This holiday season is all about presents tradition, and chef Didier Durand of Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar is bringing his French small-town traditions right here to Chicago. His Christmas Eve prix-fixe dinner includes dishes like roasted goose with savory chestnut stuffing and a grilled rib-eye steak with au poivre sauce and pommes frites. A la carte selections include roasted juniper-crusted rack of lamb and buche de Noel. Many of the recipes come from Durand’s mother, who prepared stunning meals for the family every holiday.
Even when you’re not celebrating though, you may find yourself spending several hours at the restaurant. With all the smooth wine, great food, and comfortable surroundings, you won’t want to leave. Cyrano’s relaxed, rustic charm is supported by mustard-yellow walls, wood accents, and European knick-knacks.
The modern menu at Cyrano’s (a block south of Gino’s East) is comprised of French basics, so you won’t need a translator to read the menu or order what you want. Diced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes accompany escargot wonderfully, while the salade nicoise is a big bowl of lightly dressed greens, flaked tuna, olives, and hard-boiled egg. And be sure to enjoy your glass (or bottle) of wine with les fromages, an assortment of six selected cheeses, served with grapes and walnut bread.
Can’t decide what you want? Try the tasting menu, which features a selection of traditional French favorites in five prix-fixe dinners, ranging from three courses for $28 to seven courses for $51. Chilled lobster, steamed mussel mariniere, grilled prosciutto, grilled salmon, frog legs, duck salad… you’re guaranteed to find new and familiar flavors you’ll enjoy. Each of the dishes is also available a la carte to accompany entrees like roasted rabbit or sauteed beef tenderloin. Other specialties include rotisserie chicken and grilled fresh fish du jour.
With flavors like these, it won’t be long before Cyrano’s becomes a tradition of your own.
Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar ($$): 546 N Wells St; 312-467-0546
Reservations highly recommended
Lunch
Mon – Fri: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner
Mon – Sat: 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.Sun: 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Street parking difficult, valet available ($10)