Towne & Oak — Restaurant in New Trier Township

The good: This is a beautiful, naturally lit place to enjoy a pastry or have breakfast.

The Ok: The food was not bad, but I would not have a craving to go back for it. The soft scramble and salmon bowl were both decent. The pancakes didn't come with syrup, and the Matcha was not good.

The bad: The service here is not good; they will make faces if you ask for any customizations to your order and act like they're doing you a favor. The one friendly server was a young gentleman with darker skin and dreadlocks. The owner/manager(middle-aged dark-haired woman) definitely had a problem with us. I am sure it was race-related because nothing else stood out about us; we were appropriately dressed, had our two kids, and so did most other people. She gave us several disgusted looks and made remarks about us to a man sitting at the countertop, having breakfast with two kids. He turned around to glare at us after she made her comments. At first I brushed it off and wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, after all why would she make comments about us to another customer, but after several odd looks, I felt extremely uneasy, and I found out the man she was talking to was her family, likely making her comfortable enough to share her unfiltered thoughts with. She accomplished her mission of making us feel so uneasy that we will not...

I was not initially going to write a review; that’s why I called them over the phone. I had told them that it was really disgusting and gross that there was a hair embedded in their cookie, and I specifically said I’m calling to just let them know that we don’t want this to happen to other people. I am not upset that the girl who answered the phone didn’t care at all… because she’s not the one who made the cookie, but she didn’t even try to give a response other than a monotone “Oh sorry, I’ll tell my manager.” No offer to make things right, no offer to replace the cookie, and no sign of caring. I didn’t even want another cookie, but out of shock at no mention of compensation, I said something along the lines of “You won’t even replace the cookie?” Then she, confused, finally offered to give us another cookie the next time we come in (we won’t be coming back in).

We would’ve at the very least appreciated some sort of genuine apology and appreciation for the heads up, especially after I almost threw up almost consuming someone’s hair! I know she’s probably a part-time worker, but she still represents Towne & Oak. I’m kind of upset right now at the way this case was treated, which is why I am writing...

We hosted an event at Towne and Oak, and it was absolutely exceptional from start to finish! The space is stunning—elegant yet inviting, with a soothing ambiance and perfect acoustics that made for an intimate and enjoyable experience.

A huge shoutout to Lisa Hansen, who is a phenomenal event coordinator! Her expertise, attention to detail, and seamless organization made everything effortless for us. She anticipated our needs before we even had to ask and ensured every aspect of the event was flawless.

The service was equally outstanding—Curt and Diane went above and beyond, bringing warmth, kindness, and professionalism to every interaction. They made our guests feel welcome and well cared for, adding a personal touch that elevated the experience even more.

And the food—simply delicious! Every bite was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to host an event with impeccable service, breathtaking ambiance, and a dedicated team that truly cares, Towne and Oak is it....