Fine dining doing just fine

From the exhaustive wine list and filet mignon to the wood-accented interior and elegant lighting, you know you're in a downtown Chicago restaurant.

No, make that Indianapolis.

Wrong again try Fort Wayne.

The Summit City has called Eddie Merlot's its own since owner and founder Bill Humphries established the upscale eatery here in 2001. The 32-year restaurant veteran is overseeing an ambitious nationwide expansion that includes future locations in Scottsdale, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; and Chicago.

Construction is underway in Englewood, Colorado, so that an Eddie Merlot's can debut there by winter. Humphries celebrated the Pittsburgh, opening of his 10th restaurant in April.

Success among upscale diners is evident at other Fort Wayne restaurants. They are maintaining traffic and in some cases building sales even as some consumers are still frugal about spending.

Upscale and coming

Humphries said an aging population is the key to his marketing strategy.

The baby boomers just don't want to entertain, but be entertained, he said. When you come out for a good meal, there's no worry about cleaning up afterward. You can just sit back and enjoy your friends.

Chops and Baker Street restaurants are two other examples of businesses that could cash in on the expected increase in annual sales that the National Restaurant Association forecasts.

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Fine dining doing just fine