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JANUARY 2018
BOOTH ONE AND THE MELMAN MYSTIQUE
Photos: Christina Slaton
AROUND CHICAGO: NICK’S PIZZA .......................... 39 CHEF PROFILES ..................................... 18, 25, 40 CHICAGOLAND NEWS .......................................... 8 CLASSIFIEDS ............................................. 36-38 DINING WITH MS. X ......................................... 46 DIRECTORY ............................................... 33-35 NATIONAL NEWS ............................................. 19 PEOPLE SELLING THE INDUSTRY .......................... 45 TRAVEL: BOYNE MOUNTAIN ................................ 41
Businessman, Showman, Melman: How A Legend Keeps Rollng
“Lettuce Entertain You started because of ideas. We are a group of entrepreneurs who work under one umbrella and it’s our culture of caring that bonds us; caring about the food, the service, our people and our guests.” - Richard Melman, Founder & Chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Lettuce opened on Earth Day, June 10, 1971 with the opening of RJ Grunt’s in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. R.J. Grunts opened in Lincoln Park on June 10, 1971 and soon became one of the hottest restaurants in Chicago and then the nation. lt was unprecedented in its day and is still considered a forerunner in the trend towards dining out as entertainment. Continues on page 24
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Booth One, 1301 N. State Parkway, is a classic Chicago restaurant reinvented by the Lettuce Entertain You team of partners Molly Melman, Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky, Doug Psaltis and Rich Melman recently opened at the Ambassador Chicago in the Gold Coast. The restaurant is being reintroduced into one of the most storied dining spaces in the history of Chicago. “The first time we owned the space, we had five restaurants,” says Rich Melman. “I didn’t know what I was doing; I would read a book about service one night and come back the next day and teach what I learned. Coming back into the space today, knowing what I know now, I really feel we have a chance to do it better than ever.” How it’s lookin? Booth One, though iconic, has been updated to feel youthful and social. The restaurant seats approximately 225 guests
and has more than a half dozen different private dining spaces. The design is simple yet elegant with sophisticated neutral tones of cream and pops of gold, giving the space a dreamy, mystical feel. The modern elegance of Booth One serves as a chic back-drop for the “wow” food presentations, entertainment and see-and-be-seen guests. The lighting of Booth One feels approachable and comfortable for an all-day restaurant, with white drapery and natural light that makes the space feel inviting. One of the most notable changes is the bar area with lounge seating and hightop tables perfect for an after-dinner glass of champagne, a cocktail or dessert. The team took great care in the acoustics of the space, ensuring that while it’s a lively, social restaurant, guests will always be able to hear friends and family at the table. Continues on page 42
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