Dec. 10--After 73 years in business, Gene Georgetti is planning a sequel.
The family-owned River North restaurant has purchased the Rosewood restaurant in Rosemont, a pretty well-regarded steakhouse in its own right, and will open a to-be-named restaurant some time next year.
"We've been approached so many times to expand the brand, to franchise, and it never felt right for us," says Gene Georgetti proprietor Tony Durpetti. "But this is a perfect fit."
Rosewood, at 9421 W. Higgins Rd. in Rosemont, consists of a restaurant space roughly the size of Gene Georgetti, plus event space for 300 people. Michelle Durpetti, Tony's daughter and owner of an event-planning business, will run the banquet space as marketing and special events manager.
Gene Georgetti general manager Richard Ciota will assume the position of managing partner, overseeing both restaurants.
"If I didn't have this team in place, I wouldn't do it," Durpetti says, "but this is really going to be fun."
pvettel@tribune.com
Twitter @philvettel
