Mockingbird Bar + Garden Expansion Transforms East Dundee Dining

Eight years ago, Kathleen Bucci Bergeron visited a bakery in downtown East Dundee for an espresso and left with a postcard that transformed her life and the local dining scene. “The postcard had an image of The Measuring Cup bakery with sales details on the back,” she said. “I kept it in the visor of my car, read it for a week, and then called. The location found me.”

In November 2018, that location evolved into Mockingbird Bar + Garden, a farm-to-table restaurant on Barrington Avenue. Located across from Meier Street and next to the Fox River Bike Trail, the restaurant offers wood-fired pizzas and other dishes crafted by Chef Patrick Reynolds.

This month, Mockingbird completed a 1,700-square-foot expansion. The former Scooby Doo’s Dog Grooming space now serves as a large open kitchen and prep area with a chef’s counter for immersive dining. A garage door allows the restaurant to open to the downtown. New amenities include a coffee bar, couches, artwork, and a mural. The expanded area accommodates 100 diners indoors and 75 outside, including tented patio spaces.

The restaurant even features a golf cart, acquired by Bucci Bergeron at a charity auction, to assist patrons with transportation to and from their vehicles.

Bucci Bergeron emphasized the importance of sustainability in the expansion. “We wanted to grow the menu and satisfy event demand. The challenge was balancing design with function and feng shui.” With a career in the restaurant business starting at age 16, including public relations and marketing roles in Chicago, Bucci Bergeron stressed Mockingbird’s dedication to wood-fired food and thoughtful service.

Chef Patrick Reynolds appreciates the sense of community at Mockingbird. “I love the caring, creativity, and community here,” he said.

Mockingbird’s menu changes daily. It features seasonal and fresh dishes like salmon, hanger steak, artisanal pizzas, and Venetian-style small plates known as “cicchetti,” all prepared in the wood-burning oven. “Every dish carries the distinct taste of flame. Even oysters receive a modern passionfruit twist,” said Bucci Bergeron.

Mockingbird is open Wednesday through Sunday at select hours. The coffee bar operates Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. The restaurant has added Sunday night dinners to its weekend schedule.