Archive for the ‘French’ Category
Just a quick post for Monday morning after a food-heavy weekend. If we are being honest here…a food-heavy seven days after New York and the weekend. While in NYC, I got an email from a foodie friend inviting me to a private tasting at Paris Club in Chicago. It’s in the old space of Brasserie Jo with Chef Jean Joho still in charge of the menu and RJ & Jerrod Melman holding the reins. When I spoke to Chef Joho a couple of weeks ago, he assured me that his inspiration was Old Paris and their traditional bistro’s. Married to a Frenchman…how excited was I? I'm not big into fussy French food so the menu he described sounded like my ideal place. And, how excited was Prince Charming who chatted with Chef Joho for a little bit, in their native tongue of which I understood nothing. All good though.
Anyhow, new restaurants typically do a few practice nights to make sure some of the kinks get worked out for both the front of the house (waitstaff) and the back of the house (kitchen). Considering the Melman Boys are behind Paris Club, they are more than up to speed on how to open a restaurant to a big crowd with rave reviews, just look at Hub 51. Afer my dining experience on Saturday night, I think they are going to get a lot more coming their way.
Both Prince Charming and I loved the menu, the vibe and the FOOD! We had quite a tasting and he is already planning to go back with his work crew.
Our Paris Club meal:
- Pig's Feet Bon Bons
- Croque Monsieur Fingers
- Charcuterie Platter
- Short Rib Bourguignon
- Red Snapper in a bag with Fennel and Lemon
- Spaetzle
- Sweet Potatoe Fries
- Coffee Pot de Creme
- Rasberry and Almond Tart
If only I could have a fit a few more things in…I would have. I would describe the menu as the mainstays of a traditional bistro speckled with a few twists on the classics. Like the Croque Monsieur Fingers...great starter and I may have to use this one for a dinner party! The pates from Chef Joho were absolutely some of the best I have had, especially the chicken liver mousse. My suprise favorite was the snapper in the bag. Prince Charming had ordered it and clearly didn't want to share when he asked for the plate back. Uh, hello…this is about me…Beauty and Her Feast. Get it, her feast? Back came my short rib but trust me, no complaints here. It was exquistely tender. As I leaned over gracefully to taste some more, I ended up with sauce in my hair and flipping it all over. Well, the sauce was so good, I was now wearing it.
Paris Club opens this Wednesday, February 9 for dinner.
59 W. Hubbard
312.595.0800
Some updated photos from The Paris Club menu…now don't you want to go?
Paris Club on Urbanspoon