Emerald Green in Hammond caters to more than golfers
Frank Rende has channeled his passion for cooking into bringing new life to the second level of Lost Marsh Golf Course’s clubhouse in Hammond.
“I’m just really passionate about food. The other thing too is food has always been in my bloodline,” said Rende, who co-owns the Emerald Green Restaurant with fellow hospitality industry veterans Phil Gavrilos and Bernie Grisolia, both of Hammond.
“My mother taught me how to cook and my grandmother taught me how to cook. I’ve been cooking since I was a kid.”
Here is the dish on this local eatery, which offers a late-night bar:
Since launching in April, the Emerald Green Restaurant has been slowly expanding its menu, which draws from Southern Italy where Rende was born. “A lot of these recipes are from that region. Everybody that tries the food says, ‘Wow. I wouldn’t even imagine the combination of ingredients and the flavor is just incredible,’ ” he said.
On the menu: A mission statement:
“We’re not here to overcharge people. We actually want to give great food that everybody can come enjoy. It’s high-end casual. You’ve got people in sports caps. One thing I like about it is you could come as you are and you’re going to have an incredible meal,” said Rende, who noted that the restaurant is not only for golfers but everyone. “We don’t just want to drop off food. We want to explain it to you and have you just enjoy yourself.”
“It is basically a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired building. It looks great. It’s got great brickwork inside and out. It’s a fancy place,” Rende said about the Emerald Green Restaurant, which seats 125 people inside and 125 on the patio. There is also a view of the Chicago skyline. “It’s got great views. There’s a lot of small lakes in the golf course so people love the view.”
Decor:
“Our sausage, potato and peppers is one of mom’s recipes,” Rende said. “I’ve traveled a lot. I’ve never had anything like our blackened chicken gnocchi anywhere in
Specialties:
the world, as crazy as it sounds. It’s very unique and it’s one of those things where you’re in the kitchen, you’re bored and you start experimenting. It’s an amazing dish.
“One of our hottest sellers are our crab cakes. They are amazing. Also, we have our Mediterranean chicken and artichoke salad, which is another huge seller. If you came in, you could actually feed two people with the salad.”
We’re different because:
“We like supporting the community. We do a lot for the community. Everybody involved in the community has been absolutely wonderful to us,” said Rende, who added that two conference rooms that each accommodate up to 15 people and a banquet room that accommodates up to 250 people are available to rent for meetings or special occasions.
Start at $3 for salads or soup, $8 for starters, $12 for sandwiches, $13 for pasta and $16 for entrees.
The Emerald Green Restaurant at Lost Marsh Golf Course is at 1001 129th St., Hammond. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays. Groups of 10 or more should call ahead. Call 219-228-2526 or go to
Prices: Logistics: www.emeraldgreenatlost marsh.com.