FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Jeffrey Ward
Public Relations and Marketing
jward@cenitare.com, 847-325-6515
CENITARE RESTAURANTS
OPENS OSTERIA DI TRAMONTO
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2006
Cenitare (Latin for 'to dine often'), a new restaurant management and development company led by culinary duo executive chef Rick Tramonto and executive pastry chef Gale Gand, announce the Thursday, October 12 opening of Osteria di Tramonto in The Westin Chicago North Shore, located at 601 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling, IL.
Osteria di Tramonto is a contemporary Italian-inspired restaurant serving ala carte breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Designed by Johnson Studios of Atlanta, the design team that worked with Tramonto and Gand on their world-renowned restaurant Tru in Chicago, Osteria di Tramonto blends the rusticity of the Tuscan countryside with the sleekness of Milan, seating 250guests and featuring exposed brick work, a subway-tiled wood-burning oven, palazzo-inspired columns, a two-story10,000-bottle temperature and humidity-controlled glass enclosed wine wall and an open kitchen where a view will be offered of the chefs orchestrating their team. The main dining room is highlighted by red velvet draperies, brown leather chairs and beautiful wooden tables.
Osteria di Tramonto's menu showcases the best of Italy's regional cuisines, featuring the fresh, ingredient-driven dishes that define Italian cooking. Breakfast will feature both traditional American breakfast items as well as old-world specialties, breakfast panini and a line of breakfast pastries from Gale's Coffee Bar, also located in the hotel. Lunch includes vibrant selections of antipasti, soups, salads, panini and hamburgers. The Chef's Salumi and Formaggio Selection (also available at dinner) allows guests to create their own board with more than twenty varieties of Italian cheeses, meats and vegetable accoutrements. Pizza from the wood-burning oven, pastas and classic Italian entrees will round out the menu. Dinner expands upon this format to include several 'crudo' (raw Italian-style fish preparations), bruschetta and crostini, and antipasti. Dinner entrées include fish dishes, pork and lamb dishes, traditional Italian chicken presentations, beef options and veal presentations. A repertoire of house-made desserts range from traditional to more adventurous, including Chocolate Tartufo (a chocolate ice cream truffle served in a parfait glass with a unique surprise at the bottom). Granita and gelato will also be available. Osteria di Tramonto serves Illy Coffee and Illy specialty coffee drinks, as well as an assortment of fine teas.
The extensive Italian wine program, developed and overseen by corporate director of wine and spirits Belinda Chang, will showcase a diverse selection from all regions of Italy. The 700-selection list is broken into two halves: a 'right-brained' section, allows guests to choose from an ever-evolving selection of boutique specialties chosen weekly, whereas the 'left-brained' section is broken into the traditional organizations of geography and progression of wines from sparkling, white, red and dessert. All wines will be served in Riedel glassware. An Italian cocktail list will feature Bellinis, Bellisimos and a Mojo Italiano, made with 10 Cane rum, fresh lime, mint leaves, sliced strawberries and kiwi ice cubes. A variety of beers and spirits will be offered as well.
Private dining will be available beginning Thanksgiving Day, November 23 in an area of the restaurant known as the Piazza del Vino (accommodating up to 32 seated guests and 45 guest reception style), offering private dining services, dinner parties and receptions. Although open to the restaurant, both spaces will feature velvet curtains that can be drawn should guests wish more privacy.
Osteria di Tramonto is a division of Cenitare Restaurants, LLC, a restaurant development and management company directed by chefs Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand A breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant showcasing Italian-inspired specialties like platters of antipasti, bruschetta, crudos, wood-oven baked pizzas, traditional preparations such as Chicken Cacciatore and Veal Saltimbocca and new twists on the classics like Braised Monk Fish Osso Bucco, the all-Italian wine list complements the cuisine. Osteria di Tramonto is located in The Westin Chicago North Shore hotel at 601 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling, IL, 60090 and is open for breakfast daily from 6 to 11 a.m.; lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; dinner Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m. Call 847-777-6570 for additional information and reservations, or visit www.cenitare.com.