Bistro Monadnock — Restaurant in Chicago

Went here for Valentine’s Day 2025. Reservation was for 7:30pm, I arrived early to check in (about 7:25pm), was told it would be about 10 minutes before my table was ready, no worries at all, as the restaurant was clearly busy and I was early. Several other couples were also standing around waiting for their tables. I thought nothing of it and my partner soon arrived at around 7:35. Still no seat, but I was told it would only be a few more minutes by the hostess table. However, at 7:45pm, our table was still not ready and we were just told to wait. We were not seated until 8:00pm, and only after we told the hostess we will leave and want our money back (dinner was prepaid for Valentine’s Day) if we were not sat. We later learned through conversation that the first reservations for the evening were extremely delayed and late due to weather, and instead of seating those who were there on time, the restaurant had everyone wait. Another couple we spoke to had also waited 30+ minutes after they arrived on time for their dinner.

Our waitress was great, she was clearly trying her best to serve us quickly and checked in with us several times. She even recommended a bottle of wine, which was a great addition to our dinner.

The dinner itself was a mixed bag. The food was well cooked and tasted great, however we had multiple delays to our courses and were brought other tables’ orders several times. For a pre-fixe menu, I do not understand why the delays and these mix-ups happened. There was a clear breakdown in communication amongst the staff, and it impacted various parts of our dinner. I received my second course and we had both finished it (we were starving after the long wait for seating) and had corrected two separate waiters who brought us the wrong food by the time my partner’s second course arrived. Luckily, we took the opportunity to have great personal conversation and make the best of the long wait times between courses. Dessert was fantastic.

For a pre-fixe menu dinner for 2, a near $400 dinner (not including the wine, which was almost another $100), I was really disappointed with the service we received. I completely understand that unforeseen weather can impact people’s arrival and that busy nights can make things difficult, but it seems a bit backwards to “punish” those who arrived on time with a 30+ minute wait and not offer any type of consolation for their wait. For a pre-fixe menu, there were an unreasonable amount of delays to our meal. I was very excited to eat at Bistro Monadnock for Valentine’s, but after this experience, I would be hard pressed to ever recommend this locale to...

So glad this place is the way it is! It has old-fashioned quality and charm in every aspect with attention to the right details, which was exactly the escape I needed from being overwhelmed by the big city as a tourist from out of state. I went here twice with my girlfriend within days.

Every bit of all the different foods we had tasted excellent, nuanced, rich, and gourmet. Visually appealing and authentic without being superficial. The size of the menu was just right - variety and uniqueness but not too big. We had cocktails we'd never heard of and they tasted amazing.

The waiters were perfect. Very much appreciated that they were not overbearing, and they correctly gauged that we did not want a lot of attention, while still being super polite, mellow, real, proficient, and attentive to when the table actually needed it. They were friendly and conversational if that's what you initiate, without overdoing it, or they leave you alone if that's how you seem - perfect. I imagine this is how classic European waiters are and it's so refreshing.

Our first night, the place was quiet with few guests, and we appreciated that they sat everyone spaced out across the entirety for our benefit. Our second night, it was fully packed and the dining room becomes somewhat loud, and we personally liked this because it was a happy sound with the other guests enjoying themselves respectfully, and we like that it hides our own conversation. We were still able to hear each other and the waiter fine.

We loved the low-key entrance on the relatively-secluded narrow street. I was even impressed with this place having many all-to-yourself restrooms with a thorough aesthetic. The building is a restored historic one which is quite fitting.

The prices were very reasonable for such high quality. They should probably raise them after they become more...

Bistro Monadnock has been on my radar screen for some time and I finally had the chance to visit over the weekend. I Love, Love, Love this restaurant. It hits all the right notes. The service is the best (the chef even dropped off a few dishes). Our waiter was amazing and the manager stopped by to chat and refilled our water glasses. The atmosphere was vibrant and delightful, it was exactly like being in Paris only I would say a bit better (because everyone was so nice).

The food it perfection, our party of three started with the bread and fat, the butter was next level amazing and melted beautifully on the deliciously crusty and tender baguette. Then on to the best beef tartare I have ever had! It was seasoned perfectly and as we were told has a special blend of beef in it so there are complex notes. The salad frisee had a nice brightness and the lardons were crisp!

We split the skate wing which was succulent and sweet and pan fried lightly to perfection. We of course ordered the steak frites with Beef Fat Fries! The steak was done to our liking (medium rare) and was delicious but my oh my, the Beef Fat Fries! Suffice it to say we ate every single one (and it was a generous portion).

Naturally there is always a little room for dessert and coffee, which by they way is served in a French Press, we split the Ile Flottante which was drizzled with salted caramel, sprinkled with candied hazelnuts and sitting on a bed of crème anglaise with blood orange supremes. A lovely way to finish the meal.

We stopped in the bar on our way out, it is a also a beautiful and lively space.

A dinner at Bistro Monadnock is like a mini vacation, it will transport you to another dimension, and you will leave feeling uplifted, satisfied and ready to plan your...