Cafe Touche French Bistro & Wine Bar Reviews

Same owner as Zia's down the street, great service nice decor, valet parking. Area full of good to excellent restaurants. One of the few places that is really comfortable to eat a good meal in a very pleasant atmosphere

Good service and polite waiter. Best thing was the warm freshly baked bread brought in a paper wrapper and soft butter with sea salt sprinkled on top. My friend said her mussels were tasty but a bit small. The frisée salad came out with an overbooked egg and needed to be redone. The fries were yummy....oily, tasty and crunchy. My sirloin steak had some nice flavor...but it was far from the best I've had. I think the food was adequate but not great. We each had a drink...and dinner finished out at about $41/ea.

We had a 6:30 reservation and we were seated as soon as we arrived. The waiter approached us promptly for our drink orders. All 6 of us ordered something different and we were all pleased with our salads and dinner choices. There was a birthday in our group and they gave us 2 complimentary desserts which was very nice. The waiter was very good but the busboy tried to clear the plates before we were finished a few times. We had to stop him.

I went for dinner during a recent business trip held near O'Hare airport. It was a $20 cab ride, each way, to and from the restaurant, with tip, and I'm not sure worth it. The room is large, open and dimly lit and there are outside tables which we chose since the (live) music was loud. There is an extensive menu of salads and usual bistro fare and also specials. We had the soft shell crab special that was tasty but deep fried and served with a ratatouille side, a somewhat unusual combination, even for a bistro. I ordered pappardelle which I usually love. These were absolutely huge, almost like the wide rice noodles you'd find in a thai restaurant. The portion was huge, almost unappetizingly so. The minimal sauce wasn't particularly notable. My dinner guests seemed happy with the halibut special and the cassoulet. There is a wide selection of wines. They would benefit from preparing fewer options better, in my opinion.

This is our go-to place when we want some fine dining close to home. French flair, with white tablecloths and very friendly service.

Went for dinner last week to celebrate my husbands birthday. All went out of their way, from the host to the server, to make it the most enjoyable evening. The food is outstanding! we were never rushed, server anticipated our needs before we asked. He was great, his name is Anibal H. 50008 Be sure to try the Classic PROFITEROLES, cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce. YUM!

It's hard to find an excellent restaurant open for lunch outside the Loop, but Cafe Touche exceeded our expectations. On a warm sunny afternoon, we dined at an inside table next to french doors that opened to the outside. The room is bright and airy, and the soft-mat floor covering and textile-decorated brick walls made for a conversation-friendly environment. House pate plate was excellent and enough for four; I enjoyed the shrimp Po Boy but left the bread roll, as did the guest who enjoyed the steak sandwich and left the roll (too much of a good thing). The steak salad was fresh and done to our specifications. Service was attentive and thoroughly professional from start to taking a meal-ending photo of our threesome. Loop-quality food with neighborhood prices: $5 pinto grigio, $4 Miller Lite, entrees under $15.

My wife and I have to Café Touché many times for dinner and Sunday brunch. There is always something good on the menu or the list of specials of the day. They always have available special wines (one red and one white) for just $5 per glass. A newer item on the menu last night was veal cordon bleu. Traditionally, this item is prepared by putting some thinly sliced ham and some swiss cheese atop a breaded veal cutlet which is serve with a savory sauce. Unfortunately, the chef tried to be innovative with this dish and turned it into a fried veal pocket containing far too much diced ham and some cheese. The ham overpowered the delicate veal and spoiled the dish. It may as well have been calls a veal, ham, and cheese burrito (sans the tortilla). Unless you're a fan of burritos and other hodge-podge foods, you may want to avoid their Veal Cordon Bleu.

We visited this restaurant on a Sunday night and sat in their outdoor café area. The waiter delivered two fresh bread rolls with salted butter for our party of three. It was warm, soft and tasty. We ordered two appetizers, the Louisiana egg rolls and the oysters du jour. There were four egg rolls and they were very delicious but a bit heavy so would definitely recommend one per person unless you are very hungry. The oysters were fresh tasting. For dinner I ordered the Boeuf Maison (rib eye with thin French fries) and the others ordered the Confit de Canard (duck leg with wine sauce and mushrooms) which is an appetizer, as their main course and the Sunday plat du jour Cajun ribeye steak. All three of us agreed that the meals were wonderful. Both steaks and the duck were delicious and tender. The waiter was attentive but not pushy. There are not enough French restaurants or bistros around for my taste so if you are on the mood for this quisine, Cafe Touche is your place. I would recommend this restaurant and the food if you are in the Edison Park area.

Fun and very high energy spot. We had a large group of nine without reservations (they don't take them) for Sunday brunch and it was busy. Despite being packed they worked hard to accommodate us and get us situated outside. Service was great -we had an experienced server who efficiently serviced our table. She was assisted by other staff with extra seating, water, etc. I had steak and eggs with frites. It was ok. Nothing special - but filling. Nice array of beer choices including off the wall imports. Very good Bloody Mary BUT awkward process. You have to go to the bar and DIY your own condiments (olives, citrus, shrimp, peppers, horse radish, vodkas, etc).

Cafe Touché is our family's go to restaurant if we want a gourmet meal at a truly reasonable price. We've been there 6-7 times since it opened and we've never been disappointed. It's also our granddaughter's favorite...they have a great children's menu as well.

Couldn't believe it, a french restuarant with American size portions. Had blackened redfish on friday nite. Fantastic. Escargot was out of this world as well as the scallops. Great bang for your buck.

Went there for Sunday Brunch. Food was very good. If you enjoy bloody marys and mimosas, you would give it 5 starts.

Friday night we suddenly had something big to celebrate. We originally planned to go to a nearby bar/restaurant but it was crowded with people watching March Madness on their many screens. The wait was ridiculous, and there was barely room to stand. So we searched on the internet for another place and settled on this French restaurant we had not been to previously, and were not even aware of. What a pleasant surprise it was. The decor was reminiscent of a place we enjoyed in Paris' St. Germain neighborhood, but at lower prices. We started at the bar with a nice red wine and a heated cheese appetizer. Once our table was ready, they gave us gratis another and more expensive and even better cheese, cracker and fruit appetizer as an apology for our wait. This was followed with our entree, a steak with a delectable sauce and fries, large enough that even split between the two of us we could not finish. We will be back

Went to celebrate a couple birthdays. The service was great and the apps were fantastic. We had the 3 or 4 cheese platter that came with fig jam, apricots and other assorted pleasures. The steak tartare was also excellent. I ordered the bouillibaisse for the main course and it was good but the portion seemed a little subdued for the price. Everybody else enjoyed their main course so maybe I was the exception. Very accomodating for the kids who were in the party as they don't have a specific Kids Menu. Overall good experience and the apps really stood out

A little pricey but good atmosphere. Although we went for lunch, they also offered a brunch menu. Dinner has a more expansive menu.

We found this by accident. I was in the area and was looking for a place to have brunch. Just googled and looked at the list. This place looked appealing, menu looked delicious, so it was the winner. Actually, we were the winners. They start by serving banana bread, while you look over the menu. It was scratch made, and delicious. I loved everything about this place. I especially loved how the brunch/breakfast items weren't the 'same old - same old'. I had roasted leaks, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes - over brioche toast, with poached eggs and hollandaise, and roasted potatoes. BEST BREAKFAST I HAVE EVER HAD. The mimosas and bloodies are all you can drink. I had the mimosa. Usually when the mimosas are unlimited, its basically a glass of orange juice with a splash of the bubbles, but mine were perfectly made. My husband had the bloody mary, and it also was fantastic, not just a glass of tomato juice - very well balanced between mix and alcohol. My husband had the Viande et Forage - and egg dish with bacon, ham, andouille and gruyere, also fantastic. The only negative was, they were very busy and our server forgot about us several times. I realize he was busy with some big tables, but after being seated he never came back to take our order, and we had to eventually to get the host to find him for us. We had to flag down bus boys and other servers throughout brunch, to find him for us. The food and beverage were so good, it totally made up for the 'not quite up to par' service. It was a forgivable offense, as we saw how busy the server was. He certainly wasn't standing around doing nothing. We weren't upset over it, and it didn't ruin our experience. We will most definitely be going back.

Cafe Touche is a cute little bistro in Edison Park. I had attempted to have brunch there in late Spring and found it noisy and overcrowded. However, on my recent visit, we were seated near the window and given a nice warm baguette and butter once seated. Our starter of brie was good, but not remarkable. However, my Atlantic Char with pine nuts and sauteed spinach was terrific. My companion's bouillabaisse was also excellent. Dessert was an apricot and almond tart that arrived too hot - we were not warned and I burned my mouth a bit. The tart was good but not great. Service was a little spotty and as we were ending our meal, the restaurant was quite loud. But overall, the experience was good and I would recommend it and return.

Good selection of great food. Friendly and efficient wait staff. Very amenable to just about any request - food a certain way, a different table. Beer selection is okay, could have a few more varieties. Great selection of wines.

If it isn't pizza, a steakhouse, upscale bar food, or another sushi joint, there's little to choose from in the Edison Park and Park Ridge area, and it has been that way a long time. Cafe Touche brought much needed variety to the area several years ago and just keeps the quality and variety flying high, week after week. Their brunch is very straightforward and affordable. Dinner specials often surprise, whether is is small plate, salad specials, or the seafood offerings. The regular menu items are a blend of French, Creole, and Cajun and nothing is over the top as to saucing or spices, so, not dumbed-down but made for a wide range of palates. The dessert selection is established and gives just enough variety for anyone in the crowd. Appetizer portions are always generous as are the specialty salads and the entrees. There is a terrific selection of liquors at the bar, a thoughtful selection of beers, and a manageable wine list with enough by the glass selections to accommodate anyone. A chalk board at the entrance shows the red and white special pours of the day, which are at a reduced price. Pricing is moderate overall. Seafood is higher priced which comes a no surprise, but when either jambalaya or etoufee are offered, they are a tremendous value. The fish specials may appear a little pricey, but the portion, again, is very generous. The staff is friendly and accommodating, bar and table alike. Hosts and hostesses are likewise. Never been rushed. The only drawback can be the noise level. It is a busy place and crowd noise can be a bit overwhelming depending on how many in a group are celebrating whatever and obviously having a good time. Free valet parking offered. Another home run for Chef Joseph, this one with a Lousiana accent. Go and enjoy.

Cafe Touche is a great restaurant. The staff is wonderful from the hostess/host to the waitstaff. Service impeccable is and the food is fantastic. From the appetizers to entrees to the wonderful wine list. I can't say enough about how wonderful this restaurant is. I cannot wait to return with other friends.

Everything was lovely- the decor, the service, the lighting, and the food was excellent. Four different people ordered four different entrees - 2 beef, one chicken and one fish- and we all were most pleased. And the prices are very reasonable. In a city where it seems that 75% of restaurants are Italian, this French bistro is a gem.

Located in an area that is heavy with restaurants, Cafe Touche surpasses them for brunch. I have to admit we haven't yet tried it at any other time, but the brunches have been perfect. If the weather is good, and you are lucky enough to get an outside seat, that is a definite plus. I loved the Brennan's New Orleans eggs. But, try their Bloody Marys at brunch, especially if they have the jalapeno infused vodka. You can almost make a meal of the Bloody Marys. The staff is always friendly and efficient.

Because of the great reviews, I went to this restaurant. The first time I went there was for lunch, I ordered a salmon salad. First of all, the salmon was raw.. smoked, and no where it said that! Second, it was decorated "fancy" but the seasoning was nothing..like nothing! Very regular salad. Second time i went, because i thought i ordered the wrong thing the first time. Well, this time i ordered a some type of a chicken salad with tong twisting name that costs $20....um, it was mix greens on top of chicken breast. Thats it!! ..Really?! Really?!! I don't think I'd go back to this restaurant, for dinner or lunch. They say their Sunday brunch is amazing, Im a little skeptical, tho I might try that. Its almost a phony french restaurant as the menu is very much american cuisine .. plain american with french names. We have plenty of french restaurants in Chicago to compare with. The only reason this place has such hype, what Im thinking is because the owner of this restaurant is the same owner of Zia's restaurant ( italian cuisine ) just down the street from Touche. That restaurant is fabulous! Can't say the same about cafe Touche.

my group of 8 girlfriends came here for dinner. What a fun evening. They had a lovely round table waiting for us. Very friendly staff from the moment we arrived. We ordered the Assisette De Fromage and a modestly priced Savignon Blanc wine from New Zealand to have while the early srrivees "waited" for everyone else to arrive and start actually ordering. Just lovely. and it really kicked the evening off well. We then, of course, ordered some other appetizers and our meals. Two of my girlfriends had been traveling in France (separately) within the last month or two and they were reminiscing as they ordered and ate - good French food. But they also have items like walleye. SOmehow there was a mix-up and they missed one of our entrees - but they did not charge us for it and they gave us some assorted desserts on a center plate as their way of apologizing. We had a lovely time and are glad we selected this place for our get-together. It is located in the lively dining area of the Edison Park neighborhood in Chicago. The only down side was that it was a bit hard to hear each other - so ladies switched seats periodically, and spontaneously so they could catch up with everyone. Maybe they need to add something to improve the acoustics in the place. Limited street parking. They have valet. WHeelchair accessible. Clean bathrooms. Recommended.

Cafe Touche is located in the Edison Park neighborhood of Chicago, not a place where you would expect to find a French bistro. When you walk in the door, you see the warm and intimate space with tin ceilings and that sets a nice tone for the meal. The four of us sampled three appetizers and four entrees. The onion soup, salad Lyonnaise and salad de chèvre were all excellent, flavorful and appropriate in size. The entrées included a red snapper with lentils, coq au vin, cajun ribeye and mussels. Again, all the dishes were well prepared with plenty of flavor and ample in size. Our only disappointment was that service was inattentive, but since we were in no rush, that was not a problem. On street parking in the area can be a problem, but valet parking at a nominal $2 solves that issue. Worth the journey to Edison Park.

Well designed Bistro design, excellent menu, well prepared classic French food; I have visited several times - always dependable and consistent. I enjoy the mussels, escargots, warm baquette for starters... I recommend Steak Frites (rib-eye), Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, or Chicken Forestiere. Service is pheonomial; wait staff treats customers like family. Wine selection is excellent. Always several freshly opened bottles of California & French wine. Bonus: $5.00 glass of wine with 10 other wines by glass. Gigondas reasonably priced.

Went with friends...very pleasant interior. Classy service. Had he Coq au Vin (Tuesday special), the mussels, scallop app, and a salad. I guarantee you that you will enjoy and return!

I was here on a business dinner. My food was disappointing. I had a lemon chicken dish and it came surrounded by french fries. Yuck. Wasnt what I expected.

Thought the menu was great. Escargot was very good. Ordered the 1/2 duck. Not sure if this duck came from Chernobyl, but the 1/2 duck had 2 legs. Sauce & wild rice were great. Duck was good. Disappointed with the French wine selection. Would have loved an'05 Bordeaux but their wines were all way too recent. Had a 2009 Bordeaux, those are barely even drinkable or bottled now. It was good but a nice French restaurant should have a better wine selection. Overall, thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was couchsurfing with Jeremiah and his wife Larisa in Edison Park, a part of Chicago which, despite growing up in Evanston and going to school in Chicago, I was not familiar with. Wanting to repay their hospitality with a dinner, Larisa suggested that we try Cafe Touche so we hoofed the 10 minutes from Harlem over to meet Jeremiah at the restaurant on Northwest Highway which, filled with a fair number of bars and restaurants, is the center of activity in Edison Park. The place was full but we had reserved and were immediately shown to our table by the window. There is also outdoor seating. The menu is French/bistro and Jeremiah went for one of their steak frites, Larisa for the duck and I chose the pork in Calvados. It's half off on wine Wednesdays and who can say no to that. Our waiter was efficient and the food came promptly, presented, as seems to be the case in many a restaurant nowadays, by a Hispanic busboy, without further explanation. The steak was massive with lots of frites, my pork was excellent and we both picked at Larisa's unfinished duck. Nothing wrong with it - she's just not a big eater. All in all a fine dining experience at a reasonable price. The only negative was the noise level - VERY LOUD. If you have any low talkers in your party - and Larisa is a low talker - then - you will not be able to hear them if the place is full. As I view dining out as a social event this detracted from the total experience.

We've gone to this very nice Bistro many times. But the last 3 ,times on Sun & Sat evenings, there were large bridal & birthday parties with screaming kids. We couldn't have a normal conversation. Not appropriate for a small French Bistro.

We visited our son and his husband in Chicago after Christmas. They took us and one of their friends to dinner at Touché. I had trouble deciding what to have. I mostly eat a vegetarian diet, and they had 3 great looking vegetarian entrees, but in the end I chose the Coq A Vin. Oh was it delicious. My wife went for the Quiche Florentine vegetarian entree. She loved it too. To make a long story short all of our food was delicious!

Dinner with friends on a nice quiet table. It was Tuesday so I had the liver special, something I love to try at restaurants. It was excellent. The table side service first rate and the bread and salted butter out of this world. I thought I was in Paris by the unhurried service, which gave us lots of time to catch up with each other. I highly recommend.

Cancelled three downtown dinner reservations after Cafe Touche was highly recommended. What a wonderful evening. Warm, intimate atmosphere. Friendly, knowledgeable staff offered outstanding food selections. Salade Frisée Lyonnaise Frisée, bacon, poached egg, butterfried croutons, sherry mustard vinaigrette Poulet Forestière Skinless all natural chicken breast with wild mushrooms, fine herbs, Madiera wine and cream, served with Pommes au Gratin Profiteroles Cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce. Enjoyed rediscovering Edison Park after all these years.

If you are in the area looking for a classic French bistro experience...this is it. Close your eyes and savor the flavors. The poulet frites is so good - I always want to try something new but keep going back to this classic. The way the juices from the roast chicken drip onto the crispy fries...yum. I've tried many starters and desserts (all good) but can't stray from the well done classic bistro dish of poulet frites. The service is always friendly and prices are reasonable. We tend to go early so I can't comment on the noise level.

Met long time gal pals for lunch; it was lovely. We at outside as the weather was beautiful. One of my friends wanted well cooked rather than rare tuna on her salad nicoise and the chef accommodated her. I had the moules appetizer with a side of frites and a house pinot grigio. The moules in their flavorful broth were wonderful! Service was great as we were well taken care of without being constantly interrupted, as in some establishments. Server willingly allowed us to split the check 3 ways on our credit cards. Have eaten here before and the inside is pleasant as well.

I went to brunch this past Sunday and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. I definately will return sometime soon.

This is real French cooking, not a restaurant trying to cook French cuisine. Food is phenomenal. Warm bread. Great wine list. Wonderful daily specials. Service is very friendly and attentive. Were seated without reservations at 6pm. Restaurant and bar were packed by 6:30. Even the decor is lovely. But my god this place is LOUD!!! We had to shout to each other leaning forward across the table to have a conversation. Maybe Sunday early dinner or a week night might be better.

We planned on eating here after watching a play at the local WIP theater so we made a 4:45 reservation. We arrived a little before that time but were told by the host that a post-funeral party had arrived late and their event was still in progress (apparently taking up the entire restaurant) so we would be seated when people had cleared out and our table could be setup. I was a little peeved because I had at least one e-mail reminding me of the 4:45 reservation. So we sat at the bar and had a pre-dinner drink and were eventually seated in the front window area - probably a little after 5. Luckily the sun wasn't that strong because the window blinds no longer functioned - the sunlight affected other parties but not us. We were told by what we thought was a busboy that bread would be served when it had been warmed. We did eventually get the bread and the busboy turned out to be our waiter although he never introduced himself as such. I ordered a ribeye with avocado salad special and a side of gratin potatoes while my spouse had the short ribs. My steak was hot enough but my wife said her meal was only at room temperature but, by the time the waiter had come around to see how the food was, she had already eaten about half so there seemed no point in complaining. We did order desserts - profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce for her and gateau de pain for me - and they were really good and the best part of the meal. With 2 courses and wine, expect to pay at least $50 a head. We had eaten here once before and it seemed to us that our first experience was better than today's. We probably won't return - we like our local French bistro better - and there are other restaurant choices in the Edison Park area.

This is a special place in a quiet neighborhood in the far reaches of the city. The atmosphere is warm and cozy with the floor to ceiling windows that open up in the summertime to create an enjoyable indoor-outdoor space. Customary French bistro fare, very well prepared and well presented. Over the past few years, I've tried most of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed. Save room for dessert and be sure to order the classic profiteroles, which are far and away the best I've had anywhere (including at much more expensive French restaurants). The banana bread pudding is also delicious. Service is usually very good, but I have seen it slow at times. Cafe Touche is the perfect place to linger over dinner and drinks with friends. The brunches, too, are wonderful with all you can drink mimosas and Bloody Marys. Valet service is available, but street parking is never more than a block or two away.

When it comes to dining out, Edison Park and Park Ridge historically suck. Since Walter's closed, locals have their choice of two Mexican places - neither of which is at all friendly - or a bunch of Italian restaurants. Joe made his reputation by creating Zia's, just down the street, which has been head and shoulders above all the other Italian restaurants in the area from the get-go. Notably, he always has the freshest seafood. So, when our Vietnamese place closed and I heard that Joe was going to open a French/Creole place, I was ecstatic. When you already know how good the chef is, you can figure the new venue will be just fine - and it is. Touche has been solid from the start. Service is brisk and friendly. The menu has had its tweaks since the onset, but a lot of the solid choices remain. His small plates are generally not small. I have made a dinner out of an appetizer portion of smelt and a bowl of soup. Unlike one of the other commentators, I have never had a bad Salade Lyonnaise here. When I can't make my mind up, the oysters are always very reasonably priced and a portion coupled with his excellent Steak Tartare make a great light supper. The Jambalya is reliable. Cassoulet, when in season, is as it should be. Prime rib on Sunday is classic Sunday dinner. Desserts are outstanding. The wine special on Wednesday is great if you have a party of 4 with varying tastes or needs. The daily wine specials are a great touch when you just want a glass of something decent. The negative comments about parties or crowds or the lingerers at Sunday Brunch are understandable as this is not a large place and the acoustics are poor. Personally, I can at least adjust to seeing a party and expect some noise from the kids and such much better than I can going on a week night and having an over-Chardonnayed table of 4 Park Ridge Divas cackling and shrieking at how incredibly funny they all are - NOT. The downside to the atmosphere is the acoustics and the crowd that can afford to be loud and don't care how much they disturb everyone else, because it is all about them. Prepare for the entitled set to possibly be there, and just go for solid, fresh, well-prepared food guided by a chef who really knows how to produce first-class product at a very reasonable price.

Place is a pretty cool bistro, nice atmosphere, good service. Lively, yet not too loud. Enjoyed the Louisiana eggroll a lot. Etouffe was good, perhaps a bit more spicy than I expected. Walleye seemed bland in comparison, but nicely prepared and presented. Street parking is $2 per hour, not hard to find. Leisurely dinner took about 90 minutes, unhurried. Good service.

Absolutely perfect evening. I had a 10 ounce Prime Rib-Eye Steak with mustard sauce. Unbelievable. My spouse had the Marlin special, cooked to perfection. The wine was paired perfectly and the dessert was definitely not low calorie. Crowded on a Wednesday night; make a reservation.

We took our Daughter and Son-In-Law there for their Anniversary Dinner. The Food and Service were outstanding. We had a table by the window and all of the windows open up-so it is like sitting out on the patio. Nice Touch. We look forward to having another evening with them very soon. Truly this is a place that you need to go to ASAP!

Went for an early Sunday dinner (5ish). Live locally and was hoping to find a local gem but am sadly disappointed. The atmosphere was good; beautiful bar, cozy tables but still roomy enough to not feel cramped. Our server was friendly and familiar but still professional. The big disappoint here was the food. While nothing was particularly bad, of the 3 appetizers and 3 entrees we had, only one was above mediocre. The steak tartare was by far the worse (would suggest avoiding). The meat itself was nothing but gristle and tendon. Obvious that it was made from cutoffs of whatever steak they were serving that day but it clearly hadn't been properly trimmed. It was un-chewable. The other 2 entrees (duck confit and pate) were ok but nothing inspiring. For our entrees we had the pork calvados with goat cheese potatoes, veal cordon bleu, and double cut pork chop. The pork chop was the only delicious item we had. Moist and tender with a beautiful caramelized crust on it. Served with fennel and peaches; it was great. The veal was dry as though it had been under the hot lamp too long and it had no trace of cheese. The pork calvados had a similar problem (dry) and the potatoes were just mashed potatoes, no hint of goat cheese or chive. The overall flavors were muted and dull. While nothing was prepared badly, there was also nothing inspiring about the food.

This place offers authentic French cuisine without all the foo foo you get at most French restaurants. We frequent this restaurant and sit at the bar. Angelo always takes the best care of us. The mussels app is outstanding...not too garlicky and you could drink the broth like soup! We have to control how much bread we dunk in there. The mini baguettes are served warm with the best butter I've ever tasted. Great beet salad made with frisee, outstanding! I had the grouper with crawfish on Friday night but I often get the boulibase. Fennel based broth, just ridiculously awesome!! I crave it. Get the profiteroles for desert, I promise you'll love them. Outstanding place for a guaranteed great meal. Nice little outdoor patio. The owner also owns Zia's down the street (Italian) equally as outstanding.

Cafe Touche was outstanding in helping me hold a special little luncheon for my lifelong friends - one celebrating her 75th birthday and another belatedly celebrating her 70th. They gave our party of 3 a corner table where we could linger; they allowed me to bring in a birthday cake which they later brought out and put 2 candles on for the 2 guests celebrating birthdays; and let me write out my own menu so guests wouldn't know prices. The receptionist/co-ordinator was so helpful in making this get-together seamless. Our food was wonderful. One had the citrus chicken with green beans substitute for potatoes; two of us had the fish dish - sauteed corvina in a white wine sauce with spinach. We all loved our choices We get together once a year from the Chicagoland area and this is our go to restaurant because of its great food, fair prices, and nice atmosphere.

The staff is efficient & eager to please. We've eaten & always had delicious food & excellent service!

From the moment we entered the restaurant, live music playing to set the French mood, friendly waiters in starched white aprons, hot crusty French bread in a brown sleeve bag (just like you get in a Paris bakery), perfect wine recommendation by our waiter, and a delicious meal in a French country restaurant center. Absolutely perfect!

Our best friends were in from Minnesota and we wanted to take them somewhere special! And this place is just that. Small,cafe like with excellent food, drinks , food & dessert!! Our server Becky was the best! Very friendly & fun to talk to!

Cafe Touche is a reasonably priced authentic French Bistro. It has a valet service, so no need to worry about finding a parking spot. Everyone works here is very nice. I had bouillabaisse and Fig salad with a drink spacial. I have had bouillabaisse in Marseilles, France, before, and Cafe Touche's version almost brought me back to the coastal city. It seems that this restaurant is quite popular among ladies, but it is also kids and male friendly to me. I will definitely go back.

Consistently a top neighborhood dining restaurant. For you out of towners, this is off the beaten path in a Far northwest side neighborhood,so cab fare will be considerable, but worth the trip. For those of you near OHare this is your place. Classic French bistro food with steak tartare, roasted chicken, steak frites and cassoulet. The table bread is out of this world popular that they charge you a bit for a second loaf, but worth it.

We've been to Cafe Touche several times with different friends. Everyone has been happy with his meal. We've tried the escargots, duck confit, pate maison, steak tartare, and smoked salmon BLT for appetizers. Loved them all. I tried the etouffee the last time I was there but thought it was only OK. I usually get the short rib and it's delicious. Others have tried and loved the veau au poivre. The fish specials have been well-liked. There are a few vegetarian options as well. Each evening has a special dish. Good french fries and fried onions. Nice wine list. We loved the chocolate pate for dessert. The waitstaff is fine, but sometimes a bit harried. It gets crowded, so make a reservation. (you might need a larger party) There's valet parking.

Café Touché Café Touché is a French bistro located in Edison Park on the Northwest Highway among a cluster of restaurants and bars. The dining room is large and pleasant and includes a long bar along one wall. It also has an outdoor dining area adjacent its building next to a side street. Live music is provided on Thursday nights. Our party of six recently dined there on a Thursday evening with me being a first-time customer. We arrived before our reservation time of 6:30 and had drinks at the bar. Our drinks, which were moderately priced, were professionally prepared and amply poured by our bartender Rafael. We lingered at the bar a bit past our seating time, but the staff was very accommodating in holding our table. Our entrées, which were all reasonably priced, included grilled sirloin steaks, white fish, mussels, and short rib meat over pasta. The consensus was that the food was fresh and tasty. However, as we were in the midst of enjoying our meal, a two-piece band started playing very loud music. Now, this place normally has a moderate to fairly high level of noise, but once the music started, all conversation was severely impeded. It actually became painful and blasted us out of the restaurant after we hurriedly concluded our dinner. I am giving Café Touché a rating of only two stars due to the problem we encountered with the loud music that completely changed the ambiance of the restaurant from comfortable to torturous. Despite my poor first experience with this restaurant, I would give it another try because of the good quality of the food and the fine bar service – but not on a Thursday night!

This a neighborhood cafe which is very french in decor, service and food. We had a very pleasant meal starting with an excellent martini, a wonderful pate appetizer, a beautiful spinach salad which we shared, and the Saturday house special of Coq au Vin. All was presented very nicely, served promptly, and tasted wonderful. This will be our "go to" place for a French cusine fix in the Chicago area.

Our local bistro in Mount Prospect closed earlier this year so this is now the nearest French restaurant for our Bastille Day meal. The place was pretty busy on a Saturday evening but we were seated right away (with a reservation). Bread and water arrived shortly thereafter but we waited a little bit before our drink order was taken - not a big deal as we weren't in a hurry. After that, service by all the waitstaff was great. I had their prix fixe French week menu (my choices: bleu salad, steak & frites and bread pudding) while my wife had coq au vin and apple galette. We enjoyed our meal.

Don’t miss it. Great atmosphere. Courteous service. Superb food. Well worth what you pay. Here for early breakfast/lunch and when next Chicago, will be certain to go again.

Four of us had dinner here on a warm Saturday night. With the floor to ceiling windows opened and fans going it was like dining alfresco. The ambience was great and so was the food....classic bistro fare done very well and at at very reasonable prices. In addition to the classic steak frites, the have a delicious chicken frites. We had a wonderful young waitress named Molly who was knowledgeable and attentive. Lastly, the desserts were scrumptious.

Cafe Touche has always been more edgy and unique than most restaurants around this neighborhood . Upon entering, I always feel that every turn I am entering an old manor home with century old decor, entirely new experience. We were welcomed by JOSH, a generous and welcoming server who, from the moment we sat down until the very last moment we left, couldn't have been more attentive and professional.  The menu’s flavors have likewise expanded, reaching from the early classic cooking style to the today  techniques. Nothing best than start with the homemade chicken liver pate. Cafe Touche was truly made for all levels of wine drinkers. Wide ranging of wine list that will appeal to every palate. 

Met friends for dinner in this quaint, comfy restaurant. Atmosphere very nice, reminds me of an old fashioned italian restaurant in Godfather where Michael.....anyway, French food, excellent! Waiter Josh, excellent, not to mention, very handsome! Made reservations ahead of time, parking is a "pay at the pay station" close by. Beet salad very good, crawfishetouffee was excellent! Overall, lovely evening.

Usually I would avoid French food. But we sampled a bit of everything. Seafood. Meat. Veggies. All was delicious. And everyone in the place serving us was in such a good mood. Highly encourage taking anyone here. Outstanding food matched with great servers and atmosphere.

If you're heading to Edison Park you'll find Cafe Touche along Northwest Highway among several restaurants. Parking can be a challenge and free parking is very limited so be prepared to valet or pay the parking box for street parking. there's open air outside seating but we opted to sit inside. We were seated quickly for a weekday lunch and were greeted with fresh breadstick and salted butter which were quite good. I started with the Onion Soup (Gratinee) which was just ok. Not bad but not memorable either. My wife had the white bean special which was just a simple vegetable soup. nothing special. My wife had the Pate Maison (House pate and chicken liver mousse with whole grain mustard, country toast and cornichons) which was quite good! For the main course I had Etouffee (Crawfish tails, shrimp, andouille sausage in white rice) which was just ok. My wife had Poulet Forestiere (Skinless all natural chicken breast with wild mushrooms, fine herbs, Madiera wine and cream) it was pretty good not great. Overall this was a fair experience. Nothing wrong really but a high price to pay for pretty average cuisine. We probably won't be back.

The decor of Cafe Touche was honestly what sold me on this restaurant. It was decorated for the holiday's when I dined there and it was just stunning inside. It reminds me of what all little French bistro's should look like. The menu however was a bit surprising given the perhaps more elegant scale of the restaurant. I hadn't expected to see burgers and fries on a French bistro menu. It perhaps wasn't well thought out. My meal however, was excellent. The escargot was perfectly cooked and I had the vodka ravioli as an entree with a side of green beans. Everything was excellent. The busboys were very attentive and we never lacked for empty water glasses and plates were cleared away instantly. I would definitely return!

We love Cafe Touche! My husband and I often sit at the bar and eat dinner. I had a salad and the mussel appetizer as an entree. Used their wonderful warm bread to mop up the broth. Yum! My husband had the short ribs which are out of this world. Very nice selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Great waitstaff and bartender.

Scan the menu and you'd think you're in France. Lots of traditional options at reasonable prices. The food was good, not excellent, but a very acceptable value. It's clearly a neighborhood favorite and, as a nice bonus, kids eat free at dinner on Sundays.

Went here for Sunday brunch. Had the ham and cheese omelette. It was delicious, had potatoes on the side and fruit. Mimosas are $10 all you can drink! Bloody Mary's $12 all you can drink. It was crowded but we had a reservation.

A great local eatery where the food, wine and staff all combine for a wonderful experience whether your're celebrating or just out for a casual dinner with friends. Early weekend is noisier but later can spend hours chatting while you enjoy your last glass of vino.....classic bistro fare with lots of specials. The dover sole was amazing! we love their classic Salad lyonaise.

Walking distance in Edison Park. Has Bloody Mary bar for brunch and out door seating. Valet parking.

Average food and service and about as far from a French Bistro as imaginable. Supposed to check vaccination status, but couldn't be bothered when we showed it on our phone. Kind of looked at us as if we were goofy.

Both the atmosphere and the food are as good as France. Good bistro French food has a depth of flavor, and Cafe Touche was no exception. It was a busy Friday night, but service was still good and fast. Valet parking makes parking much more pleasant.

What a gem! Stumbled upon this place and have been back a few times. All the food that I have tried is great! The salad, soup, chicken, burgers...everything has tasted great.

i love this place, service is great, portions are just right, food is very good and atmosphere really has the french cafe feel. large wine selection, great service and nice place to eat for any occasion. And they have half price bottles of wine every wednesday!

A wonderful restaurant for you to try is Cafe Touche’. Have been here many times and never a bad experience. The food is so tasty. Our server was Joshua R., was the best. Will always request him in the future.

Eggs Benedict was yummy. Chicken and waffles were filling. Good place for breakfast. Mimosas were never ending! Will come back to try other dishes.

Place is busy especially on the weekends. Food is good. The Étouffée is amazing. Have a decent beer selection including a few good Belgians, Canadians and the obligatory Abita. Service is relatively quick.

Our party of four dined at Touche on a Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. The restaurant was very crowded and noisy as we were seated, but the service was attentive for the most part and the meal went smoothly. My dinner of Onion soup and the Entrecote de Beouf (a N.Y. strip with french fries) was acceptable but not memorable. The onion soup seemed to be thrown together rather than baked properly, and the onions were cut extremely small, rendering them virtually tasteless. The broth appeared to be suffused with paprika rather than a buttery, beefy broth one would expect, and all in all was very ordinary. It was priced on the low side for brasserie onion soup, so I assume they would have to take shortcuts to produce the item for the price they charged, but if it had been a few dollars more, and spectacular, it would have been much better. Others at the table had the salad Lyonnaise and said it was quite good (although without croutons), so I'd pronounce the appetizers better or worse, depending on what you order. My Entrecote was a generous 12 oz New York steak served with a huge portion of very good frites (french fries). It was done as ordered, but again, the quality was somewhat corner cutting, as it could not have been graded better than good (as opposed to choice or prime) and was not the least bit tender, although reasonably good tasting. The price of beef is driving this compromising with quality, which I have seen at numerous places recently, and should pass when beef prices stabilize, but it is unfortunate since it affects the dining experience currently being had. Others at the table had seafood dishes, and indicated they were quite good, so again it depends on what you order, but steak frites in a French Bistro should excel . Desert, two large profiteroles with delightful vanilla ice cream and wonderful fudge sauce, was ending on a high note. In sum, the place is too noisy and quality is good but not great. However, the "vibe" is great and it is fair value for the money. There are many better French Bistro style restaurants in Chicago, but this one should leave you reasonably satisfied with the experience.

Must give it 5 stars because I don't see what could improve. Lovely decor, good lighting, swell service and food so good, I could have licked my plate but I didn't have to because there is warm bread to soak up any sauces.

Interior of the bistro is well executed in the appearance and gives good feeling of French bistro. Good attention to details, white table service and open bar makes for a visit very pleasant. Very good, knowledgeable, attentive, well trained and honest service. The food selections are well represented and range from French, French accented, Cajun [New Orleans] and touch of Italian. The chef/owner also owns Zia Trattoria a block or so away. The food was well prepared and presented however, on this visit, the kitchen staff was very heavy handed on salt. Although spicy dishes are usually no problem, this visit was an exception. Majority of the dishes were over salted and the mussels broth was almost inedible. Steak tatter was very good, except for over use of salt and Tabasco sauce. One dish appeared to have frozen french beans…no need for that in this type of restaurant. The "freshly" baked bread was product of frozen dough….in the French restaurant ? There are many neighborhood bakeries that make the bread to fit this fare. Wine list is concise with good selections and reasonably priced. The restaurant has special weekly menus and wine specials, which are very good value. Complimentary valet parking is a great restaurant asset in this "tough to park" neighborhood. It was a good experience, spoiled by over exuberance in using spices. The rating of the food was downgraded due excessive use of spices.

The last two times I have been here for brunch, I've had a reservation and have had to wait for a table. Why make a reservation? The most recent time was on Sunday when our party of 4 waited 30 minutes to be seated and then we felt rushed because the kitchen was closing so they could set up for dinner. The food for brunch is fine, but nothing special. My recommendation is that they stop the unlimited refills on mimosas and Bloody Marys to ensure that people who come in at 10:00 don't sit around until 2:00 filling up on free booze and taking up space for other patrons who actually want to eat. I come to this restaurant at least twice a month with friends or my husband for dinner and am always happy with food and service, but they really need to get their brunch service squared away.

The place is okay, nothing outstanding and nothing awful. The prices are just okay, too as is the service. The food is okay, but the profiterole is not good at all, so disappointed. The shell was hard and stale and the custard was awful. The chocolate was great. Not worth the parking hassle.

Been going to Café Touche since it opened and I always get two things...the escargot and the filet with Pommes Frites...my god it is such a good meal. They have a great wine list, the place is big enough but not crazy and the service has always been top notch. Café Touche is one of the better restaurants in Edison Park...consistently great food and atmosphere!

I met a friend at Cafe Touche for dinner -- we were both surprised how crowded it was on a random (and cold) Wednesday night! It may have been the half-price wine deal on Wednesdays, but we still took it as a good sign. The food was fabulous. We shared the truffle fries, which were not too greasy and had just the right amount of truffle flavor (decadent but not overwhelming). Our salads and entrees were equally good, and the portions were generous. Even without the half-price deal, the wine list seemed reasonably priced with a variety of options. Our waiter was attentive and had great suggestions, especially regarding wine. The restaurant is far from downtown, in a friendly neighborhood that is close to O'Hare (Edison Park) -- it would be a great place to spend a few hours if you have a long layover in Chicago because it is a 10 minute cab ride from the airport. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, and the staff is very welcoming. Enjoy!

We were attending a conference in the O'Hare area and wanted a nearby restaurant that was not a chain. Atmosphere: Pretty, open, elegant windows. Noise level was lively but we could hear each other. The reason four stars instead of five is that the tables are way, way, way too close. They tried to squeeze too many people into too small a space and our table got the worst of it. Service: George was our waiter and he was excellent. Anticipated our needs, came to the table frequently but did not hover, had a great sense of humor. On his own without our asking brought us complimentary dessert because of the crowded tables. Ask for him. Food: Wow. All four of us enjoyed every bit. Two of us ordered rack of lamb, and two got steaks. Wonderfully prepared, presented and enjoyed. Valet Parking: Did a great job. Value: Four entrees, two appetizers, three salads, bottle of moderately priced wine, with tax and tip averaged $85 per person, which we consider a good value for what we received. Recommend and will go back.

Good wine and classic French cooking without being pretentious. It's a very popular neighborhood restaurant. Already have reservations for Valentine's Day dinner.

We visit the Chicago area a few times a year and this Ike we were staying a a Rosemont hotel and wanted to try a new restaurant. Cafe Touche is only a out 3 miles away so we gave it a shot. Nice ambience, interesting menu, good and different wine and beer selections, very good service. The Cajun shrimp appetizer and several layers of flavor that ended with a nice burn; the pork shoulder came with a nice salad (which seems to be a part of a lot of entrees so a separate salad might be superfluous). The special Belgium beer that evening was absolutely perfect on a hot summer evening. I hope to return!

Great French food in a cozy neighborhood setting? Wonderful food, great service, friendly, lively atmosphere. Can't wait to go back.

Have dined here many times and food was always excellent, yesterday things were off. My French Onion soup had very little cheese in fact none on top and tasted like there was too much wine in it. My chicken Lemon was very good as were the mashed potato’s. Husband ordered the steak he had ordered in the past and it was dry not like he has had many times also the sauce had a smoky taste needless to say he was disappointed. For dessert I have had the Profiteroles with Chocolate sauce many times and was my favorite, this time the pastry was hard and a different taste. Server noticed I didn’t like it and had another one prepared was a bit softer I only ate the ice cream. This was our 59th wedding anniversary and didn’t want to be complaining for the whole meal. Hostess wished us happy Anniversary but nothing said from server, don’t think he knew because he was great and right on top of things. Sure wasn’t the evening I had been looking forward to. Makes me wonder why the changes.

Sad to say but my favorite jerk chicken spot has become unorganized and just average Not crazy busy but you feel forgotten. Service poor. Food just ok. It is sad to see. The worst part no one seemed to care.

This place is terrific. A beautiful French/creole cafe that has so many so details that makes you feel like you are in a Parisian cafe. Great menu and our server Alonso was fantastic.

The atmosphere is always festive, the service quick and friendly the food and drinks are excellent! This is our go to place for big celebrations, book launch party, or intimate dinners. We love this place!

Escargots excellent though baguette not crispy enough crust to be perfect compliment to the garlic butter sauce. Croque Madame excellent sandwich and ordered with Parmesan truffle our frites - what a treat! Nice wine choices and also enjoyed Chamay Trappist monk ale - the best to go with the very rich sandwich. Go for it - nice place in the Burbs.

Eaten here several times. Good food , excellent service, reasonable prices. Convenient parking or valet it.

Another awesome restaurant from the owner of Zia's Trattoria. If you are in northwest suburbs and crave a little french cooking this is the place to go to. I have eaten here twice now and both times included some highly picky eaters but the plates were fully clean at the end of our meals :) I feel the prices are pretty reasonable for the type and the amount of food we had. Only small issues I have with this place are that reservations are not accepted for small parties which left us looking for another place to eat at 8:30 PM on a saturday night on multiple occasions and mussels that I had could have been better. Having said all that, this place is still an excellent way to spend an evening in northwest side of Chicago.

The restaurant, servers, and food were all great! Took great care of a party of 25 like it was no problem!! Would definitely go back!

We visited this Bar for breakfast whilst visiting friends for Sunday brunch. The Bar is very friendly and lively with a good atmosphere. The menu is extensive and good value the refillable Mimosa was a special treat.

Met some girlfriends here for dinner. First - the food - wonderful! I had a salad with a buttermilk vinaigrette and black olive tapenade. Then I had the chicken breasts with the mushroom wine sauce, potato galette and haricots verts. All wondeful. Had a glass of sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, again wonderful. The service was great, atmosphere was "happening" with a nice upscale feel to it, without being snooty. I would definitely go again!

Went to this corner "bistro" (What's a bistro?) in Edison Park for late brunch on Sunday. We were there around 12:30; the place was crowded but they seated my wife and I immediately. There probably is a wait at more popular times. The crowd was mixed: couples, after church families, groups of women having breakfast, and a cross section of ages. Cafe Touche was crowded, and it took a while for the waiter to greet us, but a date-nut type bread and butter were provided as soon as we sad down. Yum. They're open in the morning for Sunday brunch til 2, then they close down for two hours for private parties before reopening for dinner. I had Brennan's style eggs (poached, w/ spinach, gruyere, ham, and applewood bacon). While I prefer my bacon crispier, the food was excellent, and the portions were very generous. My wife had the Cobb Salad, which was both larger and filled with more "goodies" than she had expected. We both had the unlimited Bloody Mary bar ($10; there's an $8 unlimited Mimosa offer too). There was a choice of three vodka flavors, and the pour was generous. The bartender was kept busy by a stream of Bloody Mary patrons...the whole nine yards with salt, pepper, worcester sauce, tabasco and optional horseradish mixed in. Garnished with celery stalk. The bartenders were friendly, and the vibe was great. Once shaken and poured into a large glass, garnishes were available, including olives, cocktail unions, gherkin pickles, limes/lemons, additional Tabasco, and my favorite, whole peeled fresh shrimp. All in all, a perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday March morning. FYI: during summer, there's al fresco dining.

Have eaten here several times and have never been disappointed in the food or service. This time was lunch and a tasty one of Faux Filet with Frites. This is a good sized strip steak cooked exactly right with a mound of the thin, crisp frites. The meal came with soup or salad and I chose the salad of Bibb lettuce with carrot strips and cherry tomatoes having a light wine vinaigrette dressing. Dessert was a yummy full sized crème puff filled with French vanilla ice drip and warm chocolate sauce drizzled over it after it was served. Excellent for specialty occasions or just lunch or dinner with friends in great bistro atmosphere. Note the ceiling fans being run by one rubber belt when you visit.

Try the duck! Wonderful service and quiet atmosphere in an adorable neighborhood. A short drive from the O'Hare area hotels.

We were staying at a hotel near the airport, in a culture-less zone of Rosemont. On a recommendation we drove over to Cafe Touche were we discovered a real Chicago neighborhood within short distance (Edison Park), and a restaurant with a range of options from $8 hamburgers to $24 duck with orange sauce and cherries, to $30 steaks. Also has nice outdoor seating across from the park. Food is excellent - maybe one notch down from what you can get further downtown, but still quite good, and decently priced. Perfect for what we were looking for.

Wife and I went to Cafe Touche with another couple on a Saturday night, with reservations. Crowded but festive. We selected a reserve wine from the list. The manager arrived to let us know that the wine was sold out, but he offered a more expensive bottle of Amarone for the same price as the one we ordered. The wine was perfect. The food was perfect, great steak and frites. Wife had chicken with mushrooms which was also fantastic. This is a fantastic, upscale option for a corner of the city lack lacks similar choices.

Really good freshly prepared french bistro food at reasonable prices. Our only complaint is the noise level. When the restaurant is full (which is usually is) it is very hard to have a conversation.