River North Bistro Recs - Cyrano's, Kiki's & others?

Hello all,
With our two year old now well on his way to independence, my wife and I are finally getting away to have dinner by ourselves - cloth napkins and all woohoo! In particular, we're looking at mid-price considerations near Gold Coast/River North, though from all the positive press I've read, a trip to Bistro Campagne is lurking in the back of my mind. Can anyone opine regarding Cyrano's, Kiki's and/or Bistro Zinc? I recall reading about Kiki's back in earlier threads but haven't been able to find the post. Have not heard much about Cyrano's or Bistro Zinc. Any opinions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also in the mix - how would these (above) compare with Brasserie Jo? We've eaten at Everest and enjoyed that experience very much. Thanks much in advance, and we'll be sure to post in on our dining choice.
John

You may get more up-to-date and detailed replies, and by all means pay them heed, but for starters:

Brasserie Jo and Cyrano's both have mixed histories as far as posts go. Some have reported terrific meals and service, others have had some really negative experiences.

I have had good meals at both and no bad ones. Brasserie has a bit of the Alsatian slant that goes with the Joho territory. Atmosphere-wise, it's a bit more on the crowded and boistrous side.

Cyrano's does very classic French. I've had more lunches than dinners, but all have been quite nice.

I think, by all reports including my own limited experience, Kiki's is your best bet for atmosphere and execution, especially if it's a rare night out and you want to make the most of it. Probably a cut above the others you listed. (I think it might be a cut above in price too, but not certain.)

Sorry I forgot to menti0n Zinc. I always preferred the now closed Southport location. The couple of meals I've had downtown have been fine but not special. Again, a bit more on the boistrous side as opposed to a soothing, slower paced break from the toddler.

Kiki's is a tad more elegant and also relaxed. (As I recall.)

I did a search for some of the old posts and found these, which you may find more or less helpful. I can speak personally only to Le Sardine, which I would (and do) recommend, through a little beyond your preferred geographic limits.

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p= ... istro#5013

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p= ... istro#4827

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p= ... istro#4519
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p= ... istro#4017

I was really disappointed in Cyranos. Especially if you haven't been out in a long time, I'm not sure you will feel "fulfilled". Bistro Zinc is fun, but I feel the same way about it too. The wine glasses are really tiny and do not allow for fully appreciating your drink. Food is good for sitting at the bar, but not so much sitting down and enjoying.
Are you willing to go to Bucktown? I just had my favorite meal so far in Chicago there, just haven't had time to post about it. Fabulous food and you can still sit outside cozily b/c they have heat lamps. Very romantic!

good luck!

For a relaxed, child-free experience, I'd definitely go with Kiki's. Its quiet, sedate, the wait staff is professional and smooth, and they know how to pace a meal.

As for the food, I'm partial to the frisee salad, the pate, or the escargot for appitizers. For my main course, I usually go with the Calves Liver, although I've enjoyed other dishes, including the steak frites and roast chicken. The profiteroles for desert are also quite good.

Throw in a good bartender, who makes very good drinks, and a wine list with some nice prices--particularly on Bourdeauxs, and you have a good night out.

I've done a more detailed posting on Kikis and La Sardine--I'll do a search and see if I can find it.

I've tried each restaurant you've mentioned and agree with the responses-all of them are all right but nothing special.
However, we can't stop returning to Bistro Campagne-especially for the incredible pork chop and the wonderful salad with chevre crouton. The desserts are excellent as well. Another cozy spot we used to really like is La Tache on Balmoral which lost it's chef recently. Have not been there since the new chef took over but the food was always very good and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Bistro Campagne's food is a cut above Bistro Zinc, Cyrano's and Kiki's. If you've never been there, you really owe yourself a visit. We tried Thyme Cafe in Bucktown and liked it, although the menu is very limited. But the steak frites were very good and we are infrequent beef eaters. The beet salad was wonderful.

While I do like Bistro Campagne (despite a bad start with several terrible meals - the garden encouraged me to give them additional tries), Tournesol has my heart in the realm of French bistros. I like it so much, in fact, that my husband and I will be spending our 2d anniversary there, selecting it over Charlie Trotters. We have given the owner Michael Smith carte blanche with meals and wine providing him only with a price range. Granted we get better than your ordinary treatment having started going there when they 1st opened, I think the food is wonderful, the wine list well thought out, the staff congenial and the management generous.

I really liked Brasserie Jo the last time I went, where my reaction had more typically been "ennh" in the past, but I would agree with everyone saying that it's closer to a busy, noisy bar-restaurant kind of ambience than to the kind of quiet, romantic grownups-night-out feel that I would associate (in this price range) more with a place like Erwin.

Have you considered Cafe Spiaggia? Not French, admittedly, and not River North, but not far from the latter and very romantic, and very good quality for the price (which is substantially below its four-star parent restaurant).

Leaving geography aside, I have to agree with MAG that Tournesol is pretty tough to beat in the affordable-by-normal-folks-bistro category. Bistro Campagne seems to be getting steadily better, my first few meals a year or more back were nothing special but more recent ones have been more impressive, but its main attraction is still the garden dining, which is presumably over for the season. Erwin, as I mentioned, is another possibility; also in River North I'd consider MK, though it'd be pushing into the next price category.

I agree with most of the other posts: you should decide between French Bistro or River North. I live here, and can tell you you're better off going to Bistro Campagne, La Sardine, or Tournesol for Bistro food. La Sardine is the closest of the three, if that matters at all.

If you'd like to stay in River North, I'd recommend Pili Pili, but we're getting away from your French Bistro criteria.

Bistro Zinc sure looks the part, but the food doesn't measure up IMHO.

messycook wrote:Are you willing to go to Bucktown? I just had my favorite meal so far in Chicago there, just haven't had time to post about it. Fabulous food and you can still sit outside cozily b/c they have heat lamps. Very romantic!

And the name of the restaurant is.........

sweet, i was just looking for a poor man's nite out in a french bistro for my 2nd anniv next month w/ the gf. gone to la sardine quite a few times for Tuesday specials, figure it's time to move on...

perfect post, perfect timing. cafe campagne it is.

Speaking of Everest and Brasserie Jo, nice article in the NYT on Jean Joho (mostly) which includes the surprising fact that there's enough Alsatian chefs in America to have an Association...

Johnny Apple eats choucroute

The gaufrette chips at the bar at Bistro Zinc are absolutely fantastic - dont miss them!

The food can be hit or miss - but you cant go wrong with the steak frites altho a tad expensive...

Gwiv pointed out that I said something nice about a restaurant and then didn't even say which one it was

I am so absentminded lately! I am embarrassed

The restaurant I was referring to was Meritage: 2118 N.Damen
773 235 6434.