BETWEEN Café & Lounge, Wicker Park

[leahiu2000]

Below is the official press release for my friends' new place- the food is great- flavors are exotic and fun. great place for groups- fringe drapes enclose the velvet couches and make cozy, private spots to kick back. Open til 2am- Food served til midnight. BYOB until the opening on July 13th. -Leah

Comfort Cuisine Goes Global

BETWEEN Café & Lounge to Open in Wicker Park

CHICAGO -- New Wicker Park boutique café and lounge, BETWEEN serves up a new twist on comfort food with a side of romance. BETWEEN is proud to announce its grand opening on July 13, 2007 giving Chicagoans a new concept in dining, exploring a global twist on all time favorites.

Chef Radhika “Rad” Desai, one of the youngest female chefs of Eastern Indian descent, uses the boutique plate (or small plate) idea to experiment with rich, exotic foods and flavors. Because BETWEEN is a sharing concept, guest can taste a variety of the foods without being overwhelmed in a single dining experience. Chicago ’s first alcoholic bubble teas will also be offered to cure the libation desires of patrons.

Chef Desai, formerly of Vermillion prides herself on thoughtful and creative cuisine. “I pull from all of the things I’ve learned and seen throughout my life. I want the food to make people happy…for them to have a bite, smile and think ‘wow, this tastes amazing, I want more',’” Desai states. Her goal to make approachable and seductive food with flare and ingenuity is exemplified in BETWEEN’s night menu including such dishes as:

Spicy Mantou Burgers – Two spiced sharing burgers on steamed boa bread, camembert cheese, romaine and tomato mustard jam with Moroccan fries.

Lobster Trifecta – Lobster and crispy potato roll with mango rice and chive and mango cardamom vinaigrette; curried lobster bisque and lobster, wild mushroom risotto cakes with black pepper truffle aioli.

Vegetable Torta – Fluffy baked savory egg custard with spinach, wild mushrooms and a variety of cheese and served with a parmesan brioche.

Upon entering the restaurant, guests are transported to an environment that is romantic and lush, resembling the richness of a chocolate dipped strawberry. The deep red interior envelops guests into the elegant, yet lively atmosphere. The light fixtures are wonderfully unpredictable and silver accents and bar add a touch for modern sleekness. From the ambiance to the menu to the patrons, BETWEEN exudes thoughtfulness, playfulness and sensuality.

“It’s romantic and it’s swank,” says co-owner Carl Anderson. “The menu is mostly American-eclectic cuisine with a South Asian aura. It’s a small plate concept so guests are encouraged to share with each other.” Anderson , along with co-owner wife Lulu, have a strong reputation in the Chicago hospitality industry, most recently co-owning Wicker Park sushi bar Usagi Ya. Upon choosing the location, Anderson says “we love Wicker Park and we wanted to be a part of the thriving community, yet cultivate the ‘other’ end of Milwaukee Avenue .”

BETWEEN is located at 1324 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Dinner is served nightly 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., Saturdays 4 p.m. – 3 a.m. closed Mondays. For reservations, please contact the restaurant directly at (773)292 - 0585.