Burr Ridge Lounge OK'd, Despite Opposition

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge on Monday approved a permit for a lounge in County Line Square, despite opposition from some neighbors.

Businessman Filippo "Gigi" Rovito is planning to serve liquor and small plates of food and play piped-in music for Are We Live, which is a couple doors down from his popular eatery, Capri Ristorante.

Village Board members praised Rovito for his contributions to the community. And they said neighbors' concerns about noise from County Line Square were apparently because of County Wine Merchant, not Capri Ristorante.

In voting for the permit, the Village Board agreed with the recommendation of the Plan Commission, which held two hearings on the topic.

However, the board made some adjustments to the commission's suggested conditions. The commission recommended the lounge close at midnight, both inside and outside. The village trustees decided on 11 p.m. as the outside closing time.

Among the other conditions were a commitment to provide valet parking.

Left unsaid was Mayor Gary Grasso's connection to Capri's valet contractor, BLU Valet, which is owned by his son, Michael Grasso. One of the addresses on BLU Valet's filing with the secretary of state is the mayor's home.

None of the trustees mentioned that Mayor Grasso, a lawyer, represented Rovito at least twice since 2015 before village officials on Capri-related zoning matters. That was before Grasso returned as mayor in 2019.

In 2018, Rovito donated $5,000 to Grasso's unsuccessful attorney general campaign, which Grasso returned a month later. And a plate is named in honor of Grasso at Capri. Despite those connections, the mayor presided over Monday's debate.

When Rovito first spoke in social media videos about Are We Live, he described it as having live music, dancing and drinks. He later removed live music from the plan.

During the hearing, resident Jennifer Fox, who lives in a nearby building, said she was concerned with the possible noise from the lounge. She said much of the noise from County Line Square these days comes from County Wine Merchant.

She said those on her side of the building were concerned about the noise, but she was the only one with "the balls" to speak up during a public hearing with Rovito present. She said when Patch reported about her concerns about noise from County Wine Merchant months ago, someone called her office and told her to watch her back.

"I love Capri. You do whatever you want to do. You have to respect that you have neighbors across the street. I pay taxes to live here like everyone else. My concern is the noise," Fox said. "I'm not here to slam Gigi. His food is exceptional. This is not personal to you at all."

She said she attended the first public hearing in May, but called it an "intimidating atmosphere," so she left.

The mayor asked whether that was because of the opponents to Are We Live.

She said it was both sides.

"There was cheering and hooting and hollering," Fox said. "Some decorum was required."

Robert Iovinelli, who also spoke at last week's hearing, told the Village Board that he often visits Capri. Like Fox, he blamed County Wine Merchant for much of the noise. He praised Rovito's management of Capri.

"He is very responsible to the people who live in the area. On the rare occasion he has a DJ, the DJ is gone at 10," Iovinelli said. "(The owners) take great pride in the restaurant, their service and their food."

Rovito, who had an outburst at last week's hearing, was quieter at Monday's Village Board meeting. He hired Burr Ridge attorney Nicholas Esposito to speak for him.

Rovito was asked whether the conditions on closing times were acceptable. He said he liked to go home early and had no desire to stay until 2 a.m.

Trustee Tony Schiappa complimented Rovito as a businessman.

"The petitioner is an excellent restaurant operator," Schiappa said. "I'm pleased to hear he wants to make another investment in the village."

The board voted unanimously to allow the lounge.