Mockingbird Bar + Garden: A Transformative Dining Experience in East Dundee

Eight years ago, Kathleen Bucci Bergeron found herself at a downtown East Dundee bakery, simply stopping by for an espresso. She left with a postcard that set the course of her future. The postcard featured an image of The Measuring Cup bakery, with sales details on the reverse side. Bucci Bergeron placed it in her car’s visor, contemplating it for a week before making a decision.

In November 2018, what emerged at this location was Mockingbird Bar + Garden, a restaurant emphasizing farm-to-table dining on Barrington Avenue. The establishment is situated across from the northern end of Meier Street and adjacent to the Fox River Bike Trail.

Chef Patrick Reynolds oversees the culinary creations at Mockingbird, crafting wood-fired pizzas and other dishes. Recently, Mockingbird underwent a significant expansion. A 1,700-square-foot addition transformed the former Scooby Doo’s Dog Grooming space into a chef’s counter and extended kitchen area. The renovation included a garage door that opens to the downtown, a new coffee bar, comfortable seating, and new artwork, including a mural.

The expansion allows for seating 100 guests indoors and an additional 75 outdoors, with some areas under a tented patio. The restaurant even features a golf cart for transporting guests to and from their vehicles, won by Bucci Bergeron at a fundraising auction.

“We needed sustainability. We needed the opportunity to grow the menu and to satisfy the demand for events.” – Kathleen Bucci Bergeron.

Bucci Bergeron started in the restaurant industry at 16 and worked in public relations and marketing after college. Her experience includes time with the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group and others. Today, Mockingbird maintains its dedication to carefully crafted and wood-fired dishes.

The kitchen, led by Chef Reynolds, takes pride in its commitment to detail. Ingredients are fresh, with juices squeezed and syrups made in-house. “Our food is delicious and healthy,” Bucci Bergeron stated. The menu changes daily and offers a seasonal touch blended with indulgence.

Mockingbird’s offerings include salmon, hanger steak, signature artisanal pizzas, and Venetian-style small plates called “cicchetti,” all cooked in the wood-burning oven. Even the oysters are enhanced with a passionfruit twist.

Open select hours from Wednesday through Sunday, the restaurant offers a coffee bar on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, alongside Sunday night dinners and Sunday brunch.