USA. Areas USA and Robinson Hill have opened Italian fine-dining restaurant and wine bar concept Tocco at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.
Located in Terminal 5, the concept was created by local chef Bruno Abate and was officially opened during a private ceremony with the Chicago Department of Aviation and Westfield, which is in charge of a major overhaul of international Terminal 5. [See our reporton more of the new outlets in the redeveloped terminal.]
Abate already operates a Tocco in Chicago’s Wicker Park district, which earned the Michelin Star quality rating this year. Like that location, the new restaurant at the airport will feature foods, wines and cocktails inspired by Abate’s travels and upbringing in Italy.
Its modern furnishings and design will invite hungry travellers to dine on traditional wood-fired pizzas, salads and rustic pastas prepared with fresh ingredients.
Tocco is the fourth new dining spot of nine that Areas and its joint-venture partner Robinson Hill are bringing to the terminal by the end of 2013. The companies will operate Tocco under a licensing agreement with Abate.
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The restaurant offers foods, wines and cocktails inspired by chef Bruno Abate’s travels and upbringing in Italy |
“The airport is a symbol of the places and the people a city is known for. That’s why in each city that we work, our people research what residents love and bring businesses to airport concessions that have the heart of the city,” said Areas USA Chief Executive Xavier Rabell.
“Abate’s Tocco is a great find, and will exceed what travellers might expect at the airport.”
Tocco joins a list of locally-inspired F&B locations opened at O’Hare by Areas, including Big Bowl, Kofe and Tortas Frontera.
Robinson Hill President Dee Robinson said: “The international traveller has a sophisticated palate; Tocco will not disappoint. With our revamp a little under halfway complete, international travellers already have plenty of reasons to get to the airport early for a satisfying dining experience.”
All of the new restaurants in T5 will be located past security checkpoints within a “comfortable” distance of ticketed passengers’ gates. Previously, 95% of the terminal’s dining and retail options were located before security checkpoints.
Areas is working with the City Colleges of Chicago’s Washburne Culinary Institute to fill job openings at the airport.
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