Dec. 10--Kinfork, an American restaurant from the owners of Rack House Kitchen Tavern in Arlington Heights, will open Monday, Dec. 14, in Schaumburg's Woodfield Mall.
An independent restaurant is a rare sight in major shopping centers, but this one hopes to be a successful exception.
The menu offers a something-for-everyone selection, including hush puppies, smoked chicken wings and pretzels among the starters, and smoked ribs, brisket, wood-grilled steaks and seafood on the list of entrees.
Owner Luke Johnson says he's particularly fond of the wood-grilled trout, which reminds him of camping trips with his father.
At 13,000-square-foot, Kinfork seats up to 400; the dining area is divided into several rooms, each bearing plaid-patterned fabrics (a different pattern for each), picnic-table seating and wood trim.
"We couldn't completely take the mall aspect out of it, knowing people tend to travel in larger groups," Johnson says but adds that the menu won't be overwhelmingly long. "We wanted a menu big enough for everybody but small enough that we can control it and be great."
The beverage program includes moonshine-based cocktails, about 30 wines available by the glass (two sizes) or bottle (most under $40) and a good-sized beer list, including Left Hand Brewing's Milk Stout and Lagunitas' A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' on tap, and Half Acre's Daisy Cutter, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale and Revolution Brewing's seasonal Fistmas by the bottle or can.
Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.
pvettel@tribpub.com
Twitter @philvettel
