Deer Path Inn, the historic hotel located on Chicago’s North Shore, unveiled The Brasserie, a thoughtful evolution of one of the inn’s most storied dining venues.
Located in the space known for nearly a century as The English Room, The Brasserie carries forward the inn’s tradition of gracious dining with a modern British sensibility and renewed energy. Designed around the art of conversation, the experience brings guests together in a setting that is layered, lively, and welcoming. A curated art collection, seasonal cuisine, and subtle signature moments create a dining room that honors its heritage while feeling confidently present.
“The Brasserie represents an important evolution for Deer Path Inn,” says James Barnett, General Manager of Deer Path Inn in a statement. “For 97 years, our dining spaces have been central to the inn’s identity and a gathering place for the community. The Brasserie honors that legacy while introducing a more vibrant and contemporary spirit. It feels familiar, yet unmistakably new.”
Highlights of The Brasserie experience include:
- A Curated Art Salon: As guests descend the stairs into The Brasserie, they encounter a gallery of over 70 works from British and Chicago-based artists displayed in an intentionally eclectic mix of frames. The collection spans photography, illustration, and painting, including David Hockney’s The Blue Guitar and works by contemporary British artist David Shrigley. Together, the pieces create a layered salon-style installation that feels collected over time rather than assembled at once. The art invites curiosity and sparks conversation, reinforcing the restaurant’s central idea: dining as dialogue.
- Layered, Warm Interior Design: With a deliberate commitment to local talent and craftsmanship, The Brasserie was brought to life through collaboration with Chicago-area partners and artisans. Chicago-based Bulley & Andrews led construction, working closely with regional makers to execute the vision. Architecture and interior design were led by Knauer Inc., who shaped a space that blends old world charm with modern character. Custom lighting by Archistoric casts a warm amber glow across weathered wood, brass accents, and marble-topped tables, while a custom pewter bar crafted by Mitchell & Mitchell of Chicago anchors the room as a spirited gathering point for proper drinks and conversation. Gallery walls meet rich banquettes and vintage mirrors that reflect the warmth of the space. The result is romantic yet relaxed, polished without feeling precious. Guests might sip tea, enjoy a glass of wine, or settle in for dinner beneath a surreal photograph or a field of painted wildflowers, feeling transported yet entirely at ease.
- A Modern Menu with Enduring Appeal: The menu centers on recognizable dishes thoughtfully interpreted with seasonal ingredients and refined technique. From the ritual of chilled oysters and grand seafood towers to the communal spirit of large-format herb-crusted lamb and premium grass-fed steaks, every dish is designed to spark connection. Join us for elevated classics reimagined – think Oxtail-bolstered Onion Soup, our signature Dry-Aged Burger, and a refined Flounder Meunière – concluding with a playful nod to tradition in our Sticky Date Toffee Pudding.
Modeled after a fifteenth-century manor house in Kent and opened in 1929, Deer Path Inn has served as a fixture of Chicago’s North Shore for almost 100 years. With its Tudor-Revival façade, ivy-draped walls, carved oak interiors, and rose garden courtyard, the 57-room boutique hotel has grown alongside its community for generations – including a comprehensive 2016 renovation. The Brasserie now stands at the heart of the inn’s dining program with renewed vitality. It joins the inn’s other beloved dining experiences, including Afternoon Tea service, fish and chips at The White Hart Pub, and creative cocktails alongside some of the North Shore’s best sushi at The Bar.
The restaurant welcomes guests from morning through evening, beginning with weekday breakfast service at 6 a.m., transitioning into lunch, late afternoon offerings, and dinner served nightly until 10 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable. For more information, visit www.thedeerpathinn.com or theb
Deer Path Inn is proudly managed by Charlestowne Hotels.
