Brindille Reviews

During an extended weekend stay in Chicago, my wife and I, with another couple, enjoyed a meal that transported us back to Provence. Several years ago we ate at the Michelin-Starred Clos la Violette--a fabulous meal, and one I have often used to gauge my reactions to other restaurants. Well, that restaurant in Aix-En-Provence has met its match in Chicago. Brindille is all a francophile food fan could want. The various courses, the rabbit, the veal, the quail, the tartare were all exceptional. The service was first-class, and the staff very accommodating and friendly. A unique feature was the corkage policy--$50 unless you ordered a wine of $50 or more from their list, and then the corkage was waived! Two wonderful bottles--one theirs, one ours. Wonderful. I cannot wait to return--you shouldn't wait either!

Loved NAHA. Never has a server poured water in a cocktail until I came here. Clueless until we said something. Duck tough. Lobster awesome, to die for. Wine, $25/glass for an Oregon Pinot that goes for $40/bottle retail. Ending was a 22% auto gratuity. 22%. Good luck.

Went here in March 2018. Had the 8 course tasting menu with wine pairings, which was excellent. Each course was intricate, delicious, and memorable. The wine pairings were very good but perhaps not at the same level as the food. The atmosphere was nice, and fit the meal but it was not something that I will remember later on. Overall, I really enjoyed this meal and would happily come back. At he same time, good things come at a cost, and this came to $275 per person.

Brindille is a special occasion restaurant given it's price point. I didn't read other reviews so I don't know if our experience is unique. Tasting menus usually present a challenge for us as I am the finicky eater. But Brindille changed that: they allowed us to pick any number of apps and mains (we chose 3 and 3) THEN if I didn't like an ingredient, they worked around it!!! The meal was fantastic... Our server (Rob) was attentive, very knowledgable about the food and wine. And they gave my sweetie the birthday treatment. We agreed it was one of the best meals we ever had -- and that is saying a lot. Go and enjoy ... Book in advance!

This was our first trip to Brindille. Long time Naha lovers dating back to Gordon era. We agreed that this was one of our best meals ever. Everything was a burst of flavor, what we have come to expect from Carrie Nahabedian. Expensive-yes. But for a special occasion this was well worth the cost!

Brindille has an unassuming exterior, right next to a run-of-the-mill Irish pub of some sort, but once you enter inside, you are in the mecca of deliciousness (aka French food). Our first experience with Brindille was top-of-the-class from the get-go, when reservations were made via email. Carrie Nahabegan, the co-owner, and executive chef made sure we had our reservations lined up before we came to visit Chicago. But nothing could prepare us for the delight of dining at Brindille once we stepped through the doors. The staff was extremely friendly, making us feel right at home; wine and drinks exceeded our expectations in every way, but the real star of the evening was the food. I can honestly say that what we had at Brindille in Chicago surpassed all other French restaurants I have been to – including in France! Can’t recommend enough. Thank you for one of the best experiences.

Shockingly rude service. Uneven food quality. Very expensive. A dinner for six celebrating my father-in-law’s 90th birthday. In my 30 years dining around the world, I’ve yet to encounter a waiter as rude. Like jaw-droppingly rude. If management is reading this, he’s the waiter who looks like James Carville - bald with a soul patch. Host at the front was also inhospitable. For the amount of money this place costs, and the fact that the food is uneven in quality with terrible timing between courses (we arrived at 6:30 - our mains didn’t arrive until after 8), and considering the rudeness of the service, I’d recommend staying away.

We just ate there for birthday dinner. I thought food was very good and no trouble talking and hearing. Beautiful way food is served. Very good service and nice welcoming staff. Pricey but we knew that. I really liked it and would definitely go back.

The folks from Naha take on French food, and nailed it. Great space, very inviting and welcoming. Service is friendly, helpful, and informative. Most important, the food was amazing. Our party chose the five course spring tasting menu, even though we were having an April snow shower. We loved how they opened with an assortment of upscale charcutie for the table. This was a friendly intro of olives, puff pastries, prosciutto done so we could graze and talk. Dinner included salmon, frogs legs, loup de mer, truffled pasta, quail and chicken. All were prepared classic French style and tasted amazing. Our server, Rob, checked in with us always at the right time. Dessert was a cheese plate, floating island. Great way to finish. My only issue was the noise. The intimate setting made for a noisy space when it was full. A definite special night out in Chicago!

I have eaten at Naha, a restaurant run by the same owner, and always had an excellent meal; this was not the case at Brindille. Two of us had lobster which was overcooked, one of us had loup de mer also a bit on the dry side and one meat which was excellent. The sauces, and vegetables accompanying the main courses were excellent as was the service. The wine list is extensive and also expensive. Appetizers were excellent and we did not have dessert.

Difficult to find restaurant in the U.S. not bringing your food in more than 3 minutes...direct from microwave....this one everything has the right taste, so many flavor in each bite. The Turbot was excellent and I have the quail who was....perfect. I think it is a little bit over price but the satisfaction of the greats bad quality food has a cost. I would say the wine list is too young, more wine before 2011 in this level of restaurant would be welcome. Definitely a place to go, couple or friends with a knowledge of food and not burgers !!!! :-)

Came to downtown Chicago for a meeting Was looking for a restaurant close by that had good reputation but also had option for fixed menu and wine pairing options First, at first I thought I would be a bit underdressed but the atmosphere was very relaxed Lots of folks in suits from work but also folks more casual Definitely felt comfortable in chinos and nice shirt But !! Food awesome, did the 5 course tasting menu with wine Initially brought delicious baguette bites with goat cheese center and dry champagne It just got better from there! Good courses amazing and wine awesome! Most of us go to places like Chicago for work and don’t enjoy the amazing restaurants but this is worth the experience especially as a single traveler

We celebrated our anniversary here and were so pleased with the whole experience. I ordered the Dover sole, which was flown in that day. I could not have asked for a more delicious, well prepared meal. My husband's lobster dish was perfectly prepared, and he proclaimed it the most tender and tasty lobster he has ever had. The staff is attentive, friendly and professional.

I had been to Brindille before, remembering it was quite good, but having ordered the same main Signature dish ( their lobster) again: it is truly amazing! Think of refinement found at a good Michelin starred French restaurant in London (where I live), with the quantity of the US ( a whole lobster, freshly cooked and unshelled). As Michelin would say: worth a detour (and maybe even a trip). Other entrees ( I checked my friends'), first courses and deserts, all first class as well. Wine list excellent and relatively good value. Cannot understand why this place is not packed.... Will try to visit again each time in town !

….that Chicago is a land of two options – steak or pizza – Brindille, recommended by The New York Times as one of the best places to eat in the city, the menu has neither hoof or dough, and is the better for it. Whether it is better is debatable, as other factors then come into play. There is a habit in American restaurants, not known particularly in Europe, to divide the serving staff by class. America, being one of the most class-ridden societies in the world, expresses this best in restaurants, where only certain types of servers can perform certain functions. So it is no good asking a passing person for another drink, as the correct staff member must be summoned. And if your server prefers to be yapping with the barman rather than keeping a weather-eye on their table, you can be in for a long wait – as happens at Brindille. The food is fine, and thankfully neither steak nor pizza, but rather over-cooked on occasion

A French restaurant that not only has delicious food but friendly and efficient service. It is a small restaurant with a contemporary feel to it. On the expensive side, but worth it. Of special note were the escargot (unusual presentation and so delicious) and the Dover Sole (3 in our group of 4 had the sole and we were all pleased - the 4th person had quail and also enjoyed that dish). If you are looking for a special night out with really good food and service, this is the place to go!

Chef Carrie and Manager Michael Nahabedian, cousins exuding warmth and love of food, have opened a charming French restaurant one block away from their venerable NAHA. Brindille, designed with the calm, gray Zen tones of Naha, has a tight French menu, filled with classics one finds in the chic arrondissements of Paris. Brindille was not created to be trendy. This is fine dining, bringing back memories of elegance and sophistication, what one would find in the Sixteenth Arrondissement. Yet, dishes are created and served with no pretension or attitude. This is a unique combination and hard to find in the restaurant world. Elegance with a hug! The Dover Sole is oh so light, perfectly done, with a delicate turn. The Quail was cooked perfectly, well seasoned, and everything worked well together. The hand cut noodles were amazing, with great depth of flavor. While I sometimes avoid snails, I didn't even notice them, as my taste buds were rejoicing. The wine list has unique offerings in all price ranges, and the mark up was very fair. L'Oeuf a la Neige for dessert had me singing like Edith Piaf. I walked away from Brindille looking up, expecting to see the lit Eiffel Tower looming in the distance. Je suis heureux.

Brindille is fantastic choice for an upscale, French meal in River North situated in a modern, excellently-designed room.

Brindille is a definite must try if you are in Chicago and looking for a dining experience. The restaurant is small and intimate, and the service is outstanding. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and very attentive to our table of 6. The portions are on the small side which I like because I can enjoy a full dining experience of appetizer, main course and dessert without feeling like I'm wasting food. The wine menu is extensive, although expensive. The food was very good and absolutely beautifully presented however everyone is our group rated the food four star and commented that a few of the dishes lacked a little something in flavor. I won't go into a lengthy monolog on every dish and comment but I had the veal shortbread appetizer and it was absolutely the best appetizer I have ever had and wished my main course would have been just that. I had the Dover Sole for a main course and it fell a little short of my expectations. It was cooked to perfection however it lacked a little in flavor. I will definitely go back, and everyone in our group said they would too, but it just didn't quite rate a five star, especially when considering the cost. The total bill for 6 people having an appetizer, main course, and dessert, with one bottle of wine, 6 glasses of champaign, and 6 mixed drinks was $ 1,200. including gratuity.

From their menu, I expected big flavors and excellent service. The food was okay, but rather bland. We received our salads timely, but it took another 45 minutes before our entrees arrived. There was no back up because we were the first people to arrive for dinner and there were only two of us. All the cooked items delivered to the table were barely warm or cool. The presentations were nice.

Brindille is a hidden gem -- an intimate restaurant in a classy space, with outstanding culinary creations by chef Carrie Nahabedian. The menu is mostly French but with very subtle Armenian touches. Almost anything on the menu is excellent -- on this latest visit the dover sole stood out as did the white asparagus. It is a special occasion restaurant but it has never disappointed.

we came to Brindelle for my birthday. Small intimate room, white linen table cloths, fine silver. Service a little brusque, but still quite good. The food! Oh my goodness. There were 4 of us and we all had something different. All I can say is I had the Lobster Brindelle which was absolutely delicious. I know everyone at my table thoroughly enjoyed what they had, but I was so engrossed in mine, I really didn't care. I think someone had the braised rabbit and sweetbreads, another had the halibut, and yet another had some kind of fish. For dessert we shared the pave. Yum Yum

We happened to be walking by and checked out the menu. Based on that we decided to stay and have dinner. Our waiter, Jeremy was excellent. He explained our choices both when we ordered and when the dishes came out. The cheese puffs were delicious and the rolls were some of the best I've ever had. The sprinkled salt on top added extra flavor and they were so soft and warm. I'd go back just for them. Even though the French martini wasn't on the menu, Jeremy made sure my husband had one. The sea scallops appetizer was excellent. My prime rib entree was cooked and seasoned perfectly. My husband really enjoyed his steak tartare appetizer and sea bass entree. We also enjoyed the desserts (the chocolate relish and the cafloutis). Try to get there before 7 and it gets too crowded. This was a great surprise find for us and we will definitely be back. Also Micheal, the owner, was very charming.

Amazing atmosphere and even better food. Always something new and delicious on the menu. Whenever I am in Chicago (about 4 times a year) I have to have dinner there! Check out the artwork by Lora Fosberg on the walls! Gina

I am prejudiced about Brindille, and anything Carrie or Michael Nahabedian do in the restaurant world. Carrie's skill as a chef is legendary, certainly well known in this country and recognized by the James Beard Foundation. Michael's business acumen, and aplomb as a restauranteur, helped put Chicago on the "foodie" map. Yet, most importantly, their warmth, love for family, good food, and happy times reverberates through every restaurant they open. Brindille is a classic French restaurant, that just happens to be in Chicago. We were just in Paris for a week, and Brindille would be comfortable as a Michelin starred dining destination, sitting on a block in the sixth, seventh, eighth, sixteenth, or seventeenth arrondissements. As River North changes, overtaken by the hordes of drunken young people, looking for another beer, margarita and fish taco, Brindille sits on Clark Street as a beacon of fine dining. The patrons of Brindille know what Carrie and Michael offer; great food, elegant surroundings, and a dining refuge. Chicago is lucky to have Brindille. Go and discover what fine dining is all about. This is grown up elegance.

My fiance and I live in Chicago and have been to every Michelin rated restaurant in the city. Not only is Brindille better than 95% of those that have been rated, but it was one of the most extraordinary culinary experiences we've ever had in the city. (He has lived here for over 30 years). The food was flawless. Wine list was robust and impressive. Ambiance and decor was perfect. And our server, Robert, was impeccable -- patient, articulate, knowledgeable and honest. If there was an award to vote for the best server in Chicago, he would get our vote. To personalize the experience a bit more, upon making a reservation, I was skeptical to be the last reservation of the night -- 9.30pm on a Saturday night. However, the maitre d, Jude, made certain to ensure we would not be rushed. Upon being seated, our wonderful server confirmed we would not be rushed. From then on we were consistently impressed in how they went above and beyond. We ordered a bottle of wine -- they didn't have it. Rather than returning to the table empty handed, they told us they took the initiative to bring a better bottle from their sister restaurant (Naha) for the SAME price. When wrapping up dinner, they brought complementary Calvidos. I don't know why Brindille doesn't have at least 1 star -- as it's worthy of at least 2. You will not be disappointed. Go before you can't get a reservation. We will back with friends.

Excellent French styled cusine updated to locally sourced and interestingly herbed dishes, but without the insane excess of "molecular gastronomy." Just great food excellently prepared. Dined there with knowledgable friends in the food industry and were very pleased with all selections. We each ordered different appetizers entrees and desserts and shared. Everything was outstanding. Portions are fine - not too much and not as small as other gourmet places. On the expensive side, but this high level of quality demands it. Well rounded wine list for such a new place. I disagree that anything was "too rich". Only drawback is the noise level but that seems to be the case everywhere.

Great meal and service at this quiet French restaurant just off the busy Clark Street entertainment block. Surprised it was not busier on a Friday night. We enjoyed the duck and the scallops plus the beer salad. Everything was fantastic. And after go to the Blues Bar next door…awesome time

This jewel of French cuisine is a must for food and wine lovers. The restaurant itself is small, intimate. The service was first rate. The food and wine were perfection. We were a party of five. We started with a 12-cheese sampler and a sparkling Armenian wine. The menu for starters and main courses was interesting and varied, and the flavors of the food were so layered that they could be enjoyed long after the food was swallowed. The wine list and dessert menus were also excellent. Everyone in our party enjoyed the whole experience.

My wife and I went to Brindille with friends for New Year's Eve. The decor is special and welcoming. The regular menu was being served as opposed to an exorbitantly priced special menu. The staff was extremely friendly and efficient, always present but not hovering. The wine list was somewhat pricey but there were a number of selections at various price points. The food was outstanding. Our party had some dietary concerns which were discussed in advance with Jude, the general manager. They were able to accommodate all of our needs without sacrificing either the quality or presentation of any of the dishes. We had an opportunity to meet and chat with Michael and Carrie, the owners (Carrie is also the executive chef) and found them to be delightful and quite informative about the dining scene and chefs in a number of different cities. Clearly, they have taken the best of what they have seen and translated it into special dishes for Brindille. Their core menu was very inventive, and the use of accompanying ingredients for each main course was very innovative. We are certainly going to return on our next visit to Chicago, and strongly recommend the restaurant if you are interested in a wonderful meal in a wonderful environment.

My wife and I recently dined at this very understated yet elegant restaurant. We choose the tasting menu because Chef Nahabedian was in the kitchen that night and she would be selecting our dishes (with one constraint, no oysters). Everything was spectacular. No news there, the food always amazes us. The revelation for me that night was the wine pairing feature. In the past, I have not chosen this feature at fine restaurants because I ended up drinking much more wine than I normally do and I, quite frankly, get drunk and can't always remember the food. I mentioned this to our server and she said, no problem. My wife and I each had a "half pour" matched to the food and the result was a superb wine/food experience. Cheers to Brindille's focus on my total experience by suggesting a half pour wine pairing. Simple, yes. But I have not been offered this solution at any other fine dining venue.

What a great find by my sister-in-law and brother who live in Chi-town....We chose to take a 5:30 seating and had such a delightful and enjoyable dinner .... How and Why you might ask?....because we were encouraged via the direction of Sophie how to journey our way through this very french menu....Sophie is from Belgium and has a smile that put a smile on all 4 of our faces...her accent is melodic as she explains the details of each appetizer and entree....we simply want her to keeping speaking....meanwhile, we do finally order....soup, sweatbreads, mussels,noodles were our appetizers (split among 4).... those were in just the right proportion to allow us the amazing flavors of each item.....then out came the entrees!!!....lobster, duck, lamb and quail.....we cannot express in writing the exquisite flavors EACH of our dishes brought to our palates....our wines were expertly paired with our selections....and dessert was just enough!!....chocolate for one couple, lemon tart for the other....and the absolute best part of our dinner is that we could linger and visit without being rushed....they had a full house, but we were accommodated so elegantly....we opted for a 5:30 reservation and we recommend the same for anyone who desires to truly luxuriate in the experience they offer...dress is nicely casual...thank you Sophie for a memorable evening!

While on a short stay in Chicago, we dined at Brindille and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. French Cuisine is, by definition, upscale. That is why the bar was set pretty high when we chose Brindille for a special evening in Chicago. We quickly felt in good hands. We had a glass of Spanish white wine to start and were recommended a great American wine (as we don't know them very much) to follow. The recommendation was spot on! We had the Foie gras and the Asparagus for starters and then the Loup de mer and the Lobster. Exquisite quality ingredients, mastered technique and top notch well-balanced service. The restaurant was full, and seemed noisy at times, but delicious food, great wine and loving company made it easy to forget everyone surrounding us. Portions looked perfect to us, and dishes were as beautiful as they were delicious. Brindille is setting the standard for every aspects of a great French cuisine experience.

I had the Chef's menu with a range of dishes, along with some wines to match. The dishes were quite good and the wine matched well. The hi light for me was the Black Cod dish. The restaurant has a contemporary fit out, the service was smooth and the dishes both well plated and tasty. Worth a visit if you are in Chicago.

Nice atmosphere with tight space. Great french cooking and delicious selection. Problem is the service is so horrible as we finished all of our 2 course appetizer and had to wait 1 hour 10 minutes for our main course. Waiter didn't even swing by to let us know why or when our dinner should be coming to manage our expectation since our 2 course appetizer have already been digested completely. We were about to walk out and he finally came by with a simple apology for being so extremely tardy with our main course. Been to several places where they were extremely apologetic in full sincerity. This was almost like it's our fault for ordering so many dishes! Totally unacceptable regardless how good your food is, you just lost us as customers or any recommendation to others. Sad that it has to end this way but you need to be sensitive to your customers if you really want to be a top notch restaurant.

My dinner here last week was (1) very expensive and (2) very disappointing. The "tarte tatin," which was here a potato-base first course, had clearly been made well in advance and heated in a microwave. It was gummy, lacked texture, and had little flavor. Foie gras courses were described by my friends as a bizarre bread pudding; it was disgraceful at its price point. The duck entrees were barely warm, not because they were medium rare, but because they were clearly improperly cooked. The only good item was the roasted quail. The wine we ordered turned out to be out of stock, but instead of sending the sommelier to us, the waiter just brought a different bottle with which he clearly was not familiar.

We started with chickpea donuts for an amuse-bouche (okay). My husband had the squash soup, which he really liked. I split the tarte tatin with him and thought it was just okay. I had the halibut for my meal, which was cooked perfectly, and the Jerusalem artichoke and sauce were very good. My husband had the pork chop, which was pretty large, and he enjoyed every bite. He had the pear dessert, which he said was okay. The server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. It was dimly lit in the dining room, which I much prefer to bright lights.

We like nice restaurants and we’ve spent a lot of cash over the years trying out all the recommended restaurants in cities we visit. So I was a little disappointed in my evening at Brindille after I had researched where to go to in Chicago. We made our reservations online and had to take an earlier time as nothing later was available, so I was surprised to notice that for over an hour no one else came into the restaurant and we were seated at the back of the restaurant, in the dark with the air conditioning blowing on us. I understand when the room fills up you need the air on, but with half the restaurant empty it was too cold in the room. The sweetbreads were nice, nothing noteworthy, my husband had the frog legs and the waiter handed him a cloth and told him to ‘pick them up with your hands’. I thought that the delivery and comment were a little causal☺ His main was the duck and I had the lobster, which was expertly prepared. Nicely steamed and tender, one of the best lobsters I’ve had in a restaurant. The desserts didn’t interest me so I had a port and he had the chocolate cake. Something was missing that night for us, I hope someone else found it there.

Fantastic French cuisine and great wine pairings! Carrie and Michael have a real gem in Brindille. Put yourself in their hands and experience the freshest and most complex tastes. Teh space is perfect for a business meeting or a private dinner. The wait staff are very open and know the menu inside and out if you need a suggestion.

We stayed at Aloft on Clark so how convenient to finally try Brindille. We were early diners as we were headed to the Opera House. So nice to be greeted by owner Michael Nahabedian. The service was exceptional: friendly & professional. The food was fabulous. We had the Pumpkin soup, the Potage of Kohlrabi, Lobster Brindille, and ooh that dessert...we highly recommend the Oeufs a la Neige! A lovely dining experience. We are going to go back for the Eight Course Tasting Menu...soon!

Service of hostess was awful rude and impersonal. There are so many great service we restaurants close by like GT - we had a reservation and were turned away as we were five minutes early. Then rude treatment when they let us in. Food is God’s but front Office wait staff need a lesson is serving b

Ate dinner there last week when I discovered that Naha was moving. So happy I made the switch! One of the best meals I have ever had in a city where there's [plenty of choices for great food. Efficient and attentive service. Los of great choices on the menu and a very interesting wine list. Try the seared foie gras as an appetizer and the steak frites for entree. Desserts cap of a fine dining experience.

This small, family owned restaurant is easy to miss. Understated and elegant, yet casual, the food is just as complex. Small details catch your eye as you eat, like a small slices of fermented walnut you would swear are persimmon or tiny wafers of dried lemon that delicately enhance your Dover sole. With so many fine offerings, it was difficult to choose. Not one plate disappointed. Service was outstanding, too.

A refined experience in a stylish and classy setting. Quality service and delicious dishes from a pretty classic French menu.

I ate here because they are Naha's sister restaurant and I would never visit Chicago without eating at Naha. Food superb, not too much, not too little. Imaginative, but clearly French. Excellent red wines by the glass and cheese board. Service was perfect. They knew what I wanted and when.

Fortunately we got last-minute reservations at this much-hyped but deserving establishment when our first-choice restaurant cancelled on us, and we couldn't be happier. Very scaled-down decor (they want the food to shine) but comfortable. We were seated in a corner table; our server was very knowledgeable and told us how everything was prepared in great detail. Interesting ingredients; how different tastes and textures are balanced is one of the secrets of their success. The honey butter served with warm bread was a treat--we asked for more. For apps and entree DH had the foie gras and lobster Brindille and I had the scallops and lamb. For dessert we shared the cherry clafoutis and the fantaisie au chocolat, which comes complete with a spun sugar flute on top. Our server grabbed us a cab out front and thus ended a memorable anniversary.

Thought the flavors were outstanding. The portions were good size. However I think the appetizer and drink prices are on the aggressive end. Wine by the glass was $14-28 with most in the $17-22 range. Kettle One martinis was $18. The bottle prices also seemed like they were really pushing the envelope. Not outrageous but enough to make me pass on a bottle Did seem to get a little bit of a condescending attitude for ordering cocktails and not wine - which I thought was a bit odd They offered two Chef tasting menus of 5 and 8 courses. I think the prices were $125 and $165 Would definitely go back

Following TA recommendations booked a 7 pm reservation. Cocktails and appetizers excellent and then service took a nose dive . It was more than 90 minutes to get entrees and I noticed multiple upset guests. Entrees were ok but the wait with no apologies was unpardonable.

We dined at Brindille for a business dinner. The décor is very understated but elegant and has a nice relaxing, cozy feeling. The menu was scaled down but offered a little bit of everything, probably in an attempt to please all diners, no small task for any Chef. Brindille offered a great cocktail list, again not extensive, but very creative although a bit overpriced. We ordered the Veal Sweetbreads and Steak Tartare for the appetizers. Both were very good and highly recommended by our server. The entrees we ordered were the Duck Breast and Squab, both done very well with great flavors. The wine list is much like the rest of the menu's, not extensive but very well thought out wines to compliment the food. It is nice to read a wine list that is not 35 pages in length. Our server, Jeremy, was outstanding! He was attentive but not over bearing. Each of his suggestions were perfect. The only complaint we had was the fonts on the menu's were a tad bit too small and difficult to read especially in low lighting. I would definitely eat here again.

Took our daughter and husband to celebrate a birthday. Couldn't get in until 9 and found tables full and they stayed full all night. Best meal was the lobster, it was so fresh and perfectly prepared. Everyone loved their meal. Dinner for four wad $500 including tip and a $135 bottle if wine. I would definitely go there again.

Very intimate beautiful space. Started with delicious complementary potato Beignets, and buttery soft dinner rolls. I had the chilled broccoli soup with Gin & Tonic granite which was so refreshing on a hot summer day. Followed by the halibut with seasonal summer vegetables and to finish a spectacular Strawberry Custard Profiterole. The service was attentive but not obtrusive. Every detail is unique and well thought out. I will be back.

We had been waiting to dine @ Brindille and picked our 30th wedding anniversary / Bastille Day There were only seven prisoners at the Bastille and not more than 12 diners on a Saturday night The food was excellent and on par with many great French restaurants in France 🇫🇷 staff was friendly and prompt service There is a disconnect between the service and the kitchen - it took way too much time between courses especially with few diners. Took close to 3 hours for 3 courses Like other reviews- I would highly recommend they add some more moderately priced wine options- there was really nothing less than $80 But the food is the the reason to go- nothing like it in Chicago

OK, went with friends and wasn't paying too much attention to the entree prices. Food was very nice but the tab was tres expensive and, good as it was, not justified. $56.00 entrees require not just very good but excellent which this is not. Service was polished and the room is nice. Wines by the glass are also too expensive.

An excellent restaurant. The soft, contemporary, and quality decor is very welcoming to this high end restaurant. It is not a lengthy prefix spot but I consider that a good thing. The staff was very professional, the food was served at the appropriate times, and the was very tasty. The menu may not appeal to all but this place is good if it does. I am also a fan of their other restaurant, Naha. Reservations recommended and this is a nice small quant restaurant that would also be good for special occasions.

What a fabulous meal- the food was superb... The fish was moist and tasty and so was the honey butter which added a lovely flavour to the French pain! Lovely meal on our trip to Chicago.

Now this was a satisfying meal! Conscientious and considerate service, understated but elegant decor, the only quibble I had was that the lighting was on the dim side. However, the dishes were terrific! We were served some amuse-bouche of a delicate, cloud-soft potato gnocchi - kind of a super-upscale tater tot! - that was very addictive and I was sorely tempted to ask for more (they should consider adding it as an appetizer!). This not being possible, I had their seared foie gras appetizer instead: a luscious, unctuous slab of umami, its fattiness off-set by the slightly tart, slightly sweet cooked fruit garnish. I followed this with the lacquered duck breast with a nice crispy skin that could vie with Peking Duck. The duck was meaty and tender, not at all fatty, and accompanied by seasonal vegetables and mushrooms. Finally, we shared their selection of cookies for dessert - and what cookies they were! Warm, soft, not too sweet - went perfectly with coffee. This was a meal to savor and that satisfied your autumnal cravings.

Would not return, overpriced , good , not exceptional and I have been numerous European top restaurants. The important point, how does one feel after walking out after my meal, as for me, gouged in cost, experience not worth it, multitude of much superior alternative Chicago dining . I have dined in many great restaurants in my travels around the world. I would not return here. I had the 5 course tasting menu, in my view, not special, certainly not compared to other major cities. Even though only 3 people, restaurant demanded 22.5% gratuity + 4% service fee ,( 4% fee was removed upon request); from my experience, simply outrageous.Worse, speaking to the identified mgr, he exhibited a 'care less" attitude, "it is listed on menu". If I had seen it, I would have walked out initially. When told I would have to hunt for parking or use some other valet around the block, I should have picked up on this attitude and stayed away. Speaking of attitude, the French were often disparaged for an attitude problem. Despite a multitude of trips , over decades, to France to the best hotels and dining , only once had that experience in France. Here, I had felt an "attitude" experience on this visit.

Given the hype, this was overall a rather disappointing dinner. An upscale, expensive, French style fine dining spot with elegant décor and crowd that is noticeably older. The dinning space is small, so even though they were not full, every waiter had to pass our table and I had to move few times to allow them to serve other table. Staff was friendly, but somewhat condescending. The entrée choices are limited, and the food does not worth the money. I had hand cut noodles for an appetizer and bison ribs for main entry. They were both average in presentation, poor in flavor and outrageously salty. It's extremely unlikely I would recommend this place or be back, there are so many better places to go in Chicago.

Three of us stopped in at Brindille on a Saturday evening in early May. We were seated at a good table by the window and so enjoyed the foot-traffic outside as well as the restrained decor of the restaurant. We were aware of the place primarily by word of mouth, and I was surprised when during my research I discovered a paucity of TripAdvisor reviews. Based both on what we had heard and read, we were anticipating a treat. Service was excellent throughout the meal, knowledgable, attentive but not intrusive. We decided to choose our wine by the glass in order to sample a variety of possibilities, and our waiter was helpful with his suggestions. We chose two from the Rhone Valley and a Croatian red that, in my view, was the star of the flight. For appetizers we went with the snails, a green garlic soup, and a young lettuce salad. The snails were deemed excellent, the soup "light but forgettable", and the salad, despite being nicely dressed was "a bit lazy". Service on all counts was discrete and professional, water glasses filled & plates cleared without fuss. For entrees we chose the Roasted Squab, the Duck Breast, and a Rib of Beef. When the food arrived, we all agreed that plating and presentation was a strength...each dish quite beautiful in its own way. The dinner service and flatware were elegant and european, with three tined forks and a knife in the shape of a scimitar...hilt and all. The knives, as delightfully eccentric as they seemed, proved a problem. They were universally dull as butter knifes. Later, we agreed that the meat in each dish was appropriately tender, but the dullness of the cutlery turned what should have been delicate surgery into a hatchet-job. How well a sharp blade would have saved the experience. The Rib of Beef which was ordered as a kind of baseline entree, was beautifully charred outside, but served medium rare (purple inside) rather than the specified medium. Small missteps, but missteps nonetheless. The deserts were really quite splendid. The Clafoutis was clearly the star, but both the Pithivier of Frangipane and the Fantaisie Au Cholat were decadently superb. Management was gracious and genuinely conscientious throughout the dinner and on farewell. The tab came to just under $500 including wine and tip. We were a little tempted to have a knife sharpener sent over from Williams-Sonoma.

Given the build-up (and the prices) this was overall rather a disappointing meal. I chose the sweetbreads and the beef and they were both fine, but the sauces with both were simultaneously underflavoured yet oleaginous and over-rich. As for the service, I just can't get used to the self-satisfied manner of the more 'serious' restaurants in the US - but perhaps that's simply a cultural difference. In sum, good but not great food at a level of price and pretention that should demand better.

Had a personal corporate event at Brindille. The service was great - super professional, coat check, cocktails upon entrance, and more. However, the food portions provided were not amazing. I left somewhat hungry, and unsatisfied. Their food is very delicious, especially the duck. I believe my experience was different since it was a pre-fixe menu and not a la carte. The best part was the dessert plate. It included some insanely delicious ferrero-rocher tasting chocolate chunk, and some dark chocolate pieces. Outstanding dessert.

I gladly woold have given this Frendh restaurant 5 stars, was it not for slow food service. Receptionnist was all smaile and efficient. Decor and atmosphere is great. Wine service and order taking was prompt. Wine list is impresssive. Food is excelant and innovative. But the speed of receiving the dishes was below normal: 20-30 minutes wait. Something can be done about that!

I preface this with the fact that I am a chef. I do this not to give the impression that I might know more than anyone else who might leave a review for this or any restaurant. I say this merely to express the fact that I have high, sometimes unreasonable expectations when I eat at a restaurant like Brindille. With this being said, I can honestly say that this was the best meal my wife and I have ever had the pleasure of eating. This is not an exaggeration in the slightest. I was informed that they were still relatively unknown, which to me is a tragedy. Detractors of this restaurant do not understand food or the food industry. The tasting menu was transcendent. Absolutely unreal. If you are ever within one hundred miles of Chicago, make the trip to Clark street and check out the beautiful decor and sublime food and wine. If you don't, you are doing yourself a horrendous disservice. FIVE STARS Chef Connor Mize. La Finestra, Jackson, Mississippi.

In Chicago on business this week and had a friend suggest Brindille as a great way to cap off a full week ... Ambiance, food and service all far exceeded expectations! The oyster starters are delicious and warrant ordering every time!! Salad and quail dishes combined flavor and presentation.., The lamb was perfectly cooked and combined with a range of flavors and textures....the duck disappeared as the cumin accents matched southern France wine served.... This is a great culinary experience enriched by an exceptional team of experts and hosts... A must do .... When in Chicago

We dined at Brindille and found it to be an excellent restaurant. Nice decor and very friendly staff. The wine service was very good, our waiter was very accomodating and explained the dishes gracefully and every single dish was outstanding. Portions were surprisingly large for such elevated cuisine. Highly recommended

Brindille pronounced “Braun-DEE", translates to "new growth" in French with a woman chef at the helm! We like a woman chef! This spot is exquisite and elegant but also inviting. It’s perfect for a romantic dinner or special celebration. It’s adorned with black and white art, dark with intimate lighting. The attentive staff ensures a top notch dining experience. We ordered the iced oysters to start things off. The feuillete is an elegant light biscuit stuffed with mushrooms and spinach. It was delightful. The gem salad was fresh and a perfect addition. We finished with the scallops and fries. This is a huge helping of shoe strong fries served with mayonnaise which is superior! Love the story. Loved the restaurant. Loved the food.

All I can say is wow this is definitely a top 10 restaurant in Chicago; French dining at its best! (I'm in Sales and eat out and entertain a lot) They started the meal with a small type of pastry with cheese on the inside that was unbelievable the bread was incredible we moved on to the appetizers which are very unique and all of them were very good. The main courses were also very very well put together! The desserts were also incredible which included a type of bread pudding with butterscotch!! All in all it was a great night the restaurant is very intimate and small so it wasn't noisy it was the perfect choice!

The restaurant was extremely nice and the staff was outstanding. The food and beverage is not really worth the hype. Dinner for 3 cost us $500 and we only had a half bottle of wine and one glass of wine. The entree choices were limited although they covers all the basics. The appetizer menu was great and the sweet breads were probably the best thing on the menu. A very small place, our table was in the center of the room and was a terrible place for a table. Every employee and manager had to pass our table and felt a little to busy for us. Although a nice looking restaurant and we had no major complaints we expected more for the amount we paid. It's extremely unlikely we would recommend this place and won't be back.

I was familiar with the excellent reputation of its sister restaurant Naha with Brindille being a relatively new place. Local print reviews have been very good and upon looking over their menu online, Brindille seemed to offer entrees that interested me. As a single diner, its sometimes challenging to find a place that will take a reservation for a single, but Brindille did with no problem. My appetizer of hand cut noodles with morels and snails was rich and a great start to the meal. Loved it. The oyster, egg, leek and caviar appetizer was an imaginative way of presenting oysters. Creamy, slightly salty with deep oysters flavors. My entree was lobster Brindille, which highlighted moist lobster with vegetables that absolutely proclaim springtime. My dessert was fantasy of chocolate where chocolate, whipped cream, nuts and other ingredients were contained within an impossibly thin tube of spun sugar - a real piece of grand construction in a city that adores architecture. Service was attentive and truly warm. One of the best food and service experiences I've had in Chicago.

Bridille is an off-shoot of the successful Naha restaurant close to it. Here, the atmosphere is subdued and is conversation friendly (a rarity in Chicago restaurants these days!) The decor is understated but done with good taste, the menu is simple but refined and comprises of exquisite items seldom found elsewhere in the city. All meals are prepared, presented and served expertly justifying the prices. What surprised us the most was our amiable male server who walked out and hailed a cab for the three of us and waited in the bitter cold and snow until we were seated and on our way home!

We ordered the 5-course tasting menu and wine pairing. The oyster and the beef tarate were good. The fish and the duck were overcooked. The dessert is fine. The wine pairing is a bit mean. Three sips then your wine will be finished. In addition, the servers were so eager to take our plates when we just put down the knife and fork. They were also desperate to get rid of us by putting the bill down once we finished our dessert. Don't feel comfortable with such a "rush" service.

This was just amazing. We were having a special anniversary dinner together and went for the tasting menu. The food was simply out of this world and we went away knowing that that was one of the best meals we have ever had the privilege of eating.

Brindille seems to have a lower profile than it deserves -- odd given its lineage. Interior is slightly warmer version of Blackbird. Food and service both excellent. Waiter was offering a nice bargain red wine, which was appreciated. Best for couples or quiet dinners.

My family ate here this evening and we enjoyed the food- it was good. The staff were all very pleasant and courteous. We had the steak tartare and scallops to start, and then my daughter and I split the lobster which was good. My husband had the veal and it was excellent, and my daughter's steak was also very good. The problem was with the service. We repeatedly had to ask to have drinks refilled and the table cleared. There was a significant lag between dishes and we were basically kind of ignored. There is also only one bathroom in the entire restaurant which created a problem when my husband went to it and it was occupied he was asked (nicely) to go sit down and would be notified when it became available. The restaurant is noisy with little sound buffers so it makes conversation difficult at times. Am glad we tried it but probably wouldn't return.

We started off with oyster appetizer topped with caviar. What a kick off! We followed that with the foie gras which was incomparable. For entrees- Lobster Brindille, Rib of Beef and Halibut Special. I wish that I possessed the words to describe how I feel when great food is prepared with care and the service is so good that whatever the price is... It seems like a value. The experience of dining here is like that. The information that our server shared with us. The warmth with which we were greeted by Carrie and Michael Nahabedian. Meeting old friends there and feeling like we are at home. You must treat yourself and go to Brindille. It did not seem possible to match the level of excellence that they achieved with Naha, but they have done a masterful job. Truly one of the top restaurants in one of the great restaurant cities in the world. I wish there were more than 5 stars.

I should preface this with a disclaimer that I intentionally made a reservation for a Saturday outside of restaurant week, but when we got there they were only serving the restaurant week menu (I guess due to poor weather earlier in the week) and so I was a little put off. That being said, the food was generally very good, but service felt like we were being pushed out the door. The menu was a 3 course menu where you choose 1 item from each section: appetizer, entree, dessert. They had a few "supplemental" items in each section. Weird part here was that they weren't supplemental as much as if you wanted one of the supplemental items, it would be your 4th, 5th, etc. course. It would have been much nicer to say "here are your choices, it cost X. If you'd like to to have this premium item, it will cost you Y additional." So, we ordered the tartar as our additional appetizer. My wife and I said, "do you think we should tell him not to bring the tartar at the same time as our other items? No need, we decided as it would be ridiculous if he did that." Uh-oh. 3 plate pile up. Mushroom soup was great, very flavorful and seasoned well. Winter greens were good too. A little too dressed for my taste, but not excessive. Tartar was good, although I thought that the rye crackers were a little too thick and hard. I would have preferred more of a softer bread. Baby chicken entree was served with lardons and the smokiness was overwhelming for my taste, but the chicken was cooked very nicely. Dessert was a cookie plate which was a bit of a let down presentation wise. It was just some cookies on a plate. I guess with how meticulous the other plating was, I was expecting something different. Cookies themselves were fine. We also had the mini lemon tart. The filling had a nice flavor and texture, but the crust was rather tough. 50 minutes later, "here's the check, no rush." it definitely had enough where I'd go back, but this experience was below expectations.

We came here for an anniversary dinner. It was very pricey, but it was culinary art & memorable. The service is as good as it gets, as is the quality of the ingredients & sophisticated preparation (& presentation). It's a serene, elegant atmosphere.

Excellent dinner choice in a wonderful city! Exquisite menu, service and atmosphere. We will certainly dine here again during our next visit.

Upscale place on the expensive side, but the quality of the cuisine justifies the price. The sweetbreads are to die for!! Absolutely amazing - we had the Loup de Mer which was good, but the duck breast was spectacular - with duck foie gras and the combination of flavored and textures was perfect - the beauty of all of this is that it does not overwhelm your appetite so you have room for the AMAZING clafoutis. Do NOT miss the clafoutis - it was a great experience and we will be back to Brindille for sure.

Brindille is a beautiful room of understated warmth. It is intimate even though the room is entirely open. Its ample length bar provides plenty of room for diners arriving early. We attended for a celebration of my wife’s birthday (I will not tell you which one and they are all deserving of celebration, but this was particularly important). This was an intimate dinner of family only. We were fortunate to have just enough of us to rate the large table in the rear, nestled in its own recessed area. Seating included a semi-circular banquette and chairs. The menu is modest in size and spectacular in appeal. The trend is towards classic, favorite French dishes including appetizers such as a Tarte Tatin (an onion and potato tart) or Foie Gras. Of particular note were the Beau Soleil Oysters from New Brunswick, which were exceptionally fresh and had a wonderfully clean translucent taste. The preparations were unique. The oyseters, for instance were served with Sorbet of Normandy Seaweed Cider Vinegar with Red Grapefruit, Smoked Trout Roe, Pink Peppercorns, Tarragon. While this sounds like it might overwhelm the delicacy of the oysters, it was served in sufficiently restrained amounts to heighten the experience and showcase the oysters. We ordered these two appetizers, an order of duck liver paté and braised brussels sprouts featuring honey crisp apples along with lardons. WE shared a few salads at the table including a Jerusalem artichoke salad and a composed salad with beets, pears and blue cheese. These were flavorful and intense. Given that we had all ordered an appetizer, the sharing of two salads among five of us worked very well. Our main courses included quail which is a favorite dish of mine. These were rich, crisp on the outside, and plump. They are served with an autumnal array of glazed root vegetables and apples with a confit of garlic sage. Our table also saw several orders of the Dover Sole – which is a must. The flavor was delicate, and the preparation included a crisp exterior and a moist almost flaky presentation of this great fish dish. An order of duck breast was beautifully presented, medium rare and a lovely accompaniment of turnips, cranberries, and roasted fennel. The traditional side of red cabbage was also present, but scented (which, I think means subtly flavored) with licorice, juniper, orange, and date. We had several deserts including a notably, a frangipane “cigar” with roasted fuji apples, brown butter ice cream, golden raisins and caramel. The wine list is excellent although not massive. There are excellent wines by the glass and the specialty cocktails were excellent – not too sweet and wonderfully complex. My cocktail was based on Laphroig single malt whisky with green chartreuse, lemon and mint. It was predictably smokey/ peaty and the lemon was an excellent accent. Closing notes – this is an expensive restaurant meant for diners who are looking for excellent food. The quantities are not massive, nor miniscule. The food is rich and complex, so we were well satisfied and well fed. Our serving staff was led by Shane, who was elegant, witty and a little irreverent without being overbearing or inappropriate. He made the evening even more fun and we would insist on being seated under his auspices when we return. Note - valet parking has not been available during the pandemic as the street has been closed by the City of Chicago to accommodate outside dinning for other restaurants in the area.

We dined here during a business visit. The menu is unusual and excellent. The space is small and intimate. Service was excellent. Foie Gras very good. Polenta out of this world. Highly recommended.

Wonderful french experience with the touch of an amazing chef. Cary is one of those professionals that brings it to the table in taste.

Second visit in two months. Foie Gras the best in Chicago. Inventive cocktail list & wine list to match. Superb service. Intimate environment.

The restaurant is comfortable and beautiful. It’s elegant and relaxing. Great for conversation because it’s not loud. The service is skillful and attentive. The food has been perfect, delicious, and truly a treat.

The food and service were excellent. Certainly not cheap but very good quality European style restaurant. Worth a visit.

The absolute best meal and service we had in 3-1/2 days of Chicago fine dining. I had excellent rack of lamb and my friend great lobster. Menu changes seasonally. Well selected wine list. Definitely will return when I head back to Chicago.

The food and service here were pretty much faultless but it feels a little too formal. The food is expensive, but certainly delicious. A slightly more laid back approach would be an improvement.

Enjoyed a festive, unique and delectable dinner with four varied diners who all loved their culinary adventure. Jeremy and Sergio went out of their way to accommodate our every whim and make us feel appreciated. Each bite expands one's understanding of what it means to be a masterful chef. A must do for anyone who considers him/herself a culinary explorer.

My husband and I went to Brindille to celebrate my work anniversary. This is our second time at the restaurant and we were very happy we decided to come back. We started the meal with one of their signature cocktails. Both were interesting and out of the ordinary. Next we moved on to the tasting menu. Our waiter asked for any particular things we did not prefer to eat or were allergic to, and he took it from there. Each of the eight courses were beautifully presented and tasted fantastic. (especially our first course - the oysters!! To die for!) We decided to have the wine pairings with the tasting menu, but when our waiter told us it was white heavy, we were going to change our minds. He told us not to worry, he would make selections for us that were more red focused. We tried some fabulous wines that I would have never selected for myself, and then he wrote them all down on a card for me so that I can go find my favorites. The wait staff is so attentive, and the pace of the meal was perfect. I hate when you feel rushed, or you feel like it is way too long between courses. I totally recommend this place for great food, great service, nice relaxed atmosphere. This is not one of those places that make you feel like you should be thankful they let you eat there! They are very welcoming and just want to make sure you have a great meal.

The service of the hostess was awful rude and impersonal. There are so many great restaurants with excellent service close by like GT Fish & Oyster. We had a reservation and were turned away as we were five minutes early. It was raining out and they would not let us inside to wait. Then more rude treatment when they let us in. Food is very good but front office staff need a lesson in service. Visited May 11, 2019

Classic style French cuisine, with modern twists. The staff is very helpful and will accommodate reasonable requests regarding the menu. Nice wine and beverage list. Very lovely interior, but a bit formal. A great special occasion restaurant.

Exquisite cuisine and superb service. Been there on a business dinner and had a wonderful evening with really delicious food at Brindille.

We had a most delightful meal here last week. The ambiance is romantic and sexy. Cool, clean lines, beautifully done. They brought us these delightful little cheese "puffs" for lack of a better word to start. Light and airy but with a distinctly cheesy taste. Then we had the foie gras and scallops for apps. the foie gras was perfectly executed with a every so lightly sweetened berry sauce. Couldn't get enough. Scallops were cooked to perfection on top of a lovely sauce that paired perfectly with the saltiness of the scallops. I had the duck for dinner which was exquisite. Perfectly medium rare. Never had better. My husband had the sea bass which he devoured leaving the plate as clean as new. We enjoyed the cherry almond clafoutis for dessert. Cocktails were well crafted. Nice wine list. We will most definitely be back.

Brindille is truly one of the best restaurants we have ever enjoyed. The service, the atmosphere and the food are all exquisite. Strangely, the next block down Clark Street was barricaded off from vehicular traffic so the street would be used for tables, and the restaurants in that block were packed. Not so Brindille, which was a shame. The decor is sleek, so much in fact that the bar has no bottles along the wall behind. They are all stashed below the bar itself so the horizontal look of the room is not disturbed by a bunch of vertical liquor bottles. Interestingly, we found the wines by the glass to be more interesting than the main wine list, so we ordered a Morgon and a French pure Cabernet Franc, which is pretty unusual. Both were delicious and we were generously offered a second glass on the house. My lamb shank came out boneless in a bed of white beans, rice and vegetables. It melted in my mouth. My wife's chicken was exactly the way she loves in the French style, with crispy skin and meat still moist and juicy. Our waiter was most generous and brought out a soft bread shaped like a pretzel but spicy and buttery. We were also treated to their corn soup as an amuse bouche, a delightful surprise, and one that will bring us back next time we visit Chicago. Overall, Brindille should rank with the very best restaurants in a fine restaurant town.

Forsaking the avant garde and the fru fru, this restaurant focuses on superb food beautifully presented with impeccable service. The décor is modern and the food is classic French with a twist. Commensurate wine list. The degustation menu with paired wines was exceptional.

We went to Brindille for a business dinner, and fortunately our host picked up the check. The food was amazing - we were with a large group and got a bunch of appetizers for the table; I loved the sweetbreads, scallops, fois gras, and oyster appetizers. I got the squab for my entree, which was delicious and came with some really tasty lamb tongue. I tried my colleagues's Dover sole, also delicious. Everyone was very pleased with the meal and the great wine, the desserts were a bit odd, but I compensated by having a glass of dessert wine so all was well. Great meal, now about that check.......

Really thoughtful menu and food - sometimes gets close to trying too hard - but ultimately avoids that trap. Party of four - we each had different entrees and all were very pleased. The service was really good - attentive without being overly so. Quite expensive but no more so then restaurants of equal caliber (including their sister restaurant Naha).

The service, the food, the wine pairing recommendations - OUTSTANDING. This is an amazing restaurant! From the initial aromas to the last bite of amazing dessert....just amazing. Also love the small elegant space, not noisy and great place for business discussions or a romantic dinner

Brindille is the latest and most creative and most sophisticated restaurant opened by chef Carrie Nahabedian. Located at 534 North Clark Street in Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood, it has won the James Beard Award for its "gem jewel box" interior design. It should win an award for its cuisine, too. Brindille is a rarity in Chicago, a French fine dining restaurant with a lengthy wine list set in a sophisticated, modern, posh setting with Parisian touches. Carrie and pastry chef Craig Harzewski have put together a menu that puts a smile on your face and brings a "what's next?" expression to pleased patrons. For starters, my wife and I had corn soup, sea scallops and a salad of autumn greens. For entrees, we chose filet of Gulf of Alaska halibut and European Dover Sole, just what the doctor ordered for a more fish/less meat diet. On our next visit, we'll sample the eight-course tasting menu. Tasting menus have become increasingly popular at upscale restaurants and we've never been disappointed when we've gone in that direction. For dessert, we weren't sure what we were getting but it sounded good and it tasted up to expectations, the Concord Grape Cloud with soft meringue, white chocolate ice cream and ginger beer gelee and the warm baked almond scented Clafoutis with creme Chantilly, cherries, chocolate and plum. Craig, you outdid yourself. Carrie, too. We need more French restaurants of this ilk in Chicago.

We came to Brindille to celebrate an anniversary -- and it couldn't have been more perfect. First of all, there were few occupied tables and all were well spaced. The staff wore masks and gloves and were very cautious. So this very safe environment allowed us to relax and have a magnificent dinner. Fabulous starters -- the oysters with hints of watermelon and corn chowder that paid homage to late spring corn were phenomenal. For entrees -- the prawns and lamb tagine-- were each cooked to perfection. Great wine list and outstanding service -- what could be better? This is a restaurant we should be supporting and saving -- it is so wonderful! Go soon!

My husband and I had a fantastic French anniversary dinner at Brindille and I would recommend this special spot. We have previously dined at Naha and were very excited about our dinner. We started the night out with some pink champagne, fresh oysters and the decadent foie gras. For our entrees I had the dover sole and it was one of the best I have come across. My husband had the excellent lobster Brindille and we drank some wine that was recommended which we also loved. We split the oeufs a la neige for a classic french dessert. I have always wanted to try absinthe and they recommended a French one and proceeded to do the whole presentation which I enjoyed very much. The staff was truly first class and very helpful and the decor was classy and comfortable. I cannot wait to go back!

Celebrating an anniversary early Sunday night. Place was empty upon arrival, filled up nicely by time we departed.Everything was paced well with excellent service, exceeded only by the fabulous food. We both had "young salads" to start and while the greens were very fresh, there was caramelized almonds and something we could not figure out that made basic salad entry a tasty meal in and of itself. I had the lamb saddle, which was explained to me as a rack of lamb de-boned, with a medley a vegetables. When my knife cut through the meat like butter you knew it would great,and it was. Wife had prime rib of beef which she raved about. Wine by bottles were a bit pricey, so we each had two glasses of Bordeaux at $17 a pop, which we felt was a fair value for decent wine. Chef/owner came out to greet us, which is always a nice touch. Conclusion is this was a pricey dining experience (not just a meal) well worth the price. We will be back.

Carrie Nahabedian, Brindille's co-owner and chef, is a wonderful success story. A native Chicagoan, she is the former executive chef at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles in Beverly Hill, California. Upon returning to Chicago, she opened NAHA in 2000, earning a James Beard Award and five consecutive Michelin stars. In 2013, she opened Brindille at 534 North Clark Street with her partner and cousin Michael. While NAHA highlights her Armenian roots, Brindille's refined Parisian cuisine celebrates her favorite bistros and restaurants in Paris and the French cuisine of Alsace and Lorraine. Be sure to ask the server to explain each item. It's a story in itself, almost like watching the meal being prepared tableside. For starters, my wife and I chose broccoli soup and sea scallops. But, honestly, it was difficult to pass up steak tartare and Bouillabaisse. Selecting our entrees wasn't as difficult. I couldn't pass up the whole roasted Dover Sole. My wife opted for the braised short rib of venison. Surprise? Absolutely. She explained that she wanted to try something new, venison, rather than her old favorites duck breast or veal or sea bass. One look at the dessert menu and we knew that our longtime policy of sharing one wasn't going to work this time. We picked two and sampled both...roasted grape tarte with pistachio Nougat Glace and lemon/strawberry sorbet and bittersweet chocolate Delice with salted caramel ice cream. Why did it take us so long to discover Brindille?

It was my daughter's birthday and she has always wanted to go to Brindille and so, last minute, we were able to get a table. Our server was very energetic and personable, the food for the most part was delicious. The moment of truth came when unfortunately a long (4" at least) hair appeared in my chicken dish after the second bite. Everything seems to go downhill from there. Our server appeared unable to handle the situation and did take back the dish and create a new one. Interestingly the dish was not comped which I thought was interesting. The interest of our server in our table seemed to extinquish thereafter....So, in summary the appetizers were wonderful; the mains (other than the affected chicken) were very good. I do think this should have been addressed better and there were really no apologies made to us... In a restaurant of "that caliber" or thinks that they are, there should be a better way of addressing unpleasant issues that arise.

While Brindille has been open for a number of years, this was our first time trying the restaurant. I really can’t say enough good things. The waiter was wonderful, the ambience was cozy (and much smaller than I was anticipating which I suppose could be a pro or con depending on what you’re looking for) and of course the food was delicious. If I were to include a con, I think that some items are well overpriced, however this shouldn’t deter you from tying the restaurant as it was really wonderful. In total, our table had the oysters and a salad to start, a couple orders of the sirloin, duck, chanterelles and of course the pomme frites. First, the oysters were something like $24 for an order of four. While they were certainly good (and the presentation was awesome), in no way would I pay $6 per oyster again... especially because they were on the smaller side. The sirloin was delicious—-perfectly cooked with an amazing flavor. The chanterelles were exceptional (but again the pricing was a bit high for such a small portion) and the pomme frites were just as good as you’d expect. Lastly, the duck was one of the best I’ve had in my life. $49 for duck seemed a bit silly but it really was amazing so it’s hard to blame them. All in all, wonderfully intimate restaurant with a phenomenal staff, good wine list, and delicious food (albeit overpriced at times). Highly recommend and we will certainly be returning.

Special meal. Every course delicious. Comfortable seating spaced so didn't have to listen to convo at other tables. Nice wines by the glass. Higlights oysters with Pernod ouefs brouille sauce; perfect vegetable medley with the lamb; hazelnut profitetole milk chocolate lemon raspberry dessert. Wonderful food. Table service very good but bus boy immaculate while waiter not so much. Did not detract from overall experience but the one thing to improve.

We found this restaurant by chance because we were trying to find the club Blue Chicago. Since the club was packed and we were very hungry we decided to step into this restaurant, which is next door. We were a group of academics from different parts of the world, attending a conference in Chicago. Since our arrival, it seemed that our presence was not very welcomed. They did not like the fact that we asked for separate checks and they showed it! We had to wait the longest time for service and even had to ask the manager because nodoby would take our order. The food was very pretentious, but no that good. I ordered a fish dish ($44!!) and it tasted fishy, which was surprising for a restaurant of this quality. I also ordered a lemon-tarte for dessert and did not like it much. The combination of flavors and textures was not well accomplished. I have had much better and creative desserts at restaurants that charge have the price. In general, not a very good dining experience.

Loved dinner at Brindille. Never had squab prepared so well. The poached lobster with citrus too was outstanding. Poussin was our third meal and it too was perfect. Starters also were so fine. Foie Gras perfect, and there never has been any better soup, Frisee salad too was fine. Our serving lady was just outstanding as was the entire staff. Long live Brindille and wish we lived closer to eat there often.

We were here for a birthday celebration. There were 10 of us and that big of a party invariably presents a challenge for up-scale restaurants. We were handled with a superb service. Attentive, but not intrusive - a very fine line that most restaurants can't come close to. We enjoyed a 7 course meal and all of the courses arrived on queue, perfectly timed, delivered simultaneously. The wine list was superb with some very creative selections. But at the centrer of it all was the food. These dishes would stand up to any top notch restaurant in the US or in Europe. Creative, perfectly executed, bursting with finely crafted flavors, appropriately sized, and beautifully plated. Foies gras was sublime. The rabbit was exemplary, everything was flawless. The entire party (of very well travelled and picky eaters) was very impressed. The prices were what you would expect - in line with the quality of the overall experience. I did have a chuckle reading some of the older reviews. When some of the criticism involves cutlery that is not sharp enough or service that is "full of itself" - you know you must be doing something right :-). Sometimes you can gleam more about a restaurant from a negative review than a positive one. This is an outstanding choice for a special occasion or memorable night out on the town.

Brindille's space is rather attractive and the staff friendly and eager to please. A bottle of rose' was a treat on a warm night. However, the meal was was a disappointment. We all had good appetizers but each of our fish entrees was over-cooked to the point of being dry and chewy. Desserts were good but at the steep prices the meal was not close to being worth the cost.

I am slowly but surely coming to the conclusion that this type of restaurant can no longer compete for my discretionary dollars with the many other options available in a city like Chicago. Here on a mini foodie indulgence vacay and staying downtown, either walking or Ubering everywhere, I was craving foie gras and this was one of the few places I could find that had it on the menu. I knew this would be expensive but I am willing to pay for a superior dining experience and to get my fix for foie. The foie was $38 (!) and it was indeed delicious. Very well conceived dish with poached dark cherries, a crispy cocoa nib tuile and the surprising element was the green tea-almond gelee providing a textural and flavor contrast that put this dish over the top. I did find it a bit strange that the foie itself was very thinly sliced, crosshatched very fine and seared pretty much medium well, rather than the usual thick slab seared medium rare. I assume this was not in error but on purpose and I should have asked to speak to the chef for insight on why they choose that route. I ate every last bite and could have eaten another straight away, it was that good. The only downside was that there was an abundant pool of delicious foie fat and the syrup from the cherries left on the plate that went to waste and there was nothing available to mop up that precious liquid. I requested and received some bread or a roll but the hard and crunchy roll provided couldn't grab even a smidgen of that liquid gold. Bummer. And $38? Yikes. I ordered the roasted chicken entree which was well executed but not as well conceived with a lot of different ingredients that never really seemed to come together in a cohesive or memorable dish. It was really not a very interesting plate of food. I guess that's what I get for ordering the $29 chicken and not the $46 duck...sigh. I had 2 glasses of wine, no salad, no dessert, no cocktail and my total came to $150. Ouch. In contrast, I had a meal at my favorite Chinese restaurant Ming Hin the night before and had a whole Maine lobster, four crispy shrimp spring rolls, a big pile of stir fried gai lan (chinese broccoli), rice and two Asahi Dry' s and my tab came to under $70 out the door. I paid twice that at Brindille for half the food and the quality of the ingredients, execution and conception of the dishes at Ming Hin were just as good or better. I understand that these type of dining establishments put a lot of effort into attaining Michelin stars and such and that the competition is fierce and that the pandemic is making it very, very tough for restaurants and that many good people make their living from these establishments so may be I am being too critical here, but the contrast in my experiences happens pretty much every time I come here to spend my hard-earned cash on a sublime eating experience. It keeps happening that the gilded palaces of dining usually do not meet the basic threshold of delivering on any semblance of value when compared to places that can cook just as well with equally high quality ingredients for half the price. My advice? Drop the pretense and assumed superiority and focus on making delicious food with quality ingredients at a more reasonable price point. Oh, and as I told everyone I met on this trip, go have the Spicy Lobster at Ming Hin Cuisine. You're welcome.

I was very excited to try this restaurant based on the reviews and menu. The restaurant itself is beautiful, modern, and cool. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. But that’s where the pleasure of the experience ended. We had the five course tasting menu which was, I hate to say, terrible. It started on a positive note as the scallop was nicely cooked and flavored well. Nothing crazy but a safe, good start. Then came four disappointing dishes in a row. The amount of grease in the second course (a duck confit dish) made it nearly inedible. The fish and lamb to follow was talked up by our server as having complex reductions and flavors but tasted like nothing. It was very difficult to overcome the second dish phsyaically which sounds dramatic, but it was. By dessert, we were ready to go but stuck it out. My dessert was a dairy free almond flan? It had no decernable flavors and made no sense conceptually. To top things off, the timing of the courses were done poorly. I’ve had tastings last four hours that flowed effortlessly. This was painful. Our server was not busy and looked as if he was constantly aware of the awkward timing. I wanted to love this place, but it was a disastrous meal. We spent hundreds of dollars on this meal and all left miserable. Perhaps it was the tasting menu, perhaps it was just an off night, but it was painful.

Brindille is a lovely restaurant in the River North area of Chicago. The menu has a satisfying list of appetizers and entrees that will please the most finicky pallet. The front room staff along with the wait staff do an excellent job make big you feel welcome and appreciated. Would definitely return to this fine establishment.

Had a wonderful dinner here with 5 friends on a weekend visit to Chicago. Nice table in the center of the restaurant. It is a small venue so the service is quick & plenty. We had oysters & the feuillette of mushrooms- which was amazing!! For main dishes we tried different entrees- sirloin, duck, sole & quail. All had a beautiful presentation and the tastes were just as good. We also shared some truffle fries. Cappuccinos & dessert cheese platter ended our meal. Thank you!!

Cannot say enough good things about the meal and overall experience I recently had here. Started off with the New Brunswick Oysters with Caviar, delicious! For my main course then had the Dover Sole Meunierre which was absolutely out of this world. For dessert I had the sweet cherry/almond clafoutis which was also excellent. Service was very attentive but not at all intrusive. The little extras also were all great, the little puffs for an amuse buse, honey butter for the bread and little tray of chocolates and jellied candy at the end rounded out a truly great meal. Expensive but worth every penny! Very much looking forward to next time.

Brindille's menu offerings are a bit unusual. They change often (check the website for the latest), but always offer something unique (roasted salsify, celeriac mousseline, etc.). Although I'd wanted to visit for awhile, I'd put it off since there aren't a lot of vegetarian options. I had to wait until I found something that sounded good. But never fear, you can't go wrong. Everything is just cooked really, really well. The atmosphere is very old school. And the crowd skews older as well. But it was very pleasant and classy. It's somewhat pricy, but to be expected for the quality of the food. Drinks seemed a bit too expensive at $16-17 for cocktails, $38 for an after-dinner chartreuse. But I guess not completely out of the ordinary for this type of restaurant. We stayed late and the chef, Carrie Nahabedian, came around to all of the tables asking how everything was. Her other restaurant (Naha) is great as well.

This place is rather small but the food and service is outstanding. Very nice cocktails and wines. The chef Prepared several dishes to try and we loved them all. The quail is excellent. Desert was terrific, we tried all of them.

This is a contemporary french place, very hip, lively and ofcourse expensive. The place is quite small while the decor is modern.The service was prompt and efficient. We went for the 5 course menu. It was excellent in every way. Seared Foie gras and the lamb saddle dishes are awesome!! The wine pairing can be very overwhelming. They have a good collection of French Wine. Would love to go there again!!!

Patronising. Real shame. The restaurant was intimate and atmospheric. The food was good if not outstanding. However the service was awful. Matched the pastel lilac sweaters of the staff. Arrogant, off hand and patronising. At the end of the tasting menu we also got the dessert, coffee and cheque altogether - must have been in a hurry to be indifferent to other diners. It is a real shame but there are so many better places to go in Chicago. Avoid.

My husband and I went to Brindille for our anniversary/New Year's Eve. We love Naha and had heard great things about Brindille. First, yes, the restaurant is absolutely overpriced. Our bill was $280 for the two of us. We had 4 glasses of wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 1 dessert. That being said, it was one of the nicest experiences I've ever had. The server was knowledgeable about all the dishes/ingredients & drinks. He didn't shy away from recommendations and stopped by the appropriate amount to check on us. The maitre d' was also very friendly, as was the bus staff. The food: Appetizers: Fois Gras: Large portion compared to other restaurants. Deliciously prepared with a nice onion relish Cream of Onion Soup: Granted, I switched out the roquefort for parmesan, so I'm not sure what affect that had on the original taste. It was just a bit bland (but still relatively good). My biggest issue is that I like my soup hot and this soup was served warm. This dish kept the restaurant from having a 5-star rating. Entrees: Lobster Brindille: This is the best lobster dish I've ever had. By far. The entire lobster is removed from the shell, making it a hearty portion. The flavors of the dish were wonderful. I would definitely recommend this dish. Dover Sole: I didn't taste this, but my husband said it was one of the top two fish dishes he's ever had (tied with Roy's butterfish) and definitely the best Dover sole. Dessert: We had an almond pastry. The way it was described by both the waiter and on the menu, we thought it would be a cream filled pastry, almost like an almond croissant. Unfortunately the pastry was without any moisture, so it was super dry. It was served with a scoop of ice cream, but it didn't help the pastry by itself. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. We would love to go here again, but will probably stick to Naha simply because the food is just as good but the bill is about $75 cheaper.

We enjoyed the oysters and foie gras tremendously. The quail Coq du Vin was excellent too. Found the restaurant lighting very poor so we couldn't see our food, it's presentation & colours which diminished the fine dining experience. Pricing was high, twice that of 'Girl and the Goat'. Service was unobtrusive but a little lacking. I was surprised that there was no sommelier. May return for the food but restaurant needs to try harder to provide better ambience, value and service.

our first visit to brindille and i doubt we'll hurry back. the space is pretty and i liked the way the tables were arranged. the silver ware, china and stem ware were very pretty and the staff was friendly and helpful (although the waiters uniforms made them look like they were evil preppy boy's at a north shore country club, a la john hughes movies). everything we ate was nice but could have done with one less stick of butter, talk about rich, i thought i was going to puke half way through my main dish. i love french food and expect it to be rich but this seemed over the top, way over the top. i couldn't even finish my food because of the overwhelming sense of nausea and desert was totally out of the question. i thought the prices were too rich as well, with apps in the $19-27 range and main courses at $38-48. we ate at the lower end of the menu, skipped desert and had one of the least expensive wines they offered and our bill was still $300 for two people. that would have been fine if i thought it was a great meal but this just seemed like a heart attack on a plate.

Can't say enough good things. Service is non-intrusive. Menu is small but covers all bases. Table captain was patient to explain preparation and presentation. Portion size is just right. Frisee salad was a surprise with figs, beets and jambon. Nice flavor combination. Scallops were grilled to perfection. Brill was nicely garnished. Decor is understated. Well worth the price. Will return to try the game plate.

6 people for dinner on a Friday evening - we were the last to arrive and my only complaint about Brindille is that the signage is so subtle we missed it! Let's be clear from the start - the food here is expensive, and it's up to you to decide whether you want to pay a potential $50 for an entree. Obviously we did and we found the food innovative and light, and soooo delicious. The wine list is good, and the waiter recommended a different wine which was cheaper than the one we'd been looking at. That doesn't happen often. The service is more European, i.e., slower than is general in the US, but preferred by us. We had time to appreciate and enjoy the dishes we chose. We are all sharers and forks were flying to taste every dish - not a duff one among them. Fantastic meal - excellent service - not cheap but worth it.

Following our meal at sister restaurant NAHA, chef/co-owner Michael walked us up the street to this, his newest restaurant Brindille. He and his very friendly host, Jude, personally found us a table for the next night - a difficult Saturday night reservation. It was another wonderful dining experience. Our server, Joel?, was friendly and knowledgeable. If you love the flavors of France with a fresh, contemporary touch , then this is your place. Their Fall seasonal dishes were superb. The hand cut noodles w/shrimp and petite snails was shockingly good. My Veal Sweetbreads w/Loin & Rillette of Rabbit w/Pearl onions & Gooseberries was the perfect Melange of flavors. Recommend the Dover Sole w/green apple & hazelnuts. We had the Tasmanian Ocean Trout (also on this menu) at their sister restaurant NAHA....that's a can't miss too. The Duck Breast w/Confit Leg, lentils, carrots, turnips & fig was the perfect mid-October meal. I will be back for the Rib of Beef w/artichokes, gruyere potatoes & marrow. You just can't get flavors like this anywhere. If you're ever in Chicago, absolutely don't miss Brindille (pron. Brin DEE).

This intimate and beautifully furnished French restaurant is true gem. I particularly had wanted a restaurant to serve Dover sole, and Brindille exceeded my expectations. The sauce was well-balanced and accompanied with great vegetables. I selected a soft white French wine that added to the enjoyment of my dinner. Service is not rushed, which suited me perfectly. I wanted to savor the expeience.

I'm always a bit reluctant to gush, but Brindille just knocked us out. Fantastic French cuisine, served without a lot of pomp and circumstance, in a tastefully refined contemporary setting. French without all the theater that's often intended to distract from culinary missteps. We ordered the frisee salad and the restaurant's signature lobster dish. The salad was a tour de force. A perfectly poached quail egg, lardons and frisee, punctuated by pickled radicchio in a light lemon/vinegarette. The lobster, served out of the shell in a light butter Pernod and citrus bisque with heirloom tomatoes was absolutely delicious. The wine list features an impressive selection of mostly French wines across a range of prices. We opted for a white Graves that proved to be the ideal accompaniment. A word about the service. The young man who served us was both knowledgable and professional, and went out of his way to ensure we felt welcome. After dinner, an epic late summer, Chicago thunderstorm compelled us to linger and order a second Cognac in hopes that the deluge would end. When that didn't happen, our server insisted on grabbing an umbrella and hailing a cab for us, thus sparing my wife's designer sandals an early death... What a guy... Chicago has a number of terrific restaurants, but Brindille deserves a spot at the very top of the city's "most satisfying" list. We can't wait to return.

The creative menu does not overwhelm, and that is a good thing. It does impress. The presentation was fantastic, the service just right and the meal excellent.

This is one of the finest meals that I’ve had in a very long time and I so much enjoy fine dining. Walking into Brindille, you’re taking aback by the small, comfortable seating at a restaurant of that size maintains. We were greeted by the co-owner, Michael, and immediately seated, even though we were a few minutes early for our reservation. For a French restaurant, the menu was exhaustive, but they offer several five course meals at a fixed price ($155-170) and tonight the special menu was Basque cuisine. Every single course was prepared to perfection with flavors that popped right off the plate in unique ways that I have never experienced. The co-owner and chef is French trained Armenian with a knack for the eclectic. She was formally the executive chef of the Four Seasons in Los Angeles. The portions were surprisingly large and Evan, our head waiter handled us to perfection with his recommendations and service. We tried some of their signature cocktails (Arman, Vieux Carre, Spritz Sans Soufflé), which were amazing, kudos to the bartender. At the end of the meal, we were quite satiated and most appreciative for the outstanding culinary experience. Timing of the courses was relaxed and we spent a most pleasant 2 ½ hours enjoying our meal and conversing with the owner and waiters. I highly recommend this restaurant for couples and groups of adults. We were most impressed!!

Seated right away and had an EXCELLENT server.....made ordering wine and menu selections easy. Small but nice room. Scallops and Foie Gras appetizers were great and Rib Eye and Dover Sole meal were great as well.

I read a prior review which said something about excessive richness. I am not sure that's bad, our dinner did not incur excessive calorie penalties. The table cloths are ironed in front of the customer and the space is cosy but cool. There was an expression of layers of taste in the preparation of the ingrdients. I enjoyed every dish. The wine list was alo very deacent. My morels were enormous. I had the guinea fowl and my wife the Dover sole. If you require Del Frisco portions then go there. The portions at this downtown restaurant are balanced. This is a welcome new restaurant amongst a desolate landscape of French cuisine.

I just read a noted restaurant critic's evaluation of the 10 best French restaurants in Chicago--and Brindille wasn't on it. Well, I haven't dined at all of the best French restaurants in Chicago. And Chicago isn't recognized as a showcase for French cuisine. This is a town for steak, pizza, hot dogs and Italian cooking. But I have to believe that Brindille at 534 North Clark Street is as good as it gets when it comes to French restaurants in Chicago. Located in the fast-growing and bustling River North neighborhood, between Grand Avenue and Ohio Street, this is master chef Carrie Nahabedian's contribution to the 2017 Michelin Guide, a post French bistro, hushed and intimate with Parisian accents, and a wonderful and creative menu. It wasn't difficult to find something to love. We started with asparagus and broccoli soup with mushrooms, croutons and bacon and sea scallops. For our main course, we passed on rib of prime beef a la Bordelaise, rack of lamb, prime sirloin, whole Maine lobster and duck breast in favor of whole roasted European Dover Sole Meuniere with asparagus, toasted almonds and Parisian potatoes and filet of Mediterranean sea bass with Lyonnaise potatoes. All part of our more fish/less meat diet. The choices were irresistible. For dessert, we couldn't get past the word "profiterole." The hazelnut praline profiterole with lemon confit, raspberries and milk chocolate ice cream was so delicious, we were tempted to ask for seconds. It must have been an oversight, like subbing Babe Dahlgren for Babe Ruth. I'm sure the next list of the top 10 French restaurants in Chicago will include Brindille.

The food here is imaginative modern French. Courses are complex and delicious. Service was friendly, however the waiter spoke so softly and quickly in describing the food that we missed a number of the things that went into the dishes. Also, no bread was offered. The atmosphere is elegant and understated.

We came after a matinee performance for a 6PM reservation. Service was great - just attentive enough. They were very helpful with wine selection and also recommendations for selecting menu items to share (or not as was the case for the wonderful scallops and the sweetbreads which were very well presented). We shared the duck combo and the small piece of fois gras was soo very tender and tasty, however, the the large piece of breast was not so tender.

……to tell us that this was the best restaurant they have ever been to in the city. Quite right too. Though rather dark, and with music a little too loud, it nevertheless served rather good food very well, with great staff and efficient service. My soft-shelled crab was delicious, and with a very large glass of champagne, it certainly hit the spot. Though not crowded, it was clearly popular. Having had too many bad steaks and heavy-duty pizza on previous visits to the city, I took the advice of ‘The New York Times’ 10 best restaurants in Chicago, and hit upon a real gem.

Fabulous restaurant! This meal was divine—from watermelon tomato gazpacho to the savory tarte Tatin to the duck and coupe dessert. That atmosphere is also not too loud, comfortable seating, not on top of each other and I can’t say enough good things about the service. Our server, Evan was absolutely top notch. An excellent meal and experience!

Excellent restaurant from start to finish. Service was stellar. Wine list was extensive but pricey. Had a wonderful cab franc. The scallops were the best I have ever had. My wife enjoyed the oyster app. The rib of beef was cooked perfectly and every bite was unique with the different flavors served along side. The lobster entree was also very good. Dessert - chocolate entremet was great with salted hazelnut ice cream. Definitely want to return and would recommend to any who enjoy fantastic french food.

Wonderful French food perfectly presented and excellently served. From the entrance to the oh so subtle decor, muted colours and subtle lighting. A friendly welcome, very unpretentious and genuine. The maitre d very knowledgeable about both the menus and the wines, a superb and balanced selection for every palette. The food is of the first quality imaginatively presented bursting with complementary flavours. Absolutely sublime and oh so French the portions subtle and really mouthwatering. The wine list contains fine wines from a world wide selection. The friendly and very professional staff are so good at their service. Even the quiet music was brilliantly selected very much yo our taste. All in all a wonderful, evening!

We completely enjoyed and experienced the Cari experience with flavors to savor, fantastic service and an opportunity to explore the French cuisine, Chef Cari style. Especially liked the white fish and mushroom soup. Great wine pairings recommended to us.

From beginning to end. An incredible experience. My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and we got the tasting menu. Worth it!!! We had the pumpkin soup, the scallops. Steak tarted, lobster, duck with foi gras, lamb, sweet breads, and a terrific Cremebrûléecreme brûlée profiterole dessert. The service was impeccable. Can't wait to go back!