Eating here is a wonderful experience. Chris and Nina are wonderful hosts, and their restaurant is truly special. The food is breathtakingly delicious. Every course is delicious, well designed from a plating perspective, and memorable! The first course was a sort of egg soufflé inside the actual eggshell, with pea sprouts. Another course was a palate cleaner inside a copper wire cage, another course was a soup and palate cleanser sitting on a "plate" with a glass display of moss and fairy lights under it, another was tender beef with powdered olive oil (incredible), and another was the most delicious soup I have ever had (I never knew soup could be so flavorful!), another was a crab and guacamole mix with crabapple accenting, and the dessert was an incredible berry concoction with dry ice fog around it. There were more courses than what I listed, but those were some favorites! Dining here is a magical experience. You will not regret it. Just FYI, it is byob, but they also have a wine selection/shop you can purchase and have ready for your meal. We chose to bring in several half bottles of wine. I really appreciated that Nina chilled our wine, even though we did not buy it from them! We also appreciated the wide spread of wine glasses! read more

Goosefoot - Amazing - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

An amazing 12 course meal. Not one course dissapointed. Such creative dishes. Such a talented Chef. Wait staff was so accommodating and made the whole experience relaxing and fun. G read more

Goosefoot is a multi sensory experience with a perfectly composed array of dishes that compliment the cold weather at this time of year. Nina, one of the owners and our waitress was super welcoming and friendly when you walk through the door and throughout your dining experience. The atmosphere is comfortable and the food is superb and all-around delicious. The meal showcases the chef's talent with soups and chocolate, but also features perfectly cooked entrees. The three soups served during the meal were very comforting and flavored nicely with my favorite being a lobster bisque base with scallop and aromatic spices and complimented with refreshing edible flower toppings that help balance the richness of the bisque. The entrees were a vension loin and angus beef that were both perfectly cooked and flavorful and the accompiments of pommes souffle and delicious warming spices made the dishes stand out. One of my favorites of the night was a cheese course served unconventionally in an eggshell but has the common compliments of fruit jam that makes it super interesting and delicious. I also loved this little smoothie of raspberries, yuzu, and olive oil that was served in a test tube which served as a nice palate clenser before the desserts. My favorite of the desserts was the New Year Snow Globe Chocolate which was beautifully presented and the aroma was amazing. I loved the refreshing mint flavor of it and it was perfectly balanced and not too sweet. The chocolate bars given at the end were super unique and the flavor was unlike any other chocolate I had before. The gold color of it and the nutty flavor was so interesting in flavor; I almost can't describe it. Super innovative meal that I loved. I would come back in a few months for a new menu and to see what else they can come up with. read more

Honest review: (u can bring ur own wine its byob n u have to pour ur own wine) didnt like it foods not that flavorful n dont feel like u get a lot for what u paid for like the only extravagant thing was truffles they didnt even use like A5 steak for there steak course like felt like the bill should have been $100 tops n thats a stretch ambiance: its really cute n modern inside. Service: was attentive nice described menu items gave new silverware. Love how they make origami for u n are really nice They dont answer their phone though Food: this was probably like the worst michelin star place in terms of food nothing was really that complex or flavorful idk how they have a Star to be honest everything was very one note n im jus like ok is it gonna get better later on then never did then desserts came n im like thats it? Like thats some shit i can do at my house food really needs to be stepped up theres no cool techniques rare ingredients or any showmanship n a lot of dishes needed texture. best things: steak/goose foot Lobster: lobster was cooked perfectly but it was very one dimensional like its just lobster in a cream sauce with lemon Pumpkin soup: this tastes like a jambalaya but in soup form. The issue is it didn't have any complexity n needed salt literally just tasted like sausage crab n soup n I'm like ok? Where's the flavor but it was really filling though just don't think this dish should be on the menu wish there was something for texture tortellini: this was good not great. The pasta was cooked well picture like a gourmet Mac n cheese. I loved the addition of truffle but wish there was more of a truffle flavor. It's just a pasta in a butter cream sauce wish there was more cheese cause the cheese is what gave it the flavor wish there was something for texture steak: this was the best dish of the night but there was issues. For one the steak was raw like I never complain ever but wanted to send it back. Another issue wish it was a more high quality steak like either wagu or Kobe beef. However it was really flavorful all the components really worked together just make the clear sauce thicker cause its hard to eat cause its so soupy Pallet cleanser: this was really basic honestly tasted like a smoothy was like hmmmm this really wasn't necessary at all cool presentation but wasn't flavorful Goosefoot: this was good like it was the most complex thing just there needed to be a bigger portion cause it wasn't balanced idk if it was the matcha or the pink peppercorns but something was extremely bitter and overwhelmed all the other flavors. elder flower/meyer lemon/coffee/fennel: its a mouse and a macaroon. The mouse was nothing special just had whip cream n then the mouse: the macaroon was tasty but again nothing special to be like omg I have to come here again Coffee: the coffee was bitter liked the different sugar but there wasn't a lot of coffee in the cup though Chocolate bar: this was good but nothing different then u can get at the store it's just chocolate with salt and like a floral note really wasn't like that mind blowing Wine: they don't have that big of a wine selection but u can bring ur own wine instead which I recommend because u can drink what u like instead of ordering something u may not like read more

See all

The place is cozy, Chef Chris and his wife Nina Nugent received us to celebrate my American citizenship. The dinner was perfect and I won a customized dessert and an autographed menu. Totally recommend! read more

See all

A humble thank you to Goosefoot's owners Nina and Chris, and their team. You have crafted a special dining experience in Chicago with a calming ambiance and palatable foodie delights. The 5 course tasting menu has a perfect combination of sweet, savory, fresh, filling and unique eats. We had the BYOB wines from their wine shop next door, which paired well with the courses. Highly recommend if you are seeking a foodie, relaxing night. read more

See all

Had the pleasure of having yet another fantastic meal at Goosefoot! There isn't much to add about the food. Chef Chris brings big bold flavors with every dish. Out of the 40 some dishes had here, there has only been 1 course that I wasn't much a fan of. Over the past few years they have changed the format some. They now do only 16 seats a night with one seating (6:30). The meal will take 4-5 hours. Pacing is good, keep in mind that the first 30 minutes they are getting all the table situated with their wines (BYOB). When they food starts it comes at a good pace. This is one of the 3 favorite restaurants in Chicago with 42 Grams and Oriole. read more

See all

My husband and I am utterly disappointed. I am still puzzled as to where the hype about this restaurant comes from. I had to check negative reviews before I write this review because I wanted to make sure my voice is not an isolated incident. We had 11-course tasting menu and paid almost $500 for two, which includes mandatory 20% service charge. Most of food have very similar taste (salty and creamy) and don't have much depth in flavor. And I think there are too many desserts. I remember the last five menus are desserts. None of desserts was impressive. Portions are not balanced. Food made of cheap ingredients (like corn, egg, etc.) has too large portions. The only food I enjoyed was a tiny scallop. The timing between meals is way too long. I believe we stayed there for over 3 hours. I regret not checking Yelp reviews thoroughly before I go there. read more

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at Goosefoot on Friday and we had the most fun, wonderful time. The food was so delicious. All the courses were excellent. We ate every bite. It was just the right amount of food. The music was varied and fun. The service was extremely attentive and friendly. This was our first meal out in a restaurant since the pandemic and we felt very very safe. There were so many thoughtful details in place to keep everyone as safe as possible. For our dessert, they wrote "Happy Anniversary" on our plates and took our photo for us. We felt very well cared for from beginning to end. We can't wait to go back soon. AND...to top it all off, at the end of the meal we found out that one of the other diners had paid for everyone's meal in the whole restaurant! We will probably never forget this meal. I'm so glad we chose Goosefoot for our anniversary/first meal out in 2 years! read more

See all

About a month ago, my partner and I went to Goosefoot to celebrate our eighth anniversary together. I had heard good word-of-mouth about the place, quickly reviewed the web site, and decided it would be a great place to celebrate our event. I did not, however, know or expect how personalized and intimate the experience would be until we arrived. I started by making reservations for our anniversary through their reservation system a couple months in advance of the date. A few weeks before our reservation, Nina Nugent (Chef Chris' wife) reached out to me by e-mail to make various wine suggestions. I promptly forgot to follow-up, but she sent me another reminder with suggested pairings a week in advance; Goosefoot is BYOB and many of the dishes scream for wine pairings. The prices were reasonable, and in retrospect, our selections matched the course very well. The day of our reservation, we ended up being far ahead of schedule and arrived around 6:00pm for our 6:30pm seating. I did not know it at the time, but the restaurant only seats 14-16 people, and there is only one seating per night. Ms. Nugent unlocked the door, and let us in early. She immediately made my partner and I feel very much at home, despite the fact that they were clearly in the early stages of preparation for the groups that were to arrive. She made both of us feel welcome and comfortable almost immediately. The various courses were all wonderful. There were several appetizers, soup and seafood courses, a protein course and several desserts. In particular, the lobster with tapioca pearls with edible flowers was pretty amazing, as was the cracked egg with preserved garlic, rosemary and pea tendrils. Throughout the evening, the preparation was top-notch and attention was given to every table. Chef Chris came out several times, and his quirky and friendly demeanor was a lot of fun. Explanations for each course were not rushed and very informative. Nina had picked some wonderful themes for the evening as well, the presentations were creative and the music selections were spot on. Chef Chris and Nina kept repeating they tried to make the experience personal, friendly and treat the guests like family. Because they also do all preparation, food service, and presentation, I found the dining experience to be quite unique for a higher-end pre-fixe menu. Everything tasted wonderful, a lot of complex texturing, temperature differences, and taste contrasts made it an exciting and extremely delicious event. Bottom line, everything from the service, to the presentation, to the taste of the actual food itself is top notch. I cannot recommend this place enough for a special evening. One of the best dining experiences I've had to date and I will have to go back again. read more

See all

This place is such a gem. Chef Chris Nugent and his wife, Nina are two of the friendliest, genuine and most welcoming people I've ever met. You truly feel like a family member or friend that lucked out and gets to eat the most delicious dinner at their house. Nina herself brings out every course, gives detailed explanations, and helps with water, clearing plates, prep work, etc. Chris stopped by our table many times to explain the dishes and chat. He was so enthusiastic and excited when talking about cooking, it was so adorable! All of the courses were packed full of flavor and fresh ingredients. Chris grows a lot of the greens in his garden himself. Sometimes I feel like "higher-end" restaurants try too hard to be innovative with their flavors and molecular gastronomy, but this wasn't the case here. For instance, we loved our experience at Alinea but there were very few dishes that I left dreaming about and wishing I could eat again. Goosefoot was full of memorable, delicious bites that I would definitely go back for. My favorite dishes were the caviar/Uni/citrus, the foie gras truffle, the scallop, and the angus beef. I wasn't expecting much for presentation but the plates were all visually stunning as well. Portions were pretty generous, I left feeling stuffed and didn't finish every course(although I wanted to!). The cherry on top is that Goosefoot is BYOB, making it an affordable experience. You can bring your own wine, or buy some at their wine shop next door. Nina emailed me 2-3 days before our dinner with their wine shop list, which had a wide variety of wines available for purchase. Most of the wines were reasonably priced under $50. We ended up selecting a 1/2 bottle of Chablis and bottle of Pinot Noir, that Nina had ready for us at the restaurant. I think the only negative I would add is that the pacing of the meal could be improved. The entire meal took approximately 4 hours and the first course took some time to come out. The entire restaurant from prepping, cooking, service is run by Chris, Nina, and his sister, so it's definitely understandable though. I'm used to going to bed at 10 pm(yes, my friends make fun of me for being old) so eating until midnight was a major struggle for me even with all the delicious food and good company. I think this could be improved by hiring an additional staff member to clear and set plates and pour water. read more

See all

Well, I'm not sure a review of Goosefoot can even do it justice. This is one restaurant that definitely does not disappoint and it lives up to it's justified high marks. I finally scored a reservation on a Thursday evening about two months in advance. I am sure it was a random cancellation as I have been attempting to dine here for about two years! However, I wasn't complaining and I was going to do whatever it took to have my dinner! First of all, they call about a week and a half in advance to confirm. I suspect this is a smart thing considering they want to keep the restaurant full and allow others to make reservations if people are canceling...However, I don't know who would possibly cancel a reservation here...unless they were immobile. Anyway, I of course confirmed and asked about my byo options and was directed to their website. I checked out the website and just gawked at all of the delicious looking food for a few minutes before I found the right page...and while helpful, the suggestions definitely allow for you to bring whatever you like to go with your meal. I stopped in to Lush Roscoe Village and asked the person working if they had dined at Goosefoot before...and yes, he had! So, we talked through some options. I typically like Sauvignon Blanc, but admit it doesn't always pair well with food, so, I wanted something food friendly. I selected a Portugese sparkling (total winner, dry and nicely yeasty) and a french Loire Valley wine (perfect for food pairing - sort of a cross between a Chardonnay and Riesling...hard to describe, but wonderful!). My red was something I had been storing for a while - it was a CA merlot - which also turned out to be a great pairing. So, we arrived at the restaurant and we were warmly greeted by the chef's wife. She seated us and asked if it was a special occasion (it wasn't but it would be a great spot for one!). Our wines were whisked away and chilled and glasses brought for the sparkling. I'm not going to go into every menu item as I know the menu changes relatively frequently. However, I will say that everything was absolutely divine and beautifully presented. Fresh was an understatement - it was like the vegetables and greens were taken from the garden 5 seconds before serving. Fish and meats were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I have to also say that the edible flowers were so lovely! They made each dish look like a present and while I would say they were too pretty to eat, I definitely got over that issue quickly! The only item that I think wasn't over the top amazing was the steak. I was still wonderful, but just not as inventive as the rest of the dishes. All in all, I was thrilled with dinner and was so glad to have finally dined here. I was also glad that we weren't looked at oddly when we didn't finish all of our wines and took the remainder home. Service was perfect and not overly formal. While the space was beautiful, it was also very homey and relaxing - not stressful as some fine dining spots are. It was also very bright - perfect to see the food! Expensive, but I thought not extravagently so. Obviously this isn't a spot that most people would dine at regularly, but for a once in while thing or a special occasion, it was perfect. The plantable menus - also a really nice touch! read more

I must have been good this year because Christmas just came early. No, I didn't get a shiny new bike or a Red Rider BB Gun. I got a Goosefoot. What, pray tell, is a Goosefoot? Aside from being a species of herbaceous flowering plants (thank you wikipedia), Goosefoot is a new gem of a restaurant in Lincoln Square and quite possibly my new favorite resto in the city. Simply put, the food is phenomenal. I've always been a fan of seasonally focused cooking, and Goosefoot executes that to a T. As the servers described the list of ingredients in each course I found myself wondering just how all these elements and techniques would come together, but they do on every level. While I could easily give a mini-rave on each course, I'll just hit you with the highlights: * The delicate sweetness of the hubbard squash agnolotti, richness of the butter poached lobster, and hint of curry spice made for an excellent first course * A soup course that featured the subtle sweetness and nuttiness of chestnuts perfectly married with earthy mushrooms and a truffle foam * A nicely seared sea bass atop a velvety smooth sunchoke puree and savory melted leeks, along with a small pool of fennel puree to add yet another layer of flavor to each bite * A flavorful, butter-knife tender beef fillet sauced with a savory jus, and sweet heirloom carrots prepared with various techniques * Two fantastic desserts, including an amazing chocolate course garnished with chocolate covered sea beans (sounds strange but totally works) and paired with a vanilla orange espuma Being their first Friday of full service, there were a few minor delays between some courses, but the good company of my wife and a modern, yet comfortable and relaxed atmosphere barely made that noticeable. We were served by various individuals during the night and each member of the staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I'm sure any timing issues will get smoothed out as time progresses, but pretty solid for only their sixth day in business. For now, Goosefoot is offering an 8-course menu, but a 12-course menu is in the works. They're also BYOB (no corkage fee!) and check out their website for some suggested pairings. Parking, both street and their rear lot, is ample. By the close of our meal we had a chance to chat with Chef Nugent and his wife, Nina. They're simply two of the nicest, warmest people one could meet. I admire and applaud their effort to bring a fine dining restaurant to this quiet stretch of Lawrence Ave. I've been lucky to dine at some very nice restaurants and the quality of food and service at Goosefoot would easily merit Michelin star or James Beard recognition if given the chance. I wish Goosefoot nothing but continued success so they can receive the recognition they deserve. Welcome to the neighborhood Goosefoot and merry Christmas to me! read more

See all

I really enjoyed my meal here and was most appreciative of their ability to accommodate a gluten allergy. As with any restaurant of its caliber, reservations are a requirement and require a pretty significant amount of advance planning with the use of Open Table. As for the meal, it was very good and we were allowed to take our time without feeling rushed on a Saturday night. Given the growing list of Michelin rated restaurants and the pricing, it is unlikely I would plan a return visit anytime soon, but I definitely enjoyed it and agree it deserves its proper accolades and rank among top eateries of its type. read more

I went to Goosefoot with my family over this past weekend. Goosefoot does a theme for the restaurant and dinner menu, and the current theme is "Woodstock". The restaurant only has about 8 tables total, each of which can seat about 2-4 people. There was a center display with flowers and music videos for the theme of Woodstock. They play music that goes with the theme, which we really enjoyed. It's not too loud that you can't have a nice conversation (rare in Chicago!) The restaurant is BYOB, and we brought two bottles which they were happy to open, but asked that the guests pour the wine (I believe for legal reasons?). They do have a liquor store next door that the restaurant owns and you can pre-order bottles of wine to be at your table when you arrive. The chef cooks the food and his wife Nina is the server and describes all the meals. She is super pleasant and really gets to know every guest. The meals were very good. The menu has been posted a few times on yelp already, but I'd say that everyone at our table really enjoyed the Mushroom soup. It was literally the best soup I've ever had. The pasta dish was tortellini filled with cheese. The cheese/butter sauce was VERY buttery, almost too much. The rest of the table really enjoyed the steak dish, which was cooked to a perfect medium. The final dessert course was very good. It looks like a little cup of hot chocolate but is almost a mousse consistency and was delicious. They give you a bar of chocolate with peppermint pieces to take home, and it was delicious!!!! My only complaint was that the dinner took almost 4 hours. Be prepared for long breaks between dishes. Between the heavier dishes (mushroom soup, pasta, beef), the break is nice because you need to let the food settle. However, mentally prepare yourself for a long drawn out dinner, which lets you enjoy your company. read more

I have been eagerly anticipating the opening of Goosefoot since I had read about Chris Nugent's decision to leave Les Nomades and open his own venue. Tonight my wife and I had the privilege of being the first patrons at the official opening night. Goosefoot is an upscale restaurant featuring tasting menus utilizing the finest seasonal ingredients from small farms. The food is contemporary American with French influence. For now there is an eight course menu offered for $90 per/person and in the coming weeks a twelve course menu will be available as well. Goosefoot does not have a bar, but welcomes you to bring your own wine and beer and make recommendations on their website for what pairs with their current menu. Goosefoot is located in Lincoln Square and brings a fine dining option to the neighborhood. There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant, plenty of street parking and the brown line will drop you off within walking distance. Goosefoot is an intimate setting; there are just 28 seats and the decor is warm and comfortable. We were enthusiastically greeted by Nina, Chris Nugent's wife as we entered and this set the tone for what turned out to be an evening of exemplary service by the entire staff. Even Chris himself came to our table and spent a few minutes chatting with us. While this was opening night, everything appeared to already be running without a hitch. Each of the eight courses were outstanding and elegantly and artistically presented. The quality of the ingredients really popped. Each dish had interesting accompaniments that interacted perfectly with the featured ingredient. There was just the right amount of seasoning and sauces; enough to enhance the flavoring but not overpower the excellent meats and seafood. The first dish featured lobster and also included Hubbard squash, licorice root and curry. After just one bite I knew that I was in for a real treat; this dish was so amazing and yet every dish that followed remained at this high level. It was like the culinary version of a movie where you are on the edge of your seat the entire time with excitement and anticipation. The second dish, a chestnut soup with smoke, white Alba mushrooms and truffle essence was easily the best soup I have tasted. The Angus beef dish was likewise one of the best beef dishes I have enjoyed and the cheese course and desserts were home runs as well. The sign of a truly great chef is one that creates food so good that dishes one usually does not care for taste so good you crave more. I have never been drawn to chocolate desserts, but the chocolate finale to the eight course dinner was so delicious I had to fend off my wife from stealing my portion after she devoured hers! By the end of the night my taste buds felt like they were in heaven. My wife and agreed this was easily one of our top meals ever. Chris Nugent was somehow overlooked by Michelin during his tenure at Les Nomades, but I think a new star has been born in Goosefoot. I would be shocked if this venue does not rapidly ascend into one of Chicago's hottest restaurants. I highly encourage people to come here quick as with the seating being so limited, I imagine reservations will be hard to score in the very near future. This is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or to just enjoy an all around sensational meal. Chicago is home to some of the greatest restaurants in the country and Goosefoot is right up there with the best of them. We definitely plan to return soon to partake in the twelve course menu when it is unveiled. I want to thank Goosefoot for such an amazing dinner and wish Goosefoot much success. read more

See all

Dishes experienced Beet/Cucumber Mignonette/Goat Cheese Lobster/Scallop/Licorice Root/Curry (Butter Poached, Parmesan, Sugar Snap Pea, Carrot Puree, Marigold Petals, House Grown Microgreens) Shrimp/Preserved Garlic/Rosemary (Garlic Parmesan Custard, Shrimp/Rosemary/Tomato Ragu, Parsnip Crisp) Chestnut Soup/Alba Mushroom/Potato/Truffle Essence (Truffle Froth, Spring Vegetables, Smoked Mushrooms, Celery Root Puree, Parmesan Gouger) Loup de Mer/Leek/Yuzu/Tapioca (Sunchoke Puree, Sea Bean Salad, Confit Leek/Yuzu/Tapioca Emulsion, Fennel Puree, Fennel Bulb) Duck Breast/Spiced Beluga Lentils/Ginger/Compressed Apple (Apple Frisee Salad, Juniper oil, Parsnip Puree, Whole Grain Mustard Seed Oil, Soy/Rosemary Duck, Ginger/Apple Gelee, Marigold Petals) Angus Beef/Heirloom Carrots/Goosefoot/Cumin/Shallot Jus (Cumin Carrot Mousse, Mosaic Heirloom Carrots - Carrot Gelee stuffed with carrot mousse, Spinach and Wild Mushrooms, Powdered Truffle Oil, Bordeaux/Shallot/Vermouth sauce) Roquefort/Goji Berry/Hazelnut/Pear/Port (Diced Red Pear Compote, Chinese Five Spice Port Wine Reduction, Matcha Leaf, Chopped Hazelnut, Goji Berry Sugar Glaze Candy) Beet/Pomegranate/Yuzu Tonic with Citrus Olive Oil Blood Orange/Cassia/Kaffir Lime/Citrus (Cylinder, Vanilla Cremeaux, Cinnamon Crisp, Lime Gel Trail, Citrus Espuma with Crystalized Ginger, Apricot Sauce) Chocolate/Passion Fruit/Coconut/Ice Wine (Orange Blossom Chocolate Mousse, Coconut Foam with cocoa nibs, praline powder, Rootbeer Coconut Gelee, Passionfruit Truffle, ice wine reduction) Gooseberry/Chocolate/Nougat My first and only encounter with Chris Nugent prior to the evening of March 23rd, 2013 was on his last day of service at Les Nomades - the first of what turned out to be two tasting menus that evening - and although the stuffy service was not my cup of tea, Nugent's food was superlative; more than enough to assure my patronage at his new restaurant, Goosefoot, the next time I visited Chicago...assuming I could get a reservation. Small in space and somewhat obscure in policy I was fortunate to have assistance in securing a two-top on short notice for a Saturday evening and arriving even before the restaurant opened my friend and I were seated promptly at 5:30, he with a bottle in toe given the restaurant's BYOB policy, and within moments were greeted by the Chef's wife and our server, Molly, who would guide us through the night's nine course menu Small, narrow, and minimally adorned with walls light, tables black, and chairs sleek wood opposite gold banquets much of the experience at Goosefoot harkens fine dining with a touch of whimsy, a sensibility matching the food on the table, while severs are polite, personal, and professional with light background music at times noticeable and at others entirely forgettable completing the picture; a nice room, if not particularly memorable With a crowd ranging from the mid-twenties to a quartet of septuagenarians I was intrigued to see that much of the cuisine emerging from Nugent's kitchen was at once beautiful and technique driven and yet at the same time quite 'safe' - the theme of every plate a deft degree of balance and none more apparent than the first and the third; both present since the restaurant's December 2011 debut and both rich, aromatic, and very carefully spiced - the curry acting to highlight the lobster's natural sweetness and the soup a chestnut tinged mushroom veloute punctuated with notes of truffle, vegetable, and briny little gougeres Moving from lighter dishes to heavier proteins by way of a flaky and delicate piece of loup de mer paired with a rich and bright citrus sauce balanced by aromatic leeks and fennel the most impressive course of the evening for myself would be the duck; a flawless piece of rosy red breast with crisp skin and melting fat lightly spiced with ginger and juniper allowing the bird's characteristic flavor to show not only in the flesh, but as a basenote to the lentils beneath Transitioning from savory to sweet through a cheese course that took Roquefort in directions I'd have never guessed - by far the most aggressively flavored dish of the evening - followed by an aromatic beet elixir I personally found the citrus dessert far more interesting than the chocolate, a rarity for me, largely because as interesting as it may have read, the chocolate largely tasted like a dense ganache with too much sweetness, the rest of the ingredients getting lost in a flood of passionfruit and cocoa Exiting the restaurant and receiving a signed copy of the menu, plus one to plant - yes, the menu is organic with embedded perennial seeds-it should go without saying that at $115/pp with a BYOB policy Goosefoot presents a truly affordable fine dining experience and although perhaps not as unique or interesting as Alinea, Grace, Schwa, or EL Ideas it is every bit as "chef driven" as the others and without a doubt a space that should be on everyone's culinary map, local or visitor alike read more

See all

Just wow!!!!! Everything about this dinner was fantastic, in many thanks to the incredible staff, cozy atmosphere and fantastic food. As a party of 7 we were seated in a private room, which felt very cozy and comfortable, for our 8 course tasting menu. Based on the richness and portion size, you will not leave hungry! First was the sea scallop, cooked perfectly. The soup was very rich, so delicious. Pasta, tortellini specifically, was in a buttery delicious broth. I didn't think i could possibly eat anymore but the beef cut was very reasonable. Pallet cleanser, coffee flavored ice cream and a chocolate bar to go wrapped things up. Every single dish was PHENOMENAL. Nina was amazing. Not only did she remember all our names, she also noticed I was left handed. Not a big deal to most, but as the only lefty in a group of right handed people, that's pretty significant. All the wait staff were incredibly attentive and kind. It is BYOB but they put wine on ice/decant if needed. Do not let the location sway you. It may be outside of the city but very much worth the drive. Absolutely no complaints about this meal. Highly recommend the trip as it was a special experience. read more

See all

Goosefoot, you have amazed me by exceeding every expectation in terms of food, service, and atmosphere. We arrived promptly for our 5:30 reservation with a bottle of red and white wine in tow to partake in their BYOB policy. Since we were the first to arrive, the hostess let us pick which table we wanted. Upon being seated the hostess revealed herself as the Chef's wife and told us that the menu outlined nine courses but there would be two additional samplings, making it an overall eleven courses. The first dish that came out was one of the off menu samplings from the kitchen. There was a morsel of a beet nestled on top of a smear of goat cheese and drizzled in a citrus oil. The beet soaked up the citrus oil, and it was bursting with flavor that was mellowed out with the goat cheese which was very enjoyable. After the plates were cleared away, we were able to dive into the actual menu, which was as follows: 1) lobster/scallop/licorice root/curry: What a fantastic start to the meal both in terms of taste and presentation. One perfectly seared (and non-gritty) scallop was nestled in an orange puree of lobster infused with a subtle curry flavor. Off to the side were a few colorful greens that you could incorporate as you liked to add texture to the dish. The licorice root added a nice hint of flavor and substance to the sauce. Outstanding. 2) shrimp/preserved garlic/rosemary: Wow. There really isn't an easy way to put into words how outstanding this was in terms of presentation and flavor. The dish was served in a hollowed out eggshell that was filled with pureed shrimp, garlic, and rosemary. Well done, Goosefoot, well done. 3) sunchoke soup/potato/truffle essence: When this dish came out it was overpoweringly aromatic with truffles due to the frothy foam on top that permeated the soup. The truffle luckily was balanced out with the small bits of potato that sunk to the bottom. I have never had sunchokes before and they didn't seem to have a strong flavor in the soup, which I can't decided was good or bad. Overall, this was probably my least favorite of the night. 4) arctic char/maltake/english pea/espelette: Delicious! The arctic char was enhanced by the spicy red espelette pepper and mellowed out with the english pea that it was perched on top of. This was a small dish, but the flavors were fantastic. After this dish we were served one of the "off menu" courses which was a pomegranate and beet shooter that was laced with olive oil. This was tart at the beginning and then mellowed out with the pomegranate flavor at the end. It had a unique texture due to the olive oil addition, but it was a great palate cleanser and set us up for the next "phase" of the menu. 5) duck breast/spiced beluge lentils/ginger/compressed apple: Without a doubt, the duck was one of my favorites of the evening. The duck was properly cooked at a medium rare temperature and we received a fair portion with this dish. The spiced beluge lentils were perfectly cooked and added a nice flavor and bite with the duck. Off to the side of the duck were small gelatin squares of ginger along with two compressed green apple globes which was an amazing flavor. 6) angus beef/cauliflower/goosefoot/trumpet roylae/shallot jus: After thinking I had experienced the best of the meal with the duck, the angus beef gave the duck breast a run for its money. The angus beef was perfectly cooked to a nice medium and the simple seasoning was spot on, making it a truly fantastic piece of meat. The presentation on this was superb--the beef was circled by a pristine circle of shallot jus and nestled in a cauliflower puree and garnished with goosefoot. Each bite was heavenly and it was obviously a favorite as I savored every bite and it was gone within seconds by my boyfriend. 7) crispy goats milk cheese/lemon balm/red pepper/balsamic: And the awesomeness continued. The phyllo dough added a great crunch to the cheese and the richness was balanced out with the tartness of the lemon balm and the sweetness of the red peppers and balsamic. This was another favorite of the evening without a doubt. 8) cinderella pumpkin/turkish coffee/cassla/citrus: I'm a sucker for pumpkin, so I LOVED this dessert. The pumpkin was moist mousse like texture that was encased in white chocolate and topped with a chocolate covered espresso bean. This was a beautiful presentation and went wonderfully with the incredibly potent citrus mousse on the side. 9) hazelnut/chocolate/caramel corn/coconut: Delicious. This again had a mousse like texture that was incredibly rich. The chocolate and the hazelnut flavors were superb, and I loved the texture profile of this dessert. The caramel corn provided a nice crunch and the coconut marshmallow was light and airy. Fantastic. We ended the meal with another surprise from the kitchen which was a gooseberry dipped in dark chocolate-this was simple but scrumptious. I can't wait to celebrate another special occasion here, thank you Goosefoot! read more

Goosefoot - Final course of the evening: dessert #2 which was hazelnut/chocolate/caramel corn/coconut. - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Hands down... Goosefoot is the by far the best dining experience I have ever had... I cannot say enough good things but I will give it a shot. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive given the number of courses. Beyond suffering from EOG (Early Onset Grumpiness) I also have a terrible case of "Antzinpants" Syndrome. This combination can be challenging when you are considering a 12 course meal that runs over 3 hours. However, I really blew her birthday last year so I made the reservation knowing I would have to put all my issues to the side for the evening. I am so glad I did... First off, the place is small but does not feel small. When we walked in, we were greeted by the Chef Chris Nugent who, as it turns out, is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. We were immediately seated and were handed the 12-course menu which, now this is pretty cool, contains seeds and can be planted. Soon after, Chris's wife, Nina came around to greet us. She too is another of the nicest people you will ever meet. I do not have time to go through the entire menu but I can say each item was amazing. My favorites were the scallop/nasturtium/lobster/lemongrass and the potato gnocchi/perigord truffle/sorrel. The chestnut soup/alba mushroom/truffle essence was perhaps the most wonderful thing I have ever tasted! Now, our meal lasted 3+ hours but to be completely honest it did not feel like it. The flow was perfect and Chris and/or Nina went into an amazing level of detail concerning each course... In the end, although the per person cost was perhaps the most we have paid for a meal, I do hope to go back as soon as I can. Tips: Despite the cost, the dress is somewhat casual. I was happy I skipped the tie and went with the jeans and sport coat. I suggest dressing for comfort. It's BYOB but they do have a wine shop next door. Just make sure you check out BYOB etiquette before you go. When you second guess yourself concerning the cost/time just stop. It is worth both. We did not feel comfortable taking may photos... If you do leave the flash and fake "click" off and you should do just fine. read more

Goosefoot - Menu with a nice note to the birthday girl... - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wish I could rate this place more than 5 stars. Nina was very welcoming and the food is amazing. Decor is made in house which was very interesting. We celebrated our one year anniversary here and now this place has become our anniversary go-to restaurant. read more

See all

Food: ***.5 Service: ***** I came to Chicago wanting to go to a BYOB restaurant having already been to El Ideas in 2017 which I loved. While elements of this isn't a tasting menu in my opinion, it was a very filling meal. Nina is very friendly and a great hostess for the night. She contacted me prior to our reservation to ask about allergies beforehand and conversed with us during the evening. The scallop dish was probably my favorite bite of the trip. It was pure perfection. Great balance with the little gelee and edible flowers made each bite unique. After that, the next two dishes were big. The soup with sausage and rice started to fill me up and then Nina's pasta, while really good, was way too much. If they cut the portion in half, I would've been good with, especially with the filling being made with cheese. There was a long gap in between this course and the beef course which wasn't as tender as I would've thought. My guess is that we waited 20-30 minutes after the pasta course. I sometimes have an issue with sous vide meat if it isn't finished off with an outside sear or crust, and this did not have either one. The goosefoot dessert was "interesting" being kinda sweet and savory. I liked it, but it definitely wasn't the favorite of the others in my group. The macaron was really good too. Chicago is lucky to have so many really good restaurants to share with diners from all over. read more

See all

Like many have said the meal takes over three hours. There was too much cream and soup/sauce dishes throughout...I kept on wishing for something more toothy or crispy. The flavors were really very good in general but lacked contrast. I was a little disappointed that he used flavored gelees in more than one dish. I've had better Michelin meals in this price range. Somehow I feel there is a lack of creativity and inspiration- judging from yelp pictures it looks to me there isn't much change to the menu from years past. read more

Goosefoot - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

We went for Valentine's Day and had the most amazing time. I enjoyed everything I tried and we are still talking about it days later! Highly recommend. read more

This place's flavor profile is very similar to les nomades for the most obvious reason. But for $90 per person plus BYOB, it's worth every penny! I won't write about every course, my two favorites were the sunchoke soup and angus beef. The soup was probably the best soup I've had. Creamy, flavorful, with some veggies on the plate to add texture. The angus beef, omg. I am not a steak person, and I tried to make eating out to steakhouses as least often as possible to counter my husband's obsession with steaks. But we still went to some of the good steakhouses in Chicago (Gibsons, David Burke's, Joe's, Morton's steakhouse etc.) So trust me when I say this because I have a very good sample size to compare to--this piece of angus beef is probably THE best steak you will ever have. And it's not some fancy schmancy dry aged or wet aged steak, nor does it have any sauce on it. It's pure, flavorful, perfectly cooked, and melts in your mouth. When we were done with dinner, we went outside to catch a cab. Nina came outside with us and tried to help us catch a cab. Other than Next/Alinea/Aviary, this is the only normal restaurant we've been to that actually went over and beyond to help us catch a cab. It might not mean that much to other people, but I am a sucker for that. And it speaks to their service level. I will definitely be back. read more

Goosefoot is AMAZING! We did a girls dinner there last night and it lived up to every expectation we had, actually exceeded them. The BYOB policy is the best & and if you buy wine from them (Less than $30), they completely waive the corkage fee. The owner, Nina, is SO personable and walks around to every table and engages great conversation. The current menu is unreal, lots of seafood and tons of flavor. I am literally dreaming of the truffle gnocchi right now. Will be back for sure!!! Thanks for an amazing experience :) read more

Wonderful experience. Goosefoot is a special and playful place but yet does not play when it comes to their food and customer service. The tasting menu was top notch and I loved the little surprises here and there. Not only were the dishes flavorful, they were beautiful and fragrant. A feast for your eyes and palate. They had a play on Woodstock and an interesting and vibrant art installation along with great music. The music did not overpower the experience and was an excellent touch. The highlight was Nina's wonderful service and attention to detail. read more

See all

I was very excited to go to Goosefoot given the high quality of food as well as BYO aspect. For those that have been there a while back, they have redone their space and it is more intimate now. They only seat two groups of ten per night. The decor is warm and inviting, although the ceiling is a bit strange. Nina greeted us at the door and knew who we were. She immediately took our wine in back to be opened and chilled. We brought one bottle of sparkling to which she said 'I assume you want to begin and then with dessert as well?' It's like she was reading our minds. We also brought a half of white and red, which was the perfect amount for the 3 hour dinner. She even came out mid way through and rechilled our wine. Chef came out several times to chat with us. Both of them are either extremely good actors or really genuine people. I enjoyed talking with them quite a bit throughout the meal. The only time that wasn't spectacular was when the second seating started to arrive. They were pretty swamped trying to finish the first seating and start the second seating. It's almost like they need staff to assist but I don't think that is part of their plan. The menu was amazing. The first dish with the foie and caviar was a very fresh bite and a good way to start the meal. The foie was somewhat heavy but the bite size was perfect. I won't go into every single dish but I will say the scallop was one of my favorites. It was a perfectly done scallop with this lobster bisque in the bottom of the bowl that I could eat everyday. All of the garnishes are from their garden and purposely chosen. The plating was superb but my favorite plate was the beef. The cheese course was also amazing plating. My favorite dish of the night was the rabbit and egg and potato dish. I didn't think I would like it since I'm not a huge fan of rabbit but this was so amazing. My husband's favorite was the gnocchi. The way the menu is written, it's not easy to distinguish how much of each element will be present on the plate, which is kind of fun. The pasta dish looks like a soup but it's a rich, silky plate of awesome. The corn soup was also a winner if you pair it with some bubbles. The acidity of the wine with the sweetness of the corn and earthiness of the truffle make for the perfect pairing and an amazing bite. The food was extremely good and well-balanced and presented beautifully. I will definitely be back. read more

See all

We have been to Goosefoot numerous times but tonight was the first time we had their carryout. Everything was superb. My steak Diane was grilled to perfection. Probably the best I have ever had. My husband had the crab stuffed sole and was very impressed - baked to perfection and loaded with crab. Mash potatoes were outstanding, salads were great, and the desserts were wonderful. We also got a bottle of Burgundy for under $30 which was a very good value. Our order was on time and brought to our car. Can't get easier than that. Kudos to Chris and Nina for such a fine restaurant. . read more

A TRULY unique experience - our party of six spent a solid 5 hours (a bit on the long side for me and I took off one star because nobody warned me of the time needed). The 9 course menu had two or three surprise additions so we had 11 - 12 courses in all. For the birthday girl in our party they even put a candle in one of the dessert courses. Nice touch. This "meal" was much more of an event, it's not just a dinner in a restaurant. And I would even say that calling it a restaurant is not a good description - you are going to ingest a big edible show. Overall, it was a bit like climbing a mountain - I'm glad that I can say I did it, but I can't imagine doing it twice.... but never say never ;) read more

See all

So, before I dive into any type of review regarding the experience at Goosefoot, let me just say there is a reason Michelin Star rated restaurants are rated. And Goosefoot... Bravo!! Nestled along the north side of Lawrence Avenue between Western and California, Goosefoot sits on an unassuming corner and if you sneeze, you will pass it up. Make that u-turn quick because you are going to be treated with a dinner experience you do not want to miss. We arrived for our reservation and were greeted by staff. Once we sat down, one of the owners (Nina) came to the table to just talk and explain the ambiance of the original Woodstock theme (music and videos were an incredible journey back). Comfy tables, small - quaint seating, perfect for an intimate couple's dinner or for two couples to catch up. The menu, oh the menu. From taste to presentation, they hit it on the head! The scallop melted in your mouth, the pumpkin soup was to die for and the angus beef was simply delicious. If you have a special occasion you are planning, something for that significant other, maybe want to intrigue someone into becoming your significant other... grab your favorite bottle(s) of wine and make a reservation at Goosefoot for an incredibly decadent evening of tasteful experiences. Thank you Nina and Chef Chris, I will be back! read more

Ok I'm no expert here, but Goosefoot's pivot from dine in multi-Michelin to carry-out comfort food illustrates how hard it is for these great chefs. Here's my ratings: Website/ease of ordering: C Pick up: C Promptness: C (I'm being generous) Food (time from stove to plate at least 45min) Steak Diane: BEST EVER Chicken Francese: I've never had this dish but it was wonderful Mashed potatoes: best ever Clam chowder: great as good as I've ever eaten. Dessert: very good. I had a wait of almost 30minutes so I had the privilege to watch regular customers come in and show their love. We are SO lucky to have Goosefoot in our neighborhood. Visit now as their carry out menu is a steal! read more

I would like to start by saying that I really wanted to love this place. With all the positive reviews I was very excited to take my foodie husband to Goosefoot to celebrate his birthday. When we arrived for our dinner we were promptly seated at the table in the corner of the restaurant. I was facing a wall, so was my husband. The location of this table is very odd, I think they should remove it all together as we couldn't even see the restaurant, just the walls and the window curtain. We asked to switch tables and it seemed like a big of a deal for them even though the restaurant wasn't half full. Bad start. We waited good 20 minutes to get out wine bottle uncorked and it just added to the bad start. I must say almost every single dish that was brought out was delicious, very well presented, good portion sizes. I have no complaints. Our server was very nice. But, she had almost theatrical presentation of each item. Where every word of every sentenced was pronounced clearly and loudly, almost like we were watching a play, not receiving our food. And after listening to her saying the same speech so loudly for all 7 tables that were there, it was rather annoying than relaxing. There was a display set up in the middle of restaurant with some pop up cards and a projector to represent Woodstock and it was very cute. The music, however, was all over the place. Very confusing. I didn't feel like the restaurant had much personality, no story was told or interpreted by the restaurant's interior design. A Michelin rated restaurant should not only perfect its recipes but also pay attention to the ambience and overall guest experience that I think was lacking during our visit. I most definitely enjoyed my food but unfortunately I will not be back. read more

See all

Delicious! For the experience, 4.5 stars! Minor imperfections though... so.. ehh why not. FIVE STARS! By some miracle, I snatched up a reservation out of what looks like maybe 2 or 3 that suddenly opened up 3 days before the date on Open Table. After around 3 months of checking periodically it happened! So don't give up if you have trouble getting in! Though I suppose your dates would have to be flexible. Walking in I immediately noticed how laid back the place felt, due to both the decor and and the way people were casually chatting, eating, having a nice time. The place is pretty loud. It made us feel very at ease. But dim. I wish it weren't so dim, but that's okay. Nina greeted us with a smile both at the beginning and end and made us feel really welcomed. It was a little weird that we chose not to B our own B, and I think that does take away from the experience a little because during some potentially long waiting time between courses, we could really use something to sip on. As for the food, I liked the first half of the menu more than the second. The warmth and richness of the chestnut soup really made me wanna food coma, go home, and take a nap and dream more about the soup. Plus that's when the long waits between the courses began. Looking back, the duck and beef were cooked beautifully (bf reallllly loved the beef and kept talking about it) but in my sleepy state they were unable to shock me out of it with explosive flavors. Oh how I wish I could go back and just reexperience those 2 dishes to truly appreciate them :( I was able to appreciate how amazing dessert was though. It made me really sad that the meal was over. Usually I'm not a huge dessert person since it's always too sweet and rich, but I could've had a lot more of both courses. Aside from the long wait time between a few of the courses in the second half, our dining experience was top notch. Everyone was nice, everything done promptly. If their menu changes at some point I'll definitely want to be back. read more

Creative, delicious, unique, detailed -these are just a few words I would use to describe our memorable meal at goosefoot. The staff were very attentive, passionate, knowledgeable, and friendly. Each course was so intricately made and put together. Every ingredient had its own role, taste, and contribution to the dish. It's really hard to choose a favorite course honestly! We used to live in NYC and have had our fair share of Michelin rated restaurants. This is definitely not one to be missed. I would love to see what new inspirations are on the menu next time we are in Chicago! read more

Goosefoot is a special experience. Incredible attention to detail. Dishes were whimsical in their presentation. Unlike our experiences at some other high-end restaurants in Chicago, the servers are warm and welcoming. The first 3 courses were our favorite - the scallop, egg, and chestnut soup - in part because they were so creative. Their food and wine store has a good selection of wine in a wide range of prices, starting at about $14. read more

Goosefoot - First course: Scallop - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great meal along the lines of Schwa, EL, etc...! 9 courses with an Amuse (think they're working on a 12 course) with BYOB drinks. The food was very well paced; very friendly staff, totally unpretentious. Chef Nugent came out and chatted with us, was very nice, humble and friendly. Ambiance was a bit bland. will be back. read more

See all

Goosefoot provides guests with a wonderful experience that blends food with art in a warm space with personal service. The space is small but not crowded and warmly lit, highlighted with bursts of color in the center of the dining area via flower arrangements. This was due to a particular theme which I won't spoil, but it seems that the owners/chefs put lots of thought and effort into the environment where you dine and I imagine these change and evolve over time. The food was excellent, and for a tasting menu you'll get quite generous portions so don't worry about leaving hungry. The dishes flowed well from starters to mains and to dessert, and were all presented wonderfully. The service is incredibly attentive and the co-Chef Nina is warmly engaging with diners throughout. The place has a small 'family' feel and combining the food, ambiance, and service Goosefoot is a 5 Star dining experience for sure. read more

I have waited a long time to dine here and was very put off by the process of getting in. Now, I understand. This is such a intimate dining experience, and worth waiting for. We were greeted by the chef's wife upon arrival and the wait staff. It was a four hour journey, that appealed to all senses. In total, we had eleven courses and enjoyed almost all of them. Each server explained the food and we chatted about the previous course. It was like a personal chef was cooking for you. At the end of the meal, the owner came by to thank us for coming and offered to call us a cab. I will never forget my night at Goosefoot. read more

Goosefoot - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Omg the food was so good, I was disappointed that dinner was over, many flavors and the food was so savory it was fantastic, the service.was great and the ambience was great. read more

See all