One of the best resorts near Chicago is debuting a brand-new restaurant

If you’re plotting a quick escape from Chicago without actually going very far, Deer Path Inn has been quietly making a strong case for itself. The historic Lake Forest resort, which is about an hour north of the city, was recently ranked among the best resorts in the United States and, now, it’s adding a brand-new restaurant to the mix.

The property just unveiled The Brasserie, a reimagined dining space inside the nearly century-old inn. The restaurant takes over the space that longtime visitors will remember as The English Room, a fixture of the hotel’s dining program for generations. The goal, according to the inn, is to keep the sense of tradition intact while giving the space a livelier, more contemporary spirit.

“The Brasserie represents an important evolution for Deer Path Inn,” said general manager James Barnett in a statement announcing the opening. “For 97 years, our dining spaces have been central to the inn’s identity and a gathering place for the community. The Brasserie honors that legacy while introducing a more vibrant and contemporary spirit.”

If the name suggests French café energy, the vibe here leans more toward a modern British brasserie—polished yet relaxed. The dining room features warm woods, brass accents, marble-topped tables and a custom pewter bar made by Chicago artisans. Soft amber lighting casts a glow over vintage mirrors and banquettes, making for a space that feels like a cozy pub and elegant supper club.

One unexpected twist: art plays a starring role. More than 70 works from British and Chicago-based artists are displayed salon-style throughout the room, mixing photography, illustration and painting. Major pieces include The Blue Guitar by David Hockney alongside works by contemporary British artist David Shrigley, giving diners plenty to look at while waiting for their starters.

The menu is both familiar and refined. Chilled oysters, seafood towers and large-format herb-crusted lamb meant for sharing are served alongside grass-fed steaks and dishes like flounder meunière and a dry-aged burger. There’s also a nod to British comfort food in the form of onion soup enriched with oxtail and a sticky toffee pudding to finish.

In keeping with the inn’s old-school hospitality, the restaurant is also introducing conversation cards—short prompts delivered to the table to spark discussion between guests.

The opening arrives at a good moment for the resort. Deer Path Inn was recently ranked No. 13 among the best resorts in the continental United States in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards, earning a score of 96.94 from readers.

Not too bad for a Tudor-style retreat that first opened in 1929.