Big Rock Italian Chophouse, a new restaurant and banquet facility set in an historic train station at the north end of the Rail District in Birmingham, is scheduled to open in July.
The new owners, Tom Celani, Dario Bergamo, and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, say the restaurantcombines a premium steakhouse experience with the elegance of upscale Italian cuisine
The chophouse, set on the first floor of the historic Grand Trunk Railway Station located at 245 S. Eton St., will offer 375 seats, including 100-plus outdoor seats. There will be three bars, multiple private dining rooms, a pergola, an outdoor fireplace, and new landscaping.
The menu will include prime steaks and chops, branzino, veal parmesan, lasagna, salads, soups, appetizers, and desserts.
On the second floor and the lower level, and separate from the dining areas, will be The Rock Cigar Club, a VIP experience featuring exclusive cigar lockers and a private entrance.
Hiring at Big Rock Italian Chophouse is underway for more than 100 employees, including servers, bartenders, guest services, line cooks, and general utility positions. The restaurant will be open for dinner daily.
Celani, founder and CEO of Luna Entertainment in Novi, owns Calani Family Vineyards in Napa Valley, among other businesses.
Bergamo is president and CEO of Globale Group in Warren, a sales and marketing group representing manufacturers.
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants operates dozens of dining establishments, including Ocean Prime in Troy, and formerly Cameron’s Steak House and Mitchell’s Seafood Market in downtown Birmingham.
After operating as a train station, in 1984 the building was converted to Norman’s Eton Street Station by Norman and Bonnie LePage. Following a successful run, which included new offerings and a different name to Big Rock Chophouse, the couple closed the restaurant in December 2021.
For more information about the Big Rock Italian Chophouse and employment opportunities, visit bigrockitalianchophouse.com/.
To read a DBusiness magazine cover story (March/April 2025) about Celani, visit dbusiness.com/.
