The Chef Behind The Anchor: Inside Norah O'Donnell's Husband Geoff Tracy's Restaurant Empire

Norah O'Donnell, one of the most recognizable faces in broadcast journalism as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, is married to a powerhouse in the culinary world: restaurateur Geoff Tracy. As of this writing in late December 2025, the couple’s high-profile marriage often draws attention to Tracy’s business ventures, particularly his long-standing and evolving chain of American restaurants in the Washington D.C. area, Chef Geoff’s.

For years, the question of "Which restaurant does Norah O'Donnell's husband own?" has been a top search query, leading people to the doors of the popular Chef Geoff’s. While the restaurant group has seen significant changes in its portfolio over the past few years, including strategic closures and a major business partnership, the brand remains a staple in the competitive D.C. dining scene, reflecting Geoff Tracy’s unique blend of culinary expertise and business acumen.

Chef Geoff Tracy: A Full Biography and Culinary Journey

Geoff Tracy’s journey to becoming a prominent Washington D.C. restaurateur is a fascinating story of shifting passions and academic excellence. Unlike many chefs who jump straight into the kitchen, Tracy’s initial academic path was rooted in the humanities, providing him with a unique perspective on the restaurant business.

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• Full Name: Geoffrey Tracy
• Spouse: Norah O'Donnell (married 2001)
• Children: Three (twins Grace and Henry, and Riley)
• Alma Mater 1: Georgetown University (Class of 1995)
• Degree 1: Bachelor of Arts in Theology
• Alma Mater 2: Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York
• Culinary Distinction: Graduated first in his class at the CIA.
• First Restaurant: Opened the original Chef Geoff's in 2000.
• Restaurant Group: Co-Owner of Chef Geoff's Restaurant Group (with Chris Tracy)
• Published Author: Co-authored Tasting Rome: Fresh Flavors and Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City (2016) with his wife.

After graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in theology, Tracy decided to pursue his true passion for cooking, enrolling in the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA). His dedication was immediately apparent; he graduated at the top of his class, a clear sign of the serious, business-minded approach he would bring to his kitchens. He launched his first restaurant, Chef Geoff's, in 2000, just a year before marrying Norah O'Donnell.

The Chef Geoff's concept quickly expanded, establishing a reputation for upscale but approachable American cuisine. Tracy’s success is often attributed to his data-driven and statistical approach to the restaurant business, a method he developed to replicate quality and efficiency across multiple venues.

The Current Status of Chef Geoff's: Locations and The Big Merger

The restaurant landscape is notoriously volatile, and Geoff Tracy’s empire has evolved significantly since its peak when it included multiple locations like Chef Geoff's Downtown, Chef Geoff's Tysons, and Chef Geoff's Rockville. Today, the focus is on a streamlined, high-performing portfolio, which is the most current and relevant information for late 2025.

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Operational Locations (Late 2025)

As of December 2025, the Chef Geoff's Restaurant Group continues to operate at least two key locations, which are actively promoting holiday dining and reservations:

• Chef Geoff's (Flagship): Located at 3201 New Mexico Ave NW, Washington, D.C. This is the cornerstone of the brand, offering the classic Chef Geoff's experience.
• LIA's: Located at 4435 Willard Ave, Chevy Chase, Maryland. LIA’s is another distinct concept under Tracy’s management, often featured alongside Chef Geoff’s for special events and holiday offerings.
• Chef Geoff's West End: The official website also lists a "Chef Geoff's West End" location, suggesting a continued presence in the D.C. area beyond the flagship.

The group has strategically closed other locations over the years, including the Downtown D.C., Tysons, and Rockville spots, to focus resources and maintain quality. This consolidation is a common business strategy in the hospitality industry, ensuring the longevity and strength of the core brand.

The Strategic Business Merger

A major development in Geoff Tracy’s business life, and a key piece of fresh information, is the merger of his Chef Geoff's group with the company behind other D.C.-area staples like Cafe Deluxe and Tortilla Coast. This move is significant because it brings Tracy, who once worked as a waiter at Cafe Deluxe in 1995, full circle, now partnering with the group that controls those venues. The partnership demonstrates Tracy's evolution from a single-restaurant owner to a key player in a larger, diversified regional hospitality group, ensuring the Chef Geoff's brand benefits from shared resources, purchasing power, and management expertise.

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What to Expect: The Chef Geoff's Restaurant Experience

The enduring success of Chef Geoff's is rooted in its accessible yet high-quality American bistro concept. The restaurants are designed to be neighborhood gathering spots, equally suitable for a casual family dinner, a business lunch, or a lively night out.

The Cuisine and Menu Philosophy

Chef Geoff's is known for its seasonal dishes that are full of flavor, offering a menu that is both comforting and creative. The cuisine is broadly defined as New American, focusing on fresh, quality ingredients prepared with a sophisticated yet unpretentious touch. Signature dishes often include a mix of classic comfort foods—think hearty steaks, fresh seafood, and inventive pasta dishes—alongside their famous Supermugs and handcrafted cocktails.

The atmosphere strikes a balance between upscale dining and a relaxed, convivial environment. Guests can enjoy a lively bar scene, often featuring the popular Supermugs, or opt for a quieter, cozy dining room experience.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

The success of the Chef Geoff's brand is tied to its deep roots in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (DMV). Key entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords related to this topic include:

• Culinary Education: Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Hyde Park, New York, Georgetown University.
• Restaurant Concepts: New American Cuisine, American Bistro, Seasonal Dishes, Supermugs, Handcrafted Cocktails, Lively Bar, Cozy Dining Rooms, Al Fresco Dining.
• D.C. Eateries & Locations: Chef Geoff's Deluxe Hospitality, Chef Geoff's (New Mexico Ave), LIA's, Chef Geoff's West End, Cafe Deluxe, Tortilla Coast, Washington D.C. (DC), Chevy Chase, Maryland (MD).
• Business & Personal Entities: Restaurateur, Hospitality Industry, Business Model, Data-Driven Empire, Norah O'Donnell, CBS Evening News, Chris Tracy (Co-Owner), ICE Raid (a past event that remains a search entity).

Geoff Tracy's commitment to the DMV restaurant scene, even as his wife's career often takes her to New York, highlights his dedication to his original vision. The strategic merger and the continued operation of the core Chef Geoff's and LIA's locations in late 2025 solidify the brand's place as a resilient and beloved institution in the Mid-Atlantic region.