New Argentine empanada eatery seeking BYOB OK from Elgin
A new Elgin eatery specializing in Argentine empanadas hopes to soon get approval from the city to become BYOB.
Romance Premium Cafe opened recently in the lower level of 154 E. Chicago St. below Pastigel Bakery in downtown Elgin.
Owner Laura Martini, who also owns the bakery, said the menu that combines Mexican, Argentine and Americans items - think chapatas, salads and paninis - stems from her Mexican background combined with her husband Aldo's Argentine heritage. The couple live in Algonquin.
"I wanted the romantic theme because I feel like we have nothing like this around here," she said. "I felt like we needed something like this here."
Martini said she plans to apply soon for a corkage license from the city of Elgin so customers can bring their own wine.
The Martinis have owned the bakery for about 12 years and used to own a Mexican restaurant, called El Rincon de Pastigel, in the location that now holds Romance Cafe. The previous restaurant closed about two years ago after its longtime chef left and new personnel didn't work out well, Martini said.
The couple completely remodeled the space with new flooring, furniture and decor, she said. "It's a very inviting place," Martini said.
The eatery aims to serve quality food in a relaxing setting, manager Eduardo Medrano said. It will offer live acoustic guitar music starting this weekend.
"Someone said that we are rare in the suburbs, that we are more like places in the city," he said. "Even if we live in the suburbs, we deal with stress. If you want to escape the office or the home, and you don't know where to go, come here!"
A ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is 5:30 p.m. June 30.
The hours of Romance Cafe are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant is closed Tuesday. For more information, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Romance-Premium-Cafe/842442142458621? fref=ts or call (224) 238-7741.