SPRINGFIELD, IL – Jeff Griswold has been known for running upscale restaurants in the Springfield area for more than 30 years now.
From largescale full dinner experiences as manager and then owner of Indigo Restaurant to becoming owner of Pao, his latest restaurant iteration is a low barrier entry space all customers will feel welcome at, while still being provided the service of a high-quality restaurant.
Levity Bar and Grill opened at 4127 Wabash Ave. on Aug. 1. Griswold said the restaurant he’s running today isn’t the one he envisioned in May.
“Initially when I incorporated and chose the name, I hadn’t really hired any staff yet,” Griswold said. “I was approached by the people who work for me now and were interested in coming back and working with me. I changed the concept.”
The space is a ratio of his former restaurant endeavors; just over 2,000 square feet and previously housed Roots Latin Grill, which closed in May.
The size of the location is what initially drew Griswold back into the world of restaurants, after taking an extended break after selling Pao in 2021 to move down to Florida.
Back in Springfield for family, initially the idea of having a smaller burger bar was what drew Griswold to the space. The idea soon shifted however when Griswold had the chance to hire professional chefs Billy Hundley and Nathan Maltby as head and sous chef, respectively.
“With the people that I have working for me I think this is a better fit,” Griswold said. “We’re doing steaks and fresh seafood and wine and martinis, things of that nature … I’m taking advantage of their abilities.”
The smaller menu and upscale dining aren’t what a traditional bar and grill looks like, Griswold confessed. Essence of a bar and grill will still be blended into the dining experience through the atmosphere of TVs playing Illinois sports games, and an open bar with a no dress-code policy will still make the space inviting for everyone.
Bars and grills are all over town from classics like D’arcy’s Pint to new hangouts like The Spot – and for good reason.
Carrying more than just quick bites to eat to full meals with a pint, the public approach to a bar is usually more casual with a relaxed dress code, relying on fast service speed and classic bar foods.
The same can be said at Levity, outside of the high-end menu.
Hours for the restaurant are Tuesdays to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the kitchen and until 11 p.m. for the bar.
Over the next few months, Griswold plans on expanding the hours of the restaurant, finding the perfect menu to streamline the kitchen and get things rolling smoothly.
“As things developed it kinda just morphed into something a little bit different and I’m pretty pleased how things have turned out,” Griswold said. “We’re going to roll with what we’re doing.”
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@usatodayco.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: New bar and grill in Springfield isn’t serving up typical bar food
Reporting by Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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By Claire Grant, Springfield State Journal-Register | USA TODAY Network
