Beloved wine bar and all-day dining destination
Postino
brings its laid-back hospitality, shareable plates and wine-forward experience to Vernon Hills
Postino, the all-day restaurant and wine bar known for its cult-like following, welcoming hospitality, and inspired spaces, will officially open its first Chicagoland location in Vernon Hills beginning Saturday, November 7 at 11am. Located at Mellody Farm, the restaurant is bringing Postino's irresistible mix of wine, shareable food, and laid-back hospitality to Lake County and the surrounding northern suburbs, offering an all-day destination for everything from lunch to a midday snack or dinner, also making it the perfect spot for any special occasion or celebration. The inviting concept is located at 887 N. Milwaukee Ave., Unit 400.
The 3,708-square-foot restaurant features a 900-square-foot patio, giving guests ample room to settle in for lunch, drinks, dinner and everything in between. Designed with Postino's signature "come-as-you-are" spirit, the space includes a seasonal enclosed patio, custom millwork crafted in-house, a signature art wall made from vintage printing blocks, historical neighborhood photography, stained-glass window panels, custom walnut wine walls, and eclectic vintage furnishings sourced from local shops.
Postino will celebrate the grand opening of its first Chicagoland location with treats, giveaways, and a chance to give back. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary cookie from Lavish Bakehouse and a Postino-branded trucker hat. Postino will also donate $1 from every bruschetta board sold on Grand Opening Day to support Urban Farm at Mellody Farm. Urban Farm is operated by MicroHabitat in partnership with Regency Centers, which grows fresh produce for the Vernon Township Food Pantry, a partner of the Northern Illinois Food Bank network.
The concept will include the Postino Bottle Club, a membership program offering exclusive wine-focused perks, monthly bottle selections, and special member benefits. As a part of the opening week celebration, guests who sign up for a new Postino Bottle Club membership between November 7 and November 14 will receive an extra bottle of wine as a Founder’s Week promotional perk (limit one per guest; valid for new members only). The restaurant will also offer Postino Pass, a complimentary membership featuring personalized perks, exclusive bites, seasonal surprises, and special offers throughout the year.
“We knew Vernon Hills was the right fit for Postino's first Midwest location from the start,” said Lauren Bailey, Co-Founder and CEO of Upward Projects. “The community's welcoming spirit and growing dining scene really resonated with us, and we could immediately see Postino fitting right in. We’ve already received such a warm welcome from the community, and we’re excited to open our doors!”
The menu at Postino Vernon Hills will feature the restaurant's iconic bruschetta boards alongside charcuterie, panini, salads and shareable plates. The "Snacky Things" section of the menu features crowd favorites like grilled steak and chicken skewers, shrimp scampi, crispy cauliflower, and smoked salmon. Postino is best known for its signature Bruschetta Boards with customizable combinations like brie, apple & fig spread; burrata, bacon, arugula & tomato; prosciutto di parma, fig & mascarpone; and smoked salmon & pesto. For a fuller meal, the menu also features warm pressed paninis, hearty grain bowls like the Grill & Grain Bowl, signature mains, and fresh salad and soup pairings.
The beverage program centers on more than 20 artisanal wines available by the glass, complemented by local and regional craft beers such as Maplewood Pulaski Pils, Off Color Apex Predator Farmhouse Ale, Dovetail Helles Lager, Off Color Beer for Tacos Gose, Pipeworks Lizard King Pale Ale, Revolution Anti-Hero IPA, and Maplewood Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout, as well as Right Bee Dry Cider, Italian-inspired spritzes, seasonal cocktails and zero-proof options.
Postino Vernon Hills will be open daily for lunch and dinner at 11 am daily. Guests can enjoy daily drink specials, including $6 glasses of wine and $6 pitchers of beer, as well as the restaurant's popular Bottle & Board special every Monday and Tuesday after 8 p.m., which includes a bottle of wine and a bruschetta board for $25. For more details, visit https://www.postino.com/locations/postino-vernon-hills.
The 3,708-square-foot restaurant features a 900-square-foot patio, giving guests ample room to settle in for lunch, drinks, dinner and everything in between. Designed with Postino's signature "come-as-you-are" spirit, the space includes a seasonal enclosed patio, custom millwork crafted in-house, a signature art wall made from vintage printing blocks, historical neighborhood photography, stained-glass window panels, custom walnut wine walls, and eclectic vintage furnishings sourced from local shops.
Postino will celebrate the grand opening of its first Chicagoland location with treats, giveaways, and a chance to give back. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary cookie from Lavish Bakehouse and a Postino-branded trucker hat. Postino will also donate $1 from every bruschetta board sold on Grand Opening Day to support Urban Farm at Mellody Farm. Urban Farm is operated by MicroHabitat in partnership with Regency Centers, which grows fresh produce for the Vernon Township Food Pantry, a partner of the Northern Illinois Food Bank network.
The concept will include the Postino Bottle Club, a membership program offering exclusive wine-focused perks, monthly bottle selections, and special member benefits. As a part of the opening week celebration, guests who sign up for a new Postino Bottle Club membership between November 7 and November 14 will receive an extra bottle of wine as a Founder’s Week promotional perk (limit one per guest; valid for new members only). The restaurant will also offer Postino Pass, a complimentary membership featuring personalized perks, exclusive bites, seasonal surprises, and special offers throughout the year.
“We knew Vernon Hills was the right fit for Postino's first Midwest location from the start,” said Lauren Bailey, Co-Founder and CEO of Upward Projects. “The community's welcoming spirit and growing dining scene really resonated with us, and we could immediately see Postino fitting right in. We’ve already received such a warm welcome from the community, and we’re excited to open our doors!”
The menu at Postino Vernon Hills will feature the restaurant's iconic bruschetta boards alongside charcuterie, panini, salads and shareable plates. The "Snacky Things" section of the menu features crowd favorites like grilled steak and chicken skewers, shrimp scampi, crispy cauliflower, and smoked salmon. Postino is best known for its signature Bruschetta Boards with customizable combinations like brie, apple & fig spread; burrata, bacon, arugula & tomato; prosciutto di parma, fig & mascarpone; and smoked salmon & pesto. For a fuller meal, the menu also features warm pressed paninis, hearty grain bowls like the Grill & Grain Bowl, signature mains, and fresh salad and soup pairings.
The beverage program centers on more than 20 artisanal wines available by the glass, complemented by local and regional craft beers such as Maplewood Pulaski Pils, Off Color Apex Predator Farmhouse Ale, Dovetail Helles Lager, Off Color Beer for Tacos Gose, Pipeworks Lizard King Pale Ale, Revolution Anti-Hero IPA, and Maplewood Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout, as well as Right Bee Dry Cider, Italian-inspired spritzes, seasonal cocktails and zero-proof options.
Postino Vernon Hills will be open daily for lunch and dinner at 11 am daily. Guests can enjoy daily drink specials, including $6 glasses of wine and $6 pitchers of beer, as well as the restaurant's popular Bottle & Board special every Monday and Tuesday after 8 p.m., which includes a bottle of wine and a bruschetta board for $25. For more details, visit https://www.postino.com/locations/postino-vernon-hills.
About Upward Projects
Upward Projects, the restaurant development company behind Postino, creates inspired restaurants that are deeply connected to the communities they serve, often rooted in historically relevant buildings that reflect the character of their neighborhoods. Known for pairing delicious food with local ingredients, curated beverage programs, and warm hospitality, Upward Projects operates more than 40 unique restaurants across five brands in seven states.
Led by Postino, the Arizona-born concept has expanded to locations across Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois and California, alongside Arizona-based concepts including Joyride Taco House, Federal Pizza, Windsor, Lado A Lado and Churn. The company is recognized for its adaptive reuse approach, trend-forward real estate selection, and vibrant, shareable dining experiences designed to bring people together.
