Le Bouchon Hasn’t Missed a Beat | Eater Chicago

"Now in its third decade, this enduring French favorite channels the spirit of an 11th arrondissement bistro with a cozy, intimate dining room and a menu of beloved classics, setting the standard for a relaxed date night with meals that never disappoint. The onion soup feels like a warm embrace in a crock: beneath a blistered, cheesy lid of Swiss and Gruyere lies a deeply rich beef broth teeming with caramelized onions and a sourdough crouton, and despite its depth the flavors never overwhelm—use the complimentary baguette to soak up every last drop. The trout wrapped in puff pastry, a cousin to beef Wellington and an homage to saumon à l’oseille (salmon with sorrel sauce), the iconic recipe from Restaurant Troisgros in Roanne, France, arrives with a creamy, lemony sauce and dollops of smoked trout roe for a spot-on blend of comfort and refinement. No meal is complete without the maple creme brulee, whose crisp, caramelized sugar shell cracks to reveal silky smooth custard for a most satisfying send-off. Even with its popularity, it still carries the charm of a neighborhood spot; it’s consistently busy, but walk-ins can try for one of six seats at the bar—on my visit I sat between a regular quietly reading a magazine and two first-timers excited to try the place. Insider tip: Mondays bring half-priced bottles or half-bottles of wine, with a French list spanning from $55 up to a $750 Champagne." - Jeffy Mai