The Foxtail

The Foxtail's wine list reads like a greatest hits of California — heavy hitters, name-brand producers, and a strong lean toward Napa Cabernet and Chardonnay. For a Mediterranean restaurant in the western suburbs of Chicago, there's something comforting about the familiarity here, even if adventurous drinkers might feel a little under-served. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2024, and it's easy to see why — the list is curated with care, even if it doesn't push any boundaries.

The list runs 150-250 bottles deep, which is respectable for a neighborhood restaurant, but the range skews heavily California with names like Caymus, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Rombauer, and Frank Family dominating the lineup. If you're a Napa loyalist, you'll be in heaven. If you're hoping for a Sicilian white to go with the branzino or a Greek red to echo the Mediterranean kitchen, you might be squinting at the menu wondering where the Old World went. There's nothing wrong with any of these bottles — they're crowd pleasers for a reason — but the list and the cuisine feel like they're having two separate conversations.

With 12-20 pours available, the by-the-glass program is solid for the suburbs and gives casual diners plenty to work with across a range of price points. The selections mirror the bottle list — expect Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and something Cab-forward to anchor the lineup. Rotation appears limited, so don't count on much seasonal variety.