Two restaurants are a step closer to opening in Deerfield, though final approval of the two eateries by the Village Board of Trustees will likely not come until December, according to Assistant Village Manager Andrew Lichterman.
The restaurants are expected to be part of a new three-tenant building near the southwest corner of Waukegan and Deerfield roads, planned to replace the structure once occupied by Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, according to Chris Siavelis, senior vice president of CRM Properties Group, which is managing the project.
The board unanimously approved a report from the Plan Commission recommending the concept for the building and overturned all but one element of a denial by the Appearance Review Commission for the building’s design during an Oct. 16 meeting.
Voting on final approval of special use permits for Bartaco and Café Zupas restaurants will not come until December, according to Lichterman.
The board will consider a report from both the Plan and Appearance Review commissions on Nov. 20 to review the specific requirements of those two eateries, according to Lichterman.
Before that, Lichterman said the board will give first consideration to an ordinance allowing CRM to erect the building on Nov. 6.
Bartaco is a full-service, Mexican concept restaurant, while Café Zupas serves soups, salads and sandwiches, according to Siavelis. He said this Bartaco will be the first in Illinois.
Bartaco’s website describes it as “upscale street food with a coastal vibe” that draws inspiration from “the beach culture of Brazil, Uruguay and Southern California.”
It serves tacos with an assortment of fillings, including tempura shrimp, sesame ribeye and pork belly, as well as pork tamales, fried plantains and ceviche, according to the website.
“We’re excited to be here in Deerfield,” Mark Blair, Bartaco’s vice president of design and creative services, said. “It’s a great community and a great opportunity. We’re excited for our brand to be able to come here and present a new face to the Deerfield community.”
Café Zupas prepares its meals from fresh ingredients, with selections including garden chowder soup, strawberry harvest chicken salad, Cuban grilled pork sandwich and a Thai coconut tofu bowl, according to its website.
During the Oct. 16 meeting, Siavelis and Blair had to persuade the board to overrule the rejection of the building’s design by the Appearance Review Commission, which did not like the proposal to paint the brick white, its sidewalk width or removal of two trees.
The ARC did not believe a white painted brick building would fit in Deerfield.
“The branding of Bartaco, we’re told, is a rustic beach shack,” Lisa Dunn, the ARC chairperson, said. “I haven’t seen any rustic beach shacks in Deerfield. There’s a coastal vibe. How can that fit in with downtown Deerfield?”
Painting the brick white is something Bartaco requested of Deerfield Square ownership, according to Siavelis. Blair said the facade is a commitment the company has made.
“We think a white brick shell is going to be warm and inviting,” Blair said. “We are open and accepting through our design. It’s a key element. It brings a fresh breath to the Shops at Deerfield Square. There’s going to be character there.”
Once the restaurants receive final approval for their special use permits, Siavelis said it will take approximately eight months to finish construction of the building, and then between 90 and 120 days to complete the restaurant interiors. He said no tenant has signed yet for the space between the two eateries.
Steve Sadin is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
