An American Bistro in Lincoln Park

My dining companions at Gemini Bistro

If you're not looking for it, you'll zoom right past Gemini Bistro on Lincoln Avenue. But if you are looking for the cool flatiron building, you'll appreciate the clean exterior and convenient location in the middle of Lincoln Park. Parking is usually easy on Lincoln Avenue and the restaurant isn't too far from public transit.

The location is great and the building is a unique design, but, really, you should visit Gemini for the food. And drinks. And the homey atmosphere.

Our table wasn't quite ready on a busy Sunday night during restaurant week, so we started at the bar. I had a delicious Chicago Sidecar, while Z had a Lychee Martini, one of his go-to drinks.

We dined with friends Kelley and Peter, also adventurous foodies, so we had the luxury of being able to try many dishes on the menu. My favorite dish of the evening was a special--foie gras atop a toasted ciabata, accompanied by a cherry chutney. We ordered two. It was that good. Z still talks about it and holds it up as the gold standard in foie gras.

Other favorites on the menu included the Creamless Tomato Soup, the Baby Beet Salad and the Truffle Parmesan Fries. I typically love brussels sprots, but I found the sprouts at Gemini to be mushy and flavorless. The Gemini Burger wasn't anything special either.

Gemini Bistro is another Michelin Bib Gourmand winner. You can make a reservation on OpenTable. In the warmer months, request a table outside on the sidewalk cafe.

Magnificent Maude's

Tenderloin steak tartare and chicken liver mousse at Maude's

A few weekends ago, we had some celebrating to do. My sister Betsy and her fiance Mike were in town to celebrate their engagement and spend some time in the big city. We took a (calculated) risk and took them to, Maude's Liquor Bar.  

The happy couple at Maude's

A week in advance, the earliest reservation for four on a Friday night was 9:30 p.m. Now I understand why. 

Walking into Maude's, I felt like I had stepped into a quaint roadside bar in Europe. The interior, down to the soap and towels in the restrooms, is tastefully done and appropriately French. Maude's food is refreshingly pure and simple, yet rich and flavorful. We started out with a platter of oysters, carefully comparing East Coast and West Coast. We ended up with a two-two split on the winner. 

Z and me and the oysters

Then came our small plates. The tenderloin steak tartare was one of the best preparations of tartare I've tasted in Chicago. The chicken liver mousse had a lovely flavor, not too pungent and appropriately creamy. I've been on a foie gras kick recently and I found the foie gras pate a bit plain, but that's only in relation to the other fabulous dishes on the menu. I could have skipped the Traditional Cassoulet, too. I felt guilty eating all of that meat without some veggies, so we ordered the Brussels Sprouts. They were good, but the 'sprouts at The Gage still have my heart. Smothered with brie and bacon, they're the best I've found in the city. 

Although Maude's full name is "Maude's Liquor Bar", go to Maude's for the food. The drinks are good, but they pale in comparison to the food.