Thanks for the great (and timely, for me) post. The GF and I are going tonight for her birthday. I was there once, not long after they opened. I loved the food and the vibe. As you allude in your post, I found Goosefoot the most approachable and relaxed of the higher-end restaurants I've visited. Sounds like that hasn't changed and I'm more than a little excited. I'll report back, even if just to say "what Gypsy Boy said."

A bit belated but I'll follow up on Gypsy Boy's post with my own, but way less ambitious, review. On the whole, our experience squared with his. The food, as he so carefully chronicled, was fantastic. Chris is a huge talent and the current menu was noticeably more inventive than when I was there in their opening months (which was damn terrific in its own right). But the pacing this visit was a tad leisurely. I think our meal was four hours and after two bottles of wine I was a tad fatigued at the end of the meal. That said, I don't do much dining at this price point/quality, so four hours of time chatting with my girlfriend - and Chris and Nina, who were gregarious and attentive - didn't trouble me. It really did feel like being at someone's home, granted someone who can cook like Captain Marvel. But it's a distinct aesthetic and I'd totally understand if someone wanted a little more white-glove attention on the service side for this type of meal; my GF and I didn't find it an issue. Oh, and if Chris's chestnut soup was offered up as my last meal, I'd gladly accept.

Bumping this thread. We had an exquisite dinner at Goosefoot Wednesday night (sorry, no pictures). There were 4 two-tops at the 5:30 seating, and another 4 tables at the 8:00 seating, which overlapped the 5:30 seating by about 30 minutes. The service was friendly and efficient. It did not feel like a 3 hour meal. We had wine from their incredibly reasonably priced "wine list" (i.e., not technically their wine list since it's still BYO), a split of sparkling wine and a bottle of tempranillo, which was recommended by Nina. Ten courses plus a bar of chocolate to take home for $175 plus a 20% service charge and tax. Really a bargain for the quality of the experience.

Was it $175 for we, or I?

Jazzfood wrote:Was it $175 for we, or I?

Per their website, it's $175/pp + a 20% service charge, so $210/pp (plus tax). Given what I remember from my fine-dining days (I long-ago lapsed), that does seem relatively inexpensive.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:Per their website, it's $175/pp + a 20% service charge, so $210/pp (plus tax). Given what I remember from my fine-dining days (I long-ago lapsed), that does seem relatively inexpensive.

Correct. Current prices per person according to their websites, excluding alcohol/pairings, tax, tip:

Kyoten $440-490 (includes service)
Alinea $315-385 The Salon ($425-485 The Gallery, $495 Kitchen Table)
Oriole $295 ($335 Kitchen Table)
Moody Tongue $285 Dining Room
Smyth $285 ($345 Chef's Table)
Valhalla $188
Goosefoot $175
Schwa $165-195
Indienne $120 Non-Vegetarian, $110 Vegetarian
Arun's $100

Since I started working w/disadvantaged kids I don't have the same appetite for expensive dinners knowing I could feed them for 2 wks for what dinner costs, though once in awhile I make exceptions...

Jazzfood wrote:Since I started working w/disadvantaged kids I don't have the same appetite for expensive dinners knowing I could feed them for 2 wks for what dinner costs, though once in awhile I make exceptions...

Understood but don't hate the player, hate the game.

I'd totally forgotten about goosefoot until this thread was recently bumped and honestly, if I'd been asked if they were still open, I would have guessed no. Nice to know they're still out there doing their thing. I'm very out of the loop these days.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:I'd totally forgotten about goosefoot until this thread was recently bumped and honestly, if I'd been asked if they were still open, I would have guessed no. Nice to know they're still out there doing their thing.

Every time I see a thread bumped for a place I haven't heard about in a while, until I open it, the thought crosses my mind that it might have closed. Glad they didn't...

Not hating on anyone. I said I'm not as in to it as I once was and was curious as it's nearby and have heard good things about it since he was @ Les Nomades which was excellent. I was confused re: price and pronoun.

At least once, after a very expensive meal, I've assuaged my guilt by contributing an equivalent amount to a food pantry.

Jazzfood wrote:Not hating on anyone. I said I'm not as in to it as I once was and was curious as it's nearby and have heard good things about it since he was @ Les Nomades which was excellent. I was confused re: price and pronoun.

It's just an expression. I didn't mean it literally. Very tough for me to enjoy those high-end dining experiences these days, too. That's why I do so much less of it than I used to. In the past, it was essentially a mode of entertainment for us. Now, it's almost exclusively special occasions.

=R=

Same. Many or our habits and feelings have changed since the plague, and then there's the stellar food you and many are cooking @ home these days. My last few splurges have been disappointing.

Sorry for any confusion I caused by omitting "pp.". It was a special occasion (birthday) made more special by the meal, the experience, and the sincere best wishes from Nina and the server (forgot her name), including a birthday candle but thankfully no singing.

bungalowgirl wrote:It was a special occasion (birthday) made more special by the meal, the experience, and the sincere best wishes from Nina and the server (forgot her name), including a birthday candle but thankfully no singing.

Props to Goosefoot! When making a reservation and I mention we're celebrating a birthday, too often (well over half the time) there is no mention of it during the meal.

nsxtasy wrote:

bungalowgirl wrote:. . . thankfully no singing.

Props to Goosefoot! When making a reservation and I mention we're celebrating a birthday, too often (well over half the time) there is no mention of it during the meal.

This is truly why praise should be bestowed.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:I'd totally forgotten about goosefoot until this thread was recently bumped...

=R=

agreed, was thinking this exact same thing when I saw the thread bumped.

Somehow I missed that goosefoot took over the Due Lire space in Lincoln Square. For your records:

4520 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60625
773-754-0368

The GP wrote:Somehow I missed that goosefoot took over the Due Lire space in Lincoln Square. For your records:

4520 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60625
773-754-0368

What?!? I just drove past the old location and felt sad assuming the place was gone forever. I think you get credit for the scoop as everyone else seems to have missed this news, too. I live a couple blocks away and hadn't seen this...no news reports online (Eater, Block Club, etc.), or in the weekly email from the Alderman, local neighborhood Facebook groups, etc.

I assume they are intentionally staying under the radar and trying to re-open "softly" in the new digs... otherwise they need to find a new PR firm!

PeteF wrote:

The GP wrote:Somehow I missed that goosefoot took over the Due Lire space in Lincoln Square. For your records:

4520 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60625
773-754-0368

What?!? I just drove past the old location and felt sad assuming the place was gone forever. I think you get credit for the scoop as everyone else seems to have missed this news, too. I live a couple blocks away and hadn't seen this...no news reports online (Eater, Block Club, etc.), or in the weekly email from the Alderman, local neighborhood Facebook groups, etc.

I assume they are intentionally staying under the radar and trying to re-open "softly" in the new digs... otherwise they need to find a new PR firm!

The new location showed up on Google Maps when I was poking around for ideas. Their website doesn't indicate that they aren't open yet, but I'm not finding any availability on Open Table.

It's funny - my last email from them in 2024 said they were moving to be closer to family. Maybe they are a little bit closer!

The new location is right across the street from the Lincoln Square farmers' market. I must confess that I did not notice Goosefoot when I was at the market yesterday. I will take a better look when I go to the Thursday afternoon market. FWIW this location has vastly more foot traffic (and probably higher rent) than the old location.

ekreider wrote:The new location is right across the street from the Lincoln Square farmers' market. I must confess that I did not notice Goosefoot when I was at the market yesterday. I will take a better look when I go to the Thursday afternoon market. FWIW this location has vastly more foot traffic (and probably higher rent) than the old location.

I was thinking about the foot traffic aspect myself. It's nice in that more people will see the name, and I think there's probably a segment of their target demographic that will be more comfortable in the heart of Lincoln Square's cute business/restaurant district (where they can get a pre-or post-dinner drink next door) than trekking to Lawrence and Washtenaw (I love Harvestime foods with all my heart, but that corner doesn't scream "fine dining," which is part of what made Goosefoot so unique).

But on the other hand, Goosefoot (with its $250 pp lengthy multi course tasting experience) isn't the kind of place you walk in on a whim when you're strolling down the street or grabbing some food with friends after a show at the Old Town School. These types of prix fixe places (Alinea, Ever, nearby Atelier nee Elizabeth, etc.) usually have pretty subtle/nondescript storefronts which I assume is to discourage walk-ins. I really hope they're not suffering the curse of crazy high rent for the mixed blessing of this more appealing location.

The GP wrote:Somehow I missed that goosefoot took over the Due Lire space in Lincoln Square. For your records:

4520 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60625
773-754-0368

Thank you for the intel. They mysteriously began posting food photos on Facebook in May, but without any info about potential reopening plans. Then when I saw the cleared out old spaces, it was confounding, so thank you for clarifying.

After the farmers' market today I crossed the street and took a close look. There is no visible signage. The windows are no longer papered over but have closed curtains. Mailbox sticker for Suite 1 has two alphabet soup LLC names. Everybody who passes by there and did not notice it can be excused.