Community Update

Benjamin Brittsan seems remarkably at ease for someone who has just opened a restaurant in Highland Park.

Maybe it's because it's not the first time he's done it. Or maybe it's because he feels confident he's finally gotten it right.

"We've received nothing but nice comments," Brittsan said. "Everybody has walked away loving it."

Brittsan opened Benjamin Tapas at 1849 Second Street in downtown Highland Park two weeks ago. The restaurant is a new concept after his fine dining place, Benjamin, closed after almost two years.

"Fine dining in the suburbs is out," Brittsan said, "you can't do it."

The chef was trained in fine dining and always felt like it was something he should pursue, but when he saw it wasn't working he decided to try another culinary interest. He was pleasantly surprised to see how easily tapas came to him.

"My heart kind of lies in the Mediterranean," he said. "This is sort of like [Michael] Jordan at the free throw line. It comes across a lot easier."

As Brittsan is talking, a waiter brings out an order of Queso de Cabra ($7.50), a baked goat cheese with a tomato basil sauce, served with fresh basil on top and a side of garlic crostini. Brittsan said a customer recently suggested offering fresh vegetables as an alternative to the crostini. He thought it was a great idea.

"I'm learning from the customers, which is awesome," he said.

The chefs current favorites on the menu include the Pippirana De Buey, a mixture of grilled skirt steak with caramelized potatoes and onions, cabrales bleu cheese sauce and a little bit of chives and olive oil ($8.25); and the Vieras A La Gallega ($14.95), which features seared scallops on pea puree with Spanish sofritto and Serrano ham.

"It's absolutely delicious," he said.

Other restaurants have tried and failed to reinvent themselves in Highland Park. Stashs tried to become an Italian restaurant. Moderno tried to become a classy burger joint. It's too soon to tell what will happen with Benjamin Tapas, but Brittsan seems less worried about what will happen than he does relieved to finally be preparing a menu that is clicking with customers.

"I think Benjamin Restaurant opened and closed for a reason," he said, "and that was to open Tapas."

Currently, Tapas is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 5 to 8 p.m. Brittsan is thinking about opening for lunch.

"I seriously have been kind of relieved," Brittsan said. "We keep going the way we're going, I'm a hundred percent confident we'll be here for a long time."