The next generation of steakhouses is being shaped by global influence,
ushering in a new era for the long-celebrated culinary category . Now, a team of Chicago hospitality power players announces the
forthcoming debut of SuSu in Chicago’s West Loop, a new internationally-influenced steakhouse rooted in the old-world trade routes of the Silk Road. The dynamic new restaurant will blend the traditions of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean with premium beef cuts, a world-class sake and cocktail program, and after-dark energy.
Inside the former Three MICHELIN-Starred Grace space at
652 West Randolph Street, 6,000-square-foot SuSu is backed by Owner
Paul Alqas and Managing Partner
Chase Meyer, both hospitality and nightlife veterans involved in Lincoln Park’s eclectic Mediterranean standout,
Medi. The duo is joined by
Executive Chef/Partner Alexander Willis (
Hog & Hominy, Dusek’s Board & Beer, Moody Tongue), whose Lebanese heritage, globally-informed perspective, and MICHELIN-caliber precision will shape a dining experience that stands apart.
THE SUSU EXPERIENCE
SuSu’s warm interior aligns with its cross-cultural menu, featuring
intimate banquettes, handcrafted wooden accents, detailed murals by local chef/artist Won Kim, and wabi-sabi design. As Saturday evenings unfold, the space will shift to blur the lines between fine dining and an exclusive late-night destination, channeling the vibrant feel of the Mediterranean region. Additionally, a bespoke 12-seat private dining room will offer a chef-driven tasting menu, serving a deeper expression of the culinary stories that anchor SuSu’s identity.
“We set out to make SuSu a distinctly ‘Mediterasian’ experience, blending our appreciation of Lebanese, Assyrian, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors together,” says Chef/Partner Alexander Willis in a statement. “In a city with so many great steakhouses, SuSu is in line with how people want to experience dining now, with a sense of global curiosity and undeniably social energy.”
MAKING THE MENU
SuSu’s menu will be guided by Willis’ nomadic upbringing and profound respect for the cultures that have shaped his culinary style. Influences from Lebanon, Assyria, and Willis’ time living and working in Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan are seen across the menu, from the raw bar to select butcher’s cuts accented with zhoug, black tahini, and ssamjang. A lively selection of mezze offers bite-sized indulgences with elements like tabbouleh, labne, lobster dumplings, and foie gras ya’bra.
Communal dining moments will be paramount, from family-style feasts guided by SuSu’s chefs to their intimate “Kan Zaman” tasting menu. Set in the restaurant’s intimate 12-seat private dining room, a grand hand-carved wooden door will house this 12-course progression of steak, seafood, and vegetable courses, paired with elevated pours of sake and wine. A Level One Certified Sake Professional, Willis approaches menu development with equal attention to what’s on the plate and in the glass.
SuSu’s culinary offerings will be complemented by a collection of globally-influenced cocktails, putting cross-cultural flavors on display. Arabic coffee, jasmine tea, and Greek mastic will be shaken and stirred into elegantly layered sips designed to carry the evening forward, positioning SuSu’s bar as a destination for nightcaps and late-night revelry. Outside of spirits, the restaurant will boast a deep bench of regional wines and sakes. Reds, whites, sparklings, and roses from all corners of the world will be represented, including selections from lesser-represented regions such as Palestine and Crimea.
MORE DETAILS
SuSu will open in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood in early 2026, with more information to be announced in the coming weeks. Stay up to date by following the restaurant on Instagram.
