Michael's To Throw Late Night Party Saturday

For years has been known as one of the main places to host a bar and bat mitzvah, a graduation party or a birthday party for kids.

On Saturday night, the restaurant is throwing a party of a different sort. 

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From 8 p.m. till midnight, this party includes live music from Robbie Gold Band and a top shelf cash bar. It's partly a thank you to the restaurant's loyal customers, partly a demonstration of just what kind of party the place can throw.

"We're having an event to bring people in that wouldn't have known and expose them," said Michael's event planner Linda Schwimmer Siedband.

The idea behind the free party is to introduce Michael's as a party place for people who may only consider it as such when planning specific kinds of parties.

"We've become typecast," Siedband said. "When people think of their 30th or 40th birthday parties, it might not occur to them [to go to Michael's]."

In addition to the music and drinks, Saturday's party offers what it's calling a dessert extravaganza, complete with crepes, carmel apples and "sweet table food you wouldn't associate with Michael's," Siedband said.

Siedband was inspired to branch out Michael's brand name by the same thing that's causing many restauranteurs in Highland Park to try new things: the recession.

"Have you seen the economy lately?" Siedband said. "When we started, we were the only suburban place to have an event."

Michael's joins several other Highland Park restaurant also attempting an expansion on their brand. ' owner Bobby Dubin has , while Carlos' restaurant transitioned to

"This is the first time ever where a recession has affected the business," Siedband said.

But the party isn't just about marketing, Siedband says. It's is also a thank you to the families Michael's has seen grow up over the 35 years its been around.

"It's a nice way of paying back our customers," Siedband said.

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