Suburbanites will have a new place to stay and play thanks to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the western suburb of Glen Ellyn, which will celebrate its grand opening tomorrow. The 119-guest room hotel includes nine two-room suites, as well as seven meeting rooms, an indoor pool, fitness center, business center and complimentary shuttle service (which comes in handy in the 'burbs). The eco-conscious property features a guest recycling program and low-emissivity windows to reduce energy loss.
The property's onsite restaurant, Glen Prairie, is attracting attention from area foodies, including Chicago magazine's Dish columnists. The restaurant focuses on locally grown, seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Glen Prairie's chefs shop local farmers' markets twice a week to source fresh produce (so be sure to say hi!).
The restaurant serves hearty breakfast dishes like eggs benedict made with cage-free eggs and all-natural Canadian bacon, and cornflake-crusted French toast with challah bread, fresh maple syrup and seasonal berries. Lunch items include salads, sandwiches and entrees such as wild mushroom ravioli and buttermilk fried Amish chicken, while dinnertime brings elevated American classics such as meatloaf (with roasted vegetables, whipped potatoes and button mushroom gravy) and grilled Colorado rack of lamb served with red banana fingerling potatoes, baby vegetables and rosemary jus. Glen Prairie's wine list offers organic, sustainable and biodynamic labels such as Charles Krug, Bonny Doon and Grgich Hills.
