Highly-acclaimed Chicago restaurant opens in Highwood on North Shore

Chicago Restaurants Highly-acclaimed Chicago restaurant opens in Highwood on North Shore Avec, from the award-winning One Off Hospitality group, opened its doors at 250 Waukegan Avenue in Highwood on Nov. 6 By Francie Swidler • Published 3 hours ago • Updated 1 hour ago One of Chicago's most beloved Mediterranean restaurants is now open on the North Shore. Avec, from the award-winning One Off Hospitality group, opened its doors at 250 Waukegan Avenue in Highwood Nov. 6. The restaurant, inside a former boxing gym , was transformed by Present Future Architects and Chas Bender Co. over the past 1.5 years into a 95-seat, bleached-oak dining room with exposed beams, a U-shaped bar and an exhibition kitchen customers can see from the street. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE Ross Floyd Ross Floyd The atmosphere, One Off Hospitality said with wood paneling, custom millwork, terrazzo tile and curved archways add to the "subtle retro influence." Ross Floyd Ross Floyd “The partners are ecstatic with the design of avec highwood,” Donnie Madia, founding partner of One Off Hospitality said in an announcement about the opening. “I think it’s one of the most beautiful restaurants we’ve opened as a company." The opening marks the group's second expansion into the suburbs, following a 2023 opening of Publican Quality Bread in Oak Park. Local Brandon Johnson 58 minutes ago Chicago mayor's CFO resigned after three months, and the resignation letter is scathing Technology 2 hours ago What caused the Outlook outage? Microsoft issues apology after some services restored According to the announcement, the group chose Highwood for its first North Shore restaurant because of the small city's "long-standing reputation for dining and hospitality." The suburb, tucked between Highland Park, Fort Sheridan and Lake Forest, is well-known for its legendary restaurants, including the 103-year-old Del Rio and famous French bistro Miramar. "Highwood is thrilled that One Off Hospitality has chosen our community as the home for the group's first concept on the North Shore," Highwood City Manager Scott Coren said in the announcement. "Their approach to repurposing buildings and transforming them into stylish, welcoming spaces feels like a natural fit for Highwood and our century-long tradition of hospitality—a town where the North Shore comes together to eat, drink and connect." The restaurant also serves as a homecoming for Executive Chef Dylan Patel, who grew up in Vernon Hills and joined the restaurant in 2015 as an intern, the announcement said. Galdones Photography Galdones Photography Famous for its Mediterranean-inspired shared plates with ingredients from local farmers, the restaurant will be open for dinner every day of the week starting at 4:30 p.m., with favorites from its West Loop and River North food and bar menus including chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates and double-zero flour pizzas. Next year, the Highwood restaurant will open a private-event space next door with its own bar and a retractable wall. "What makes this opening particularly special is that One Off Hospitality began building relationships here long before opening its doors," Highwood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifur Condon said. "From inviting community input on which concept to bring to Highwood to collaborating with local businesses and participating in Highwood events, they've demonstrated a genuine appreciation for what makes Highwood special." Ross Floyd Ross Floyd This article tagged under: Chicago Restaurants