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What’s cooking? Celebrated chef cooks up gourmet kitchen in Vernon Hills

Chicago Sun-Times October 18, 2002 | Bill Cunniff Rick Tramonto, as executive chef and owner of the restaurant Tru, sure knows his way around a kitchen. So as you might have guessed, a well-designed kitchen was at the top of his list for a new house–at Royal Troon at Gregg’s Landing, a development in Vernon Hills. this web site best restaurants in chicago

“With my recent marriage, a new home seemed like a perfect beginning,” Tramonto said. “I’m at my restaurant 90 percent of the time. So I don’t have time to think ‘I’ll re-do this room today’ or ‘Let’s re-gut this corner of the house next week.’ It’s not going to happen. With a new-construction home, I knew I could have some creative input and make certain things that were very important to me- -like the kitchen–reflect my needs.” The Tramontos selected the 3,538-square-foot Waldorf floor plan. The open kitchen and family-room layout caught the chef’s attention. “Let’s face it. All great parties start and end in the kitchen,” he said. “But when people entertain, they often find themselves behind a wall in the kitchen and they can’t see their guests. So, I really wanted the connection of the kitchen to the family room. When I saw this home’s layout, it was perfect.” The kitchen, breakfast area and family room, spanning the back of the home, provide 840 square feet of space. The Waldorf’s kitchen includes many amenities that appeal to Tramonto, such as windows above a corner sink, a preparation island and a pantry. But he opted to double the size of the preparation island; now it’s 100 inches long.

“We had a lot of guests during the Fourth of July weekend because we had just gotten married,” Tramonto said. “So it was really nice to be able to accommodate so many people around the island while we talked and cooked. It all just worked out so well.” Countertops were finished in Uba Tuba granite, and a cherry stain was used for the staggered cabinetry and shelving. Several glass cabinets with incandescent lighting were installed to display Tramonto’s Versace china. (Yes, it’s the same china pattern that’s used at Tru.) The kitchen also was redesigned to accommodate a wine refrigerator. But after Tramonto decided to place the wine refrigerator in the basement, the space which had been carved out for it was converted to additional shelving. (There is evolution even in a new home.) The stainless steel appliances include a 42-inch refrigerator, a double-oven and a 36-inch, 15,000-Btu cooktop (with a canopy hood). Tramonto said the look and size of the kitchen would work well if he decided to tape a television segment from his home.

Other amenities of the Waldorf floor plan include a 2-story foyer, a living room, a first-floor den and a 3-car garage. The master bedroom suite has a sitting room and two walk-in closets.

“When we walked into the model and saw the cathedral ceilings, it was a great feeling,” he said. “It was exactly what I wanted. Plus, after working 16-hour days at Tru, I want to be able to come home and just relax. With this home, I can be in my whirlpool tub or in my office or outside with my sons.” (Many restaurant guides list Tru, 676 N. St. Clair St., as among the best restaurants in Chicago.) Royal Troon at Gregg’s Landing is sold out. But the Waldorf plan is available at Nature’s Ridge in Lindenhurst as well as at Horizons at WhiteCaps in Kenosha, Wis. Four decorated models are open at both developments. Zale Homes is the developer.

Zale Homes, (847) 537-9191.

BATAVIA HOMES. Two furnished single-family models are open at Windemere, a development in Batavia.

Cambridge Homes, the builder, plans 79 single-family homes. Base prices range from $336,000 to $416,000. Sizes range from 2,571 to 3,384 square feet. Houses have 4 or 5 bedrooms and 21/2 baths.

A front porch, a den and a walk-in pantry are amenities of the Cleveland model. The formal dining room is topped by a tray ceiling. An optional see-through fireplace can be set between the living room and dining room. A fireplace also is available in the family room. The 3,195-square-foot Cleveland is priced from $378,000.

In the Taylor model, all four bedrooms have walk-in closets. Double doors lead into the den. The dining room is crowned by a tray ceiling. The Taylor, with 3,052 square feet, is priced from $372,000. here best restaurants in chicago

Cambridge also is planning 60 town houses. Base prices range from $232,000 to $266,000. Sizes range from 1,649 to 1,925 square feet. Town houses have 3 or 4 bedrooms and 2 to 3 baths.

Windemere, Batavia. Cambridge Homes, (847) 984-4560.

BOLINGBROOK HOUSES. Five decorated models are open at Lakewood Ridge, a development of single-family homes in Bolingbrook.

Lakewood Homes, the builder, plans 481 single-family homes. “During the preview period [before the opening of the models], a total of 252 homes have been sold since sales began in August, 2001,” said Harriet Ford, director of corporate communications for Lakewood. “Bolingbrook has become very popular with buyers who want to move up to larger, more luxurious homes while obtaining the best value for their purchasing dollars.” Base prices range from $195,000 to $258,000. The five models are sized from 1,608 to 2,713 square feet.

The 2,171-square-foot Hartford model features a 2-story foyer and a breakfast room. The Hartford is priced from $222,000. It has 4 bedrooms, 21/2 baths and an attached 2-car garage. The kitchen is equipped with a corner sink and a pantry.

Lakewood Ridge, on Boughton Road, 11/2 miles west of Illinois 53, Bolingbrook. Lakewood Homes, (630) 378-9333.

Bill Cunniff