The Harp Group and Mid-America Development Partners Launch Restaurant Company

With Renowned Executive Chef Rick Tramonto and Executive Pastry Chef Gale Gand

. October 14, 2008

CHICAGO, IL, March 15, 2006. The Harp Group, a Chicago-based real estate investment and development company specializing in hospitality and retail projects, announced today that it has joined with Mid-America Development Partners, a full-service real estate development firm headquartered in Oakbrook, Ill., to formed the restaurant company, Cenitare. Cenitare, which means "we dine often" in Latin, will develop restaurants in partnership with nationally-acclaimed Executive Chef Rick Tramonto and Executive Pastry Chef Gale Gand of TRU in Chicago.

Cenitare's first new hotel restaurant venture with Tramonto and his partner, Gand, will be Tramanto Steaks and Seafood, and Osteria di Tramonto. Both restaurants are scheduled to open at the end of the year at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel in Wheeling, Ill. Tramonto and Gand will also lend their talents as consultants to the historic Pump Room at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago, refreshing the menu to continue the restaurant's legendary cuisine.

"We are truly excited about launching Cenitare and partnering with the culinary talents of Rick and Gale to create exceptional dining experiences," said Peter G. Dumon, president of The Harp Group. "Cenitare's Westin Chicago North Shore and Pump Room ventures with Rick and Gale are the first of many to come as our restaurant company is developing new concepts and actively seeking additional sites in Chicago as well as South Beach, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York and other markets across the country."

About The Harp Group:

Founded by Peter G. Dumon in 1997, The Harp Group is a Chicago-based real estate investment and development company with a focus on hospitality and consumer real estate projects. The company specializes in creating hospitality and retail destinations through imaginative and enduring designs with a true understanding of the relationship between a project's architectural appeal and the people drawn to it. The Harp Group is recognized for its expertise in complex development projects that require a high degree of specialization and organization. For more information on The Harp Group, its hotel portfolio and current developments, call 630-971-1360 or visit the company on the Internet at www.theharpgroup.com.

About Mid-America Development Partners:

Mid-America Development Partners, LLC, (Mid-Am), founded in 2001 by David P. Bossy and Michael D. Firsel, is a full-service real estate development firm headquartered in Oakbrook, Ill. The company is committed to creating functional, attractive developments that enhance their communities and deliver an exceptional level of tangible value to both its partners and the municipalities it serves. Currently, Mid-America Development has more than 40 projects, including retail, hospitality and mixed-use in various stages of development. For more information on Mid-America Development Partners, LLC, call 630-954-7700 or visit the company on the Internet at www.midamdevelopment.com.

About Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand:

Rick Tramonto is the executive chef/partner of Tru in Chicago, one of Cond'e Nast Traveler's Top 50 Best Restaurants in the World in 2000. He is the 2002 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef in the Midwest. With culinary partner Gale Gand, he coauthored American Brasserie, Butter Sugar Flour Eggs, and TRU, a cookbook from the legendary Chicago restaurant. He is also the author of Amuse-Bouche.

Gale Gand is the executive pastry chef/partner at Tru. In 2001 she received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef and was named top pastry chef of the year by Bon App'etit. She is also the host of the Food Network's Sweet Dreams. With culinary partner Rick Tramonto, Gand coauthored American Brasserie, Butter Sugar Flour Eggs, and TRU, a cookbook from the legendary Chicago restaurant. She is the author of Gale Gand's Just a Bite and Gale Gand's Short and Sweet.