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. 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.
"P.M. Prime will continue to have Gabriel's welcoming atmosphere with a new look and feel,” says Platcow. “The menu will have some of the favorites that you would expect at a steakhouse, but also some exciting new interpretations that you may not expect."
To further develop this idea, Platcow is teaming up with chef Dominic Zumpano, whose culinary career has spanned from Maine's Rose Garden Restaurant, one of only 47 five-diamond restaurants in the U.S., to Milwaukee's popular Market House on the Square. Zumpano was nominated for the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest and was asked to cook at James Beard House and Bon Appetit Culinary Studio in New York.
He was nominated for Chicago's Jean Bonchet award as a rising chef and was 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".
The menu will include popular steakhouse favorites such as the filet mignon and New York strip, but it will also have some more unusual cuts such as the kobe skirt steak or hanger cut steaks. P.M. Prime will feature the highest quality cuts of grass fed prime beef available. Zumpano will incorporate modern techniques that will appeal to foodies, but also have some timeless classics for traditional steak lover. Diners may find Chicken Fried Steak Medallions on the menu one evening, or Shrimp Dijon with Tamarind Sauce and Pickled Tomatoes the next. And they can always count on a getting a great steak. Zumpano is also looking to connect diners to the cuisine by offering some special experiences such as finishing a risotto or lamb shank for diners tableside.
P.M. Prime will accommodate 85 diners, plus 20 in the outdoor café. The decor 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. P.M. Prime will be open for dinner seven evenings a week from 5-10 p.m.
"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,” says Platcow.
