FOOD & WINE FOR EVERY OCCASION
Whether you are seeking a casual brunch menu with classical favorites or a regional specialty, our extensive list of chefs and catering partners can help you construct your dream menu experience, complete with expert wine & spirits pairings from our in-house Sommelier. Entertain with confidence and leave it to our expert food and wine team to source, select, and serve a night to remember.
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PRIVATE HOSTED VINEYARD EVENTS
September 2024 - Dakota Shy and Revana Vinyards, two of Napa's most exclusive wine makers, paired up with The Captain's Room to host a very exclusive food and wine event for their most esteemed wine club members. Our in-house sommalier, veteran Napa wine expert Erin Flanagan and Chef /Owner John Paul Demirdjian created a seven course heavy passed appetizer and paired wine experience featuring some of their most exquisite regional reds. It was an extraordinary event and we look forward to partnering with Austin and Sam again to surprise and delight their distinguished clients and members. Get in touch below and learn about their wines by clicking on their logos.
BESPOKE PRIVATE DINING
September 2024 - With their permission, we wanted to share this private dining experience. When Phil came to us, he wanted to do something absolutely private andspecial for the love of his life. We sat down together and mapped out the perfect menu, fusing her love for Spanish Tapas and Mediteranian cuisine while taking a short trip through parts of France along the way. He wanted to go over the top and we had an absolute blast serving their family and friends for an eight course guided dinner and complete wine experience. Chef Gregory and John Paul personally managed the dinner service from pouring and explaining the pairings, to preparing, plating, and serving each course with precision and personal care you'd expect from The Captain's Room. Expert wine pairings and experienced staff ensure your every need is met and the chapter you write and the memories you make with us are locked in for life. Never settle. You've worked hard and you deserve the finest hospitality...something in dining has been missing and you can find it here with is at The Captain's Room. For personal references, please get in touch below.
SIGNATURE DISHEs
OF THE
CAPTAIN'S ROOM
The Captain’s Room is a meticulously restored Art Deco gem located in the heart of Villa Park, Illinois. Designed to evoke the charm and mystique of 1920s speakeasies, The Captain’s Room blends historical elegance with modern amenities to offer an elevated private dining and event experience. From curated wine tastings and chef-led culinary events to corporate gatherings and private celebrations, The Captain’s Room offers a bespoke experience like no other. Never Settle...premium hospitality is back and we've thought of every detail. Full Story Here...
EPIC FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
AT CAPTAIN'S ROOM
The Captain's Room is the perfect venue for a family celebration, offering a warm, private, and fully customizable space where every detail can be tailored to your unique vision. From the food to the wine pairings, and even down to the lighting, table layouts, linens, and music, we ensure that your event reflects exactly what you want it to be. For a recent celebration, we welcomed over 70 guests for an open house-style gathering that was truly one-of-a-kind. We curated exceptional wines from Armenia and created a diverse menu of eight hot passed appetizers inspired by the rich flavors of Eastern Europe, Armenia, Romania, and parts of the Middle East.
The occasion was a double celebration of our spectacular parents, Karnig and Valentina Demirdjian, and their 52 years of marriage. It was also a tribute to the bond my brother Gregory and I have shared for 48 years, as well as the 100th birthday of this incredible building. Life is short, and moments like these remind us that celebrations should never be postponed. Whether you’re honoring a milestone anniversary, a family reunion, or any special occasion, The Captain’s Room is where memories are made. Never settle—embrace the moment, and let us help you celebrate in style.
A FAMILY TOUR OF ITALY
AT CAPTAIN'S ROOM
When two brothers from an huge local Italian family approached us, they challenged us to create the perfect “Tour of Italy” event for their friends, family, and colleagues. With deep ties to their Italian heritage, they fell in love with The Captain’s Room and wanted to bring the flavors of their childhood to life—some from family recipes, some from the local Italian store where they grew up, and others inspired by new ideas we developed together with Chef John Paul over a few glasses of beautiful Chianti and maybe one or two more of a delicious Nebbiolo!
We crafted a menu of 12 dishes paired with six wines from across central and northern Italy. Highlights included a white truffle and champagne Bolognese, a delicate wild boar sausage casserole, and an unforgettable Volpi salami and mortadella sandwich layered with our house sandwich dressing, spicy arugula, smoked provolone, and the perfect sesame semolina bread, made to our specifications, from our partners at the legendary Turano Bakery in Bloomingdale, Illinois.
The evening featured a specially crafted Manhattan cocktail using their favorite bourbon and our house-made bitters. Throughout the night, Chicago’s own jazz legend Scott Earl Holman performed Italian classics and jazz favorites, creating an atmosphere that transported everyone to a little piece of Italy. Scott is a regular at he Gibson's family of restaurants and travels between Chicago and Florida weekly for regular gigs. You have to see him play!
With so much food, guests left with dessert boxes to enjoy the next morning—a sweet reminder of an unforgettable evening that earned rave reviews.
Let us bring your dream event to life for family, friends, and clients. Click below to learn more and get in touch!
SUPRISE MEDITERRANEAN BIRTHDAY
FEAST
When a close friend recommended The Captain’s Room to a couple seeking a truly unforgettable 30th birthday celebration for their son, they were thrilled by what they found. Stepping into our intimate, elegant venue, they were captivated by the meticulous details and warm ambiance—a setting worthy of their son, a passionate foodie with a love for travel, wine, and world flavors.
Together with our team and Chef John Paul, we crafted a tapas-style Mediterranean experience that perfectly captured the family’s sophisticated palate. The evening began with Cayuga caviar and glasses of ice-cold KEUSH sparkling wine, a unique Armenian wine from Mount Ararat, setting the stage for a feast that traveled through the Mediterranean’s finest flavors.
The courses included delicate, buttery borek—a family-favorite recipe blending soft cheese and chives in golden, flaky pastry—and a sous vide Mediterranean octopus, finished in a hot pan with thrice-roasted Yukon gold potatoes and rich pistachio butter. Topped with crispy Volpi salami, pancetta, and a bright citrus-yuzu vinaigrette, the dish was a harmony of tastes that left guests captivated.
For the main course, four incredible cuts of dry-aged beef took center stage: a 45-day-aged New York strip, perfectly marinated hanger steak, a massive 48-ounce bone-in ribeye, and the pièce de résistance—a stunning Chateaubriand. Each cut was accompanied by our house-made chimichurri, specialty oils, and gourmet salts, letting guests savor each bite in their own unique way.
The night was filled with laughter, toasts, and jazz music, creating a memory as rich as the food itself. Guests left with rave reviews, and the family felt as if they were dining in the comfort of their own home. It was an evening we won’t soon forget—and we look forward to hosting them again.
Plan your next unforgettable event with us at The Captain’s Room. Click here to book or learn more.
Click below to learn more and get in touch!
FAMILY BUSINESS CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR
75+ GUESTS
A successful construction company reached out to us on relatively short notice when they heard we had holiday availability at the Captain's Room. They wanted to do something different, epic, and very special for their family and friends who are part of their growing and thriving business. The hosts have impeccable taste and wanted everything to be made with care and love to reward their prized employees and family members for another year of growth and a job well done.
Chef John Paul and his team put together a host of favorites. We sat down with the hosts, took out a sharpie and a big piece of butcher paper, and came up with 13 separate and eclectic dishes, some family favorites and others from the Captain's Room signature repertoire of epicurean dishes. The evening started with a champagne toast. We prepared a beautiful Peruvian-style ceviche featuring scallops, tiger shrimp, and fresh grouper. We offered a variety of beautiful salads, one with the ancient grain, Farro, and gorgeous winter blackberries. One of the stars of the show was the Captain's signature "million dollar deviled egg." This special version of the traditional appetizer begins with fresh organic eggs. We prepare a unique potato salad-style filling that includes miso and a few other secret ingredients. Each of these elevated deviled eggs gets a dollop of Beluga caviar and a generous slice of white truffle from Alba.
Food and wine, including came out at a steady pace over 13 courses during a 4 1/2 hour party. The open house style of the event allowed people to arrive at their leisure on a weekday, serving over 75 family and friends throughout the evening. We featured live holiday and jazz standards on piano and created a bespoke event cocktail with Buffalo Trace bourbon and our house-made bitters and Manhattan syrups, garnished with orange peel, lemon zest, and Luxardo cherries; the cocktail was a hit.
The party was beautiful on many levels, and the hosts were so happy they booked next year's 2025 event right there on the spot. We were honored to serve such a wonderful and caring group, and we look forward to partying with them again next Christmas.
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Plan your next unforgettable event with us at The Captain’s Room. Click here to book or learn more.
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PRIVATE "LADIES NIGHT" PARTY FOR
15 GUESTS
This year at Christmas, a dedicated group of Montessori teachers from the Elmhurst area, who spend their days educating students decided to unwind with an unforgettable evening. Thanks to a friend's recommendation, they chose the Captain’s Room for their annual gathering.
The event organizer knew precisely what the group craved and was adept at detailing their dietary restrictions. We crafted a top-notch, tailored menu that included all their beloved dishes plus some delightful new flavors they instantly adored. Highlights included scallops with forbidden rice and our signature yellow tomato gazpacho.
The evening was also about culinary exploration. We managed to win over some less adventurous eaters with treats like our super white imported Spanish anchovies and introduced a few to the delights of caviar. The night even turned a fish skeptic into an enthusiast of scallops, shrimp, caviar, and halibut.
Entertainment was provided jazz pianist, Mr. Jon Holman, featuring a mix of contemporary hits, jazz standards, and, in the spirit of December, some Christmas classics, with a few requests thrown in for good measure. Each course was perfectly paired with exquisite wines, courtesy of our sommelier Erin, and we also crafted mocktails for those abstaining from alcohol.
The night was a hit, not just for the teachers but for our staff as well. A great evening was had by all at the Captain’s Room.
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Plan your next unforgettable event with us at The Captain’s Room. Click below to book or learn more.
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A FAMILY DINNER
HOSTED BY MOM AND DAD
On short notice, a close-knit family decided to explore the Captain’s Room out of curiosity. After enjoying a glass of wine, the parents envisioned it as the ideal venue for their annual family gathering involving their children and their spouses. Traditionally hosted at each other's homes, this year they opted for an elevated experience without the hassle of cleanup.
Located centrally for those coming from various Chicagoland suburbs, the Captain’s Room was easily accessible. Many chose ride-sharing options to indulge fully in the evening's festivities. The night kicked off with a champagne toast accompanied by exquisite appetizers. The menu focused on a seafood selection, culminating in a steakhouse classic finale.
The main course featured a rich Yukon gold potato purée, elevated with Gruyère cheese, copious amounts of fresh, unsalted Amish butter, farm-fresh heavy cream, and sea salt, drizzled with chive oil and topped with crispy pancetta. This paired beautifully with a medium-rare steak, enhanced by a classic bordelaise sauce, enriched with a 20-year-old cognac, toasted peppercorns, and a shaving of black truffle.
The evening was filled with laughter, memories, and delightful piano music, which included the parents' wedding favorites and some classic rock 'n' roll hits from their high school days. A wonderful night was had by all at the Captain’s Room.
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Plan your next unforgettable event with us at The Captain’s Room. Click below to book or learn more.
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the intimate wedding of
jessica & graham
When Jessica and Graham reached out to see if The Captain’s Room could host an unforgettable, food-forward wedding for 45 guests, their desired date was unavailable. But fate—and a generous existing client—intervened. With some creative rearranging, we opened the calendar and began planning what would become a once-in-a-lifetime celebration in just under a month. We handled every aspect from transportation to and from the Drake Hotel, Flower arrangements for each table, a custom wedding cake, photography, live music, and hosting services. No detail left unmanaged.
Jessica had recently landed a dream job in New York, and the couple was set to relocate within weeks. Wanting to honor this next chapter surrounded by family and flavor, they turned to us for an experience that blended intimacy, elegance, and fun. The result? A 12+ course immersive dinner that included passed appetizers during cocktail hour, a champagne toast woven seamlessly into their nuptial ceremony, and vibrant live music from our house band to carry the energy through the night. The evening ended with a showstopping wedding cake from our beloved French pastry chef, La Blondina.
Their story is still unfolding as they honeymoon in Puerto Rico—but the memories made at The Captain’s Room will last a lifetime. They assured us they'll be back for an anniversary party at some point! We can't wait to celebrate with them.
Let us help you design an unforgettable moment of your own. Click below to book or learn more.
