Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar to Open Thanksgiving Week

CHICAGO (November, 2007) - Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar (312) 928-0800; www.powerhouserestaurant.com), the spacious Classic American restaurant and gathering spot soon to open at 215 North Clinton Street, is housed in the historic Chicago & North Western Railway Powerhouse building between Fulton and Lake streets. Poised to become a bustling dining cornerstone, Powerhouse is a much needed venue in the Fulton River District, Chicago's newest lifestyle area for work, living and play. Powerhouse will offer two distinctive dining areas, the Main Dining Room, including two separate private dining areas, and the Powerhouse Bar. A vast outdoor dining area will open in spring 2008.

About the team
Powerhouse is led by a well-honed veteran restaurant management team that includes owner/partner Jimmy Alexander, partner/general manager Mitchell Schmieding, executive chef John Peters and beverage director Scott Noorman.

Alexander is an inveterate restaurateur with a three-generation family history of serving Chicago diners at Alexander's Steak House on the South Shore. After learning the business from his uncle, Alexander opened and ran popular Greek town restaurant Pegasus, Pegasus on the Fly at Midway Airport and Artopolis Bakery Café and Agora. Powerhouse is the fulfillment of his dream which began in 2005 when he sold all interests in the other restaurants to put together this project.

Powerhouse partner/general manager Mitchell Schmieding also is a restaurant heavy hitter. His enviable résumé includes management at Charlie Trotter's for eighteen years, spanning their operations in Chicago, Las Vegas and San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. With additional management experience at Eleven Madison Park in New York City, Schmieding brings a wealth of talent to the team.