Bistrot Margot: User Reviews
Delicious meal and great service part 1
By SusanInAurora from Aurora, November 23, 2009
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Somehow the beginning of my review was cut the first time. Here it is now:
My husband and I made our second trip to Bistrot Margot last night before we headed to a concert at the Park West. We had a delicious meal and left satisfied.
We had reservations for 6pm, but due to unforeseen traffic in the city we were about 15 minutes late. (The trip took us about 30 - 40 minutes longer than our usual time from our suburb.) Luckily Bistrot Margot tends to start getting busy around 7pm, so despite being late, the hostess was friendly and was able to seat us immediately anyway. By the time we left at the end of our meal, the place was packed.
Our waiter was helpful with a suggestion of wine to suit our tastes.
We started with appetizers, both of which were specials that day: the tomato basil soup for my husband and the vegetable risotto for me. My husband said his soup was very tasty. My risotto was delicious, perfectly cooked, and finished off with a little goat cheese that really made it special.
My husband ordered the Entrecote au Poivre, a Peppercorn Crusted NY Strip with Black Peppercorn Cream Sauce and Frites. He said the meat was a good cut, cooked properly, and the sauce was delicious. He also thought the fries were nicely done, nice and crisp and not oily tasting like some fries are.
I ordered the Poulet a l'Estragon, a Roasted Chicken Breast, with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Red Peppers, Spinach, and a Tarragon Vinaigrette. Honestly this was one of the best chicken dishes I have ever eaten. The chicken was moist, tender, and perfectly cooked. The sauce was delicious.
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In the past, my husband had the steak frites and I had the pork tenderloin. Those were both excellent too.
Our dessert was the chocolate chip bread pudding with Bailey's creme anglaise. It was good, but not out of this world. The Bailey's did add a nice touch to the creme anglaise.
Our service was good, there when needed, but not overly intrusive. The place was nice and quiet when we first arrived, but did begin getting louder before we left since it really filled up while we were there. We were still able to talk to each other at all times, so any noise did not disturb our conversation.
Overall it was a great dinner (both times we have been there.) I think what we appreciate most is that the portion sizes allow you to become full without making you feel stuffed. Overall I feel the prices are reasonable for the city.
If you are going to any of the venues nearby (Second City, Piper's Alley, Park West, Lincoln Park, Chicago History Museum) I would recommend this restaurant.
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Holy salt! Everything I ordered was drenched in salt. I had the pork loin with asparagus and pasta grits. The pork loin was exceptionally dry but the accompanying sauce was very good but very salty. The asparagus was drenched in salt. The pasta was the best part of the meal, simple and tasty.
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Went to Bistro Margot on a Saturday, and was able to "make a reservation" for 830p only 90 minutes beforehand. (I guess that's the economy at work) The place was about 3/4 full, we requested a specific table upon arrival, and were told that would be just fine and to have a seat in the (very quaint and tasteful) bar until it was ready. we were seated 10 minutes later, after 2 well made cocktails and a glass of wine. the bill was about $40 per person, including a bottle of wine and appetizer for the table of 3. very tasty steak frites (i was expecting traditionally french steak frites, meaning thin well done steak, but this one was thick, juicy, and cooked to order - a great medium rare) of course, the frites were terrific. I highly recommend this place, and will keep it in my back pocket for the next last minute dining opportunity.
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We’ve enjoyed Bistrot Margot for delightful lunches in the past, and tonight we had a nice dinner. This time, we were seat in one of the upstairs dining rooms -- very homey, with a nice French country feel. It seemed a little lighter and a little quieter (the loud woman at a neighboring table notwithstanding) than the downstairs space. The food was pleasant. A special spinach & cheese crepe was a big hit. My entrecote au poivre didn’t make it onto my top three list, but it was decent, if a bit beyond the medium-rare I requested. And it came with a mound of lightly crispy, salted-just-right frites the size of a Monet haystack! My companion’s tilapia was served over a delicious array of vegetables that stole the spotlight from the fish. There was a nice selection of wines by glass and bottle, and the bread was every bit as good as I recalled. I was so friteful that thoughts of dessert were wistful and fleeting. A very good meal in pleasant surroundings. And that’s good enough for me.
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If you're offered a table "upstairs" refuse. We just had dinner there and to be honest the only thing separating the experience from your local chinese take out was the absence of a flourescent strip light overhead. Well that and spending $150 for three. The food was reasonable for a french bistro but that was the worst table I've ever had dinner at in a "decent" restaurant, I couldn't wait to leave.
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How can you not enter and be swept up by the atmosphere? Warm, cozy, and all that. Service was good -- prompt, friendly, gracious. Food was disappointing. Frites could have been from McDonalds. Tilapia with veggies was pretty bland. Pork tenderloin was luscious, though.
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We went here before Second City a few nights ago and I was very surprised by what a great meal it was. I had the Whitefish Amandine, which was fantastic. The sauce was very good. Another in our party had the pork tenderloin. The side of pasta gratin was amazing. We were all trying to figure out how to recreate it. The service was excellent as well. Our waitress did not mind that we lingered before ordering and was very friendly. I would definitely recommend Bistro Margot.
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We just love Bistrot Margot! The restaurant is located in a very warm, comfortable space in Old Town. The food is great French fare at reasonable prices. The pate appetizer is simply delicious as is the rest of the food we have tried.
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On a gorgeous Saturday night,...
By Jill from Chicago, IL, September 3, 2007
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On a gorgeous Saturday night, we happened to arrive 20 minutes early for our 8pm reservation. I asked for a table possibly outside - only 2 of our party of 4 were there, and they seated us!! The MaitreD and or host could not have been more accommodating. The only slip up in the meal and many drinks for 4 people was that they forgot to bring my boyfriends salad, but honestly, we were stuffed anyway, and of course they didn't charge for it. My tilapia was a tad dry (though tasty), but the grouper (special), veal and poulet roti were all amazing. Holly was quite the fun waitress and knew the menu incredibly well. I would go back here for service alone!
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