Apolonia

A wood-fired oven shapes the contemporary Mediterranean cooking at Apolonia, a restaurant from Chef Stephen Gillanders. Opened in 2020 in Chicago's South Loop, it serves seasonally focused dishes alongside thoughtful beverage selections. The menu draws on rich flavors in Gillanders's style, with the oven adding another dimension to the restaurant's cooking. Apolonia is his second venture. Its name honors his grandmother, whose traditional Filipino flavors and encouragement sparked his early interest in cooking and continue to influence his culinary path. The restaurant's small-spoon logo reflects that connection, depicting his grandmother passing her wisdom to him. Apolonia also offers personalized events, bringing its dining experience beyond the regular meal service.