TAO Group unveiled its renowned dining and nightlife experience to the Midwest with the grand opening party of TAO Chicago on Saturday night. Following the transformation of the historic 1892 landmark, TAO’s takeover of the 34,000 sq. ft. space officially made its restaurant and nightclub debut in the River North neighborhood.
Kourtney Kardashian, a longtime fan of the TAO brand, arrived with friends including Malika Haqq, dressed in a silver, metallic mini dress. After posing for photos in front of TAO Chicago’s Hush mural, Kourtney joined a VIP table under the Quan Yin statue in the main dining room along with Jonathan Cheban and Dave Grutman. The group enjoyed a few rounds of passed sushi, Tuna Pringles and Satay of Chilean Sea Bass, before Kourtney led the way through the restaurant to the second floor nightclub just in time for DJ Vice’s set. In between posting a few stories to Instagram, Kourtney and Malika danced atop their private booth overlooking the rest of the nightclub while sipping on champagne.
Newly engaged Taraji P. Henson took over a round booth on TAO Chicago’s descending dining room staircase with a few friends. After dining on TAO Chicago specialties, Taraji was surprised with a custom birthday cake celebrating the acclaimed actress’ birthday earlier in the week. Later on, Taraji was spotted dancing within a private, blue velvet booth in the nightclub, striking a few “Cookie Lyon” poses ahead of Empire’s fifth season premiere next week.
Adam Levine’s wife Behati Prinsloo was also spotted at TAO Chicago’s grand opening party. Behati was in town for Maroon 5’s Red Pill Blues tour stop on Friday night but made sure to stay the weekend to take in TAO’s opening.
Locally filmed hit show, Chicago P.D. cast members including Marina Squerciati, Tracy Spiridakos, Jesse Lee Soffer and LaRoyce Hawkins stopped by TAO Chicago’s grand opening, in addition to Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney who hung out in a secluded booth in the Ink Bar lounge with a couple close friends. The Chi’s Jason Mitchell, Barton Fitzpatrick, Yolonda Ross and Tai Davis took a break from filming the upcoming second season to enjoy TAO Chicago’s celebration as well.
TAO Chicago’s grand opening was a magnet for all the local Chicago sports teams. Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo was spotted early on dancing in the nightclub with fiancé Emily Vakos, adjacent to fellow Cubs’ teammates including Jon Lester, Cole Hamels and Daniel Murphy. Former Chicago Bears’ legend Israel Idonije was joined by current players Prince Amukamara, Zach Miller and Charles Leno Jr. While Chicago Bulls small forward Denzel Valentine enjoyed a night out with his teammates Kris Dunn and Chandler Hutchison at TAO Chicago’s grand opening.
Other notable guests at TAO Chicago’s grand opening party included Fifth Harmony’s Dinah Jane, Real Housewives of New York’s Tinsley Mortimer with boyfriend Scott Kluth, Chicago Med’s Chris Johnson, Southern Charm’s Shep Rose, San Antonio Spurs player Brandon Paul, Kelly Rizzo and Cheat Codes’ trio including Trevor Dahl, Kevin Ford and Matthew Russell.
Earlier in the week, after throwing out the first pitch and singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs game, Kevin Hart stopped by TAO Chicago for a private preview tasting by Chef Mike Armstrong. Hart arrived straight from the game with members of his team and took over the skybox for a private meal overlooking the brand new dining room including the Crispy Rice Tuna, Cantonese Cauliflower, Fried Rice, Chicken Wing Lollipops and Satay of Chilean Sea Bass. Hart even took a few orders of Chicken Wing Lollipops and Satay of Chilean Sea Bass to go before leaving the newest TAO outpost.
New York Rag 