April 08--Citrine, billed as "Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with American flair," has opened quietly in Oak Park at 100 S. Oak Park Ave. The chef is Jordan Parker, formerly of The Dawson and Gage restaurants, and the general manager is Rebekah Graham, formerly beer and wine coordinator at The Publican.
This is the fourth restaurant from Branko Palikuca's Gemstone Cafe Group. The others are Amber Cafe and Dolce's Pizzeria and Wine Bar, both in Westmont, and Topaz Cafe in Burr Ridge. Palikuca is a partner in The Dawson, where he met Parker.
What's Citrine about? Palikuca says the menu contains some dishes from his Serbian childhood, something he says he's always wanted to offer at one of his restaurants.
Among the items on the menu: seared scallops with Spanish chorizo, citrus and sweet basil; wood-roasted eggplant caviar with house-cultured yogurt, charred peppers and brown butter served on a flatbread; and clay pot dishes, meant to be shared, such as braised Mediterranean branzino, wood-oven Amish chicken and honey-brined pork shank.
The restaurant has about 120 seats, Palikuca said, and is open for dinner only. Lunch and brunch hours may follow.
Citrine, 100 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, open daily for dinner. 708-948-7328.
