Babcock's Grove House 'coming alive' in downtown Lombard
Before it was Lombard, what's become the Lilac Village centered on St. Charles Road and Park Avenue was known as Babcock's Grove.
That was before the village was incorporated in 1869. But nearly 150 years later, the town's old moniker is coming back in the name of a new downtown restaurant opening soon.
Babcock's Grove House owners Steve and Dana Moreau are training staff and putting the finishing touches on the restaurant's renovated space inside a historic hotel built in 1858 at the downtown's main intersection.
Constructed by a German stone layer, the building housed the town's first tavern in the late 1800s. Also called Babcock's Grove House, it was a place where all it took for a kid to get a drink was a permission slip from a parent. This was long before the time of a legal drinking age, and Lombard Historical Society Executive Director Sarah Richardt says parents were known to give out permission slips as Christmas gifts.
In more recent years, the old hotel had been home to small coffee shop, Cafe 101. When that closed and new owners took over the building, its pre-Civil War charm left the Moreaus several surprises as they readied it to become a modern restaurant.
"There were surprises behind every plaster wall and under every floor joist," said Dana Moreau, a former Lombard village trustee. "There's not a single level surface in this place and I've decided to find it charming."
The restaurant's decor blends 1858 and 2016, the Moreaus say. And its food takes cues from Steve's years of experience working in restaurants, favoring those with a "casual vibe" and simple, fresh ingredients.
Babcock's Grove House's style will be Midwestern comfort food. Cheese, meat and herbs. Fresh salads with various protein options. Vegan options, too. A long list of appetizers for sharing on the patio and a burger that Steve says is an experience.
"As simple as it sounds, I couldn't be more proud of our burger," he said. "It's fantastic."
Meat for burgers and steaks will come from Allen Brothers in Chicago. The beer list is local, with brews such as the Lilacia Saison from Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard. The restaurant will serve organic greens, sustainably farmed pork, free-range chicken without antibiotics, everything fresh.
"The only thing we have in a freezer is ice cream," Steve Moreau said.
It's all part of an effort to carefully select ingredients that will do the town once called Babcock's Grove proud.
"We definitely felt like our community could use another good place to go and sit down and enjoy a glass of beer or a glass of wine and a good meal and good conversation," Steve Moreau said.
After years of downtown revitalization efforts, the Moreaus say the area is "coming alive" with new boutiques and eating options - soon to include theirs.
"Lombard is finally up and coming," Dana Moreau said.