Friday, February 28, 2025 will be the last chance for a taste of Spain at La Tasca Tapas, 25 West Davis Street in Arlington Heights.
The La Tasca Tapas management announced on their official Facebook page on December 4, 2024 that the location was transforming from Tapas cuisine to a mediterranean cuisine, and to get ready to savor the authentic Greek cuisine at Paréa with a new look and a new sign “Paréa Mediterranean Kitchen”.
The Greek word parea (παρέα) refers to a close-knit group of friends who meet regularly to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate life’s simple pleasures. So the new name is a nice evolution from La Tasca, which is the Spanish word used especially in Spain and Portugal to define a tavern or bar meeting place that serves food.
Greek cuisine is famous for appetizers, salads, spreads and dips, soups, main dishes, and desserts and pastries. Downtown Arlington Heights and Arlington Alfresco at it’s entrance on north Vail Avenue will have a taste of Chicago’s Greektown dining district.
It’s possible that the more mainstream Greek cuisine is more sustainable in a restaurant business compared to the Tapas cuisine, which is unique, but has limited attraction.
Although there have been many Greek restaurant owners in Arlington Heights, the last predominant greek cuisine restaurant was Yanni’s Greek Restaurant at the northeast corner of Arlington Heights Road and Algonquin Road, which closed in 2012. Greek expertise in the restaurant business has graced Arlington Heights at Dunton House, Uptown Cafe, and Sam’s which have all closed and transformed to new restaurants. Currently there is Nostimo Greek Kitchen on Rand Road just west of Arlington Heights Road. There still are many other current restaurants with Greek expertise, but Greek cuisine has not been predominant in a large sit-down restaurant since 2012.
Since the peak and waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some restaurants have been vibrant and some have closed.
Paréa Mediterranean Kitchen should have a few advantages for survival and hopefully vibrancy for the front end of the restaurant.
Outdoor Seating to accommodate diners who prefer to eat outside for safety reasons will likely be more than adequate, and the restaurant’s visibility to street traffic even during conditions when Vail Avenue is shut down to motor vehicles for Arlington Alfresco season should be an advantage.
Spaced Indoor Seating is also important to comply with social distancing guidelines.
Delivery and Takeout Expansion will hopefully be available.
Curbside Pickup is also important, and the restaurant has high curb appeal in a building with classic Tudor architecture and a prime location for curbside pickup options. Drive-thru is not available.
Digital and Contactless Solutions for Online Reservations and Ordering will hopefully be available to enhance efficiency and speedy service.
Menu Innovation and Simplified Menus that help streamline kitchen operations will hopefully be available to help control expenses and waste of materials and food, and improve customer satisfaction.
Local and Seasonal Ingredients will hopefully be available to appeal to customers looking to support local businesses and consume fresh food.
Hygiene and Safety will likely be enhanced with a refresh of the restaurant location.
Good Leadership and Staff Training Staff will hopefully help with health protocols and product consistency which will lead to customer satisfaction and customer confidence.
Marketing and Online Presence and Social Media Engagement already appears strong with the La Tasca Facebook page, so the new restaurant is likely to continue with engagement of customers, showcase of food, and the promotion of specials.
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