I I used to travel to Paris all the time and have rarely had a moment that made me feel like I was there. Sardine was spectacular! We had the charcuterie and a wonderful salad and a cassoulet that about made me weep. We traveled from the Chicago area and will make sure that we hit this place every time we come up north! read more

Came for happy hour. Stayed for dinner. Service is beyond terrific. Any restaurant that puts the bus station in the middle of the space clearly wants to take care of you. We have been here when we are in Madison 8 or 10 times in the last 20 years. Exceptional every time. read more

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Yet again, another time I wish I could give a 3.5 star rating. Sardine is a wonderful restaurant serving French/American cuisine just off one of the lakes of Madison. We come here frequently and my rating tries to serve as an average of what we have encountered. Sometimes we come here and have just an Ok experience and other times our socks are blown off. I'll start off by saying the decor and location of the restaurant are both pluses. Wait staff seem to be hit or miss; we have had multiple occurrences where our bread is never delivered to the table, leading us to prompt the the wait staff to bring it with the entree. Timing seems to be an issue as well, where waiters or waitresses space visits to the table in too large of time intervals. Food options do rotate and we consistently find the steak frites and fish options to be spot on. We consistently enjoy the goat cheese appetizer. Other options like the pork or lamb seem to be cooked past a desirable doneness and poorly spiced. I do focus on more of the negatives in this review, however, I still enjoy going to Sardine and thinks it's a good place to go on a date, double date, or a quick drink and appetizer. read more

I think I've found my new holy grail. Everything from how easy it was to make a reservation, to the outstanding service, to the wonderful cuisine, and let me not forget to mention the beautiful interior design, Sardine has everything you could want and need from a restaurant. We had dinner reservations on a Saturday evening for a party of 6. We were promptly seated and we all were mesmerized at how fresh and cool the interior felt. The white walls, brick exposure, and wooden ceilings brought so much character to the restaurant, and the view of the lake didn't hurt. I felt as if I was somewhere in Connecticut. Our server was very nice and attentive. He was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, especially with where their three types of oysters came from. The bread basket was the only thing I could have done without. The bread was dry and tasteless. The waiter kept my glass of Chardonnay full all night, which I appreciated. The wine went great with the oysters we all started the night off with. From there, I ordered the Seared Salmon on the menu. The salmon dish was excellent. The medium well cooked salmon, spinach, leeks, and beurre blanc sauce all went very well together. I had one bite that was really salty, but luckily, it was only on one piece of the fish, which was great because I didn't want to worry with having to send the meal back. My husband ordered the French Onion Soup and the White Fish special. I'm not a fan of Onion Soup, but I did have a few spoon fulls of his, so I must have liked it a little. He sure loved it. The White Fish special was fantastic. The delicious broth was subtle and complimented the fish, along with the veggies and squid ink pasta. The Cauliflower Gratin sure made me feel as if I were eating Mac and cheese. The side dish was rich and creamy, but I wasn't guilty from eating it. I mean, it's Cauliflower, so it's healthy...right? Overall, we all had a great time and will definitely return! read more

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This is honestly the first negative review I have ever left, but I had brunch here and when I went to the restroom at their brunch (before the bill was given) they threw my food away! I had eaten maybe 25% of my meal and nothing was offered to me at the restaurant read more

Had a great time at Sardine recently, dined at the bar and found the food and service simply excellent.

The premise was set. Valentines Day and a French restaurant to celebrate it! Joie de vivre as they say :). Well not really.. Decor - Restrained elegance that exudes its own touch of romance as it sits right near the lake (Although the other side is a rather dingy street at night!) Service - My critique here is ONLY for Valentines Day (Shouldn't matter but still). Romantic restaurants typically tend to have a more relaxed approach to timing their courses. This place took it a bit too far. The time lapse between Apps - Mains - Check kept stretching after every phase, to the point that we kept staring across the room to signal someone else to get our check since our server couldn't be bothered I suppose! Food - For hors d'oeuvres we had the Charcuterie plate. While the cured meats were a little too salty and hard to chew (perhaps too cured I guess), the liver mousse was good and paired very well with the mustard on the side and the thin flat bread. For Mains, we had the Cassoulet and Moules Frites. The lamb shoulder on the Cassoulet was delectable! The sausage was decent. The leg and thigh duck confit was nothing to shout about. The meat was cooked fine but lacked a strong flavor dimension. The worse part was the beans as they looked and tasted like baked beans straight out of a can. The walnut oil was non existent and bread crumbs although sparse, did save the sauce a bit. The moules frites was better in comparison as the mussels were perfectly cooked with no sand/grit on them. The sauce was delicate yet tasty and the supporting fries were well seasoned. Price : This is where I believe the experience lost a star here. For $27, the Cassoulet should've blown me away but it didn't. For $22, the mussels were better but not worth that much money. I guess the price was proportional to the portions which were good I must say! But quantity and quality don't always go hand in hand. I wouldn't mind trying out this place again but for nearly $100 for a couple, there are better places to try out. Hope others have a better experience here. read more

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Aah Sardine, I want to like you so much, but your food is too salty and buttery, even for French food. Appetizers: Moules frites: pretty good! Too many fries though. Charcuterie plate: not super great, and looked kind of unorthodox (lettuce?). Mousse was hard to spread, not enough pickled vegetables, and selection of meats seemed limited. Main courses: (super large portions) Poussin (aka young chicken): tender and tasty! Potatoes were caramelized. Watercress was a bit acidic and bitter, but together the dish was well balanced. Duck confit salad: very disappointing. Too salty and acidic overall. Duck was tough and chewy. Poached egg had no flavor and was watery on the inside. Would absolutely NOT recommend. Ambiance is very hip and chill for both couples and groups, with tables against the front for lake views during the day. Service was a bit slow, but our waitress was absolutely lovely. Sadly, everything was great except for the food. read more

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Party of 12 on a Tuesday night at 6:30. Very good- NAMI MOON FARM CHICKEN LIVER TOASTS baby greens, Door County cherry compote 10 Very good- MOULES FRITES white wine, Pernod, cream, fennel, tomato, garlic, bay leaf, thyme 14 Very good- LAMB MEATBALLS tomato-adobo sauce, goat milk yogurt 11 Solid, slightly overlooked but a good flavor - PAN ROASTED HADDOCK caramelized endive, roasted fennel, potato purée, à la minute sauce of toasted pistachios, orange, and white wine, watercress 26 Whiskey and cheese pairing - all good read more

Sardine - Crazy start to dinner - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

It is a better bar than a restaurant. Good wine list and good bartenders. Atmosphere is nice too. I would recommend as an after work drinks place and grab a snack. I have been a few times and the food is hit or miss. read more

Food was good. Service meh. This is all I have to say but Yelp is making me write more before it will post at the review. read more

The food, service and ambiance were fantastic. The view of Lake Monona was great. We highly recommend this restaurant

So good! Beautiful location and delicious food. Server was super helpful. Girls night out.

Enjoyed the ambiance and the service. The food was great, and the location is perfect right near the waters of Lake Monona. This side of town is my favorite, and I love that it sits right on Willy Street. read more

Sardine - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My wife selected Sardine for brunch as a pre-anniversary meal. I was disinclined to go because my experiences with French restaurants, both in Los Angeles and NYC have always been too much dough for not enough go; said simply tiny portions with high tariff (think nouvelle cuisine as it was presented to Steve Martin in LA Story). This was not the case at all here. I had the rib eye steak and poached eggs. Not only was the food prepared exactly as requested and delicious, but the portion was perfect; it could be argued that this menu item is the sleeper; a real value proposition. We will be returning for dinner. It is great when expectations are shattered for the better. read more

Sardine - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

If I'm in the mood to LARP as a rich person, this is where I go. I can't afford to come here often but it's my go to for a fancy dress up night. Oysters on the half shell, craft cocktails, clams, the food is all truly amazing. The waiters have always been very helpful with cocktail/wine pairings and have helped me to discover some new favorite cocktails. Only thing holding it back from a five star for me, is that we often seemed to be seated in less desirable spots, no matter how long ahead of time we schedule a reservation. Haven't tried the brunch but hope to soon. read more

Sardine is one of those places you could easily go to for dinner and then return for brunch the next day. The vibe is lively, and compliments the food. West coast oysters never disappoint, the baked eggs are definitely worth trying, and the flank steak is spectacular. For dessert, you cannot go wrong with the rhubarb pie and pot de creme. read more

This was honestly one of our favorite meals in Madison. We started with drinks at the bar and the care the bartender took in making them was something to behold! They were absolutely perfect. It was a special occasion, so we started with oysters and a charcuterie plate. Both were amazing. My husband had the duck breast (he said it was the best he ever had) and I had a perfectly done steak y frites. The waitress helped us choose a bottle of wine which we very much enjoyed. I highly recommend. Also, there's something about the ambiance that makes me feel like I'm somewhere else. Maybe it's the modern look, the visible oysters on ice in the window. I kind of felt like I was in Seattle. We will definitely be back! read more

Sardine - Perfectly cooked steak y frites with a delicious aoli on the side. - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Well what a nice surprise! Brunch here was amazing. Couldn't get a reservation but Took a chance at a walk in. We were seated at a high top right away. Service was spot on, oysters amazing, great cocktail menu and rest of food even better. Will definitely be back read more

Sardine is a staple. If you want a nice place to take a special person or your parents, this place will never disappoint. I've been coming here since I moved to Madison in 2011 and, while the menu has changed, they still be keep'n it classy. Protip: You can always ask for more bread. My record is 4 times in one meal, and yes, all the bread was eaten there, none was taken home. Carbs! This is a special request for the chef, please bring back the hanger steak! It was may favorite! read more

Great food every time. Excellent service, interesting and outstanding menu items. Love the atmosphere. I can't say enough good things

I came to town for a brief getaway, and as I was traveling alone, I thought I would treat myself to a somewhat decadent early dinner... And since I am a fan of French cuisine AND because of the accessibility of Sardine to the location of my hotel, I was eager to dine here! Firstly, the entrances are a bit confusing; I ended up on what I suppose is the backside of the building, but when I entered on the lakeside entrance, it was just a teeny bit confusing as it would seem that Sardine is connected to other businesses as well--the door to the restaurant isn't marked and it wasn't open. Also, unless there is a third entrance to the restaurant, the hostess stand is located more centrally to the restaurant which is mildly off putting. To sum it up, I felt as if I'd entered into the wrong door and therefore started my experience off on the wrong foot. But what I found actually offensive was the desire of the hostess to seat me at the bar and when I declined and asked for a table, she asked if I would be comfortable in the back half (EMPTY) part of the restaurant when there were empty tables in the front (the ones with the nice lakeside view). Again, I'd like to point out that I was there on a Wednesday and while nearing the dinner rush, it was not busy and I was not depriving any waiting patrons by desiring to sit in the actual occupied section of the restaurants with the nice view. I also feel like it's worth mentioning that I was dressed smartly and did not come in under-dressed or sloppily attired; reviews mentioned that this is a casual dining atmosphere, but I feel like it's a bit fancier than that). So other than being a single diner, I'm not quite sure why I was made to feel as if I didn't belong in the front half of the restaurant, a feeling that was further reinforced by the mostly cool service of my waiter, who was not welcoming and did not enhance my experience either; I realize, from past experiences as a server myself, that one might not have high hopes for a single diner occupying a four-top in your section, but it was not as if I sat for hours, subsiding on complimentary bread and water and not ordering any big ticket items. Also, some of the items I ordered were items that one would usually offer more information about--I would have loved to have known exactly what type of oysters were being served, and a few more details about the 'local meats' of the charcuterie plate as well. Other than the dreadful interactions with the host and my server, everyone else I encountered--the many folks who delivered and then cleared finished plates--were perfectly pleasant and warm. I also appreciated the very adorable flower arrangements on the table, and the view is quite lovely. The local charcuterie plate was incredible (I supped on that and a green salad), and although we're quite far from any oceans in Wisconsin, the oysters were fresh, the presentation was whimsical. I did also enjoy the complimentary bread, though the butter could've been softer (it was rock hard which makes it difficult to spread). The wine I ordered, the 2014 Albariño Envidia Cochina was delightful and went well with everything I enjoyed. The house salad is delightful as well, but I'd recommend forgoing the chickpeas if you're not a fan of crunchy bits in your salad (I am not). I wish I had had more time for one of their dinner entrees, but I was on a bit of a time crunch and the service was just meandering enough that I would've been late for my evening engagement had I stayed for a full course dinner. It is hard to say if I would return to Sardine, should I find myself in the area again. The food is really lovely, the atmosphere is very nice, but the service I received really put me off! I did not feel particularly welcome, and that's a big no-no-red-flag in my book! read more

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I've been here about 15 times. Only twice have I had issues. Both times it was handled so poorly as though they were infallible. Note my picture of the bill. Asked the bartender is the Herring served pretty traditional? She said yes to which it was not. Regardless, Two pieces were served, one was good not great but acceptable. The other was spoiled. Almost made me throw up. There were flies even flying around it. I made a complaint she removed it and took off 50% and stated I said that I ate half of it! She acted as though she was doing me some sort of favor. Pathetically handled. I visit Madison yearly. And look forward to 3 to 4 meals at sardines in my trip. I only had one. Food is usually excellent, but if there is some sort of variance they just don't handle it well. read more

Sardine - Ordered herring the first piece was good. 2nd East was extremely spoiled. Even attracting flies. Bartender took 50% off. Unconscionable. - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

We miss you. I miss your flavors. I miss the way my husband smiles between drinks of house white and salty oysters with horseradish. I miss the air from Lake Monona on a brisk and humid summer night.Those lake winds are what all Madisonians reach for in outdoor activities. If Sardine returns, we can all return. Please come back to us, but please be safe. read more

Incredible place on the lake. Food and drinks were amazing. Staff was friendly and on point. These guys have it down and certainly earned the credibility they deserve. read more

Really enjoyed our first experience at Sardine! Great wine list & food, amazing service & ambiance. We will definitely be back!

I honestly can't say enough about this beautiful restaurant. Everything I ordered was exquisite. The wine list is thoughtful and varied. My Vieux Carre cocktail (highly recommended) was impeccably prepared by Ty, who was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Just go here! read more

Reliably great. Go for the moules frites and the crème brulee or, if on the menu, the skate.

Sardine strikes a great balance between haute cuisine and accessibility. It's cozy yet upscale. The food has something for everyone. I got the oysters on the half shell and I felt they were outstanding! It's nice because they're priced ala carte, so you can get however many you want. Nice for us oyster aficionados married/dating non oyster fans. We also had the cheese board which definitely packed a punch. You won't find a giant cheeseboard here but some seriously quality cheeses. I had the sole which was phenomenal. My partner had a burger off the bar menu which also looked good. Dessert was the gateau and cheesecake. We liked the cheesecake slightly better but both were great. I love a restaurant that serves a western style cheesecake instead of the typical heavy New York cheesecake. Our service was friendly and knowledgeable as well. You feel take care of but they also have great pacing. I never felt rushed or like our food was taking a long time. I will definitely be back! Not only for the oysters (a given) but everything else too! read more

Full disclosure: I cannot write an objective review of Sardine. My wife and I loved Sardine when it opened. Loved the food, loved the "philosophy," loved the service. Loved everything. We loved it so much we had our wedding reception there four years past. Sardine is still tops on my list. No where else quite feels like home so much as this wonderful Bistro on Lake Monona. I'm not sure what is better--the service, the food or the atmosphere. Whether you are at Sardine for brunch, dinner or a special event, you cannot go wrong. Quintessentially Madison, the French bistro food is neither overpriced nor overly chi-chi. Tonight I attended my six or seventh Sardine Family dinner. Always multiple courses paired with wonderful wine and/or beer, these are terrific opportunities to see just what the kitchen is capable of. $40 tonight provided more snacks (cheese, chicken liver pate, kale flatbread, salumi, etc.) that necessary, a lovely duck confit and bread salad, "steamship of pork," an absurd cakey cut of grits (amazingly rich), and a delicious meringue dessert with maple ice cream all paired with Wisconsin craft beers. I love you Sardine and I will miss you immeasurably. read more

Sardine - Lamb chops and goat cheese croquette - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The mussels were so good! Cocktails were great and the bar menu was something we will definitely go back to explore more of. French onion soup was phenomenal! read more

Excellent food, excellent service, excellent view. It's a little on the pricey side but well worth it. Highly recommend going here for a date or with the family or even with a group. My wife and I met my aunt here to have brunch. We ordered salads, the Norwegian salmon, and the crab shrimp cakes. All of our dishes were awesome. Our server was knowledgeable about the food including the fact that almost all of the ingredients are locally sourced and if they are not locally sourced they are from sustainable sources. The noise level was a little loud, but that was due to the fact that it was totally packed. However, we made reservations and got right in. They were also good about making substitutions. My recommendation is the crab shrimp cakes. Their delectable. read more

Sardine - The outside patio. - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Oh Sardine, how have you eluded me all this time? For those of you that run along Lake Monona, you may have ran past this hidden gem thousands (a little bit of a hyperbole) of times. Its location is absolutely amazing, but the venue itself is very conspicuous. I almost wish they were flashier, with a giant neon sign that said SARDINE, so I could have noticed it earlier. Anyways, a bunch of friends and I collared up and came here for restaurant week, The moment we went in, it felt like we were walking into a cabin lodge that while comforting, also had a modern and classy vibe to it. I love the red and white brick walls, which accented well under their lighting. Their tables were also impeccably set, with napkins and utensils neatly placed at every seat. Our friendly waiter came immediately, introduced himself, and asked if we needed anything. The service was amazing all night, and our waiter really knew the menu. We were a curious bunch, so he basically outlined every item on the menu for us in a detailed manner. Most of us ended up going with his favorite dishes, and got the Smoked Whitefish Croquette, Duck Confit and Profiteroles. The croquette was extremely creamy, with tender pieces of whitefish enveloped in melted cheese, all packed inside the perfectly fried breading. There were also some spinach leaves, cucumber and onions to balance out the tastes. The sweet, yet very light sauce kept the plate refreshing. The entree, the duck confit, packed forkful of flavors with every bite. The duck, having been coated in a layer of fat, was cooked to a perfect temperature, with the meat that will slide off the bones. The skin was slightly charred, providing a rough texture to match the softness of the meat. The duck was sooo juicy, so I didn't even need to really use the blueberry sauce. The duck thigh was also laid over a plate of green beans and cabbage, giving it even more depth. Finally, our courses ended with the profiteroles: vanilla bean ice cream sandwiched between two powdered sugar pastry puffs laid over stands of chocolate sauce. I really didn't want it to end, but it ended in the best way ever. Honestly, who doesn't love ice cream and pastry puffs? That's like saying you don't like puppies, and everyone likes puppies. Anyways, make yourself happy and go to Sardines. Like now. read more

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Sardine takes classic French cuisine and melds it beautifully with Americana food. The fusion is executed well and presented with fineness. One of my best college friends was visiting UW for grad school with his family. They really wanted some good steak and seafood options so off we flew to Sardine. The restaurant was fairly booked up by the time we called so we made reservations for 8:30 pm. Upon arrival we were promptly seated by the window and were given an awesome view of the back parking lot and beyond it, lake Monona. I really wish that parking lot wasn't there because the view is otherwise incredible. For an appetizer we got the goat cheese crostini. The app was fairly standard but nothing special to blow me away. I would have liked to see significantly more toast served with the dish, as there was more than enough goat cheese present. Others at the table ordered some craft cocktails, which were apparently quite good so props on the drinks. I ended up with a Lake Louie Tommy's Porter on tap, which I rather enjoyed. The tap list was small but well constructed with sufficient diversity. Props on the cocktails, beer list, and wine list here. For an entree, I ended up with the Arctic Char. The dish was very well presented and didn't fall into any overdone culinary tropes (looking at you sauce smeared under the meat with a spoon). Great presentation, perfect balance with the leeks, potatoes, beans, and seasoning. I would order this dish again for sure. My main gripe with Sardine is the service, as others have noted. The restaurant appears to be understaffed so the servers are heavily burdened, thus failing to be attentive to tables. While we were there we had to ask for water twice, eventually a carafe of water was just dumped on our table, and our empty dining-ware was never cleared throughout the course of the meal. The food at Sardine well executed, but the poor service is crippling. If you have time on your hands to enjoy a solid meal, Sardine would be a good choice. If you are impatient or have somewhere to be it may be best to look elsewhere. read more

Sardine - Goat cheese crostini - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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How does this place not do better than #24 on rating in Madison ?? Wow Caesar and orange and water cress salad Scallop appetizer with rhubarb jam !! (Amazing) Sea trout entree (cooked to perfection..) with haricot verts and potato - Everything was great The chocolate ganache with hazelnut crunch and caramel looked amazing but we just didn't have the room !! Wish we could have !! You won't be disappointed read more

I love love sardines fresh oysters! Best fresh oysters in madison ! Best Bloody Mary and great drinking list! Great brunch and dinner options! Great food and awesome environment for date, hang out with family, friends! Highly recommended! A place won't let oyster lover down, also food lovers! read more

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I heard a lot of good things about Sardine, but I don't believe it lived up to my expectations. My favorite part of my dining experience here was the appetizer we ordered. The sardines were pretty good. For the entree, a friend of mine recommended the roasted half chicken, but it ended up being just okay. This might be harsh, but I would've enjoyed a rotisserie chicken just as much. My fiancee ordered the steamed mussels, which came with frites and dipping sauce. However, I ended up enjoying the frites a lot more than the mussels. I liked the atmosphere here and the service was good, but the food was decent as best. read more

It's been years since the last time I went to Sardine...and I can't believe I had allowed so much time to pass. I was reminded today of their awesomeness at brunch. My boyfriend and I got two items and shared because that's what winners do. The best item we had was the grilled ribeye (tender and perfectly seared), which comes with poached eggs, sauted broccoli rabe, spinach, and cherry tomatoes. It's all covered in a light hollandaise with truffle oil. I ordered some pieces of baguette to soak up all of that goodness. The second, also delicious, though not quite as impressive item was the grilled pork sausage. The sausages were pretty good, though the crispy polenta-ish cake that came with it stole the show. Coffee was fab: smooth, rich, perfect. I had a bloody Mary which was zingy and pretty tasty, with a sweet pickle garnish. Wish I would have been given a choice of beer back (whatever light beer that comes with is just not quite my thing). The weather was perfect today, and so we waited for a table on the terrace. We had coffee at the bar, and it was only about 20 minutes before we were seated. Not bad for a late morning on a Sunday. read more

Sardine - The brunch trifecta: coffee, bloody, beer back - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Came here for brunch today with my parents and aunt and uncle. We got seated by the window - a beautiful view! We all loved our food - I had the crab cakes and they were great! Everyone's dishes were reasonably portioned - not too much that you have to take a box home and not too little that you're left wanting more. We also got some of their house made pastries as dessert - those are the real winners! Our waitress also was sweet enough to get my dad some vanilla ice cream to go with his. The ice cream was fantastic too! Definitely a fun, classy place to go for a special occasion - would recommend! read more

We had a wonderful meal at Sardine on Friday night. The place was bustling and the atmosphere is just fantastic, from the lively bar to the different dining room sections. The wood beams, nice artwork, modern tile, extended bar area, and open kitchen all create an outstanding atmosphere. The menu choices are also really notable at Sardine - lots of appealing appetizers, salads, smaller plates, oysters and numerous entree choices. For starters, we tried 3 different kinds of oysters, which were very fresh; an octopus small plate special served on rustic mashed potatoes; and a cucumber salad with fresh and pickled cucumbers with two different sauces. For entrees, my son had a ribeye steak frites that was outstanding and perfectly cooked to his specification, medium rare; my wife had the trout dish over lentils that was very good; and I had a roasted chicken roulade special that was quite good, if not great (I was going to get the chicken paillard which looked outstanding, and should have!). For dessert, we had profitoleres which were delicious. We all came away agreeing the ambiance was perfect and it was an outstanding meal. We live in a Chicago suburb with lots of restaurants and some very good ones and wish we had Sardine in our town! read more