About Us

RPM is a group of restaurants from celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic and siblings R.J., Jerrod and Molly Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. The RPM brand focuses on sourcing the highest quality ingredients and providing guests with exceptional service for a dining experience unlike any other. RPM Italian, RPM Steak and RPM Seafood are located in the River North neighborhood of downtown Chicago, with other locations of RPM Italian in Washington, D.C.’s Mount Vernon district and Las Vegas in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. In addition to RPM Restaurants, Pizzeria Portofino and RPM Events on also on the Chicago Riverfront.

Our Purveyors

Kawaguchi Farm

Kawaguchi Farm, one of just two out of 24 farms in Miyagi prefecture exclusively dedicated to producing Sendai Beef, stands out for its meticulous cattle rearing practices. Situated adjacent to Lake Izunuma, the farm attributes the distinct flavor of its beef to the cattle’s diet of top-grade rice straw, nurtured by the pristine local waters. This culinary delight serves as a testament to Miyagi’s abundant natural resources.

Sendai Wagyu is recognized for having the strictest grading criteria among Japan’s renowned Wagyu brands. Kawaguchi Farm’s exceptional commitment to quality is evident in its Sendai Wagyu, reaching an impressive 80% 10+ BMS score. We take pride in featuring Sendai Beef as the latest addition to our Japanese Wagyu Program.

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Westholme Wagyu

Westholme Wagyu is renowned for its exceptional quality and unparalleled flavor. Raised with meticulous care in northern Australia’s pristine environment, Westholme Wagyu cattle are the epitome of luxury beef. The breed’s marbling and rich, buttery texture create a culinary experience like no other, making it a favorite among our chefs and discerning food enthusiasts worldwide. Indulge in the succulent, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Westholme Wagyu, and savor the epitome of beef perfection.

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HeartBrand Ranch

HeartBrand Ranch is an Akaushi cattle ranch headquartered in Texas and run by Letty and Randy Beeman. They are dedicated to natural breeding and raising cattle for superior beef and believe in more than just producing great calves. Their focus is on improving the beef industry through diligently maintaining Akaushi genetics. They breed Akaushi bulls (also known as Japanese Red Wagyu) with Angus, And their beef has a high ratio of monounsaturated fats to polysaturated fats.

Chateau d’Yquem

Nestled in the picturesque Sauternes region of Bordeaux, France, lies Château d’Yquem, a winery renowned worldwide for its exceptional sweet white wine. Crafted from grapes affected by the noble rot Botrytis cinerea, which causes the grapes to shrivel and intensifies their natural sugars, the wine is a testament to the winery’s mastery of their craft. With a classification as a Premier Cru Supérieur, Château d’Yquem stands proudly among the select few estates in the world to receive this coveted distinction, representing the pinnacle of French wine excellence.

Chave Hermitage

Chave Hermitage is a wine that embodies the very essence of the Northern Rhône Valley. Made from meticulously cultivated Syrah grapes grown in the Hermitage appellation’s steep hillside vineyards, this wine is a testament to the winery’s time-honored traditions and mastery of their craft. Revered for its captivating depth, layered complexity, and exceptional aging potential, Chave Hermitage stands proudly among the world’s most sought-after and iconic wines.

Single Barrel Collection

At RPM Steak, we take pride in our curated selection of whiskey and single barrel picks. Our dedicated team scours the market for the finest expressions crafted by passionate artisans, spotlighting small-batch and independent distillers. This commitment allows us to offer a diverse range of flavors and profiles, showcasing the artistry and innovation of these distillers. Currently, our menu features 12 RPM single barrels, spanning from rich bourbons to robust ryes and exquisite tequilas. We’re committed to curating an unparalleled experience for our guests. Join us and discover your new favorite.

WasteNot Compost

Starting in late 2023, Chicagoland RPM Restaurants initiated a comprehensive composting program, partnering with local Chicago-based company WasteNot Compost. The program includes glass, cardboard, and all food waste, contributing to Lettuce Entertain You’s commitment to a more sustainable future. In addition to composting nearly all waste coming from the restaurants, RPM Restaurants has also switched to offering glass-only bottles so that they can all be recycled. Inspired by Managing Partner, Kelly Clancy, the initiative aims to expand composting to more Lettuce restaurants nationwide, aligning with a broader environmental mission of the company.

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WasteNot Compost at RPM Restaurants in Chicago

IFSCC Gold Partners

We are proud to be Gold Partners in the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition’s We Compost Recognition Program. This designation indicates that we leverage a hauler service to keep 100% of our organics & food scraps out of landfills.

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Our Team

Bob Broskey

Executive Chef Partner

Bob Broskey, the Executive Chef Partner of RPM Restaurants, hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and his culinary journey stems from a family of adept cooks. After refining his skills in Chicago at Michelin-starred establishments like Ria and L2O, Broskey ventured back to Pittsburgh to contribute to the success of Notion. Returning to Chicago, he played a crucial role at Intro, earning accolades like Zagat's "30 Under 30." Joining RPM Seafood in 2019, Broskey's passion for seafood propelled him to be made Partner in the restaurants, overseeing chef teams nationwide across various RPM concepts, including RPM Italian, RPM Steak, RPM Seafood, and more.

Christopher Gawronski

Executive Chef

Christopher Gawronski, Executive Chef at RPM Steak, blends modern culinary approaches with traditional flair, offering a contemporary menu designed for shared enjoyment. Originally from West Bloomfield, MI, Gawronski's culinary journey began during his travels in Spain, evolving from a passion into a full-time pursuit. After honing his skills in Los Angeles, he transitioned to Chicago, making notable contributions to establishments like Henri and Gage Hospitality Group. Since 2021, he has led the kitchen, first at RPM Italian, now at RPM Steak, showcasing his expertise. Beyond the kitchen, Gawronski enjoys pottery, golf, and family time with his wife and two daughters.

Richard Hanauer

Partner

Richard Hanauer serves as the operational Partner for RPM Restaurants and Pizzeria Portofino, steering the wine programs. His wine journey started at the family table and led to studying Hospitality at Syracuse University. Hanauer began as a sommelier at 160Blue and fine wine expert for Levy Restaurants, eventually becoming Tru Restaurant's youngest sommelier at 25. After a tenure at L2O with a Michelin star, he joined RPM Italian in 2014 and later opened RPM Steak and RPM Italian in Washington, DC. He played a pivotal role in the success of Bar Ramone, Pizzeria Portofino, RPM Events, RPM Seafood, and RPM Italian Las Vegas. Hanauer's accolades include Wine Spectator's "Best of" Awards, a "Sommelier of the Year" title, and being named one of Wine Enthusiast magazine's 40 Under 40 Tastemakers in 2019. Currently residing in Chicago, Hanauer takes pride in his talented sommelier team and contributes to Lettuce's newest wine-forward concept, The Oakville Grill.

Our Partners

Bill & Giuliana Rancic

Celebrity power couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic – who are television personalities, New York Times best-selling authors, entrepreneurs, executive producers and marketing experts – have added restaurateurs to their long list of accomplishments as partners in the RPM brand. Dynamic and highly sought after as speakers, the duo travel around the world focusing on topics that continue to inspire and motivate audiences of all sizes.

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R.J., Jerrod & Molly Melman

With more than a dozen restaurants to their names, the Melman siblings are responsible for some of downtown Chicago's most sought-after spots. Their foray into LEYE partnership began with Hub 51 and has since grown to include Bub City, Three Dots and a Dash, RPM Italian, RPM Steak, Ramen-san, il Porcellino, Bub City & Joe's Live Rosemont, Sushi-san, Pizzeria Portofino, RPM Events, and RPM Seafood. They have also expanded concepts to Washington, D.C., L.A. and Las Vegas and are driving forces behind the nation's premier BBQ and country music festival, Windy City Smokeout.