In 1973, 26 year-old Chicago native Alex Dana purchased an existing luncheonette in Chicago's Loop. Although business at the "store" was good, Dana wasn't satisfied. Actually, Dana had a different vision for the location: a full service restaurant. A "joint" that operated from early morning until late at night, a place that offered great food and lots of it, excellent service from friendly people and warm hospitality beginning at the front door. Being raised in a family of restaurant owners it came as no surprise that a new Chicago legend was in the making.
In 1977 two new opportunities knocked at Dana's door almost simultaneously. Buyers hungry for the success of his loop location made an offer "even he couldn't refuse", which corresponded with the opportunity for Alex to purchase a run-down building, an Italian Men's' Supper Club, in a what-would-become prime location in Chicago's Little Italy where the Rosebud Café was born! Originally called Bocciola della Rosa (bud of the rose), after Sicily's native flower, the name was translated into English after it was discovered that patrons had a difficult time pronouncing the Italian. Signature dishes, such as Chicken Vesuvio and Pappardelle (square noodles) were introduced. Rosebud became a favorite of celebrities from Robert DeNiro and Tony Bennett to Frank Sinatra, not to mention Carol Burnett, Robert Redford and Jimmy Buffett. Naturally, a gallery of autographed photos was quickly created (and continues to grow) for all to see.
In 1992 expansion was on Dana's mind. He took an aging (but beautiful) building located in the old Rush Street entertainment neighborhood, one block from the trendy Michigan Avenue shops and opened the Rosebud on Rush, which became an instant hit with Chicagoans and visiting celebrities alike.
Following the growing (and glowing) success of Rosebud on Rush, in 1995 Alex then opened Carmine's Clamhouse just up the street five blocks on Rush Street. This was the first departure from the use of the name Rosebud for a Dana restaurant. Offering two levels of dining, a busy bar, live entertainment and the outdoor café in Chicago for people watching, Carmine's became an instant celebrity in its own right.
Not one to rest on his laurels (and remembering that you're only as good as the last bowl of pasta sold), Dana opened his first suburban location, the Rosebud of Naperville (located fifty miles southwest of the city) and the Rosebud Theater District, located in Chicago's financial/theater center. Both locations continue the traditions of great service and memorable food begun years earlier by Dana.
After a three year hiatus, his creative juices began to flow again and in 2000 Alex opened his second suburban outpost, the Rosebud of Highland Park, in a tiny suburb just 22 miles north of the city. With an emphasis on family and value AND great food, the Rosebud regulars stayed Rosebud regulars, this time on their own suburban turf. 2000 also saw the birth of a new concept for Dana - Rosebud Steakhouse (A RARE STEAKHOUSE, WELL DONE). And the magic continued, this time with tuxedoed waiters, a 28-ounce Chicago-Cut bone-in filet and voted "The Best Burger" in town by Chicago Tribune readers.
A few years later, Dana decided to try something different combining a high end Italian restaurant with a fun loving lounge and nightspot. In May of 2005 he opened Ballo, located in Chicago's busting River North. Dana transformed the former 50's style diner into a sleek and sophisticated dining spot with a lounge like feel offering something for everyone from morning till night.
Currently, Dana is in the process of opening two new restaurants. Rosebud will proudly open it's doors in Schaumburg serving Old World Italian classics and a Steakhouse called Rosebud Prime will open at One South Dearborn, a premiere loop destination.
Rosebud Steakhouse
192 East walton Street
Chicago,Ill
773-325-9700
Rosebud on Rush
720 N Rush
Chicago,Ill
312-266-6444
Rosebud Restaurants, Chicago's Finest
