Online Staff Report

Best Western Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, has announced a new restaurant is now open at the resort.

Tempo Italian Bistro and Lounge is open for breakfast and will begin new dinner and lounge hours starting at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2.

Tempo, which is owned and operated by the Clock Tower, joins the Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery and the Callaloo Grille (inside CoCo Key Water Resort) as the three dining options of the resort.

“The mission of our new restaurant is twofold,” said Clock Tower General Manager Robert West. “No. 1, to serve healthy portions of excellently prepared dishes at reasonable prices, by a fast and friendly staff; and two, to provide a unique entertainment venue for guests to relax and enjoy some of the finest musical talent in the area.”

Tempo’s menu features traditional Italian cuisine including pastas and pizzas, as well as steaks, seafood, sandwiches and other casual dining selections.

The Tempo pizzas come in a variety of signature pies or custom pizzas featuring thin or pan crusts and 15 toppings to choose from. Every pizza features Chef Everett Bates’ own homemade, special recipe crust.

The breakfast menu includes many traditional favorites, including egg combo platters, omelets, pancakes, French toast and more. Kids’ menus are available for both breakfast and dinner.

The second element of the new restaurant, Tempo Lounge, is set in a “sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere” with full bar, table seating, stage and dance floor. The lounge will feature live jazz, blues, R&B and rock music on the weekends.

An open house is scheduled for 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2, at Tempo Lounge. The event will be hosted by Rockford’s own Harlan Jefferson. Admission is free, and guests will enjoy complimentary appetizers from 8 to 9 p.m. as well as entertainment from vocalist Leon Whittington, poet Shondale Rounds, DJ Neal and more.

Saturday, Nov. 3, Tempo Lounge will host a comedy night featuring Tara Terry, Emmett, Marcos and more special guests. The event begins at 8 p.m., and advanced tickets can be purchased at (779) 537-6564.

More live entertainment is scheduled for the rest of November, including performances from acts like Flavaa, Whalebone, Common Ground, Steve Ditzell and more.

Tempo Italian Bistro and Lounge is open daily at 6:30 a.m. (7 a.m. Sundays) until 11 a.m. for breakfast. Dinner hours are 5-9 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and noon-4 p.m., Sunday, for brunch.

For more information including menus and a complete list of upcoming events, visit www.tempoitalianbistro.com ^[1] or call (815) 229-4545 during business hours.

Posted Oct. 25, 2012