I support this nomination almost entirely based on its value-priced 3-course menu.
It's a bit of a tricky situation, when much of its appeal is based on a certain quality/price point ratio, and yet by offering a pricier option it sets itself up against a different set of competitors.
Still, I agree with JiminLoganSquare's initial proposition, at least based on a single three-course visit and and reading the subsequent reviews.
The three-course $20-something menu is compelling to me. I've not tried Le Bouchon or Le Sardine, though I loved Tournesol and wish it would have lasted to get a GNR. Offering such a deal, especially when you are located in a somewhat off-the-beaten-path location as Bonsoiree, to me is a key sign you have at heart being a great neighborly restaurant for your neighborhood.
And I thought the food was quite good for the price. I agree with whoever said comparisons to Schwa were a great overstatement. I don't think that's their goal. I totally understand those who say something like "there's a great restaurant in here waiting to get out"...and I think that is much more supportive of GNR status than not.
Doing something unique in their neighborhood, with the potential for greatness...what's not to like? As for recent criticisms in the Bonsoiree thread, I have two observations:
1) they're based on a much pricier menu than I had...again, Bonsoiree does offer this menu, so you can't dismiss that out-of-hand. But the three-course seems to me to drive its LTH popularity. I hope if Bonsoiree does receive GNR status, the three-course at $24 is featured prominently on its placard. Not all restaurants do everything well, and giving great value on the 3-course ought to be enough.
2) While a few posters had a less than exemplary experience recently, it was still just one meal, and at the higher price point.
Mike G stated
Mike G wrote:And at $24 for three courses, that's a really good deal, to have a neighborhood place of such ambition, often realized, and to be able to go there and see what's new every couple of months.
...but indicated he thought GNR status premature. Maybe. And maybe the place doesn't realize its potential. But for me, the GNR award is about right now, and the quote above I think describes a great GNR candidate. Couple that with largely favorable reviews, both from people who have been posting since the Chowhound days and a few nice capsules from people with fewer than 20 posts.
I think Bonsoiree deserves a GNR.
By the way,
here's a link to the proper Bonsoiree thread.
And to echo JiLS's point above, this is the sort of thing I really miss
not being in Chicago. Y'all shouldn't take places like this for granted, as you're not going to find it in many other places.