This one is a no-brainer - one of the easiest 5-star reviews I've ever posted. Oak Leaf Cafe is an absolutely terrific restaurant that checks off every single box that needs to be checked in evaluating a restaurant. Comfortable ambiance, check. Very friendly and attentive staff, check. First-rate food preparation and fresh ingredients, check. Reasonable pricing, check.
Situated between a gastropub and a high-end fancy joint in a strip mall, OLC for me is first and foremost a creperie, but with a ton of other offerings beyond that. The large menu includes 6 different versions of eggs benedict, 9 different omelets, 6 different takes on avocado toast, pancakes, french toast, 5 different burgers, 7 sandwiches, 9 different entrees that include chicken parm, NY steak, shrimp linguini, and salmon, 4 wraps, and for me, best of all, 9 different crepes including a build-your-own.
It is difficult to find a restaurant with crepes on the menu, even in Chicago, and especially of the quality of OLC's crepes. My wife had crepes florentine, consisting of two large crepes filled with perfectly cooked scrambled eggs, 2 kinds of cheese, spinach, onions, and tomatoes. It came with a side of "homemade country potatoes", which were perfectly cooked, slightly crisped, and popping with flavors that displayed knowing hands in the kitchen. I customized my crepe to include ground beef, cheddar cheese, and sauteed onions - also with the country potatoes on the side. The portion of ground beef was quite large, and the texture and flavor of the dish were great.
As full as we were, we couldn't resist splitting one of OLC's sweet cream cheese crepes covered with perfectly ripe and juicy fresh strawberries and blueberries for dessert. Crazy, I know, and we realized we were lucky not to have needed to call an ambulance due to obscene gluttony, but wow, it was so worth it. Really, really good.
OLC is a gem, not just because of the excellent food, but because the back story is so appealing. We were served by both Velma and Lisa, who could not have been any nicer or more attentive to our needs. We learned that Velma and her husband, Raymond, are the new owners. Raymond is the skilled chef who prepared our exceptional food. I love a story like that - first-time restaurant owners (with plenty of experience backing them up), a husband-wife team so eager to succeed in a tough environment - you just have to root for their success. They are clearly earning it.
We were seated at an outdoor table with a great view of the water and trees. It was a warm mid-morning with the sun shining - beautiful, for sure. We'd highly recommend an outdoor table, weather-permitting. The restaurant inside was immaculately clean and also inviting.
I think you'll be surprised at just how pleasant a dining experience at OLC is. I'm certain the word will get out, and this restaurant will grow in popularity and receive the success it deserves. Try it. This is a terrific restaurant. read more