New Highwood Steak House PM Prime Grand Opening Set for July 11

CHICAGO - July 3, 2014 - PRLog -- The highly anticipated PM Prime will have its grand opening on Friday, July 11 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Lake Forest resident Steve Platcow, CEO of RPM Advertising in Chicago, has spent the last decade championing the fine dining experiences found at Caesars Palace, Horseshoe and Harrah’s nationwide.   Platcow has assembled a culinary dream team to help him fulfill his mission of bringing a great steakhouse to the North Shore.  James Beard award-nominated chef Dominic Zumpano is creating a menu that has some steak house classics, and also some creative interpretations.  Robert B. Bansberg, award-winning sommelier and wine educator, will serve as General Manager/Sommelier.

When Platcow learned that Gabriel’s legendary restaurant in Highwood was for sale, he immediately knew that he wanted to get involved.   For so many North Shore residents, Gabriel’s had always been an important dining choice to commemorate milestone occasions or just enjoy a special night out with the family.   Platcow, along with his wife Janet and their two children have had many great family moments there.   Platcow plans to pay tribute to Gabriel’s, while creating a modern twist on the classic steakhouse.

According to Platcow, “There will be something for everyone on the menu along with a selection of the world’s finest wines.   It will be foodie friendly but will also be THE place to go if you are a steak aficionado.   We are creating a downtown experience for North Shore residents, and we feel we have all the elements in place to make that happen.”

The menu includes popular steakhouse favorites such as the filet mignon and New York strip, but it also has some more unusual cuts such as the wagyu hanger steak.  PM Prime will feature the highest quality cuts of prime beef available. Chef Zumpano will incorporate modern techniques that will appeal to foodies, but also have some timeless classics for traditional steak lover.  Diners will find interesting selections such as osso buco with saffron risotto or Halibut with spaetzle and roasted beets. And they can always count on a getting a great steak.  Signature prime beef entrees start at $24.

Chef Dominic Zumpano’s culinary career has spanned from Maine’s Rose Garden Restaurant, one of only 47 five-diamond restaurants in the U.S., to Lake Forest’s popular Market House on the Square.   Zumpano was nominated for the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest.   He was nominated for Chicago’s Jean Banchet award as a rising chef and also featured in Best Chefs of America as one of Chicago’s top chefs for its 2013 book.   Zumpano is well-known for the passion and creativity that he brings to his cuisine.   Zumpano is known for inventing innovative, seasonal menus based on fresh, local ingredients produced from a network of artisans and organic farmers.   He also loves preparing a great steak and is particularly proud of his own signature steak sauce which he describes as “being so rich that it deserves its own trust fund”.

Lake Forest resident Steve Platcow, CEO of Rodi Platcow Malin Advertising, Inc. (DBA) RPM Advertising, Inc. has spent the last decade championing the fine dining experiences found at Horseshoe Casinos and Caesar’s Entertainment.   In addition to overseeing some of RPM Advertising Inc.’s biggest campaigns, Steve’s vision was a guiding force in the award-winning and Roger Ebert critically acclaimed documentary, Not Yet Begun to Fight.   Currently, Steve serves as a board member on the Chicago Public Library Foundation as well as the Illinois Chapter of the March of Dimes.   He received a B.S. in Organizational Communications at Arizona State and has earned his Commercial Pilot’s License.

Robert B. Bansberg is an award winning sommelier and wine educator.  Bob began his career at the Pump Room, in Chicago, with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in 1976 as a captain, wine buyer, and maitre'd. Since 1992, Bob has taught a Wine and Beverage Management Class at Kendall College's School of the Culinary Arts and for five years hosted The Wine Series, a wine appreciation and food pairing course for the community.  In 1999, Bansberg was nominated for the highly coveted James Beard Award. Only the top five sommeliers in the country are considered. In July of 2000, Bob was honored by Food & Wine magazine as "The Best Sommelier in Chicago."

PM Prime will accommodate 85 diners, plus 20 in the outdoor cafe.   The décor will be classically elegant with a modern flair.   There will be two private rooms that can accommodate groups of 2-35.   One room overlooks a very impressive wine cellar.   The restaurant will open at 310 Green Bay Road, Highwood, IL. PM Prime will be open for dinner Tues-Sat from 5-10 p.m.  For reservations, guests may call 847-433-0600.