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The Drake Oak Brook reimagined following makeover

February 25, 2020 at 1:09 pm CST

[Paella Mixta for two is a signature dish on the Spanish-flavored tapas menu.] OAK BROOK – The dining room makeover is only one aspect of the newly unveiled redesign of The Drake Oak Brook, an independent, historic property wrapping up a multimillion-dollar renovation and just added to Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott. Built in 1961 as an extension of The Drake Hotel in Chicago, it enjoyed celebrity status, playing host to guests including Frank Sinatra on repeated occasion, Rock Hudson, Robert Kennedy, Arnold Palmer and Prince Charles. After several owners, it was purchased in 2013 by Elmhurst native Jim Nagle and his wife, Tely, whose shared creativity brought a classic back to life enhanced with all the modern amenities. The more than 180 independent hotels accepted in the international Collection retain their uniqueness. (Renee Tomell)

By Renee Tomell

[Paella Mixta for two is a signature dish on the Spanish-flavored tapas menu.] OAK BROOK – The dining room makeover is only one aspect of the newly unveiled redesign of The Drake Oak Brook, an independent, historic property wrapping up a multimillion-dollar renovation and just added to Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott. Built in 1961 as an extension of The Drake Hotel in Chicago, it enjoyed celebrity status, playing host to guests including Frank Sinatra on repeated occasion, Rock Hudson, Robert Kennedy, Arnold Palmer and Prince Charles. After several owners, it was purchased in 2013 by Elmhurst native Jim Nagle and his wife, Tely, whose shared creativity brought a classic back to life enhanced with all the modern amenities. The more than 180 independent hotels accepted in the international Collection retain their uniqueness. (Renee Tomell)

[The Polo Lounge is a gathering place off the hotel lobby, that offers its own menu as well as Escape Hour specialties.] "[Autograph Collection Hotels] gives the owners a lot more freedom and expression to maintain the integrity of the existing hotel," Jim Nagle said. It's rare for a hotel not on the beach or ski slopes or in a major city to be included, he said. The Drake Oak Brook recently was named among the best new hotels to book around the world in 2020 in Travel + Leisure magazine, Tely Nagle said. (Photo provided)

[Shrimp star in one of the warm tapas recipes.] It's set on 10 acres, with plans to add a lavish swimming pool with cabanas in the coming year. Still operational is the tunnel for golf carts that leads under York Road to Butler National Golf Club, one of the many nearby courses. Jim Nagle's memories of the property date back to childhood, when his grandfather brought the family to Easter brunch there each year. Today, the restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the redone Three Oaks Ballroom is the setting for Sunday Champagne brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The airy ballroom opens onto The Flower Room, where the Nagles helped design a glass artwork installation suspended from the ceiling featuring hundreds of hand-blown glass blooms. (Renee Tomell)

[The Colonial Room offers traditional classics and contemporary dishes on its menu.] That glassed-in space opens onto outdoor vantage points that show off the property, fountains and gazebo from villa-like verandas added by the Nagles. Varied dining temptations are offered, including the stylish bar called The Polo Lounge with its own menus. High tea is served Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and a new food feature in The Colonial Room restaurant is the addition of tapas, wine and sangria from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, prepared by a veteran of the Chicago tapas dining scene. (Photo provided)

[The Flower Room is crowned with a striking blown-glass art installation.] A sampling of tapas included delectable shrimp as a warm dish, and a luscious cold plate of olives, Spanish dry-cured ham and manchego with flavorful minced tomato atop toast points. The paella for two is the star of the show, its saffron rice brimming with mussels, clams, shrimp, tilapia, pork, chicken, chorizo, squid, green peas and red peppers. It's a feast for the eye and taste buds. (Photo provided)

[In honor of Frank Sinatra, who was a frequent guest at the hotel, one can spin his tunes at The Polo Lounge, where an Escape Hour menu is offered from 5 to 7 p.m. each weekday.] The Colonial Room's American cuisine is led by chef Ezequiel Dominguez. The menu stays attuned to patrons' favorites, according to server David Cruz, who noted there are some classic specialties guests insist always be available for dinner. They include the Bookbinder soup, a roasted seafood bisque topped with seared red snapper and served with dry sherry on the side. Other signature items include the Chateaubriand for two, the bone-in cowboy rib eye, and Berkshire pork shank. The menu includes vegetarian options and items can be prepared gluten-free. (Photo provided)

[Newly designed suites are part of the multimillion-dollar renovation.] The Sunday brunch offers seafood, as well as carving stations for prime rib, ham and turkey, plus made-to-order pasta, waffles and pancakes, Cruz said. In the makeover, The Colonial Room raised its ceiling from 8 to 12 feet, said Cathleen Knobbe, the hotel's director of sales, pointing out the large-scale artworks added to the walls. Hand-carved furniture, Swarovski crystal chandeliers and art pieces play a role throughout the property and include original paintings by Hinsdale artist Maureen Claffy in the new guest suites. (Photo provided)

[The white wine sangria is part of the new tapas feature.] The varied suites and rooms in the two hotel wings feature eye-catching design touches ranging from mother-of-pearl cabinet fronts for the built-in bar to marble-appointed bathrooms with Bvlgari pampering products, and herringbone-laid wood floors. A theme of the 154-room hotel, which aims for a fun, interactive atmosphere, is "everyday indulgences at The Drake," Knobbe said, adding 70 weddings are planned there this year. (Renee Tomell)

[The seafood Bookbinder soup is a longtime favorite.] Live entertainment is offered Friday and Saturday nights in the bar. In addition, a Sinatra-inspired lounge can be booked for events. If you go WHAT: The Drake Oak Brook WHERE: 2301 York Road, Oak Brook INFO: 630-571-0000, www.thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com (Renee Tomell)

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Renee Tomell

Covering the arts and entertainment scene in northern Illinois, with a focus on the Fox River Valley.