I have always lumped Bistrot Margot into a category of very un-French French bistros that sacrifice simplicity and flavor for big portions and mass palate appeal. Big-breasted, dry, Purdue-like roast chickens and huge plates of overdressed salad are what stick out in my mind. Joining Bistrot Margot in this category of restaurants are Bistrot Zinc, Bistrot 110, and Red Rooster.

Kennyz wrote:I have always lumped Bistrot Margot into a category of very un-French French bistros that sacrifice simplicity and flavor for big portions and mass palate appeal. Big-breasted, dry, Purdue-like roast chickens and huge plates of overdressed salad are what stick out in my mind. Joining Bistrot Margot in this category of restaurants are Bistrot Zinc, Bistrot 110, and Red Rooster.

You know, kenny, I would not have been quite that harsh in my appraisal, but I also have never been a fan of Bistrot Margot in either its Chicago or now departed N'ville locations. I agree totally with the big portions and mass palate appeal description, and would add to that heavy-handed. From its grotesquely massive parody of a Croque Monsieur, to insipid Onion Soup, to the over-salted roasts and sauces, I cannot say I ever had anything there that was better than okay. Except that Croque Monsieur, which actually made me laugh so I really enjoyed it as theater of the absurd.

dicksond wrote:You know, kenny, I would not have been quite that harsh in my appraisal...

dicksond wrote:...grotesquely massive parody of a Croque Monsieur
...insipid Onion Soup
...actually made me laugh so I really enjoyed it as theater of the absurd.

Yes, I definitely see how my comments appear harsh compared to yours

Does this place have a bar for chillin' while one waits for one's dining companion?

It does have a bar. Very Small. maybe 6-8 seats.

I don't know if this was around before, but there is another bar upstairs that seats maybe 12.

I met a friend here on Saturday for restaurant week and we were very pleased. I waited for her in the bar and ordered a St. Germain Cocktail, or something to that effect, containing St. Germain, champagne, and another ingredient I can't remember. A little pricey, but delicious. It reminded me a little of herby lemonade. I also ordered a very nice bowl of Cream of Asparagus soup.

We both ordered the escargot, but I went with Dover sole and she had the filet; I had the chocolate espresso terrine with raspberry sauce and she had the bread pudding. We both were apeshit over the escargot, which is the reason I wanted to go there in the first place. I preferred the other two versions I had in the past (Graham Elliot and Krystal Thai in Crystal Lake) but these were very good, and we had to ask for seconds on the bread so we could soak up that garlic butter sauce.

My Dover sole (with haricots verts, Yukon Gold potatoes, citrus caper butter sauce and garlic croutons) was excellent, and I could see why people think it's such a great fish. It was so thin, yet so tender and juicy. The diced potatoes were crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, perfect for getting every last drop of the citrus butter sauce. I tried her filet, which she ordered rare, and it was also quite good (she let me have a bite, but I didn't taste the rest of the dish). We were both surprised at the generous portions.

I'm just realizing how fattening this night was, and I just polished off two paczkis. Oy.

I thought they were a little stingy on the terrine until I tasted how rich it was. It made me remember how much I love terrine, and it made me want to go home and make one. I didn't taste much espresso, but I didn't mind. Her bread pudding (chocolate chip, with vanilla ice cream and Bailey's sauce) was good, but I find bread pudding to be a lesser dessert so I'm not the best judge. All in all, we really enjoyed this meal and I'd love to go back.