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inovasi
- 28 East Center Avenue
- Lake Bluff, IL 60044
- American
- 847-295-1000
- Website
Derived from the Indonesian word for "innovation," inovasi embodies the creativity and ingenuity of contemporary American cuisine at an affordable price point. The realized vision of Executive Chef-owner John des Rosiers (formerly of Bank Lane Bistro), inovasi is centered on farm-fresh, well-executed fare served in a relaxed and welcoming setting in Lake Bluff, 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. Opened in May 2009, the restaurant emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and culinary inspiration from global influences, including French, Italian and Japanese, served in eye-catching and memorable presentations.
American and ethnic ingredients fuse together in dishes like Chesapeake Bay soft-shell crab, fried tempura-style with a salad of cucumber, daikon radish, jalapeño, cilantro and Japanese citrus; or Spanish tortillas de patatas made with housemade cheese, sweet onions, fresh oregano and Tahitian vanilla sauce.
Through all the menu diversity, des Rosiers grounds his cooking in recognizable ingredients and approachable presentations. “It’s casual, contemporary American with a creative thoughtfulness,” says des Rosiers. The focus is on fresh, local and often organic ingredients and products on an ever-changing menu. “Everything is designed so people can try multiple dishes, and I wanted to show that you can have a fun, interesting place with fantastic ingredients that’s still affordable.”
Des Rosiers’ experience as Wine Director at Gabriel’s in Highwood, Illinois, prepared him to choreograph a boutique list of vino from small producers, many of whom he knows personally. The cocktail list is also inspired and close to home, including a locally made limoncello.
Inovasi's casual dining room and bar are designed to create a warm sense of community. From older couples celebrating an anniversary to families who want their kids to experience the fresh, made-from-scratch selections, everyone feels welcome in the bright 3,000-square-foot restaurant located in a 90-year-old building.
The Jerusalem limestone-adorned bar area holds 25 seats, with 80 in the main dining room. Pewter and steel-blue fabric panels hang overhead while light oak wood and shades of eggplant, grey and silver keep things muted, comfortable and calm. A glassed-in open kitchen allows guests to get a peek at the action without being disturbed by the bustle. Schoolhouse-style lighting, recycled design materials, flashy artwork and a bar stocked with Trivial Pursuit playing cards are all perfectly indicative of the menu philosophy: contemporary meets casual.
