GP Franklin's, Lincoln Square

This appears to be an impressive addition to the Lincoln Square restaurant scene. Mike G, you should take your boys here now and take some pictures. You'll all be very happy. I haven't tried the food, but even if the food's only okay, I think you'll still be happy.

I talked briefly with the owner, and after some years in the restaurant consulting business, he decided to open up a place his kids would like. The place makes me happy to be there, even if it is all brand new. The concept is an old-timey ice cream parlor/soda shop/general store. Location is in Lincoln Square proper, at the north end, just south of Lawrence and next to Timeless Toys.

The space directly upon entering is a huge space, seemingly to smartly accomodate the Lincoln Square "stroller mafia" among whose number we were surely counted this past Saturday. If there is indeed a Lincoln Square stroller mafia, this place seems destined to become the new Horwath's. The space is flanked by the ice cream/soda counter on one side, a chocolate/fudge counter on the other, and a gigantic model train/smoking mountain contraption. My oldest boy was especially enraptured by the automated bulldozer that moved a small pile of M&Ms back and forth with Sisyphusian perseverance.

Beyond the ice cream counter is a comfortable-looking dining room with a menu offering comfort food standards and, eventually, adult beverages. Didn't get a chance to try the food. Ice cream is made on premise from an Elgin Dairy base. The menu offered lots of smoked things, but I didn't get a chance to inquire about the smokers in more detail. I did learn that the chef was from mk, but I don't know if he was a sous chef enticed by the chance to run the show, or a fired line cook. Probably somewhere in between.

I guess he's only been open about a week, and was aiming for a slow launch to work out the kinks (remember, he was a consultant). Now he says he's ready for customers. I expect the Trib, Chicago Mag, etc. to be fawning over this place shortly, so get there now so you can gain credibility with your friends for having gone there first. And let me know how the food is.

Cheers,

Aaron