{image1} There's a new attraction at Potawatomi Bingo Casino, and it shares little in common with the potentially overwhelming bells and whistles found on the gaming floor.
Potawatomi recently debuted Dream, a late-night jazz experience at Dream Dance, the four-diamond, four-star restaurant tucked away on the casino's second level.
Dream offers casino guests a chance to sit back, relax and unwind in style to a backdrop of live jazz performances from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Patrons can augment the music experience by sidling up to the 10-seat bar and choosing from the menu's dozen martinis (running $9 to $21) or extensive near-retail priced wine list.
Visitors can also take a bite out of Dream's "upscale snack food," which includes fresh Thai calamari ($8) and Kobe beef skewers ($10), prepared by chef Jason Gorman. Other Dream plates on the menu include honey baked Brie ($8) served with Door County cherries and macadamia nuts, as well as Big John's truffle potato skins ($7), cooked with white truffle oil and melted Parmesan cheese.
"Think of cheese fries upgraded to the fine dining experience," Gorman says.
Gorman says he and general manager Christian Damiano -- both big jazz fans -- wanted Dream to exude an atmosphere of elegance while maintaining a level of affordability. Dream is intended to offer visitors to Potawatomi some of the same perks afforded to patrons at some of the more elegant casinos found on the Las Vegas strip, Gorman says.
"Because we're in a casino, we thought there was a certain element missing," he says. "There's not a whole lot of chances for the guests to get away to hear smooth jazz, enjoy cocktails and experience a relaxing atmosphere."
Though Dream's high-end nightclub ambience may appeal more to the casino's high rollers, Gorman says it was important for he and Damiano to strike a balance that would make it both swanky and sensible.
"We wanted to create a place where we would both want to go hang out at," Gorman says. "We wanted a place that would offer more than dinner."
Though the jazz and fine food and drinks are the main attractions at Dream, which opened in November, the 75-seat restaurant's candle-lit setting adds an element of intimacy to the late-night experience.
Damiano says Dream hosts up to 50 guests on Fridays, with that number climbing to between 60 and 100 for Saturday nights.
Recent performers have included the Donna Woodall Group and the Mark Davis Quartet.
For reservations or more information on Dream at Dream Dance, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St., call (414) 847-7883.
