Troquet River North, Chicago

LM Bistro channels classic French traditions into a casual atmosphere that “will win over those in search of authentic, fanfare-less, Euro-style dining,” according to Chicago magazine. The menu, devised by chef Brad Phillips, features classic French flavors. Appetizers such as terrine maison lentil salad, red onion jam, and veal sweetbreads are ideal for smaller appetites, for adding the right touch to a giant costume, or for sharing over a few glasses from the bistro’s French-centric wine list. Larger dishes, meanwhile, feature modern classics such as suckling pig tart apple salad with onion purée and cider gastrique and the timeless, rustic food France is known for, typified by the roasted chicken atop eggplant purée beloved by Time Out Chicago.