A new restaurant opened its doors in Highwood last week, run by two Lake County residents, offering classic Italian and French-inspired American cuisine and drawing in locals and Chicago residents alike.
Deer Parke, taking over the former location of Greenwood at 200 Greenbay Road, was abuzz on April 8 with patrons getting a taste of the new restaurant, with the murmur of the crowd and the clink of silverware acting as the eatery’s soundtrack.
Guests included Joe Lehrer with his wife Sue and her mother Karen Jones, who were enjoying a few drinks and several courses. He said they’d driven in from Chicago, drawn by the reputation of chef and co-owner Todd Stein.
“He’s managed a lot of restaurants in Downtown Chicago, that’s one of the reasons we follow him,” Joe Lehrer said. “He’s got a reputation.”
Jones, who lives in the area, was happy to have a new restaurant nearby.
A few tables over, Michael and Kay Friedberg were enjoying a chardonnay and cocktail together. They’d been to Greenwood several times, and were glad to see Deere Parke take its place.
Across the patio were Vicki and Dan Kriser, whose son had grown up with owners Josh Kaplan and Stein. It is important to support local businesses, especially if it means enjoying good food, they said.
“That was one of the reasons we came here, besides the food,” Dan Kriser said. “You’ve got to support your local people.”
Numerous guests said they were looking forward to when the weather got warmer and the patio’s temporary walls were taken down. Despite the outside chill, it was a busy opening evening for the restaurant.
Stein is a Highland Park native, with some serious culinary credentials under his belt, including training at Kendall College in Chicago and with chefs Keith Korn and Michael Kornick.
Previous restaurants he’s cooked at in Chicago include Formento’s, The Bristol, The Florentine and Cibo Matto. Most recently, he served as culinary director of Ballyhoo Hospitality, working on restaurants like Sophia Steak and Pomeroy.
Kaplan has been in the restaurant business since he was a teenager, including working at Greenwood. The two friends started their careers around the same time, and have worked at restaurants across the country.
Stein said that since the pandemic, people on the North Shore and the suburbs have wanted to have nice restaurants in their neighborhoods rather than having to head into the city. Deere Park was meant to fill that niche, they said.
Deere Parke’s cuisine is like a “blue sport coat,” Stein said, a classic American restaurant with Italian and French inspiration, but with his own “twist.” It is something of a throwback within the restaurant world, Kaplan argued.
“You don’t see this type of restaurant, as it was more popular in the ’90s. American cuisine with French and Italian influences, seasonal, big flavors, but delicate technique,” Kaplan said.
