WICKER PARK — Birchwood Kitchen, a popular BYOB brunch and lunch staple, has recently welcomed a new chef, expanded its weekday hours and switched from counter to table service.
Chef Jesse Williams, who worked at Birchwood Kitchen for three years before leaving a year ago to work at Floriole Cafe, returned in October and recently added a weekday dinner menu.
Located at 2211 W. North Ave. about two blocks west of Wicker Park's Milwaukee, Damen and North Avenues intersection, Birchwood Kitchen opened in 2009 and is mainly known for its sandwiches and breakfast fare.
Birchwood's general manager Laine Peterson said that the decision to ditch the line where customers ordered their food and then got a number where dishes were delivered to their table was prompted by a desire to provide more interactions with guests.
"Service has always been at the forefront with us and becoming a full-service restaurant better allows staff to deliver the genuine interactions guests have become accustomed to," Peterson said.
Peterson added that Williams return to Birchwood has excited customers. Her hiring "allows us to change the menu more frequently with the season, as well as encourage a dialogue about delicious food with our customers," Peterson said.
Williams' new dinner menu, which is served Tuesday through Friday, offers "seasonal American dishes with global influences" according to a news release.
Some of the new fall and winter menu items include house made pickles, prosciutto, baked feta with lentils and salads, along with larger plates running the gamut from stuffed eggplant to braised chicken thighs, cod and shepherd's pie.
Other dinner items include a bacon cheddar burger, pickled beet and goat cheese sandwich and braised pot roast over a baguette. See Birchwood Kitchen's Dinner menu here.
Birchwood Kitchen, 2211 W. North Ave.; Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The dinner menu is available Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.
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