Kie-Gol-Lanee
5-Course Memories of Oaxaca Tasting Event
Opened in 2016, this Uptown Mexican eatery continues to gather accolades, including a spot on Eater’s 2023 “Essential Mexican Restaurants” List and four straight years, right up to the present, of Michelin Bib Gourmand awards. Kie-Gol-Lanee comes from the Zapotec dialect meaning "Piedra Antigua" (old stone). Its Spanish version "Quiegolani" is the name of a small village in Oaxaca, Mexico, where the restaurant’s culinary team is from—and we all know how spectacular Oaxacan food is. Siblings Maria and Reynel Mendoza and their spouses run this operation, whose mission is to preserve their family’s original recipes. Here, you will find such traditional favorites as tlayudas (a.k.a. Mexican pizza), ceviches, birria, and tamales oaxaqueños, just to name a few. Their selection of aguas frescas include the famous horchata and tamarindo, as well as a unique squash cooler called chilacayote. Diners know to leave room too for the flan and tres leches cake. We’re so excited to visit here and to have the chefs teach us all about the glories of Oaxacan cuisine!
About the Host:

Maria Mendoza, Reynel Mendoza, Leo Ramos, Sandra Sotz
Chefs/Owners
Chefs and siblings Maria and Reynel Mendoza (along with their marital and culinary partners, Leo Ramos and Sandra Sotz) make up the team at Kie-Gol-Lanee. All hailing from their hometown Santa Maria Quiegolani in Oaxaca, Mexico, they moved to Chicago in 2004, cooking contemporary Italian cuisine at Anteprima for several years. Kie-Gol-Lanee is their first restaurant in the US.
The Lineup
All courses will be individually plated.
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Memelitas Oaxaqueñas
masa patty with pork rind, black beans, red cabbage, jalapeño, carrot, lemon vinaigrette, spicy cherry tomato sauce
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Sopa de Abuelita
bean stew with oaxaca cheese, chipil tamal
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Venado Asado
venison in amarillo mole, oyster mushroom, pico de gallo
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Bacalo en Hoja de Plátano
cod in plantain leaf, pumpkin seed sauce, cherry tomato, zucchini, cilantro onion, rice
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Santa Maria Dessert
plantain, cinnamon sugar, dulce de leche, chocolate
Kie-Gol-Lanee
5004 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640
Event FAQs
- Do I have to bring printed tickets to the event?
- No tickets are needed.
- What does the ticket price cover?
- The ticket price covers the full cost of the meal.
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- Can I bring guests/non-members to this event?
- Yep! For this event, guest tickets are $85 + tax & tip, and you can bring up to 3 guests. Please note, guests are not allowed to attend unaccompanied by a member.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Tickets to our events are non-refundable. However, for emergency requests, we may allow members to transfer their tickets to friends, provided the guest ticket surcharge of $25 is paid when transferring a member ticket to a non-member. All ticket transfer requests (as well as the guest ticket surcharge) must be sent to us prior to the event. Any guests who have not paid the guest ticket surcharge will not be allowed entry.
- What must I bring to the event?
- Please make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID.
- What parking information has the restaurant provided for this event?
- According to the restaurant, there is free street parking available, as well as metered street parking.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email [email protected] with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- At this event we will be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions and food allergies except for those with garlic allergies/aversions. Just make sure to update your dietary restrictions within your Account Info before or after you purchase tickets, or email us at [email protected] after you purchase tickets to let us know what your allergies/restrictions are so we can give the chef a heads up.