MORGAN PARK — The many flags outside of Global Kitchen in Morgan Park will all be paired with menu items when the restaurant at 11722 S. Western Ave. opens Friday.
Essy Glenn of Beverly has been working toward opening her own restaurant for the past four years. Her dream was to showcase an eclectic range of her favorite foods from throughout the world.
Pork chops, sushi, collared greens, seared steaks, pancakes and halibut are just a sampling of the variety that will be available at Global Kitchen from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays.
"We didn't want the traditional restaurant," Glenn said Tuesday. "It's a little bit of food from each country."
Essy Glenn, owner of Global Kitchen, was a fan of the Beatles as a child. She has decorated the London room of her restaurant with several pictures of the iconic band. [DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig]
The decor of the 98-seat restaurant is equally varied. Aside from the main dining room, seven private areas are built around individual themes that reflect the restaurant owner's worldview. Each room also has its own stereo system, too — able to either carry the theme or suit a customer's taste.
There's the Japan room with its impressive jade artwork on the wall. The Mexico room decorated with fun geckos, and the London room decked out with pictures of the Beatles and the British flag.
"As a teenager, I went to the [Beatles] concert, and I think I was the only black person there," said Glenn, adding that the iconic band once made her faint.
The Japan room at Global Kitchen in Morgan Park features a special table setting that matches the room's theme. A large framed piece of artwork hangs near the table. The art is made of jade. [DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig]
The decor in the main dining area includes a hand-carved table runner from Africa that looks like an crocodile. Other artwork and funky furniture in the main room keeps with the restaurant's global theme.
The only time Global Kitchen breaks from its motif is in a formal dining area called the John "Johnathon" Wesley room. This room is named for Glenn's late son, who was shot and killed in a robbery in 2004. He was studying at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla. at the time.
"He was a good kid, a 4.0 student," said Glenn, the mother of five children and a member of the Morgan Park United Methodist Church.
Glenn said Global Kitchen will have separate menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She's still in the process of applying for a license to sell alcohol. In the meantime, she's serving cappuccinos and smoothies from the bar.
The main dining area at Global Kitchen in Morgan Park features this hand-carved crocodile table runner. The decor matches the overall eclectic theme of the restaurant that will showcase various food from throughout the world. [DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig]
For dinner, most entrees will range between $13-$20. Glenn said Global Kitchen will also have special theme nights to showcase various global cuisine, such as German food on Monday evenings and taco Tuesday.
In addition to the restaurant, customers will also be able to walk up to buy fresh bakery items from a small boutique just off the main entrance. Danish and other sweet breads will be served along with a variety of artisan loafs and dinner rolls, Glenn said.
The restaurant will also have a separate gluten-free bakery and will sell such items as well, said Glenn, a native of Chinatown.
And while there's no Irish-themed room, Glenn said she's particularly adept at a neighborhood favorite.
"I cook the best corned beef. I'm not bragging, but it is good," she said.
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