A Storied Culinary Debut: Inside Coa, The Drake Oak Brook’s First New Restaurant in Five Decades
With a legacy of hosting legends like Frank Sinatra, King Charles, and Rock Hudson, today’s guests at The Drake Oak Brook, Autograph Collection will find something entirely fresh at Coa—the property’s first newly built restaurant in over 50 years. Inspired by the Latin heritage of owner Tely Nagle and Executive Chef Ezequiel Dominguez, Coa brings an innovative fusion of Spanish tapas and Latin fare to Oak Brook’s growing culinary landscape.
“With the addition of an entirely new dining experience that’s so close to our hearts, we are thrilled to continue the hotel’s long history as a beacon of fine dining and close gatherings for guests and locals.” shares Tely Nagle. “Every element has been made to feel like an extension of my family dining room from the warmth, traditions and flavors of my culture.”
Coa’s menu offers a vibrant blend of Spanish and Latin flavors, featuring highlights such as hot and cold tapas, exquisite paellas inspired by Spain’s Mediterranean harvests, and tequila-infused dishes like sea bass served with a tequila, mango and watermelon relish. Diners will also find the finest USDA Certified Prime cuts served with agave-inspired flavors including a Pineapple Mezcal Glazed Double Cut Bone-In Pork Chop.
Complementing the culinary offerings is a comprehensive agave program, showcasing over 40 premium tequila and mezcal varieties. Specialty cocktails include the Sage Pineapple Smash and Valencia Old Fashioned, in addition to house-made sangrias.
Chef Ezequiel Dominguez draws inspiration from childhood memories of cooking tapas with his mother.
“Some of the earliest dishes I remember making with my mother at six years old were tapas,” he shares. “I’ve thoughtfully merged my formal culinary background with these family traditions that have been passed down. Expertly enhanced with an elaborate agave program, these recipes will now become a special part of The Drake Oak Brook’s history through Coa.”
As the first new-build restaurant at this historic Midwest landmark in over five decades, Coa pairs its fresh cuisine with design rooted in tradition and innovation. Designed by husband-and-wife duo and owners Jim and Tely Nagle, the space showcases months of meticulous wood carving and authentic finishes sourced from Spain and Mexico, standing as a true homage to intricate craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage.
The restaurant’s centerpiece bar, adorned with hand-painted fire clay tiles from Guadalajara, serves as a sanctuary for its agave sprits collection. Adding a multi-sensory element, interactive digital displays feature live feeds, personal travel videos, and abstract art influenced by Dominguez’s heritage. Unique personal touches, such as stainless-steel doors salvaged from the Dirksen Federal Building—a nod to Jim Nagle’s former career as a Chicago trial lawyer—are woven throughout.
For more information, visit CoaOakBrook.com. All photos courtesy of The Drake Oak Brook, Autograph Collection.
