"We are going to be a very expensive restaurant" probably isn't the best way to market any new business.

I totally agree with the previous comment. One would hope they are not so expensive people cannot afford to dine there. I am looking forward to the restaurant opening and to having a nice place to have a good meal but it would be ridiculous to have prices so out of line people won't even consider dining there. I think that line of thinking should be scaled down and rethought, That sort of comment will scare a lot of people off.

No doubt a lot of folks will go once, just to find out what "very expensive" means. To be successful, the establishment has to get them to come back again and again. Most restaurants survive on their "regulars", not on the once-in-a-lifetime diners (no offense Charlie Trotter!). I tend to agree with jctenor that 'marketing' may be the one ingredient that is lacking in their recipe for success.

Given that there are several other typos in this article, I'm guessing that they meant to write "exclusive" rather than "expensive." Either that, or the one interviewed meant to say that. There is no way that they wanted to communicate that their restaurant was going to be "very expensive." Can you shed any light on this, Ryan?

Brunch is a rarity here? Drive directly east and Glenwood Oaks has a lovely and REASONABLY priced one.... And I agree with jctenor that "going to be a very expensive restaurant" is not in any way a draw! Very elegant, Very unique, Very many things may sound upscale but very expensive on its own means nothing more than price. " They hope that people from the city will come to their restaurant? We are subsidizing thousands of dollars for this business. Too bad they are not interested in us eating there too! They need to hire a PR person in my opinion. They don't seem to know much about community relations!

Wow. I read the article and when I hit "expensive" first picture that popped in my head was empty as in empty restaurant. Maybe she meant expansive? As in the menu changing movthly. Expanding? I cannot see boating expensive as a lure to get people in. As far as the Sunday brunch, yes, Glenwood Oaks has a lovely brunch and yes there are not many nice brunches left, but I keep going back to "expensive" and "reservation only" and it is sort of already dropping my excitement about it. I was hoping for something similar to Glenwood Oaks or Bilagio...I'm trying to reserve judgement but I tend to agree with Anita. We are subsidizing this business. Yes it would be nice to have it become a "destination" place for folks outside the area, but to hope that is the client base. Sad.

Sorry for the typos above.

Would you rather have a place that attracts people that are poverty stricken. I just hope the new business does well, because a empty store front does not appeal to me.

Seems like when I heard that this restaurant was going to open, I remembered The Cottage in Calumet City. Well, obviously this isn't going to be that!! I really could care less if this is going to be organic, or pastured, or locally grown.If they put out a well prepared product people will come back, but if you put out a lot of promises and then can't deliver, C'est la vie!! Just look at the Twisted 'Que, hardly see anyone in there.

What an unfortunate choice of words. What does very expensive mean to them? That they want to make a lot of money? This does not give a good first impression.

I welcome a true high end dining experience in the area, but...Grant Achatz has three Michelin stars; he can afford to completely switch his menu (even then every few months, and not at his main restaurant) But if these rookies think they are going to change the WHOLE menu every month this place will be the biggest flameout in Chicago culinary history.

I, for one, am very excited about this restaurant, and don't understand all the negativity. The trends the Cottage is embracing-like the revolving menu and locally produced foods-are hallmarks of some of the best and most popular restaurants in the City. I'm always hearing complaints about how the north and west suburbs have good restaurants, nightlife, etc. while the south suburbs get the shaft. Here's someone willing to take a risk (and opening a restaurant is a huge risk) on a fine dining restaurant in the south suburbs. This sort of investment should be supported and encouraged. As for the "expensive" problem, I interpret that to mean that they'll be serving high-quality food, which is a good thing. Fine dining restaurants aren't meant to be quick and cheap takeout to feed your kids in a pinch. They're meant for special occasions and for people that aren't satisfied with greasy pub grub, pizza and Chinese food all the time. I also think she's right about the lack of brunch options. I look forward to eating there, hope that it becomes a draw for people from all over the area and even the City, and hope that the Cottage is successful for a long time.

Mike, I think many people on here would agree that they very much want fine dining and for The Cottage to be a success. I think that they/we are concerned with the owners taking so much on considering their "green" restaurant experience. I also think there is caution and concern surrounding the TIF $ and so people are being honest with their apprehension. I don't think anyone here wants the business to fail. I also think the quotes about being expensive left people with a bit of a bad taste in their mouth, that's all.

So will this place be for the top 1 %.? Sue

I too look forward to a Fine Dining Restaurant but hopefullly they will focus on well prepared , good food and not how much they can charge for a lovely meal - that will be affordable to everyone> I would love to have it be similiar to Glenwood Oaks and hopefully they will not change the menu too often or all of the menu when they do.Would like to know I can get a beautiful cut of Prime Rib at all times for example. Also have high hopes that it WILL be open on Sundays.

I guarantee she meant High End!

I too was looking forward to a "fine dining" restaurant joining our community. Something to fill the void left by Caesar's, The Tivoli and Geno's type restaurants -- places you went to for really special occasions. I had hoped The Cottage would be the answer.

However, the statement "we are going to be very expensive" combined with their “hope” that after two months they will be “reservation only" and the fact that their "ultimate goal” is to attract people from “the City" are each on their own extremely off putting and a huge a slap in the face to the community that just authorized a handsome amount of TIF funds.

Can’t help but notice the pompous attitude that reared its ugly head only AFTER the approval of the TIF funds. One’s true colors always shine through. I thought we were striving to improve the community...not attempting to create a gathering place for boastful elitist wannabes. Wow, how self-serving…Ooo la la… you need a reservation to eat there…aren’t YOU important. Wonder how long this one will last. Climb on down from that pedestal before opening day.

By the way, Scrementi's in Steger also has a really nice Sunday brunch and Cilantro has a breakfast/brunch on Saturday. Oh, and if you need to make yourself feel important, both of these places take reservations. I think perhaps a nice article apologizing (or for those who wish to play devil's advocate “clarifying” what this woman "really" meant to say) is in order.

This news is very disappointing...
It is unfortunate that the owner chose to say that they will be very expensive because it will keep a lot of people from ever walking in. Slamming the south suburbs by saying we don't have good brunch choices available isn't real wise either. A name like The Cottage doesn't exactly denote a fine dining establishment in my mind. It sounds much more like it would be another Blueberry Hill type of restaurant. And if this restaurant wants to attract city people maybe they should have located closer to the city because I just can't imagine city folks coming out here with all the dining experiences available in the city. I hope they take note of what people have said and adapt to please the south suburbs where they have been given tax incentives to locate. I would hate to see another vacant building. Bona fortuna!

Agree with Juvenal. Rotating menu, monthly.. not sure about that. People here seem to be talkimg about Glenwood Oaks as fine dinning??? Food is OK but it s not fine dinning . There is no secret : perfect ingredients to make perfect dishes served by professional staff will cost you.

Wow!! Homewood is hot!!! And we should be! So many of you picked up on the "expensive" phrase and the fact that the owners are looking to attract "city" patrons who didn't donate a dime to put them in business. It's our TIF money that provided a seed for your business -- what we want is a comfortable, affordable restaurant to take our family and friends. When you take someone's money, shouldn't you also service their needs?

My wife and I moved to olympia fields from the south loop 4 years ago. And I have to say that fine dining and high end retail is definitely lacking out here. Of course it's going to be expensive. Not everyone wants to make every meal a family outing and bring the kids when dining out all of the time. It would be nice not to have to drive all the way out to another affluent area like orland park to get a real fine dining experience.

And there are plenty of professionals living in flossmoor, olympia fields, homewood, matteson, and as far south as crete that will welcome another fine dining option of this caliber. And it beats driving to orland. Hopefully we see more of this. There is plenty of affluence out here to support upscale dining of this caliber. I love french cuisine and will be sure to dine there as soon as they open.

I kinda feel sorry for Ms. Elvery.

An upscale, fine dining type joint doesn't stand a chance in this community. She's attempting an exercise in futility! I do, however, wish her the very best. jms

First and foremost I would like to thank everyone for their excitement and interest about The Cottage on Dixie. In response to several comments, we would like to clarify what The Cottage on Dixie will be. We are not going to be a “very expensive restaurant”. However, it is not our intension to be a “discount restaurant”. Our vision is to focus on the quality, preparation, and care of our food, and providing excellent service to the community. As a part of this community, we have spent years listening to the dining needs of the south suburbs, and look forward to fulfilling those wishes! As for our menu, we will have a core menu best described as “Artisanal American Cuisine”. In addition, monthly specials will be offered that represent classical cuisines such as French, Spanish, Italian, Caribbean, etc. These are the cuisines that have inspired the “Artisanal American Cuisine”. We are delighted to address your comments and questions via email: thecottageondixie@gmail.com or follow our progress on Facebook.

–The Cottage on Dixie

The comment about "Being Expensive" I don't think is an advertising plan. I think it is a quote taken out of context by an irresponsible journalist. It seems like it was plucked from the meeting minutes and shows lack of professional restraint and any review of context...

This is going to be very interesting! Too bad it isn't just her risk. How much are the taxpayers in this for? Or did no money ever go to this gal?

By the way I hope this place does very well and employs as many people as possible.

lets see>>>very expensive,wants people from the city, what does that mean?...people from south suburbs not good enough>>>>what about balaggio,fresh starts, mr bennys....i think those are good restaurants....and to make statement that people are hired already to protect jobs...not very good business ethics....wonder who they got....let the rumors begin...did they hire the chef from fresh starts,the manager from mr bennys or balaggio...going to be interesting/??

Welcome Cottage on Dixie!!! And thank you for NOT having a low-moderately priced similar menu that would compete with my local Homewood favorite restaurants. Thank you for bringing people outside of our neighborhood to spend money in Homewood, for creating new JOBS and giving Homewood an "upscale" and trendy restaurant. Combined with our fabulous golf courses, new boutique hotel and shopping venues......places like your restaurant can only help our property values, and hold steady our prop taxes thanks to more $$$ being spent in Homewood!

I need to add I also personally think the menu is brilliant. It sounds like there will be a "core" finer dining menu, but then unique monthly "experiences" type of cuisine as well from around the world. I couldn't afford to dine out at a place like this several times a week, but it sounds like an interesting and unique treat and way to expand my palate horizons now and again without the drive and high parking fees of going downtown.

If all else fails, I think of my property values. Homewood has been doing an excellent job (again just my opinion) of bringing in the type of diversified retail establishment that have people other than just Homewood residents coming into our community to spend money. From Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Petco, JoAnn, Party City, Buffalo Wild Wings, Panera Bread, Grape and Grains, to soon a boutique hotel and hopefully down the line a Trader Joe's. Not to mention all the jobs these establishments bring with them. If you would like to see your property values increase, your property taxes go down (thanks to the tax base from Homewood businesses), more jobs, and our community become an even more desirable hidden gem of the SW Burbs........and maybe even a "shock" become a charming destination point with great golf courses, boutique hotels and shopping, right on the train line with new cars :) and yes fine dining.....we need to welcome whole heartedly The Cottage on Dixie.

Poaching the night manager, assistant manager, and cook/chef from one of the longest operating fine dining restaurants in the area is not the way to start your business. Competition is great, but ethical business practices are the foundation of sustained growth and success.

I for one am looking forward to a new exciting dining experience in the area and can't wait for the opening!. Sounds like "southside foodie" is a bit "salty" to say the least. Although I have no experience in the business aspect of restaurants, I would venture to say that those involved may have some desire to start something new... Perhaps they have good reason? Good luck to all and I look forward to trying it out!

So, whose staff did they poach? Maybe we should all be eating there NOW?

I won't eat there now that I heard that said that. Not even open and down a customer! Good luck idiots