The couple of times I've had it in NY are restaurants, it's been either hangar (although the menus usually specifically identify it as such), or something like a thin NY strip steak, definitely steak like. I've never seen flank or skirt used.

I know this is in response to a post from a long time ago, but what about La Tache? Every time I've been there it has been wonderful (a bit loud inside, but now due to the nice weather you can sit outside).

http://www.latachechicago.com/

In fact, I'm headed there tonight, will post later!

GF and I went to Le Bouchon last night (Monday is 1/2 price wine night). Neither of us have been there for a few years so it was great to see the place still rocking, even at 6:30! Since it was an hour wait for a table, we decided to dine at the bar. Shaun (sp?) took good care of us, as did Jean Claude - ever the host.

We started with the Lyonnaise and leek salads. Both are oh-so-French and delicious. I think I always get that Lyonnaise salad (hello lardon!), or the onion tart, whenever I go there. The leek salad was on special, with a mustard vinaigrette and diced tomato and hard-boiled egg.

For entree, we split the Canard Roti. GF says that her ex-husband would never share it with her, so she would order it anyway and take half home! It was really, really delicious - moist meat and crunchy skin. Earthy wild rice and a delicious orange sauce.


Whole duck presented before plating


My half with rice and orange reduction - the tail was great to nibble on too!

We had a great bottle of 2005 Bordeaux from St Estephe, it as 60ish on the list so half-price was even better!

No room for profiteroles this time...duck leg in the frig

wino66 wrote:We started with the Lyonnaise and leek salads. Both are oh-so-French and delicious. I think I always get that Lyonnaise salad (hello lardon!)

Lardons and crisp skinned duck with wild rice, I see Le Bouchon in my very near future!!

G Wiv wrote:

wino66 wrote:We started with the Lyonnaise and leek salads. Both are oh-so-French and delicious. I think I always get that Lyonnaise salad (hello lardon!)

Lardons and crisp skinned duck with wild rice, I see Le Bouchon in my very near future!!

Our bartender, Shaun, said it was "quacktacular!"

mailsf wrote:I cannot recommend Cafe Matou. My last meal there was a huge disappointment both foodwise and servicewise.

All of the dishes were completely drenched in butter, with no other flavors coming through, and my friends and I were treated horribly.

And yes, we're young (mid-twenties), but we're well-dressed, polite, and paying a good deal of money for three courses apiece plus a bottle of wine. Don't look down your nose at us, ignore us, then act bored and angry when you finally do come around.

Agreed! I was particularly put off by the youngish manager who refers to himself as the "Director du Vin." He seems to be attempting to embody--or parody--the precious and pretentious old school sommelier of the 1970s. The most hilarious thing is that while talking down to us, he made two noticeable errors regarding basic French wine knowledge.

I live around the corner, and I'll never go back. Not with Bouchon in the same neighborhood and Kiki's and Sardine a short cab ride away.

Marché I thought wasn't bad at all. The atmosphere is pleasant and I liked the Rabbit and the Escargots. Here's my review: http://hungrynchicago.blogspot.com/2008/09/march.html

Hungry in Chicago,

Why don't you copy and paste your report here? I don't have time to travel the internet, especially since you very likely drew your ideas on where to go from here.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:I don't have time to travel the internet, especially since you very likely drew your ideas on where to go from here.

I know that I'm new around here and should probably keep my mouth shut for a while, but I just can't.

Edited because I changed my mind. I will keep my mouth shut for a while longer.

Hungry in Chicago,

Why don't you copy and paste your report here? I don't have time to travel the internet, especially since you very likely drew your ideas on where to go from here.

Regards,

Cathy2

No offense intended, but unless you are speaking as a moderator, that was quite an abrupt and unmannerly response, IMO, not to mention that it most likely took 10X as long to formulate and write it as it would have to merely click on on the embedded link! Not an efficient use of your limited time. (Not to mention that some of us would rather peruse the blog than a snippet.)

Just my .02.

I appreciate the support, sundevilpeg. I don't mind posting excerpts from the blog if that's what's demanded by the public. The reason I don't is to avoid imposing on those who may not want to read it. Hence, the compromise of a summary + a link. Hungry.

Not singling out HiC, but Cathy among others work very hard, mostly behind the scenes, to keep LTHForum a smooth running interesting discussion web site. When the preponderance of an individuals posts are short pithy one liners essentially designed to provide a link to a blog or other web site it is counter to what makes LTHForum interesting, spirited discussion.

For the more literal minded among us, there is no hard and fast rule, a solo link or two here and there is fine, it's only when posters overdo using LTHForum as a conduit do feathers get ruffled.

Enjoy,
Gary for both the moderators and himself.

With all due respect, I don't think that's the case here. That said, my feeling is that authors are well served by duplicating some of their content here. I'm interested to hear HiC's opinion, but I'm not interested enough to click through. Too lazy.

Cathy2 wrote:Hungry in Chicago,

Why don't you copy and paste your report here? I don't have time to travel the internet, especially since you very likely drew your ideas on where to go from here.

Regards,

Actually, if you did have the time to travel to her blog you'd see that Marche was suggested to her by a friend....

And in keeping with the subject of this thread, my favorite is Cyrano's. Authentic food & atmosphere, and Didier is a charming and gracious host.

Hungry in Chicago's Blog re: Marché wrote:Overall, this was quite a pleasant traditional french bistro experience and I will most likely go back, but not after I try the other restaurants in that West Loop area.

So, you'll go back, then try other West Loop restaurants, and never return to to Marché again? I guess I don't understand ...

nr706 wrote:

Hungry in Chicago's Blog re: Marché wrote:Overall, this was quite a pleasant traditional french bistro experience and I will most likely go back, but not after I try the other restaurants in that West Loop area.

So, you'll go back, then try other West Loop restaurants, and never return to to Marché again? I guess I don't understand ...

I believe she meant to say "not until [after] I try the other restaurants in that West Loop area."

Reading comprehension was my best subject.

I can be very literal. I assume if that's what she meant, that's what she would have typed.

Calm down guys...this is a friendly site.

On topic...I read most of the replies to this topic and didn't see where he ended up going that Thursday night, did I miss it? I'd like to know where he went and how he'd compare it to places like LB and others so that I know where to go next. (Big choice now is Takashi or LB...and I'm leaning towards Tak's after Tony Mantuano told me himself to check it out )

kel wrote:

nr706 wrote:

Hungry in Chicago's Blog re: Marché wrote:Overall, this was quite a pleasant traditional french bistro experience and I will most likely go back, but not after I try the other restaurants in that West Loop area.

So, you'll go back, then try other West Loop restaurants, and never return to to Marché again? I guess I don't understand ...

I believe she meant to say "not until [after] I try the other restaurants in that West Loop area."

Reading comprehension was my best subject.

Yes, that's what I meant. Thanks kel. And what's with all the hostility? I thought this was supposed to be a friendly forum.

Sorry - I didn't mean to be hostile. It's just my old journalism training - take what others say (or write) as what they meant - don't try to re-interpret for them.

hungryinchicago wrote:And what's with all the hostility? I thought this was supposed to be a friendly forum.

I don't think it's so much hostility, as it is a desire to keep this from turning into a place where we drop in, post something to drive traffic to our own personal websites, and then buzz back out again. Not that I'm saying that I think that's what you're doing, but I'm sure it's been done before.

Also, websites and links have a way of changing. To keep the information centrally located, it's best to have it posted to the board rather than have it lost to the ages based on a shifted link. How would we know what you're saying when this thread revives in another year?

whiskeybent wrote:

hungryinchicago wrote:And what's with all the hostility? I thought this was supposed to be a friendly forum.

I don't think it's so much hostility, as it is a desire to keep this from turning into a place where we drop in, post something to drive traffic to our own personal websites, and then buzz back out again. Not that I'm saying that I think that's what you're doing, but I'm sure it's been done before.

Also, websites and links have a way of changing. To keep the information centrally located, it's best to have it posted to the board rather than have it lost to the ages based on a shifted link. How would we know what you're saying when this thread revives in another year?

Well put. I can't tell you how many times I have been perusing an old thread, see a link to something interesting only to find a "404-link not found" message. I'd prefer a cut and paste approach myself.

Also, curiously enough, I was perusing another thread just this morning, and found this:

if you're truly interested in exploring what consitutes a sandwich, check out my website at:

xxxxxxxxxx.blogspot.com

and feel free to leave a comment!

The person posting that had 2 posts total. That's the kind of drive-by self-promotion that I think no one appreciates.

***BACK ON TOPIC***

Any more recent thoughts on a low-key bistro good for a mid-price wedding anniversary? We've hit La Tache and Red Rooster/Cafe Bernard, and Bistro Campagne is reserved for the wife's yearly birthday feast.

Anyone?

I really like Cafe Matou, the food, the staff, the atmosphere.

Tried Cafe Matou again, I'm not even sure it's French at this point. App was outstanding, goat cheese stuffed pepper in a spicy sauce, scallops and lardon skewer very nice, salad, not earth shattering but good napa cabbage and dressing. Braised beef dinner, horrible, a piece of boiled beef, I swear, MCL would have been better. Jman had flank steak in a spicy black bean sauce, good, but not French. And waitress gave attitude when asked for medium, he got it medium rare, because she insisted and it was purple. We're mad we wasted a meal there.

Not in your area, but since this is an old post...

Bistrot Campagne
4518 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625-2103
Phone: (773) 649-9655

Has incredibly well-executed dishes and, in my humble opinion, an unusually thorough appreciation for wines.
Outdoor garden seating through the summer and fall make it a destination. Waiters are fun and friendly. Try the savennieres or nicolas joly's coulee de la serrant to begin.