MAMBO ROOM COMES TO TOWN JUNE 8

For those who follow the local restaurant scene, take a peek inside the former La Pinta, 25 Calendar, for new things to come. We interviewed co-owner Trini Soto as he monitored kitchen upgrades this week inside downtown La Grange's latest epicurean delight: the newly renovated upscale Mambo Room Bar & Grill, scheduled to open at 4 p.m. Monday, June 8.

The Latin-inspired tapas restaurant, owned by Trini, Rafael, Tony and Thipi Soto, has changed its interior design and colors to red and grey and the entire bar area dining room where the live bands used to play.

Though the former name will soon be replaced on the outdoor sign, the wooden overhang above the sidewalk patio will remain. But passersby can now see in the new main glass doors, which replaced heavy wooden doors that adorned the last place.

"We're bringing back all the tapas," said Trini, a response to the queries of so many customers who so often asked what happened to the signature appetizers menu they first introduced to La Grange about five years ago. "It's Latin-American, but still our own way: a 'fusion' of flavors."

He admits local foodies did not really "get" the concept -- popularized over the years by Emilio's in Hillside and Meson Sabika in Naperville -- when it first came on the scene, which is part of the reason why La Pinta later changed to a full menu before it closed its doors May 4.

But, he said, the owners believe La Grange is now ready to please its collective palate with such tapas as guacamole, scalloped-wrapped bacon, stuffed red pepper and boneless duck dishes -- and the idea of ordering several items and sharing it with a large group of people.

In addition to the 33 tapas dishes, what's also new on the expansive menu is some salads and sandwiches -- including our favorites: Tango Salad comprised of grilled steak, roasted red onion, tomatoes and a Dijon-Aioli sauce and a tilapia sandwich with tartar. Entrees include a baby lamp chop served with tequila mango salsa, in addition to steak, shrimp, chicken and tilapia specialties.

Mambo Room, owned by the same family as the popular Thipi Thai around the corner on La Grange Road in La Grange and in far west suburban Glen Ellyn, will be open 7 days a week, at 4 p.m. each day, and its bar will stay open later. Bands will still perform monthly for starters, but in the great room amongst four-top tables and chairs with a perfect view of the open kitchen.

The dining room will be until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday.

As Trini looked out at his future "new" neighbors, one particular entity caught his eye, making him wince at the thought of the temptation it, too, will be to him. The banner inside the window at 26 West, where zoe's resale shop once was, screams out in big red script "Bakery Coming Soon."

Besides Knead, the former Great Harvest and Corner Bakery, La Grange hasn't had a traditional bakery in nearly a decade. .