El Tapeo, 2100 Spring Road in Oakbrook, translates colloquially as Let us go for Spanish Tapas. Tapas are those delightful traditional small hot and cold plates so popular across Spain. There is, of course, controversy about how the culture of Tapas started. I believe that enterprising barkeeps began the trend by covering the sherry glasses with slices of bread to keep out the fruit flies. Tapas may come from the word taper, meaning to cover, or tapa, meaning lid. Adding a salty, savory cheese or slice of ham to the bread cover kept the customers satisfied and happy before their late-night dinners and encouraged them to order another drink to quench their thirst.
With Tapas it is de rigueur to imbibe in libations. The star mixologists at El Tapeo offer a variety of beverages that pair perfectly with your menu choices. There are draft red and white wines, sparkling wines, draft beers, craft beers, classic beers, classic and signature cocktails, and inventive mocktails. Some signature cocktails are a limoncello spritz, sangarita, chocolate carajillo, and an agua chile.
When we were there, they introduced their Woodinville Bourbon flights and the charred Oakbrook Bourbon, made exclusively for the El Tapeo bar. That was the trending drink of the evening, receiving rave reviews from all partakers. Most people think of Kentucky when they think Bourbon, but Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile in Woodinville, Washington State, make the best locally sourced real craft whiskey. They are racking up prestigious awards such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition of 2020 Double Gold Medal and “Best Straight Bourbon Whiskey of 2020.” They also garnered the 2022/2023 Ascot Awards. Forbes is listing Woodinville Bourbon in its Hall of Fame. On September 26, an artisan engraved the Woodinville purchased bourbon bottles with personalized messages. What a unique, thoughtful, generous custom gift for the bourbon aficionado in your circle.
This unique Spanish tradition of Tapas is alive and well-served at El Tapeo Restaurant on the ninth floor of Le Meridien Hotel, a Marriott Bonvoy property adjacent to the Oakbrook Center Mall. William Bothell, an award-winning chef, has created a mouth-watering diverse collection of bold Spanish tapas with main courses that are also ideal for sharing. There are twenty different tapas plates. Small-plate seafood choices are available. There are braised short ribs, mushroom croquettes, empanadas, shishito peppers, and more. Four paellas as main courses are available in half or whole portions. There are three different ensaladas and three Spanish-tasting platos. The postres (desserts) are decadent Valor chocolate crunch cake, dulce de leche cake, cinnamon churros, mango and tangerine sorbet, along with vanilla, chocolate, banana foster, and salted caramel gelato.
The lounge at El Tapeo is modern, chic, sophisticated, and comfortable. The restaurant dining room is sleek with a colorful Spanish flair. The views in both the restaurant and lounge are stunning. A wall of ceiling-to-floor windows looks out with a birds-eye view of Oakbrook Center on one side and a beautiful lush green wooded copse on the opposite wall.
El Tapeo is unveiling new food and drink specials, events, and discounts. On the evening, we dined, guitarist, Gabriel Datcu, played some Segovia that fit the Spanish theme superbly. He also played more popular dulcet instrumentals during our foray into tapas dining. Every day at El Tapeo is Tapas Day. Mondays is a $10.00 discount on any paella with $7.00 house sangria glass and $6.00 select Tito’s cocktails. Tuesday is 1/2 price glasses of wine. You may select five favorites for $60.00 or six for $70.00. Wednesday 1/2 price Martini special. Thursday is a complimentary charcuterie board with any purchase of a half bottle of wine. There is a gift certificate raffle at 7:00 p.m. On Fridays, there is a $6.00 Effen Vodka cocktail. Take a vacation from the humdrum and explore Spain’s classic, adventurous, delectable cuisine.
We found all the staff was so welcoming and hospitable. Dick Turner, the hotel manager, was very informative and charismatic. Billy Bothell, the chef, was knowledgeable, personable, and friendly. El Tapeo’s contemporary dining room and lounge provide guests with the ultimate relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant serves breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The bar is open from 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Dinner is available from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with extended hours until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.eltapeorestaurant.com.
Photos: Courtesy of Le Meridien El Tapeo and Heron Agency
Your article had a lot great information about the food, chef and interior of the restaurant. Also, I liked the explanation of the word tapas.