South Gate Cafe Closes for Remodeling, Redefining

The South Gate Cafe has closed for remodeling and re-concepting and will reopen the first week in May.

The venerable Lake Forest restaurant, and it’s sister restaurant at the same location, Bank Lane Bistro, were recently purchased by Carla and Mark Westcott and a group of Lake Forest investors.

South Gate, best known for outdoor dining on its patio adjacent to Market Square, has struggled recently with the weakened economy. The new owners are planning that with a substantial investment, an award winning new chef and new menu the restaurant will return to its place as one of the North Shore’s best dining establishments. 

The new menu, while still in the planning stages, will feature a fresh take on classic “craved” food we grew up with, and great Regional American dishes we learned to love as adults. The “uniquely familiar” take will focus on fresh, made from scratch recipes and locally sourced product.

“This is a labor of love for Carla and I and the investors” said owner Mark Westcott. “We have been going to Southgate since we came to Lake Forest in 1989, and we want to preserve its place as an iconic Lake Forest touchstone while taking the food, hospitality and environment to new and better levels”

Westcott expects to announce more details on the remodel, the menu, and the new Chef by mid-April in advance of the reopening. In the interim, Bank Lane Bistro will remain open under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Jared Claude.

The Bistro will continue to serve lunch and dinner Monday through Saturdays starting Monday (March 26).