Sullivan’s Steakhouse opens its doors to the public on Monday, and while the restaurant joins downtown Baltimore’s packed platter of upscale steakhouses, Jim Oboyski says there’s still room for more beef in Charm City.
» 1 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202
» 410-962-5503
» Dinner service begins Feb. 9, Monday to Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m., Sunday 4 to 10 p.m.
» Lunch service begins Feb. 16, Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
» Lounge open from 11 a.m. until close
“There’s enough to go around,” Oboyski, regional manager of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, said Friday at the 9,000-square-foot restaurant, located on the first floor of the Verizon Building on East Pratt Street adjacent to the Inner Harbor.
The restaurant’s opening, which cost about $4 million, added 206 new jobs downtown, but the hiring process was a true sign of the hard economic times. More than 2,400 people applied for the open positions, some coming from Washington, D.C, looking for work, Oboyski said.
“To be able to hire 200 people in this economy was probably one of the coolest things I’ve done in my career,” Oboyski said.
Already in Baltimore, steak lovers can choose from the Capital Grille, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Morton’s The Steakhouse, the Prime Rib and two Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses.
But even during a recession, when consumers are altering their dining-out habits, steakhouses seem to be able to weather the economic storm, said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research and information services for the National Restaurant Association.
“Despite tough economic times, America’s basic love affair with beef continues,” Riehle said. “Even in the current environment, new locations continue to open up.”
Sullivan’s enters the Baltimore market, opening its first Maryland location, offering consumers the classic steakhouse experience at a price point slightly below its competitors.
“There are so many different things we offer to the consumer,” Oboyski said. “You don’t have to come in and drop $30 to $35 on a steak.”
For example, all entrees at Sullivan’s include a wedge of iceberg lettuce with blue cheese dressing, and the restaurant’s “The Contender” menu offers items like a roasted chicken and a strip steak for $18 to $25.
“We take it very seriously that your dollar is hard-earned these days,” Oboyski said. “You spend your money in hard times on things you know you’re going to get value from.”
The restaurant also offers a Thursday happy hour that includes $5 martinis, $5 wines by the glass, half-price bar entrees and live music all night. “In all of our markets, we own Thursday nights,” Oboyski said.
The restaurant can seat as many as 340 guests and includes a bar that can accommodate another 90 people. There’s a wine room visible in the main dining room that can hold as many as 3,500 bottles. Sullivan’s also has six private dining rooms that can hold anywhere from six to 60 people.
This is the company’s 19th restaurant opening, but Oboyski said the group has been looking to open an Inner Harbor location for more than five years. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore has called the restaurant a “poster child” for the city’s $100 million Pratt Street redesign to include more downtown retail and restaurant locations.
“You have no idea how excited we are for Monday,” Oboyski said.
