Things are revving up in downtown Palatine
All the rumblings over a sluggish downtown Palatine could be quelled a bit with the opening of two new eateries.
After months of anticipation, and delays, Mint Julep started serving up Southern cuisine and afternoon teas on Wednesday.
Consultant and manager Dave Davenport describes the menu as "low country and pan Southern," complete with staples such as Texas mesquite beef brisket, BBQ ribs, pulled pork, po-boy sandwiches and fried green tomatoes.
And don't forget the sweet tea, which may require an adjustment to a Yankee's palate.
The restaurant also offers high tea service in which scones and other delicate goodies are presented on three-tier trays. Weekend bistro brunches feature crème brûlée French toast and apple wood smoked bacon.
Everything, down to the Kaiser rolls, is homemade.
Mint Julep, at 53 W. Slade St., is open for lunch and dinner. Call (847) 934-3000.
A taste of Italy: A few doors down and about two weeks off is Gianni's Cafe. It's the Kildeer restaurant's second location, this one in the ground floor of the Providence building near Palatine and Plum Grove roads.
Gianni's features dozens of chicken, veal and fish dishes, most of which cost $18 to $22. In addition to specialty pasta dishes, diners can come up with their own creations, picking from nine different pastas, 14 sauces and 26 ingredients as decadent as lobster or crabmeat.
For details, call (847) 991-1416.
Classic cars take to streets: Zimmer Hardware, in part to celebrate 125 years in business, is set to put on its first-ever Classic Cup antique and car show event Sunday, Sept. 21, throughout the streets of downtown Palatine.
More than 100 classic, muscle, antique and custom cars and trucks are expected to be on display. Judges will award 25 prizes, including a best in show. The event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m., is free and open to the public.
Those interested in participating can register their vehicle that Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at Zimmer Hardware, 16 N. Brockway St. The fee is $15. For more information, call (847) 358-5400.
Vaccinate your pet for less: Palatine Township, in collaboration with the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, will offer low-cost rabies vaccination ($7 for one year; $21 for three years) and microchip insertion ($10 each) on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Services are available to dogs, cats and ferrets ages three months and older owned by Cook County residents. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palatine Township Center, 721 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. No appointments are necessary.
• Kimberly Pohl covers Palatine. Contact her at (847) 427-4472 or kpohl@dailyherald.com.