Before there were cities, skyscrapers, or boardrooms, there was the fire. It provided warmth, safety, and a place to share the day’s stories. At Kindling, we are bringing the city’s energy back to its roots. At Kindling, we are the Hearth of the Chicago Loop.
A HEARTH IN THE HEART OF THE CHICAGO LOOP
Willis Tower is not just a location; it’s a special focal point for Chicago and the entire Midwest. Outside our building is forged steel, glass, and the fast-paced grind of corporate Chicago. Inside Kindling, it is glowing embers, rich woods, and warm hospitality. Kindling is your Chicago Loop oasis of warmth in the center of our bustling metropolis.
FORGED BY FIRE. SHARED WITH FRIENDS.
At the core of Kindling is our glowing, custom-built hearth, where James Beard Award-winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer transforms live fire from a simple cooking method into our most essential ingredient. Fire commands respect—it is untamed, it cannot be automated, and it refuses to be rushed. Chef Sawyer channels this energy to forge a menu of bold, wood-fired dishes designed specifically to be passed across the table. From perfectly charred steaks to vibrant, smoke-kissed vegetables, every plate that leaves the hearth is crafted with a single purpose: to break down the stiff, formal barriers of traditional downtown dining and remind us that the absolute best meals are the ones we share together.
At Kindling, the open wood fire may be the centerpiece of the dining room, but the true warmth of the restaurant comes from the man standing in front of it.
James Beard Award-winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer has built a nationally celebrated career on bold, unforgettable flavors, but his defining ingredient has always been his hospitality.
Those who know him will tell you that Jonathon is just as warm, inviting, and magnetic as the custom-built hearth he commands.
Since opening Kindling with The Fifty/50 Group in 2023, he has successfully transformed the base of the Willis Tower into a vibrant downtown staple. His genuine, unpretentious energy radiates through every corner of the restaurant, breaking down the stiff barriers of typical corporate dining and turning every table into a shared celebration.
Long before he was mastering the open flames in the Loop, the Chicago-born chef was honing his craft in some of the country’s most demanding kitchens. He trained in New York under Charlie Palmer and alongside Michael Symon before heading to Cleveland to build a fiercely beloved restaurant empire that included The Greenhouse Tavern, Trentina, and Noodlecat. His fearless approach to cooking earned him Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef” in 2010 and the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2015. A triumphant return to his hometown followed in 2020, leading to a coveted spot in the 2021 Michelin Guidebook for Adorn, which ultimately paved the way for his live-fire dream project at Kindling.
Beyond the dining room, Chef Sawyer is a familiar and fiercely competitive face on television. He regularly brings his culinary expertise to the Food Network, battling it out on their highest-rated show, Tournament of Champions, as well as Bobby Flay’s Triple Threat and Chopped. He is also the author of two highly acclaimed cookbooks: the family-focused Noodlekids and the culinary cult classic, House of Vinegar.
When he finally hangs up his leather apron, Jonathon trades the roar of the kitchen for the tranquility of the great outdoors. He is an avid forager and hiker, usually exploring the woods with his dogs leading the way. But above all, he is a dedicated family man, spending his days off sharing meals and sparking up friendly board game rivalries with his wife, Amelia, and their children, Catcher and Louisiana. Believing deeply in the power of community, he continuously donates his time and talent to local charities as well as the Illinois Restaurant Association, proving every day that his generous spirit is the true spark behind Kindling’s success.
James Beard Award Winner: Awarded “Best Chef: Great Lakes” in 2015 by the prestigious James Beard Foundation.
Michelin Recognition: Earned a coveted spot in the 2021 Michelin Guidebook.
Nationally Acclaimed: Named Food & Wine magazine’s “Best New Chef” in 2010.
Television Competitor: A fierce and frequent competitor on the Food Network, including appearances on Tournament of Champions, Chopped, and Bobby Flay’s Triple Threat.
Published Author: Wrote the culinary cult-classic House of Vinegar and the family-focused Noodlekids cookbook.
Master of the Hearth: Opened Kindling Downtown Cookout & Cocktails in 2023, establishing one of Chicago’s premier live-fire dining destinations at the iconic Willis Tower.
RUN! DON’T WALK TO KINDLING
If there is anything that we can do to make your experience at Kindling more special or memorable, please leave us a note when booking your reservation.
