New Restaurant 'Gingie' Set to Elevate Near North's Dining Scene This January

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Near North · January 8, 2026

Near North residents will soon welcome an exciting new addition to the neighborhood's vibrant dining landscape as Chef Brian Lockwood prepares to open Gingie in River North this January. The restaurant marks Lockwood's first brick-and-mortar establishment and is backed by James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz. Lockwood, whose impressive resume includes stints at Eleven Madison Park, El Celler de Can Roca, and Frasca Food and Wine—along with consulting on hit show The Bear—is bringing a more relaxed approach to fine dining with shareable plates blending European techniques with Japanese influences.

The opening comes just in time for the 19th annual Chicago Restaurant Week, running January 23 through February 8, when over 500 of the city's top restaurants will offer special prix-fixe menus. Food enthusiasts can kick off the culinary celebration at the Field Museum's First Bites Bash on January 22, featuring unlimited tastings from dozens of Chicago's most celebrated chefs. Near North residents interested in exploring the neighborhood's evolving food scene are encouraged to make reservations early, as tables at new establishments like Gingie are expected to fill quickly during this popular winter dining event.

Sources:
1. https://www.timeout.com/usa/news/the-most-anticipated-restaurant-openings-of-2026-121825
2. https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/30-things-to-do-in-chicago-this-january/