Philander's
Genteel ambience and live jazz make a warm home for updated steakhouse fare and seafood.
(708) 628-4593
1120 Pleasant St
Oak Park,
IL
60302
41.8855
-87.8035
Neighborhood: Oak Park
Hours:
Sun-Thu 4pm-10pm (bar till 12am)
Fri-Sat 4pm-11:30pm (bar till 1:30am)
Price:
$$$
Last updated 4.30.09
What People Are Saying About Philander's
The Owner
Philander's
Owner
Located in the Carleton off the main lobby is Philander's Restaurant, offering you the finest American and Continental cuisine in the area. Philander's offers a fine dining atmosphere showcasing excellent seasonal cuisine with fresh seafood and prime-aged steaks. Its warm decor has been recently revitalized along with the menu to offer a Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence" premium wine list, quality service and elegant surroundings.
The restaurant was named after the Village historian Philander Barclay who lived in Oak Park from 1878 to 1940. The walls are decorated with his photographs chronicaling the glory days of Oak Park. The restaurant has an elegant turn-of-the-century decor, showcasing a grand oak and marble octagonal jazz bar and up-scale lounge. The restaurant also highlights live jazz entertainment nightly, an outdoor cafe in the summer, and bar menu.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Though it sounds like a sports bar for wayward husbands, Philander's is an oasis of clubby gentility in Oak Park's historic Carleton Hotel. Turn-of-the-century decor embraces guests in dark wood, with a magnificent oak and marble bar and photographs of the restaurant's namesake (the late village historian Philander Barclay). The welcoming setting is ideal for casual fine dining and quality live jazz nightly.
The Food
Try a wicked starter of three sizable macadamia-crusted shrimp in lobster-vanilla sauce, with a baby sweet potato cake for a bed and a kiss of port syrup. Crisp mesclun with grilled apples and pears, walnuts, figs and Maytag blue is perfectly dressed in balsamic vinaigrette; smoky, classic tortilla soup is chock full of goodies. Rock lobster tagliatelle carbonara is creamy and rich; thick-cut blackened rib eye is cooked to order and sauced with wasabi butter.
User Reviews
haventwemet95
January 12, 2009
Say, I met the love of my life at Philander's in 1995 although I didn't know it at the time (married in 2000). Whenever in Oak Park a bunch of us will head over to the Carleton and Philander's, you bet. Matter of fact, time to go there this winter. Friendly folks, great music, good foods, excellent drinks and fine service-maybe romance. What more could you ask for in a place that's great? Well, it offers even more than that! The music is a mix, lots of jazz and blues, some swinging bands, featuring outstanding local musicians like John Wright, Sami Scott, and more. People seem to dance a lot here and you don't have to be shy in asking someone to dance (I wasn't and oh, la, la!). First visited in 1971, memories revisted often. Go!
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dnanadave
May 08, 2008
God Bless Philander's for keeping the tradition of live music- especially jazz- alive! We need more places like this... downloading music just isn't the same as experiencing it while it's being made! The staff there is phenomenol too! Joe's great, and Colleen's real cute. NevadaDan, 2008
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anan
May 27, 2007
Loved philanders... great jazz and pretty good food. macadamia nut shrimp, chicken nachos are among the best items on menu... keep on swingin' guys
read full reviewThe Details on Philander's
Where to Sit:
Dine in the spectacular bar and soak up the music, along with selections from the main menu or separate bar menu.
Know Before You Go:
While it has a noisy rep, Philander's is conversation-friendly Sunday-Wednesday, and early evening, Thursday-Saturday (weekend music starts at 9pm).
The Extras:
A children's menu features hamburgers, chicken fingers and fish nuggets. Each meal includes fries and a beverage.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At the bar (cigars allowed at the bar)
Message from Philander's
- Wine Spec. Awd of Excellence
- Elegant Banquet Room
- Zagat Rated
Located in the Carleton off the main lobby is Philander's Restaurant, offering you the finest American and Continental cuisine in the area. Philander's offers a fine dining atmosphere showcasing excellent seasonal cuisine with fresh seafood and prime-aged steaks. Its warm decor has been recently revitalized along with the menu to offer a Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence" premium wine list, quality service and elegant surroundings.
The restaurant was named after the Village historian Philander Barclay who lived in Oak Park from 1878 to 1940. The walls are decorated with his photographs chronicaling the glory days of Oak Park. The restaurant has an elegant turn-of-the-century decor, showcasing a grand oak and marble octagonal jazz bar and up-scale lounge. The restaurant also highlights live jazz entertainment nightly, an outdoor cafe in the summer, and bar menu.
