November 23, 2007 (LOMBARD)
Up until a few months ago, Yorktown Mall had plenty of shopping, and not much in the way of destination dining. But in just the past few months, the options have exploded - with nearly 20 restaurants now on-site.
"The goal was to bring in a really great collection of restaurants - many new to the area - that would provide a downtown experience in a suburban setting," SAID Erica Strama, Yorktown Center.
Another reason: the Shops on Butterfield, a collection of new businesses, many of them food-related, like Adobo Grill. With two locations in the city, this is owner Paul LoDuca's first foray into the suburbs. His tableside guac is omnipresent, as are grilled pork tenderloin in mole, with fresh corn tamal and garlicky spinach; chipotle marinated shrimp offers a bit of heat, and the margaritas are always worth sipping.
A few doors down, there's a Flat Top Grill offering make-your-own stir-frys.
And there are imports, such as Brio Tuscan Grill with its chain-influenced Italian-American fare. Another import - Boudin SF - is a West Coast staple, making incredibly good sourdough, and a host of other artisanal-style breads. They show up in two-handed sandwiches, plus, holding beef stew or arriving with crab-stuffed mac and cheese.
"We're seeing people come here just to dine, we're seeing people do cross-shopping - come here to shop and dine - so it's really about if you want to come here for an hour or two, or really stay the day, or even stay the night at the Westin," said Strama.
Over at the Westin, there's a Harry Caray's, and next door, their new seafood concept, Holy Mackerel. Clam chowder is as good as advertised; Cioppino - a fisherman's stew - is chock-a-block with clams, shrimp and huge diver scallops, crowned with king crab. Lobster rolls are inspired by East Coast shore lunches, as are oysters on the half shell. Calamari goes well beyond fried; here, it's sautéed in a zesty tomato sauce, served with crisp, buttery crostini.
As for the timing of opening more than a dozen new restaurants in just a handful of months "it worked out very well," said Strama.
"We will be 18 sit-down restaurants coming into the holidays, so we're in very good shape," said Strama.
Adobo Grill
356 Yorktown Center, Lombard
630-627-9990
Boudin SF
348 Yorktown Center, Lombard
630-691-1849
Holy Mackerel!
Westin Hotel
70 Yorktown Center, Lombard
630-953-3444
Brio
330 Yorktown Center, Lombard
630-424-1515
Flat Top Grill
305 Yorktown Center, Lombard
630-652-3700
D.O.C. Wine Bar
326 Yorktown Center
630-627-6666
For more information about dining options at Yorktown Mall visit yorktowncenter.com
