That Little French Guy - French Bakery & Café — Restaurant in Highland Park

Stepping through the door of That Little French Guy in Deerfield feels like crossing the Atlantic into a cozy Parisian bistro. From the moment you’re greeted by the warm wood tones and soft lighting of their newly expanded dining area, you know you’re in for a treat. The refurbished space strikes the perfect balance between modern comfort and old-world charm: plush banquettes sit beneath wrought-iron light fixtures, while vintage French posters adorn the walls, transporting you straight to the streets of Montmartre.

The menu offers a thoughtful selection of classic French fare, and each dish we tried arrived with impeccable timing and flavor. The Croque Monsieur was gooey, salty, and rich without ever feeling heavy, while the Niçoise salad showcased the kitchen’s talent for highlighting fresh, vibrant ingredients—perfectly seared tuna, crisp haricots verts, and just-ripe tomatoes, all dressed in a tangy Dijon vinaigrette.

But the real showstopper is the pastry case. The flaky, buttery croissants practically melt in your mouth, and the pain au chocolat strikes the ideal balance between crisp exterior and oozing chocolate center. The tarts—lemon, berry, and the indulgent chocolate ganache—are little works of art, both in appearance and flavor. I’d happily make a special trip just to sample one of their morning pastry flights.

A special nod goes to the ambiance: a soft French radio station plays in the background, adding an authentic soundtrack that makes you feel like you’ve slipped into a café on the Left Bank. It’s an immersive sensory experience.

My only quibble is with the cortado, which arrived more like a small latte: smooth and milky, but lacking the espresso’s bite that I was craving. If you’re a true coffee aficionado, I’d recommend sticking to their tea selection or grabbing a brew elsewhere. Otherwise, That Little French Guy delivers an exceptional taste of France right here in Deerfield—highly recommended for brunch, lunch, or a...

Atmosphere: It looks and feels like an indie coffee shop in Highland Park. Its interior is larger than the Google Maps photos suggest. If one's nose pays attention it may smell the stuffiness of an older Illinois, not French, building, like that of a really old public library. That's actually a comforting smell. Look out for those tables, however, as some of the smaller ones wobble furiously, resulting in furiously spilled coffee. Note to the manager: wobbling tables aren't French. They're just poorly maintained, wobbly tables. And because of the proximity of all the tables, overhearing other diners is inevitable and possibly irritating.

Service: Mostly younger locals, likely high school aged, work here. They're Highland Park Gen Z, so better off, a bit shy, but provide good service.

Food: The always-mentioned Croque Madame is just nothing special. It's comprised of too much bread and not enough of the rest. The coffee is also meh-like. The shop's vibe makes it busier than either of those two offerings.

The pastries are nevertheless nice and worth taking out once in a while. The Royal -- almond cake, chocolate mousse and hazelnut crunch -- reminds me of a really, really, really good tiramisu. Lemon Rasperry[1] cake -- madeleine cake, raspberry[2] coulis and lemon cream -- brings a Midwest tartness to the tongue. And Macarons beat what's found at any grocery store or Costco or that Des Plaines Polish bakery I frequent. Unlike that DP place, That Little Guy's sweet flavors do not overpower.

So, what to get when you want to just order and sit and eat? Just a Side of 2 eggs; NO SALAD; a Seasonal Soup; some Macarons; and a small loaf of multigrain bread to take home, which is ordered with your meal because it sells out fast. But NO SALAD. Oh, and one last thing: NO SALAD. Talk about a massive waste of money for wilted greens. Better shall be had from a grocery store.

[1] The eatery's website's typo, not mine. [2] Note the...

My husband has been talking about this place for years (we live in the city and he rides his bike up to Highland Park regularly), but I finally got a chance to ride up with him and have brunch. The food was good (though the French eggs were a bit too salty) but the main problem was the service staff. I'm guessing they're just trained this way by management, but it is actually quite annoying to have your conversation interrupted literally 7 times in the course of about 20 minutes for them to ask to take each plate as you've barely finished eating from it. Unless it's a multi-course meal, I don't mind having the dirty plate just there sit there until I'm finished! Then they can interrupt once to clear at the end. As is they're asking you so frequently sometimes you say yes before realizing there was still something on your plate, or in my case, my tea bag that I actually wanted to use again with more hot water but it was long gone before I realized it. We've been to a few places recently where this overly aggressive plate-clearing has become the norm, and I don't understand it, it's unnecessary and can be very disruptive to the...