A new Egg Harbor Cafe will debut at Optima Verdana in Wilmette’s downtown district, according to Optima, Inc. The 4,100-square-foot cafe occupies the first floor of the six-story, 100-unit Optima Verdana and will seat 140 guests.
Highlights
- Egg Harbor Cafe inside Optima Verdana, located in downtown Wilmette, will celebrate its grand opening on August 26.
- The ground-floor eatery in the 100-unit luxury tower features space for 140 customers.
- The restaurant is located at 707 Green Bay Road, opposite the Wilmette Metra station.
Egg Harbor Cafe Launch at Optima Verdana
Optima, Inc. has introduced Egg Harbor Cafe’s latest location within the Optima Verdana community in downtown Wilmette, Ill. At street level within the 100-residence, six-story complex, the restaurant spans 4,100 square feet and seats up to 140 guests. Situated at 707 Green Bay Road, the cafe stands directly across from the village’s commuter rail hub.
Since opening in 2023, Optima Verdana’s 100 residences have filled quickly, thanks to the prime North Shore location, extensive amenities, and floor plans ranging from 660 to 2,790 square feet. Optima, Inc. president David Hovey Jr., AIA, said Egg Harbor selected the site for its strong resident foot traffic, nearby shops, and easy access to the Metra.
Hovey said, “Egg Harbor Cafe at Optima Verdana will not only enhance the living experience for our residents, but also serve as an amenity for the surrounding neighborhood.” Egg Harbor Cafe in Wilmette joins its Streeterville counterpart, which opened in 2019 at Optima Signature, as the second collaboration with Optima.
Hovey added, “Welcoming Egg Harbor first to Streeterville and now to Wilmette reflects Optima’s strategy of attracting commercial tenants that align with the lifestyles and daily needs of our residents.”
Signature Menu Offerings
Beginning in Hinsdale in 1985, Egg Harbor Cafe developed an extensive menu ranging from fair trade coffee and egg dishes to gluten-free and cocktail options. With 26 restaurants open, the brand continues to expand throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia.
Now in its third generation, the family-run company focuses on high-quality ingredients, many of which are organic or all-natural. Serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch, limited-time menu items feature both drinks and entrees.
The menu features egg-based dishes, griddle favorites, lunch options, and a variety of sides. The cafe offers a kids’ menu and gluten-free entrees for breakfast and lunch.
Wilmette’s Dining Scene
Graham Hallen, head of brand growth at Egg Harbor, said, “The opportunity to open in such a desirable location with exceptional visibility positions Egg Harbor Cafe Wilmette to serve residents and the broader community for a long time.”
Hovey said, “We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm from Optima Verdana residents, who have been eagerly anticipating Egg Harbor’s opening and further enhancing the vibrant, walkable lifestyle that defines this community.”
The cafe is expected to welcome more guests once Optima finishes its 128-unit luxury building, Optima Lumina, just south of Verdana. Optima plans a public plaza between Verdana and Lumina, featuring landscaping, art installations, a fountain, and street-level seating visible from the retail spaces.
