Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar - River North - Chicago, IL 60610 | Metromix Chicago

Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar



Neighborhood: River North
546 N. Wells St.

Chicago, IL 60610
312-467-0546
Price range: $$$ ($16-$25)

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. Sunday

Closed 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

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No-pic-chick
5


"Best French restaurant ever!"

By pryee from lakeview, September 15, 2008

The food is impeccable and delicious, the staff is so friendly and the atmosphere is perfect! I celebrated my birthday there and they were so nice,...

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No-pic-dude
5


"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...

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No-pic-dude
5


"Excellent Food, Atmosphere and Service"

By Amphion from River North, July 22, 2008

I have now dined at Cyrano's for the second time. As with my first visit, I had a terrific experience. Not being able to resist the duck, I ordered...

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