Chris Nugent Leaving Les Nomades; Opening Goosefoot

What is it with chefs getting top accolades and right after announcing a major change? Last year, the day after Laurent Gras received three Michelin stars, he confirmed he was departing L20. Yesterday, Zagat named Les Nomades one of the best restaurants in the country and then chef Chris Nugent announced he was leaving to open his own spot.

After nearly seven years at the upscale French Streeterville restaurant, Nugent will open Goosefoot, a "market-driven BYO" in Lincoln Square; his last night at Les Nomades will be Nov 5. The 36-seat spot will offer two tastings menus, a $90 eight-course and a $140 12-course.

While Nugent admits "it's never going to be a perfect time," to open a restaurant, it'll be interesting to see if a spendier restaurant can survive on that stretch of Lawrence Avenue, closer to a plethora of ethnic restaurants in Albany Park than it is to the center of Lincoln Square. But Shin Thompson earned a Michelin star at Bonsoiree in Logan Square so why not here? Nugent hopes to open Goosefoot before December.
· Laurent Gras Talks L20, Michelin and Future NYC Plans [~EChi~]
· Les Nomades' Chris Nugent Leaving to Open his Own Restaurant [Stew]