Black Bear Bistro opens in downtown Algonquin, offering farm-to-table fare

Roast Texas quail. Wild game chili. Vegetarian jambalaya. Lamb osso buco.

Those are only a few of the items chef Santiago Suarez created for his new Black Bear Bistro.

The eatery, 107 S. Main St. in downtown Algonquin, opened Friday. It’s his first restaurant.

“I’m excited and happy and feel good,” the 48-year-old said, adding that he’s been in the restaurant industry for about three decades. He spent the past 25 years as executive chef at 1776 restaurant in Crystal Lake.

“I was so happy when I saw customers walk in and then walk out happy after they had a nice meal and a glass of wine,” Suarez said.

Bold menu

Suarez said he is inspired by the black bear, an animal that fends for itself in the wild and eats natural foods.

The Lake in the Hills resident said he believes residents want a place to try exotic and traditional fare made from local produce and meats.

“My favorite thing on the menu is the salmon with feta cheese relish,” he said.

The bistro has a stripped-down aesthetic with white tablecloths and black bear art on the walls.

“People love the food,” he said. “They’ve been saying good things about the way I cook and everything. ... People are looking for something different.”

He said he cures his own bacon and ages his own meats.

“It tastes better because it’s better quality,” he said.

Suarez said he only buys a small amount of ingredients each week so that he serves fresh food every day.

He said he gets shipments five times a week.

“The vendors have known me for a long time and know what I like,” he said.

Inspired by his mother

Although there are less demanding industries, Suarez said he’s always wanted to cook.

“When I was younger in Mexico, I always saw my mother cooking,” he said. “It was always interesting to me to see what she was doing. It created a passion in my heart.”

His mother, Felisa Hurtado, heads south in the winter to avoid the cold. Suarez said he’s excited to show off his place.

“She’s going to be so proud. She knew it was always my dream to have my own place. She always saw how hard I worked to get it,” he said.

The bistro is open from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturdays.