Cyrano's Bistrot - Do, Re, Mi, Fa....... [Pictures]

LTH,

Lyrical bonjour upon entering, French accented waitress, Edith Piaf crooning softly in the background, even as the little breeze seemed to whisper Louise setting the tone firmly in France. Crusty baguette, sharp Dijon, compound butter and a menu studded with Pate, Mousse, Escargots, Rillettes, Coq au Vin and Steak Frites reinforces.

I was was having trouble deciding between a combo of pate, mousse and rillettes or a slice of Grilled Country Bread for $16.95. As I was mainly interested in the rabbit rillette on the combination appetizer our waitress, taking matters into her own hands, brought me a small sample of the rillettes and said emphatically Order the Slice of Grilled Bread, it's really Very good. As an aside, why is it pretty much everything sounds better when spoken in a French Accent?

On the surface $16.95 sounds a dear price for a slice of bread, no matter how delicious, but the bread was accented by a mystery substance done two ways, pan seared and chilled terrine. Accompanied by porcini mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, artichoke chips and rhubarb glaze it was one hell of a slice of bread.

Cyrano's Grilled Bread


Wild mushroom soup was delicious, intense with just a light touch of cream, though photographically somewhat boring.

Wild Mushroom Soup


Our friend Jan opted for Grilled Escolar, a daily special with barley risotto, portobello, spinach, cucumber slaw and lemon butter accenting the butter richness of the firm fleshed fish.

Grilled Escolar


I'm a sucker for duck, so while Rabbit Fricassee sweetly called my name, it was impossible to ignore the incessant quack of Rotisserie Duck. Crisp skin, moist tender meat, mound of frites and orange sauce. In particular I appreciated the subtle nature of the restrained adult orange sauce.

Rotisserie Duck


Topping the trio of entrees was my brides Rack of Lamb. Crisp bread crumbs anchored to the med-rare lamb with sharp Dijon, attractively tented atop a mound of sun-dried tomato mashed potato with a small pool of demi-glace enriched herb jus lapping at the edges.

Rack of Lamb


I was especially appreciative of the fact the lamb bone was Frenched but an inch or so, leaving rich morsels of crisp upper bone succulence.

Rack of Lamb



Classic Creme Brule, cracking crisp crust, house made whipped cream, sliced strawberry topped with a scattering of still warm caramelized nuts.

Creme Brule


2000 Chateauneuf Du Pape and 2003 Gigondas with dinner, pleasant informed service, French Cabaret music in the background, cool breeze wafting though the room capped by Didier Durand making the rounds of the room and posing for a picture with MsWiv made for lovely evening.

Chef Didier Durand (L) MsWiv (R)


Cyrano's, a mini vacation to France without the jet lag.

Enjoy,
Gary

Cyrano's Bistrot
546 N Wells
Chicago, IL
312-467-0546
http://www.cyranosbistrot.com/

I had lunch at Cyrano's once, and loved it. It looks like dinner is even better. Gotta get back.

And thanks for the yummy post. I want everything you had.

Cyrano's has always been my go-to place for sweetbreads - even before it as Cyrano's and chef Didier worked in Winnetka. Are they still offered?

nr706 wrote:Cyrano's has always been my go-to place for sweetbreads - even before it as Cyrano's and chef Didier worked in Winnetka. Are they still offered?

They still had them last I went, also, it's my go-to place for kidney's - outstanding in a cream sauce. I love this place.

nr706 wrote:Cyrano's has always been my go-to place for sweetbreads - even before it as Cyrano's and chef Didier worked in Winnetka. Are they still offered?

NR,

Cyrano's current menu offers Crispy Veal Sweetbreads, roasted legumes, sage-port wine, Grilled Veal Kidneys, Dijon mustard cream, large pasta and a terrific sounding Tripes, Bergerac style with parsley.

I was there in January for a Free the Foie event so when our friend Jan requested a French Bistro Cyrano's naturally came to mind.

Enjoy,
Gary

A few years ago, Cyrano's worked with the local celiac organization to create a gluten-free, safe dinner for about 30 celiacs. It was excellent. I realize how hard it can be to accomodate dietary requirements and they excelled.

We have gone back, without prior notice, and they have accomodated us, with the chef coming out to discuss options and ensuring that the meal is prepared free of cross-contamination, etc.

Not that this is important to many people, but in case anyone needs a place to go that is careful, I would add this to your short list. That said, I have not been back in a year or so, so am not sure that this all still applies, but I would imagine so.

I had my husband's 40th dinner party at Cyrano's and it was lovely. My husband is a regular there -- his Masonic lodge frequently has dinners and just hangs out.

Chef Didier is delightful to work with and accommodating in all ways.

I love Cyrano's. A friend and I made a habit of eating there for weekday lunch once every few months for a span of about two years. We always went toward the end of lunch hours, when business was pretty slow, and we usually felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. With the soft cabaret music playing in the background--sitting outside or inside--lunch at Cyrano's still comes to mind as one of the most relaxing and simply pleasant things one can do on a weekday afternoon in Chicago (and I'm not aware of any other option like it in River North).

Sometimes my friend and I would go even when we weren't necessarily very hungry. We'd split the special of the day and dessert...have a few glasses of wine. Not deliberately, but it turned out that every time we went to Cyrano's, my friend and I engaged in extended, passionate discussions about what we were reading at that time. Service was always extremely attentive while allowing my friend and I to feel like we were in our own world. In that sense, the service was truly expert, and we always made sure our tip reflected our thanks above and beyond. Sadly, my Cyrano's companion has moved to Ithaca so I haven't been back for lunch in probably more than a year. One of these days, I'll go back.

It is also one of my favorite places to dine in the city. They nail French bistro food.

Thanks for the update. I ate there...far too long ago to recall much, though I remember a very good meal. I have been recently thinking of returning and checking it out, ever on the prowl for good bistro food (and particularly after our disastrous meal at Cotes du Rhone). Thanks for the great pics and report--Cyrano's moves to the top (okay, close to the top) of the list, now.

Very nice to see this thread. I used to work in the area and would go in frequently for their very nice bargain lunch. I forget now exactly how it works, but I believe it was a 3-course deal, of somewhat modest lunch-sized portions, for a very good price.

I seem to recall that at some point in the past, there were some less than stellar reports, back when folks were comparing available bistro options in that area, (Margot, etc.).
I always enjoyed Cyrano and it's good to see the great pics and corroborating narratives.

Try lunch.

for anyone who is out in the michigan city area chef didier brings out terrific stuff to the michigan city farmers market.people line up early waitng for them to set up.the breads and pastries are excellent.he also brings out cheeses,pates,frozen soups and frozen entrees.i have a pint of oxtail barley soup and cassoulet sitting in the fridge calling my name as i type.i was going to go to the chesterton european market after this but i am marketed out and dont think i need anything else.the farmers market is open on saturdays from 8-12 .it is at the corner of 8th and washington just a block or so from lighthouse place.

ab wrote:

nr706 wrote:Cyrano's has always been my go-to place for sweetbreads - even before it as Cyrano's and chef Didier worked in Winnetka. Are they still offered?

They still had them last I went, also, it's my go-to place for kidney's - outstanding in a cream sauce. I love this place.

I was at Cyrano's on Friday night, and they've taken the kidneys off the menu!!! I love, love, LOVE their veal kidneys in dijon cream sauce, but our waiter informed us that Chef just decided last week to remove them from the menu since they weren't popular. I was lucky on Friday because they had kidneys in house for a private event the day before so the kitchen was able to prepare some for me. Our waiter encouraged me to continue to inquire about kidneys whenever I visit on the off-chance that the kitchen has some, but I was still very saddened by the news. I love their kidneys!

I considered a separate "Save This Restaurant" thread, because if this evening was typical, Cyrano's needs (and really deserves) more love.

Cyrano's Dining Room at 7:30PM:

There was a line down the street at Sushi Samba. What a world.


The day you find parmesan air, beet gelee, or sous vide artichokes at Cyrano's will be the day my 93 year old Grandmother switches from her 8 tracks to an ipod. It a'int happening. What you will find at Cyrano's is Chicago's most classic and best executed simple bistro fare, served at surprisingly low prices for the prime locale.



Rotisserie Duck With Potatoes Au Gratin and Haricot Verts:

If this dish doesn't speak to you, I don't think we can be friends. Fantastically seasoned, cracklin, crispy skin, and chewy, meaty bird. New culinary school grads and Alinea-loving foodies might say that this duck is overcooked, but this is the way old timers like Didier do it. I like it. You will too. What you lose in tenderness, you get double-time in flavor and manly, carnivorous, chewy enjoyment. Those potatoes happen to be perfect too - maintaining plenty of textural integrity while taking on lots of creamy, buttery goodness. Hell yes.


Duck, Duck, ...

I didn't leave much.


Creme Brulee:

The brulee was still warm from having been freshly torched, as were the roasted nuts and seeds on top. OK, so as soon as the dish arrived I had to remove the pale, sad, out of season strawberries from my sight. Didier might not be as focused as I'd like on seasonality. But he makes up for it in execution. Creamy, rich, just a bit loose (as it should be) custard and deep, dark, freshly bruleed top.


Gratis Amuse Bouche of Pork Rillette and Olive Tapenade Toasts:

Who says meals have to be posted about in chronological order? Both of these little toasts were densely packed with flavor. The rilletes were especially piggy, fatty, and delicious. They were served on small slices of a house-made baguette.


House-made baguette

Yes, that's right. I said house-made baguette. That's why the crust is so much better than what you'll find on any French baguette in this fine city. The goat cheese/ tomato/ olive butter is damned good too. I'll take the bread service at Cyrano's against nearly anyone else's in Chicago.



I am sorry it took me so long to return to Cyrano's since my last visit. I won't make the same mistake. You shouldn't either.

Kennyz wrote:I considered a separate "Save This Restaurant" thread, because if this evening was typical, Cyrano's needs (and really deserves) more love.

Thanks for the report, Kenny. As I've said upthread, I adore Cyrano's, though I haven't been there at all this summer. I'll definitely be making a visit in the next few days.

Ditto, Kenny. Great post. I've been thinking a lot lately about a classic French meal and your post really gave Cyrano's a push for me.

I need to get back to Cyrano's. It's about a block from my office and used to be a semi-regular lunch location, until they stopped serving lunch a year or two ago. That was a sad day indeed.

eli wrote:until they stopped serving lunch a year or two ago. That was a sad day indeed

....but cyrano's does sell some very tempting items to go, including flavored butters, some thrillingly delicious pates ($9.50 for 7 oz., not unreasonable, when you add a housemade baguette), soups, quiches, by the slice, and whole rotisserie roasted chickens and ducks. cyrano's is very reasonably priced, with simple, flavorful food-one of my favorite chicago restaurants. justjoan

http://www.cyranosbistrot.com/

....but cyrano's does sell some very tempting items to go, including flavored butters, some thrillingly delicious pates ($9.50 for 7 oz., not unreasonable, when you add a housemade baguette), soups, quiches, by the slice, and whole rotisserie roasted chickens and ducks.

This I did not know - & since I live just around the corner, I will definitely be checking this out. Do you know if there are particular hours for the to go items, fresh baguette in the mornings for breakfast is highly tempting.

I had 2 meals this week at the Cyrano's outpost on the Chicago Riverwalk. A few notes about the place:
- It's a gorgeous setting, with lots of seating in a Monet-inspired garden right on the riverbank
- The serenity can be diminished a bit when a giant tour boat parks right in front of you, and instead of smelling crisped duck skin, you smell nothing but gasoline.
- It is a "secret garden" of sorts, as no one is ever there. When it was 74 and sunny and the 2 mediocre places across the river were packed, no one but the gruff, wine-drinking and cigarette smoking French chef, a server, and my party were at Cyrano's.
- The frites suck big time. Don't order them. If they come with something else, don't even look at them.
- The Julia Child nicoise salad is fantastic, with its fresh vegetables, perfectly boiled egg, and pungent, very garlicky dressing.
- prices are reasonable: 16 for rotisserie duck, the same (I think) for steak frites, and 14 for the nicoise salad. 9 for a plate of homemade charcuterie or a sandwich on a baguette.
- in addition to the French classics, you can get a polish or a burger. But again - you've been warned - skip the fries.

We stopped there during last summer's culinary Tour de France on bikes and enjoyed the Nicoise salad. We also had the pork and rabbit rilletes which were fantastic. Were those still on the menu?

I only wish I had more time for lunch on weekdays so I could walk over here more often. It really is a wonderful setting.

Hellodali wrote:We stopped there during last summer's culinary Tour de France on bikes and enjoyed the Nicoise salad. We also had the pork and rabbit rilletes which were fantastic. Were those still on the menu?

I only wish I had more time for lunch on weekdays so I could walk over here more often. It really is a wonderful setting.

yep, the rillettes are still there.

I recently had another terrific dinner at the original Cyrano's location. Half-chicken cooked on the rotisserie with an abundance of garlic cloves, and served with a rosemary wine sauce was about as satisfying a weeknight dinner as one could have. Add sautéed spinach with even more garlic than the chicken, and perfectly executed potatoes au gratin, and I wish I had enough money to have Chef Didier move in and become my private cook. I would not, however, allow him to make me dessert. Tarte tatin had a soggy, lifeless crust. I skipped the starters in favor of dessert this time. I'll switch that around from now on.

I received this email special from Travelzoo in case anyone is interested. $49 - CYRANO'S FRENCH DINING FOR 2 IN RIVER NORTH, REG. $126 Get two soups, salads or appetizers; two entrees; and two desserts for $49, regularly $126.

Pucca wrote:I received this email special from Travelzoo in case anyone is interested. $49 - CYRANO'S FRENCH DINING FOR 2 IN RIVER NORTH, REG. $126 Get two soups, salads or appetizers; two entrees; and two desserts for $49, regularly $126.

I may very well take advantage of this excellent offer, though it contributes to an unfortunate sense I had after a very recent meal at Cyrano's. As is pretty clear above, I've loved the place for years and considered a bastion of solid, trend-bucking French cuisine, where Chef Didier's and family's French charm emanated through the room. On the last visit though, Chef Didier and family were nowhere in sight, replaced instead by staff with the most amusing mispronunciations of French dishes I've ever heard, and a lack of knowledge about the menu. Crisp-skinned rotisserie duck, which had always been a can't-miss favorite, arrived this time chewy and fatty. The dining room was relatively empty on a weekend night at primetime, and I got the sense that Cyrano's might be on its last legs. I hope I was wrong, though the offer above doesn't give me confidence.

Kennyz, that is disappointing to hear! I had my first taste of sweetbreads at Cyrano's in 2009, and I still think fondly of them.

Pucca wrote:Kennyz, that is disappointing to hear! I had my first taste of sweetbreads at Cyrano's in 2009, and I still think fondly of them.

'twas just one meal, so I do hold some hope that it was an aberration.

Thanks for the link to the deal - I picked one up and look forward to trying this place out. It was on my radar as a potential rehearsal dinner venue and I'm quite impressed with the unanimous support from LTH heavyhitters.

As others have noted, Cyrano's is "reconcepting" and, consequently, redecorating. Just read this here http://thelocaltourist.com/blog/local-tourist/taste-tlt-january-3-2012?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheLocalTourist+(The+Local+Tourist%3A+Chicago's+Neighborhood+Website) in case anyone is interested...

"Cyrano's Bistrot is changing concepts, transforming from a bistro and wine bar into a farm kitchen. As part of this transition they're selling all of their posters and fine art. Stop in today from 10am to 8pm and tomorrow from 10am until 2pm and pick up your favorites. Following true French hospitality, complimentary wine will be served."

boudreaulicious wrote:As others have noted, Cyrano's is "reconcepting" and, consequently, redecorating. Just read this here http://thelocaltourist.com/blog/local-tourist/taste-tlt-january-3-2012?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheLocalTourist+(The+Local+Tourist%3A+Chicago's+Neighborhood+Website) in case anyone is interested...

"Cyrano's Bistrot is changing concepts, transforming from a bistro and wine bar into a farm kitchen. As part of this transition they're selling all of their posters and fine art. Stop in today from 10am to 8pm and tomorrow from 10am until 2pm and pick up your favorites. Following true French hospitality, complimentary wine will be served."

Clearly they're in financial trouble!