#Hashtag | Oct. 2023
#HASHTAG: ELAINA VAZQUEZ
By Dustin O’Regan
ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL
ELAINA VAZQUEZ is the owner of Towne & Oak, a café and private event space located in the Hubbard Woods district of Winnetka. Classically French trained, she previously cooked at various restaurants in the country, including the 3 Michelin Star Joël Robuchon at the Mansion in Las Vegas. In 2008, she started her catering company, Boutique Bites, where she built a brand known for executing the finest experiences for clients and companies with the highest expectations. After 10 years and hundreds of parties, Vasquez felt ready for a change, and began to concept Towne & Oak while on a trip to London. With such a large catering clientele already on the North Shore, she knew Winnetka would be the perfect location for her café. The design of the space was very clear—Napa Valley meets Nantucket (two places she loves). After an eight-month gut renovation project, the café officially opened in October 2020. Towne & Oak is where Vasquez’s background in fine dining meets her true appreciation for casual entertaining.
#ON MY NIGHTSTAND
I read every morning and night and often two to three books at once. I just finished reading The Secret Life of Groceries— the Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket. It’s a fascinating and thoroughly researched look into how the supermarkets of today came to be, the complicated and expensive process of getting a product onto shelves, and our dependence on labor from other countries to supply goods we’ve come to rely upon. You’ll never think of shrimp the same way again. I’m currently reading Smile by Sarah Ruhl. It’s her memoir detailing her diagnosis with Bell’s palsy after the birth of her children. Really well written and surprisingly light and funny at moments. I’ve just started The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand. All of her books take place on Nantucket (my favorite place) and she releases a new one every summer. Bliss.”
#ON MY MOBILE
I have an affinity for London and all things London inspired, specifically food and design. I love following @PrettyCityLondon on Instagram. Her posts always make me want to plan another trip there.
#IN MY EARBUDS
My two favorite podcasts that I alternate listening to are How I Built This and Second Life. I’ve been a business owner for 15 years and have always found other entrepreneur stories very powerful and inspiring. And it’s always nice to hear you’re not the only one going through certain struggles.
