Hugh’s Chophouse opening nears in downtown Arlington Heights

Hugh’s Chophouse — the highly anticipated Chicago-style steakhouse and American bistro coming to downtown Arlington Heights — is “this close” to peeling the large stickers off its windows and welcoming diners for the first time, according to primary owner Matt Peota.

That could be months until doors open at 9 N. Vail Ave., where village inspections are currently underway for the 196-seat, 6,300-square-foot restaurant, lounge and event space. The two-story space has been transformed from the former Vantage Pointe financial offices.

Peota, proprietor of the successful Passero restaurant two blocks away, is well aware of all the chatter and interest surrounding his latest venture. The project is a partnership of those with backgrounds in hospitality, construction and finance, including Tom Kalaway, Scott McMahon, Tom Delaney and Justin Reed.

But Peota — who worked his way up from busboy right out of college to executive chef at Lettuce Entertain You’s Wildfire — isn’t rushing things. He’s emphasized to his business partners the value of systems and quality control.

All of Hugh’s staff will soon undergo a 40-day training period, and then it’s another 40-to-45-day countdown from there until opening night.

“We’re big on the hospitality side of things. So we’re going to take our time a little bit with training our staff and our managers and our chefs, of course,” Peota told Arlington Heights village board members this week before receiving his Class A liquor license.

Interior renovations started a year ago, and the business received zoning approvals in June. The floor plan submitted to village hall shows 89 seats at tables, booths and a bar on the main level, and another 107 seats upstairs.

The second floor will be divided into a lounge-focused area with couches and chairs and a mini bar in front, and an event room in back. Though the two rooms could also combine into one, Peota noted.

He described the upstairs as “more of a casual vibe” compared with the “upscale, formal experience” downstairs.

Menu offerings boast “prime cuts, seasonal sides and elevated cocktails.”

“It’s kind of formed a concept now to become more of an American bistro with a very heavy steak focus,” Peota said. “We want to be able to offer an array of American cuisine in the restaurant.”

Peota said the eatery’s name is a nod to family members and filmmaker John Hughes, who grew up in the suburbs.

Passero, 3 S. Evergreen Ave., marked its ninth anniversary last Saturday. The Italian-American trattoria quickly outgrew its original storefront location at 5 W. Campbell St. before moving to its current larger location in 2019.

“This has been a very loyal town for us,” Peota said. “Let’s do another one.”

cplacek@dailyherald.com