Trademark Tavern, Spacious New Restaurant And Gathering Spot In Lombard Receives Cheers And Praise

Trademark Tavern, a spacious and beautifully appointed new independently owned restaurant and gathering spot at 777 E. Butterfield Road in Lombard, Illinois (telephone: 630-472-0777), celebrates its grand opening on July 16. The new venue, owned by husband and wife Matthew and Mandy Lewandowski and their partner, George Cibula (Darwin Realty and Development) is designed as an upscale neighborhood tavern with a whimsical atmosphere. It's a stylish, come-as-you-are place that appeals to locals as well as the many business people who work in and visit the area.

Having been business partners for more than a decade, the Lewandowskis and Cibula often lamented the lack of a welcoming, reasonably priced family own restaurant in the Chicago suburbs where they could host business lunches or entertain clients after work in a relaxing, friendly atmosphere. "We were tired of the predictable, sub-par and overpriced food and drink of the many restaurants in the western suburbs," said Matt Lewandowski, "and so we decided that with Trademark Tavern, we would launch a restaurant that was ideal for the area."

The Lewandowski couple has been partner/investors in numerous restaurants and bars including RiNo, Manor and Stay. They were one of the original investors in Westwood Tavern and Tap in Schaumburg. "We conceived of Trademark Tavern as a place for the local community to gather on a regular basis," said Matt Lewandowski. "Our reasonably priced menu is very eclectic; we offer many, many food choices, perfect for sharing, so that people can create the kind of dining experience they feel like on any particular day." In addition to the varied menu of appetizers, sushi rolls, flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts, Trademark Tavern boasts a superb wine and cocktail program and, for beer lovers, more than thirty specialty beers on tap.

The general managers are Matt Killam, formerly at La Madia, Next Level Dining and Mainstreet Ventures and Kevin Hoy, formerly with Ala Carte Entertainment, Samco Enterprises (John Barleycorn, Moe's Cantina) and the Bamboo Room.

A large venue made comfortable through intelligent use of space
The generously-sized Trademark Tavern space is smartly divided into several smaller, more intimate seating areas and there are three nicely appointed private dining rooms. The d�cor features rustic woods and rich earth tones, a wood-beamed vaulted ceiling and a superb sound system. There are many amenities throughout the space that make it very appealing, such as numerous large screen HDTVs, an oversized and well-stocked bar and a comfortable lounge seating area in front of a stone fireplace. There also are two outdoor patios, one offering table service and the other designed as a lounge area.

Guests entering the premises encounter a beautifully backlit, oversized bar featuring a wide selection of wine and spirits. The signature bar attraction is the draft beer service. Trademark Tavern showcases an evolving selection of more than thirty imported and domestic craft beers on tap, plus nearly forty more available by the bottle or can Across from the bar area is a cozy lounge area overlooking a large stone fireplace. The bar area is also furnished with several high top tables.

The main dining room is spacious but smartly divided into smaller seating areas to create a more intimate feeling. There is a main dining area, nicely appointed with rustic wood tables and chairs. There also is a booth area with four large booths, each with its own built-in beer tap (two beers per booth). Each of the four booths has a different pair of beers, and guests can pour their own beer from any of these eight taps; they are charged by the pint. In addition, two more extra-large booths are tucked away in separate parts of the dining roo