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 décor 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 room; one can accommodate eight people, the other ten people.
The culinary team is led by Executive Chef Geoff Silverwood, a Chicago native who built his résumé at such restaurants as The Fishguy Market, May Street Market and Benchmark in Chicago and Butterfield 9 and New Heights Restaurants in Washington, DC. The menu offers a generous collection of nicely presented and delicious contemporary comfort foods. The menu selections were chosen with variety in mind. “Trademark Tavern is the kind of place that people will want to come often, because there are many choices of food and beverages and it’s a very comfortable yet stimulating place,” said Silverwood. “No matter what kind of food craving our lunch and dinner guests have on a particular day, they will find something that will please them and leave them happy and satisfied.”
The Beer, Wine and Spirits program offers a wide selection of craft products
Trademark Tavern’s beautiful oversized bar is a showcase for the ambitious and well-constructed beer, wine and spirits program, under the direction of General Manager Kevin Hoy. Here one will find one of largest beer selections in the Chicago area. With more than thirty beers on tap and forty more by the bottle or can, Trademark Tavern offers its guests an opportunity to enjoy craft beers to please any beer lover’s palate. Among the notable beers on tap is the signature beer, Trademark Tavern’s Beer-Delicious Weiss Beer, brewed for Trademark Tavern by Two Brothers Brewery.Other great draft selections include Trumer Pils-German Style Pilsner and Big Sky Moose Drool-American Brown Ale. By the bottle, brews such as Bear Republic-Hop Rod Rye, Tripel Karmeliet-Belgium Abbey Tripel, Left Hand-Milk Stout Nitro Sweet Stout, Victory-Golden Monkey Abbey Tripel are just the beginning.Aficionados of craft whiskeys will also find that Trademark Tavern stocks a broad and deep selection. The Scotch collection includes such outstanding names as Glenmorangie, Lagavulin, Macallan, Talisker, and Laphroaig. Whiskeys include Trademark Tavern’s signature bourbon by Evan Williams, barrel-aged specifically for Trademark Tavern, as well as notable names like Baker’s, Basil Hayden and Woodford Reserve.
The specialty cocktail and martini menu has been equally well conceived. The signature cocktail is the Basil Strawberry Mojito, which is a refreshing blend of savory and sweet. Other cocktail delights include the Trademark Collins (Beefeater Gin, St. Germaine, simple sugar, fresh squeezed orange, soda and lime juice), The Big Tavernowski (Absolut Vodka, Kahlua and Rumchata), a house Sangria by the pitcher and a Skinny Cucumber Mojito. Among the many martini choices is the Trademarkini, featuring the signature Trademark bourbon, Chamborg, cranberry and lemon twist.
Trademark Tavern’s wine list is designed to accompany the wine variety of food choices. There are 27 wines available by the glass, and the overall collection includes domestic wines as well as those from Europe, South America and New Zealand.
Private dining is a big attraction
Trademark Tavern is an especially attractive location for a private event. There are three private rooms around the parameter of the restaurant, each with beautifully windowed walls, and all are fully A/V equipped for business or social occasions. The Chef’s Room features one large rustic wood table with comfortable seating for up to fourteen people. The North room, with an adjacent wine closet and direct access to the outdoor patio, can accommodate up to 70 people. The South Room can accommodate up to 100 people.Trademark Tavern located at 777 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard, IL 60148. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight. There is a large parking lot with easy access from Butterfield Road, and the restaurant accepts all major cards. For more information about Trademark Tavern, please contact Trademark Tavern at (630) 472-0777 or visit the website at
www.trademarktavern.com.
