Lithuanian Restaurant Plans Darien Location

Darien diners will soon have another option with some international flair.

Grand Duke’s Restaurant, which features Lithuanian cuisine, has secured a lease at 2601 75th Street, next to , said Assistant City Administrator Scott Coren at Monday’s Administrative and Finance Committee meeting.

A gift shop and deli featuring Lithuanian specialties will operate alongside the restaurant, Coren said.

Grand Duke’s has a café in Summit and provides catering for the banquet facilities at the in Lemont.

Last year the restaurant served more than 10,000 customers, documents Grand Duke’s provided to the city of Darien said. It employs more than 25 people.

The menu includes dishes such as roast duck, breaded pork tenderloin and sauerkraut soup, according to Grand Duke’s website.

“We’re about honest home-cooked food served in a casual, warm and comfortable atmosphere,” the memo from the restaurant said.

The Darien location will be able to seat 30-40 people. Its gift shop will sell Lithuanian souvenirs, books and music. The deli will serve prepared and packaged Lithuanian foods, as well as specialty alcohol.

Many of the original restaurant’s customers live in Lisle, Naperville, Downers Grove, Lemont and Darien, the restaurant’s memo said.

The agreed to recommend approval of a liquor license that would allow Grand Duke’s to both serve alcohol to patrons in the café and sell packaged alcohol in the deli.

Grand Duke’s will also need to obtain a special use permit from the city before it begins work on the restaurant portion of the space because it abuts a residential area.