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Welcome to The Foxtail

In the heart of Des Plaines, IL lies The Foxtail, a Mediterranean-inspired dining experience like no other. Specializing in seafood and cocktails, this restaurant offers a variety of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. With a commitment to sustainability, The Foxtail provides compostable containers, plastic-free packaging, and reusable tableware. Their outdoor seating area, complete with heating and covering, ensures a cozy dining atmosphere all year round. Perfect for gatherings, this spot takes reservations and has ample parking. The Foxtail is not just a restaurant but a destination for food enthusiasts seeking a memorable dining experience.

LOCATIONS

In the heart of Des Plaines, Illinois, you'll find The Foxtail, a Mediterranean restaurant that seamlessly blends cocktail bars and seafood offerings. This culinary gem not only takes reservations but also boasts outdoor seating options, making it perfect for groups looking to enjoy a meal in the open air. What sets The Foxtail apart is its commitment to sustainability, offering compostable containers, plastic-free packaging, and reusable tableware.

Located at 1177 Howard Ave, The Foxtail provides private lot parking for convenience. The ambiance at The Foxtail is warm and inviting, with heated outdoor seating and covered outdoor seating options available.

As a food reviewer of Restaurant World, I can attest to the exquisite flavors and fresh ingredients found in every dish at The Foxtail. The Mediterranean-inspired menu is a culinary journey that satisfies the palate and leaves you craving for more. From mouthwatering seafood dishes to refreshing cocktails, The Foxtail truly offers a dining experience like no other.

If you're looking for a memorable dining experience that values sustainability and quality, look no further than The Foxtail in Des Plaines. The combination of delectable dishes, inviting atmosphere, and commitment to eco-friendly practices truly sets The Foxtail apart in the culinary world.

START YOUR REVIEW OF The Foxtail
Karen N.
Karen N.

I was looking forward to dinner here, or should I say experience. We had reservations for a Sunday dinner. We arrived early and had an opportunity to enjoy drinks at the bar. It was very busy and it did take 10-15 minutes to order. As others mentioned the drinks are uniquely named . We tried the Butterfly Effect , Grecian Fizz, Hallelujah and some others. They all were very good, the Butterfly Effect was my favorite. We were seated in the choir section, which was great. We did not have issues with the sound mentioned in other reviews, and we had a beautiful view of the stained glass and seating areas. We shared the Brick Oven Roasted Cauliflower, Burrata Fig Mostarda and Shrimp Saganaki . The cauliflower was ok, but nothing great. The burrata was the standout dish. The shrimp saganaki was very good and gluten free. For entrees we had the beet salad , striped bass and paella. The portions were generous and the flavors were excellent. For dessert we had the Carrot Cake and chocolate flourless cake. Both were delicious. Our server was attentive and very nice, and offered recommendations. The drinks and food were a bit slow to come out, and our server consistently checked on us. Drinks took about 30 min and the starters another 30 min. She did mention the kitchen was a bit behind. Other than the delays, the food and atmosphere were as good as expected.

Alan B.
Alan B.

I was very impressed with their attention to Gluten Free options. There are many items on the menu labeled Gluten Free or available with a GF option. We started with Hummus and Veggies, and the waiter, TK, brought me toasted GF bread. Then we shared the Chicken Wings, which are also GF. And then we shared the Shrimp Saganaki, also GF... and delicious. For my entree I had the Striped Bass, cauliflower carrot puree, fava beans, snow peas, roasted kabu turnip, cantaloupe microgreens, crispy shallots, also GF and really tasty. The portion sizes are good, not huge like some places (which is a waste). They have a nice whiskey selection and the location on the lake is very scenic.

Melissa K.
Melissa K.

Aside from being one of the coolest new spaces in the burbs, Foxtail on the Lake's food is SO SO good. We came on a rather hot day, but I had to sit outside because their patio space is gorgeous. I will say, when the sun goes down, those bugs SWARM around the outdoor lights. So if you have a later reservation, I would recommend sitting inside if possible. Our table ordered lots of different appetizers, but the absolute stand out to me was the octopus. Honesty I would have ordered that and eaten it all to myself. The oysters were also a real stand out - super fresh and tasty. I did end up getting the poke bowl which was an enormous portion & I ended up getting two meals out of it (no judgement if you eat it all though, it was gooood). Now on to my favorite thing to talk about as a suburbanite - the parking. This lot is ROUGH. There is a designated lot, but If you come during a busy time, honestly just park on the street if you can. You'll save yourself some time and frustration.

Lisa S.
Lisa S.

If you're looking for an extremely unique dinner spot with excellent food & service - this is the place! Our appetizers, which included the buratta and muhammara, were a fabulous mix of tastes and textures with plenty of toast points to enjoy both spreads. The craft cocktails had great names, i.e. Hell froze over and included foxtail's special recipes. Our main entrees were cooked to perfection with the fish being fresh and the accompaniments maximizing the flavors of the dish. The desserts were the perfect ending with unique presentations on some standard dishes. My only issue holding back a 5th star was the noise level, most likely due to the high ceiling. It's hard to hear anyone that is not sitting right next to you, but it also adds to the festive nature of the location. Just something to consider if you intend to have more serious conversations.

Ramon O.
Ramon O.

Great food, drinks, service, and ambiance. But most importantly - the people here are great. This place has it all. The co-owner, Bob, is such a pleasure to see and talk to. He's always smiling and making sure everyone is having a great time. He even stopped to take a picture with us in their very creative lobby. The manager, Lewis, is just as welcoming - gets you what you need, cracks jokes, and makes you feel right at home. Having visited it twice now in under a month, The Foxtail On The Lake has become an instant favorite for my wife and I to take our friends to on date nights. It has quickly become a hot spot and you should make. The outdoor area is a great spot to sit down on good weather days/nights - it has its own bar area and plenty of room for everyone to feel comfortable. The indoor is also great - you'll quickly realize you're in a building that used to be a church which only adds to the great experience you're about to have. I've only had one drink there and I had plenty of them because of how good it was - the Hallelujah. Others I've been wish have tried almost every cocktail on the menu and they each enjoyed whatever they got. As for the food, I recommend all of the following: chicken shawarma egg rolls, burrata salad, Muhammara dip, the kefta kabobs salmon poke bowl, and the burrata and fig. Very happy to have found this great place!

Talyna L.
Talyna L.

This place is an absolute gem! There is indoor & outdoor seating overlooking the lake, can't go wrong with either choice. Perfect for a summer day. Our server Aaron was very helpful & had great service. We ordered the grilled octopus, lamb & kefta kabob, crab omelette, and chirashi poke bowl. Between two people, this was the perfect amount. Grilled octopus, kabob, and chirashi poke bowl all had wonderful flavors and textures. The omelette was alright - tasted like egg and crab, nothing else. No crunch or pop of flavor. Would recommend giving the other dishes a try! Overall, great food & dining experience. They take reservations, so consider doing so on the weekends!

Valerie Z.
Valerie Z.

Beautiful restaurant with an awesome outdoor patio on the lake! This is a one of a kind restaurant situated in a refurbished church. We sat at the outdoor bar and the bartender, Angie, was great. Lewis, the manager, and Michele, our server, were very attentive and made sure we had a great experience. The food was incredible!! We will definitely be back.

Joy C.
Joy C.

When I think of Foxtail on the Lake, I instantly think of these words: beautiful and delicious. Reservations were tough to make. I waited and checked every morning for any availability for the nights that I wanted to visit. They have a big parking space and they also have valet parking. As we walked in, we were greeted and seated by the hostess. As we were walking towards our table, I was in awe of how beautiful the place was. It was apparent that the place used to be a church and it's great that they kept some parts of the church as is. The place was super busy and loud but the vibe was very lively and happy. For food, we tried: SHRIMP SAGANAKI- delicious but maybe a little spiciness would make the sauce better BRAISED PORK SHANK- outstanding PAELLA- the grilled chicken had great flavors and the whole dish was phenomenal Our server was very friendly, attentive, and efficient. The bathrooms were clean and the dining area was neat. They also have an outdoor area that I would like to check out next time I visit. Overall, this is a place that I will come back to again. The food, service, and gorgeous space were all remarkable. 'Til next time!

Joah K.
Joah K.

Found my next date night, girls' night, brunch spot! The Foxtail on the Lake has been on my list to visit, and I finally checked it out over the weekend for brunch. The exterior and interior are stunning. The restaurant, transformed from an old church, has become a beautiful and vibey place to enjoy a meal. I tried their chirashi poke bowl, and while the presentation wasn't extraordinary, the flavor hit the spot! I enjoyed every bite. Everything on the menu sounded delicious! Our server, Lindsey, was amazing--top-notch service from everyone! When my companion accidentally dropped a fork, a server immediately replaced it. We joked about possible hidden security cameras lol. From refilling our water to checking in at perfect times, the service was phenomenal. For dessert, we ordered the Tahini Dream Bars. They were a bit too sweet for me, but anyone with a sweet tooth would love them--they're like fancy Twix bars. To top it off, they found out it was my birthday and surprised me with a blondie and ice cream, which was oh-so tasty! I can't wait to go back and check out their lunch and dinner menu as well!