A Family-Owned Space with Soul
Steve Salameh - Owner
Steve Salameh – Owner & Visionary With over three decades in Chicago's vibrant restaurant scene, Steve blends timeless hospitality with modern sensibilities. From curating the wine list to shaping the warm ambiance, his vision is simple: create a space where people gather, celebrate, and feel cared for. Steve believes consistency and quality are the heartbeat of Port & Park — values that make it a true Lakeview favorite.
Carima Hareas Salameh
Carima's love for hospitality started at 14 and has only deepened through her experiences across cultures and travels through Italy, France, and beyond. At Port & Park, she's often found in the dining room, greeting guests by name, leading a birthday toast, or handing a toy to a child at the table. Her touch ensures the restaurant is not only stylish and welcoming, but also deeply personal and heartfelt.
Chef Luis
Culinary Soul Chef Luis brings more than 30 years of experience and a passion for scratch-made cooking to Port & Park. Born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, he learned to cook from his family before training at Artes Culinarias and moving to Chicago in 1992. After nearly two decades leading the kitchen at Café 28, he joined Port & Park in 2018. His menus balance comfort food and global influences, honoring tradition while keeping flavors fresh and seasonal.
Together Steve, Carima, and Chef Luis have built Port & Park as more than a restaurant — it's a reflection of their values: hospitality, community, and excellence. Every guest is treated like family, every dish crafted with care, and every visit designed to create a memory worth sharing.
Mike Santiago - Head Bartender
Chicago native Mike Santiago brings 20+ years of experience to Port & Park. He started in Bridgeport, later bartended on Kanan Cruises before joining Steve Salameh at Bar Below in 2011. Since 2021, Mike has led our bar program, crafting drinks that match the kitchen's fresh, seasonal style. He's all about great service and personalizing each guest's experience.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys interior design and home makeovers—a creative passion that matches his attention to detail behind the bar.
Kelsey Floro - Manager / Bartender
Originally from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, Kelsey moved to Chicago in 2011 to study at Loyola. He got his start bartending at SIP, right here at 4000 N. Southport—and he's been part of the space ever since.
With over a decade behind the bar, Kelsey values the connections he's built with regulars and neighbors. Outside of Port & Park, he's a writer, filmmaker, and part-time realtor. Ask for his signature Old Fashioned—you won't be disappointed.