There are a half-dozen or so new storefronts that have been added to the First Street redevelopment; as we exited the parking garage on the street level -- looking north to where Vi's Last Call once stood -- we just happened to turn to the left.  Strolling a few yards we came upon Brix Wine and Cheese.  Brix opened last May; it is a wine bar that serves high-end liquors and cheese, sausage and other fine foods.  We had not planned to, but we ended up staying for a while to have a glass of wine.  The owners were nice enough to allow us to sample several of their wines and we enjoyed our short visit, but we were getting hungry.  Promising to return for a formal tasting, we headed out to find our no-named restaurant.

Suddenly it loomed directly in from of us and we realized that the name was not one that seemed to lend itself to an easy recall: Prasino.  They have one location in La Grange and last June opened a second location in St. Charles that sits on the northeast corner of the building that faces 1st Street.

Walking through the front door and past an entry, through a pair of glass doors. one feels a touch of the austerity that seems to pervade much of the restaurant.  It is not an uncomfortable feeling at all, and almost creates a sense of entering an upscale eatery in downtown Chicago.  There is a fairly large bar area in the front and to the right (upon entering), completely separated from the dining room.  The dining room itself has floor-to-ceiling glass on the entire east side; the other walls are covered with a combination of wood and fabric.  Although the ceiling is quite high, the area has a comfortable feel to it. Tables are wooded-topped and fairly barren, and the only items to grace the table are a simple table tent, salt and pepper shakers and napkins (a candle would have been nice...).  Chairs at our table were comfortable.  There were also a number of booths available for seating.

A waitress stops at our table almost immediately and inquires as to whether or not we would like something to drink while we look at the menus she has given us.  The words "Grey Goose" slide easily from my lips; Lauren decides that a glass of Sake would be just fine, thank you.  The restaurant is not all that busy at this point (it does get very much so before we depart) and the relative quiet is soothing.  Our beverages arrive and so does a bus boy with ice water.

Lauren is the first to notice that the rather large menu -- in terms of number of selections -- is, in addition to "normal" items, chock-full of vegetarian and vegan choices as well: gluten free symbols are everywhere on the menu.  Although I have always been a dedicated omnivore, this is a welcome change and something I have not yet experienced in the Fox Valley area.  In addition to all the "V" and "VG" possibilities, there were almost two dozen items listed with a symbol indicating a "Signature Prasino Item".  I'll definitely need some time to peruse the offerings... 

Beverages include frappes, teas, fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies; in addition to dinner, both breakfast and lunch is served, with breakfast featuring Eggland's Best^® eggs.  The menus also state that "Prasino is committed to promoting organic agriculture and supporting local growers and artisanal food producers whenever possible."  Dinner choices include over a dozen appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, salads, entrees like ravioli, tofu, lamb steak, short ribs and more; there are also a half-dozen seafood items from which to choose.  The wide range of offerings make a single trip to Prasino darn near impossible; everything looks good!

Ralph Pancetta
reviews@ralphpancetta.com