If you have been wondering how the old “Food Court” at Westfield Old Orchard was going to be reinvented, your wait is nearly over. From the soft opening on July 25th to the Grand Opening on September 8th, you can wander through and check the progress of Wilde & Greene Restaurant+ Natural Market. A preview tour was exciting because even though a lot of work remains to be done, there is enough in place to envision it in action. Wilde and Greene Restaurant getting ready Wilde and Greene Marketing Manager Cristiane Hioki with new hires behind Natural Market partly stocked
Shannon Ridgeway, Marketing Director at Westfield Old Orchard and Wilde and Greene Marketing Manager Cristiane Hioki guided our group through the 30,000 square foot space (where 13 million customers visit annually) to give us an idea of what we can expect to find when it is fully functioning. Cristiane told us a bit about how green principles were in reconstructing this space. The use of LED lighting is one notable aspect. Deborah Mattes, Westfield Old Orchard Senior General Manager, explained, “This is the first U.S. shopping center-based natural food market and dining complex offering freshly made food. This combination of dining and shopping creates a new way for customers to enjoy Westfield Old Orchard. Whether they come for shopping, entertainment or the food experience, customers will now have the ability to drop-in for a freshly prepared meal, or take away high-quality ingredients and cook for their families at home; there’s something for everyone day and night.” 
This is not the kind of food court that we typically see; even upscale food courts are nothing like this. Wilde & Greene will be open continuously (main restaurant and natural market 7:30 a.m. – midnight, 7 days a week; Rooftop patio 11 a.m. till 10 p.m. (or later), 7 days a week) from early morning for before work business and social meetings through late-night as guests enjoy cocktails and small plate offerings at its beautiful rooftop patio during warm weather months. Also on offer are a variety of private dining options for meetings and social events.
As someone who is especially interested in vegetarian and organic food, I can’t wait for Wilde & Greene + Natural Market to be fully functioning. Nutrition is a priority at Wilde & Greene meaning healthy options such as vegetarian dishes are widely available for diners as they explore each of the 18 gourmet food and beverage stations to select the entrée that perfectly suits their appetite. Visitors of Westfield Old Orchard will find that menu offerings will vary with the seasons and feature the best of local flavors as well as an array of international recipes.
Wandering through the stations at Wilde & Greene allows visitors the feeling of traveling the world in one place. The open market-style restaurant, will feature delicious recipes and dishes prepared right before their eyes. From the French rotisserie and carving station, Far East stir-fry and curry kitchen, to Mexican quesadillas and homemade guacamole, the diversity of food options will delight and surprise guests of every taste.
As soon as the complex is opened, I expect to visit the market which will carry organic and gluten-free items and all of the produce will be organic. The roof garden with seating for 150 and will offer both a tapas and full service menu. This is very different and a remarkable aspect of our tour because It felt as though we were in a different world atop Westfield Old Orchard. And there is more; cooking classes for children will begin soon after opening. This concept has worked well in Canada and it is exciting to be the first place to introduce this concept to the U.S. Do step in an check progress when you are in Westfield Old Orchard.
About Richtree Market Restaurants Inc.
Richtree Market Restaurants Inc. is a Toronto-based food service firm that has created innovative restaurant and open marketplace concepts in a number of Canadian shopping centers, including Toronto’s Eaton Centre and Ottawa’s Rideau Centre, as well as natural food markets in both Canada and the United States under the Planet Organic Markets and Mrs. Green’s Natural Market banners. Further information is available at
1.800.695.5771.
Photos: B. Keer and Kurman Communication
