Look out Mo, Eddie and Butch. Milwaukee is scoping out another potential mate in its Midwestern love affair with meat and potatoes.

And this one is dressed for success.

After two years of planning, the Milwaukee Chop House is prepped to celebrate its public grand opening tonight. Located on the ground level of the Hilton Milwaukee City Center at Fifth and Wisconsin Avenues, the new restaurant features "bone-in" steak and chops served with a fresh, contemporary style.

"We're really looking to make a mark here in Milwaukee," said Keith Halfmann, director of operations for the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Before heading up the development of the Milwaukee Chop House, Halfmann orchestrated the success of Blu and Celia, both located in the Pfister Hotel. The director said his new venture incorporates the same stylish elegance of his previous restaurants.

"We're trying to get away from serving the big ol' slab of meat on a plate," Halfmann said of the Chop House menu. "We're focusing on taste, style and presentation."

Style is certainly a key element to Halfmann's new restaurant, which seats as many as 140 guests. The classic, cherry oak finish of the lounge and main dining room helps create a warm environment for an elegant dining experience. The Milwaukee Chop House features the culinary expertise of executive chef Robert Eaton, who helped design the eclectic, American menus at notable restaurants, including Eve, Hi-Hat, Grenadiers and North Shore Bistro. This time, he aimed to create a menu that blends the fireside flare of a traditional steakhouse with a touch of contemporary dining elegance.

Featured steaks include everything from 18 oz. New York strip steaks and rib eyes to 32 oz. porterhouse chops, all served with a grilled medley of mushrooms. For those feeling less carnivorous, Milwaukee Chop House offers "From the Pier" selections, which include ginger, soy and honey-glazed tuna steaks and potato-crusted Chilean Sea Bass. There is also a 14 oz. cold water, lobster tail entree and "land and sea" special, featuring lobster and an 8 oz. center cut steak.