Out here in deepest Suburbia, sometimes things present a vaguely Disneyesque artifice, where, if…read morethe fantasy world was more advanced, "Quotation Marks" would appear magically in the air around buildings (and, alas, people) indicating irony should be applied as a mitigating factor. This is not to imply in any way those places (or people) are therefore any less in quality or to be avoided. But I digress... I've driven past the "Paris Bistro" here, since it was established, and, unfairly thought "yeah, right". Why? Route 59 is a 1000% American Commerce Zone, rife with every franchise on the docket, and conformity is securely on the menu. And rightly so. Folks out here may have had their success, but they were raised in front of American TV, and their consumer habits developed accordingly, especially with regard to cuisine and eating habits. There are, of course, bona fide Ethnics in the general area, but those are germane to the Communities in residence. (Some FAB Chinese, Indian and Mexican places-q.v.) I am not aware of a burgeoning French settlement anywhere nearby. Around here "Cooper's Hawk" passes for "fine dining", and if you've ever fine-dined, you'll know Cooper's Hawk may parlay a decent feed, but it ain't Alinea, Bubba. In the far Western and Southwestern Chicago 'burbs, folks' Culinary tastes are as conservative as their politics. So whither "Paris Bistro"? It's a handsome suburban building with inviting signage. When you walk in, you pass a bar having an impressive array of boozes. Keep going west past the bar and you're in a room mimicking a rural setting, if a rural setting had curved leather banquettes. There's a more traditional dining room on the other side of the bar, but I didn't go in there. It was daytime, and bright, but when daylight ebbs, I'll bet both rooms are romantic. The service is reserved and accommodating-you're not going to find a wisecracking "Alice" on the staff. The menu actually is pretty accurate as a French Bistro in the USA. Lots of Français on it (in the titles), but the descriptions are all clear English. You don't have translation to fear.The menu is extensive, and features many traditional "Bistro" faves, along with select "American" choices. I was in for Brunch. Disregarding conformity, I ordered the Escargot for Hors D'oeuvre, not that I wanted to, but because I am pathologically incapable of NOT ordering Escargot if they are on the menu before me. They were yum, but I wish there was a softer bread available for sopping the buttery-garlic goodness remaining after the morsels are consumed. As "they" say, a French Chef is judged by their prowess in cooking a simple Omelette, so that's where I went. "Jambon et Gruyere" to be exact. It wasn't a large beast, but it was tasty, light, and properly prepared. No sign of the Rugby-Ball pancake-batter-enhanced behemoth omelettes you'll find in common Coffee shops. Accompanying was a (very) small salad of nice composition, with just enough fruity vinaigrette to satisfy. Also on the plate were tasty and ultra-crispy "shoestring fries". I'm not a slave to potatoes with breakfast. but these were damned good. The problem at hand (so to speak) was the transport from plate to mouth, as they were very thin and very crisp. Both fork and spoon were inefficient. I thought of using the spoon to crush them, thus rendering spoon a contender to preserve my dining decorum. In the end, I bit the bullet and just picked them up in hand, decorum be damned. I wish I had a bucket of these for movie-watching snacks at home. The coffee was a conundrum. It arrived with a strongish smell, like it was burnt and past its prime, but lacked the acrid flavor such as found in a forlorn brew. It was actually a fine, bold, cup of VERY dark roast. It's a nice, sophisticated (but not snooty) resto, dignified but not stuffy. If you need to have a business breakfast/brunch, this is a perfect place. Also, if you're not in the mood for the hustle and bustle of a noisy coffee shoppe. Prices a bit higher than you might expect, but... I quite enjoyed both the bread and circuses here, and while I never mistook myself from being anywhere else than in Naperville (not Paris), I caught the vibe, and it was nice. I am officially pissed at myself for not stopping here sooner. No "quotation marks" for this place. Throwing 4 stars (for now), and I'll be back here very soon for dinner.

I recently went to Paris Bistro for a Galentine's Day tea with my Pilates friends. We were a group…read moreof five. We were shown to a table in the room to the right of the host stand. That room is usually where they sit families. It was not our choice and we voiced our opinion to sit in the dining room. The staff immediately switched everything to the warm and inviting dining room. The food provided was tasty from the mini sandwiches to the tartines to the sweet treats. I have to say there was an inconsistency with sizing. Some were generous and some were lacking. They could've done a better job with consistency so we all got the same sizes. The tea service was very cute but you were only able to choose a couple teas. I've been to other teas at Suzette's and Pinecone Cottage where the tea is unlimited, as well as they ask if you would like another tasting of something that you really liked. I felt for the money this tea service was limited as well as not consistent. It was a great way to spend time with my Pilates friends, though. I could see myself doing this again if there were improvements made and they were more generous by offering an additional taste.

Damn, what a great find... after some serious garage sale action, we needed a break. And what do…read moreyou know... a real Parisian Cafe in Mundelein, which was thoroughly enjoyable. Was it the French coffee? The croissant? The Brie Omelette? All of them, and more! Friendly staff, delicious food. A kitschy but cute Eiffel Tower base, (think Paris - Las Vegas), and then just set down and enjoy. We loved it and will be back, so should you! Tried to get pics, but we ate too fast...

If you are French or expect a Parisian style bistro, skip it! You'll be disappointed. Decor is so…read morecheap and depressing. Black banquet tables with black vinyl tablecloth, basic silverware and dinnerware. Outside of storefront is dirty with poor rickety sidewalks. Service was very mediocre. We ordered quiche which was about 4 bites with a mushy crust. Some basic fries on the plate (don't expect Parisian fries w herbs) no garnish. Mom had a flourless chocolate cake which was not the normal way you'd expect it to taste..dry and no raspberries whipcream etc. I skipped dessert. Last photo is my redecorated version!

For my boyfriend and I's first sit down meal in Chicago, I chose to indulge in brunch at La Grande…read moreBoucherie. I had seen it previously advertised on TikTok and decided it looked like a nice, upscale dining experience and the perfect mimosa-filled brunch opportunity. Upon coming in at 11 when the location opened, I was already impressed by the beautiful cafe inspired French interior. The warm lighting and refined Parisian details were so beautiful and elegant, and I especially loved the look of the bar, which is a central statement of this restaurant. I chose the French toast breakfast and my boyfriend got the steak and eggs, and we both had mimosas as well! My French toast was light, fluffy, and delicious, definitely a solid choice. My boyfriend was super impressed by the steak and eggs and said it was the best breakfast he had our entire trip! The food itself was great and I would love to come back and try their dinner menu at some point. The service, however, is what truly stood out to me in our experience. Our servers were very helpful, knowledgeable about the menu, and speedy. We truly felt taken care of. Fernando was the sweetest and most welcoming, and he immediately made my boyfriend and I feel so welcomed and at home in Chicago. We greatly enjoyed our conversation with him and he even gifted me a coffee table book detailing the history and menu of La Grande Boucherie, which was so kind and such an amazing gesture. Fernando set our experience apart from any other dining experience in Chicago and he made this meal one of our favorites!

We booked a table for 8 to celebrate an 80th birthday. The service was fine as was the ambiance,…read morebut we found the food to be mediocre and overpriced. We ordered the $195.00 seafood tower, only to find that it barely included any seafood, 1/2 of a lobster, 4 shrimp and about a dozen oysters. I understand that Chicago is not a coastal city, but to not even include an entire lobster for a tower that cost $195.00?! Yikes! The drinks are also very expensive, and we found the steaks to be tough and dry. The Niçoise salad was awful, and not at all what we expected. It was drowning in dressing and the combination of anchovies and tuna did not work. It was also quite obvious that the tuna was not seared properly. I did think the roast chicken was good, and the fries were by far the best part of the meal. We went to several fine restaurants over the past few days to celebrate a milestone birthday, and La Grande Boucherie was the absolute worst in terms of value and quality of food. They were also the only establishment that didn't give the celebrant a small desert with a candle to mark the occasion. Just disappointing all around.

We're always on the lookout for new cuisines, and we love exploring international flavors. We…read morewanted to venture outside the city for a culinary adventure. This place is an hour away, but the scenic route to Lake Geneva makes it worth the drive. In contrast, city traffic can take an hour and a half, even longer during peak hours. We visited twice, and during our second reservation, we couldn't resist making a third reservation for next month! As you can see in the pictures on their website, the food is beautifully presented, and each dish is unique and incredibly delicious. The prices are also very reasonable, which is a huge plus for us. We're talking amazing food at a reasonable price! Highly recommended! 5 stars!!

I was overwhelmed at my first experience at the Opus before going to see the Journey Tribute band…read morenext door at the Belfry. From the start, the minimal yet well appointed decor was perfect for this venue. Front of the house waitstaff was incredibly knowledgeable of the exquisite menu and its preparation. This matched the waitresses depth of understand the wine offering. Now to the back of the house which highlighted a sparkling white open kitchen directed by Chef Eric. His 5 course menu could match any Chicago or Milwaukee fine dining restaurant. Each plate was artistically created pairing color, texture and taste. 5 Stars..... this is a gem of a fine dining experience just a few minutes west of Lake Geneva. Did my best to take a photo of the menu as well as the dishes. You will not be dissatisfied. The pacing it's prefect to get us to the next door Belfry Music Theater just in time.

We went back 5 years later and it was just as good. The shrimp crepe with béchamel was so delicious…read moreas well as the lobster bisque. The inside was so clean and service was impeccable.

Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon for a light bite. While the outside is part of a small strip…read moremall, once inside, you forget all about it. A quiet and pleasant atmosphere was perfect for the afternoon. We started with the French onion and potato soups. Both were so good that we didn't want to eat them too fast. I didn't know potato soup could be that good. Then, because we were trying to keep it light, we split a beet salad. Super fresh and flavorful. Just the right mix of everything. Next time we're in the area we'd love to stop by and try the dinner menu.

Went to Suzettes last evening. Incredible jazz duet Stirred Not Shaken performed…read more The singers smooth and relaxed voice along with the pianist made for great entertainment! The food is excellant! The Crabcakes were delicious and the pastries sheer perfection. My server Gravier was very familiar with the menu and so accommodating and kind Suzettes is a one of a kind French Restaurant and should not be missed! Perfect way to spend an evening the decor!

I've visited this quaint little French bistro many times over the years, for brunches, lunches,…read moreChristmas teas, sometimes with company and sometimes happily solo, and I'm delighted to say they've truly elevated their game. There's a quiet pride in the air now, a sense that the place knows it has blossomed. Today's tea service was an absolute treat: elegant, cozy, and full of small delights that made the whole experience feel like a gentle exhale. Every morsel was beautifully balanced, from the crisp, refreshing cucumber canapés to warm flaky scones to the indulgent sweets served with a bright sherbet to cleanse the palate. The pumpkin soup was exquisite, velvety and comforting, and the trio of teas were brewed with the care of someone who respects the leaves. Service was excellent: friendly, attentive, warm without being intrusive, exactly what a tea service deserves. This is a special time of year at Suzette's, when you step in from the cold and are welcomed into a space that feels elegant, glowing, and lovingly kept, a perfect little escape, wrapped in French charm and good company. Oh, and don't leave without taking a few of their goodies home... I will surely enjoy mine during the next few days