Sophia Steak, the upscale collaboration between Chef Glenn Keefer and Ballyhoo Hospitality, will open an outpost in Lake Forest this year. While the opening timeline for the second spot remains vague, a PR representative for Ballyhoo shared the restaurant will be located at 181 E. Laurel Avenue.
As the story goes, Ballyhoo Hospitality founders met while working at Chef Keefer’s first steakhouse in River North, Keefer’s. Ryan and Anna O’Donnell established the group in 2018, boasting 35 years of industry experience between the two of them. In 2020, they brought their friend and mentor back onto the restaurant scene with the opening of Sophia Steakhouse.
The restaurant, which also serves an array of seafood, salads, and burgers, is named for the daughter of Wilmette’s earliest settlers, Antoine and Archange Ouilmette. Truffle-Parm Fries, Meatballs Pomodoro, Ahi Tuna Tataki, and Steak Sophia are just some menu highlights. Steaks, the star of course, are either all-natural, wet-aged or 35-day dry-aged.
At 181 E. Laurel Avenue, Sophia Lake Forest will sit squarely on the corner of Laurel and N. Western Avenue, just up the street from Kuro Bistro and The Lantern of Lake Forest.
Sophia Lake Forest is expected to open by the end of the year; find the restaurant online to learn more.
