Had a great dining experience at Bistro Monet this weekend.
We had the following:
- baked halibut with lobster mousse and asparagus (a special) - a lamb and fillet combo - field green salad w/vinaigrette, radishes, and a cheese souffle - cream of mushroom soup - creme brulee - chocolate mousse
Everything was awesome, except for the mushroom soup which was just OK. I prefer chunky mushroom soups and this was more a puree.
They also brought us a sample of the liver pate and it was very good.
They even had a French beer, which, shockingly, was pretty good, too.
Thumbs up all around. A restaurant that perhaps even Clam could love (despite their long list of girltinis)?
We LOVE Bistro Monet and highly recommend it. We had posted on the old BB about it. Personally, middlein, I love their cream of mushroom - classically French - very creamy!
Didn't you find that it wasn't crazy expensive? We were quite suprised to find that we could eat there for a pretty reasonable sum if we stuck with one drink and entree. God knows it's enough food - we don't really need appetizers or dessert, do we?
"The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith. " -Bertrand Russell V. Delong
Posts: 3239 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
The food is great. Love that they bring out an amuse bouche. I'll even run over there for "to go" and get a Foie for takeout. Great waitstaff as well. Nice cassoulet. Great lobster bisque. Smart sommelier.
This thread is very timely. My husband and I were talking about Bistro Monet just last week. I'm thrilled to hear it serves a tasty fare with good service. Cassoulet is a favorite his. My question is, how fancy do you have to dress? Would a nice Polo pass or would an oxford shirt be more appropriate and perhaps a tie? Thanks for the review M87.
I concur with Clam's assessment. Nice casual is very appropriate. I think I may have worn a nice pair of jeans with a slightly dressier top once. It's pretty comfortable - especially mid-week. I think people step it up a bit on Friday and Saturday nights.
"The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith. " -Bertrand Russell V. Delong
Posts: 3239 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
I was in business casual (button down shirt - no tie, casual slacks). A minority of folks were more dressed up.
Amy, I definitely agree that it wasn't crazy expensive for the quality of food. In our case, we had two drinks, salad/soup, and each got a dessert, so I walked out over $110 lighter before tip. It was worth it, though. The overall flavor of soup was not a problem, I just like my soups with a little more "roughage". It's a quibble.
Service was excellent - prompt, courteous, proper, and not snobby. We aren't wine drinkers so it didn't come up, but our waiter was helping out another couple with wine selection and explaining all the hoity-toity sniffing the cork business. Could be helpful for folks like me who missed out on finishing school and couldn't pick a wine (or know what to do with it once we did) to save my life.
A Fischer Amber. Don't recall any poultry on the label. But could be. There were rooster statuettes around the restaurant, so maybe that will help you get your fix, Clam.
We dined at Bistro Monet this evening. What a fantastic meal! We have always enjoyed it but tonight surpassed our expectations. We had their Rose wine which was very tasty and ended up being a great compliment to the fish we both ordered. The Hors D'Ouvre of Spare Rib meet stuffed ravioli with a mushroom sauce that we shared was AMAZING and apparently rated one of the top 120 dishes in the Chicago area by Chicago magazine. We couldn't agree more - wow! I ordered the scallops from the menu and my husband had one of the specials: Mahi Mahi. Mine was served with a puree of root vegetables and some asparagus. My husband's was served with mashed potatoes and spinach. Both had rich, delicious sauces and both were excellent.
They were making a special chocolate soufflé which was not on the dessert menu. We were told it could take 30 minutes or so but since we were in no rush, we ordered it and sipped on coffee while we waited. What a FANTASTIC soufflé!!!
I hope everyone will check out Bistro Monet. Michele, the chef, came out as he has before to greet us. We were able to tell him how wonderful the meal was and he was sincerely grateful. Spread the word. It is honestly fantastic! No, it isn't cheap especially if you go full tilt in your ordering but you can skip the appetizer and dessert and only have a glass of wine each but still walk out quite satisfied and spend perhaps $80 for a couple (includes tax and tip). It is well worth a leisurely dining experience!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Amy,
"The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith. " -Bertrand Russell V. Delong
Posts: 3239 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
Me and Mrs. Bitter visited Bistro Monet this evening for our 10-year anniversary. I have never before dined in a french restaurant. Our dining experience was absolutely outstanding. We started with the short rib ravioli with mushrooms. These were sauteed in a light white wine sauce and finished with a Madeira sauce. We also had the lobster bisque which was drizzled with creme fraiche. For the entree I had Sole and the Mrs. had Pike. The wait staff were extremely pleasant and helpful with our selections. Chef owner Michel came out and greeted us and was genuinely interested to know whether we were enjoying our food. We are definitely going back. Thumbs up!
"You shouldn't soil your Sunday pants, like those other foolish ants."
