Le Mistral

I began the night with the duck fat old fashioned, At S.K.Y. need I say more? I heard so much about the croquettes and the Madeleine’s! I walked through the kitchen to the cave speakeasy in the back of the space! Now let’s clear the suspense; I would cross state lines for a dozen of the croquettes and madeleines. They are like that feeling of mom’s holiday cookies on Christmas morning! So special! Back to the show stoppers for me; the wine and cocktail list! So I start with the dry white from Croatia, so inviting and crisp. I then chose the rose’ with a beautifully tinted red hue like the prettiest drop of red dropped in. The staff are so knowledgeable and professional, we had the pleasure of curating our experience at the bar with Kelsey, and Pjelena. Please save room for dessert, and the frozen Espresso martini. I give it 6 stars. What a gem!! I can’t wait to share this place with foodies and friends! Make your reso, try a lot, come back try the rest! Tell your friends this is the must go to spot for dinner in 2025!

Le Mistral has arrived, tucked away in the back of S.K.Y. Restaurant. An intimate space to sample some amazing wines, spirits & food, & is a great addition to Lincoln Park. Jelena Prodan has curated a selection of unique Wines from near & far. Be ready to explore it all. The space is gorgeous, the Staff is exceptional. Bring your friends, or a date, & enjoy all that there is to offer. Great food is a bonus!

From the moment you pull up to the beautiful Belden Stratford with its Versailles inspired architecture, to the second to sit down in the Southern European inspired wine cave cocktail bar, it is nothing short of first class all the way. The long walk through the luxurious dining room of S.K.Y. and then through the kitchen solidify this feeling of an authentic speakeasy. An exceptional wine program compliments a simple yet delicious food menu. Along side an extremely creative and delicious cocktail program. A perfect date night spot, or place to catch up with good friends and family. 10/10. The chicken sandwich and the espresso martini are both the best in the city.

My partner and I had a great time having pre-dinner wine at Le Mistral (dinner at S.K.Y. after was great). We sat in "the cave" section, which was a small, very dark (only lit by candles) room, and it was intimate and cozy. The wine selections from eastern and southern Europe were great (you could order from their drink menu or wines from the S.K.Y. wine list) and the light food offerings were amazing. Specifically, the cornbread madeleines were amazing and might be the best cornbread I've ever had. Service was on point as well, with food and drinks timed well, and the servers were friendly and helpful but not pretentious. We'll be back for another date night or with a small group. Check it out before people really learn about this place and you can't get a table!

Had the most wonderful experience at Le Mistral last week. To get there you enter S.K.Y. and have to walk through the kitchen to find this beautiful warmly lit intimate space. The extensive wine list is full of hidden / rare gems that are fairly priced and the cocktails are are inventive and delicious. We shared some small bites, the fried chicken sandwich and French onion burger and got to finish our meal with Chef Tatum's world famous chocolate chip cookies. Food was out of this world. Can't wait to go back and this is definitely gonna be another great addition to the Chicago food and drink scene.

Low lights, a fitting playlist, and cocktails worth talking about — Le Mistral brings its own kind of magic and energy to Lincoln Park. Behind the bar is award-winning sommelier Jelena Prodan, whose touch shows in the balance of classics and unexpected finds. I tried the Frozen Espresso Martini and the Bergamot Margarita, and both were standouts in completely different ways. The espresso martini was smooth and indulgent without being heavy, while the margarita was bright, layered, and unlike any other version I’ve had. Together, they showed just how creative the cocktail bar really is. Chef Stephen Gillanders carries the same spirit with the food offerings. You’ll find some familiar S.K.Y. favorites alongside fresh, next-level additions that make you want to keep exploring. Service matches the vibe perfectly: attentive, upbeat, and never overdone. Whether you’re slipping in solo, out on a date, or gathering with friends, Le Mistral fits the moment.

Really cool speakeasy. We showed up without a reservation and didn’t fully understand how it works. They take you through the kitchen, which was a real experience. We got the black truffle croquettes, which were phenomenal.

Walking through the kitchen of S.K.Y. Chicago and into Le Mistral feels like stepping into another world—a hidden adventure that’s equal parts speakeasy and culinary escape. From the moment I arrived, the experience was nothing short of magical. I kicked off the evening with the Bergamot Margarita, crafted exactly to the staff’s recommendation, and it was absolutely phenomenal. For food, I started with the madeleines, which quite literally melted in my mouth, followed by the indulgent French Onion Burger—rich, savory, and unforgettable. Watching the table next to me enjoy their croquettes was too tempting to resist, so I ordered those as well, and they lived up to every expectation. The cocktail program here is a dream in itself. Even as someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward gin, I was blown away by the Albariño Lavender Martini—so delicate, floral, and beautifully balanced that I’ll be coming back just for that. I closed out the night with the Frozen Espresso Martini, which can only be described as pure heaven in a glass. Every detail—the food, cocktails, wine list—feels carefully considered, executed with passion, and delivered with style. Le Mistral isn’t just another bar; it’s an experience. This place has easily become my new number one go-to, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Fantastic experience all around. You walk through S.K.Y's kitchen to get here and are greeted along the way with their friendly staff. It's quite dark / dim inside so just be wary of that. super friendly staff & we felt incredibly taken care of during our visit. They're known for their wines and cocktails but their food was a highlight for us! The madeleines were melt in the mouth & so rich and creamy. I loved the pickle plate too - it was quite vinegary so I can see it being off putting to some - but it was my second favorite after the madeleines. The burger was fantastic and super rich and flavorful but a bit on the salty side. The fries were also quite salty, but still delicious to go with some wine and martinis. Would come here for drinks and dinner again - it's a great winter cozy spot.

Le Mistral is amazing! My friends and I went during the first week, and we had an amazing time. You enter the wine/cocktail bar through SKY, then you're taken through the kitchen back to the cozy, dim lit lounge. We enjoyed an assortment of cocktails, wine, and snacks, and the service was absolutely amazing! I can't wait to go back and try more!

Food, ambiance, and drinks were amazing. Walking through the kitchen to find this wine cave was next level. Appreciated the warm welcome and attentive service. Especially high marks for the frozen espresso martini.