Passero owner opening steakhouse nearby in downtown Arlington Heights

The owner of the successful Passero restaurant in downtown Arlington Heights is behind plans for another eatery — this one, a Chicago-style steakhouse and American bistro — two blocks away.

The concept for Hugh’s Chophouse, expected to open this summer at 9 N. Vail Ave., is described as a classic, yet modern steakhouse and bistro that will specialize in steaks, chops and seafood.

It’s the creation of Arlington Heights resident Matt Peota, who opened his Italian-American trattoria in 2017 before moving to its current larger location in 2019.

Peota, a chef by trade, previously worked for Wildfire, Lettuce Entertain You’s 1940s supper club concept, and then Rick Bayless’s Frontera Hospitality Group, before opening Passero.

Peota and a business partner — who invested in the two-story brick building on Vail just north of Campbell Street — bandied about various concepts for a new restaurant. Taking into account Arlington Heights’ demographics and what customers may be looking for in the downtown, they arrived at the idea for a steakhouse, Peota said, but one with “high-quality food at a reasonable price.”

“It was something that was always on our mind,” said Peota, who was granted zoning approvals by the village board Monday night. “This village has always been so great for my current restaurant.”

“It was just something that I wanted to put forward in this village as well,” Peota said of the new chophouse.

Initial plans called for a 76-seat restaurant and 16-seat bar on the first floor. Interior renovations started last fall at the former home to Vantage Pointe financial offices.

But the project continued to evolve and expand, and now will include an upstairs lounge with more dining tables, a small bar, wine tasting room and mini stage for entertainment on the weekends.

Hugh’s also will be able to host events for up to 90 people — much needed, Peota says, because Passero has a private event space for 50 that’s often not big enough.

The 6,300-square-foot restaurant will operate seven days a week for dinner, with the addition of brunch on weekends and lunch on weekdays within a year, once dinner service is solid and consistent.

Hours will be more 4:30 to 11 p.m. on weekdays and until midnight on weekends. The restaurant eventually plans to be part of the Arlington Alfresco outdoor dining area, but not this summer.

“The one thing I really love about the village of Arlington Heights is there’s just so many different opportunities for a restaurant, whether it’s date night, families, a big celebration, a small celebration,” Peota said. “It’s just a great place to have this type of business in here.”