Once a cornerstone of Des Plaines' religious community, the former Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has recently be converted into a one-of-a-kind Mediterranean restaurant. While keeping the church's stain glass and other architectural features intact, Foxtail on the Lake offers a memorable dining experience overlooking Lake Opeka. The restaurant opened last fall adding to a seven decade legacy that has been built into the walls of the church.
Butting up against Des Plaines' Lake Park, this restaurant is surrounded by greenery.
The church's cathedral ceilings give the building a distinct profile in the area.
The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church originally opened around 1960, around the same time when the 18-hole golf course just next to it also opened.
From the outside, it still looks a lot like a church, but dinner and lunch services have taken the place of religious services here.
Renovations on the church took place over a year and a half.
Now, guests can enjoy Mediterranean meals in a sprawling 15,000-square-foot dining area and 5,000-square-foot patio.
Foxtail on the Lake can seat and serve up to 210 guests inside and 115 on the patio.
Fan-favorite dishes include the striped bass with cauliflower carrot puree, fava beans, snow peas, roasted kabu turnip, cantaloupe microgreens and crispy shallots.
You can't go wrong with any of the seafood options here.
There are plenty of gluten-free options, as so many of the dishes are based around proteins and fresh vegetables.
From the outdoor patio, you can enjoy a paella or a plate of oysters while watching the fountain on Lake Opeka.
I think it's worth spending some time wandering through the church's interior, but when the weather is nice, I'd suggest sitting outside.
That being said, dining anywhere at Foxtail on the Lake will be an unforgettable experience.
There are multiple dining spaces worth giving a try-- some on the ground floor by the windows and other spots higher up that have sweeping views of the entire space.
There are no bad seats at Foxtail on the Lake, as everywhere you go immerses you deeply in the history of the building. The glass and lighting in the restaurant are from the church, and a piece of the of the altar has been placed over the host stand as a reminder of the building's history. When you plan out a visit to Foxtail on the Lake, consider booking a night at the nearby Hilton Chicago/Northbrook so you can enjoy their specialty cocktails, (such as Forgive Me Father, Hell Froze Over, or Gotta Have Faith), and take a quick cab ride to a hotel. If you are looking to really dive in deep to Illinois' historic roots, head to Chicago to try Daley's Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in the city. Have you been to Foxtail on Lake? Let us know what you thought about it!
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