In partnership with powerhouse developers Conrad and Curt Hurst of St. Charles firm Frontier Development (Arcada Theatre, Riverside Building, Idle Hour Building), critically acclaimed Chicago chef Chris Curren and wife Megan announced plans for The Graceful Ordinary, a 4,700 square foot waterfront restaurant, currently slated to open along the picturesque Fox River in spring 2021. The property, located at 1 East Main Street in the former BMO Harris Bank building, anchors a massive revitalization throughout St. Charles’ charming downtown landscape, and joins neighboring businesses Arcada Theatre, Pollyanna Brewing, and Flagship on the Fox in breathing new life into the historic district. The Currens, hospitality veterans and Fox River Valley residents, bring decades of combined experience working in Chicago’s world-class dining scene to St. Charles to launch their first culinary venture, which will serve as a communal gathering spot for the city’s residents and visitors.
A fixture on Chicago’s restaurant scene who worked alongside some of the city’s most celebrated culinary figures at venues such as Fulton Market Kitchen, Seven Lions and Blue 13, Chris will serve as The Graceful Ordinary’s executive chef/owner and Megan as event sales manager, providing St. Charles with its first option for chef-driven dining. Curren will use the best of what he’s learned in acclaimed Chicago kitchens to present a menu of elevated, yet approachable tavern fare focused around the restaurant’s wood-burning hearth. Guests can look forward to an array of snacks and small plates designed to be shared in addition to a selection of comforting, refined-rustic entrees. The Graceful Ordinary will also feature a robust bar program with an extensive wine list, inventive craft cocktails and a selection of craft beers.
“We think the suburbs are truly going to have their moment in 2021,” says Executive Chef/Owner Chris Curren. “With so many people re-locating to the area from the city in the past year in particular, Megan and I have always known there was incredible potential for this type of dining in St. Charles.”
Through a multimillion-dollar renovation, the team has commissioned top firm d + k, the talent behind the eye-catching designs of notable Chicago culinary concepts including The Darling, Hubbard Inn and Bar Takito, to fully reinvent the first floor interior and entire exterior facade of the of the building. The Graceful Ordinary’s stunning interior will showcase design elements like warm wood details, brass and black metals, hanging planter baskets, dark and earthy tones and sophisticated, yet comfortable furnishings to create a modern interpretation of the traditional American tavern. The renovation will completely transform the space to incorporate a full dining room in view of the open kitchen, main bar and lounge area, separate private dining room and a whimsical outdoor terrace exuding the ambiance of a chic and sophisticated garden soiree. Accommodating 120 seated guests indoors and additional 110 outdoors, The Graceful Ordinary aims to provide a welcoming setting to celebrate special occasions, enjoy post-work drinks, host bridal showers and group dinners or grab a meal after one of the area’s local festivals.
“The idea behind ‘an Ordinary’ tavern was to serve as a friendly place for the community to eat, drink and gather together in Colonial times.” says Chris Curren. “We’re excited to present gracious hospitality to uphold that same tradition in an all-new way with this project.
The Graceful Ordinary will offer lunch and dinner service daily, along with weekend brunch.
