For my boyfriend and I's first sit down meal in Chicago, I chose to indulge in brunch at La Grande…read moreBoucherie. I had seen it previously advertised on TikTok and decided it looked like a nice, upscale dining experience and the perfect mimosa-filled brunch opportunity. Upon coming in at 11 when the location opened, I was already impressed by the beautiful cafe inspired French interior. The warm lighting and refined Parisian details were so beautiful and elegant, and I especially loved the look of the bar, which is a central statement of this restaurant. I chose the French toast breakfast and my boyfriend got the steak and eggs, and we both had mimosas as well! My French toast was light, fluffy, and delicious, definitely a solid choice. My boyfriend was super impressed by the steak and eggs and said it was the best breakfast he had our entire trip! The food itself was great and I would love to come back and try their dinner menu at some point. The service, however, is what truly stood out to me in our experience. Our servers were very helpful, knowledgeable about the menu, and speedy. We truly felt taken care of. Fernando was the sweetest and most welcoming, and he immediately made my boyfriend and I feel so welcomed and at home in Chicago. We greatly enjoyed our conversation with him and he even gifted me a coffee table book detailing the history and menu of La Grande Boucherie, which was so kind and such an amazing gesture. Fernando set our experience apart from any other dining experience in Chicago and he made this meal one of our favorites!

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.

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.

Took my wife here for her birthday and had an excellent experience. A great bistro style French…read morerestaurant tucked into River North. We started with the gem salad which was super fresh, full of flavor and a great dressing to match. Very shareable for 2 people. I went with the Corn Dog as my main and it was gimmick. The full flavor of the foie gras came through and mixed perfectly with the cherry compote. My wife had the duck breast that she absolutely loved. Service was excellent and our waiter made great recommendations. Loved the FPA beer he suggested with my dinner.

Obelix is a delicious French bistro with a twist. It's been my regular spot for a leisurely…read moremid-week lunch, special occasions with mom, and weekend fun brunches with friends. The starters and entrees rotate seasonally, and they have an amazing patisserie team if you've grown tired of profiteroles with ice cream and creme brulee (*yawn*) being your only options. The service is beyond exceptional--I cannot say enough.

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.

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!

Had a wonderful experience here. The drinks, food, service and ambiance were all top notch. The…read moreonly disappointment was that we did not get to try the duck L'Orange since they ran out but that just means that we must return soon to try it. This place is a treat!

Very cute spot with plenty of parking (at night) in a quiet neighborhood while being right across…read morethe Metra station. Service was great but I was puzzled that they changed utensils after each course but failed to scrape away the breadcrumbs on the tablecloth. Standouts were the main dishes: the halibut worked super well with the grapes in the sauce (what an unexpected surprise!) and trout amandine was very good as well (wished the skin was crispier though). For two girls, we ordered 2 apps, 1 salad, 2 entrees and shared a dessert and it was just right. We didn't feel like the meal was overly heavy or over salted, which is such a nice departure from our experiences of late. One piece of feedback is to perhaps warm the seasonal apple tart. It was very good but also very cold! We will be back!

Fantastic food Excellent service/ambiance…read moreWonderful drinks!! The bar staff is outstanding! From the first aperitif to the recommendation for the sauternes to pair with the foie gras terrine (I almost ate the whole thing by myself!)... I felt right at home and cared for. My early dinner was complete with the traditional onion soup and a salad that is unrivaled even the San Francisco Bay Area (home base). Gamay for the win! Housemade Picon If you miss it, you will miss out

The mister and I are fans of French bistro. We stopped by for a weekday lunch to celebrate a…read morespecial occasion. We shared the following: 1) Escargots - These snails were extremely tender, buttery, and garlicky. There were plenty of baguette to dip the sauce in. If you have an in-person meeting after lunch, you will need a few pieces of gum. 2) Croque Madame is a humble yet fancy sandwich. It was a baguette with mornay, smoked ham, sunny side up egg. There were plenty of beef fat fries to go with it. 3) Moules - These PEI mussels were also extremely buttery and garlicky. It also came with a generous loaf of baguette to soak in the flavorful mussel juices. We would love to revisit and try the steak tartare and happy hour specials.

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

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.

For lunch, I'm not sure there's any better chill spot to grab a bite in the Loop. Low-key,…read moresophisticated, refined. I popped in for a quick solo lunch and indulged in the croque monsieur + fries. The rest of the menu had enticing things but I knew what I wanted and would not be swayed. After a small wait, which I mention only because it really wasn't busy, my food was served. The look matched the flavor: delicious! It's nice that the other French place, offering nearly the exact same offering here in the exact same spot, was replaced with a worthy newcomer. Bandol checks all the boxes you'd want.

Bandol is good for lunch, but the breakfast I had today was terrible. I ordered a chocolate…read morecroissant, and like in a lot of American restaurants, it was a fake croissant, more like gummy white bread in a croissant form. It was ultra-soft, with a minuscule dab of chocolate. The poached eggs were completely flavorless. They might have been old eggs six weeks away from the farm, I don't know, but all I could taste was the chalky whites. And by the way, poached eggs should always be served with a spoon without the customer having to ask. How do you eat poached eggs with a fork? I asked for my English muffin to be "burnt" (crispy.) They were soft and gummy, just like the croissant. And no jam or jelly was offered. The waiter was polite but inattentive. It's annoying to say, specifically, "I'll have two poached eggs with crispy bacon" and then have the waiter come back and say, "do you want sausage or bacon with that?" And like most restaurants these days, they've switched to that thick-cut bacon that can't be cooked crispy. The breakfast came with a very small side of potatoes, which tasted fine. And I had some green tea that was...okay, but not even remotely like the delicious green tea that most Japanese restaurants offer. I asked my waiter to clear away my plate when I was done, but he either didn't hear me or misunderstood, because he left the plate sitting there. Lastly, when people are eating breakfast, especially on a weekday, they usually have some place they need to get to, and don't want to linger. It took too long after I put my card down for the waiter to pick it up. Every one of these things is a minor complaint (except for the tasteless eggs.) But add them all up and it makes me think -- even though I'm in the area frequently -- "I'll never go back here for breakfast." Overall, a disappointing experience.