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    Chez Joel Bistro

    4.3 (491 reviews)
    PriceyFrench
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    Chez Joel Bistro Photos

    CHEZ JOEL BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Chez Joel Bistro

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    Beautiful outdoor space
    Abhishek M.

    I am no longer a French cuisine virgin and I am glad I lost my it at Chez Joel Bistro. Having driven past this restaurant, one would never realize they have this beautiful outdoor patio space under trees and the stars that makes for a perfect venue for outdoor dining for a couple on a first date or even a romantic date with your wife of 40 years. With a couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc on a semi warm Chicago summer Saturday evening, we got the escargots, the grilled calamari with peppers and the mussels. Their complimentary warm sourdough bread was the perfect accompaniment to the delicious sauce of the (clean and large size) mussels as well as the olive oil base for dunking below the escargot. I was indifferent to the texture of escargot and it wasn't polarizing for me but I loved its olive oil base with herbs. Rest assured, I would love to go back and sit outside again since the ambience certainly made the meal and evening so much more enjoyable.

    Linguine aux crevettes
    Joy L.

    Cozy and charming restaurant with great patio seating for the summer. We actually didn't have a reservation and just walked in and had no problems getting seated. Our server was warm, friendly, and gave us really great recommendations. Each dish was simple, yet consistently good. I would come back for the mussels alone!

    The ambiance, looking out the window

    As soon as I walked in the door, someone greeted me, and even knew who I was based on the time (and the time of my reservation). I dine alone a lot, because I travel often for work, and they suggested for me to sit at the bar, but I had asked if there was a possibility for me to sit at a table, it would make my day...which they granted. This place cares! They sat me at what I thought made the most sense for someone dining alone, yet allowing themselves to sit their incoming reservations appropriately based on their number, as well as their occasion. Like reserving the tables under the chandelier for couples out on a date, for example. Upon sitting down, someone immediately poured some water in my glass, and shortly after, my waitress arrived, and greeted me, and let me know that she'll be back to tell me the specials of the day. I had already taken a look at the menu, but maybe there was something else that could change my mind. So, I obviously listened to her. But, it had been a while since I have had what I had in mind. I ordered the Mediterranean Octopus as my starter, and followed with the beet salad. She asked me what I wanted for my entree, and I said that I didn't know if I would be ordering one, since I don't know how the portions were here (first time). But then I saw that they had coq au vin, and that was another dish I hadn't had in a while....so I didn't finished the mashed potatoes that came with the octopus, nor all of the arugula that came with the beet salad. Let me tell you, the chicken was SO good, I wish I had skipped the salad, because I got too full, I couldn't finish it. But, you should really plan around the entrees here...trust me, they are outstanding!!! I came here because I love French food, but really, it's because they are Michelin recommended. 5 stars in my book - I will come back.

    Denyce M.

    Discovered this cute French bistro on Yelp as I was looking for something new to go to with my BFF of 36 years to celebrate our friendiversary. The restaurant is located on the corner of Taylor and May Street, in Little Italy. I was somewhat surprised by the address and discovering this place in the middle of the land of UIC, pizza, pasta and Italian ice. Can't speak to the parking situation as I used Spot Hero, but there is street parking all along Taylor Street. The restaurant is intimate, a.k.a on the small size, but very nicely decorated. There is a small bar in the front and a patio to the left of the restaurant (didn't see it as we were sitting inside). Based on the size, I would never just walk in here to be seated, I think you definitely need to make a reservation. The room is laid out in a very French way, with tables sitting very close to each other. I love the blue palate, it was very relaxing. The tables themselves are nicely decorated but are definitely on the small side for folks like us who like to share multiple dishes. Getting a bottle of bubbles and the holder took up some real estate along with the water and drink glasses. We started out with the Pâté de deux Sortes (Duck Liver Pâté with Traditional Garnish & Toast Points), the special which was a very lovey Tuna Tartar wrapped in avocado and topped with roe, and the Calamar Grillé au Pistou et Jus De Citron (Grilled Calamari with Pesto, Arugula and Roasted Peppers). All three of these starters were very good and I would do them again. The pâté was as to be expected and I did enjoy the toast points. My only complaint about this dish is that they need to put more of those lovely pickles with it. Presentation on all three dishes was lovely. For dinner I got the Souris d'agneau au Jus de Romarin (Braised Lamb Shank, Wild Mushrooms, Vegetables Fricassés, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Rosemary au Jus, my BFF got the Steak Grillé au Poivre (Center Cut Grilled NY Strip Steak with Crushed Black Pepper Corn, Cognac Sauce and Pommes Frites), The Doctor got the Filet de Saumon Grillé (Salmon Filet Grilled, Julienne of Vegetables, Asparagus, Potato Tournée and Mustard Sauce) and The Queen got the Linguine aux Fruits de Mer (Linguine with Shell Fish, Garlic, Basil, Sherry Tomatoes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil). Everyone agreed that their dish was very good. I tried a little bit of my BFF's steak and it was cooked to the correct temperature requested. The pommes frites were very good and sooooo thin! Absolutely lovely. My dish could have used a little more seasoning, but the lamb was very good, sliding off the bone. For dessert, my BBF got the Profiterole (Cream Puff filled with Vanilla ice cream, Warm Chocolate and Toasted Sliced Almonds), The Doctor/Queen got the sorbet and I got the Gateau aux Amondes (Baked Almonds Gateau Served Warm with Vanilla Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce). The cake was a little on the dry side for me and not enough almond flavor. My BFF loved the Profiterole and cleaned his plate. The wine that I got was the Varichon & Clerc, 'Privilège' Rose from France. I thought this was a lovely dry sparkling (too dry for The Doctor). I will definitely look for it at Binny's. Our server Omar was so nice and funny. He took very good care of us and was aware (I believe) of the limited space on the table and spaced out our food as best as he could. Overall the meal was lovely, we had a very good time, but three things happened that took this review down to three stars for me: 1. The wine buckle holding my bubbles had a very long hair wrapped around it. I am not good with hair near anything I am drinking or eating and that included my own. I immediately got Omar's attention and he apologized and got a new bucket. 2. For the dessert serve, I was given what I perceived to be a dirty spoon. The Doctor thought it might be dried paper towel, but whatever it was, it was on their solid. Again, Omar was called over and he took care of it immediately. 3. There was a slender gentleman in a very nice dinner jacket who went between two tables that were occupied to open the drapes in the window. This actually required a little bit of reaching over the people sitting as the tables were situated in such a way that there was no way to move them over without leaning over. The second thing was in the middle of our dinner, while we were talking/laughing, he comes over and reaches onto our table to relight the candle in the middle of our table. When he couldn't get it lit, it took it with him and brought it back. No greeting of any kind or a comment to say pardon me, going to light your candle. All four us just stopped talking and looked at each other with that WTHeck look. So those three things took this review down to a three. Would I go back? Yes I would. The food, service and decor were nice. The Doctor and I were talking about if we go again, maybe we would sit at the bar and not at a table.

    Kat T.

    This is a very nice intimate French bistro. I love that they have valet parking. We went here during restaurant week. I enjoyed a three course prefix menu. I can't say that I will return in the future, but it was a lovely experience.

    Dimitri G.

    Triumphant return for another birthday celebration! Beet salad and burger were delicious, super attentive service!

    Scallops
    Jenna C.

    Decided on Chez Joel for my bday dinner with Mom largely because she's hearing impaired and other reviewers noted it's a quiet restaurant. Unfortunately, we had the opposite experience and it was incredibly loud during our Tuesday evening visit. The restaurant itself is quite small so they really pack everyone into one room. The patio may be better but it was too chilly to dine outdoors for us. I would actually say if you're looking for a cozy but lively atmosphere, this bistro is for you. Other than having to shout over the meal, I felt the food and drinks were mostly enjoyable. I started with the sparkling wine cocktail, which was very refreshing. For dinner, I decided on the scallops, which were absolutely scrumptious - well composed and very flavorful. For dessert, they were kind enough to bring out a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a candle in it but we also ordered the almond cake and it was just ok (a little dry). For a nightcap, we ordered off menu and our waitress was gracious enough to accommodate and make us some delicious after-dinner drinks. Overall, I felt the service was pretty good. We also lucked out with free street parking across the street. I can see how this is a neighborhood staple for French fare but in our experience I'd give 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

    Profiterole
    Nick P.

    Free street parking if you can find it. We found some free spots close to our reservation time. Service was exceptional. Every dish was superb, can't find any faults. Price is standard for this type of cuisine. -grilled calamari with pesto, arugula, and roasted peppers -Frog legs with garlic spinach, capers, and brown butter sauce - not on current menu unless you ask -Rack of lamb, mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, au jus - any lamb is good on their menu -magret et confit de canard, sauce a l'orange -gateau aux amondes -profiterole

    Steak Grill au Poivre and Coq au Vin   la Mode Rustique   Ma Faon
    Grace H.

    Great place! Love the small room, and small tables, very reminiscent of Paris. We got bread, butter, and this incredible spread to start. I forgot to ask the waiter what it was, but it was so good and tasted like balsamic and zest and fruit. We got the cheese plate, Coq au Vin and Steak au Poivre for dinner, and all three were delicious. Our sever was quick and very pleasant, and we got a scoop of vanilla ice cream as we were celebrating a birthday. It was no throwaway ice cream either, it was really good. Recommend!

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    6 months ago

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    9 days ago

    Cant't say it's Michelin class, but I don't give out the ratings. It's a solid "3". $$$.

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    4 months ago

    Loved this place! Every dish was fantastic, it's super quaint and cozy, and the service was outstanding. A total hidden gem!

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    4 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Wonderful dinner and service in a cozy atmosphere. Wish it had been warm enough for the lovely patio.

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    Service was great and the atmosphere was welcoming. My salmon was unfortunately very under seasoned.

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    Chez Joel Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chez Joel Bistro

    Wheelchair friendly? Can patrons using walkers use the restaurant easily?

    I use a wheelchair and often dine at Chez Joel. The outdoor patio has a wheelchair accessible entrance to the left of the building and is entirely accessible. There is a ramp into the building from the patio. Restrooms are single use and the men's,… Read more

    Do they play good music during brunch on Saturdays?

    Depends on what you consider good. It's background music.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    La Grande Boucherie

    La Grande Boucherie

    4.3(620 reviews)
    2.0 miNear North Side
    $$$

    I took advantage of their prixe fix lunch deal. I had the French onion soup and the chicken…read morepaillard. The soup was very tasty and was a huge portion. The chicken paillard was very tasty but it seemed odd that the chicken and salad were both served on the same very hot plate. Luckily the salad didn't get warm enough to wilt the greens. My server was Michelle and she was wonderful. Very helpful, very cheerful, and just a joy to interact with.

    Came here last night for dinner with another couple for the first time. While the food was good,…read morethe service was not so I don't think I'll be back. For starters, we had a reservation which I would recommend. We were seated right away and while the place is large inside, I'm not sure what walk-in availability is like. The food: we really enjoyed the octopus, escargot, I had the Filet Mignon Au Poivre, and the banana/coconut entremet. The octopus was tender and flavorful; octopus cooked right (especially in smaller pieces) is hard to find so I was impressed. The escargot was nice and buttery/garlicky, and piping hot. I LOVED my Filet with the green peppercorn cream sauce! It was delicious and my husband was surprised I ate so much of it. It was cooked exactly as I asked, the meat had good flavor, and the sauce was delicious and well balanced + the right consistency. Lastly, the banana and coconut dessert was a pleasant surprise. The banana flavor was fresh (not artificial) and had the right balance of coconut. It was creamy, not too sweet, and had the right balance of textures with the outer coating and the crumble underneath - if you like banana or coconut at all I'd say it's a must order! The creme brulee was just okay. My issue was the service - the table next to ours LIT ON FIRE because a menu was over the top of a candle. After burning half the menu and the fire was getting larger, our partners ran over and put it out with their napkins. They yelled and there was NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT from the staff at all - at least 2 staff saw and one waiters eyes got big for a minute and she turned away. Not even a thank you from anyone to our partners for putting it out, and they had to ask for new napkins because theirs had black char on them. We were in the middle of enjoying our appetizers and my friend was just digging into her French onion soup from our first round and the staff kept trying to take our plates away. My friend had to tell them 3 times to please leave the soup at the table, and overall made us feel very rushed. We weren't taking a long time to eat at all so felt very weird? When the entrees were dropped on the table, my friend got a steak and they kept trying to give her a butter knife. It took multiple attempts to get the correct knife. Then once we were done eating it took a while to get our plates and old glasses cleared away. Overall service timing was off and their aggressiveness in the beginning of trying to take our plates away + the lack of response to A FIRE in the restaurant was pretty alarming. While I enjoyed the food there, the service was pretty bad and I feel unsafe with the lack of response to a fire in the restaurant so I don't think we'll return.

    Photos
    La Grande Boucherie - Inside during Christmas

    Inside during Christmas

    La Grande Boucherie - La Grande Boucherie Chicago

    La Grande Boucherie Chicago

    La Grande Boucherie - La Grande Boucherie Chicago

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    La Grande Boucherie Chicago

    Le Bouchon - Poulet Roti

    Le Bouchon

    4.0(821 reviews)
    3.5 miBucktown
    $$$

    This is one that is worth the hype. Well loved for good reason. There were no misses! We tried the…read morecrab tartlet, French onion soup, mussels, rabbit pot pie, duck l'orange for two, and the delicious maple crème brûlée. Every bite was scrumptious and we absolutely will be back! And the staff were all lovely. It is a really small space but that's part of the charm of being a traditional little French restaurant!

    Le Bouchon is an excellent example of the idea one *can* have too much of a good thing. Alas, there…read morewere more things that went a little south with the experience. I ordered the Escargot and the French Onion Soup. There was also free baguette included at the start of the meal. I loved that the baguette had a substantial crust, for it was an absolute delight to butter it up (though not the best butter in the world), and dip it into the herbaceous escargot butter. However, the inside, despite its temperature, was still gooey/doughy. Too much crust or some other technical issue? I'll let those with baking experience sound off. Whatever the case, the last thing I want to do with fresh baguette is ripping out the innards and rolling it into a ball of silly putty. Now, for the escargot... ah snails, an old favorite, for I don't really love fast food (ha!) These were mostly good, save for two things: First, the texture was still just a little slimy, reminiscent of an oyster. 30 seconds more cook time is all they needed, a minute would be too much! Second, the sauce didn't do them any favors. I've had escargot in a rich, buttery, garlicky, slightly herbed sauce that was beyond divine. This dish went triple-overboard, if not more, on the greens - making it resemble a chimichurri rather than something turning snails into decadence. Now, we arrive at the French Onion Soup. The sheer amount of cheese was so excessive that I recoiled even though I have a line item in my budget for cheese. I fished what remained out, and consumed it only out of spite. Now, while I appreciate the use of crusty bread that didn't turn into soggy croutons, the size of the pieces was too large. I'm one who orders prepared food with the understanding that it is prepared and should require minimal additional work. Steaks that need slicing are exempt, soup is not. Unfortunately, there was one more undoing: while I can understand a less sweet soup may be normal variation in the recipe, one of the spoonfuls had something very sour, as if it was a large wad of sour cream (though none was present). This made were otherwise rich and flavorful broth less than enjoyable. When it comes to the service, this had some good and bad. It was friendly, attentive, and the food came out fast. However, an item of note is that finished plates were not cleared in due course. This applies not only to myself but also the stranger sitting next to me. Final verdict: I wanted to love Le Bouchon, really I did. I was even hoping, at first, to try more of the menu on a return visit. However, the poor execution across the board does not provide the confidence needed for a return visit.

    Photos
    Le Bouchon - Restaurant

    Restaurant

    Le Bouchon - Agnolotti

    Agnolotti

    Le Bouchon - Upon arrival, hot baguette is paired with my cappuccino.  Delicious way to open the conversation.

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    Upon arrival, hot baguette is paired with my cappuccino. Delicious way to open the conversation.

    Mon Ami Gabi

    Mon Ami Gabi

    4.1(1k reviews)
    3.9 miLincoln Park
    $$$

    Mon Ami Gabi delivers a classic French dining experience done right. The ambiance is beautiful -…read moreelegant yet welcoming-and the wine list is thoughtfully curated with great options to complement the menu. The standout dish is the Roast Chicken à la Mère. Perfectly crisp, golden skin on the outside with incredibly juicy, tender meat inside-simple, comforting, and executed flawlessly. It's one of those dishes that reminds you why French classics never go out of style. Service was excellent throughout the meal: attentive, professional, and genuinely warm without feeling rushed.

    Visited Mon Ami Gabi with my boyfriend for Valentine's Day, and the service truly stood out…read more After being seated, I switched sides of the booth to sit next to him, and a staff member who wasn't even our server immediately noticed and reset the silverware on my new side. Throughout the evening, multiple team members checked on us (not just our server) which gave the experience a very polished, almost Michelin level feel. The ambiance is classic French bistro meets old money elegance: dim lighting, romantic, and perfect for date night. Food & Drinks: * Sidecar cocktail: Excellent. * French onion soup: The highlight of my meal. Rich, cheesy, perfectly oniony, and honestly one of the best French onion soups I've had. * Steak: My boyfriend enjoyed it, but I found it slightly chewy and under seasoned. The creamy sauce served with it, however, was delicious. * Mussels: Large portion with great garlic butter sauce and bread for dipping. The challenge was that most of the sauce sat at the bottom of the deep pot, making the mussels taste a bit bland at first. Interestingly, the leftovers the next day were amazing once everything had soaked in the sauce...flavorful and delicious. Overall: A charming French restaurant ideal for date night with standout service and a cozy atmosphere. I'd absolutely return and would love to explore more of the menu next time.

    Photos
    Mon Ami Gabi - Inside lobby

    Inside lobby

    Mon Ami Gabi
    Mon Ami Gabi - Gorgeous Entrance

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    Gorgeous Entrance

    Dear Margaret - Beef shank; split pea soup; charred broccoli; smoked carrots; fennel custard; panna cotta; cheesecake.

    Dear Margaret

    4.6(169 reviews)
    4.6 miLakeview
    $$$

    This is such a lovely little restaurant, and I do mean little. The space is small so I would…read morerecommend a reservation. Our first visit here was for Restaurant Week, but we have been back several times after that. The restaurant itself is absolutely adorable. Lots of two top tables as well as some four tops. The bar area is functional as it allows for seating to have drinks and to dine. Each time we have been there, the music has been off the charts. I was a little taken aback (in a good way though) when I heard Aretha Franklin. My mind was a little confused because I felt like I was in a small French restaurant in Paris and was expecting French Cafe Jazz/Chill music. But hearing the Queen of Soul changed the whole vibe for me. The menu is very eclectic and changes quite a bit. The one thing that has been consistently on the menu are the Pommes Dauphine (oyster mousse, pickled red onion, osetra caviar), which I adore. Another dish that was the Slagel Duck Breast à l'Orange (pistachio, baby carrots, marmalade demi-glace, wild herbs). This was also very good. The duck was prepared just right, with the meat tender and juicy, but the skin nice and crispy. The Duck Liver Mousse (beer jam, honey-roasted peanuts, mint) is also a favorite of mine. Every time we have dined here, the Wine Director, Terry McNeese, has taken care of us for wine and beverages as well as sometime speaking to us about the food specials. He was gracious and informative, and easy to talk to. It was not until our second visit that we discovered who he was after he gave us his card. I was inquiring about some of the music on that night and he mentioned that it was a Spotify playlist. He has created several playlist under "DM" specifically for the restaurant. He told us he was on Spotify and that we could find the music there. In addition to the music, he has a very nice curated wine list, by the glass and bottle. My favorite is Camille Braun Cremant d'Alsace Brut Rosé Alsace, France N.V. (Pinot Noir). What they do not have is cocktails, so come prepared to drink wine, beer/cider or non-alcoholic beverages. Terry made some recommendations for The Queen, who is a cider lover. She was very happy with the selections and he actually made a recommendation of one for her to try (on the house). If I had to say I had a complaint, it would be that Dear Margaret turns out some great dishes, but because they change the menu often, don't get attached like I do because your feelings will be hurt when it is no longer available. But on the plus side I would say you get to experience something new and exciting on your next visit. There is plenty of street parking as they are located on Lincoln Ave, so it is easy to go there and not fight for a spot or use Spot Hero. So if you are looking for a quick European getaway that doesn't jet lag, get thee to Dear Margaret très vite.

    Definitely the best French restaurant I have ever tried. Dishes were creative and delicious, and…read moreservice was of high standard. I ordered Asparagus Mi-Cuit, Fried Rabbit Terrine and side of 9-grain toast. The asparagus was served chilled (room temp.), with edible petals, shaved egg yolk, fish roes and vinaigrette. The asparagus was fresh and crispy, with a light hint of sweetness. The egg yolk was cured with sugar and salt in fridge and added some saltiness. The fish roes was "rubbery" and tasted creamy, complementing the texture and flavor of asparagus. Moreover, these ingredients paired well with one another. The main dish, the fried rabbit terrine was also great. Pulled rabbit leg meats and rabbit gelatin were coated with flour and deep fried. Surprisingly, the fried stuff was not heavy or greasy at all. The meat was tender, the gelatin added some creaminess and richness to it. The dish was served with lentils and horseradish cream. Not sure why they used lentil as side. Perhaps the sprouted lentil and beets used by Cira would be better. Still, it was a good dish. For the bread, I originally wanted to try their baguette, but they only serve baguette from Thursday to Sunday, so I tried the 9-grain toast instead. It was dense, moist and earthy. Each small slice was about 22.5g! I hope I can try their baguette next time I visit Chicago!

    Photos
    Dear Margaret - Charred, smoked carrots.

    Charred, smoked carrots.

    Dear Margaret - Ice wine tea panna cotta.

    Ice wine tea panna cotta.

    Dear Margaret - Fried smelts

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    Fried smelts

    La Serre - Bread service

    La Serre

    4.2(190 reviews)
    1.3 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    $$$$

    Food: 4.1/5. Delicious French food. The linguine and clams…read morewere amazing. I'd definitely recommend trying La Serre. Service: 5/5. Great service - attentive and friendly. Ambiance: 4.5/5. Nice vibes inside the restaurant.

    I have attempted to come here twice for their special bar menu. I arrived right when they opened…read moreboth times. The 1st time was a Friday and it was so packed I couldn't get a seat but when I tried again on a Tuesday I had no problem. So be aware the bar can get super crowded heading into the weekend. Some friend and I initially were draw to la Serra for the essentials special which is a martini, fries and a ceasar salad for $19. One of my friends got that but the rest of us ended up just getting drinks, sliders and truffle fries. The drinks are all $9 and the mini sliders are $6. I would say that the drinks are worth it but the sliders were very small. Even thought they were supposed to be mini I would say $6 was still pricy for how small they were. I had the mini lobster roll and the French dip roll. The lobster roll needed more meat and more mayo. It was a bit dry and sad looking. The French dip was okay but I wish it came with a dipping sauce. The bar is very cool and modern looking and it is a great place for a quick after work drink and snack with friends or coworkers if you are in the West Loop.

    Photos
    La Serre - Upstairs bar

    Upstairs bar

    La Serre - Cauliflower gratin

    Cauliflower gratin

    La Serre - Truffle Old Fashioned + L'espresso Martini

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    Truffle Old Fashioned + L'espresso Martini

    Bistro Campagne - Steak tartare

    Bistro Campagne

    4.1(852 reviews)
    6.7 miRavenswood, Lincoln Square
    $$$

    Bistro Campagne is always consistent The food is always…read moreoutstanding and the servers are well trained I usually get the Amish chicken with mushroom ragout and onion frites which is excellent, but easily enough food for 2 meals My most recent visit I had the steak frites which was delicious My guests had the cassoulet (also delicious) and the fish stew, which they loved They shared w generous charcuterie board and I had the steak tartare which I love For dessert we had the creme brûlée which was ethereal My only tiny gripe is the bussers consistently appear to rush the dinner, taking cocktail glasses before they're empty and clearing plates before everyone is finished

    Checked out Bistro Campagne for their restaurant week! The place is very cozy inside, perfect for a…read morewinter meal. Our waitress was super attentive and truly knew the menu inside out. Some of the standouts that I would definitely come back for were the French onion soup and steak frites. The gnocchi is definitely unique - I personally really liked it but it may not be for everyone. On the other hand, I probably wouldn't recommend the crème brûlée - maybe I just got unlucky coming in on one of the coldest days of January but I felt like mine wasn't properly warmed up so it kind of had a cottage cheese texture I didn't love to it

    Photos
    Bistro Campagne
    Bistro Campagne - Pot De Creme

    Pot De Creme

    Bistro Campagne - Slightly effervescent texture, dry kumquat peel notes really work in this french orange wine. sons of wine 'bisous bisous', alsace, france.

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    Slightly effervescent texture, dry kumquat peel notes really work in this french orange wine. sons of wine 'bisous bisous', alsace, france.

    Bar Parisette - A Study in Violet and Roasted Chicken with summer snap pea sidecar

    Bar Parisette

    4.5(34 reviews)
    4.0 miLogan Square

    I'm old enough that I still remember doing the world-class happy hour at Dos Urban Cantina at the…read moresame address now home to Bar Parisette, a newer space from the Table, Donkey & Stick folks in Logan. I hadn't been back to check out the other restaurants in this space since Dos closed a few years ago, so I don't have the history on how this space has turned over a bit in the time since. I DO know this much: Bar Parisette is a strange ride. That's because I'm not really sure what it is going for, based on a dinner I had at the space last weekend. Bar Parisette, for a lot of reasons, gave me the sense it was going for French bistropub. The steak frites, the burger, the snacks, the drinks...all of that felt like it was right at home, but none of it was as strong as the food I've had at TDS. I went with the burger specifically because the burger at TDS is so good, but it just...wasn't, here. The meat was a little plain, the fries were fine, the bun was solid; the pieces were there, but as a package, it wasn't humming. The almonds were an interesting choice, but not one I would run out to make again; the trout dip was a winner with a couple of the folks in our party, but I skipped it since trout dip is not really my thing. I think the vibe was more a turnoff than the food and drink, though. Pardon my French, but it just wasn't sexy in here, and even though it was a Saturday night, it wasn't really hopping inside the space. If there was music playing, I didn't hear it or don't remember it, and the layout at Bar Parisette is functional but doesn't allow for the sorts of people-watching I like at other places in Chicago. (This became especially pointed when we left and walked next door to Gretel, which was jam-packed.) Service wasn't pushy, but it was certainly aggressive; our server came over three times in the first 10 minutes to check on our need to order, despite the fact that we were clearly a group that had not caught up in a while and had not spent much time with the menus. (European, this was not, at least in terms of speed.) But then we DID order, and it took 20 minutes to get our drinks and 30 minutes to get appetizers...then another 30 to get dinner. I didn't notice this as much because I had a late lunch, but my wife was showing signs of "hanger" that got more belligerent as the night went along. "Hurry up and wait" was never more apparent than this, and the staff acknowledged that it took too long for our food to come out, especially in a space that was almost completely empty by the time our mains came out. For $300 (this did include an $80 bottle of wine, note), my expectations are a little higher. Dos, this is not, and it's hard to imagine a scenario where I would come back to experience Bar Parisette a second time.

    I think this place is getting lost amongst all the other great spots anything 50 yds of it and…read morethat's a shame. If you're in the area, especially during happy hour (extended to all day on Mondays, closed Tuesdays), stop in. All the areas are lovely and comfortable (bistro, dining room, bar, kitchen counter) and service is friendly and knowledgeable. Absolutely great wine list (and keep an eye out for special event Wine Dinners), including value priced House Wines during HH. Very decent burger and fries, small snacks and full sized plates abound at very good prices. Like its relative restaurant Table, Donkey & Stick, good food, good drinks and good times are sure to be had.

    Photos
    Bar Parisette - Bar area early happy hour!

    Bar area early happy hour!

    Bar Parisette - Burger

    Burger

    Bar Parisette

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    Chez Joel Bistro - french - Updated June 2026

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