Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    CDA

    3.8 (358 reviews)
    PriceyFrench, Bars
    Closed 6:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    CDA Photos

    CDA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Dressy
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - CDA

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    a plate of food and a glass of wine
    Abigail L.

    Great place for Mediterranean food in Chicago! The food was exquisite and service was great! The octopus was cooked to perfection and so was the chicken dish!

    Escargot Pappardelle, Butternut Squash Ravioli with Truffles and Shrimp
    Gino W.

    Whenever I think of hotel restaurants, what often comes to mind are sports bars without a crowd and no television or a bar area with people standing around posing. What I got at Cafe Des Architectes was a bit French. I was okay with that. On the first visit, I went with a friend and we had a round of appetizers for small plates. The l'amuse of trout croquette over aioli was a great start. The lump crab was a big hit, as it was all crab with no filler breading. The heart of palm and the summer squash soup were winners. We finished with escargot pappardelle and butternut squash with shrimp and truffles. All was great paired with champagne, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. And we ended with espresso, mango macarons, and key lime wrapped in chocolate. For the second visit, my friend and I were very much in a French mood. We ordered a flight of 7 cheeses: firm, semi firm, and soft, all worth it. My friend had a sparkling flight while I had a glass of chardonnay. Finishing with espresso, Cafe Des Architectes is now a favorite, not that we'll wear out visits too fast. The service we had on both visits were extremely pleasant and very accommodating. With good food, this will certainly make my blog review.

    Shrimp Protein Bowl
    Rhonda F.

    The new restaurant CDA at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile is amazing! I am so glad I was lucky enough to have tried lunch at this Mediterranean inspired eatery. CDA is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The variety was interesting and diverse. Since it is set up as mostly small plates, we had the opportunity to try/share many options. Warm bread in various choices was delivered table side. Then we enjoyed Tzatziki, Asparagus Salad, Croquetas, Crab Avocado Toast and the Shrimp Protein Bowl. Everything was expertly prepared and served very attractively. I absolutely loved every bite! Our server was very sweet and engaging. She was all smiles and remained very attentive. I love great service and she delivered! CDA is a restaurant to enjoy. It does not feel at all like a basic hotel restaurant. In a neighborhood filled with tons of residential buildings, this is the place for a delicious meal for visitors as well as neighbors.

    12oz NY strip steak
    Ariana G.

    Score: 3.5 So me & my family decided to check this place out to celebrate my step sister's birthday. First, all the pictures & reviews are very outdated so I'm here to save the day. None of the food pics that are uploaded are on their current menu anymore. Everything is completely different. So if you were expecting macaroons for dessert, sad to say they don't have it anymore. My mom had 2 vouchers from Travelzoo, but they only allowed her to use 1 which was annoying. My mom has never had any issues using 2 vouchers at once if they were the same. We were the only people in the restaurant. The restaurant is very small & is located in the lobby. Apparently valet is only for hotel guests even though previous yelp reviews said valet was either free or $13 if you were eating at the restaurant. So the guy was very nice & just told my mom he would park her car if she just paid him $25 "under the table". I drove separately so I had to park in the parking garage next door (which was super expensive btw so I was really annoyed). I honestly recommend using SpotHero for this place.. save your money cause the prices at this restaurant are way too high. Also there is no bathroom in the restaurant or in the lobby... You have to go to the 2nd floor just to use the bathroom which is strange. I felt bad for my grandma having to walk all that way. The overall food was very good! I highly recommend getting their boards of assorted cheeses, meats, and dips. You can mix n match your own & it was heavenly! For my party of 7, we ordered 3 small dishes to share & we all ordered a large plate each. Our very nice waiter gave us one of the desserts we ordered on the house with candles for my step sister. I have no complaints about the food at all. It's all about the end of my meal. Long story short, my mom always tips generously & so my mom tipped 20% of the bill. Our waiter from the beginning was honestly very nice, constantly checked on us & gave us very thorough explanations of their food. She was very talkative throughout our experience until my mom gave her the check back. When she came back, she laid the server book down on the table without a single word or expression on her face. It was so noticeable it was crazy. And as my family started to leave, she was silent, had a little attitude & didn't even smile. Now I don't know who is wrong in this situation (if my mom didn't tip enough, I apologize), but honestly her behavior was very unprofessional & I've never experienced something like that in my entire life from a waiter/waitress. My family had a very nice experience up until that point & it just left a bad taste in my mouth.

    Olga W.

    This restaurant is located on the first floor of Sofitel hotel. We stopped by CDA for Sunday brunch. Overall I had great experience. I ordered three egg omelet and my husband got lobster omelet, both of them were delicious. I would go with lobster omelet though, it was very rich and savory. We also got two chocolate croissants which were good but nothing special, I would skip on that. Service was very attentive. The place was almost empty but I enjoyed it as we were able to have a conversation without shouting at each other. I will be back and will recommend.

    Chatcuterie.
    Eda X.

    Cafe des Architectes is a hidden gem in the Sofitel Hotel. Every time I dine there, it feels like a getaway to France. The staff are extremely courteous and friendly. Presentation, quality and taste of food are excellence and consistent. Prices are also reasonably priced! New Year's Eve Prixe Fix Menu: (1) Amuse Bouche. Complimentary butter biscuit with fish filling. (2) Foie Gras paired with buttery toast and citrus fruit. (3) Lobster Maine. Probably would be hit if the lobster meat was cooked well done. (4) Short Ribs. The meat striations were lined with tender tendon and fat that made every bite a dream! Absolutely loved this dish. (5) Cheese plate. I'm a fan of all cheeses, so this plate easily made my day. (6) Chocolate Ribbon. A flourless chocolate mousse cake with a side of burnt caramel gelato. b

    3 egg omelet

    Great place for breakfast. I ordered the 3 egg omelet and it was great. Good price, good portion, fast service, very nice hotel. Would definitely eat here again.

    Salmon amuse bouche
    Gretchen D.

    I am so sad to write this review. For about 6 or 7 years, we have always made it a point to eat here at least once each summer--usually outside on the patio. It has changed over the years, but to varying degrees, it was always good food and classic service. Those days seem to be over. Sitting down, I was immediately disappointed with the menu--it has been trimmed down to a very sparse list. I suspect the hamburger is there for the hotel crowd :) I don't care for lengthy menus, but it seemed much less interesting than in the past. The good part. The food was good. We ordered a charcuterie plate for one--and it could have fed three. Great cheeses and meats. The salmon amuse bouche was just okay. Husband had pea soup, which was lovely. My bibb salad was a mess (literally) as it was drowning in liquid. It had too many pears (luckily, hubby loves them), good blue cheese, and virtually no discernible nuts. Way over-priced for what it was. We shared the chicken entree which was excellent. Great mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and morels. I love morels and these were good. Delicious little macaroon and candy as a complementary sweet at the end. Why two stars? The service was beyond terrible. This is a place that used to be quite formal--chargers, cutlery with each course, water constantly refilled. Even when it became less formal, the service was usually good, We were seated for about twenty minutes before they even brought water or took a drink order. Then the long wait began! Seriously, we had no bread, no nothing for at least 40 minutes after we ordered. My water glass was empty most of the time. They were woefully understaffed. Roni, our lead server was personable, and tried--he apologized a lot. The young french woman assisting was totally incompetent. She could barely describe the dishes, she never once refreshed water, she would look directly at the dirty dishes on the table and walk away from them. We had to ask her to bring a soup spoon and fresh cutlery. The hostess and manager were busing more tables than she was. The manager never once came by to ask how things were--I suspect he already knew the answer! Two and half hours--and we didn't do dessert or coffee. Oh my, where did my Cafe go?

    Crab cakes
    Steve A.

    What a wonderful meal we had here! I loved the combination of Michelin-star level cuisine with friendly, fun service. Romi, the singing waiter provided theatrically French attentiveness without being stiff, and Chef David visited our table multiple times to make sure we enjoyed everything. Perhaps all this attention was due to our ordering the menu degustation, as none of the other diners seemed to be having it. I can't imagine why, as it is a real deal. David checked with us beforehand to make sure it was okay for him to serve different members of our party different dishes in each course, and we enthusiastically agreed, as it allowed us to sample twice as many dishes. And dishes galore there were, each artfully arranged, and accompanied by thoughtful wine pairings. I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but suffice it to say that each was just as delicious as it looks. The pastry chef continued the trend with four spectacular desserts, some of which she concocted on the spot. We will be back soon, as the creativity here seems endless.

    bread service
    Darian J.

    Cafe des Architectes was simply not what I thought it would be. However, that does not mean it was lackluster. On the contrary, it was tasty but neither me or my lunch date were WOWed by the lunch menu. When we arrived for a 12:30PM reservation on a Wednesday afternoon, the dining room was completely empty. Shortly after seating, it was half booked. The space itself is absolutely stunning. It is very modern and bright and open. The flatware was of quality design and so were the linens. The details put into the aesthetics no doubt mirror the type of modernity you find in the hotel. The service here was good. Almost too good. The waitstaff approached us too many times during the meal to refill water or inquire as to how everything was or if we wanted more bread. The chicken sandwich was delicious and so were the fries. My enjoyed his pork belly sandwich, but did feel as if it was overcooked. Pork belly tends to be very juicy (due to the fact) but he mentioned it was a tough a just a bit dry. I won't be running back to CdA but if I do come back, it will be for dinner.

    Colorado lamb
    Lily Z.

    I came here for a double date dinner. I made the reservations through Savored, which saved us about 30-40% on our meal. THANK YOU SAVORED.COM! It's a very modern place. They have different menus such as a healthy fit menu, regular menu, chef's selection, etc. They have someone walking around with a bread basket and provided European butter and some other spread. Service was attentive. We received a complimentary amuse bouche which was a beef tartare. I didn't eat it since I was going meatless weekday diet. After about 10-15 minutes of waiting, we finally flagged down our waiter and inquired whether it was still coming or if we are waiting for our appetizers. He apologized and brought out a veggie friendly amuse bouche. Our overall dinner was nice. I came in here afraid that the portions were going to be tiny, but I was relieved to get a normal person's amount of food. They were able to substitute the carrots in my salmon dish for broccolini. Everyone else enjoyed their food. The Colorado lamb looked amazing. They provided a complimentary dessert tower for the four of us, which was a nice touch. Even though we ordered sorbet for dessert. Overall, this was a nice place for dinner. It definitely helped that we had that coupon from Savored, so it was only $90 a couple including tip! I don't know if I would come back here again though. Maybe if we wanted a romantic/low-key dinner that wouldn't break the bank.

    rainbow trout restaurant week menu
    Clara S.

    The sofetiel hotel is a really cool place, much different than other hotels in Chicago, so I was interested to try out a restaurant located within. This restaurant is also French, so also a different spin on a normal lunch that I would have. My mom, grandma, and I tried out the restaurant week menu for lunch, though I wish I had chosen the entrees available instead. I like how the servers bring out a tray of bread to choose from, along with the different butters and cream cheese. The coffee was also spectacular. Other than that, the food didn't really knock me off my feet. My first course was the salad, which was more like a few pieces of veggies on top of a cracker. Not really my kind of salad. My entrée pick was the rainbow trout, which was pretty tasty but a very tiny portion. My dessert pick was the white chocolate lemon cake. This was much better than expected or how it looked, but still not my favorite dessert. Service is a little slow, but very accommodating. Overall, the food was mediocre, and the portions small. However, I'm glad I got to dine at this French restaurant for a nice lunch!

    Trendy place
    Sandra M.

    I come here every time I'm in Chicago. Beautiful neighborhood around the Sofitel hotel and a really trendy modern spot for breakfast. All the staff greet you with s welcoming Bonjoiur! Pastries of your pick from a tray of tummies is offered and is included in your meal. Cofffe is authentically French pressed. The fruits are beautiful, fresh and sweet!

    Express lunch ($24)

    See all

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gino W.
    249
    696
    1989

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rhonda F.
    1496
    1160
    11472

    7 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C R.
    0
    632
    396

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steve A.
    352
    1916
    7017

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Very good overall. Nice menu, quality service, beautiful atmosphere. Love the attention to detail! Definite recommendation.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lily Z.
    121
    951
    1031

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sandra M.
    84
    61
    131

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John T.
    4744
    2574
    3250

    15 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David L.
    161
    1230
    1226

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carol K.
    1476
    3172
    1471

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alan W.
    10
    72
    290

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of ken p.
    78
    39
    247

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Taylor C.
    17
    48
    20

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Helen L.
    408
    14
    0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leah B.
    1
    46
    105

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 9

    CDA Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - CDA

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for French 16,210 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Le Bouchon - Poulet Roti

    Le Bouchon

    (817 reviews)

    $$$

    Bucktown

    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.

    Obelix - Duck Carnitas Danish, Horchata Croissant, Coconut & Pineapple Danish

    Obelix

    (263 reviews)

    $$$$

    River North, Near North Side

    We shared: 1. Salade Lyonnaise "Canard" - frisee, escarole,…read moreduck confit, duck egg, duck-fat croutons 2. Poulet Roti - Harrison's Farm Chicken Breast, Potato Pave, Tomato Farcie, Tuscan Kale, Sauce Obelix 3. Souffle - spiced molasses, date toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream 4. Cote De Boeuf - 14 oz USDA prime ribeye, French fries, sauce au poivre 5. Roasted Mushrooms 6. Black Truffle Gougere - choux pastry, comte, truffle Mornay, perigord truffle 7. Huitre Chaude - belle du jour oyster, tarragon-horseradish rouille, lemon Not gonna break down everything we ordered but to simplify, will name my favorites and only dish that disappointed. The duck salad and roast chicken are perfectly executed, shareable, and must-gets. The only disappointment, the Prime ribeye, sad to say, altho clearly medium rare in my photos, was a little tough and chewy. Fries were also dry. Service was professional and competent. Regularly checked on us, updated us on food arrival, and cleaned our table. Ambience was classy and relaxing.

    We visited Obelix for the first time on a recent weeknight. Highlights were an interesting menu and…read morecustomer focused staff. VIBE: The dining room had a cozy country brasserie feel, with medium wood tones prevailing. It was not full, so conversational noise was only moderate. SERVICE: The host noted my reservation request for a seating accommodation and honored it - bonus points for that. Our server was attentive and comp'd us for a dessert that did not delight us. Food came at a leisurely pace, which suited us. FOOD: The menu had contemporary takes on French standards. We're not foie gras fans, but there were witty dishes for those who are. A Basque octopus appetizer was clever and flavorful, if a bit salty. Roast chicken was also notably salty, and it lacked the roasty character we expect from this bistro standard. Poached monkfish was tender and tangy, but also a bit salty. The couple of wines we had were interesting, especially an excellent dry sparkling rose, which was quite dry and refreshing. For dessert, a souffle was just meh. The ambiance and hospitality were notable. The food was inventive and generally OK (except for the saltiness). We're not sure we'll return.

    Mon Ami Gabi

    Mon Ami Gabi

    (1k reviews)

    $$$

    Lincoln Park

    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.

    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.

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

    Dear Margaret

    (169 reviews)

    $$$

    Lakeview

    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!

    La Serre - Bread service

    La Serre

    (185 reviews)

    $$$$

    Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

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

    There are too many things that went wrong on my last visit to La Serre and I was contemplating if I…read moreshould put up my honest review or not but I decided to go for it. We were a group of 10 people that visited La Serre for Friday night dinner, we had prior reservations but still were asked to wait almost 20 mins as the table was not ready. The table that we were placed at was very tight for 10 people and people at the corner were definitely struggling. After being seated at the table, our server took 10 mins to finally come to us and take the order. I want to mention that most of my review points deducted are being of the hospitality and service. The server was extremely rude to me when I answered to her question if someone had allergies with saying that some of us are vegetarians. I was speaking for the entire table and wanted to make sure dietary restrictions are honored. The server mocked me saying that being vegetarian is not an allergy. Despite of this snarky behavior, she was in general very chaotic and her behavior was just a bit weird in general. For food, we ordered a bunch of things - crispy fritters, house bread served with pesto butter, gnocchi, rigatoni, french onion fondue, mashed and the radiator pasta. The pesto gnocchi was very weird, it felt like the pesto wasn't mixed well with the overall dish and felt very earthy in taste. Radiator pasta was we the only dish on the menu that I really liked. For deserts we ordered the banana cream pie and chocolate tart and both were average. We ordered a lot of cocktails and drinks as well, everyone absolutely loved the truffle old fashioned, it was a meh for me as I am not a huge fan! Overall, I would have considered to revisit as the cocktails and ambiance were good but based on poor service and hospitality, this place is not a consideration for me going forward!

    Petite Vie - Bread appetizer

    Petite Vie

    (77 reviews)

    We came to Petite Vie on our wedding night with two of our closest friends, and from the moment we…read morearrived, the staff made us feel truly special. Even though there was a longer wait for our reservation, the team immediately brought us wine and made sure we were comfortable and happy - it turned what could have been a small inconvenience into a wonderful start to the evening. When we finally sat down, the food completely blew us away. Every dish was show-stopping - beautifully presented, full of flavor, and clearly made with care. We're still talking about it! A very special thank you to Laura, Patrick, and Michael, who went above and beyond all night. Their warmth, attention to detail, and genuine joy made our celebration feel extra magical. Petite Vie will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we can't wait to come back - again and again!

    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!

    Bistro Monadnock - French onion soup

    Bistro Monadnock

    (170 reviews)

    The Loop

    We've been coming to Bistro Monadnock since they opened. To address the negative comments, these…read moreare unique situations that do not reflect the quality of this restaurant. True, since it has grown, some of the personal touches have waned, but the food & drinks are still amazing. The staff, many of whom have been there since the start are hard working, knowledgeable, and friendly. Shout out to Mitch! Our favorite dishes are the foie gras, French onion soup, steak tartare, and the frisee salad. They always make seasonal changes and it shows. The steak frites are consistent, with 2 options of beef. The cornish hen has been delicious each time we've tried it. Honestly, there's nothing I wouldn't get again. The charcuterie is special and Chef Johnny will tell you the story of the historical, his family owned "slicer". We love BM and recruit as many to visit as we can!

    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.

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

    Bar Parisette

    (34 reviews)

    Logan Square

    We hosted our company holiday party at Bar Parisette, and it was hands-down the best event we've…read morehad to date. From start to finish, the entire team was incredibly accommodating, attentive, and genuinely invested in making the night special. John, Matt, and Madalyn took fantastic care of us all evening, and the staff as a whole went above and beyond, even extending our event by an extra hour when it was clear everyone was having such a great time. If you're looking for a venue that's beautiful, welcoming, and truly committed to delivering an exceptional experience, I can't recommend Bar Parisette enough. We're already looking forward to coming back.

    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.

    CDA - french - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...