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    Mon Ami Gabi

    4.1 (1k reviews)
    Open 4:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Mon Ami Gabi Takeout or Delivery

    Mon Ami Gabi Photos

    MON AMI GABI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Mon Ami Gabi

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    Steak & Frites
    Riley M.

    Brought myself here for a solo birthday dinner and it was exactly what I was looking for. I was seated in the bar area, which I thought may get loud but I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite relaxing even while the restaurant was very full. My server, Essie, was very attentive and offered suggestions. The warmed baguette and carrot salad were a great starter but the star of the show was the steak frites! The meal is bigger than I expected, in the best way. The steak was cooked to my liking and the fries were crispy but not over done, delicious sauce as well. Honestly, I can't wait to go back! My one complaint was the flies, the patio seemed very popular and with the servers and patrons going in and out of the door constantly I had a couple circling my table and had to fish one out of my drink.

    Sea Scallop "St. Jacque"
    Clay G.

    For my birthday, we went out to get a nice steak dinner at Mon Ami Gabi. We started out with a scallop that really got the dinner off right. With a nice glass of wine, you really get the base set for a delicious steak. I got the steak frites. The real highlight is the frites. I'm not sure what they do to the fries but they're probably the best fries I've ever had with a steak. And the best part is that they're celiac-friendly. For dessert, we finished it off a chocolate mousse. Overall, it made for a magical birthday dinner.

    Classic Profiterole
    Erica B.

    Great restaurant week experience! Our waiter was super outgoing and attentive even though the place was slammed and I love the whole vibe they've got going. The warm baguette and sweet cream butter is a great way to start, but don't fill up too much on bread! For hors d'oeuvres we went with the onion soup and the Brie. The soup was amazing - one of the best I've had. Hot and salty and a good amount of cheese and bread. The Brie was pretty good too. I liked the walnuts and the jam and it wasn't too sweet but definitely a dish on the heavier side. For mains we got the steak frites and pork loin. Even though restaurant week said classique, we were able to get the bordelaise sauce (shhhh). And I'm so glad we did; it was sooo good. I loved the onions and the tenderness of the steak and the shape of the fries. Comparatively, the pork was a little disappointing. The pork was tender, but not as flavorful or dressed and we didn't love the plums. The sage and acorn squash were a nice add though. The profiterole was the only dessert choice for restaurant week and we thought it was tasty, but nothing out of this world.

    Steak Frites
    Mark L.

    We went to Mon Ami Gabi for a nice dinner, which is always comfortable and very elegant, and the staff does a great job making sure you feel taken care of. The food has yet to disappoint We started with the foie gras as an appetizer. This was the only real miss for me. The foie gras itself tasted really salted and had a strong egg-yolk flavor (I'm not sure if I'm describing this perfectly), which made it a little hard to enjoy on its own. It was pretty difficult to enjoy without the sides it came with. For my main, I ordered the steak frites, which came out perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The steak itself was great with the au poivre sauce. The fries were a little too thin for my liking, which made them slightly annoying to eat, but they were still a great addition with the steak. We finished with the bananas foster crepe for dessert, and that was simply delicious. A really great way to end the night. Overall, still just a solid and reliable spot with great service and a beautiful atmosphere. I'd definitely recommend it for a nice dinner out.

    Steak & Frites*
    Bradley L.

    Mon Ami Gabi was the perfect spot for our group after visiting ZooLights. It is only a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo, which made it an easy transition from the cold into a warm and classic dining room. We came on the recommendation of a local classmate who takes his wife here for special occasions, so expectations were high. The meal lived up to it. We started with martinis that were crisp and well made, and the steak frites were exactly what you want from a French bistro. Tender steak, hot fries, and simple flavors done really well. We finished with the bananas foster crepe, which was rich, warm, and a great way to end the night. The atmosphere is cozy with just the right lighting and a comfortable pace. I can see why it is a go to spot for celebrations. It works well for groups, but it would make an excellent date night location. Mon Ami Gabi delivered a memorable meal and a great cap to our evening.

    Steak Frites Au Poivre
    Stefano R.

    Nice French bistro with the requisite elegance, experienced wait staff, and classic menu. Set inside the Belden Stratford hotel, this is an upscale place that's been there for decades and is a consistent option for fine dining. Had their warm baguette with butter and jam (very fresh and delicious) and the steak frites au poivre which was very good but short of amazing (pounded thin with good sauce and a nice portion of frites, 8/10)

    The New Old Fashioned
    Armando S.

    From the waiter's curated selections for the evening to the delightful off-menu drinks, every recommendation elevated our experience and guided us perfectly through an exceptional meal.

    Quiche Lorraine
    Emily T.

    I've eaten here probably 5 times for both brunch and dinner. It's always a vibe and sitting outside was more casual and relaxing. Mac and cheese could change your life and the baguette- good shit !!! The salad with the buttermilk dressing is lovely and everything is always good here- great service. Would always recommend It's below an apartment complex where the rooms are 15k a month and the CEO of McDonalds rents there so food for thought

    Tuna Niçoise Salad
    Kathy H.

    A friend and I had dinner here last night. It was a very enjoyable evening and overall the food was very good. Our server was very nice and did her best to make sure we were taken care of. Unfortunately, I feel that management gives the servers too many tables to take care of and as last night was a busy evening, our server was spread very thin. Through no fault of her own she was not able to provide the level of attention I would expect. We started with the French martinis and had a Nicoise Salad, that was on the specials menu for our appetizer. We each ordered the roast chicken for our entrée. The chicken was very moist and flavorful and the mashed potatoes very creamy. However, the mushrooms were overdone to the point of being hard. For dessert we ordered.an Apple Tarte Tatin and a Raspberry Almond Tart. Both were very good. They have a lovely patio area where they now have a happy hour during the week. Many people were sitting out there, even though the evening was kind of cool, the restaurant provided heaters. I look forward to enjoying the patio in the future with My Husband.

    Steak Frites
    Sahand S.

    Mon Ami is a good option for delicious steak frites. Don't sleep on their burgers, and get bernaise sauce to dip the fries. Service is always good. The crusty bread with butter is the best way to start things off. I just wish the parking situation in Lincoln Park was easier, and that they had a happy hour like their DC location I used to go to all the time.

    Great steak frites and chicken dinner with sides. Beautiful building and beautiful place to spend the evening.

    Avery J.

    I came here to celebrate a special occasion and really enjoyed the atmosphere, and the food was excellent. We ordered the Collet ($30), NA Paloma ($10), Duck Leg Confit ($23), Petite Green Salad ($15), Filet Mignon Bordeaux ($50), and Trout Almondine ($30). Everything was delicious, though I found the salad and filet portions a bit small. For dessert, we were treated to complimentary Profiteroles, Crème Brûlée, and Chocolate Mousse, both to mark our celebration and as a gesture for a service hiccup. While the service was generally good, our main concern was the long wait- it took over an hour for any food to arrive. It seemed there may have been a mix-up with the order or a delay in the kitchen. Once we brought it to the staff's attention, they handled it professionally, comped one dish, and offered additional champagne. We also tried to order delivery from Mon Ami Gabi on another occasion- and I would not recommend doing that. The portions are small and not worth the price.

    Melted Brie
    Sabrina R.

    Overall the food was amazing! Come in hungry because it is a Lot of carbs thrown your way. The fresh bread served was a standout in this meal. The service was nothing to call home to I'm assuming because it was closer to the end of the day but considering the amount of money spent and the ambiance of the restaurant I was disappointed it felt like we were forgotten about. We had more interactions with the busser than our actual server.. ambiance was a great date night or celebration worthy restaurant I will be returning!

    drinks: French Martini & Barrel-Aged Black Manhattan

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    Mon Ami Gabi Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mon Ami Gabi

    What are their vegetarian/vegan options?

    Most restaurants especially this one have menus posted on their website. Here you will find an abundance of menu items that may satisfy your veggie/vegan requirements

    Does they take walk ins?

    Yes

    Is there profiteroles for take out?

    Are there profiteroles for take out?

    Is the onion soup made with beef or wine stock?

    Hi Margaret, Thank you for reaching out. The onion soup is a broth of veal stock and wine. Bon Appétit!

    I called several times nobody answered? How can I get a reservation?

    You can make it online or with lettuce eats

    View All 7 Questions

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    Le Bouchon - Agnolotti

    Le Bouchon

    4.0(828 reviews)
    2.1 miBucktown
    $$$

    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.

    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 - Poulet Roti

    Poulet Roti

    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.

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

    Dear Margaret

    4.6(169 reviews)
    1.6 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!

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    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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    La Serre - Bread service

    La Serre

    4.2(206 reviews)
    2.6 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    $$$$

    our bartender priscilla was phenomena. great and timely service would definitely recommend to…read moreanybody in the area

    Le Serre is the kind of restaurant where the details are deliberate, and it shows. From the first…read morecocktail to dessert, the meal was exceptionally well executed, making this easily one of my favorite dining experiences in Chicago. I started with the Gold Fashioned, followed by the Roasted Escargot, which was rich, savory, and beautifully prepared. The Duck Chinoise was the standout for me. The duck was tender and deeply flavorful, while the whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus provided a simple, well-balanced accompaniment rather than competing with the dish. The cocktails continued to hold their own throughout the meal. The Queen Marie and St. Tropez Spritz were both thoughtfully composed and offered a nice contrast to the richer elements of the food. Dessert was the Warm Apple Galette, which had the right balance of buttery pastry and warm apple without veering into excessive sweetness. Naturally, I finished with an L'Espresso Martini, because a meal like this needs a proper finale. The service was exceptional. Attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without being performative, and consistently warm throughout the meal. Le Serre delivers the kind of dining experience where the food, cocktails, service, and atmosphere feel thoughtfully considered from beginning to end. This is one Chicago restaurant I'm very happy to have in my rotation.

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    La Serre - Upstairs bar

    Upstairs bar

    La Serre - Cauliflower gratin

    Cauliflower gratin

    La Serre - Truffle Old Fashioned + L'espresso Martini

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    Petite Vie - Bread appetizer

    Petite Vie

    4.5(83 reviews)
    15.7 mi

    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!

    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!

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    Petite Vie - Back dining room

    Back dining room

    Petite Vie - Octopus appetizer

    Octopus appetizer

    Petite Vie - Frisee salad

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    Frisee salad

    Bistro Campagne - Steak tartare

    Bistro Campagne

    4.1(856 reviews)
    3.7 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

    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.

    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)
    3.2 miLogan Square

    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.

    Photos
    Bar Parisette - Bar area early happy hour!

    Bar area early happy hour!

    Bar Parisette - Burger

    Burger

    Bar Parisette

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    Bandol - Crab Cakes

    Bandol

    3.7(111 reviews)
    3.0 miThe Loop

    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.

    Photos
    Bandol - Croque Monsieur Breakfast plate

    Croque Monsieur Breakfast plate

    Bandol - Parfait

    Parfait

    Bandol - Pain ai Chocolat

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    Pain ai Chocolat

    Mon Ami Gabi - french - Updated August 2026

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