Restaurants

Cyrano's Bistro's Saumon Grille

If you’re a fan of authentic French cusisine, head to Chicago’s Cyrano’s Bistro. Located in the lively River North gallery and restaurant district, Cyrano’s stands out as the most traditional French eatery in the area.  Named for Bergerac, the Southwest region of France that chef Didier Durand hails from, as well as  legendary character Cyrano’s de Bergerac’s ”Le Grande passion” for the French lifestyle, the bistro is warm and inviting.  Gold and wine-colored walls display French posters, with white table clothes  and  French music upping the elegance factor. Read More »

Once you find your way to Paris’ Latin Quarter, you’ll likely find yourself lost in the maze of little streets and alleys near the Saint Michel fountain. As the crowd jostles you along, your nose will soon be tempted by all manner of good eats.  Doner kebap, fondues, crepes, pizza — even Haagen Dazs has a presence here.

And outside of just grabbing some take-along for your walk, it can be difficult to find the right place to eat.  Little restaurants promising authentic French cuisine, tourist joints that offer discounted three-course-meals for 10 Euro and brasseries proffering a free glass of vin rouge with your meal line these streets.  Hawkers come out waving menus in your face.  Restaurant patrons spill out of cafe windows looking thrilled with what, exactly – the food or just the experience of Paris itself?  And passers-by will you tempt you with wonderful-smelling, hard-to-identify foodstuffs they can eat out of their hands. Read More »