Chef Art Smith’s Reunion restaurant, already a runaway hit with locals

Chef Art Smith’s Reunion restaurant was the scene for a lively gathering of Art-loving locals to celebrate the opening of his brand-new restaurant at Navy Pier. Over 150 guests were in attendance to congratulate Art, his partners Manolis and George Alpogianis and team on Reunion, a great new dining option for the Windy City.

Chef Art, with his artist/husband Jesus Salgueiro, greeted partygoers and snapped pics all the while keeping a keen eye on the food, staff and other happy diners. Chef Hector Guerrero made sure the dishes came out of the kitchen looking and tasting good. Platters of Art’s famous fried chicken were highlights but all the items on this comfort-food menu were delicious.

Outside, guests gathered around the newly opened corner bar, which I predict will become a hotspot for sure at the Pier, not only because it’s a cool spot to hang out but also because of its prime location at the southwest corner of the Pier. It’s also the first bar going in to grab a cocktail as you walk through the attractions.

Seen on the scene were Alderman Ariel Reboyas, Marilynn Gardner (president/CEO Navy Pier) , Pastor John Harrell (co-founder of Black Men United), Rich Owsiany (president Polish Museum of America), Monsignor Ken Velo, Reunion GM Patrick Hoyle, Ed Howlett, Ken Norgan, Sheree Valukas, Adrienne Squires, Sherry Lea Fox, Sherrill Bodine, Kathy O’Malley Piccone, Sheree Schimmer, Julia Jacobs, Marie Mancuso, Marcos Cruz, Tracey Tarantino DiBuono, Michael Norris, Sylvia Perez (Fox-32), John Robak, Bethany Florek, Kathy and John Rezny, Cynthia and Peter Au, Joey Majumdar, Bruce Haas and Phillip Emigh, Giovanna Krozel, Almira Yllana, Jennifer Sutton Brieva, John P. Walcher, Lou Rago (founder/president of the Italian American Human Relations Foundation of Chicago), Marta Farion (president of Kiev-Mohyla Foundation of America), Jan and Lucy Kopec (Polish National Alliance), Hina Trivedi, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, Joe Trujillo and Samantha Lula, Erick Kicherer, Kathy-Haines Finley, Rick Kogan and Kate Murray, Evangeline G. Alpogianis, Johanna Kicherer, Jane Stephens, Maceo and Dionne Harris, Sofia Davidson, and many more.

The event was co-hosted by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas with Chicago Star associate publisher, Candid Candace Jordan. (Photos by Kelsey Goodwin)

(Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, 700 E. Grand, Navy Pier, 312.224.1415, reunionatthepier.squarespace.com)