Napa Valley meets Chicago's West Loop at the new Oakville Grill & Cellar

Coming this spring, the Oakville Grill & Cellar will offer the largest, California-exclusive wine list in Chicago with grilled, classic Midwest-style food.

Photo byhaveseen/Depositphotos.com

(CHICAGO) Chicagoans can step into Napa Valley wine country this spring in the Fulton Market District.

Oakville Grill & Cellar will feature a Midwest-inspired menu, focusing on live-fire cooking combined with an extensive California wine list of 750 hand-selected wines.

According to Eater Chicago, it's been a mystery what Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises was planning for the Fulton Market neighborhood. But the guessing game is over now that Lettuce Entertain You has announced the Oakville Grill & Cellar is coming this spring to 163 N. Green Street.

The new restaurant concept is a collaboration between Chef Max Robbins and Wine Director Richard Hanauer, Partner at RPM Restaurants. The Oakville Grill & Cellar is Chef Robbins' first opening with Lettuce Entertain You.

“The Oakville Grill & Cellar combines Northern California’s charm with Chicago’s classic neighborhood dining,” says Chef Max Robbins in a press release. “Our team celebrates these two regions with approachable and uncomplicated cooking alongside a fantastic wine program. From light and crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken to Coal-Roasted Salmon with stone ground grits and ramps, the menu highlights thoughtful and familiar plates alongside seafood, oak wood grilled, and vegetable dishes.”

Additionally, over 750 wines will be hand selected by Wine Director Richard Hanauer and his team of sommeliers.

“Oakville is the quintessential wine town, debatably the heart of Napa Valley,” said Hanauer. “With this project, we want to celebrate the diversity of Californian wine by focusing on iconic regions like Napa and Sonoma enhanced by lesser known appellations like Lodi, Ballard Canyon, and Willow Creek, to name a few.”

When will the restaurant open?

We don't have a definitive date yet. Lettuce Entertain You has announced a spring 2023 opening. You can follow the restaurant's social media pages for the latest on Facebook and Instagram at @theoakvillechicago.

Will there be outdoor seating?

Yes, the restaurant will compose of two floors. Outdoor seating will be available on the first floor and the second floor will house an all-season terrace with a full-service bar.

Will the restaurant offer wine tastings?

Yes, the Cellar Door, a tasting room in the restaurant will offer personalized wine tastings of California wines.

________

To get NewsBreak stories delivered for FREE on your phone, download the NewsBreak App. If you use my link, I get a small commission (at no cost to you.)