Celebrated Chicago Chef Todd Stein has led a storied career – and on August 25, 2026, a new chapter has begun, with his return home to the North Shore and the grand opening of Juniper in Highwood.
From the moment you walk into Juniper at 200 Green Bay Road in Highwood, the dining space and culinary offerings coalesce in rich layered textures, anchored in local inspiration with a global flair.
Part Supper club, part neighborhood hang-out, Juniper blends Stein’s take on American classics with an expertly crafted sushi program, offering north shore area diners a refined, global dining experience, complemented by craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and sake selection. Pictured here: Tuna Tartar with Crushed Avocado, Ponzu, Taro Chips. (Gina Grillo,/ for the Pioneer Press)
Deep blue and hues of the Juniper evergreen native to Illinois and the Lake Shore region, wood-grained accents and a 35-foot hand-painted mural depicting sunrise over Lake Michigan all harken back to Stein’s memories of growing up in Highland Park with regular trips to Rosewood Beach.
Stein says, with Juniper, his concept is to offer a new American culinary experience, with reimagined comfort food, signature cocktails and sushi.
“We want to create the opportunity for diners to have something they want to eat, serving varied tastes with a varied menu that encourages tasting and shared plates,” Stein said.
Within the guideposts of variety, Juniper blends Stein’s take on American classics with an expertly crafted sushi program, offering Highwood area diners a refined, global dining experience, complemented by craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and sake selection.
The restaurant offers a variety of experiences under one roof, from a chic main dining room to a secluded sushi bar, as well as a private dining space, plus a patio for al fresco dining in the warmer months.
Stein brings more than three decades of culinary experience to this new venture, previously leading the kitchens of Chicago restaurants and hospitality groups including Formento’s, The Bristol, Ballyhoo Hospitality, mk the restaurant and more.
“I’ve watched the North Shore’s dining scene evolve for decades now, and I’m always excited to be able to bring something personal to it,” Stein said.
Juniper’s menu centers around Stein’s lineup of elevated American classics, such as Filet Mignon Sliders, Mini Lobster Rolls, Rotisserie Chicken and Ribeye Steak Frites, which balance nostalgic flavors with thoughtful technique.
At Juniper, 200 Green Bay Road in Highwood, the dining space and culinary offerings coalesce in rich layered textures, anchored in local inspiration with a global flair. A 35-foot hand-painted mural depicting sunrise over Lake Michigan harkens back to Stein’s memories of growing up in Highland Park with regular trips to Rosewood Beach. (Gina Grillo,/ for the Pioneer Press)
Part Supper club, part neighborhood hang-out, Juniper blends Stein’s take on American classics with an expertly crafted sushi program, offering north shore area diners a refined, global dining experience, complemented by craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a sake selection. Pictured here: Kale Salad with Bok Choy, Almonds, Avocado, Oranges, Sesame-Miso Dressing. (Gina Grillo,/ for the Pioneer Press)
Juniper’s dedicated sushi program, led by Executive Sushi Chef Akira Yang, serves classic and specialty rolls, as well as premium sashimi and nigiri variations from the interactive Japanese-style sushi bar pictured here. (Gina Grillo,/ for the Pioneer Press)
Juniper blends Stein’s take on American classics with an expertly crafted sushi program, offering North Shore diners a refined, global dining experience, complemented by craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a sake selection, as pictured here. (Gina Grillo,/ for the Pioneer Press)
A partnership between Chef Todd Stein and General Manager TJ Bachmeyer, celebrated this week with the opening of Juniper at 200 Green Bay Road in Highwood. Juniper blends Stein’s take on American classics with an expertly crafted sushi program, offering north shore area diners a refined, global dining experience, complemented by craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and sake selection. (Gina Grillo,/ for the Pioneer Press)
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At Juniper, 200 Green Bay Road in Highwood, the dining space and culinary offerings coalesce in rich layered textures, anchored in local inspiration with a global flair. A 35-foot hand-painted mural depicting sunrise over Lake Michigan harkens back to Stein’s memories of growing up in Highland Park with regular trips to Rosewood Beach. (Gina Grillo,/ for the Pioneer Press)
These dishes are complemented by a dedicated sushi program, led by Executive Sushi Chef Akira Yang, serving classic and specialty rolls, as well as premium sashimi and nigiri variations.
“With Juniper, I wanted to create the kind of restaurant I always wished we had in the neighborhood, a place I’d like to hang out in; whether meeting friends for cocktails, stopping in for dinner on a weeknight or celebrating a special occasion, we want every guest to feel genuinely welcomed,” Stein said.
According to their website, Juniper is a shared dream between Chef Todd Stein and General Manager TJ Bachmeyer, based on their shared belief that great hospitality is not about formality but about making people feel like they belong.
Bachmeyer says, ” Every once in a while, fate offers you an opportunity where everything seems to click into position with ease, and our partnership has felt like this from the beginning.
“When it’s right, it’s just easy, feels like nothing is in your way, and everything seems to just lock into place,” Bachmeyer said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.