a tasting menu experience by 2x James Beard Award and Jean Banchet Award-nominated Chef Zubair Mohajir
How do you keep tasting menus exciting, and how do you engage guests in a way that fosters curiosity and intrigue for returning? Over the past three years, we have asked ourselves these questions, and allowed that to guide how we continue to grow Coach House and the dining experiences we create. Coach House is a warm and intimate restaurant that sparks joy, nostalgia, and comfort in each moment with our service team and chefs. We offer a transparent look at the process Chef Zubair and Chef Jacob take in creating each plate of food, whether you're dining at the Chefs' Counter, literally peering into the process, or you're sitting at our dining room tables, participating in the hospitality that we believe exists in each element of our process.
While our menus change seasonally, our excitement for food, bold flavor combinations, and vibrant wines and cocktails remains constant. Our 4-course menu is offered Tuesday-Thursday evenings, and explores contemporary fusion with respect, fun, and boldness; currently, it is Pulutan, exploring Filipino and Indian cuisine. Friday and Saturday nights provide our noteworthy 6-course menu, a favorite amongst return and new guests alike, focused on South Indian dishes through award-winning Chef Zubair Mohajir's lens. Each of our menus can be enjoyed on its own, accompanied by a wine and cocktail pairing, or explored alongside our unexpected wine and cocktail list.
chef zubair mohajir
Born in Chennai, grew up in Doha, Qatar, before moving with his family as a 12 yr old to the south west suburbs of Chicago in 1997. As it is with many South Asian upbringings, cooking was not the first stop for Zubair Mohajir, after 7 years in finance, following the market crash of 2008, Zubair Mohajir decided to enter the industry as a prep cook for The Pump Room by Jean George. Upon working his way up to Sous Chef, he decided to take a Chef De Partie position with The Bouchon team for TKRG in Yountville, CA. Eventually in 2018, Zubair landed an apprenticeship with Gaggan in Bangkok, renowned for their progressive take on Indian cuisine from the lens of molecular gastronomy. Since that time, Chef Zubair has garnered national attention via his award nominations from James Beard and Jean Banchet, as well as multiple features in publications like Chicago Magazine, Plate Magazine, Eater, and more. Currently, Chef Zubair oversees the culinary program and is an Owner of Lilac Tiger, Mirra, Coach House, and Wazwan in Chicago.
chef jacob dela cruz
Chef Jacob Dela Cruz was born and raised in Saint Charles, Illinois. Growing up, he was surrounded by traditional Filipino cuisine. His father inspired his passion and love for food at a young age. His favorite dish growing up was fried mackerel, rice, and fish sauce - made by his grandmother. After graduating high school, Chef Jacob got a job at Buona beef starting as a cashier, and worked his way up in the kitchen cooking Italian beef. After 2 years, he left his position to focus on finishing his education and started his own food service, “BoBoQ”, selling his Filipino BBQ out of his house during the pandemic. He graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in health science and had a hunger to learn more about cooking. He decided to enroll in culinary school at Kendal College and started his journey in the Chicago food scene. While in culinary school he staged at multiple restaurants and landed a position at Alla Vita by Chef Lee Wolen. Upon working his way through the various stations at Alla Vita, he decided to take a position at Wazwan, Lilac Tiger, and The Coach House by Chef Zubair Mohajir. Jacob oversees the culinary program and is the Sous Chef of Lilac Tiger and the Coach House.
david mor
David is an award-winning bartender and Chicago business owner, overseeing the beverage programs at Coach House, Lilac Tiger, TRUCE, and Mirra. His attention to detail has allowed for each beverage program to feel distinct from the other, exploring modern cocktails structured in a foundation of classics and balanced flavor combinations. In his time in Chicago, he has been seen behind the bar or walking around with a tight ponytail, at staples like Cindy's Rooftop, Bad Hunter, Robert et Fils, and Boeufhaus. He has spent the past two years working alongside Chef Zubair to transition Wazwan Supper Club to Lilac Tiger; in that time, they have worked to create an engaging and exciting cocktail and dining space in Wicker Park, with Coach House residing directly behind LT. In David's little free time, he spends time with his life and business partner, Matt (partner, TRUCE), cat Prince, and rewatching past seasons of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. David was listed as one of Chicago's "Who's Got Next?" 13 people to look out for, in 2023, and continues to spread his snarky love for hospitality around the city.