Which Bistro (Le Bouchon, Mon Ami Gabi, Cafe Bernard, etc)?

I am looking for a good French Bistro in the city and thinking some mentioned here (Le Bouchon/Sardine, Mon Ami Gabi, Cafe Bernard, Cafe Matou, Chez Joel, etc.).

I had some preferences to choose one on the list:

1. kids: I know it's bistro but we can't exclude our two boys. Kids menu preferred. If not, at least, want to find another party with kids (don't want to be embarassed by their noise). high noisy level is perfectly okay for us.

2. prix fixe menu: my wife particularly like this type of full course dinner and I found many had three-course meals on select weekdays (except Mon Ami Gabi... but we don't exclude Mon Ami Gabi. If they are superb and fit our other preferences, we would definitely go). Which one had the best fixed-menu deal (not trimmed menu, same size portion and better taste at a good price)?

3. We have not been a fan of French food and did not have "acquired taste." When we visited Kiki's bisto and Bistro Margot some years ago, we found that the dishes are not suite to our taste (especially, sea bass at kiki's were very bland with our taste). We just want to have some excellent dishes (onion soup, mussels, steak fritte, fresh seafood, may try Bouillabaisse). In terms of our menu preferences, which one would be the best?

We have been a fan of italian dishes because we can share all together (especially, we are pasta lovers) in a comfort atmosphere. But, now we are trying to change our dine-out habit into another direction (toward little more delicate taste, enjoy each course of meal without breaking our bank, while keeping our dining preference in a comfort setting). Thank you for your advice in advance (this is my first post in this forum. I like more detailed comments/exchanges specialized in the threads of this forum).

When you say noise with the kids, what level are you talking about? How old are the boys? I haven't been to all of the places you mention, but I don't think any of the ones I have been to are well suited to kids who aren't at least reasonably well behaved. Most are quite crowded and noisy already, so if your kids are inclined to shriek and run around, it could be dangerous.

If, however, they are able to keep in their seats and simply are enthusiastic, most any restaurant should be able to handle feeding them. I don't think there is a kids menu at Sardine, Bouchon, Matou, but they have dishes kids should be OK with (chicken breast, steak, fries) and that should reheat reasonably well. That being said, I can't recall seeing little kids at any of these places at dinner. But I haven't been to Gabi in a long time, never been to Joel, and I don't think we've been to any of them early on a Saturday night.

Also consider Brasserie Jo. It seems to me to be a bit more boisterous than the Bistro places, and definitely has more room to move around, but has the same sort of food.

The menu at Matou is probably the most variable, though some things like the chicken are on it most of the time. They do not always have steak frites, for example, though they did last night.

Classics like steak frites, onion soup, mussles are always on the menu at Gabi and Sardine/Bouchon. Some places will have Bouillabaisse or Cassoulet as a special, some have it on the menu all the time.

Bouchon/Sardine and Matou have fixed menus for a really good price some nights, but it's usually a very limited selection. I think Matou's is only during week nights, and I think Bouchon/Sardine is now available all nights.

Your best bet might be to call for your reservation at a time they aren't likely to be busy so you can talk to the staff. Ask them how they handle kids. Ask them which nights they have their fixed menu.

Hope this helps...

LeeK

Thanks for the prompt response.

What I meant by "kids noise" is that they sometimes might interfere other's talk if they (my kids are 4 and 7) sound something unusal and loud (not somthing like, runninig across the restaurant, which seems to be dangerous in any restaurants). I was concerned that, if the atmosphere is "quiet-ish," even single unusual sound might be big interference to others. Also, if we are the only one who brought kids at the time of dinner, we should be more concerned about how my kids are doing during the time of dinner, otherwise could be more relaxed while enjoying the good tastes.

Kids menus seem to be a lot easier solution, rather than request to adjust regular menu and/or order one regular menu for sharing. They may not appreciate better tasting menu and its (better) quality (also, I don't want to pay higher bill for this).

Given your parameters Bistro 110 might be your best choice.
They are used to having kids, have a kids menu, and have a noise level that is appropriate for children.
Their food presentations include most traditional dishes, many done quite well-good cassoulet.

I agree, the issue re kid noise is, is the restaurant noisy enough that it would be no big deal, or quiet enough that every giggle will sound like it went into an open mike? I tend to think Cafe Matou, for instance, would be too quiet and intimate to take kids to. On the other hand, if you go at 5:30 and you have a place to yourself, it doesn't really make any difference.

I would start with Bistro 110 or Brasserie Jo. Both are big and bustling enough, and probably used to kids given the Mag Mile area. Then see how you feel about the next choice.

As for the kids' menu-- I hear you about not ordering $18 plates for each kid but I would strongly urge you to get out of the chicken fingers-n-fries rut and see what you can find on the menu. First of all, that stuff is like eating trans-fat straight out of the toxic waste container; second, you're teaching your kids all the worst things about what food should taste like, instead of the best, which will only make things harder for you later.

Look at the appetizers, get a few things and see which they'll eat (you eat the ones they don't), figure that the breadbasket and apples at home can be your fallback; ask the waiter what they could make a small plate of that the kids would eat. I mean, at bottom we're talking meat, potatoes, cheese here-- French kids grow up eating French food, your kids will eat it too if you don't communicate an expectation that they won't.

Thanks again for very helpful responses. The thread seems to be too much focused on the suitability for kids so far. While keeping the factor in mind, let me know more about the menus (taste).

Which one have better musseles, Bouillabaisse, and steak frites over others? I am currently first thinking cafe Bernard, Le Sardin/bouchon, and Chez Joel.

It is my opinion that the Tuesday prixe fixe menu at Le Buchon is one of the best bargains in the city. I believe their execution of classic French dishes is second-to-none in the Chicago bistro arena.

It is a very small place that is considered by many to be a quiet weeknight neighborhood spot. On weekends it is louder, and very crowded. I don't think it's a very child-friendly place.

A place that I do like that I think is much more appropriate is Jacky's Bistro in Evanston. I've had excellent steak frites, steak au poive, cassoulet, and skate wing there. The environment is more family-friendly and the food is excellent.

Here is another thread that has a lot of general information of French bistros in and around Chicago.

Jacky's Bistro
2545 Prairie Ave.
Evanston
847-733-0899

Best,
Michael

I've been a big fan of Jean Claude since Jean Claude's and would not likely say anything bad about his food ever, but eatchicago's statement about Le Bouchon "I don't think it's a very child-friendly place" is decidedly understated. Cafe Bernard and chez Joel will only be marginally better in that regard.
Comparison shopping the restaurants you have chosen based on individual standard dishes like mussels and steak-frites is probably fruitless-they will most likely all be very good. It may be hard to find bouillabaise even as a special.
All the other dishes that you mention are regular Bistro 110 items and will be well prepared. Moreover it is the place that you will be most comfortable.

I'll second (third?) the votes for Le Bouchon and Jacky's Bistro. I've eaten at Le Bouchon twice when I've seen kids at other tables, and the waitstaff, at least from a distance, have seemed very accomodating...in other words, no harsh glares from waiters. The kids were coloring (don't know if the supplies were provided by the restaurant) and had full glasses of milk. Granted, both of these instances were during early dinner hours on weekends.

While the food is OK at Bistro 110, I always feel like I'm meeting in a mess hall there--it can be very loud. I don't think you need that setting just because you'll have your children with you.

I would not recommend Brasserie Jo, which served the most tasteless onion soup and frog legs I've ever had.

Finally, also consider Bistro Zinc, which is near the Mag Mile. The interior looks a lot like Brasserie Jo, just as relaxed of an atmosphere, but the food is much, much better. I just enjoyed their steak frites last Saturday. The frites were a bit limp, but the steak was done just as I requested, and the portion size perfect. I also really enjoy the liver there, but I don't think that that's necessarily something your boys would dive in to!

Bistro Zinc
1131 N. State St.
312-337-1131

I second eatchicago's note, but I'd suggest La Sardine over Le Bouchon if you are intent on eating in the city: the tables are spaced a bit farther apart and the service is perhaps less harried as a result. The food is also very good and they run specials similar to the sister restaurant.

In regards to Mon Ami Gabi and the kids, they have a decent kids menu that includes steak frites as well as chicken fingers and those kind of things. The kids also get a special cup and crayons to color with.

Hi...

Not sure if this is the right thread to post this to, but it's the most recent thread about French bistros, so here goes...my fiance and I ate at Le Bouchon tonight and were HORRIBLY disappointed. I love French bistro food and had heard such good things about Le Bouchon...but I thought the food was awful.

The evening started out badly when we arrived at 7:58 with an 8 reservation for two--the place was about a quarter empty and we were shown to the worse table in the house--the one right next to the kitchen door, from whence was blowing a cold wind. Now, this may be just me, but I guess I always thought that part of the point of taking a reservation was to A. to make sure you didn't have to wait too long (success there), and also that B. you didn't get the crappiest table in the house, when there were other tables available (no success). But I was willing to give them slack, and consider that my own personal nitpick, so we sat down, without complaining, and prepared to enjoy the rest of our evening.

I had the Salad Lyonnaise as a starter. The greens were fine, but the lardons were giant--about the size of chiclet gum. The coutons were soggy and oozing with oil. The dressing had so much vinegar in it, that two hours later my mouth is still burning, and the greens were completely soggy sour. I like a lot of vinegar, but this was too much even for me. It completely overwhelmed the other ingredients.

My fiance had the french onion soup; the cheesey bread part was fine, but the broth was completely flavorless and there were few onions to be found in it.

He had the chicken as an entree--I don't remember the exact name of the dish, but basically it was unbreaded fried chicken. Oily and flavorless. His side dish was equally as oily and flavorless.

I had the steak, I think they called it maitre de table--it wasn't a hanger steak (that was another menu item)--just the basic bistro steak. The frites were fine, but the steak itself oozed oil--there was more oil than meat juice, it was so greasy, that I could only eat about half of it. The meat came with some kind of green flecked ointment--I think it was supposed to be parsley butter, but it didn't taste like anything, and as it melted, it added more grease to the plate--grease my plate did not need.

We had ordered the pre-fixe menu, so we should have gotten dessert, but we decided to cut our losses and ask for the cheque instead. At that point (9:05), the restaurant was packed with people eating, and people hovering around tables waiting to eat. I guess living in Chicago has made me soft; back in New York, I expected to have people drooling over me while I ate. Now I'm used to a little more space. The overall service was so-so...we had a hard time getting our water glasses refilled, and we waited about twenty minutes between courses.

One last nitpick--when we first arrived, the noise level was tolerable--no music, just people talking--but as the restaurant got more crowded, of course it got louder. As soon as the place was PACKED, and we were reduced to shouting at each other, someone turned on techno music. ??? That made conversation impossible. Luckily, we were done by then, so we grabbed our coats and scarpered.

Last Laugh: When we arrived, we dropped our car off at the valet parking. When we got outside after dinner, we discovered the valet had driven the car forward approximately six feet, and parked it right in front of the restaurant. That, at least, was funny. We gave the guy ten bucks, walked the six feet to the car, and arrived home disappointed and--alas--hungry.

A couple of weeks ago we went to Bistro Champagne in Lincoln Square and had an excellent meal. Next time we have a hankering for steak frite, we'll go there.


Again, if this was the wrong thread to post to, I apologize, but I felt pretty disappointed when I got home tonight, and I wanted to share--and possibly save someone else from the same!

Cheers,

Lillafury

I ate at Bistro Campagne last night, and I agree -- it's a great place. The steak frites was perfect, and the strudel of caramelized onions that I had for a starter was mighty tasty, too.

Sounds like a really strange night for Bouchon. I have to say that I've never felt it was a place to go for mind-bending food, but it's usually pretty reliable for solid bistro fare. The worst it's been for me was underseasoned food, and slightly boring a couple times. Sounds like the experience posted above was a case of really bad luck.

Definitely sounds like an off night at Bouchon. I haven't had the onion soup, but I've had all the others, and they were all definitely better than you describe. Sorry it was so bad, but the nice thing is that we're not short on bistros in Chicago, so you do have others to go to instead

Lillafury wrote:I had the Salad Lyonnaise as a starter. The greens were fine, but the lardons were giant--about the size of chiclet gum. The coutons were soggy and oozing with oil. The dressing had so much vinegar in it, that two hours later my mouth is still burning, and the greens were completely soggy sour. I like a lot of vinegar, but this was too much even for me. It completely overwhelmed the other ingredients.

Lillafury,

Not sure if "chiclet gum" size qualifys as "giant", but if it does bring on the giant lardons!! La Bouchon's Salad Lyonnaise is my favorite salad in Chicago, love the tart vinegar dressing, the 'giant' lardons, slightly oily croutons, though mine have never been the slightest bit soggy, and the perfectly poached egg.

Le Bouchon Salad Lyonnaise


Far as Le Bouchon being close quarters, crowded, noisy and, in general, bistro-like, I agree, it's all of the above. I've had a few 'space premium' experiences at Le Bouchon over the years....once, when crowded at the bar like sardines, which is the play on words name of the sister restaurant (la sardine), as it's significantly more spacious, an attractive women about oneinchfrommychin started, without preamble, into an apologetic babble about personal space, boundaries, me-boxes, Rolfing massage therapy and methods of extracting juice from wheat grass. She seemed amazed when I guessed she was from California.

Le Bouchon most certainly is not for everyone, me, I like the place, but that's why there are 31-flavors of ice cream at Baskin Robins.

Enjoy,
Gary