"Retailer Crate and Barrel’s first full-service restaurant opens today at the Oakbrook Center shopping center, helmed by James Beard-nominee Bill Kim (Urbanbelly). The Table at Crate offers shareable, seasonal dishes at 35 Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook, according to a news release. The space was formerly occupied by the Crate and Barrel children’s furniture store, Land of Nod. The bilevel restaurant, which is designed to showcase the company’s kitchen tools and tableware, seats 75 and includes both indoor and outdoor spaces. Created in collaboration with Cornerstone Restaurant Group (the company behind the various Michael Jordan steakhouses), the Table at Crate features the same spare, modern aesthetic as the business’s popular home goods. Dusty rose, green, and grey chairs line the smooth, wooden tables, and large windows fill the space with sunlight. Creative lighting accents hang above tables in clusters and white-and-grey dishes are artfully arranged on one wall. The largely vegetable-focused menu features a number of ingredients sourced from area farmers including Three Sisters Garden, Mick Klug Farm, and Green Acres Farm. Subsections include garden and greens, with items including mushroom fricasse (white corn grits, truffle oil, herb butter) and watermelon salad (poached shrimp, forbidden black rice, agave dijon dressing). There are three tartine options (avocado, BLT, and “mighty vine” tomato) and several bowls, including cavatelli (double smoked bacon, tomato sauce, basil). The main dishes are decidedly protein-centric, such as garlic and rosemary marinated skirt steak (tomato salsa, waffle fries), but Kim favors a deep dish cauliflower lasagna (tomato garlic sauce, mozzarella). Diners can expect wine by the glass and bottle, as well as a number of beers and ciders with a few locally-brewed options. There are eight cocktails, such as the “Hey, Hi, Hello” (Tito’s vodka, Dolin Blanc vermouth, strawberry guava, lemon, Grand Poppy liqueur) and “Midnight Surmise” (Plantation dark rum, Metric coffee, Amaro Abano, oat milk, demerara, Bittermens Elemauke bitters). The bar also offers trendy spirit-free cocktails, including the “Crime of Passion” (black tea, passion fruit, lemon, demerara, mint, soda water). The Table at Crate provides grab-and-go items too, as well as a coffee bar. The Table at Crate is now open at Oakbrook Center." - Naomi Waxman
