After 25 years, Hemmingway’s Bistro is saying its final “Au Revoir” to Oak Park.
The French restaurant at 211 N. Oak Park Ave., is owned and operated by Chef Christopher Ala and his wife Lucia Ala.
For over two decades it has been a testament to resilience and Oak Park’s tight-knit community. However, the building it has long called home is owned by Cook County government and managed by Housing Forward. The county did not renew its lease, said Chef Ala.
“It wasn’t up to us, it was up to Cook County. We did our best to try to renegotiate a lease. We’ve been here over 25 years, and we wanted to stay, but unfortunately, their vision of the building doesn’t coincide with us,” Chef Ala said.
He said they had hoped to be able to at least stay until the end of the year, but with only about 30 days notice, the doors will shut for good on Nov. 29.
Housing Forward has not responded to Wednesday Journal’s inquiries at this time.
The Ala’s have been no stranger to overcoming obstacles to keep the restaurant going beginning with the delay of their opening in September 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. They went through the recession and mortgage crisis, the pandemic, the transition to a homeless shelter on the upper floors of the old hotel with Housing Forward, and Chef Ala joked “next thing I knew I should just build an ark.”
They even fought for their iconic name after the Hemingway family filed a cease and desist. The restaurant spells it with two m’s as a nod to the play on words the original Write Inn used in correlation with the Frank Lloyd Wright District.
“We were somehow able to always survive, but this this we cannot,” Chef Ala said.
The restaurant is known for its great food, even better service, and its embodiment of the unique charm Oak Park offers. Chef Ala said his “favorite thing to make for dinner is reservations.”
He expressed his immense gratitude and love for the community. As residents themselves, the bistro is not just a business but an extension of their home, and the patrons sometimes are literal neighbors.
“We have people that come three, four times a week. It’s just that these are our friends, our family, and I really enjoyed living and spending and working in Oak Park,” Chef Ala said.
Although he said they are sad to see it coming to an end, he is looking forward to getting to relax. This will be the first December he has had off in his 40-year career as a professional chef. Relocating is not completely off the table as he owns other property in the village, but he is no hurry while he enjoys the break this circumstance gives him.
“Oak Park’s changing. Things are changing. Times are changing. And you know a 25 year run for a restaurant is amazing, and we’re very happy with all the friends and family we met here in Oak Park,” Chef Ala said. “We’re okay with it. We’re not happy with how quick it came down, but you know, it is what it is.”
For the next couple of weeks, Hemmingway’s Bistro is inviting everyone to come for a farewell meal, spend any gift cards they may have left, and help them empty their wine cellar.
“Come see us. Come say goodbye. Come tell us your stories, your memories. We would love to see everybody. We’re sorry to go, but life goes on,” Chef Ala said.