Oakbrook Mall is known for some of the best restaurants in our area. From Asian cuisine to cheese burgers, they have it all. When I heard about the new restaurant opening, The Table at Crate, I knew it had to be good.

When I first approached the restaurant, I was shocked by the modernity of it. The outdoor seating wraps around the building which consists of large floor to ceiling glass windows which let in a plethora of light. Inside, sleek wooden tables line the walls with a mix of pink, green and grey chairs. The bar is located in the center of the room highlighted by blue iridescent lights hanging above.

Collaborating with Cornerstone Restaurant Group, the home store Crate and Barrel opened its first restaurant. The Table at Crate was built in what was previously the Land of Nod, Crate and Barrel’s children’s store, at 35 Oakbrook Center in Oakbrook Mall. They offer a variety of healthy, vegetable-based dishes.

To start, I ordered the waffle fries ($8). The fries were dusted with madras curry salt and were served with aioli dipping sauce. The mix of the salt with the sauce was a perfect combination.

Then, I ordered the watermelon salad ($15) which included watermelon chunks, poached shrimp and black rice on a bed of arugula served with agave dijon dressing. The shrimp was perfectly cooked, however I was not impressed with this salad. The greens were overpowered by the amount of toppings and the items did not mix as well as I thought they would.

On a different note, when the chicken BLT tartines ($16) and C & B burger ($16) were dished out, I was pleasantly surprised. A tartine is an open faced sandwich. The ingredients were neatly stacked on the tartine, drizzled in a green goddess sauce. The addition of chicken to the classic BLT flavors was a great touch. The dish includes three tartines and a side salad, making it great for sharing. The juicy burger was topped with American cheese, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, pickles, and mayo. The patty itself was the perfect size and was truly a quality burger.

The menu also offers a variety of entrees along with different vegetables, tartines, salads, and poke or pasta bowls. I will definitely recommend this place to anyone seeking a new, quality restaurant and I will be going back to try more of the distinct dishes on the menu.

Paws: 4.5/5