Shawmut, in partnership with Derek Rubinoff Architects and Taniya Nayak Design, recently celebrated the grand opening of the Shawmut-built Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Waltham, MA. Sure, celebrating the opening of your new restaurant with a ribbon cutting ceremony is great—but how about with a steak-cutting ceremony?

That’s how Ruth’s Chris celebrated the opening of 9,725 square-feet on the ground floor of the new Wolverine Worldwide building. Even the most lavish restaurants are subject to budgetary realities, and Ruth’s Chris was no exception—they needed someone who could cut their construction costs down to size, keep the quality of workmanship high, and deliver it on time. Who better than Shawmut?

Nobody would know the value-engineering that went into its construction by looking. Guests enter through red double doors to an elaborate stone reception desk and floor-to-ceiling glass wine case. The feature bar has a tufted ceiling with decorative light fixtures threaded through a rod system. The team procured and installed an extensive millwork package that includes wine cabinets with chevron wood wine racks, stone countertops, cabinetry, live-edge wood wall panels with LED lighting, and detailed trim, baseboards, and moldings. This massive dining room is separated from three private dining rooms by clear and frosted glass panels. The private rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art A/V technology for corporate or personal events.

With an atmosphere this nice, guests may want to reconsider passing on dessert before calling for the check.