UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — Set to open on Thursday in the former Old Oak Tap, The Rookery offers American fare in a cozy, rustic bar and dining room as its owners strive to build upon the best parts of its predecessor.
Drawing its namesake from a rookery, which is a gathering place "for gregarious birds or mammals," the Ukrainian Village restaurant will begin with dinner service and eventually add lunch and weekend brunch, according to co-owner Chris Montgomery.
On a tour of The Rookery, 2109 W. Chicago Ave. on Monday, Montgomery said the goal was to build on the best parts of Old Oak Tap that were already there when the popular neighborhood spot abruptly closed Dec. 30.
"It was a real accessible neighborhood place and inviting and we want to keep that vibe," Montgomery said.
Montgomery and Rookery co-owner Amy Teri — who was one of three partners at the Old Oak Tap — collaborated with Siren Betty Design on the interior, which was inspired by the artwork of John James Audubon.
Paintings and sketches of birds adorn the walls while found objects from nature and vintage liquor bottles are featured in a display behind the bar with curved shelving made out of old wine barrels.
Chef Michael Dean Reynolds, who previously worked at Brass Monkey and got his start in the late '90s at Cafe Absinthe, said the kitchen's goal is to create "delicious, accessible and affordable" food.
Smoked, pickled, roasted and fermented items are familiar themes throughout the menu, which offers a variety of snacks designed for sharing, like a soft pretzel with beer cheese ($9); roasted cashews with olive oil and sea salt ($4); charred calamari ($14) and Bar Harbor mussels ($10).
On the lighter side, there's three salads: romaine ($10), spinach ($11) and field greens ($10).
The entrees include a double cheeseburger topped with aged cheddar, onion marmalade, bacon, pickles and smoked tomato with a side of fries ($16); fish and chips ($16); roasted chicken breast with potatoes, mushrooms and gravy ($20); BBQ mushroom sandwich ($12); and seared pork belly sandwich ($14).
To wash everything down, The Rookery's bar, managed by Kate Smith, will focus on locally and regionally sourced spirits and beers.
Cocktails include "Doves Cry," with tequila, lime, ginger beer and purple salt and "Birdy" with rum, absinthe, demerara and bitters. See the full cocktail menu.
The wine selections, sold by the glass only, are curated by sommelier Shebnem Ince.
Once open, The Rookery will add 25 new jobs to Chicago Avenue. The inside has 113 seats and there's an extra 50 spots on the enclosed front patio.
A sampling from the snacks menu at The Rookery. [Arunas Ingaunis/The Rookery]
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