The crepe, or French pancake, was invented in 1923 to make its American counterpart look fat, oafish, and uncouth in comparison. Help the disced dessert maintain its well-deserved sense of superiority with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $35 worth of French bistro fare, crepes, drinks, and more at L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie, located in the Arboretum of South Barrington.
L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie features an elegant menu of French dishes, including a perfectly paired selection of hot and cold appetizers and a savory crepe menu. Jump-start your meal engine with passed nibbles of frog legs in garlic butter ($9.25) or the assorted French cheese plate ($11.50). Folded planes of creamed spinach, artichoke, ricotta, and parmesan cheese tempt diners in the La Popeye crepe ($9.50), while the classic La Bistrot piles on ham, Swiss, and béchamel sauce ($8.95). Entrees, such as half of a roasted duck with barley ($22.95) or grass-fed beef tenderloin ($26.95), can be paired with a glass or bottle from the extensive wine list or a cocktail from le bar, one of Chicagoland's rare absinthe habitats.
As your tongue enjoys a mouth feast, your eyes can nibble on L'Eiffel Bistrot's elegant art-nouveau décor. The 6,000-square-foot space features floor-to-ceiling windows, deep warm shades, and a turn-of-the-century vibe that pairs elegantly with live music every Thursday and Friday night. Stop in for lunch or dinner, or enjoy a Sunday brunch on the outdoor patio.
Not valid for specials, including Wednesday ladies night and Monday half-price bottles of wine.
Reviews
More than 100 OpenTable reviewers give L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie an average of 4.1 stars. Yelpers give it a four-star average:
- I had the Le Bistrot crepe with country ham, swiss and a bechamel. Delicious and filling. I also ordered the pomme frites. Best french fries I've ever had. – OpenTable reviewer who dined on 07/05/2010
- Lovely restaurant with impeccable service. The food is unique and delicious. Wonderful wine list and specialty martinis. – OpenTable reviewer who dined on 06/19/2010
- The food is phenomenal each and every time, whether we order full entrees or sweet and savory crepes. I dream of ordering just a french martini and escargot. – Candyce P., Yelp
L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie
After a few minutes inside L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie, visitors will be forgiven for thinking they've discovered a wormhole connecting them directly to Paris. The carefully sourced selections on the restaurant's lengthy wine list contribute to this sense of dislocation; so do special events such as wine tastings, fashion showcases, and the occasional peasant uprising.
The kitchen, however, is the biggest reason why one might unconsciously start humming the Amelie soundtrack. L'Eiffel's chefs make traditional French cuisine with organic ingredients, and those ingredients appear throughout the elegant entrees of roasted duck in orange sauce, braised beef in a Burgundy wine sauce, and fresh mussels. As for the bistro's namesake dish, crepes can land on the white tablecloths with savory country ham and swiss cheese or wine-poached salmon bundled inside.
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