From escargot and French onion soup to steak frites, these six Windy City restaurants are serving up must-try French bites right in our own backyard.
Bistronomic serves up mouthwateringly scrumptious French fare.
1. CHEZ MOI
Chef Dominique Tougne of northeast France and former Blackhawks player Cristobal Huet opened Chez Moi in 2012 in the heart of Lincoln Park. The food is authentic, the service amiable, and the atmosphere genial and urban with high ceilings and rich yet muted colors complemented by spherical glowing light fixtures. Enjoy French classics like steak tartare with onions, mustard, capers and egg yolk; pan-seared foie gras with mushrooms, lentils and bordelaise sauce; frog legs Provencale with tomato, white wine and butter; and confited and seared duck a l’orange with sweet potato gratin and orange sauce. 2100 N. Halsted St., chezmoichicago.com
Bistronomic’s elevated dining room features soft lighting and an impressive bar.
2. MON AMI GABI
Nestled in Lincoln Park, this classic French bistro is serving up the works, from onion soup au gratin with Gruyere to skate wings with crispy potatoes, fennel, lemon and sauce verte. More of a morning person? Join Mon Ami Gabi for Sunday brunch from 11AM to 2PM for delectables like baked goat cheese with tomato sauce and garlic-herb bread; frisee and warm, thick-cut bacon salad; and smoked salmon Benedict. Wash it all down with a classic French aperitif like Kir Royale—creme de cassis topped with Champagne—or a blood orange mimosa. 2300 N. Lincoln Park W, monamigabi.com
3. LE BOUCHON
A thriving Bucktown eatery, this charming resto will transport you to Paris as you dine on duck pate with housemade mustard and cornichons; duck fat-confit rabbit, sunchoke veloute, rabbit sausage, peas, carrots, mushrooms and parsnips; and venison tartare with charred parsnip puree, shaved foie gras, gribiche, quail egg and fried rosemary. The neighborhood fave features high molded ceilings, tiled floors, dark wood and exquisite art on all walls. With the help of knowledgeable staff, choose from an extensive wine list highlighting house-favorite Beaujolais. 1958 N. Damen Ave., lebouchonofchicago.com
The cozy dining room at Robert et Fils
4. BISTRO CAMPAGNE
A Lincoln Square staple, Bistro Campagne’s quaint stone exterior is covered in creeping ivy and sets the scene for the dark wood interior reminiscent of another era. The bistro features a craft bar program from an all-French wine list; both local and European beers; and seasonal cocktails boasting locally distilled spirits, housemade bitters, shrubs and syrups—think the Le Démon made with mezcal, tequila balance, creme de cassis, lime, pomegranate vinegar and ginger ale. For lively French fare, sample the crispy pork belly, salad lyonnaise or sumptuous gnocchi. Finish off your feast with housemade brioche bread pudding topped with figs, brown butter, caramel sauce and creme Chantilly. 4518 N. Lincoln Ave., bistrocampagne.com
5. BISTRONOMIC
Run by husband-and-wife team Martial and Lulu Noguier, Bistronomic is the perfect place for patrons to discover a lighter, more seasonal French cuisine, much like the Parisian bistros of today. Chef Martial’s contemporary and approachable menu offers delicacies like ahi tuna tartare with avocado, baguette croutons and piquillo pepper vinaigrette; crispy house-cured leg of duck confit with apricot puree and shaved fennel; and a five-hour braised lamb shank with roasted garlic puree, French green lentils, butternut squash and Dijon mustard. Room for dessert? Try the Bistronomic lemon tart, black and white creme brulee, or—our fave—chocolate profiteroles. 840 N. Wabash Ave., bistronomic.net
Nosh on delicious duck confit from Mon Ami Gabi.
6. ROBERT ET FILS
Named for owner and executive chef Rob Shaner’s late father (whose work took the family from the Midwest to France), Robert et Fils—meaning Robert and son—is a neighborhood destination. Chef Shaner and his elite staff work to capture the unique experience of a bygone era of French dining through a vintage atmosphere and authentic eats. Think salad with gem lettuce, apple, fennel, Champagne vinaigrette and herbs; croque-monsieur on house sourdough with city ham, Mornay and Gruyere; and seared steak frites with koji butter, fries and black garlic mayonnaise. For something sweet, try the apple tart tatin with caramelized apple, Tahitian vanilla ice cream and black truffle, accompanied by delectable French dessert wine Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls. 4229 N. Lincoln Ave., robertetfilsrestaurant.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF BISTRONOMIC; LENA JACKSON; MON AMI GABI
