(WBBM NEWSRADIO) —There's a new addition to Chicago's lakefront dining scene.
World-renowned Chef Art Smith opened his new restaurant, Reunion, at Navy Pier on Tuesday.
"We are just so happy that we now have our own Chicago restaurant connected to Art Smith, that everyone can come by and really enjoy his food," said Felicia Bolton, a Navy Pier spokesperson.
Located at the pier's west entrance, Reunion is the sister restaurant to Chef Art's award-winning Homecomin' located at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.
The new restaurant replaces Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., which was a fixture on the pier for more than two decades before it closed in 2020.
"It was really difficult for everyone here at Navy Pier, just like it was difficult for so many families at home and other businesses," said Bolton. "We had to shut down for several months because of COVID-19, and so when we were preparing to open back up, we wanted to have something very unique, very special, very connected to Chicago, for families to enjoy."
"The world is still reeling from a tumultuous two-plus years where we experienced a global pandemic leading to extended isolation from one another," added Chef Art in a statement. "It's my hope that Reunion can be a place we can gather as a community to enjoy one another's company again over a nice meal in a beautiful, lakeside setting."
Chef Art Smith's take on roasted pork shank.Navy Pier
Reunion offers an iconic take on southern comfort food with a contemporary twist. For anyone's first visit, Bolton recommends the goat cheese buttermilk drop biscuits.
Other menu items include Smith's famous fried chicken, hush puppies and roasted pork shank.
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