Coa

Transporting guests to the coastal waters of Spain and Mexico, the newly opened Coa brings a fresh fusion of Spanish tapas with Latin fare and Mexico’s agave history to the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook. With its name paying homage to the specialized tool that harvests agave, the new restaurant nestled in The Drake Oak Book is inspired by the respective cultures of its beloved owner Tely Nagle in collaboration with Executive Chef Ezequiel Dominguez

The culmination of months of onsite wood carving and a lifetime of dedication to agave spirits from its onsite Mezcal Temachtiani (‘master’ in Nahautl), the restaurant is a grand gesture of innovative digital art, Agave-based cuisine and handcrafted design.

Honoring Spain and Mexico’s renowned design mastery, Coa features a deep-level of craftsmanship including one-of-a-kind birch wood finishes hand-carved onsite over three months such as intricate ceiling details, wainscoting and custom trim work.
The lively yet warm oasis is complemented with custom furnishings from Mexico such as hand-sculpted chandeliers and handwoven furniture. Serving as a dramatic focal point and natural sanctuary for the extensive collection of over 40 premium tequila and mezcal varieties, the vibrant bar boasts authentic fire clay tiled that have each been hand-painted in Guadalajara. Amidst handblown glass flowers, the space also features personalized artwork of the owners using a Coa tool to cut an agave plant.

Contemporary touches are woven throughout with interactive digital displays for high-definition musical screenings and visual storytelling. Displays include live feeds from around the world, content from Tely Nagle’s travels, abstract art from her and Chef Ezequiel’s respective cultures, music videos and more. Bringing a multi-sensory art element to the dining experience, guests can enjoy the exclusively curated content and multi-dimensional light shows timed with a vibrant range of music from jazz to contemporary and more.

Showcasing only the finest seasonal ingredients, guests can pair premium agave spirit flights and house-made sangrias with an extensive menu of hot and cold tapas, as well as a variety of paellas celebrating the rice harvest along Spain’s Mediterranean Coast. Signature cocktails include a Sage Pineapple Smash and a Valencia Old Fashioned with Valencia orange tequila.