Maxwells Trading, Brasero Named “Top 10 Best Restaurants in America” by Robb Report
Photo Jeff Marini; Art Direction, Logos by HiFi Brands
Not one, but two HiFi restaurants have been named to the “10 Best New Restaurants in America” by Robb Report.
Robb Report has announced the “The 10 Best New Restaurants in America, Ranked” in June. We are thrilled to announce that not one, but two restaurants we developed the branding for this year have made this prestigious list, with Brasero coming in at #7 and Maxwells Trading at #3.
The branding we created for Maxwells was designed to let the food and experience take the lead. Partners Chef Erling Wu-Bower and Josh Tilden of Underscore Hospitality imagined an intimately lit neighborhood spot where they would want to sit back, sip a gin, spin some soul, and pass the time with closest family and friends.
“On a weeknight, the stretch of Chicago’s West Loop where Maxwells Trading resides can feel desolate, but inside, chef Erling Wu-Bower’s restaurant hums with energy. He and executive chef Chris Jung have cultivated an ambiance as playful as the menu. The duo combine Asian flavors and techniques from around the world, with little regard for authenticity.”
Veteran Chicago chef John Manion and the team that created El Che Steakhouse tapped HiFi to develop the brand identity for their next venture: Brasero. A nuanced, complex, and fiery culinary expression of contemporary South American. The brand identity harnessed memories of Manion’s childhood living in Sao Paulo, delivering a fresh expression alongside his signature style of elevated open fire cooking with unmatched flavor combinations.
“Chef John Manion was born in Michigan but spent his formative years in Brazil, and that country’s food has been close to his heart ever since. At Brasero, he’s reconnecting with favorite dishes and flavors by way of the massive wood-fired hearth that anchors the kitchen.”
We’d like to congratulate Chef Erling Wu-Bower, the Maxwells Trading team, and Chef John Manion, and the Brasero team for bringing two unique and thrilling hospitality experiences to Chicago. Your hard work and dedication are getting noticed, and we are beyond proud to have worked with such talented and collaborative partners to bring your visions to life.