M.B. Financial Park has its chains, but some local restaurants are also making their mark on the area next to the Tri-State Tollway, near O'Hare International Airport. The broad lawn brings in weekend crowds and live music -- but the surrounding businesses are all relatively new. There's a Zanies comedy club and a Toby Keith chain restaurant, but also the Five Roses Pub, a casual Irish haunt modeled after a bar near Fenway in Boston.
"We try to stay as stereotypical Irish as possible. Obviously we do have pub fare thrown in the mix. Shepherd's pie, chicken pot pies, lovely salads," said Mike DeMarco, the Manager of Five Roses Pub.
Next door, there's Kings - with its neon-lit bowling lanes and full-service restaurant, offering a range of options like sesame ginger wings, assorted maki rolls and even steamed edamame; definitely not what you'd expect to find in your neighborhood bowling alley.
Just a few yards away, it's college Spring Break every day at Adobe Gila's, where they'll make a decent guacamole tableside, but the margaritas - in this case, a Coronarita, highlighted by a pair of beer bottles and neon straws - might be better suited to a "Jersey Shore" episode.
On the far side of the complex, Park Tavern feels like a grown-up sports bar. Yes, flat panel TVs are everywhere, but the food aspires to be a bit more than wings and chips. For one thing, they put their smoker to good use, cranking out a juicy beer can chicken.
"We knew that some of the smoked meats really kind of get an extra dimension of flavor going that pairs well with the great beer selection we have," said Jim Heflin, the Chef at Park Tavern.
They also feature a number of local craft brews, like Metropolitan, Revolution and Two Brothers..and if you're really thirsty, you can get the tap right at your table.
"We do have three tabletop tap beer systems, where our guests can sit down and actually pour their own beer," Heflin said.
Other notables include starters of deviled eggs, spiked with crumbled, housemade chorizo sausage, as well as a wide bowl of jalapeno-bacon mac and cheese, easy enough to share with a few friends.
"Pork is all the rage right now and we're doing our best to have some fun with that," he said.
Opening soon-- My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, serving up gyros, and Hofbrau Haus, pouring an enormous selection of German beers.
MB Financial Park at Rosemont
(located near O'Hare, west of River Road between Bryn Mawr and Balmoral Avenues)
Park Tavern
5433 Park Place
847-349-5151
parktavernrosemont.com
Adobe Gila's
5455 Park Place 2nd floor
847-233-0080
chicago.adobegilas.com
Kings Lanes, Lounge & Sports
5505 Park Place
847-233-0099
kingsbowlamerica.com
Five Roses Pub
5509 Park Place
847-233-0077
fiverosespub.com
