Paramount Room
415 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 312-829-6300
Jon Young and Stephen Dunne, the partners who produced Roscoe Village’s Volo, debuted their latest enterprise, a two-level space in River West. Young says he’s trying to create a stylish, comfortable nightlife ambience (there will be a pool table on the lower level, for instance), without skimping on Dunne’s chef-driven approach to cuisine. “You won’t have to sacrifice on the menu for the atmosphere,” he says. The menu will have everything from duck confit ($18) to Kobe tri-tip steak ($22), but Dunne is trying to keep the food beer-friendly; Paramount will serve beer flights and “shorty glasses” for those times when you just want a taste.
Exposure Tapas Supper Club
1315 S. Wabash Ave.; 312-662-1082
Don’t come to this South Loop spot expecting traditional Spanish tapas; this newcomer goes contemporary-American with small plates — with full-size entrees and a raw bar to boot. Highlights include the lobster cocktail (fresh Maine lobster tail served atop greens, gingered veggies and chive creme fraiche, $19). Other options: braised oxtail gnocchi ($9) and a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with rosemary demi-glace ($29). Owners will add music to the mix when they open a downstairs lounge later this year.
Franconello Italian Restaurant
More Top Picks Best Compression Boots For Neuropathy
1301 S. Halsted St.; 312-421-1301
Fans of Franconello Italian Restaurant won’t have to trek to Beverly for their fix anymore. Owners recently launched a sib in the old Maxwell Street Market area near UIC. The menu offers banana peppers stuffed with crumbled sausage ($9), sun-dried tomato and smoked mozzarella pizza ($14), braised short ribs with creamy polenta ($22) and, of course, tiramisu ($7). The stylish space features burgundy booths, expansive windows and an open display kitchen.
Pannenkoeken Cafe
4757 N. Western Ave.; 773-769-8800
We’re looking forward to visiting this just opened Lincoln Square breakfast-and-lunch-only spot — -hey, it’s not like we can get pannenkoeken (PAN-eh-kook-en), a Dutch-style pancake, at every breakfast boite. What makes these cakes different from the typical buttermilk pancake, you ask? Mostly, it’s the size and thickness — co-owner Gina Salgado tells us they measure about 11 inches in diameter and they’re slightly thicker than a traditional crepe. Plus, they come with toppings like chocolate and banana or bacon and cheese.
Rosemont in bloom
Rosemont, that steadfast northwest ‘burb with little draw other than conventions and concerts, is scoring some major interest with The Rosemont Walk (off Balmoral north of I-294 Rosemont), a $500 million development of shopping and dining, anchored by (yes, even more) hotels and Illinois’ first Muvico, a “premium movie theater” and entertainment complex. And, the dining options slated here, aiming for early 2008 openings, brings together some big names: Osteria di Tramonto (from the folks behind Tru), McCormick & Schmick’s, John Barleycorn, and a yet-to-be-named venture from Phil Stefani (Riva, Tuscany, Tavern on Rush). Muvico sets itself apart from local names like AMC and Loews with upgraded features that are no-brainers as far as audience appeal: Bigger seats, better food and entertainment that moves beyond movies. You can stash the kids in on-site childcare, upgrade your $9.50 general admission ticket to a $15 and score free valet, free popcorn, reserved VIP seating and access to the 21-and-over Bogart’s, run by Levy Restaurants. Wall-to-wall high-def screens will not only air movies, but sporting events and live broadcasts of Broadway shows.
———-
For complete listings, go to metromix.com