Rosemont, that steadfast northwest ’burb with little draw other than conventions and concerts, is scoring some major interest with The Rosemont Walk, a $500 million development of shopping and dining, anchored by (yes, even more) hotels and Illinois' first Muvico, a "premium movie theater" and entertainment complex.
Looks to us like conventioneers stuck near the airport won’t have to bother making the trip into the city with a mini-Chicago right in town. The dining options slated here, aiming for early 2008 openings, read like a greatest hits of Chicago big names: Osteria di Tramanto (from the folks behind Tru), McCormick & Schmick’s, John Barleycorn, and a yet-to-be-named venture from Phil Stefani (Riva, Tuscany, Tavern on Rush).
Muvico sets itself apart from local names like AMC and Loews with upgraded features that are no-brainers as far as audience appeal: Bigger seats, better food and entertainment that moves beyond movies. You can stash the kids in on-site childcare, upgrade your $9.50 general admission ticket to a $15 one and score free valet, free popcorn, reserved VIP seating and access to the 21-and-over Premier Bar & Grill Bogart's, run by Levy Restaurants. (We just received a word of this last-minute name change, which we think is a vast improvement.)
Wall-to-wall high-def screens will not only air movies, but Nascar tourneys, sporting events and even live broadcasts of Broadway shows. For more details, stay tuned to the Metromix suburban channel tomorrow for the full story.
