Bistrot Margot Naperville -- Closing

Admittedly, I was not a fan of the extremely poor service that we received at Bistrot M Naperville on more than one occasion, and even bad-mouthed the place in a couple of recent posts. But even I was surprised to read yesterday that they're closing their doors.

Evidently they can't make a go of it due to the high rent, and also purportedly due to city ordinances (there is a vague reference to the local liquor code, although I don't think that was their real problem -- the restaurant seemed to be poorly managed, with awful service).

I have to admit, though, in a way I'm sad to see them go. And I think that, unfortunately, a lot of smaller restaurants may be discouraged to open in downtown N'ville...The former Washington Square (Clara's) still is vacant, as is the space formerly occupied by 10 West/Elaine. Now Bistrot M -- which was in the space formerly occupied by Carzz for years -- presumably will be vacant too. I guess high rents mean that we're pretty much left with the Hugo's, Francesca's and Sullivan's of the world out in our neck of the woods (or at least in downtown N'ville).

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/nape ... S1.article

Carzz had, hands down, the best bartender I've ever seen in my life.

Shame that place had to close down.

I am not a fan of Bistrot M, city or Naperville, but I did have a taste for some bistro fare last week and Bistrot M was the convenient choice. Still the same for me, Bistro food prepared with the delicacy of a sledge hammer, but I was able to find something that went well with my wine, and the meal was fine, not great.

I was quite surprised by how empty the place was at 7pm on a Friday night, peak dining time for N'ville. So I was not at all surprised to hear they are closing.

As for the service, it really was not any worse than Hon7 which is always packed, so I doubt that is the issue. Probably just the brutally competitive situation here, and Bistrot M never managed to find a niche.

Don't know what I will do when I want a simple, wine-friendly, French meal now.

dicksond wrote:I am not a fan of Bistrot M, city or Naperville, but I did have a taste for some bistro fare last week and Bistrot M was the convenient choice. Still the same for me, Bistro food prepared with the delicacy of a sledge hammer, but I was able to find something that went well with my wine, and the meal was fine, not great.

This is good to know. We're going to the city Bistro M tomorrow for brunch, not because it was my first choice but because it pretty much became the only choice (for a number of logistical reasons). I wasn't at all thrilled by the place the one time I was there for dinner, but after reading your post I at least have a reasonable optimism that brunch will be tolerable. (How are the Bloody Maries?)

Two days later, so a separate post (even though it immediately follows my own). Our brunch at Bistrot Margot (Wells St.) was very enjoyable. Three of us started with Caesar Salads, which were made correctly and included anchovies at our request (while it would be nice if anchovies were de rigeur on a Caesar Salad as they once were in a more civilized time, the place at least gets points for not going "Huh?" when anchovies are requested, and for dressing the salad with them properly to demonstrate they know they belong there). I followed this with a Croque Monsieur which was really delicious. Service and ambience were fine--nothing like what was described at the Naperville location. The hostess was cooly professional, not fawning but friendly in a reserved and proper manner (as somehow seemed to befit a French bistro) and, I guess I can't say it enough, professional in a reassuring way that seems to be getting rarer in restaurants. Our waitress was perhaps a bit "over the top" in the charming-and-personable department, but this was certainly preferable to unfriendly or inattentive, and the service (in terms of needs being attended to, things showing up on time, etc.) was perfect. We had a lovely table by the front windows, which, since it was a sunny day, made things even nicer. The Bloody Maries tasted like Bloody Maries should. As I said, I wasn't overly pleased by my one previous visit there (for dinner), but this brunch was a whole nother kettle of fish. They seemed to be doing quite well, too--the place, while not jammed, was definitely busy. Despite this, I had no sense of "things falling through cracks" for any customers--everyone seemed quite content. The experience made me want to return.

Bistrot Margot
1437 N. Wells
Chicago, IL
312 587 3660