Grape Leaves Restaurant — Restaurant in Oak Park

Small, yet busy and cozy local establishment. The service is attentive, the food is excellent and well presented. Prices are reasonable and the BYOB option makes for a classy yet affordable dining experience. I noticed lots of carry out traffic. While I stepped out to pick up beverages, I returned to find my date chatting with the owner who kept her company until I returned. Our drinks were kept cold and brought out regularly as needed. Definitely worth many future returns to explore the rest of the menu.

UPDATE: My lady and I made a third visit last weekend. Upon entry, we were approached by a new server that I hadn't seen before. She noticed I had a bag with wine and the first thing she said; "If you're going to bring your own bottle, you each have to order an entrée." My date then asked; "Are you under new management?" And she responded; "Something like that." We were a little taken aback by this approach. Of course we would order appetizers, salad and individual entrées. It was an awkward start for our experience.

I went to wash my hands. When I returned, my date was reading her menu. There is only one menu per table, so, she reached to an empty table and put a menu in front of my chair. The server then attempted to take the menu and my date said we're using that. Our server responded; "Well, don't dirty it."

Then we had a difficult time getting her to bring us water. In the past, a bottle of water was brought to our table without asking. Every other occupied table had water. When our appetizers and salad came out, we asked for water. Only after a significant wait and after eating our appetizers did she bring out a lukewarm bottle of water.

In time, the owner came out to greet us. He remembered us from before in great detail. As always, he was personable and kind with the customers. Obviously not under new management. The food was excellent as always. We went by the kitchen to compliment the chef who both cooked and served us in the past. Because of the food, owner, cook and great experiences I didn't change my rating; However our server would...

I have been to Grape Leaves for many years but they have changed and not for the better.1st they had me on hold for almost 5 minutes.Placed my order was not given a total and when I went to pick the food up I was shocked to see how dirty the restraunt was. The time was around 6:45 and the place was empty except for an older couple and what appears to be the owners wife and child sitting at one of the 5 or 6 tables in the small place. I was early for the pickup and the Owner said to sit down for about 15 minutes (the tables were filled with leftover meals and drinks) I left to got outside instead and waited in my car. The neighborhood is trendy and parking is terrible but I had finally found a spot to park and my car is better then to sit at a dirty table. I was watching the door and only one customer came in for a pickup in the 15 minutes but when I went in to pick up the same tables were still not cleaned up .They were still dirty and I guess the wife does not work for the phone was ringing and ringing so there is another customer on hold so the Owner could ring up my order . I asked if there was new management and he said no very cocky and why did I ask,I said I have never seen the restraunt so dirty. The wife who was drawing pictures with a smelly sharpie just looked up but kept drawing she did not go to clean the tables while I waited for the owner to ring me up.The food was not the same for they use a different togo container the cold wet salad is now in the same container as the hot food, there was a little bit lettuce that wilted from the heat and the cucumbers were so soggy that you just have to toss that out. The rice is different and the dinners were to be topped with almonds but there were none. DISAPPOINTED is the...

My bf is Moroccan and was craving some Moroccan food while we were in the area so we decided to try this place. Bad idea. The food is not traditional Moroccan food. The chicken tagine was so sweet, overpriced, and odd tasting. It was a tiny chicken breast, leg, and thigh swimming in a pool of only sweet sauce. Served with only rice, instead of bread. At least it was edible, unlike the lamb tagine that we ordered next.

The lamb was unbearably strong and "smelly". I wouldn't be surprised if it was goat as many places use goat instead of lamb because it's cheaper and lamb brings a higher price tag at the table. At least it came in a tagine but was again such a small serving for an over $20 dish, mostly tomato sauce with a small amount of meat and vegetables. We couldnt eat it cuz it was so bad. Once again it was served with rice which is NOT traditional. We had to purchase bread which is what both dishes should have originally came with. The rice also tastes like packaged rice, the pre-made, microwave heated kind.

The mint tea was so weak in tea flavor, tho I did appreciate that that there was plenty of fresh mint in the berrad and in the cups. We looked inside to see that they used tea bags. Traditional Moroccan tea should be made with gunpowder tea.

Also our waitress disappeared after she brought the chicken out. So when we wanted to try something else we had to go search for her. Frustrating because we had asked her before ordering if the chicken tagine was enough for 2 ppl since we thought it was going to be a full tagine and gauging by the price, and she said yes. No. Each "tagine" is only for one person.

I can see why the place was completely empty...