Glenn Keefer
In 1969, Glenn Keefer started his restaurant career as a busboy in Amityville, NY. He took a brief detour to work as a commercial fisherman on an offshore lobster boat to pay for college tuition. But after he survived the sinking of his ship 30 miles off the coast of Montauk Point, NY, Keefer decided it was better to sell the fish in a restaurant than to catch it. Some 50 years later that decision has served him well with numerous award-winning restaurants, accolades and industry policy-changing achievements on his resume. This spring, Keefer brings his extensive restaurant experience and knowledge to Wilmette’s Sophia Steak, a new neighborhood steakhouse scheduled to open spring 2020.
Keefer began his Chicago restaurant career in 1980 when he was recruited by The Palm Chicago’s opening team to work as bartender at age 24. His 12 years at the popular Gold Coast restaurant, which counted the city’s who’s-who as its regulars, helped set the stage for Keefer’s eternal love for steakhouses as well plant some creative seeds for future ventures. It was also while working at the Palm that Keefer met Bill O’Donnell, whose son, Ryan, would play an important role in Keefer’s career.
In 1992, Keefer opened the Chicago Ruth’s Chris Steak House and was later promoted to Vice President of Operations for the largest of the company’s franchise groups. With eight restaurants under his watch, Keefer had one foot in human resources and the other in operations.
Armed with insider knowledge and insights, Keefer, along with his brother, Richard, and Jimmy de Castro, opened Keefer's Restaurant in 2001. At the River North restaurant, they expanded on the traditional steakhouse scenario, offering both wet- and dry-aged steaks. Acclaimed Chef John Hogan’s menu featured a number of French-leaning dishes too. Keefer served as the restaurant’s Managing Partner from 2001 to 2014. During that time Keefer's was Ranked “Best of Chicago for Steak” by The Food Network, one of the “Top Ten Steak Houses in the U.S.“ by Playboy Magazine.
In 2012, Keefer was awarded "Restaurateur of the Year" by the Illinois Restaurant Association and installed as Corporate Secretary of IRA in 2014. Keefer was also recipient of the Dennis F. Kelly award from Catholic Charities, given to a member of the Board of Advisors in recognition of his or her service to the poor. Keefer's Restaurant served over 30 thousand meals to the homeless.
With a strong desire to further expand the boundaries of what a steakhouse can be, Keefer has partnered with fellow restaurateur Ryan O’Donnell of Ballyhoo Hospitality to open Sophia Steak. Their friendship and mutual admiration began when O’Donnell worked for Keefer at his River North restaurant. It’s only grown stronger since. At their new restaurant, the duo is excited to bring a neighborhood steakhouse to Wilmette, offering a menu with wallet-friendly options as well as great steaks and a to-go menu in which every detail has been precisely executed.
Brendan McCarthy
Ballyhoo Hospitality is pleased to have Brendan McCarthy as Vice President and CMO. In this role, Brendan leads corporate initiatives for Ballyhoo Hospitality Management while supporting human resources, accounting, and marketing strategies to strengthen the company's growing portfolio of award-winning restaurants.
"Brendan has a passion for hospitality and brings more than two decades of proven leadership experience in hospitality with an emphasis on brand management and team leadership," said Ballyhoo CEO and Co-Founder Ryan O'Donnell. "His strong background in creating customer-focused experiences will be a valuable addition to our leadership team as we add to our portfolio of restaurants and continue to emphasize our commitment to being an employer of choice for our talented and passionate teams."
McCarthy works closely with Ballyhoo Hospitality COO Jon Farrer and comes to Ballyhoo Hospitality from KemperSports, the golf and resort hospitality management company where he served as National Director of Marketing, Sales and Revenue Management. Prior to that, he held multiple leadership roles with Vail Resorts, the premier mountain resort company in the world and a leader in luxury, where he developed and launched new guest experiences. His hospitality expertise ranges from brand development to human resource management.
McCarthy earned his bachelor's degree and MBA from the University of Denver, one of the leading hospitality management schools in the country.
Brendan's Favorites:
DeNucci's Highland Park (the newest restaurant is always my favorite focus)
Chicken Diavola at Coda di Volpe
Jaysen's Favorites:
Jackman & Co, soon you will discover why!
Escargot at Pomeroy
Katie's Favorites:
Coda di Volpe - fresh pasta with seasonal ingredients, award-winning pizza, fantastic Italian wines...the best!
Miso-Glazed Salmon at Sophia Steak - it never disappoints and is the perfect blend of flavors and textures
Kayla's Favorites:
Coda di Volpe! This was my original store and will always have a special place in my Ballyhoo journey.
Miso-Glazed Salmon at Sophia Steak
TiJean's Favorites:
Sophia Steak Lake Forest
Miso Glazed Salmon with Jasmine Rice
Jonathan's Favorites:
DeNucci's
Toss up - Spicy Crab Campanelle & Margarita Pizza with Hot Peppers at DeNucci's
Amanda's Favorites:
Pomeroy
Filet au Poivre at Pomeroy
Sarah's Favorites:
Petit Pomeroy
Poulet Cajun at Pomeroy
Todd's Favorites:
Pomeroy
Dover Sole, sauce Veronique at Pomeroy
Sal's Favorites:
DeNucci's and Pizza by Sal
Shrimp Scampi Oreganta at DeNucci's
Jacob's Favorites:
Denucci's, I love the atmosphere, the music, the vibe and the food is an incredibly tasty representation of what red sauce joints can be.
The crab cake at Sophia Steak. Everything from the crab we use, to how it's carefully mixed makes for an absolutely delicious classic.
Miguel's Favorites:
Sophia Steak
Tomahawk Ribeye at Sophia Steak
Shirley's Favorites:
Sophia Steak Wilmette
Meatballs at Sophia Steak
Nadia's Favorites:
You can't make me pick! Top 3 in no particular order: DeNucci's, Old Pueblo Cantina, Gemini
Green tomatillo blue corn enchiladas filled with chicken tinga at Old Pueblo Cantina
Sandie's Favorites:
They are all amazing, but I have a special connection to Gemini Lincoln Park, those who know - know.
I can't get enough of the Prime Skirt Steak with Chimichurri from Sophia Wilmette its love at each bite!
Luquisha's Favorites:
Gemini Lincoln Park
Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls at Gemini
Lianne's Favorites:
Petit Pomeroy
Filet au Poivre at Petit Pomeroy
Heidi's Favorites:
Pizza by Sal
Good Veggie Pizza
Nicole's Favorites:
Old Pueblo Cantina
The Margaritas - that's in a food group, right?! and the Super Green Vegetable Salad from Sophia, Buck's and Gemini
Rebecca's Favorites:
Buck Russell's Sandwich Shop and Bakery
Turkey Jeweler and Blondie at Buck Russell's
Jacqueline's Favorites:
DeNucci's
Tonnarelli with Sun Gold Pomodoro Or Lasagna at DeNucci's
Taariq's Favorites:
My favorite restaurant as it relates to design is Pomeroy. The patio reminds me of the patio of one of my favorite restaurants in St Croix, USVI.
I have to go with the Peaches and Crema at Coda di Volpe. Sarah sent me home with this one after my stage. This is the dish that made me curious about the chef, food, culture, etc. at Coda and Ballyhoo. I can taste it right now...
Miguel's Favorites:
Sophia Steak Wilmette
Prime New York Strip at Sophia Steak
Lauretta's Favorites:
I love them all!
Filet au Poivre at Pomeroy, Spicy Mafaldine di Granchio at Coda di Volpe, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Crispy Lobster & Shishitos at Sophia Steak, Pappardelle Genovese at DeNucci's
Carly's Favorites:
Coda di Volpe
Mortadella e Pistachio Pizza at Coda di Volpe
