River North Is Getting One of Its Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of the Year: Gingie Debuts Tomorrow
By Socialhood News · Near North ·
Near North neighbors, if you've been tracking the neighborhood's remarkable summer of new restaurant openings, save the best for last — because tomorrow is a big one. Gingie, a brand-new contemporary dining destination from Boka Restaurant Group, opens its doors in River North on Saturday, August 29th, and it arrives with a pedigree that is almost impossible to overstate.
At the center of it all is Chef Partner Brian Lockwood, a Colorado native who discovered his passion for cooking at the age of 14 and has since built one of the more quietly impressive culinary résumés in the country. His career has taken him through the kitchens of The French Laundry, Eleven Madison Park, NoMad New York, and El Celler de Can Roca — a constellation of Michelin-starred and James Beard–recognized institutions that represents the very top tier of the culinary world. Most recently, Lockwood served as consulting chef for the Emmy-winning TV show The Bear before joining Boka Restaurant Group as Chef Partner to bring Gingie to life.
Boka Restaurant Group is, of course, one of Chicago's most celebrated hospitality companies — the team behind acclaimed spots like GT Fish & Oyster, Momotaro, and Girl & the Goat's sister concepts. Their track record means that when they commit to a new concept, the neighborhood pays attention. Gingie is described as being rooted in seasonal ingredients and thoughtful technique, offering what Boka calls a fresh perspective on contemporary dining. For a neighborhood that has watched a wave of ambitious operators move into River North this summer — from the riverfront splendor of NAIA at 300 N. LaSalle to the F1 Arcade entertainment destination and the forthcoming Carlyle Club — Gingie's arrival adds yet another marquee name to an increasingly competitive and exciting dining landscape.
The timing of Gingie's opening is no accident. The summer of 2026 has been a genuine re-tenanting moment for River North, with operators large and small breathing life into spaces that had sat dark or underperforming in recent years. Boka Restaurant Group bringing a chef of Lockwood's caliber into the neighborhood signals continued confidence in Near North as one of Chicago's most dynamic places to dine, work, and live.
For neighbors eager to experience Gingie on opening weekend, Saturday the 29th is your moment. Keep an eye on Boka Restaurant Group's official channels for reservation availability and hours — given the buzz surrounding Chef Lockwood's background and Boka's reputation for polished, memorable hospitality experiences, tables are likely to be in high demand from day one.
River North's dining scene has had a genuinely remarkable summer, and Gingie looks poised to be its most talked-about final chapter before the season winds down. Are you planning to check out Gingie this weekend? Have you followed Chef Lockwood's career or dined at any Boka spots before? Share your excitement and your first impressions with your Near North neighbors in the Socialhood comments below!
Sources:
1. https://www.bokagrp.com/restaurants/gingie
2. https://jproctorgroup.com/blog/river-norths-summer-of-new-signs-on-old-doors