Fresh, Onstage Style Dining is on the Menu as Wilde & Greene Restaurant + Natural Market™ Launches September 8 at Westfield Old Orchard

Open Marketplace and Natural Grocery Store Transforms Traditional Food Court Offering

SKOKIE, Ill.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Great tasting healthy foods take center stage at Wilde & Greene Restaurant + Natural Market (4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, Illinois, 60077, 847-679-2019), launching at Westfield Old Orchard September 8. As the innovative, onstage restaurant and open marketplace transforms the traditional food court, Wilde & Greene brings an entirely new, contemporary approach to healthier dining and food shopping to Chicago’s north shore. The bright and upbeat 29,000 sq. ft. space features an open marketplace with food and beverage stations where fresh and all-natural ingredients are prepared in front of guests, as well as a natural grocery market that offers the best in organic, gluten-free, kosher and sustainably-sourced products.

“Wilde & Greene fits perfectly into Westfield’s desire to offer customers a unique total lifestyle experience”

Wilde & Greene will be open continuously (main restaurant 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday – Saturday and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday; natural market 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday – Saturday and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday; rooftop patio 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Friday – Saturday and 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday) from early morning for before work business and social meetings through late-night as guests enjoy cocktails and small plate offerings at its beautiful rooftop patio during warm weather months. Also on offer are a variety of private dining options for meetings and social events.

Nutrition is a priority at Wilde & Greene meaning healthy options such as vegetarian dishes are widely available for diners as they browse each of the 18 gourmet food and beverage stations to select the entrée that perfectly suits their appetite. A distinctive dining experience for visitors of Westfield Old Orchard, menu offerings will vary with the seasons and feature the best of local flavors as well as an array of international recipes.

“We have created a varied and delicious menu at Wilde & Greene with the shopping center guest in mind. Multiple styles of contemporary dishes from around the world are presented in the most unique way possible, using only the freshest ingredients, prepared by our experienced team. This is truly a dining experience like no other!” says Wilde & Greene Director of Food and Beverage Robert Mayer.

At Wilde & Greene customers travel the world in one place with an open market-style restaurant, featuring delicious recipes and dishes prepared right before their eyes. From the French rotisserie and carving station, Far East stir-fry and curry kitchen, to Mexican fajitas and homemade guacamole, the diversity of food options will delight and surprise guests of every taste.

The 29,000 sq. ft. market and restaurant (restaurant: 17,000 sq. ft.; market: 6,000 sq. ft.; rooftop patio and ground level: 6,000 sq. ft.) will employ a staff of 300 and serve an expected 3,000 meals each day. Staff will be able to advise customers on product selection from the 5,000 available SKU’s and discuss the benefits of organic and sustainable foods. Guests can sit for lunch in the restaurant and leave with great ideas and ingredients to make dinner that night.

“Wilde & Greene fits perfectly into Westfield’s desire to offer customers a unique total lifestyle experience,” says Westfield Old Orchard Senior General Manager Deborah Mattes. “Westfield does not do formulaic concepts; we develop our centers with the local market in mind, customizing our retailer mix with non-traditional models to satisfy local market demands.”

“This is the first U.S. shopping center-based natural food market and dining complex offering freshly made food. This combination of dining and shopping creates a new way for customers to enjoy Westfield Old Orchard. Whether they come for shopping, entertainment or the food experience, customers will now have the ability to drop-in for a freshly prepared meal, or take away high-quality ingredients and cook for their families at home; there’s something for everyone day and night,” she said.

The spacious restaurant offers seating for 500 guests and a stunning rooftop patio where an additional 140 guests can socialize and enjoy relaxing cocktails and small plates during summer months. Wilde & Greene embraces sustainability through the many organic food items available in the produce and grocery department, and also in the use of reclaimed barn wood throughout the dining area and reclaimed lumber for the millwork and flooring. LED lighting is used throughout the building to reduce energy consumption and furniture has been re-purposed and applied to the eye-catching dining environment.

“With this trendsetting concept of fresh, onstage cooking, and the fun approach to dining out, we are looking forward to welcoming our guests, and bringing the dine-in experience at Old Orchard to the next level of innovation,” says Kevin McCormack, Director of Large Format Restaurant Concepts for Natural Market Restaurants Corp., developers of the Wilde & Greene concept. “No matter what the customers’ needs are, Wilde & Greene will provide an unmatched and engaging experience that focuses on the best in healthy gourmet food.”

About Westfield Old Orchard

Westfield Old Orchard is conveniently located in Skokie, Illinois, at the intersection of Skokie Boulevard and Old Orchard Road. The center is home to Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s, along with 140 specialty shops, restaurants and cinemas. The center abounds with fantastic choices including Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, L.L. Bean, Tiffany & Co., Williams-Sonoma and Zara to name a few. Dining options include California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s Little Italy, McCormick & Schmick’s, as well as fast casual options including Johnny Rocket’s, Potbelly Sandwich Works and more. For more information call 847.673.6800 or visit www.westfield.com/oldorchard.

About Natural Market Restaurants Corp.

Natural Market Restaurants Corp. is a Toronto-based food service firm that has created innovative restaurant and open marketplace concepts in a number of Canadian shopping centers, including Toronto’s Eaton Centre and Ottawa’s Rideau Centre, as well as natural food markets in both Canada and the United States under the Planet Organic Markets and Mrs. Green’s Natural Market banners. Further information is available at 1.800.695.5771.