Gavroche
French restaurant · Old Town
1529 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
Highlights
Modern French cuisine, cocktails, house-made baguettes, desserts
Modern French cuisine, cocktails, house-made baguettes, desserts
"Gavroche, the Old Town French restaurant from Jason Chan, one of the most beloved restaurant figures in the city — one that would-be thieves should know not to mess with — has gone ham. Chan and chef Mitchell Acuna have created the King Louis Royale Burger. For $55 this burger, made from a brisket and short-rib blend, is stopped with seared foie gras, Polanco caviar, summer black truffle, black truffle aioli, pickled red onion. There’s also “raclette-style” Gruyere, all in between a brioche bun baked by pastry chef Christine McCabe. Hey, for $55 know that it also comes with beef-fat fries." - Ashok Selvam
"This new French restaurant in Old Town pushes to be different, with a modern take on the cuisine. It’s run by Jason Chan, a Chicago hospitality veteran; his parents owned restaurants around town. Chan’s hope is to give Wells Street a boost, a break from the mundane to satisfy diners who want old-school French food — like ratatouille, gnocchi, steak frites, and escargot — but also to build a new legion of francophiles with dishes like an A5 miyazaki ribeye with beef-fat peppercorn mignonette, and béarnaise. Chefs from around Chicago have trained with Chan, a noted martial artist." - Ashok Selvam
"Judging by the number of French restaurants that keep opening in this city, Chicagoans love pretending they’re in Paris. Thanks to Gavroche in Old Town, we have a new place to wear berets and discuss Les Misérables en français over hamachi niçoise and duos of foie gras." - john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"Judging by the number of French restaurants that keep opening in this city, Chicagoans love pretending they’re in Paris. Thanks to Gavroche in Old Town, we have a new place to wear berets and discuss Les Misérables en français over hamachi niçoise and duos of foie gras. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation
"Opened by Jason Chan, a well-known local restaurateur behind Juno, Kitana, and Butter, this modern French spot in Old Town occupies a narrow, cozy 32-seat dining room with a planned chef’s counter intended for an omakase-style experience (the counter won’t be activated immediately). The menu aims to balance classic French fare with contemporary Parisian influences, and potential counter or à la carte offerings include hamachi nicoise, a duo of foie gras, and turbot au four with beurre blanc. Chan has brought on Mitchell Acuña (Boka, North Pond, Sixteen) as executive chef and is encouraging him to take risks so the restaurant can either satisfy diners nostalgic for closed neighborhood haunts like Bistrot Margot or break new ground. Pastry chef Christine McCabe — a Charlie Trotter’s alumnus and the founder of Glazed & Infused and co-creator of Sugar Cube — directs a concise dessert program that features a classic opera cake. Chan is also considering additions such as a thoughtfully designed speakeasy-style bar. The restaurant is open 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays." - Ashok Selvam
