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Holt's brings citylike vibe to Park Ridge

There aren't many places along Metra's Northwest line where you can get off the train and walk a few steps to a hip restaurant that serves craft beers, gourmet pizzas and creative salads. That's why Holt's is a welcome addition to Park Ridge's uptown area.

Opened in late October in the 100-year-old building that previously housed Pine's menswear, Holt's trendy vibe draws crowds of young professionals. Even on weeknights, there can be waits for tables and slow service. But as long as you're not in a hurry, Holt's is worth the wait.

This is the first restaurant for owner Matt Ranalli, a lifelong Park Ridge resident, and his business partner Brad Doyle. Their goal was to have a citylike spot, featuring locally brewed craft beers, an extensive but not-too-expensive wine list, and freshly made food. Judging from the crowds, they've succeeded.

Motif: Bright, airy and loud, the bar is a mashup of a hipster bar and a sports bar. The cool decor mixes shabby chic and classic styles. Seating is at a small outdoor patio and inside at highboy tables and tables along two retro pews. Modern light fixtures and unique artwork - like a series of framed paintings of nuns with boxing gloves - give the place a stylish vibe. The bar and restaurant are lined with flat-screen TVs tuned to sports stations.

  Guests have lunch at Holt's in Park Ridge. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Crowd: Nicely dressed young professionals account for most of the crowd, although there were a few families and older couples in the mix during a recent weeknight visit.

Food: This is where Holt's really shines. Skip the taco pizza (topped with crumbled Doritos), and try one of the other delicious New Haven-styled pizzas, featuring a slightly chewy midlevel crust made with homemade dough and sauce and topped freshly ground cheese. We loved the flavorful, homemade meatballs on the meatball and ricotta pizza. The meatballs also can be added to a salad, which tastes much better than it sounds. There is a nice variety of burgers and fresh salads, like the beet salad, or the kale and sprout made with Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries, Pecorino Toscano cheese and lemon vinaigrette. Many customers rave about Holt's other unique pizzas, namely the goat cheese and grape and mashed potato and bacon. Another popular entree is the salmon BLT, made with freshly flown-in fish. The menu contains several gluten-free items.

  Mashed potatoes and bacon take pizza in a different direction at Holt's in Park Ridge. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Liquid consumption: The impressive four-page drink menu is filled with locally brewed beers (12 draft beers are brewed in Illinois), plus a large selection of canned and bottled options, including seasonal and fruit-flavored varieties (Banana Bread Beer, anyone?). The solid, affordable wine list offers glasses in the $7-to-$15 range, and the cocktails are named after characters from “Rocky.” The BALBOA, for example, is made with Tito's Vodka, homemade Bloody Mary mix, an antipasto skewer and hickory salt. The Holt's Punch, available by the glass or pitcher, is a nice summer drink. It tastes like a hard passion fruit punch or a strong summer shandy, topped with a slice of orange and fresh raspberries.

  Temperance Root Down Porter is one of many beers available at Holt's in Park Ridge. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com

Service: There is room for improvement here. When I asked about popular drink picks, the bartender handed me a clipboard with the drink menu and said, “There are a lot of good drinks. There isn't one standout” and walked away. To ask “What do you like?” and take it from there would have been a more hospitable response. The restaurant service is friendly but slow. If you've already waited a while for a table - we waited about 30 minutes on a Monday night - added delays feel punishing. Reservations are accepted and highly recommended for inside tables. Reservations are not accepted for the outdoor patio.

Overall: Holt's is not a place to go if you're in a rush, but it serves quality food and drinks. It's a great spot for a date night, or after-work drinks and dinner.

Holt's

Where: 43 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, (847) 720-4484 or

holtsparkridge.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

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