A new Italian-American restaurant is expected to open next month in downtown Arlington Heights, its owners said this week. Passero, at 5 W. Campbell St., will have a menu inspired by family recipes and other creations of head chef Matt Peota, and be geared to families with kids. Interior renovations of the storefront space are underway, with a targeted opening date of Oct. 17.

The menu will include a short rib lasagna, made through a slow cooking method, and unique appetizers such as popcorn that tastes like pizza, Peota said. Beer, wine and about five craft cocktails will also be on the menu, permitted after the restaurant was granted a full service Class A liquor license this week by the village board. Village officials say they will issue the license once renovations are complete, tables and chairs have been installed, and village staff can do a walk through.