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    Le Bouchon

    4.0 (830 reviews)
    PriceyFrench
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Le Bouchon Photos

    LE BOUCHON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    French onion soup
    Anastasiya K.

    This is the type of spot that people line up at the door before opening every day, and it makes sense. We were able to grab a seat without a reservation. We ordered the heirloom tomatoes carpaccio, which truly altered my mind about tomatoes and the deliciousness of simple ingredients. The escargot and French onion soup is worth it alone to eat here. The best escargot I've ever had, where it truly melts in your mouth with bursting flavor. Finally, the steak frites was not anything outstanding. The meat did not seem like the best cut, but the gravy was outstanding. Service was wonderful, and the interior transforms you to France.

    Baguette
    Mark T.

    Le Bouchon is an excellent example of the idea one *can* have too much of a good thing. Alas, there were 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.

    Beet Salad, French Onion Soup
    Maikayeng V.

    Ughhh it pains me to write this review. I went back to Le Bouchon for the second time to celebrate my birthday and I was extremely disappointed. I'll start with the good: The ambiance was the same- crowded and lively as usual. The service was good, and our server was trying to be accommodating. I don't know what happened between my last visit in December to now but the food was not good. I ordered a lot of the same things I got last time, sans the mussels because they weren't properly cleaned last time and had hella grit and crap in them that made eating them a nightmare. Steak tartare: Seriously look at my last picture uploaded of the steak tartare compared to this time. This time the meat wasn't chopped finely enough- the pieces were too big. The look isn't uniform. There's a layer of like cheese or whatever totally missing, and instead of serving it with bread it was served with salt and vinegar chips (which wtf? I actually hated it. The chips flavor were overpowering any flavor of the steak tartare.) The whole thing was entirely too salty. Again- look at my old picture compared to the new one. It's obviously not the same, and the flavor and texture were also vastly different. Escargot: Now after powering through the not good steak tartare, which was too salty all around, I just could not eat the escargot. It was WAYYY salty as well. At this point I told the server that everything has been too salty, she offered to take the escargot back and replace it with something else. We chose the baked oysters or whatever to replace it. Baked oysters: Yeah these were good. It's ironic that they were served on a bed of salt though. lol. French onion soup: This was as good as I remembered it. Thank god. The soup actually saved the dinner- I would've been genuinely upset if this wasn't good. Steak frites Manion style: At this point I was about to crash out. I just wanted to leave. I got a super burnt and nasty end of the steak as my first bite, and I literally had to spit it out. Why the fuck would you even include that in the dish? Just take it out before serving. And the fries had such a bad texture, they tasted stale. Really bad job. At the end, they brought out a complimentary sorbet for my birthday. They did the same for my friend last time I went, so funnily enough I even have that to compare. The sorbet was whack, couldn't even eat it. Last time I don't remember it being so bad, but this time it legit didn't even taste cold. It was like thick and lowkey... too salty. Lmao. And warm. Idk. Guys, I legitimately started to wonder if something was wrong with my taste buds. Really disappointed, and it was my birthday dinner which makes this experience even more depressing. If the last time I was here it was so good it made me come back, this time was so bad that I doubt I'll ever want to give it another chance, unless I really want french onion soup.

    Mussels
    Amber L.

    This is a casual French eatery. It's a small space. The food was average. Nothing stood out to me. Service was fine. Doubt I'll go back anytime soon as there are way better French restaurants.

    Paté en Croûte
    Erica B.

    Small, crowded, but cute space. A little loud. The French onion soup was a bit salty, but really tasty (make sure you save some table bread for it). In hindsight, the pâté probably wasn't the best choice for me since I don't really like mustard or pickles, but my husband liked it. I thought it was just fine. I also thought the steak frites manion style was just ok. There was a good amount of sauce and it was cooked well but the char grilled taste was pretty strong and there were way too many peppercorns for me so would want to try a different sauce next time.

    Fjord Trout en Croute
    Megan F.

    The atmosphere is cozy and romantic -- perfect for a date night. The place was already packed early in the evening, so I definitely recommend getting a reservation for dinner. It's a cute French bistro, and the food overall was pretty solid. We got the Petit Lapin en Croute (think chicken pot pie but with rabbit), Fjord Trout en Croute, Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinee (French Onion Soup), and Maple Crème Brûlée. The French Onion Soup was on the saltier side, but I'd definitely recommend the Petit Lapin en Croute and the Fjord Trout en Croute -- both were delicious and beautifully presented.

    Manion Style Steak Frites (Top) Sunchoke Agnolotti (bottom)
    Klaudia W.

    When my boyfriend told me he made a surprise dinner reservation I didn't know what to expect, but Le Bouchon was better than anything I could've expected. The ambience was amazing, the seating was tight but felt so cozy. The dishes were made with lots of thought and care and you could taste it in every bite. I got the Sunchoke Agnolotti and I don't know if was a mistake or the best decision of my life, now that I'll crave it forever. For dessert we had the Maple Crème Brûlée and it was so delightful. Our server was very caring, knew the menu well, and had amazing recommendations. As a server myself I have high standards for service and they did not disappoint, I felt like I was at my grandmas house. If you're in chicago visiting or live here wanting to try a new place do not look past Le Bouchon.

    Mark O.

    2025 Chicago. Lunch review. Escargots à la Bourguignonne 15 Snails, Garlic & Parsley Butter French Dip 23 Roast Wagyu Beef, Raclette Cheese, Cornichon Aioli, Onion Dip Overall, "A-OK."

    Salade betteraves
    Chris V.

    The space is cozy but cramped, and the noise level is high. We ordered a few of the dishes everyone raves about. The beet salad was easily the best: light, flavorful, and beautifully done. The fjord trout en route was solid, especially once we skipped the rich sauce. The onion was fine, but the bread already in the soup had a weird after taste, made it less enjoyable.

    Maple crème brûlée
    Jerry H.

    Steak tartare - my first time having raw beef, let alone steak tartare. A great experience though. The flavors were really good, there was a citrusy flavor that brought everything together Trout - pretty good but the dish felt a bit one dimensional. There didn't seem to be too much going on, just super creamy. Rabbit pot pie - this was amazing. Also my first time having rabbit. Ignoring the rabbit, this was an excellent pot pie. Great gravy, fresh veggies, and the rabbit brought an interesting side to the dish. Maple crème brûlée - super creamy and not too sweet. It definitely had a good maple flavor and the caramelized sugar was nice and crunchy The service was also amazing. They were super attentive - fresh plates and silverware when needed, and the water was never empty. They were also super nice. The restaurant vibe was also nice and cozy

    Steak frites (Manion style)
    Jessy K.

    The restaurant was beautifully decorated and the theming was perfectly representative of a Lyonnaise bouchon- style restaurant. The food tasted very fresh and flavorful. It was also very filling. I had a French 75 and the Steak Frites in the Manion style and my partner had the Negroni and trout pastry. Both dishes were to die for! The steak was perfectly done and the fries were thin and still crisp even with the sauce on top. These might be some of my favorite fries I've had. My partner's trout was delicious as well and I was totally enamored with the Sorrel sauce. We got the escargots as an appetizer and it was delicious. The garlicky olive oil sauce it sat in was perfect for dipping the complimentary bread into. The bread itself was pretty standard baguette-like. It was in a beautiful shape, which I loved. They also did not skimp on the butter and as a butter-lover, I really appreciated that! The only small issue for me was it took a while for the main dishes to arrive and so we sat waiting for a bit of time. It was longer than an average sit down restaurant waiting time but not anything to truly complain about.

    Foie gras
    Natalie L.

    The octopus carpaccio was SO delicious. Tender and almost lacy it was so thinly cut. The squash blossoms were light. The duck had crispy skin and was delicious with the sweet and sour of the cabbage and the rich fattiness of the spatzel. The wait service was excellent. My only complaint was the stark bright lighting. Will go back!

    Agnolotti
    Elizabeth R.

    The inside of this place is so cute! I ordered the agnolotti pasta. It was sweet and savory. I really enjoyed it. Then we got the squash blossoms and artichoke. Both were also delicious. I would definitely come back.

    Trout (truite des fjords en croûte)

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    5 months ago

    Reminds me of actually being in France. Very cute and quaint bistro vibes. Highly recommend the trout but all the food was great!

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    Page 2 of 21

    Le Bouchon Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Le Bouchon

    Do they offer valet parking?

    No valet parking on our visit. It was a weekday so street parking was not a problem (even on Damen).

    Is there a dress code?

    It's a bistro so casual is always acceptable.

    Do they still do the Tuesday prefixed?

    Yes they do.

    Is there a bar to get a drink if you are early for your dinner reservation?

    Yes

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

    Obelix

    4.2(274 reviews)
    2.5 mi•River North, Near North Side
    •$$$$

    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.

    Excellent dining experience. We were able to squeeze into a last minute late dinner reservation…read more The service was excellent, our waitress was helpful with the menu and was kind enough to bring us a little extra treat since we were celebrating. The food was all so good. While some of it didn't sound like something we'd jump to order, we were glad we gave everything a chance! Would certainly go back here!

    Photos
    Obelix - Cg at the bar! april 2026.

    Cg at the bar! april 2026.

    Obelix - Smoked trout tartine, lemon pepper crème fraiche, grilled wild onions, trout roe, quail egg, petite salad.

    Smoked trout tartine, lemon pepper crème fraiche, grilled wild onions, trout roe, quail egg, petite salad.

    Obelix - Wonderful camille braun cremant de alsace rosé!

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    Wonderful camille braun cremant de alsace rosé!

    Mon Ami Gabi

    Mon Ami Gabi

    4.1(1k reviews)
    2.1 mi•Lincoln Park
    •$$$

    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.

    Photos
    Mon Ami Gabi - Inside lobby

    Inside lobby

    Mon Ami Gabi
    Mon Ami Gabi - Gorgeous Entrance

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    Gorgeous Entrance

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

    Dear Margaret

    4.6(169 reviews)
    1.5 mi•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!

    Photos
    Dear Margaret - Charred, smoked carrots.

    Charred, smoked carrots.

    Dear Margaret - Ice wine tea panna cotta.

    Ice wine tea panna cotta.

    Dear Margaret - Fried smelts

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    Fried smelts

    La Serre - Cauliflower gratin

    La Serre

    4.2(212 reviews)
    2.6 mi•Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    •$$$$

    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.

    Photos
    La Serre - Upstairs bar

    Upstairs bar

    La Serre - Bread service

    Bread service

    La Serre - Truffle Old Fashioned + L'espresso Martini

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    Truffle Old Fashioned + L'espresso Martini

    Bistro Campagne - Pot De Creme

    Bistro Campagne

    4.1(856 reviews)
    3.2 mi•Ravenswood, Lincoln Square
    •$$$

    Had the best experience on the patio for their Tuesday special of bottomless mussels. Comes with…read moremussels in a white wine sauce, a fresh baguette, and fries. We paired it with the chenin blanc and it was perfect for a summer Tuesday night. Staff was super friendly and accommodating and the ambiance was absolutely dreamy.

    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.

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    Bistro Campagne
    Bistro Campagne
    Bistro Campagne - Slightly effervescent texture, dry kumquat peel notes really work in this french orange wine. sons of wine 'bisous bisous', alsace, france.

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    Slightly effervescent texture, dry kumquat peel notes really work in this french orange wine. sons of wine 'bisous bisous', alsace, france.

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

    Bar Parisette

    4.4(35 reviews)
    1.1 mi•Logan Square

    I think this place is getting lost amongst all the other great spots anything 50 yds of it and…read morethat's a shame. If you're in the area, especially during happy hour (extended to all day on Mondays, closed Tuesdays), stop in. All the areas are lovely and comfortable (bistro, dining room, bar, kitchen counter) and service is friendly and knowledgeable. Absolutely great wine list (and keep an eye out for special event Wine Dinners), including value priced House Wines during HH. Very decent burger and fries, small snacks and full sized plates abound at very good prices. Like its relative restaurant Table, Donkey & Stick, good food, good drinks and good times are sure to be had.

    I'm old enough that I still remember doing the world-class happy hour at Dos Urban Cantina at the…read moresame address now home to Bar Parisette, a newer space from the Table, Donkey & Stick folks in Logan. I hadn't been back to check out the other restaurants in this space since Dos closed a few years ago, so I don't have the history on how this space has turned over a bit in the time since. I DO know this much: Bar Parisette is a strange ride. That's because I'm not really sure what it is going for, based on a dinner I had at the space last weekend. Bar Parisette, for a lot of reasons, gave me the sense it was going for French bistropub. The steak frites, the burger, the snacks, the drinks...all of that felt like it was right at home, but none of it was as strong as the food I've had at TDS. I went with the burger specifically because the burger at TDS is so good, but it just...wasn't, here. The meat was a little plain, the fries were fine, the bun was solid; the pieces were there, but as a package, it wasn't humming. The almonds were an interesting choice, but not one I would run out to make again; the trout dip was a winner with a couple of the folks in our party, but I skipped it since trout dip is not really my thing. I think the vibe was more a turnoff than the food and drink, though. Pardon my French, but it just wasn't sexy in here, and even though it was a Saturday night, it wasn't really hopping inside the space. If there was music playing, I didn't hear it or don't remember it, and the layout at Bar Parisette is functional but doesn't allow for the sorts of people-watching I like at other places in Chicago. (This became especially pointed when we left and walked next door to Gretel, which was jam-packed.) Service wasn't pushy, but it was certainly aggressive; our server came over three times in the first 10 minutes to check on our need to order, despite the fact that we were clearly a group that had not caught up in a while and had not spent much time with the menus. (European, this was not, at least in terms of speed.) But then we DID order, and it took 20 minutes to get our drinks and 30 minutes to get appetizers...then another 30 to get dinner. I didn't notice this as much because I had a late lunch, but my wife was showing signs of "hanger" that got more belligerent as the night went along. "Hurry up and wait" was never more apparent than this, and the staff acknowledged that it took too long for our food to come out, especially in a space that was almost completely empty by the time our mains came out. For $300 (this did include an $80 bottle of wine, note), my expectations are a little higher. Dos, this is not, and it's hard to imagine a scenario where I would come back to experience Bar Parisette a second time.

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    Bar Parisette - Bar area early happy hour!

    Bar area early happy hour!

    Bar Parisette - Burger

    Burger

    Bar Parisette

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    Bandol - Crab Cakes

    Bandol

    3.7(111 reviews)
    3.5 mi•The Loop

    For lunch, I'm not sure there's any better chill spot to grab a bite in the Loop. Low-key,…read moresophisticated, refined. I popped in for a quick solo lunch and indulged in the croque monsieur + fries. The rest of the menu had enticing things but I knew what I wanted and would not be swayed. After a small wait, which I mention only because it really wasn't busy, my food was served. The look matched the flavor: delicious! It's nice that the other French place, offering nearly the exact same offering here in the exact same spot, was replaced with a worthy newcomer. Bandol checks all the boxes you'd want.

    Came here for restaurant week. It was a pretty good deal for restaurant week. Very seafood heavy…read moremenu. I enjoy seafood so it was nice for me but I would not suggest it for restaurant week if you are not a seafood person. My husband got the crab cakes for the app which were small but pretty good. I got escargot which was good but did not come with any bread. If you have had escargot you know that the best part is dipping the bread in the leftover butter sauce. It was a big miss for me. We got the steak fries and the lemon fish for the mains. The steak was very good. The sauce for the steak was especially good. The fish was okay. I thought the sauce for the fish was good but a bit loose in consistency. The service and atmosphere were fine. Very consistent with the types of restaurants you see downtown.

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    Bandol - Croque Monsieur Breakfast plate

    Croque Monsieur Breakfast plate

    Bandol - Parfait

    Parfait

    Bandol - Pain ai Chocolat

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    Pain ai Chocolat

    Le Bouchon - french - Updated October 2026

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