apolonia
A Contemporary Mediterranean Restaurant from Chef Stephen Gillanders. Apolonia is highlighted by seasonally focused dishes, thoughtful beverage selections, and personalized hospitality.
Apolonia is the second venture from Chef Stephen Gillanders. We opened in 2020 in the South Loop, with the goal of offering a dynamic dining experience to the neighborhood and our guests. Unique and rich flavors are true to Gillanders's style, Apolonia emboldens this style with a wood fired oven.
Our Story
Apolonia's name and logo carries a deeply personal meaning. Named after Chef Stephen's beloved grandma from his Filipino heritage, she sparked his passion for cooking from a young age by filling his world with traditional Filipino flavors. While Stephen's culinary path doesn't often venture into Filipino cuisine, the flavors, love and knowledge imparted by his grandma continue to shape his culinary journey. Stephen, an avid collector of antique spoons, chose the image of our logo to reflect this cherished bond. Apolonia is depicted by a small spoon, pouring her wisdom into a larger spoon, symbolizing Stephen.