After years of plans for a restaurant at Arrington Lagoon that never seemed to pan out, the cafe is now up and running, although how long it will stay open this winter remains in question.
The facility's opening, originally scheduled for early summer, was delayed until October due to problems with the building's structure and an outdated kitchen. The City Council approved $100,000 in funding to renovate the facility in April, and construction began over the summer. Crews repaired the sewer line to the facility and replaced the flooring in the indoor seating area. They completely remodeled the kitchen with new appliances including an espresso machine that makes a really good cup of coffee.
The city put out a request for proposals in April looking for a vendor to operate the facility but received no response. “The building was in such a state of disrepair that most companies didn’t want to take on the renovation,” said Michel Drape, the city’s food service manager.
Currently, the establishment is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a focus on coffee and pastries. “We will keep the restaurant open on weekends throughout the winter as long as it is financially feasible,” said Michael Callahan, the city’s deputy director of parks and recreation.
During colder weather, the facility has indoor seating that offers beautiful views of Lake Michigan.
At a meeting with Evanston residents on Oct. 18, Callahan and Drape received feedback on food and beverage options and hours of operation. “We want to make sure the restaurant offering meets residents’ expectations,” Callahan said.
The city attempts to source the food served at the restaurant from Evanston businesses. “The muffins and scones from Bennison's Bakery have been well received,” Drape said. “We’re looking for the perfect bagel, but we haven’t found it yet.”
The restaurant's menu will be limited due to the small size of the kitchen (see photo) and stock limitations. The establishment is not designed to serve an extensive lunch or dinner menu, but appetizers, cheese, and beer and wine are available. Drape and his team work to find the best selection of products they can prepare and serve in a limited space. An application for a liquor license is in progress.
The 2025 summer schedule is still pending – service times depend on foot traffic and sales. Callahan and Drape said they expect the restaurant to be open early in the morning to cater to the fitness crowd and people on their way to work, and then in the early evening for beer, wine and light appetizers.
Without committing to a set schedule, Drape and Callahan said they expect the restaurant to be open during the summer season from about 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
They also do not expect to launch another tender looking for a private company to manage and operate the facility, but are open to ideas and/or suggestions from local companies. Current plans call for city employees to staff the restaurant.
The restaurant was closed the Sunday after Thanksgiving (December 1).
“We were open on Saturday and numbers were low. We have decided not to open on Sunday and are now evaluating next steps,” Callahan said in an email. “We may be closed until spring, but I’m not sure yet.”
The dining team is open to suggestions from Evanston residents about the menu, hours of operation and even a new name for the establishment. You can reach Drape or Callahan at 311.