Glen Prairie Highlights Local Fresh Seasonal Ingredients in Chicago's Western Suburbs

With the intent to respect the environment and promote environmentally sustainable practices, Glen Prairie Fine Food & Drink (1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn,

Ill.; 630-613-1250), which opened August 12, is a local farm sourced fine dining restaurant with contemporary American cuisine. The cuisine emphasizes hearty meat, pasta and seasonal dishes utilizing meats, poultry and produce farmed locally or from across the country from farms practicing sustainable farming methods and celebrates the joys of artisanal cooking. Even the takeout containers are compostable and made from sugarcane rather than petroleum based plastics. The restaurant celebrates its grand opening on October 28.

"Its concept is drawn from the great American plains, its offerings come from the farmer that works his land, shares our respect for the environment and proudly supplies the food on our tables," according to Chef de Cuisine Daniel Ovanin. Accompanying Ovanin as part of Glen Prairie's opening team is Chris Turano, executive chef for two other restaurants for F&F Realty, owners of several popular Chicago-area restaurants, including: Dine, and MetroKlub, both located at 733 W. Madison St. in Chicago. F&F Realty also operates Birch River Grill in Arlington Heights, and Karma in Mundelein.

"The bountiful flavors and foods that are grown right here in the Midwest are brought to Glen Prairie's tables," Ovanin said. "Dining is about tasting different creations, and letting the natural flavors speak for themselves."

About the food

Glen Prairie's menu is designed to emphasize seasonal ingredients to showcase a variety of American flavors. The restaurant team shops local farmer's markets in Glen Ellyn and Lombard, Ill., as well as The Farm (stand) in Westchester, Ill. twice a week to source fresh ingredients.

Start the day with breakfast at Glen Prairie. Breakfast items incorporate cage-free eggs, such as Eggs Benedict, all natural Canadian bacon and cage-free poached eggs on a toasted English muffin with traditional hollandaise sauce ($12); Grilled Breakfast Sandwich, farm fresh fried egg, Wisconsin mild cheddar with choice of sliced Duroc ham, applewood smoked bacon, and Canadian bacon or sausage between thick brioche ($9); The American Farmer's Breakfast, farm fresh eggs cooked any style with choice of applewood smoked bacon, grilled ham or sausage accompanied with rustic skillet potatoes and choice of toasted bakery fresh breads ($9), or Corn Flake Crusted French Toast, cinnamon and farm fresh egg battered thick challah bread, rolled in coarse ground corn flakes, griddled crisp, served with pure maple syrup, whipped vanilla butter and market inspired berries.

Glen Prairie's lunch menu features a variety of sandwiches, including Glen Prairie Prime Burger, brioche bun, Laack Bros. two year aged cheddar, rustic potato fries and horseradish coleslaw ($11); Open Face Glen Prairie Signature Meatloaf, potato bread and mushroom gravy ($11); Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder, cola BBQ sauce on a toasted brioche bun ($10); Albacore Tuna, fresh lemon, olive oil, roasted almonds and seven grain bread ($10), and Oven Roasted Turkey Club, applewood smoked bacon, orange cranberry relish and toasted seven grain bread ($9). Glen Prairie offers an Express Lunch, with a half sandwich, cup of soup and small house or Caesar salad: choose two ($7) or three ($9).

Enjoy Glen Prairie's lunch entrée greens, including Glen Prairie Chopped Salad, roasted turkey breast, romaine hearts, applewood smoked bacon, scallions, fresh tomatoes and cider vinaigrette ($11); Buttermilk Fried Amish Chicken, mixed greens, fresh tomatoes, sweet corn, bell peppers, celery, scallions and honey Dijon vinaigrette ($12); and Prairie Cobb Salad, roasted Amish chicken, applewood smoked bacon, fresh tomatoes, red onion, farm fresh eggs, avocado, bleu cheese and Dijon vinaigrette ($12). Try the appetizer salad, Heirloom Tomatoes, warm Caw Caw Creek prosciutto wrapped fresh mozzarella and balsamic reduction ($8). Guests looking for heartier dishes can turn to Wild Mushroom Ravioli, baby eggplant, Roma tomatoes, basil and peppato ($14), or Simply Grilled Coho Salmon, with sweet corn polenta and roasted cherry tomato salad ($19).

For dinner, guests can enjoy soups and appetizers including Caramelized Bermuda Onion Soup, with herbed crouton, Laack Bros. swiss and gruyere ($6); Farm Fresh Garlic Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, with horseradish potato puree ($7); Free Range Colorado Lamb Chop, with port glaze, caramel onions and potato latke ($11); Ditzler Beef Tenderloin, with pearl couscous, crumbled feta and truffled vinaigrette ($12) and Lightly Smoked Whitefish Brandade, with peppato and crostini ($7). Glen Prairie's salad selections include the Market Prairie Salad, with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and cider vinaigrette ($6), or Roasted Heirloom Beets, with herbed goat cheese, sunflower seeds, organic greens and champagne vinaigrette ($7).

The dinnertime entrée selections are varied and wholesome. Fish lovers will indulge in Simply Grilled Coho Salmon, with sweet corn polenta and roasted cherry tomato salad ($19) and Lake Superior Whitefish, warm toasted barley salad and Meyer lemon nage ($18). Meat enthusiasts will savor Grilled Colorado Rack of Lamb, red banana fingerling potatoes, baby vegetables and rosemary jus ($32); Glen Prairie Signature Meatloaf, roasted vegetables, whipped potatoes and button mushroom gravy ($16); Grilled Duroc Pork Porterhouse, stone ground mustard and raspberry glaze, Minnesota wild rice and natural jus ($21); Ditzler Farm Filet Mignon, herb whipped potatoes, sautéed green beans and peppercorn-port jus ($32) and Grilled Dakota Farmed Bison Ribeye, parsnip brown butter whipped potatoes and caramelized baby beets ($34).

Green farmed wines highlight Glen Prairie's wine menu, complete with a key describing environmental attributes of the wines. The Grgich Hills Fume Blanc (Napa, California, $55) and the Charles Krug Chardonnay (Napa, California, $40) are certified organic farmed, with no man-made pesticides or fertilizers used. The Paraiso Reisling (Monterey, California, $40) is sustainable farming certified, an approach to farming putting emphasis on local produce. Sanford Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara, California, $60) and Wild Horse Pinot Noir (Central Coast, California, $52) are both sustainable farming non-certified, using an approach to farming putting emphasis on local produce. Other wines are biodynamic farming certified, which is sustainable and organic, but also incorporates the use of lunar phases and cosmic rhythms. One such wine is Bonny Doon Sangiovese (Santa Cruz Mountains, California, $40).

About the restaurant

Glen Prairie's décor, designed by the California-based Puccini Group, integrates the sustainable, local essence of the menu items into the restaurant's design. The wood floors and natural light against the backdrop of the organic color palate create a warm, inviting ambience in the restaurant. The organic, reusable quality of the restaurant continues with the use of compost-able carry-out supplies and recycled paper menus.

About the chef

Chef de Cuisine Daniel Ovanin began his culinary career at the Cooking & Hospitality Institute of Chicago, after moving to the Windy City from Los Angeles. Ovanin's career has spanned from dishwashing in Burr Ridge, Ill.'s Gia Mia, where he quickly became a sous chef, to serving as kitchen supervisor at Ciazza Restaurant in the Burr Ridge Marriott. Following Ciazza, Ovanin served as kitchen manager at the Five Seasons Country Club in Burr Ridge, then took his skills to the Compass Group in Evanston, Ill. Ovanin, who currently resides in Willowbrook, Ill., highlights his talent at Glen Prairie as chef de cuisine.

Glen Prairie is located at 1250 Roosevelt Rd. in Glen Ellyn, Ill. in Chicago's western suburbs. Glen Prairie is managed by F&F Realty, Ltd., which owns and operates numerous commercial and residential properties throughout the Chicago area. Glen Prairie's 60-seat dining room and 40-seat lounge is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 365 days a year. Glen Prairie also boasts private dining seating for up to 40 guests. Glen Prairie is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge remains open one hour later than the restaurant each day. For more details, contact the restaurant at (630) 613-1250 or www.glenprairie.com