Reimagining a storied 19th century mansion as a fine dining destination has been an extensive three-year restoration project for Justin and Candice Mills, who opened August the Mansion (1680 Mansion Way, O’Fallon, Illinois) on March 28. The historic mansion, which once hosted Abraham Lincoln and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, will offer upscale New American cuisine. Here’s what to know before you go.
The Menu
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The inaugural menu features 18 items, equally split between appetizers and entrees. The bar features signature and classic cocktails, plus a handful of beer and wine options (including five reds and five whites by the glass). See all menus here.
Three different salads are included in the menu’s Small Plates and Starters section, including the signature August the Mansion, which includes pickled beets, goat cheese, red onion, golden raisins, candied walnuts, and spring lettuce mix with a white balsamic vinaigrette.
Main dishes are in line with New American cuisine’s elevated comfort food and include beef short ribs atop sweet corn creamy polenta with heirloom carrots, and an Orecchiette pasta dish featuring Wenneman’s pork, Argentine shrimp, tomato broth and Parmesan Reggiano. A Peruvian chicken dish is served with Aji verde, a spicy green sauce, chili lime potato wedges, and roasted cauliflower. The Mansion’s tenderloin filet is served atop pressed potatoes, with horseradish, wilted spinach, and crispy leeks.
Most of the entrees are priced in the $20s, the short ribs are $32 and the beef tenderloin is $48.
Dessert options include a flourless chocolate espresso cake served with berries and a Basque (‘burnt’) cheesecake topped with blackberry compote and drizzled with caramel.
The kitchen team includes executive chef Jessica Hickman and general manager Alejandro Molina, both seasoned veterans of the St. Louis dining scene. “They bring a wealth of experience, both near to home and beyond,” says Candice. “Their passion for detail in flavor, quality, presentation, service, and overall experience promises to deliver all the elements guests love about city dining, right in the heart of O’Fallon.” Complementing the leadership team is sous chef Brett Carson and Daniela Pedraza, who leads the bar program.
The Atmosphere
Initially, dinner will be served on the main floor, where guests can experience the formal dining areas and “get a preview of our forthcoming casual bar dining experience,” says Candice.
In the future, they also plan to introduce exclusive reservation-only experiences, private parties, special events, access to service upstairs and in a tasting room, patio dining, and an outdoor lounge with a fire pit.
The restaurant will initially be open from 4–9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 4–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Background
The restaurant’s name pays homage to Augustus J. Wastfield, an independently wealthy farmer who constructed what is now the oldest mansion in O’Fallon, Illinois. Wastfield and his wife, Elsie, had a passion for politics and hosted Abraham Lincoln at their home, according to local historians. The home was also a stop on the Underground Railroad; historians account for approximately 100 slaves stopping there during the Civil War. In 1866, Wastfield was fatally injured in a threshing machine accident, but his family continued to live there for many years.
More than a century later, in 1998, the building was transformed into The Mansion at Lakepointe, a fine dining destination with a menu designed by renowned restaurateur Richard Perry. It then sat empty for several years until Paulo Pacheco renovated it in 2007 as Paulo’s at The Mansion, which remained in business until 2015. It then became The Grille at The Mansion, from 2015 to 2019, before temporarily becoming a special event space and closing that September.
When Justin and Candice Mills, owners of Terra Veta, took over the property in 2021, the building was “in shambles,” recalls Justin. There were cracked pipes, damaged walls, and vines growing inside. Their goal was to refresh the structure and provide modern décor without sacrificing the Old World charm. They overhauled the plumbing, refinished the floors, and found the original pocket doors. “We have collaborated with local artisans to breathe new life into the iconic building for the first time in more than 15 years,” says Candice.
“We feel a great sense of responsibility to honor the memories that have been made over the past many decades, both as a restaurant and as a family home. So many people have shared their heartfelt stories of their experiences here and what the home means to them. Recognizing ourselves as custodians of the property, we aim to create something that can continue its legacy for many decades.”
“Above all else, our aim is to create a place that fills the community with pride—a place where new memories are made with friends and family, where our guests leave with anticipation to come back time and again, and where our team loves coming to work every day.”
