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, 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 includes duck confit ($18) and Kobe tri-tip steak ($22); Dunne is trying to keep the food beer-friendly.
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 a lobster cocktail (lobster tail served atop greens, gingered veggies and chive creme fraiche, $19) and braised oxtail gnocchi ($9).
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Franconello Italian Restaurant
1301 S. Halsted St.; 312-421-1301
Fans of Franconello Italian Restaurant won’t have to trek to Beverly anymore. Owners have launched a sib near UIC. The menu offers banana peppers stuffed with crumbled sausage ($9) and braised short ribs with creamy polenta ($22).
Rosemont in bloom
Rosemont, that 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 Tru folks), McCormick & Schmick’s, John Barleycorn, and a yet-to-be-named venture from Phil Stefani (Riva, Tuscany).
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