Indonesia-Based Chinese Restaurant Taking Over Shuttered Centro Space

Can an upscale Chinese restaurant from an Indonesia-based group have better luck in River North than the Mayor of Chinatown? Reported by Crain's, Imperial Lamian, from Indonesia-based Imperial Group, is taking over the recently shuttered Centro Ristorante space, which is just a few doors down from the former location of Tony Hu's Lao 18 (now Henry's Swing Club).

The space will mark the Imperial Group's first U.S. restaurant, and the early plans reportedly skew upscale. Imperial Laiman will feature three chefs heading up different aspects of the menu (the main kitchen, dumplings and noodles). The plan is to be open for lunch and dinner service and the beverages will include a wine program, spirits, herbal teas and beer options.

As previously reported, the group also wanted to purchase the space occupied by another Rosebud restaurant, Joe Fish, but Rosebud wasn't interested in selling. Imperial Lamian could be the launching point for more restaurants under the Imperial brand.