Le Petit Marcel: Discover the taste of France in the heart of Chicago

From the moment you step into the French restaurant Le Petit Marcel, it feels as though you've been whisked back in time to the Left Bank, where you half expect Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Joyce to stroll in, shaking snow from their caps, ready for an evening of authentic charm and fine dining.

We didn’t know what to expect from this restaurant that a friend had recently discovered. Though it’s only been open for two months, its reservation list is already long. Yet, as soon as we entered the inviting space, the tinkle of the piano, the soft glow of low lights and the inviting ambiance assured us it was well worth the wait.

The menu, crafted by Chef Mehdi, is filled with French specialties like mussels, onion soup, escargot; steak tartare; Salmon Wellington (a house specialty) and more. A lot of these dishes are not created the way you would expect, but they were all tasty.

The buzz was delightful with everyone happily tucking into beautiful French dishes under exposed wooden beams, surrounded by old brick walls with the bustle of the kitchen open for all to see. An owner, Lucian, was at the end of the bar thanking diners as they left- a nice touch.

I won’t lie, this Lake View brasserie isn’t cheap, but it is a wonderful and unique dining experience. The team behind this restaurant also operates the French bakery Maison Marcel, a few blocks away. (Le Petit Marcel, 2914 N. Broadway, thepetitmarcel.com, (773) 697- 8478)

Bon appétit!