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    Lea

    4.0 (108 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Lea Photos

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    LEA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Decor
    Jessica C.

    (G)o or no go - Go! Cute French cafe in the loop, limited seating, very popular around 9:30am. (W)ow - Delicious croque monsieur (A)mbiance - Quirky and adorable decor (M)enu - solid breakfast options, only downside was the croque monsieur took a while to prepare so..slow service if you're in a rush for breakfast. Le Marais was huge, great portion size.

    Interior
    Michelle L.

    Popped in for breakfast and coffee at Lea. Tried the breakfast baguette and it was filled with egg, bacon, and cheese. Very hearty sandwich, could definitely be split between two people. I also had an iced vanilla latte! It was very good but a little sweeet for me, would probably ask for less vanilla flavor next time. Lea is great because you can order on your own on tablets at the front of the shop so there wasn't a line to order even though it was very busy. Even though it was packed, the food came out very quickly (and the food and coffee came out at the same time, which was nice). I think it's a really fun spot to stop in and sit for a quick breakfast or to get food to go.

    Aesha E.

    They've adopted a people-less ordering system, so your only interaction with employees is when they call your name to get your order (or none, if you order online for pickup). When I came in there was a line of at least five people at the single ordering station that was open; the other two were out of service. That was a real drag for sure. There's no parking here whatsoever. You're half a block from Michigan Ave, half a block from Wacker, half a block from Wabash. There is commercial parking if you want to risk it, though it's almost $4 for 15 minutes (nope, I didn't pay for it, but was curious). Across the street from the bakery, on the southwest corner of Garland and Lake, is a 15-minute standing zone--and I got real lucky in that a space was open there. I picked up a couple breakfast sandwiches here and they were one of the best I've had anywhere. They use the baguette bread for them and that makes a huge difference in the quality. Service was fine and they were really apologetic for the wait time. I wish I lived much closer so that I could visit more often, but it's not too long a walk from my workplace so I may stop in again sometime. As of September 2024 or earlier, they... don't offer straws. If you ask for one they'll tell you they don't have them.

    Pistou soup
    Maureen B.

    We were looking for a place to have a brunch and a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, today is just an awfully busy day. The soup was absolutely cold and we have waited probably 25 to 30 minutes to get our order. The food was just OK overall if you're going to try anything the Quiche Potagere was the absolute best. Otherwise just OK for us. Not sure we would return again. The staff also do not seem very friendly. There's not many tables inside and they're extremely crowded.

    Pooja P.

    My rating is more like 3.5!! This is another French cafe in the town! I met my friends for a quick Sunday brunch at Lea Cafe. We shared Le Croque Madame, Le Croque Avocat, La Potagère Quiche, and Le Vendôme Chicken Baguette from the menu. Everything was honestly super delicious. Surprisingly Baguette was amazing. It didn't look like much at first but the taste totally blew me away. All of our coffees were decent too. My least fave was probably the Le Croque Chèvre (the one with goat cheese). I'm just not the biggest fan of goat cheese, and it was a little too much for me, but that's on me. The vibe was French bakery style.. cozy, chill and nothing too fancy. They have self-service ordering system. You gotta order through a machine, and it doesn't give you room to customize your order. Also, since it's in the Loop, the area can get sketchy with homelessness around, in the loop. On my last visit, a person just walked in to make some chaos. If you're looking for a light brunch option, this is a perfect spot with right portion sizes.

    June K.

    Very cute interior but mid overall. I ordered a decaf americano and saw it came from a prepackaged single serving packet, like a tea bag you put directly into the machine. I can't be a snob for wishing it was freshly ground beans can i? Tasted pretty bland and water ratio was off. The tomato and mozzarella baguette was good, nothing spectacular but it is a simple thing. I did enjoy the almond butter croissant though, and saw a pistachio one that looked delish. I wouldn't come again but it was a nice place to stumble upon for lunch.

    pain au chocolat
    Lisa C.

    Cute place to grab a quick coffee or pastry. We stopped by for a afternoon pick me up and grabbed a pain au chocolat - it was perfect. Light, airy, buttery, good quality chocolate. Would definitely come again. The place was busy and no seating available at the time.

    Pain Au Chocolat
    Anthony D.

    Lea is a hidden gem tucked away on a side street in the Loop, offering an impressive selection of bakery items and sandwiches. I stopped in one morning for a pain au chocolat and an iced latte. The pastry was outstanding--perfectly buttery, light, and flaky, easily the best I've had in Chicago. While the latte was fairly standard, the quality of the baked goods alone makes this spot worth a daily visit. When you enter the building you are met by two self-service kiosks with the main counter to the right. The dining area itself is spotless and brightly lit with French decoration. I was also happy to see they're opening a new location across from the Bean too.

    Tartines and salad and croque monsier with fruit
    Emerine C.

    Great location across from the bean and good variety with the menu. I got the mushroom tartine and goat cheese/avocado tartine (you get to choose 2 for $13). The mushroom one was fantastic, no notes. The avocado one had avocado that was a bit too brown in places but other than that tasted great. The place is small so seating is tight.

    Pastries
    Kat L.

    This is becoming my favorite spot in the loop for baguette sandwiches and pastries. I especially like their baguette, crossiant, apple tartlette and lemon bar. Very efficient because you order at one of the three tablets. They pack your order and call your name. The place has a parisan feel and there are about a dozen tables. You may or may not get a table depending on how busy they are. I would recommend going earlier rather than later because they do sell out of items.

    burnt egg

    I got the Le Marais sandwich. Good sandwich and bread was delicious! But unfortunately my egg was burnt and it ruined the flavor of the sandwich ): Staff were very nice otherwise. I would come back but just order a different sandwich.

    Praveen S.

    Only a handful of selection - but amazing taste. Ambience is cafe vibes. Only negative thing is - sitting is circular tables for two. Bigger party will have tough time finding place to sit. Perfect to carry out. Great coffee. Sandwiches are good value for money. Croissant and baguettes were freshly baked. Yum!

    Outside
    Sarah M.

    It's really cute, reasonably priced and the food is delicious but you order at a kiosk and then wait for you food. We waited longer than I anticipated and the place was very full. The food was VERY good. The staff were amazing they were working hard the whole time. But I didn't love waiting 20-30 minutes for a quiche, croissant and coffee. Also they only give you good to go, i would like if they were more eco friendly and used reusable plates. The only reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because the service was so slow and I don't love eating out of boxes and would appreciate if they used reusable plates and silverware.

    Curried carrot soup

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    1 year ago

    Great breakfast cafe. They make the pastries fresh there. It felt like a quick escape to Paris.

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    11 months ago

    The food was some of the best I have ever had and for a very understanding price. They have great service and very nice employees.

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    1 year ago

    Everything I've had from here has been super delicious! The ordering stations were quick and easy to use.

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    2 years ago

    Best sandwiches. Great bread. Fast service. Clean. Nice European vibe. 100x better than subway.

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    Excellent coffee and sandwiches with my favorite being the Parisien, ham cheese on a yummy baguette.

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    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.

    Lea - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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