Expansion is the name of the game at Fresh Starts, which opened as a gourmet food shop in a storefront across from Flossmoor`s commuter station six years ago.
Owners Tom Foertsch, Joann Lindholm and Jeanne McInerney thought the station`s location in upscale Flossmoor was the perfect place for a cappucino bar and quality carryout to complement their wholesale bakery business.
Customers soon mentioned they`d like to be able to eat right there in the store, so the trio added a dining section.
”At first we didn`t even have menus. People just ordered their lunch from our refrigerator case,” said Lindholm. ”They sat at the coffee bar or at one of the tables.”
The success of the ”lunch on the premises” approach made the owners decide to add dinners to their list of accomplishments.
”Dinner is the main focus of our present operation,” said Foertsch.
”Chef Paul Dansu, who joined us 18 months ago, brought a new approach to our dinner menu. We specialize in fresh fish and pasta now, but of course we also offer chicken, veal, beef and pork entrees; everything is cooked to order.”
Prices range from $8.95 for pasta to $17.75 for stuffed quail, the latter a recent addition; potato and vegetable accompany entrees other than pasta. Popular lunch items are soup ($2.75), garden pizza ($3.50) and Pasta Santa Fe, a combination of angel hair pasta, shrimp, spicy pico de gallo, avocado and black olives ($6.50).
Food is served in pleasant surroundings done in Southwestern colors-peach, dark green and burgundy. Noontime dining is casual; in the evening, fabric napkins and tablecloths provide an elegant effect.
Fresh Starts hasn`t forgotten the commuters who made it a success six years ago. Open at 7 a.m., it offers a continental breakfast-juice, muffins or scones and coffee-served fresh and fast.
”Our dining room seats 40,” said Foertsch. ”We plan to add to it this year.”
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Fresh Starts, 1040 Sterling, Flossmoor, is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 708-957-7900.
