About Us

The two principle owners of the former Mareva's Restaurant, Oaza Palm Terrace, Catering and Banquets Gourmet Production, Ltd. are Stanley and Irene Idzik. Both born in Poland, came to the Unites States in 1955 and 1957 respectively.

Stanley, an engineer in the army, came from England after the war to join his parents who were operating a 9600 square foot banquet facility called "Oaza" (Oasis) at 1250 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Stanley worked in the tool and die business specializing in precision dental instruments.



Irene Grabowski learned to cook at a young age in Poland and later, joined her parents who were operating a successful family restaurant called the Alamo, located at 1250 N. Sedgwick, in Chicago, Illinois. The parents of Irene and Stanley were friends and within a short time Stanley and Irene met, and later that year were married.

Mareva's Dining Room

In 1961 the Alamo was sold and in 1964 Irene brought her talents to Stanly's families already well-established Oaza Palm Terrace Banquet and Catering Services. Working closely with the elder Idzik's, Irene quickly learned the secrets of their Old World European Cuisine, adding her own flair for a more nouveau style, with French and Italian influences. Irene quickly became well known as one of the leading Chicago area chefs.

Banquet Room

Irene was not content with just banquet and catering business, she took over the first floor of Oaza adding another 4400 square feet, and after a one million dollar renovation, in 1986 opened the only Eastern European Gourmet Restaurant in Chicago.  The restaurant, named after their two children Mark and Eva was called Mareva's. The dream became reality and within a short time, after winning several notable awards was one of the finest gourmet restaurants in the country. The most notable of these awards at the time, the 1991 "Best of the Best" award as the "Best Polish Aristocratic Gourmet Restaurant in the United States," and given a Five Star Diamond designation.

The many political dignitaries that have visited Mareva's are too numerous to list in its entirety. In Chicago, when they were open and there was a special event honoring Polish Heritage, or a Polish dignitary, Mareva's was the first and only call they made. Each year Mareva’s was called upon by the Mayor's office of special events, to provide a buffet featuring Old World Cuisine at the Chicago City Hall, the Cultural Arts Center, and by the Governor at the State of Illinois Building.

When Lech Walesa, then President of Poland (1990-1995) and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1980), visited Chicago, Mareva's was chosen above all others, to cater the Presidential dinner at the Polish Consulate in Chicago. 

Over a fifteen year period, Mareva's was called upon by then Governors, James Thompson and Governor Jim Edgar, respectively, to cater events at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield.

"This year's St. Joseph's Day Table was the best the Thompson family has ever hosted at the mansion. Everything was sumptuous."

James R. Thompson

Governor of Illinois 

The list of awards honoring Mareva's over the years is endless. According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the Michelin rating system didn't start in America until 2005. One of the most prestigious awards at the time was the "Silver Platter Award." The Food Industry News award represents the food service and hospitality industries "Academy Awards." Winners in 40 different categories are selected by their fellow operators in the official balloting as their favorite place to dine. Mareva's won this award for six years straight. In 1995 Irene was one of twelve Chefs who were awarded the Chef's 2000 Award.

Local food critic's had these comments at the time:

"Mareva's stands out like a jewel."

C. P. Pecoraro, Sun Times

"Walking inside Mareva's is like stepping into an old world painting... there is endless satisfaction on the menu... rating 19/20."

Sherman Kaplan, WBBM Radio

"We had nothing but raves."

Sentinel Publication