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New eatery set to open in Deerfield
Crews are renovating the future home of Bobby's restaurant Sept. 6 as the American Bistro is on target for a October opening in Deerfield. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 26, 2012 3:18PM
DEERFIELD — Many of the customers at Augie and Bobby Arifi’s Café Lucci Italian restaurant in Glenview have remained loyal clientele and friends for years — and the brothers are confident that trend will continue when they open a new eatery in Deerfield.
The Niles brothers’s new restaurant, a more neo-American version called Bobby’s Deerfield, is set to open the first week of October. While the food at Bobby’s won’t be nearly as Italian as the cuisine served at Lucci’s, Augie explained that it will offer the same kind of appeal.
“It’s going to be the quality of our ingredients that sets us apart from everyone else,” Augie said.
At 695 Deerfield Road, Bobby’s will offer three different kinds of fresh fish delivered daily from local vendor Fortune Fish Company; poultry from Harrison’s Poultry in Glenview; and beef from Allen Brothers, the “USDA Prime Beef Leader.”
According to Augie, the American bistro will have a classy, yet modern feel that fits any occasion. Whether its a semi-formal business luncheon, a fancy dinner for two, or a casual lunch with friends, Augie said he hopes Bobby’s will become Deerfield residents’ go-to place to dine and relax.
Bobby’s menu aims to satisfy all cravings with items that include jumbo sea scallops pan seared in a porcini crust; Moulard duck liver served in a brandied cherry sauce; grilled marinated portabella mushrooms; and a half-pound ground chuck and short rib burger.
The Arifis explained that they decided to name their new restaurant Bobby’s instead of Lucci to allow more flexibility when changing up the menu. The Deerfield eatery plans to derive many of their menu items from a variety of cultures.
“We call it an American bistro because America is generally influenced by many cultures from across the globe, and that’s what our cuisine reflects,” Augie said.
Bobby, whom the restaurant is named after, explained that he and Augie haven’t taken any shortcuts with the quality and variety of alcohol they’ll be serving.
“We’re taking a lot of care in our beverage program,” Bobby said.
In addition to offering a large selection of draft beers, Bobby added that they will be using a Cruvinet temperature controlled system to dispense and serve the freshest wine possible.
The Arifi brothers are currently remodeling the space to include a 40-seat bar, comfortable tables and booths and a private room to fit 25 to 30 people.
Longtime Cafe Lucci customers Woody Zwirn and Keith Jaffee said they are looking forward to dining at the brothers’ new place. They added that they anticipate the same family-friendly service they’ve been enjoying for more than 15 years at the Glenview restaurant.
“When we were growing up, we had our ‘place’ that we went to — and Café Lucci has become that same kind of place,” Augie said. “It’s where people to go to feel happy, comfortable, eat well, drink well and celebrate. We’re hoping for Bobby’s to be that same kind of place.”
