Chicago’s First Aquatic Lounge Lost Reef Ep 46

We sit down with Tony Contri of the CPG Restaurant Group and Brian Levinson of Tank It Easy and discuss their new venture in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood right next to Cheesie's. Lost Reef Lounge, a collaboration between CPG Restaurant Group and Tank It Easy, is a sophisticated and intimate cocktail lounge experience unlike any other Chicago has ever seen; a tranquil aquatic atmosphere, serving upscale cocktails and delectable small bites. This exhilarating new lounge provides a sublime immersive experience that you will want to have again and again. Tank It Easy is a full-service aquarium maintenance and design company based in Albany Park. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 00:12 - Getting the Bar Idea 03:27 - Prior Occupants 05:18 - Creating the Concept 06:25 - Rich Wood Tables 07:09 - Water Tanks 09:29 - Underwater Landscapers 14:43 - Family Days 16:52 - Selling a Fish Tank 22:13 - Safe and Healthy Fish 24:03 - Designing the Atmosphere and Menu 26:27 - Choosing the Chef 29:00 - Food Tasting 33:50 - $55 Cocktail 36:00 - Memorable Drink Experience 39:31 - Getting Lost Together 40:29 - Staffing the Space 43:39 - New to Restaurant Industry 46:26 - Coral Restoration Charity 47:53 - Finding Nemo 48:00 - Challenges 52:35 - Floor Plans 55:04 - No TVs 55:26 - Drink Menu 58:01 - Timing with Great Barrier Reef 59:50 - Drink Tasting 1:02:44 - Not a Tiki Bar 1:03:40 - Brand Recognition 1:05:03 - Coral vs Fish 1:09:14 - Chicago Sunburst Cocktail 1:14:44 - Bartender's Favorite 1:15:53 - Specialty Drink 1:18:35 - The Reveal