O'Toole's Of Libertyville Gastropub's New Chef-Driven Concept Will Add Sizzle To Red Hot Libertyville Restaurant Row
LIBERTYVILLE - The highly anticipated late-this-year opening of brand-enhanced O'Toole's of
Libertyville www.facebook.com/OToolesLibertyville, 412 N. Milwaukee Avenue, will bring with it a chef-driven concept new to the O'Toole's Pub Group highlighted by the same great craft beer and wine selection, hip comedy club, and unique special events made famous at its renowned sister locations in Chicago and Gurnee under the award winning Timothy O'Toole's banner.
Long time loyal fans of Timothy O'Toole's will find a more extensive menu at the new O'Toole's of Libertyville Gastropub aimed at a 30-plus audience as well as families that will join newcomers to the concept. They will enjoy 48 specially-selected craft beers, an expanded wine collection, and Chicago's premier stand-up comedy show and collective, "Comedians You Should Know," at the 100-plus year-old historic location formerly occupied by the recently relocated Mickey Finn's Brewery.
The look and feel of the new 10,400 square-foot O'Toole's of Libertyville will result in a new neighborhood gathering place with its enhanced brand of food, libations, and fun served up by the Chicago area icon the last 22 years in Chicago and five years in Gurnee. It will add sizzle to the already on-fire, burgeoning Libertyville restaurant scene.
"While our name and reputation speaks for itself, we realize we still have to deliver a quality product in order to succeed in such a competitive market," said Sara McKinnon, who owns O'Toole's Pub Group along with her husband, Humberto Martinez, Jr. "I grew up in Libertyville, as did our executive chef, Corey Grupe. The town has a great community feel. For years, Humberto and I have regularly frequented Libertyville's restaurants. We have a good grasp of how to satisfy our customers and will strive to do so in Libertyville," she said.
The new O'Toole's of Libertyville is being completely remodeled inside and out for about $1.5
million. Its two centerpieces which define the spirit of O'Toole's of Libertyville: the expanded,
welcoming outdoor patio complete with a gas fireplace that comfortably seats 50 even when the outdoor temperature drops to 45 degrees, and the custom, cherry hardwood bar that stretches 40 feet and serves 20 people in front of six big screen televisions in the main bar.
Of note is the new dining room, "rustic, but refined," said McKinnon, with wood tables and smoky mirrors; a walk in cooler in the spot formerly housing brewing equipment which will feature a bottle shop of leading brands of beer for purchase; and a cosmetically changed room upstairs which will host private parties and special events such as Karaoke and piano bar nights. It will have a secondary bar and offer late night appetizers when the kitchen closes. Not only is the main kitchen being completely redone but so are the bathrooms.
"We are kicking up our new menu a notch at O'Toole's of Libertyville from our Timothy O'Toole's offerings, which includes our award-winning hot wings," said McKinnon, who added the hot wings are a "must-include" on the O'Toole's of Libertyville menu. "We are creating some signature dishes with a twist; skirt steak, fresh fish, Farmer's Market salad. There will be farm to table items, and healthier meals for kids. We'll even have our very own herb garden to use in our dishes."
O'Toole's of Libertyville's signature dishes will include:
• Spinach and artichoke Beer Nuggets with Scotch Ale cheddar fondue
• Dry aged, 10-ounce Burger with Wisconsin cheddar and bacon onion marmalade served
on a brioche bun.
• Chicken Panini - Chicken breast, prosciutto, olive tapenade, Manchego cheese, and quince preserve.
• Napa Salad - Field greens, kale, grapes, Ewe's bleu cheese, almonds, sun-dried cherries, quinoa, and Champagne-Cassis vinaigrette
• Seared Sea Scallops - Pumpkin-quinoa risotto, caramelized leeks, sliced morels with vanilla-bourbon demi-glace.
"Ours will be an approachable yet upscale style with a focus on service, quality, and friendliness," said McKinnon. "There will be something for everyone. Mom can have a nice glass of wine and a salad for lunch or come here for dinner with the family. We expect a lot of interest in customers enjoying our craft beer and sporting events. And we'll have a weekend brunch featuring our famous Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar."
To create a comfort level with O'Toole's of Libertyville's elevated wine list and craft cocktails, McKinnon, an expert in the art of pairing beer and wine with food, will conduct her popular 101 series teaching patrons how to enhance their dining experience at O'Toole's of Libertyville.
O'Toole's of Libertyville, which is creating 50 jobs, is located at 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, and open seven days a week, Sunday and Monday 11:00 a.m. to Midnight, Tuesday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/OToolesLibertyville.
The first Timothy O'Toole's, founded 22 years ago, is located just steps from the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier. It is considered a sports fan's haven with a subterranean bar offering 70+HD flat screens showing all major sporting events, including PPV boxing.
In March 2009, Timothy O'Toole's opened a second pub in Gurnee, located just steps away from tourist favorites Six Flags Great America and Key Lime Cove. The suburban outpost of Chicago's legendary pub features 36 HD flat screens showing all major sporting events, 38 beers on tap, and numerous entertainment options including live music and karaoke. For game enthusiasts, Timothy O'Toole's offers Golden Tee Live, two electronic dart boards and trivia.
Deeply involved in area and national fundraisers, Timothy O'Toole's annually helps raise thousands of dollars through participation in programs such as, but not limited to: St. Jude's Children's Hospital (Top On-Premise Fundraiser 2007-2012) raising over $19,000 in 2012; Chicago Special Olympics (raised $10,000 in 2011); Make -A-Wish Foundation, Greater Chicago Food Depository; Ronald McDonald House of Chicago; Gateway Green; Children's Memorial Hospital; Immerman's Angels; M.S. Lifelines.
Timothy O'Toole's has received dozens of awards and accolades, especially for its variety of hot, barbecue, and exotic wings; its bar, bartenders, and servers; and for being the place to watch all sporting events.
Most recently, Timothy O'Toole's was named best place in Chicago and second best in the U.S.
to watch the World Cup 2014.
Among its long list of achievements:
Wingfest Winner:
1st Place "Hot" category and 2nd Place "BBQ" category 2014.
2nd Place "BBQ" category, 2013, 2010;
1st Place "Hot" category
2nd Place "BBQ" category, 2009;
3rd Place "Exotic" category
3rd Place "BBQ" category, 2008;
3rd Place "Hot" category, 2007;
3rd place "Hot" category, 2006;
2nd place "BBQ" category, 2004
"Best Bars in Chicago" - AOL City Guide, 2004
"Chicago's Top Ten Best Bartenders" Runner Up - Metromix, 2008
"Favorite Chicago Bears Bar" - Red Eye / Metromix, 2010
"Best Bears Bar " - Chicago Reader, 2010
"Top Five Best Sports Bar" - Chicago Scene Magazine 2010
"Hottest Server Contest" Winner - Red Eye / Metromix, 2011
"Best of Chicago Bears Bar, Bulls Bar, White Sox Bar, Best Place to Watch College Sports" - Chicago Reader, 2012, 2011
"Chicago Concierge Favorite" Winner, Nightlife Category - Concierge Preferred, 2014, 2013, 2012
"Official Chicago Blackhawks Bar" 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 & 2010
"Official Chicago Bulls Bar" 2014, 2013, 2012
New in 2014
"The Official US Soccer Bar" in Chicago
"Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence" Gurnee
"Best of Chicago" Nightlife & Music - CBS Chicago
"Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence" Chicago (2012, 2013 & 2014)
"Best Place to Watch the World Cup" - Pinterest
"Chicago's Best" - WGN-TV (featured September 28)
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