ComEd has improved electric service to dozens if not hundreds of business and residential customers in La Grange Park.
The electrical utility completed work earlier this year along 31st Street by investing $2 million to upgrade distribution lines.
The work will benefit most area residents by providing additional backup options when electrical loads must be shifted to quickly restore customers during storms and other outages.
Since 2001, ComEd has invested more than $5 billion to expand and upgrade its transmission and distribution systems, according to the company.
This has resulted in a 39 percent reduction in the frequency of customer interruptions.
The company performs regular maintenance work to ensure reliable delivery such as vegetation maintenance to free electrical lines from interference.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
JOB SEARCH HELP OFFERED AT CHURCH
A job support group and a six-week series of workshops to assist and support people facing a difficult employment marketplace will be offered by First Presbyterian Church of La Grange from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays beginning June 16.
The workshops at the church, 150 S.Ashland Ave., are free and open to all. They will cover such topics as resume writing, networking and interviewing techniques.
Further information is available by calling (708) 354-0771 or visiting http://www.fpclg.org/.
The workshops at the church, 150 S.Ashland Ave., are free and open to all. They will cover such topics as resume writing, networking and interviewing techniques.
Further information is available by calling (708) 354-0771 or visiting http://www.fpclg.org/.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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. .
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. .
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT UPDATE: CAFE 36, LA PINTA OUT; MAMBO ROOM IN
Looking into the dining room at Cafe 36, 22 Calendar Ave., in downtown La Grange did not provide very good views in recent months, as the economy turned on its ear and owner Terry Gilmer struggled to keep the American bistro afloat following its apparently ill-fated appearance on "Kitchen Nightmares" -- internationally known chef Gordon Ramsay's cable television program targeting restaurants in need of drastic change.
Although the production kept a handful of regulars streaming through the doors from time to time, most typically busy nights saw more traffic across the street at Aurelio's, a tasty pizza restaurant and bar that has generated more business of late than, say, Blueberry Hill pancake house on weekend mornings.
It seems Cafe 36 -- which closed its doors after its licenses were suspiciously not renewed at Village Hall a few weeks ago -- never regained the reputation it held from upscale foodies once attracted to former owner Reinhard Barthel's more gamey and exotic cuisine.
But nearby La Pinta (25 Calendar) is also closed and under reconstruction, in a move to change its colors again -- to the Mambo Room Bar & Grill and NOT the popular River North eatery Mambo Grill & Lounge as has been rumored.
Not that would be delectable, to say the least, but with its world renowned selection of rums and tequilas and festive Latino-flavored fare -- and the fact it's been Zagat-rated (just as Cafe 36 once was on a routine basis) from years 2002 through 2006.
But nothing could be further from the truth and, it seems, the rumor mill is just that -- and that comes right from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
In a May 20 interview, Chicago's Mambo owner Susan Frasca said it's not her restaurant that's coming to La Grange.
Frasca, who has owned Mambo Grill for the past 11 years and is in the process of relocating it from 412 N. Clark St., where the lease ran out after it outgrew its digs, to 410 N. Wells, called it
"very complimentary," however, that people might think it's her place.
Rather, the Mambo ROOM is opening in place of La Pinta -- as soon as the end of May -- and will be offering some of the same fare as the original tapas restaurant that opened there a couple years ago -- once dubbed "a fusion of continents and colors," a blend of Spanish and Latin American cuisine traced to a region of the world that once existed on a diet of corn, tropical fruit and seafood.
We can't wait to see how things have changed.
No word specifically why Cafe 36 closed, but finding a replacement may be difficult as the space is owned and not rented by its owners. Attempts to reach the place fell on deaf ears; the contact number was disconnected.
One good thing is that the authentic Thai cuisine restaurant Thipi Thai remains strong and is not leaving -- and we like that. (Thipi Thai is owned by the same family as the Mambo Room)
Meanwhile, business appears to be booming at Francesca's, which just opened in the former Via Bella space next to the La Grange Pointe senior living development -- which, by the way, has still yet to attract any shops to its long-vacant new retail space.
Marconi's Ristorante on Calendar also is finding popularity with its price fixe menu: offering patrons any appetizer, entree and dessert of their choice for just 25 bucks apiece.
However, people also seem to be enjoying the new Applewood Smokehouse on Burlington as well, as well as one of our favorites (the longest existing Italian restaurant near downtown), Antonino's on West Hillgrove Avenue near the Stone Avenue station.
For those unfamiliar with the terrain in La Grange, here's a quick primer: for Italian, there's also Lucca on Burlington; for Mexican, there's Santiago's on La Grange; for British, there's Chequers on Burlington and for Asian, there's Sushi House on Calendar.
Coffee? We recommend Caribou, but there's also Starbucks and Seattle's Best (inside Borders) on La Grange, as well as a cheaper cup at Cafe Calbay on Burlington. Although Kilwin's has left the scene, there's still Cold Stone next to the revamped La Grange Theatre and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (between Thipi Thai and another outdoor summer favorite, Palmer Place Restaurant & Bier Garten) also on La Grange.
Stay tuned for more.
Although the production kept a handful of regulars streaming through the doors from time to time, most typically busy nights saw more traffic across the street at Aurelio's, a tasty pizza restaurant and bar that has generated more business of late than, say, Blueberry Hill pancake house on weekend mornings.
It seems Cafe 36 -- which closed its doors after its licenses were suspiciously not renewed at Village Hall a few weeks ago -- never regained the reputation it held from upscale foodies once attracted to former owner Reinhard Barthel's more gamey and exotic cuisine.
But nearby La Pinta (25 Calendar) is also closed and under reconstruction, in a move to change its colors again -- to the Mambo Room Bar & Grill and NOT the popular River North eatery Mambo Grill & Lounge as has been rumored.
Not that would be delectable, to say the least, but with its world renowned selection of rums and tequilas and festive Latino-flavored fare -- and the fact it's been Zagat-rated (just as Cafe 36 once was on a routine basis) from years 2002 through 2006.
But nothing could be further from the truth and, it seems, the rumor mill is just that -- and that comes right from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
In a May 20 interview, Chicago's Mambo owner Susan Frasca said it's not her restaurant that's coming to La Grange.
Frasca, who has owned Mambo Grill for the past 11 years and is in the process of relocating it from 412 N. Clark St., where the lease ran out after it outgrew its digs, to 410 N. Wells, called it
"very complimentary," however, that people might think it's her place.
Rather, the Mambo ROOM is opening in place of La Pinta -- as soon as the end of May -- and will be offering some of the same fare as the original tapas restaurant that opened there a couple years ago -- once dubbed "a fusion of continents and colors," a blend of Spanish and Latin American cuisine traced to a region of the world that once existed on a diet of corn, tropical fruit and seafood.
We can't wait to see how things have changed.
No word specifically why Cafe 36 closed, but finding a replacement may be difficult as the space is owned and not rented by its owners. Attempts to reach the place fell on deaf ears; the contact number was disconnected.
One good thing is that the authentic Thai cuisine restaurant Thipi Thai remains strong and is not leaving -- and we like that. (Thipi Thai is owned by the same family as the Mambo Room)
Meanwhile, business appears to be booming at Francesca's, which just opened in the former Via Bella space next to the La Grange Pointe senior living development -- which, by the way, has still yet to attract any shops to its long-vacant new retail space.
Marconi's Ristorante on Calendar also is finding popularity with its price fixe menu: offering patrons any appetizer, entree and dessert of their choice for just 25 bucks apiece.
However, people also seem to be enjoying the new Applewood Smokehouse on Burlington as well, as well as one of our favorites (the longest existing Italian restaurant near downtown), Antonino's on West Hillgrove Avenue near the Stone Avenue station.
For those unfamiliar with the terrain in La Grange, here's a quick primer: for Italian, there's also Lucca on Burlington; for Mexican, there's Santiago's on La Grange; for British, there's Chequers on Burlington and for Asian, there's Sushi House on Calendar.
Coffee? We recommend Caribou, but there's also Starbucks and Seattle's Best (inside Borders) on La Grange, as well as a cheaper cup at Cafe Calbay on Burlington. Although Kilwin's has left the scene, there's still Cold Stone next to the revamped La Grange Theatre and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (between Thipi Thai and another outdoor summer favorite, Palmer Place Restaurant & Bier Garten) also on La Grange.
Stay tuned for more.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
GETTING YOUR IRISH UP
When it's tough to navigate through a standing-room-only crowd in the back tent of Palmer Place Restaurant & Bier Garten in downtown La Grange three days before St. Patrick's Day, you know the owners are having another good go at it.
Although the bands had stopped playing for the night when we arrived on opening night --March 14 -- the beer was still flowing and the outdoor crowd was estimated at about 200.
Not much different than previous years, but it's still hard to believe the Palmer Family: Mom Ruth and sons Steve and Phil have been going strong for the past 26 years. Heck, I wasn't even drinking age yet.
Although the Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band kicked off the festivities this evening, we're predicting the real fun will happen the next two days.
The Shannon Rovers return for a repeat performance at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, to be followed a half hour later with the sounds of The Spirits featuring none other than Father Mike Shanahan, former associate pastor from La Grange's own St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He and his band will be joined by Father John Hoffman and other clergy at the church -- who will be on hand all evening serving as food servers and bus runners, reports Steve Palmer.
"We're doing a (fund-raiser) thing with St. Francis Xavier in which 20 percent of our food sales will go toward the St. Vincent de Paul Society -- a Catholic service organization near and dear to our hearts because our the late mother of our News Editor, Jim Pluta, was orphaned at a young age when her parents died within three months of each other in the winter of '43 and lived in an orphanage in Fort Wayne, Indiana operated by the St. Vincent de Paul order.
With a motto that suggests "no act of charity is foreign to the Society, St. Vincent de Paul is a nonprofit organization that provides direct assistance to anyone suffering or in need. It offers a lifeline to those in want of food and clothing, rent assistance, medical aid, help with addiction or incarceration, employment and shelter.
Besides offering more than 35 beers on tap and a couple hundred foreign and domestic bottled beer, wine and mixed drinks and a complete menu fit for the whole family, the restaurant has a few specialties this time of year.
Try their signature corned beef and cabbage dinner with a pint of bottle of Irish beer and you can't go wrong. There's also a kid's menu and wonderful milk shakes. And yes, there's green beer.
"We serve a good pint of Guiness," says Steve, who estimates the well-known establishment sells some 1,000 pounds of corned beef on St. Patrick's Day alone.
Entertainment on Tuesday, March 17 includes The Plough Boys at noon and who could forget Those Funny Little People at 4 p.m., followed by David Scott Crawford on piano and a sing-along at 6 p.m. The 'world famous' Shannon Rovers return at 6:30 p.m. and the band South of 80 concludes the night with a concert that kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
There is no cover, prizes will be awarded, families are welcome all day long (the place stays open 'til midnight Monday and Tuesday) and both outdoor tents are heated.
If you're lucky, you might meet a new Irish lass or laddie to spend future St. Paddy's Days with and/or to take to this season's Cubs games with a night cap at Palmers on your way home.
Either way, you will be back (even if just to meet Jimmy at the bar, usually donning an Irish cap and sweater, spinning yarns about the lore of St. Patrick -- whom many do not know was born a Scot).
Although the bands had stopped playing for the night when we arrived on opening night --March 14 -- the beer was still flowing and the outdoor crowd was estimated at about 200.
Not much different than previous years, but it's still hard to believe the Palmer Family: Mom Ruth and sons Steve and Phil have been going strong for the past 26 years. Heck, I wasn't even drinking age yet.
Although the Shannon Rovers Bagpipe Band kicked off the festivities this evening, we're predicting the real fun will happen the next two days.
The Shannon Rovers return for a repeat performance at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, to be followed a half hour later with the sounds of The Spirits featuring none other than Father Mike Shanahan, former associate pastor from La Grange's own St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He and his band will be joined by Father John Hoffman and other clergy at the church -- who will be on hand all evening serving as food servers and bus runners, reports Steve Palmer.
"We're doing a (fund-raiser) thing with St. Francis Xavier in which 20 percent of our food sales will go toward the St. Vincent de Paul Society -- a Catholic service organization near and dear to our hearts because our the late mother of our News Editor, Jim Pluta, was orphaned at a young age when her parents died within three months of each other in the winter of '43 and lived in an orphanage in Fort Wayne, Indiana operated by the St. Vincent de Paul order.
With a motto that suggests "no act of charity is foreign to the Society, St. Vincent de Paul is a nonprofit organization that provides direct assistance to anyone suffering or in need. It offers a lifeline to those in want of food and clothing, rent assistance, medical aid, help with addiction or incarceration, employment and shelter.
Besides offering more than 35 beers on tap and a couple hundred foreign and domestic bottled beer, wine and mixed drinks and a complete menu fit for the whole family, the restaurant has a few specialties this time of year.
Try their signature corned beef and cabbage dinner with a pint of bottle of Irish beer and you can't go wrong. There's also a kid's menu and wonderful milk shakes. And yes, there's green beer.
"We serve a good pint of Guiness," says Steve, who estimates the well-known establishment sells some 1,000 pounds of corned beef on St. Patrick's Day alone.
Entertainment on Tuesday, March 17 includes The Plough Boys at noon and who could forget Those Funny Little People at 4 p.m., followed by David Scott Crawford on piano and a sing-along at 6 p.m. The 'world famous' Shannon Rovers return at 6:30 p.m. and the band South of 80 concludes the night with a concert that kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
There is no cover, prizes will be awarded, families are welcome all day long (the place stays open 'til midnight Monday and Tuesday) and both outdoor tents are heated.
If you're lucky, you might meet a new Irish lass or laddie to spend future St. Paddy's Days with and/or to take to this season's Cubs games with a night cap at Palmers on your way home.
Either way, you will be back (even if just to meet Jimmy at the bar, usually donning an Irish cap and sweater, spinning yarns about the lore of St. Patrick -- whom many do not know was born a Scot).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
CAFE 36 HOSTS VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER
Hearts melt over Café 36
Valentine’s Day Dinner
Classic oysters Rockefeller,
Coconut shrimp trio with
tangy chipotle mayonnaise
and mango salsa ...
'And that's just the appetizer'
Jorge Flores
executive chef
By Deanna C. White
Looking for a truly, swoon-worthy dining experience this Valentine’s Day?
The newly revitalized Café 36 in downtown La Grange will offer a feast to tantalize all senses Saturday, February 14, when it pairs a menu of rich culinary delights made famous by internationally-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay with the lush, jazz tones of legendary saxophonist David Schumacher.
“Valentine’s Day is a day when people truly want to go out and celebrate,” said Café 36 owner Terry Gilmer. “So we picked a menu featuring some classic dishes like oysters and surf-and- turf, and will serve them in an intimate atmosphere with candlelight and soft jazz music.”
The contemporary American bistro has been packing in huge crowds since it made its national television debut this January when multi-Star Michelin Chef Ramsay transformed the restaurant, and the menu, on his culinary makeover show “Kitchen Nightmares.”
New Executive Chef Jorge Flores will present dishes designed by Ramsay for the special Valentine’s Day menu.
Appetizers include the classic oysters Rockefeller, and a coconut shrimp trio with tangy chipotle mayonnaise and mango salsa.
Some of the amour- inspiring entrees include twin lobster tails, slow-roasted prime rib of beef, shrimp linguini and filet mignon, while the luxurious dessert menu showcases chocolate mousse, chocolate covered strawberries, New York style cheesecake, and a tribute to old-school romance: a sundae built for two.
“I guarantee every customer will leave with a smile on their face and a song in their heart,” Flores said.
An acclaimed jazz saxophonist, Schumacher will provide the perfect accompaniment to Flores’ dishes.
A Chicago native who has been active in the New York music scene for more than 25 years, Schumacher is an original member of the Harry Connick Jr. orchestra.
He has also recorded with such jazz greats as Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Scott Whitfield and Ben Wolfe.
Schumacher will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.
Reservations for the Café 36 Valentine’s Day dinner are still available, and strongly recommended. To make a reservation call 708.354.5722.
For more information, and a complete menu listing, visit http://www.cafe36.com/ or log on to Facebook under Café 36.
Upcoming special events at Café 36 include a Fat Tuesday celebration on Tuesday, February 24, and a St. Patrick’s Day party Saturday, March 14, with live music and a traditional Irish menu featuring corned beef and cabbage, stew and salmon.
Café 36 is located in downtown La Grange (just south of Ogden Avenue and just west of La Grange Road/Route 45) at 22 Calendar Avenue.
The bistro features, steaks, chops, pastas and fresh fish and is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.
Valentine’s Day Dinner
Classic oysters Rockefeller,
Coconut shrimp trio with
tangy chipotle mayonnaise
and mango salsa ...
'And that's just the appetizer'
Jorge Flores
executive chef
By Deanna C. White
Looking for a truly, swoon-worthy dining experience this Valentine’s Day?
The newly revitalized Café 36 in downtown La Grange will offer a feast to tantalize all senses Saturday, February 14, when it pairs a menu of rich culinary delights made famous by internationally-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay with the lush, jazz tones of legendary saxophonist David Schumacher.
“Valentine’s Day is a day when people truly want to go out and celebrate,” said Café 36 owner Terry Gilmer. “So we picked a menu featuring some classic dishes like oysters and surf-and- turf, and will serve them in an intimate atmosphere with candlelight and soft jazz music.”
The contemporary American bistro has been packing in huge crowds since it made its national television debut this January when multi-Star Michelin Chef Ramsay transformed the restaurant, and the menu, on his culinary makeover show “Kitchen Nightmares.”
New Executive Chef Jorge Flores will present dishes designed by Ramsay for the special Valentine’s Day menu.
Appetizers include the classic oysters Rockefeller, and a coconut shrimp trio with tangy chipotle mayonnaise and mango salsa.
Some of the amour- inspiring entrees include twin lobster tails, slow-roasted prime rib of beef, shrimp linguini and filet mignon, while the luxurious dessert menu showcases chocolate mousse, chocolate covered strawberries, New York style cheesecake, and a tribute to old-school romance: a sundae built for two.
“I guarantee every customer will leave with a smile on their face and a song in their heart,” Flores said.
An acclaimed jazz saxophonist, Schumacher will provide the perfect accompaniment to Flores’ dishes.
A Chicago native who has been active in the New York music scene for more than 25 years, Schumacher is an original member of the Harry Connick Jr. orchestra.
He has also recorded with such jazz greats as Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Scott Whitfield and Ben Wolfe.
Schumacher will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.
Reservations for the Café 36 Valentine’s Day dinner are still available, and strongly recommended. To make a reservation call 708.354.5722.
For more information, and a complete menu listing, visit http://www.cafe36.com/ or log on to Facebook under Café 36.
Upcoming special events at Café 36 include a Fat Tuesday celebration on Tuesday, February 24, and a St. Patrick’s Day party Saturday, March 14, with live music and a traditional Irish menu featuring corned beef and cabbage, stew and salmon.
Café 36 is located in downtown La Grange (just south of Ogden Avenue and just west of La Grange Road/Route 45) at 22 Calendar Avenue.
The bistro features, steaks, chops, pastas and fresh fish and is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
REVAMPED CAFE 36 SPORTS MAKEOVER
About 40 longtime friends and colleagues, members of the news media and neighboring business owners braved the frigid temps Thursday night to attend a viewing party of Fox-TV's popular "Kitchen Nightmares" restaurant makeover show starring renowned chef Gordon Ramsay -- and featuring last year's revitalization of Terry and Carol Gilmer's French/American bistro, Cafe 36.
As the Gilmers intently watched the constructively critical show that caused a self-proclaimed welcome turnaround to the dream they made into reality by taking over the place just over three years ago, their kitchen and floor staff, best friends and colleagues enjoyed wine and appetizers as they anxiously awaited how the program would be received.
"The phones were ringing off the hook," said nearby family restaurateur Steve Palmer of Palmer Place Restaurant and Bier Garten on La Grange Road, immediately following the show, from his seat closest to the kitchen. "Way to go, Terry!"
During the show, the Gilmers were more than frank with Ramsay about their relative lack of experience in dealing with kitchen staff, food preparation, even marketing themselves and attracting new customers to the already established business formerly owned and operated for more than a decade by Reinhard Barthel Sr.
"We went from not knowing our --- from a hole in the ground from knowing our --- from a hole in the ground," said Carol after the show, who combined her experience in banking with her husband's career managing country clubs when they took over the place in late 2005.
Terry Gilmer, who fired a chef who was literally grilled by Ramsay during his fall 2008 visit to the restaurant (during which time the globally popular chef gave Cafe 36 an overnight makeover that brightened up the interior, redesigned the menu, the kitchen layout and the food handling and deployed a unique method of replacing all their dinnerware ... in the Police Department's gun range, no less), admitted if he were to do it all over again, he'd have changed the name.
(Oddly enough, while Cafe 36 sounds tony and a bit unique, the name actually was derived from the location at which Barthel's predecessor first opened: at 36 South La Grange Road, now the home of Bella Bacino's Trattoria-Pizzeria, where he also had an interest. That was before Barthel prior owner moved the place after buying into to a retail condo storefront on Calendar Court that was formerly housed by a locally popular clothing store.)
By this past weekend, restaurant spokesman Chris Comes of Chicago-based Ripson Communications said the national broadcast exposure spurred "a tremendous surge of customers" to pay a visit, call the staff and owners -- and/or log on to the company website, www.cafe36.com, which went into virtual overdrive.
"We had thousands of unique visitors on the website," said Comes, noting the response came from all over the United States and even Canada.
The Gilmers reported hearing from new and old friends and dozens of potential customers from as far away as Phoenix and Houston, from New York to Los Angeles -- urging them on and wishing them success -- some even promising to include the new and improved restaurant in the itinerary of their next trip to Chicago.
Watch this space Monday for a more comprehensive story about the attention showered on La Grange and one of its hot new eateries.
As the Gilmers intently watched the constructively critical show that caused a self-proclaimed welcome turnaround to the dream they made into reality by taking over the place just over three years ago, their kitchen and floor staff, best friends and colleagues enjoyed wine and appetizers as they anxiously awaited how the program would be received.
"The phones were ringing off the hook," said nearby family restaurateur Steve Palmer of Palmer Place Restaurant and Bier Garten on La Grange Road, immediately following the show, from his seat closest to the kitchen. "Way to go, Terry!"
During the show, the Gilmers were more than frank with Ramsay about their relative lack of experience in dealing with kitchen staff, food preparation, even marketing themselves and attracting new customers to the already established business formerly owned and operated for more than a decade by Reinhard Barthel Sr.
"We went from not knowing our --- from a hole in the ground from knowing our --- from a hole in the ground," said Carol after the show, who combined her experience in banking with her husband's career managing country clubs when they took over the place in late 2005.
Terry Gilmer, who fired a chef who was literally grilled by Ramsay during his fall 2008 visit to the restaurant (during which time the globally popular chef gave Cafe 36 an overnight makeover that brightened up the interior, redesigned the menu, the kitchen layout and the food handling and deployed a unique method of replacing all their dinnerware ... in the Police Department's gun range, no less), admitted if he were to do it all over again, he'd have changed the name.
(Oddly enough, while Cafe 36 sounds tony and a bit unique, the name actually was derived from the location at which Barthel's predecessor first opened: at 36 South La Grange Road, now the home of Bella Bacino's Trattoria-Pizzeria, where he also had an interest. That was before Barthel prior owner moved the place after buying into to a retail condo storefront on Calendar Court that was formerly housed by a locally popular clothing store.)
By this past weekend, restaurant spokesman Chris Comes of Chicago-based Ripson Communications said the national broadcast exposure spurred "a tremendous surge of customers" to pay a visit, call the staff and owners -- and/or log on to the company website, www.cafe36.com, which went into virtual overdrive.
"We had thousands of unique visitors on the website," said Comes, noting the response came from all over the United States and even Canada.
The Gilmers reported hearing from new and old friends and dozens of potential customers from as far away as Phoenix and Houston, from New York to Los Angeles -- urging them on and wishing them success -- some even promising to include the new and improved restaurant in the itinerary of their next trip to Chicago.
Watch this space Monday for a more comprehensive story about the attention showered on La Grange and one of its hot new eateries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)