MICHAEL MORTON

As the son of Chicago restaurant legend Arnie Morton (founder of Morton’s steakhouses and Vice President of the Playboy Clubs), Michael grew up steeped in the Chicago steakhouse tradition. He got his start sweeping floors at Morton’s and Arnie’s. He formalized his education while attending the University of Denver’s Hotel and Restaurant Management School. Mr. Morton has created some of the most iconic brands in dining and nightlife including Drink!, N9NE Steakhouse in Chicago, Drink! Las Vegas and the N9NE Group in Las Vegas (N9NE Steakhouse, ghostbar, Rain Nightclub, Nove Italiano and Moon Nightclub). Morton Group is a Las Vegas-based restaurant development company owned by Michael and Jenna Morton. Morton Group venues include La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway inside Wynn Resort, La Comida, a Mexican joint in downtown Las Vegas, and CRUSH and Greek Sneek at MGM Grand Resort.

​

DAVID MORTON

David Morton embodies the Morton family restaurant DNA. David Morton owns and operates restaurants in Chicago, New York, Virginia and Las Vegas, many of which have been featured by prestigious media outlets including Michelin, The Food Network, Architectural Digest, and The New York Times. David is passionate about a variety of social causes and generously donates his time to the Mayor’s Office of the City of Chicago, City of Chicago Colleges, and Washburne Trade School where he helps to connect public resources with students who are eager to develop skills in the hospitality industry. His commitment to the environment is evident in his restaurants’ commitment to local and sustainable ingredients whenever possible. David is a periodic speaker on entrepreneurship at Northwestern University. He lives in Evanston, Illinios with his wife and children.