Chicago-based design firm 555 International unveiled the highly anticipated opening of Girl & the Goat, the brainchild of Bravo TV's Season 4 Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard. The 145-seat restaurant in Chicago's West Loop, a two-year project funded in part by Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm, owners of BOKA, Landmark and Perennial, features comfort-style foods matched by a rustic yet contemporary design. Leading the design efforts were 555 founder and president James Geier and vice president Karen Herold, whose resumes include such other high-profile projects as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and La Cave nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas.
The team looked to capture the playful and friendly spirit of Izard's personality. The result is an approachable, centrally located oak bar with overhanging jar lights, where diners have the option of choosing from a list of classic cocktails and affordable wines, dozens of craft beers and the full dinner menu.
Featuring overhead shelves stacked with Mexican-style ceramic dishware, the open kitchen spans the entire back wall and allows guests to watch Izard and crew at work. Burlap- and clay-covered walls further enhance the natural tones of the space, along with antique Belgian light fixtures, dense hardwood floors, exposed wooden ceiling beams and chunky butcher-block wood tables, including the two VIP tables set up against the open kitchen, which feature personal service by Izard. Izard's presence even extends to the
restrooms, where she scrawls messages to patrons on the mirrors.
