Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar
3.6
- Neighborhood: River North
- 546 N. Wells St.
- Chicago, IL 60610
- 312-467-0546
Chef/owner Didier Durand was born in Bergerac in southwest France, hence the reference to the tuber-nosed novelist of the same town. Durand has an impeccable resume: After graduating from the Lycee Hotelier cooking school in Bergerac, he spent two years at France's Michel Guerard restaurant, then came to the States in 1986. He was a principal in the kitchens of Carlos', Gordon, Le Perroquet and Yvette Wintergarden before opening Cyrano's in 1996. His hospitality in the front of the house and his lighter touch on authentic southwest French dishes attract customers from the North Shore, neighborhood professionals and ladies who lunch. "It's fun because we're casual and priced right," he says. The menu features game, unusual salads and appetizers, mussels, sweetbreads, omelettes, beef Wellington and rotisserie-cooked rabbit, duck and chicken. Durand's favorite dish is ostrich pate. An "express lunch" offers a four-course meal at a reasonable price. The wine list features French vintages. The daughter of Didier and his wife, Jamie Pellar, is honored by a house special, Simone's Cocktail. On the weekends, seating expands to the lower level (dubbed Cafe Simone); the menu here features more seafood options, plus half-sized entree options.
Getting There
- Cross Streets:
- Wells and Ohio
- Parking:
- Street Parking Difficult and Valet
- Public Transportation:
-
CTA Bus: 22 Clark, 156 LaSalle.
Brown Line Train: Merchandise Mart. Purple Line Train: Merchandise Mart.
- Wheelchair Access:
- Yes. Entrance and restrooms; wheelchair ramp; all dining rooms accessible but downstairs space is not.
The Basics
- Hours:
-
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Dinner: 5:30-10:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 4:30-9:30 p.m. SundayClosed Sunday.
- Cuisine:
- French
- Meals Served:
- Dinner and Lunch
- Price Range:
- $$$ ($16-$25)
- Reservations:
- Accepted. Highly recommended; no reservations taken for sidewalk cafe.
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Audience:
- Families
Features
- Carryout:
- Yes
- Live Music:
- No
- Features:
- On-site Merchandise. Downstairs space, with wine cellar and its own bar and stereo, available for private parties of 20 to 60 people. Other activities inlcude cooking classes with chef Didier Durand and special wine dinners.
- Facilities:
- Private Party and Banquet Facilities
- Specialties:
- Regional French wines; rotisserie menu (rabbit, duck, chicken); Simone's Cocktail ("house bubbly and secret mixture")
- Payment Methods:
- American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card, Mastercard, and Visa
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes. Nine tables on the sidewalk cafe
- Seating :
- For 66 in main room
Write a review
Rate Cyrano's Bistrot & W...
"Highly recommended. Bon appetit! "
By Luke from Streeterville, August 1, 2008
I first dined here the very first week this restaurant opened in 1995. Chef Durand, along with his lovely wife, greeted me as if I were a close fri...
Report This Review"Food, Wine, Service--all excellent!"
By Giardinelliso from Gold Coast, February 18, 2008
I am a long-time patron of this restaurant and dined there last Saturday 16 February to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant was the choice of the ...
Report This Review"CYRANO'S is the BEST!"
By papercat89 from lakeview, February 12, 2008
I cannot believe that someone is complaining about a restaurant that has been around so long and most of the waiters have been there forever! This ...
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