This is my opinion about Steak Tartare only. Interior is very nice, service was excellent but dish…read morewas forgettable. No flavor at all and I could not taste any of the ingredients listed on the menu. As a big fan of Steak Tartare it was a big disappointment.

Beautiful spacious authentically art nouveau Parisian type bistro in Chicago- the food was good -…read moretypical French menu - standouts were the sauces - the fillet mignon, fries, wine and chocolate mousse - good bread and cheese plate too. Cailin our server was wonderful. Great music and live pianist too - very nice staff and good location; valet parking.

TLDR vibe: your rich "cultured" friends you kind of hate just got back from France and youre like-…read moreoh I know a place. Or youre dating someone who likes Anthony Bourdain and you've convinced her you're a foodie. I rarely if ever give a place 5 stars but I have to for this place. At a high level heres what made it stand out to me from other often mentioned places in chicago: the portions felt decent for the prices, the food was actually good, and the vibe truly did feel like a busy French bistro vs the well spaced large rooms of most other restaurants. It's not great if youre someone overstimulated easily, hard of hearing, or need elbow room. Or if youre looking for this uber luxe quiet formal vibe. But if you want to go somewhere where you feel like youre in a (extremely well known) hole in the wall this is it. Even though it was crowded one of my favorite parts was that the chefs or at least culinary dressed not front of house vibe dressed staff- were walking around as well so it was like you were really in the back of the kitchen secret table vibes. I also appreciated that a couple got engaged and they called attention to it without making us all cheer incredibly loudly. Me and the table next to me were like- who? what? They have good N/A champagne which I appreciated. And the bay leaf ice cream tasted like some legit herbs - which as someone whose goal is to really taste plants and the flavors of the earth - I appreciated.

I was very excited to try Le Bouchon, but was left a bit disappointed. The space was clean,…read moreintimate, and felt very French, but for all the buzz I had heard about their food, I felt like the dishes kind of missed the mark. There were no problems with the Steak Frites (although I wouldn't describe them as anything super special), but our Mussels dish had quite a bit of shell & the trout was served kind of cold. Additionally, we came in for an anniversary celebration and it was not acknowledged by our waitress which felt kind of odd as we had saved this spot for that special occasion. However, other than that, service moved quick and was up to par!

Excellent dining experience. We were able to squeeze into a last minute late dinner reservation…read more The service was excellent, our waitress was helpful with the menu and was kind enough to bring us a little extra treat since we were celebrating. The food was all so good. While some of it didn't sound like something we'd jump to order, we were glad we gave everything a chance! Would certainly go back here!

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.

There's something about a French happy hour that just makes the evening feel a little more special…read more We stopped by Mon Ami Gabi in Lincoln Park and started with the $10 French Martini -- light, fruity, and the perfect way to kick things off. Then came the $5 hand-cut frites, followed by $3 deviled eggs topped with smoked whitefish caviar. The $8 croque monsieur was warm, crispy, and perfectly cheesy, while the $4 French onion gougères were such a fun little bite. We also tried the $5 marinated olives before moving on to the escargots -- buttery, garlicky, and full of flavor. And naturally, we had to finish with the classic profiteroles, topped with chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Mon Ami Gabi is definitely one to keep in mind when you're looking for a relaxed happy hour with a little Parisian flair.

We had been to @monamigabibistro in Las Vegas a couple times, but had never visited their #chicago…read morelocation, so when we got to pick a French restaurant, we went with this one. The location itself is beautiful Patio was closed due to heavy rain Inside is pretty small but pretty and cozy ( although floors are REALLY slippery ) The appetizer ( steak tartare) was delicious and came out quick; However we waited way TOO long for the main dishes to come out. My fish was the BEST fish I've eaten ( I want to go back soon to have it again) and dessert was unfortunately just OK, Nothing outstanding Drinks were good but service not so much.

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!

Is it pricey? Yes. Is it dang good though? Ya…read more Came to La Serre for a friend's birthday with a group of 7 and they were so accommodating! Our server was friendly and helpful, along with the hostess and all other staff we encountered. The space itself is super cute and spacious. The food - WOW. I recommend the truffle gnocchi, french onion caviar dip, little gem salad, and the side of broccoli that comes with this spicy sauce that's to-die-for. We also loved the wagyu cheeseburger! Portions are relatively on the smaller side I'd say, but we got around 9-10 plates for 7 (hungry) girls and walked out full as F***. I would totally come here again! It was better than I expected!

This has been one of our favorite restaurants in the city for quite some time. We've been here…read moremultiple times, have always had great experiences, and even recently recommended it to a family member who ended up having their wedding shower here. The food has always been consistent, the atmosphere is great, and historically the service has been very good. Unfortunately, something was really off during our most recent visit. We were seated relatively quickly, but after that the service slowed almost to a crawl. It took quite a while for our server to greet us. We ordered champagne and were also asked if we wanted the complimentary bread service, which we said yes to. We then waited quite a while for the champagne. Our server explained that it was being brought up from the basement, which was completely understandable and not an issue for us. When she eventually returned, however, she brought a small bottle of champagne that had already been opened. I asked if they didn't have the normal full-size bottle, and she explained that she had assumed we wanted the smaller one. At that point the bottle was already open, and we certainly weren't going to make a fuss about it. We politely said it was no problem and figured we would simply order a second small bottle if we wanted more. Things happen, and by itself this wouldn't have bothered us. I do think, however, that if there is more than one bottle size available, it would have been better to ask rather than assume, especially before opening it. Had she simply brought the unopened bottle to the table, I would have clarified that we preferred the full-size bottle and there wouldn't have been an issue at all. The bread we had requested also never arrived. Later, after our champagne had finally been served, we were asked again if we wanted the complimentary bread service, even though we had already said yes earlier. It was around this point that the evening started to feel less like the restaurant was simply busy and more like our table wasn't receiving much attention. What made it particularly noticeable was watching the server taking care of the table next to us. He was considerably more attentive, checking on his guests several times while there were long stretches when we barely saw our server. The food took a while to come out but was good and consistent with what we've always enjoyed here. However, when our steak arrived, it was essentially dropped on the corner of our table very nonchalantly by a staff member and left. Our server was not around so we had to flag down another person to let them know the steak wasn't sliced as it normally is and the sauce was missing. Our empty champagne bottle and finished plates also remained on the table for a very long time without being cleared. We completely understand that restaurants get busy, and we're generally very patient when they do. A longer wait by itself would never cause me to leave a negative review. This felt different. When drinks and food take an unusually long time, assumptions are made about an order rather than simply asking, something you've requested is forgotten and then offered again, parts of the food service are missed, and empty dishes and bottles remain on the table, collectively it starts to feel like a lack of attentiveness rather than simply a busy evening. Our bill was around $400, and we certainly don't expect someone hovering over our table because of what we're spending. But at this price point, there is a reasonable expectation of attentive and polished service. We were also celebrating an occasion, and unfortunately the service affected the mood of what should have been a really enjoyable evening. This was easily the poorest service we've experienced here, which is especially disappointing because we genuinely love this restaurant and have recommended it to others. The food was still very good, and our previous experiences have been excellent, so I sincerely hope this was simply an off night. For now, though, we'll probably give it a little time before returning.

I really enjoy this establishment. My most recent visit was yesterday evening. I started the…read moreafternoon by shopping in western springs, ended my day with a visit to Petit Vie. I reserved a seat at the bar. I was seated and immediately greeted by my server. I decided to start with the happy hour manhattan- it was delicious. They use apple brandy, I was somewhat skeptical initially- buy my server/bartender assured me that it would be good. I then tried the fois gras mousse with the seasonal compote- blueberry. It was an absolutely fantastic choice. The mousse was so incredibly creamy and the compote was a perfect compliment. The restaurant itself is charming- what I would expect a small French brassiere to look like. Looking forward to my next visit!

My husband and I really enjoyed their food- and planing on coming back. We had few appetizers and…read moreboth ordered halibut special that they had and it was delicious along with green beans. Our server was lovely and drinks were made well.

Celebrating the 27th anniversary and just heard of the great food to be found here. Walked in…read morewithout reservations and were lucky enough to get the Chef's Table in the kitchen. The restaurant is well lit, courteous staff and the food is exceptional. Oscar was our server and he did so much to make our night special.

Wow wow wow - I haven't wrote a review in a while, but I am still thinking about this food the next…read moreday. We ordered the mussels, steak frites (not pictured) and the oysters all of which were phenomenal. Some of the best mussels and steak i've ever had and I don't even really eat steak! We sat at the bar and got great recommendations by both bartenders on what to drink and portion sizes. We will definitely be back!!!

Called Bistro Campagne at 6 PM on a Friday to see if they had a table for two. We were told the…read moreearliest reservation was 8:45 PM, so we showed up around 7:30 fully prepared to wait. The restaurant had been recommended several times in Chicago Reddit communities, so I was expecting much more. We walked in and the restaurant was half empty. Bistro Campagne has been around since 1992 -- 34 years. And honestly, it shows. While the patio is cute, I wouldn't describe the interior as "quaint." It felt dated and overdue for a makeover. Maybe 34 years is an impressive run, but after this meal, I'm wondering if it's simply time to retire. The food was even more disappointing. The escargot was the only genuine highlight of the entire meal. The steak tartare was almost comical. What an absolutely measly portion of raw beef. I understand the price of beef has gone up, but picture the size of a regular smashed hamburger patty. That's essentially what you get. And before I could even finish it, the waiter came over and took the plate away. Then came the bizarrely rushed service. We couldn't even have a conversation across the table without being interrupted. The waitress who took our order, along with another employee, repeatedly came over while we were still eating our appetizers, clearly trying to rush us along before the mains arrived. Why? This was a Friday night and the restaurant was half empty. There was absolutely no reason to rush us. A good restaurant knows how to pace a meal. Let people enjoy their appetizers, have a conversation, and then send out the mains. Instead, we felt like we were expected to wolf down our food and get out. And the irony? Despite being interrupted every five minutes while eating the appetizers, the waitress never even checked on us once the mains arrived. We eventually had to flag her down ourselves just to get the check. The steak frites was the first major letdown. The steak itself was tender, I'll give them that, but it was severely under-seasoned and the sauce was completely flavorless. Tender meat doesn't make up for a bad sauce and zero seasoning. The fries were mediocre at best, and the supposed "aioli" tasted like straight Hellmann's. The famous chicken dish was better than the steak, but that's not saying much. It was just okay. From what I could see, it appeared to be essentially one flattened/pressed piece of chicken with a mountain of thin curly fries dumped on top. Nothing about it justified the reputation. And then, to add insult to injury, I passed a Red Hot Ranch on the way home. Honestly, if I could have jumped out of the Uber, walked into Red Hot Ranch, and ordered a burger, I genuinely think I would have had a better meal. Overall, this was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in Chicago in a while. Maybe Bistro Campagne was the shit back in the day. But that was then. Chicago has changed, and there are plenty of restaurants now serving better food, with better service and better value. 34 years is a hell of a run. But after this meal, Bistro Campagne may want to consider calling it a career. Cute patio. Good escargot. That's about where the positives end. Save your time and your money. There are much better places to eat in Chicago.

I had been wanting to go here for years and as a lover of French food I was happy to try it out! I…read moream a French food snob tho- They have the most lovely patio and it makes you feel like you are in Europe. We went for my dad's birthday and it was insanely hot, but beautiful out there. I adored the bread and butter service and I loved that it came with three butters- so so good! The Amish chicken was extremely heavy, but a bit cold. Very flavorful. I tried the steak frites and it was decent, but I've had better in other restaurants in the city. My favorite was for salad lyonaisse. It's a warm salad with potatoes, poached egg, frissee and bacon. Genuinely so so good! We also tried the crème brûlée and bread pudding. Both were really good and I do think I would come back in the winter because the food was extremely heavy. To the point where I was actually incredibly nauseous and it was really concerning lol. I think I had too high expectations for this place, but it was still good! I also was just in France for three weeks so I'm a harsh critic and I just like Le Bouchon better whoops

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.

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.