2015 RH 25: Himmel Hospitality Group

Chris Himmel

Boston

Annual Sales: $25 million

Units: 3

Key Personnel:
• Chris Himmel, executive v.p.
 
SINGLE CONCEPTS:
• Grill 23 & Bar (a premier steak and seafood grill)
• Harvest (a celebration of the modern New England table in Cambridge)
• Post 390 (an urban tavern in the Back Bay neighborhood offering seasonally inspired fare, handcrafted cocktails and craft beers)
 
WHY IT’S COOL:
The multi-concept game is often played with the idea that a group will create a juggernaut of a company with many restaurant concepts that generate nice paydays for investors. That’s not the game Himmel is playing. Instead, this Boston-based group has three stalwart restaurants that have become culinary landmarks. Instead of planning for their next restaurant opening, Himmel continues to fine tune the three sophisticated concepts they have, including Grill 23 & Bar and Harvest, which are now more than 30 years old and as vibrant as ever. Harvest has been a training ground for some of the most talented chefs in the country, including Lydia Shire, Chris Schlesinger, Barbara Lynch and Frank McClelland. Ken Himmel created the company and has handed the reins over to his son Chris, who has proven to be quite capable. All three restaurants are the kinds of places you’d want to take out-of-town guests, because they always impress and never miss.

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