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

First, I am writing this review to recognize the exceptional level of service provided by our…read moreserver, Bane. His menu suggestions were spot on and he has the gift of being attentive without hovering over the dining experience. so, 5 stars for Bane. Separately, I think for the price, a side should be included in the meal. The food is expensive and while the dinner was good, it was not memorable. Gorgeous restaurant interior and quite lovely to have a table next to the window.

The food was pretty good. The French onion soup was super flavorful!! The onion tart was delicious…read more Unfortunately the steak and frites were WAY too salty. We almost had to send it back. I also did hear the staff complaining about tables and seemed a little grumpy. The ambiance is nice - nothing special. The dessert was fabulous.

Really good food for relatively decent prices! Nice intimate ambiance for a date night or…read morecelebration - not great for large groups. My husband wanted to go here for his birthday dinner but we couldn't get a reservation online, so we showed up around 6pm as a walk in. Turns out they refuse to maintain a walk-in waitlist so we had to wait outside to be "first in line" when a table opened up and it was only for bar seating. Removing a star for this because I think a waitlist is a reasonable and beneficial thing to do as a restaurant with limited reservations and a small dining area. Once we got seats at the bar, the experience was great. They were busy but food came out in a good timeframe, always hot and delicious, and the service was solid. Steak frites nailed our cravings and we were too full for dessert but the desserts looked amazing as servers carried them by.

The ambiance is simple yet welcoming, I went for lunch and the sun speckled corner booth was…read moreperfect for a fall afternoon. I only tried the French onion soup and shrimp cocktail, but would definitely come back for dinner. The shrimp cocktail was generous, and they were accommodating to add extra horseradish to the sauce for me. The French onion soup is very rich and beefy... it's definitely one of the better ones I've tried in Chicago so far, but I would've loved to have a little less bread and more soup and onion although I'm sure I'm the minority. The cheese was perfect. But beyond how good the food was, the amazing wait staff and how they treated me was even better. I walked in with two service dogs (one still in training) and sometimes I get turned away at the door because of my disabilities at restaurants or businesses. Not only was everyone very welcoming, they didn't treat me any differently and were very nice to my dogs. They also gave me a booth with plenty of room to sit, even though I didn't ask for one and made sure it wasn't in the way of other servers walking around so my dogs wouldn't get tripped over. Service was timely and attentive, but not overbearing or too talkative. 5/5 would recommend to anyone who likes French bistro style cuisine.

Service was great! Our server gave us awesome recommendations for our first visit. The vibes were…read moreclassy brunch spot, and noise was average once the space filled up. The pistachio croissant was crispy, but the shell was sticky and there was too much cream inside. Luckily, the cream itself wasn't overly sweet or heavy 6/10. The duck confit & cherry danish was SO crunchy, with duck that had a dry pulled-pork-like texture. Loved how the savory duck balanced with the sweet cherry jam and pickled cherries 8.5/10. The fish sandwich had perfectly crispy batter and soft, tender fish, all in a nicely toasted, soft sesame brioche bun. The mayo-based sauce gribiche left a heavy aftertaste but still a solid sandwich 7/10. The crêpe homard elotes was refreshing, bright, and light. Loved the lobster and mushrooms inside, plus the citrus, mushrooms, and potatoes served around it 8.5/10. The banana bread French toast had a good banana bread base, but it was drenched in caramel sauce and became soggy. The bananas were overly sweet, while the salty mascarpone topping pushed the sweet-and-salty contrast a little too far in both directions 6.5/10. Overall, great service and vibes and solid food! Can't wait to come back to try the dinner.

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

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

This is one of the favorite restaurants that I get treated to for my birthday. We sat in the front…read moreof the restaurant which I liked because I can look outside . If you want a more intimate experience be seated in the back where it is more quiet . There is also a tasting area where the chef cooks and plates in front of you at the bar area which is really cool as well . This restaurant is tops for me because I can't recreate it at home and feel truly special here . I also got treated like a queen by the staff ! Can't wait to return !

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

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

When my parents were in town we checked out this cute Bistro. I'm so happy we did; it was amazing…read more We showed up a bit early for our reservation and were sat immediately. The restaurant is really cute and bigger then it looks on the outside. Our waiter was great and very attentive... but the food was so freaking good. I ordered the Poisson Blanc Amandine and it was amazing. The table ordered a side of the Pommes Frites and I couldn't stop eating them. For dessert I ordered the Pot De Creme Au Chocolate and it was exceptional. I am looking forward to going back.

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

I 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.