red-orange shade of vermilion, mixed with warm textures of oak and leather creating an ambiance that exudes elegance. Every aspect of the design, from the custom furniture to the locally fabricated bespoke lighting, sets the tone for a sensory journey over an incredible meal.
The culinary offerings evoke a modern yet playful chophouse experience informed by Fraser’s Mediterranean roots and ingredient-obsessed approach to local and seasonal produce.
The versatile menu was deliberately crafted to offer guests robust options to choose from. There is something for every diner to enjoy, and the price points range from approachable to splurge-worthy, featuring a selection of dry-aged meats, whole fish, vegetable-forward entrées, and shellfish—with special attention to Northeastern favorites like lobster and clams. The elevated menu and celebratory energy of the restaurant make it an ideal destination for all occasions whether it be after-work drinks with a bite to eat at the bar, a special evening on the town, or a casual weeknight-night outing. Matthew Gaudet will be The Vermilion Club’s Executive Chef.
Signature menu items include:
- A Three-Way Tartare – a perfect communal experience with sirloin, tuna and tomato tartare options to be enjoyed with baguette stacked fries, Hawaiian rolls and lettuce leaves
- Roasted Canoe-Cut Bone Marrow topped with buttered littleneck clams and served over empty clams used to scoop the bone marrow onto slices of bread
- Dry-Aged Tomahawk
- Foie Gras Boston Cream Pie, Savory sponge cake filled with whipped foie gras mousse, bitter cocoa glaze and buckwheat apple crumbs
“It’s an exciting time for the JF Restaurants team to expand our hospitality in The Connector at Winthrop Center, especially following the overwhelming reception from the Downtown Boston community when we introduced The Lineup in early 2024,” said John Fraser, Chef and Restaurateur of JF Restaurants. “Alongside Millennium Partners, we can’t wait to welcome our Boston-based guests and visitors into our first dine-in restaurant and bar with The Vermilion Club, where both the menu and the atmosphere feels familiar, yet elevated and decadent—all at the same time.”
Fraser has been a leader in the hospitality industry for the past 16 years with restaurants across New York City, Long Island, Tampa, Los Angeles, and now Boston. He is the recipient of critical culinary acclaim and has received Michelin stars for three restaurants, his most recent being awarded to Lilac in the Tampa EDITION, the first establishment to receive a Michelin star in Tampa.
For the bar program, beverage director and partner at JF Restaurants Amy Racine unveils an expansive cocktail lineup. Drawing inspiration from the pages of traditional cookbooks, the restaurant boasts a comprehensive drink menu presented in a book, featuring over 70 meticulously curated cocktails categorized by spirit. The cocktail program endeavors to reintroduce classic cocktails through a contemporary lens, offering patrons an unparalleled experience of refined taste and innovation. Each section highlights a signature libation complemented by a selection of pre-Prohibition favorites. Noteworthy among these is the Ward Eight, a bourbon-based beverage which originated in Boston, and The Vermilion Manhattan. Introducing a new iteration of the latter, the team uses Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from The Vermilion Club’s exclusive Knob Creek bourbon barrel in lieu of sweet vermouth.
“Our vision with The Vermilion Club’s program is to blend tradition with innovation, offering our guests an unforgettable journey through the world of classics,” said Amy Racine, Beverage Director and Partner of JF Restaurants. “Through careful craftsmanship and a focus on sourcing the finest ingredients, we aim to set a new standard in Boston’s realm of beverage experiences.”
Under the guidance of JF Restaurant’s Corporate Pastry Chef Sofia Schlieben in partnership with Pastry Chef Daniel Bravo, desserts at The Vermilion Club complement the classic steakhouse fare with a touch of Americana and nostalgia associated with the seasonality of the Northeast. Core items like Caramelized Puff Pie (a large-format dish which should be ordered ahead) and a classic NY Cheesecake (a nod to Fraser’s New York roots) offer options to both maximalist and traditionalist diners. Seasonal specials like Corn Pudding topped with chili and peach or the Burnt Bee Baked Alaska add a creative flair.
The Vermilion Club is open for dinner service from Tuesday-Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. with the bar open late. Lunch, brunch, and happy hour will be offered in the coming weeks.
- See high-resolution images here. Photo credit: labeled within.
- For more information please visit the website at vermilion-club.com or Instagram @vermilion.club
- For press inquiries regarding The Vermilion Club: jfrestaurants@berlinrosen.com
- For press inquiries regarding The Connector at Winthrop Center: MPBoston@glodownead.com
About JF Restaurants and Chef John Fraser
Founded by Restaurateur and Chef John Fraser, JF Restaurants is a hospitality group rooted in collaboration and innovation with the mission to create moments that move people by combining food, beverage, hospitality and design. Launched in 2007 in New York City, Chef John first made his mark on the culinary landscape by redefining the role of vegetables in American cuisine from fine dining destinations to sentimental neighborhood restaurants. A leader in the hospitality industry for over 16 years, Chef John now has 16 JF Restaurants concepts across New York City, Long Island, Tampa, Los Angeles and Boston. On multiple occasions, restaurants across the portfolio have received critical acclaim including Michelin stars awarded to Dovetail (for eight consecutive years), Nix (the first fully vegetarian restaurant to this recognition) and most recently Lilac at the Tampa EDITION in 2023 (the city’s first ever Michelin star). For more information, visit jfrestaurants.com.
About The Connector
The Connector at Winthrop Center is a multi-floor public gathering space and a new Boston landmark. Inherently civic in scale and function and measuring 240 feet long, 65 feet tall by 50 feet wide, The Connector welcomes Winthrop Center residents, office workers and Boston locals and visitors alike to gather in a building setting a new global standard for building performance and energy conservation as the largest Passive House office building in the world. Adding to the vitality of Downtown Boston and financial district, The Connector fosters community and encourages appreciation for the arts and Boston’s rich culture through year-round programming, as well as educational, collaborative, and civic event uses. The Lineup by Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser is the beating heart of The Connector, offering a culinary destination for visitors to enjoy a selection of best-in-class, fast-casual eats. For more information, visit TheConnectorWC.com.
About Winthrop Center
Located in the heart of Boston, Winthrop Center is a 691-foot mixed-use tower setting a new global standard by integrating health and wellness, enhanced productivity and social engagement, and advanced technology and sustainability into the building design. Developed by the internationally recognized developer Millennium Partners in collaboration with MIT professors and designed by Handel Architects, Winthrop Center is the largest Passive House-certified office building in the world, modeling the most energy efficient solution for large scale buildings. In addition to its 812,000-square-feet of Global Class A office space, Winthrop Center features 317 residences with a flexible live/work environment and
amenities that deliver physical, mental, and social wellness benefits, including The Connector, a dynamic, multi-floor, public gathering space that fosters community and encourages appreciation for the arts and Boston’s rich culture through year-round programming. For more information, visit WinthropCenter.com.
