La Fette

A few weeks ago, I went to a new restaurant, La Fette, which opened about two or three months ago. On North Avenue just east of Wells, it's the tiny site of many past restaurants, notably Metropolis (one of my all-time favorites) and Trattoria Dinotto.

Diners at La Fette get four small courses that are included in the price of the entree. The evening of my visit the appetizer was two little spring rolls; the soup was a thick, creamy, tasty mushroom bisque; the salad was two small dollops of crab salad on a lettuce leaf with four tomato wedges. These were followed by a spoonful of "dry" non-descript sorbet.

My dinner companion had ordered the salmon creation from the approximately eight or ten entrees, which were priced mostly from the mid thirties to mid forties. When I asked how it was, he grunted an unenthusiastic "okay." I didn't really notice much about his dish--I was too busy trying to cut my French-cut pork chop and to chew and chew and chew it. When the waiter stopped by, I told him my pork chop was rather tough and dry. He said he'd tell the chef. I was able to eat about a quarter of the fairly large chop before I gave up. Nothing more was said. Both entrees came with asparagus.

My friend ordered the chocolate tart for dessert. I had one taste--dense chocolate that was somewhat salty!

Needless to say, I wasn't impressed with La Fette. The soup, of all things, was the high point of the meal! So, two scotches, two entrees with prelims, and one dessert plus tax and tip ended up costing $130. To me, that is "special occasion" pricing, but the food was not "special occasion" quality. I would be surprised if La Fette isn't a soon forgotten occupant of a space that I think of fondly from its days as Metropolis.

Hmm, think I'll plan a visit to Erwin.


La Fette
163 W. North Ave.
312-397-6300