New Chinese restaurant set to open in shuttered Palatine space
A Chinese restaurant will open in space previously occupied by India Bhawan in Palatine, which shut down in late 2017 amid allegations it didn't take precautions to prevent illegal drug sales on the premises and allowed another eatery to operate in its building without a license.
Village council members Monday night approved Dream Place to fill the former India Bhawan's spot at 1280 E. Dundee Road previously occupied by India Bhawan. Dream Place will use 10,000 square feet at Woodcraft Plaza.
Dream Place plans to serve traditional and modern Chinese food. In addition to a dining room, the space has a bar area and private party section with combined seating for 196 patrons.
Co-owner Xiao Lin said after Monday's council session that it's hoped Dream Place opens by year's end. He said traditional Chinese food will be served.
"We saw a high-potential opportunity," Lin said.
Potential menu items include a scallion pancake roll, shredded beef, basil-garlic chicken and shell-on, steamed edamame sprinkled with a light salt mixture. There also might be diced bigeye tuna and fresh avocado with a sake miso sauce, topped with sesame seeds and daikon sprouts.
Dream Place projects $1 million in annual sales. At least 14 employees are expected for the restaurant.
In November 2017, India Bhawan submitted an agreed order with the village requiring the 2-year-old restaurant to shutter within a month instead of proceeding with a hearing on potential sanctions regarding its business and liquor licenses.
India Bhawan was accused of allowing nine "illegal activities" in July and August 2017, according to village documents. Failing to take precautions to prevent several instances of drug sales, permitting the unlicensed Mexican restaurant to operate within its space, fights and disorderly conduct were among the accusations.
Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said India Bhawan left its 10,000-square-foot space "in good shape" after closing nearly a year ago.
"I was a little surprised that somebody wanted to take that large of a space in such short order," Ottesen said.
Dream Place will be the third restaurant in the Woodcraft Plaza spot since 2014. Rossini de Lucca opened and closed in 2014 and was followed by India Bhawan's run from 2015 to late 2017.