My significant other brought us here for my 30th birthday dinner, and I must say it was a great choice! This review is really a 3.5. Why only 3.5 stars? While everything was good, considering the price point, I wasn't significantly moved by anything except the Duck Breast / Foie Gras dish, and one or two of the side vegetables. I'm big on ambiance, and the ambiance and set up here was fantastic. To describe Brindille in one word: Gentle. The light plays well in the space as it peers in through the large front windows, but trickles off by the time you are at the back of the room, so there's a blend of 'evening ambiance' for everyone. The space is beautiful from the lightbox lighting, to the quiet artwork, multi-point lighting, down to the silverware. As for dress code, I would recommend wearing a formal jacket, or at least a well-kept dress shirt. Service was pretty much impeccable: attentive but uninvasive so as to keep the experience intimate to the guests ... just like any good French service should be. Our server recommended their sazerac, a favorite of mine, and I was not disappointed! One mystery to us was that while it was hard to get reservations, 65% of the restaurant was empty for the entire 2 hours that we were there. We shared these dishes: - Frog Legs, Blanc-manger of Cauliflower and Parsley, Ramps, Hazelnuts and Green Garlic - King Crab Merus, Tapioca Custard, Spring Pea, Cucumber, Pink Grapefruit, and Sauternes - Tranche of Duck Breast, Foie Gras and Wheat Berries, Young Carrots and Turnips, Watercress and Candied Orange Peel - Monkfish Tail, Burgundy Snails, Gem Romaine, Yellow Beans, Flageolets and Coriander Overall the entire meal was delish, but I felt the frog legs and monkfish in particular could have used a bit stronger seasoning. Don't get me wrong, they were both cooked perfectly, plated beautifully etc. but it was a bit plain on taste. Some find this to be the case on certain sister-restaurant Naha's dishes, so I'm not particularly surprised. Maybe that's just their philosophy and they feel any further seasoning would interfere with allowing the prime-quality ingredients to shine? Though I personally feel it would enhance, if anything. The King Crab was great, and all side vegetables of all dishes were really tasty! The dish that continues to shine in my mind was the Duck/Foie Gras dish. It was just so decadent! The foie gras melts like butter. It was such a rich dish I had to take little breaks to cleanse my palette and just reflect on the meaning of life, haha. The duck breast was cooked just right, and quite tasty, though honestly if I wasn't sharing it, I would have gotten bored with it ... it too could have used a bit more flavor. All in all, a great experience, and a great intimate Sunday evening dinner. They even surprised us and wrote my name on a special birthday dessert in chocolate syrup.
(3)
Avital l.
Visited This new place for my anniversary. They got top marked for food and service. The wine selection is great and the dessert was out of This world. The location is on the small side so the atmosphere is intimate and fitted for special occasion. I would go back as soon as I can.
(5)
Anna G.
L-O-V-E! Everything about our dinner at Brindille was great. The food was amazing. They were out of our chosen wine but suggested a wonderful alternative. I really liked the decor. And the service was top notch. Carrie Nahabedian stopped by and chatted with some of the diners while we were there and I thought that was a nice touch. If you're looking for a restaurant for a special dinner or just a nicer evening out, I cannot recommend Brindille enough.
(5)
Angela Z.
Read the yelp ratings before hand, and I do think going in my expectations were a little too high; nevertheless, the food was exceptional. Just to get a sense of the atmosphere, as we were walking in a limo dropped a small group of people off at the restaurant. They also tuck the table in for you if you sit in a wall weat. The service was perfect, probably the best service from a restaurant I've ever experienced. I went with a group of three and one person in our party came quite long after the reservation time because she late from a meeting. The staff was really accommodating as the two of us kind of awkwardly waited at the table for almost an hour. They checked in on us throughout the night at the most appropriate times, not too much, not too little. A small odd detail but I enjoyed how the they explained to us what was in the dish as they served it. I could rave about the food but the menu itself isn't that extensive and other reviewers have already praised the steak enough! The snail was incredibly delicious too. Would absolutely recommend for a special occasion.
(5)
Charlie B.
Truly a special occasion sort of place. Is the food expensive? Yes. Is it totally going against the latest casual is better trend? Yes. But yet it totally works and was worth the splurge. I was celebrating a new job and decided to find something a bit more special for the night. So, we went here to check it out. Everything we had was wonderful and the vibe is pretty swank, but that's what we were looking for. I loved Naha a block down so was pretty sure this would be my kind of place. My only comment is that the lobster dish I ordered was decadent and good, but not really warrenting the over the top price. The cheese plate we ordered featured 13 French cheeses and was SO fun to get!
(5)
Ivy w.
My husband and I had a lovely meal at Brindelle this weekend. We chose the tasting menu-highlights were the halibut and the noodles with snails, but everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our server Sophie was knowledgable and she and the rest of the staff were attentive and kind. The space is modern, yet comfortable. So why only 4 stars? The gent who greeted us at the door was frenetic and almost rude. In addition, there was a couple at a nearby table watching the Blackhawks game on their phone throughout dinner and commenting loudly. The same gent stopped by the table frequently and encouraged this disruptive behavior. I'm as excited for the Hawks as the next Chicagoan but wanted to have a nice meal out, not go to a sports bar. Turns out the gent was the GM- totally unacceptable. I would recommend Brindelle. We eat out often and don't mind spending the money for thoughtful food and a great experience but sadly, the actions of the GM and some disruptive guests soured our experience from great to just good.
(4)
Fletcher M.
Leaving 5 stars means the top of the top. After frequenting some of the best restaurants in the area, I'm letting you know that Brindille is the best. What's more - my wife called this her favorite restaurant in the world - coming from a traveler of dozens of countries and an appreciation for the details this is huge. The tasting menu is perfect and the staff are exceptional. Say hello to Jude when you arrive, you'll never forget your dinner here, I know I won't.
(5)
Maria D.
Fantastic all around:) My boyfriend surprised me with dinner at this new Chicago gem on my birthday, and I was more than pleased! With a few modern touches, they managed to capture all the fanciness and theatrics which ultimately separate French fine dining from any other cuisine. Reserved, but knowledgeable wait staff (mainly men in pink sweaters... very cute:)) provide excellent service with the kind of sophistication that perfectly fits the overall ambiance. We requested a tasting menu (great value) and oysters (served in cream sauce with black caviar), sweetbreads, squab and soup, and was our favorites! Duck breast and Foie gras courses were pretty traditional but absolutely perfect, and duck breast did come with a surprise, it had a tiny little duck tongue between the breasts (my bf noted:' "right where it should be") I was also impressed with their elaborate (although on the pricey side) wine list. I enjoyed their elegant and trendy decor and comfortable seating arrangement (which is not unimportant for a long meal!) We will be back!
(5)
Alex S.
One of the best meals of my life. I loved the ambiance. It was romantic and sophisticated without being overly stuffy. That being said the crowd is on the more 'experienced' side of the spectrum. The food was amazing. To start we had the handcut noodles with snails and it was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting something completely different, but loved every bite. The lobster brindille is perhaps the best bite of food I've ever had. It was amazing and gets 5 stars without anything else. The rib of beef was a let down. Get the lobster. The service was superb. We never had to ask for more bread, water, or anything. They were attentive while always on the outskirts.
(5)
Breck M.
I can't say enough. Please go here. The people, the service, the food, the wine... Jude was incredible and the most amazing host. Please. GO HERE.
(5)
Rosette S.
OMG... YOU MUST GO HERE.. Pricey . But worth every 100.00 + you'll spend.. The oysters top with caviar... Had me moaning like I shouldn't in public. The scallops, lobster Brandille, foie gras ( better than Paris ) all to moan and lick your lips over.... The service is spectacular as well... Can't wait to return..... Yum, Yum, Yum.....
(5)
A K.
Went here for a graduation dinner for someone and couldn't have been more impressed. Quiet atmosphere with very elegant dining room. Service was beyond awesome. Every dish was presented like art and tastes even better. The lobster was seasoned perfectly and cooked the same. Will be back for sure. Worth every penny. You can't get this kind of food and service in many places.
(5)
Sofia J.
Lovely anniversary dinner - each dish offers an artist's palette of tastes. Scallops, veal sweetbreads, and medallion of venison leg all rich, full of flavor, and intricate embellishments. I would not recommend the Pear Mille Feuille, but the mignardise absolutely made up for an otherwise unexciting sweet finish. And on Michael Aram dinnerware!
(4)
Philip D.
Note... 3.5 STARS Was excited to try this place as it has such a high rating on yelp. I should mention my background experience with fine dining. I am someone who eats out a lot, but will spend over 100 dollars on a meal about once every three months (so not everyday). I've eaten at severeI Michelin star(or two) restaurants but wouldn't call myself a sophisticated food I was able to get a reservation the day of at 7:30 pm (and some other times available), which was awesome... but made me a bit nervous as maybe that's a bad sign? Although not advertised we ordered the tasting menu (server was happy to have us do it). Things I liked: great service, very attentive, pace was great for food, nice atmosphere but nothing stood out. Seating was comfortable! There were 8 courses in the tasting, some of things included: an oyster, steak tartar, tomatoes, noodle dish with escargot, duck roast with fois gras, and some delicious desserts (chocolate and a fruity one). Some great flavors and textures in the meal. I just can't justify the cost of $150 for the tasting menu... I came hungry (not starving) and at the end was not quite full. I'm 160 lbs so I'm not massive, I just think some of the portions were a bit too small, even for a tasting menu. Our server explained things and was very friendly, but the one thing I thought a bit lacking, was ensuring we understood what we eating. We were offered juices and coffee at the end, although would have been nice, spending as much as we did, I was hesitant about spending any more more (which may have been ALOT). Maybe best option is NOT to do the tasting? Was a great experience but can't justify the price.
(3)
Johna P.
An Amazing experience from the moment you step in the door, had an amazing whit burgundy, a couple apps and I had the Duck for dinner. Finished with a pastry of some sort that was on the house. Highly recommend for any occasion!
(5)
Stephanie L.
There was not a single facet of this dining experience that wasn't stellar. The food, ambiance, service, wine list - everything was simply superb. We did the tasting menu, which I highly, highly recommend. Truly one of the best dining experiences and evenings of my life (we were celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary and were legally married)! Thank you to Jeremy and the whole Brindille team for making us feel so special! Visit Brindille - you will not be disappointed...
(5)
Cody S.
I've had the pleasure of eating at many fine restaurants across the world, but this one is easily in my top 3 places I've ever been. I took a client here because I wanted to avoid the cliched steak dinner, and this was more of an experience than a dinner. 1) The service: our server was incredible. He provided the perfect amount of checking in, his knowledge of the food and how it was prepared was incredible, and to top it off he was humorous without being ridiculous. In other words he was the perfect blend of what you want. 2) The food: First and foremost order the foie gras. That was the best part of the meal. Everything else was terrific, but the foie was just sooooooooo good (I know, super expressive right). The menu is of course French so if you're not too familiar fear not and ask your server's opinion on what to order and they'll help guide you. 3) The dessert: Order the Mont Blanc AND the Dark Chocolate Entrement. Yes order both. Seriously do it, and then come back and thank me. 4) Cocktails: well we had Moscow Mules and I gotta be honest. Best one I ever had.
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! OMG, this is by far my favorite dining experience this year. We recently went to another french restaurant that we thought was great...but Brindille blows that one out of the water. HEAVEN...I am in love with this restaurant! 1. Easy Open Table reservations 2. Space...by far, everything was perfect. Gray tones, crisp, light, elegant, upscale...with a pop of color...pink. They actually steam the table cloths when they set the table. The silverware to the plates to the paintings on the walls...everything is great. 3. Service...I cannot tell you enough about the amazing service we received from Robert. He is a fantastic server and read us like a book. Not pretentious, fun, knowledgeable, psychotherapist...LOVED him. It was seriously probably the best service we have received all around in 3 years...waters always full, appropriately clearing plates, coursed out perfectly...I cannot say enough about it. 4. Food...OMG, the FOOD WAS AMAZING! Yes, its pricey, but it is warranted. Hand cut noodles, snails and morels were a surprising delight! Steak tartare was excellent! Frise salad perfect and light. Soup was creamy yet not too rich. Lobster Brindille is EXCELLENT and huge! Filet of beef tenderloin was great and the potatoes on the side really shined. They taste like french onion soup...you know a place is good when they have amazing sides to accompany amazing mains. Dover sole was thick cut and deliciously prepared. Last time I had dover was at Everest and it was terrible. Desserts-Lemon tarte...excellent and the Strawberry, rhubarb, leek cream was amazing! I legit wanted to lick the plate on all of the above...you cannot go wrong here. I am shocked there isnt more reviews of this place. For an upscale meal, you WANT o try this place.
(5)
Albert K.
Very positive review of this place - we hosted an executive event for the company here for many of our top clients. We booked the whole venue. Service was superior. People offering to take our coats as we walked in, offer us a cocktail or drinks, and more. The food was pretty good overall as well. Kicked off with oysters, went into greens/meats, and ended up delicious desserts. Man the dessert was awesome - macaroons, cookies, and more. Very impressed. The ambiance of this place is very romantic also. Great date spot. I'd definitely return here for a date, client dinner, or just to catch up with friends.
(4)
John L.
Brindle is a solid, classic French modern. The food was excellent if not inspired or inventive (a day later I can't even remember what I had) and the service was solid if not perfect (asked for a couple little things that were ignored). The prices are a little steep for Chicago ($350 for two with tip) but not out of line for the quality. The wine list seemed to have few delicious options under $200-$300 per bottle. Most were mediocre and overpriced, our $125 Chateauneuf du pape lacked any fruit in the nose or palate to go along with the other spicy rhone flavors.
(4)
Sara P.
There was nothing wrong with the restaurant, but I think it's overpriced. The dorade was good, but it was essentially a $37 piece of fish that would have been $12 anywhere else. The soft lettuces salad was delicious, but it was a $15 salad with nothing particularly fancy about it. It was fine - I'd go here during Restaurant Week if there was a deal.
(2)
Kerry L.
My husband and I visited Brindille on our anniversary, and while the space and the level of cuisine is certainly appropriate for a special occasion, I would recommend it more for a business event than romance. The decor is impeccable and modern, but the monotone grey scheme lit by bright lights felt cold. Seating along the bench wall was tight. Our server was not personable, did not make eye contact, and when asked to describe a few dishes on the menu or tell us his personal favorites, he simply listed verbatim exactly what was printed before us on the paper. I was also a bit icked out by the absence of a single female staff member or server. However, the food is excellent. Squab, hare, and duck were cooked perfectly but the standout was the steak tartare first course - it was delicious and the portion was generous.
(4)
Sarah B.
WOW!! If you enjoy French food, excellent wine pairings and service that goes above and beyond, you MUST visit Brindille. Where do I begin? We arrive for our 530 reservation on Saturday evening and are immediately are seated at a lovely table for the 4 of us. I loved the cushions they had on the bench. Very comfy. A big kudos to our server Rob who was knowledgeable, friendly, didn't rush us at any point of the meal (we didn't leave until after 9pm). Our water glasses were never empty and were filled with no interruptions. We begin with the Duval-Leroy Brut Rose champagne ($26) which was perfect on a warm evening. We toyed with the idea of a tasting menu (7 courses) which was $150 each but since we also wanted to do wine pairings with each dish and only 3 of us were interested in having wine, we decided to just order a bunch of plates and share them. Rob was also happy to select the wine for us and poured 2 oz each for the 3 of us and simply charged us the cost of the glass. He also was quite generous with pouring a little more if we really liked it :) Based on the yelp reviews, the 3 of us went with 3 apps (oysters, foie gras, sweetbreads) and 3 mains (lobster, duck, squab). My hubby went with the split poussin (chicken) as he didn't want any of the other stuff. They brought the 4 oysters out first which was perfect with the champagne! Best I have ever had. We let Dave have the extra oyster but it was tough to give it up. They then brought out the lobster which they paired with a white burgundy (2011 Chassagne-Montrachet: $28). Best lobster I have ever had and excellent with the wine. Jill even ordered another glass to go with her dessert! They then brought out a 2011 Alsace Riesling to go with the foie gras and a red burgundy (Marsannay "Les Vaudenelles") to go with the sweetbreads. This was the best foie gras I have ever had. (Are you seeing a theme here?) Even better than what I had in France! I also recommend the sweetbreads and perfect wine pairings too. Next came a glass of 2007 Bonarda from Italy to enjoy with the squab and duck. I recommend trying the squab but was not a big fan of the duck. I think it was a bit over done. Loved the Bonarda. My hubby loved the poussin which also came with a poached egg. The egg was cold but it's hard to keep an egg warm... For dessert, I was stuffed but Dave had so much confidence in Rob that he told Rob to pick out a dessert, and to provide a wine pairing of his choice, AND to provide a smoke and a light and he didn't disappoint. He brought a lovely glass of Jurancon, a fantastic dessert and... a cigarette (camel I think?) and a lighter! Can you believe it? Jill got the cheese plate ($35) which was shaped like a clock and had 12 samplings to have in a specific order (clockwise starting at 12). It came with these yummy warm bread sticks and an amazing jam. Wow... We were also provided a free dessert that was in the oven for 25 minutes and was complete heaven. A warm cherry and almond clafoutis with a chantilly creme. Amazing... Rob filled up my glass with more of the Bonarda I enjoyed with the last course and then filled Dave's glass of Jurancon too! No charge on any of the extra pours mentioned. This is the best dining experience I have ever had. The service, the food, the presentation, the level of knowledge that Rob had and the freebies were all beyond belief. You must go! Even the butter that came with the bread was incredible...
(5)
Nathan S.
The potage (soup) at a true French restaurant should be good, period. At Brindille it was luxurious...with hints of flavors popping up throughout the dish. The decor is simple, but they deliver on the food & drinks in a big way. A small but fantastic drink menu accompanies a very well balanced menu & I will return.
(5)
Michael U.
Items Experienced: Jean d'Arc - No. 3 Gin, White Currant Jam, Black Currant Caviar Semolina Bread with Honey Butter Prince Edward Island Oysters, Eggs Brouilles, Leeks, Oscietra Caviar Steak Tartare with Flavors of Rye, Sorrel, Pickled Mustard Seeds, Arugula, Quail Egg Dover Sole Meuniere with Rissole Potatoes, Watercress, Meyer Lemon, Horseradish Loup de Mere with Summer Squash and Blossoms, Smoked Whitefish, Heirloom Tomatoes, Sauce Basquaise Roasted Scallops with Uni Custard, Parsley Scallion Puree, Finger Lime, Dried Satsuma Orange, Cucumber, Tapioca, Marrow Emulsion Lobster Brindille with a Remoulade of Parsnip and Celeriac, Haricot Vert, Sugar Snap Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, Fragrant Greens Hand Cut Noodles with Foraged Canterelles, Red Wine Braised Snails, Gesier de Poulet, Fines Herbs Veal Sweetbreads, Loin and Rillette of Rabbit, Pearl Onions, Purslane, Golden Beet, Ginger and Cocoa Foie Gras and Saffron-Poached Rhubarb, Preserved Crimson Sultanas, Scented Brioche, Bourriers de Venise Tranche of Duck Breast and Foie Gras, Beluga Lentils, Belgian Endive, Scarlet Turnips, Cipollini Onions, Sutters Plum Grilled Lamb Loin Scented with Lavender and Orange, French Horn Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Young Turnips, Sauce Gribiche Wagyu Ribeye - Puff Pastry, Shaved Artichokes, Vin Jaune, Micro Greens, Foraged Mushrooms, Preserved Ramps Fantasie au Chocolat Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis, Crème Chantilly Vanilla Bourbon pate de fruit, Raspberry Truffle Defiantly French in an era when such restaurants are few and far between dinner at Brindille was planned as the centerpiece of my first day in Chicago and joined by a friend at 5:30 it can simply be said that Carrie Nahabedian's second restaurant on North Clark Street ranks amongst Chicago's very best, a seven-course and fourteen plate tandem-tasting for $155 per person allowing us to taste nearly the entire late summer menu with not a single course falling short of expectations that were admittedly quite high. Treated to educated and gracious service with a table drenched in sunlight from the wide front windows it was almost immediately after a brief conversation about likes, dislikes, allergies, and intolerances that our meal began and with a decadent cocktail delivered complete with mother of pearl spoon soon in hand as my friend sipped his well priced Bordeaux even the warm bread and honey butter would prove exemplary, the following flavors of supple tartare with herbal aromatics and briny oysters resting in eggy pudding just a glimpse of things to come. Truly a restaurant rooted in classic technique yet at the same time happy to dabble in unexpected pairings of pristine ingredients it was with perfect timing plus portions amenable to plate-swapping that our evening progressed and although each plate proved excellent in one way or another it was a trio of savories that shined brightest of the night, the tender duck liver richly accented with notes of saffron and cleverly set against citrus while the lightly cooked lamb and a caramelized scallop atop savory custard courses proved equally impressive, the later amongst the sweetest specimens I've tasted to date. Without a doubt one of the most refined experiences to open in Chicago over the past few years but not once stuffy or uptight throughout the course of our three-hour stay Brindille is the sort of place that every 'upscale' restaurant should aspire to be and as good as NAHA was during my lone lunch there several years ago, Brindille has decidedly one upped its older sister in nearly all ways - a Michelin Star or perhaps even Two seemingly destined to come in next year's guide.
(5)
Sophia Y.
Excellent food, excellent service, great deco, everything was perfect!! I have been to many different very good restaurant around the world, this one is in my top 10.
This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. and the service was superb. I would definitely go here again. one warning: this place is very expensive. (but unlike most high-ticket restaurants, Brindille warrants the price).
(5)
Mimi P.
My husband chose this restaurant to celebrate mother's day. We dine at many Chicagoland restaurants including very upscale places. While the atmosphere and decor where lovely , the food was disappointing. It is OVERPRICED. The portions were VERY small -primarily in the appetizer category. The menu shows two coarses but I recommend that you order two and either a salad to share or a third. The food all came at room temperature at best. I have dined in France and other restaurants at this same price point and never had this odd temperature. Some things seemed less appealing at this temperature while others it worked well. The desserts range from $12-15. When I say small, I mean small. Don't share if you have your heart set on what you order. Unfortunately, I would recommend other 4 star restaurants in Chicago before this.
(3)
Mike W.
Basically every element of Brindille gets high marks. The food, the environment and the service are all exquisite. The service was attentive and helpful. I never felt like we were abandoned, but I also didn't feel like we were being bothered or rushed. They gave us just the right amount of time to have conversation before ordering and between courses. They really seem to know their diner. The environment is lovely - it has a very simple and elegant look and is quite quiet without being eerily so. My only (extremely minor) complaint is that the table for three had one person on the short side of the table and the other two on the same long side of the table. It made it easy for the server to speak with all of us, but it was a bit awkward for us to converse. But let's get to one really matters - the food. This was an absolutely outstanding meal. The appetizer of short breads and rabbit was very well balanced and delicious. There were no wasted elements on the dish and it all came together very well. The beef rib entree was incredibly rich and delicious. The "sauce bearnaise and red wine" was delicious and complemented the beef perfectly without at all overpowering it. My dining companions both ordered the lobster brindille and I had some regret at not ordering giving how great it looked and how much they raved about it The by-the-glass wine menu fits well with the food and is clearly carefully selected, as it is short and manageable. My only complaint is that the chocolat dessert was very underwhelming - the flavors were fine, but there was very little to it. After such a delicious first two courses, it was a big step down. Regardless, I would go back in a heartbeat. It is very pricey, so probably best reserved for special occasions.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Went here on Bastille Day with a couple foodie friends and we had a wonderful experience. It was definitely a little on the pricey side for what I spend on dinner but we treated ourselves and it was definitely delicious. We started with the veal sweetbreads and steak tartare for our appetizers. The veal sweetbread was very good and it was my first time having rabbit! My friends had most of the steak tartare as that's not really my thing but I did try a bit and it was surprisingly yummy. For my main course I had the Rib of Beef (the 2nd priciest thing on the menu) but I wouldn't have traded it for anything! It was so good and a really good sized portion as well. We had to do dessert of course and I had the Fantaisie au Chocolat because I am a chocolate fiend. Once again, did not disappoint! It was a very enjoyable dining experience, just a little on the pricey side. Great for special occassions!
(4)
Susan P.
Lovely fine dining. Aperitif was wonderful. Recommend the steak tatar for those who enjoy mustard and the oysters for anyone and everyone. Roasted chestnut soup was, again, just lovely. Hunter's plate was unique and tasty. Careful not to fill up on bread and honied butter ahead of time. Had to leave before dessert, which was just too bad. Crab pour commencer was also nice paired with serrano ham.
(4)
Ann S.
Lived up to the reviews. A delightful evening. Appetizers were amazing and my beef dish was scrumptious ( and large).
(4)
Omar R.
Here's a French restaurant that provides an exhilarating and innovative culinary experience - without going "fusion" or wandering into the realms of molecular gastronomy. Just superb execution on nouveau French. The veal sweetbreads (appetizer) and dover sole (entree) are worth a repeat visit. And I liked the selection on the wine menu - though pricey (you'll be hard pressed to find a bottle under $130). Deserts are very good - adding the right finishing touch without overwhelming.
Absolutely fabulous. Take negative reviews with a grain of salt. The entrees are super expensive, which I am sure rubs some folks the wrong way. But, it is not much pricier than any of the steak places around there and the food at brindille is ten times better. I had the beef and my wife had the duck with foie gras. Both excellent choices. Our server steered me toward the steak because I mentioned my fondness of French sauces. I was not disappointed. The duck dish - over the top. Duck was very tender/ not gamey. The three apps that are the most popular are the foie gras, the sweet breads and the frog legs. All great. For drinks, try the whiskey cocktail with the vermouth, cognac, etc. I had two.
(5)
Carol K.
The name means "Twig". But you definitely won't be one if you eat often at this French sibling of NAHA that recently opened in River North, for the food was delicious, the ambiance serene and the staff pleasant, personable and definitely on their game! Brindille (I wanted to call it "Brindle" but I was corrected that it's more like "brawn dee"- that will tell you how effective all those years of French that I took were!) has been open for about a month when we visited. We went on a weeknight and since most of my party was running late- it gave me a chance to sit at the bar (love the stools but the bar is too low to cross your legs at it) check out my surroundings and chat with the bartender who was pleasant and knowledgeable. Given my knowledge of wines is best when choosing domestic and the list was much more global in nature, she led me toward a wonderful red that they had by the glass. Perfect for the bounty we were going to enjoy. Once our party arrived- we were seated by the manager, Jude (thought he was terrific- going out of his way to make sure we had a wonderful evening) and we ordered a wide range of things to taste on the menu. For our first course- we had the king crab with spring peas and tapioca custard, the fois gras and the steak tartar. All were delicious with each flavor complementing the next. I wanted to try the frog legs- but no one at my table was game so those are definitely going on my list for the next time! As for entrees- I had the lobster Brindille which came with little potatoes and mushrooms which was absolutely delicious and prettily plated. Others enjoyed their "saddle of lamb" (so perfectly prepared you could cut it with a fork) and the Dover sole was another favorite. For dessert (hard to believe we even had room at this point) we shared the cherry clafoutis which was like a cherry souffle and the cheese plate. Now this was no ordinary cheese plate but one with so many little bites of perfection, that it came with a list so that we would know exactly what we were tasting. The perfect ending to an amazing dinner. Brindille is a bit of a splurge. Appetizers are in the $15 - $20 range and the entrees average around $40 - $48. Add in some drinks and dessert and dinner for 4 was about $460 before tip. But if you are looking for that perfect night- where you are coddled and made to feel special- Brindille is the perfect place. We loved the simple ambiance, the attention to detail with the china, the interesting cutlery and the artful shapes of things, like the simple water pitcher. The staff made sure that we had what we needed even before we knew we needed them and took care in escorting us to where ever we needed to be. The end result being that it felt like they valued our business which is so critical today! And like a good restaurant should- they took my valet ticket and found the valet so that my car was waiting out front as I said my goodbyes. All in all a lovely evening out made even better by some terrific food, great friends and staff who care. You can bet I will be back.
(5)
c L.
I'm pretty picky about noise and service and food, anyone of those can become an issue for me. This experience was in every regard top notch. Our waiter Rob was so sweet and knowledgable that two of us offered him jobs in our profession! I had the lobster, delicious...the gorgeous gin drink with purple pearls of pomegranate, delightful, Extremely comfortable, noise level, seemed tuned to perfection, not kidding! I could go on but you will not be disappointed and it will be memorable.
(5)
Tracey M.
We dined at Brindille on an early Saturday evening before our show at Lookingglass Theatre. All I can say is, this restaurant is sublime. Yes it is a splurge, an utterly satisfying dining and ambiance experience worth every penny. I will definitely return. We started with the Jeanne D'arc and Boisson Adulte cocktails, oysters for me and scallops for my friend. The oysters were beautifully presented in a beautiful (and I'm guessing custom-made) platter, perfectly dressed in crème fraiche and caviar. The scallops were huge and meaty with a divine emulsion and uni custard. Our entrees were Dover sole and lobster. The sole was perfectly cooked with a scrumptious touch of delicate brown butter, with crisp potatoes rissole. The lobster was phenomenal, with an unbelievably flavorful stock sauce. We finished with the cheese course and the chocolate fantasy; both were extraordinary the cheese wonderfully presented in a clock formation from lightest to strongest flavors with quince jam accompaniment, and the chocolate fantasy was both rich and light, with an airy foam that complimented the dense chocolate mousse. Al of the dishes were very clean tasting, nothing cloying or overly rich, and pleasantly confounded my expectations of french food. Our server was wonderful, just the right amount of attention, and she provided explanations of the dishes which really added a lot to the experience. We felt very cared for by our server when she steered us away from the cherry clafouti we wanted for dessert so we could make our show's curtain. She even asked if I wanted to finish the black current pearls in my (drained) cocktail glass. The space is beautifully and cleanly appointed, not at all stuffy, and is very quiet (hallelujah). A truly wonderful experience all around.
(5)
Emi O.
My new favorite French restaurant! I had the lobster brindille and scallops. Our dishes were all beautifully presented and the flavors were amazing as well. I loved the ambience and decor of the restaurant (plus comfortable seats with cushions). Our server was attentive and knowledgable. Overall great dining experience. We will definitely be back again!
(5)
Erin P.
I had the opportunity to spend my sister's 27th birthday dining at the newly opened Brindille and it was was as amazing as promised. The decor was beautiful, the service seamless, and food perfect. Unable to decide on dishes we did the testing menu. At $150 each the tasting menu was a comparable rate to the a la cart prices, but provided the opportunity to taste so much more! Don't miss the oyster, crab, lamb and cheese plate.
(5)
Jay I.
This is a 4.5 star restaurant to me. Seems like the owner/chefs are putting more attention to this new restaurant since I saw them walking around, talking to customers (we missed them by seconds because she was with the table next to us as we left). We've tried: - Non-alcoholic cocktail drink: very tasty citrus flavor; also has citrus-y bubbles on the bottom which is quite fun to taste - bread with honey-cream: One of the best. I don't know how they made it, but this is a must try. It tastes like strawberry whipped cream cheese, but tastes a thousand times better. I also liked that they continuously supplied bread without asking. -King crap dish: pretty well designed soupy dish with king crab merus - veal sweetbread with rabbit and vegetable: well execulated; very rich sauce flavor - Turbot with black truffle: dish of the day I would say. Maybe it's the truffle, but the flavor was very rich and turbot was cooked perfectly. - Lobster brindille: it had solid rich flavor; the sauce had rich lobster flavor but not to the way to overpower the whole dish. - Cheese dessert: 9 different cheese dessert. Bread was too little to have the cheese with. - Chocolat dessert: pretty well illustrated. tasted well. Service: It wasn't bad, but I felt like we were constantly overlooked. Also, the server never explained us about the dishes we got except the dessert. He did that more to my other tables. So one, not explaining about the dishes upon serving at a fine dining is not really a standard. We would like to know what we have in detail. Two, discrimination? why is it so hard to explain us about the dishes if you do it at other tables? Overall, even though we felt like we were neglected at times (I don't know, since neither of us drink, which means less total cost, which in turn means less tip for them?), the presentation and flavor of dishes were spectacular, and it was just short of scoring 5 stars. Oh btw no special treatment for our 2nd wedding anniversary (Refer to Tru review for our 1st wedding anniversary). Not that it was a big issue, but I could not help but compare.
(4)
John M.
This place was fantastic. Great atmosphere and a really nice staff. I got the chestnut soup which was great as well as the duck which was also great. For dessert we got what I believe was called the chocolate fantasy. It had a sugar glass outside that you break with your fork. Pretty cool. Pretty expensive, but that is to be expected from a place like this. If I came at an earlier time I might have tried the fixed price menu.
(5)
Jennifer M.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and what an amazing experience. Not only did I have the best dirty martini I've ever had (and I'm pretty darn picky with my martinis), the food was absolutely superb and the service is one of a kind. Our server was able to explain food in a way I never thought possible. I would go back purely for the server, but the food and drinks make it even better. Definitely a must go!
(5)
Samantha G.
Food, service, and ambiance are on par. The lobster brindille is amazing and I also recommend the steak tartare for an appetizer. I would pick the cherry option for dessert (forgot the full name). The food is very well done and the portions are the right size if you want a 3-course meal. I can't wait to go back and try the other menu items!
(5)
Eric B.
Due to a clerical error I rated this a four star experience; truly, it is a five star extravaganza of French decadence. Enjoy, with my blessings.
(5)
Jessica F.
The price tag on this one can be rough, so definitely more of a special occasion place, but everything is done well. Pleasant staff, very knowledgable and helpful in no way snooty or pretentious. The wines are lovely and the food is superb. Truly a lovely experience.
(4)
alexis K.
This place is overpriced, the food is terrible , the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad This place is overpriced, the food is terrible, the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad So as we wanted to leave the restaurant the manager came over to us to tell that he saw our Yelp review, which we posted after receiving our check. He complained that we didn't give them a chance to make it better. Sorry but was too late. And now here is the best. The flamboyant manager started arguing with us and calling me the boy friend of my wife of 10 years. He started insulting me, that I had a t-shirt on, instead of apologizing for the bad food. We go to restaurants nearly weekly and have never experienced anything like that. So if you want to spend a lot of money on bad food and bad service and get insulted at the same time, this is the place to go.
(1)
Anne M.
Generally when I spend this much money on dinner and drinks, I tend to think, "Wow, that was really worth the coin". Brindelle was good, no doubt, but I'm not sure it was really worth the price. The small plates/appetizers (particularly the carpaccio, foie) and the cocktails are a different story; delicious, rich, high quality and very inventive. A pretty room; really striking light fixtures. I felt our of place in jeans, so be forewarned.
(3)
Justin M.
Walking into Brindille, you quickly get the sense that if they put half the attention into their food that they do to their impeccable interior design, you're in for a fantastic meal. They put in more. I arrived at Brindille a good half hour before my party, so I sat at the bar and had a drink while I waited. The bartender was attentive and quick and my gin and currant caviar cocktail was refreshing. My party arrived and we were quickly sat and greeted by our server. We had been looking forward to our meal all week, so we were happy that he seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the food and excited about our experience. First up was some bread with maple butter that was delicious. We ordered almost every appetizer to share (frog legs, oysters, sweetbreads, crab salad, foie gras and steak tartare) and none of them disappointed. The oysters were phenomenal and the sweetbreads and foie were very memorable. The crab was delicate and well composed and the frog legs and steak tartar were also enjoyable. For my entree, I had the lobster Brindille, which was certainly the most decadent plate of the night. The portion size generous. You'd be hard pressed to find a more satisfying crustacean in Chicago. I sampled bites of the duck and sole as well. Both were incredible. For dessert, we had everything except the cheese plate. The Fantaisie au Chocolat was my favorite. The presentation was stunning. I also loved the roasted pineapple. The other plates were good, too. At some point I had the absinthe and champagne cocktail, which complemented my meal excellently. Brandille, having been open about a week when I visited, was very on-point. The meal was paced nicely and everyone in my party had a fantastic time. I'm looking forward to going back again; if they're that good after a week, I'm excited to see what heights they reach in a few months. --- Update: 7/24/13 Returned to Brindille tonight and ate enough with my brother to slake the hunger of a small army. Again, had nearly every appetizer on the menu and then ordered the duck for my entree. Enjoyed a cocktail and a nice syrah. The meal was so outstanding that I considered walking into the kitchen to kiss a cook directly on the mouth. Any kinks since opening have been utterly obliterated. This was easily one of the two most satisfying fine dining meals I've had this year, and considering the other one was in Mexico City, Brindille is hitting the spot in Chicago.
(5)
Haydar M.
asked the server to recommend his favorite wines and without providing us with any benchmarks he recommended 3 wines of which we picked the first one, it turned out this was a $400 bottle of wine. next time, server should ask for a price point. because recommendations should never include a $400 bottle of wine. on top of it all, he told us that we shouldn't order desert since the kitchen is about to close and we were simply rushed out of there after paying a $700 tab for 2 people. never going back there again!.. very dissapointed.. felt like we were being robbed and shoo'd out of there before we could realize it
(1)
Liz W.
Two of my colleagues and I dined at Brindille with four clients on Thursday 5/1, and neither the food nor the overall experience could have been more lovely. While everyone at our table raved about their selections, I can say from first-hand experience that the green garlic soup with fennel was luscious and altogether perfect. The Dover sole with lemon and horseradish was also fantastic. I look forward to dining at Brindille again on future trips to Chicago.
(5)
Meredith K.
Everything about Brindille is great. When you walk in you're pleasantly greeted and the space is beautiful!! We were all commenting on how stunning it is in there. Except the butter knives were confused for sharks. LOL! Our server could take over for Morgan Freedman for narrating things. His descriptions of the dishes, wines and cocktails were wonderful. And he wasn't like some servers who say everything is great. We were definitely directed to order one thing over another. I think he maybe Carrie's cousin? Anyhow. We were having a wonderful time. The bread and butter could have been enough. I was super happy with that butter!! I want it every day for the rest of my life. There were 4 of us so we shared 2 starters. The crab dish and the asparagus dish. WOW. The four of us were inhaling it. The crab is warm and buttery and they do not skimp on the black truffles. It was like a truffle parade went by!! If you're having a bad day stop by and get this dish. Its a warm hug. The asparagus was also outstanding. The mushrooms were meaty and hearty. I like the fried squash blossoms and that duck egg! Creamy and yummy. Oh yeah and the asparagus was nicely cooked. Again I could have stopped there. But we didn't. I tried the signature dish - Lobster Brindille. It was just ok for me. It wasn't hot and the lobster was a little tough in some places. My boyfriend got the rib of prime beef and WOW - he said it melted. If he could he'd break up with me and date that dish. Its the #1 dish for him in Chicago. My friend tried the duck and she loved it. Another great sauce. And my other friend got the guinea hen which he enjoyed very much. Then we went on to dessert. The list for bourbons is not impressive but they had some interesting options. I tried one from CA that I thought was ok. My boyfriend tried the angel's share which I thought was too cinnamony for me. The chocolate cake-ish dessert was fun to look at, fun to eat and SO GOOD. It was like the starters all over again where we were grabbing for every bite. Yum!! Then we waited for the cherry dish which came out like a souffle. It was just ok - it probably paled in comparison to that first dessert. This was a wonderful meal and we had a memorable time. I look forward to checking them out again as the seasons change.
(5)
Denny C.
Chef Carrie and Manager Michael Nahabedian, cousins exuding warmth and love of food, have opened a charming French restaurant one block away from their venerable NAHA. Brindille, designed with the calm, gray Zen tones of Naha, has a tight French menu, filled with classics one finds in the chic arrondissements of Paris. Brindille was not created to be trendy. This is fine dining, bringing back memories of elegance and sophistication, what one would find in the Sixteenth Arrondissement. Yet, dishes are created and served with no pretension or attitude. This is a unique combination and hard to find in the restaurant world. Elegance with a hug! The Dover Sole is oh so light, perfectly done, with a delicate turn. The Quail was cooked perfectly, well seasoned, and everything worked well together. The hand cut noodles were amazing, with great depth of flavor. While I sometimes avoid snails, I didn't even notice them, as my taste buds were rejoicing. The wine list has unique offerings in all price ranges, and the mark up was very fair. L'Oeuf a la Neige for dessert had me singing like Edith Piaf. I walked away from Brindille looking up, expecting to see the lit Eiffel Tower looming in the distance. Je suis heureux.
(5)
Tracy F.
My husband and I went to Brindille for our anniversary/New Year's Eve. We love Naha and had heard great things about Brindille. First, yes, the restaurant is absolutely overpriced. Our bill was $280 for the two of us. We had 4 glasses of wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 1 dessert. That being said, it was one of the nicest experiences I've ever had. The server was knowledgeable about all the dishes/ingredients & drinks. He didn't shy away from recommendations and stopped by the appropriate amount to check on us. The maitre d' was also very friendly, as was the bus staff. The food: Appetizers: Fois Gras: Large portion compared to other restaurants. Deliciously prepared with a nice onion relish Cream of Onion Soup: Granted, I switched out the roquefort for parmesan, so I'm not sure what affect that had on the original taste. It was just a bit bland (but still relatively good). My biggest issue is that I like my soup hot and this soup was served warm. This dish kept the restaurant from having a 5-star rating. Entrees: Lobster Brindille: This is the best lobster dish I've ever had. By far. The entire lobster is removed from the shell, making it a hearty portion. The flavors of the dish were wonderful. I would definitely recommend this dish. Dover Sole: I didn't taste this, but my husband said it was one of the top two fish dishes he's ever had (tied with Roy's butterfish) and definitely the best Dover sole. Dessert: We had an almond pastry. The way it was described by both the waiter and on the menu, we thought it would be a cream filled pastry, almost like an almond croissant. Unfortunately the pastry was without any moisture, so it was super dry. It was served with a scoop of ice cream, but it didn't help the pastry by itself. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. We would love to go here again, but will probably stick to Naha simply because the food is just as good but the bill is about $75 cheaper.
(4)
Apu B.
Experienced exceptional, attentive, personable service by Jeremy and Sergio who made every effort to accommodate our every whim with a smile and a sense of humor. Each dish was a culinary adventure that tested our taste buds and always pleased our palates. Cocktails, wine and drinks were fabulous. Desserts were varied and well-made but we wished they were sweeter (this seems to be an unfortunate trend in dining establishments across the city which cannot run its course soon enough!) We had the best seats in the house to appreciate the subdued yet elegant atmosphere, but no need to worry this was not a stuffy establishment. Great for any occasion as long as you embrace creative culinary experiences.
(5)
Kenneth C.
Since it was our wedding anniversary, to celebrate we tried their tasting menu. It consisted of one appetizer, 4 small entries and desert selected by the chef after considering our preferences and any allergies. The food was outstanding! Each course was introduced by the wait staff. First we had the hand cut noodles with snails. We then had the four entries, Lobster Brindille, Dover Sole, Grilled Lamb and Roasted Quail. Each were wonderfully presented, tasty with wonderful herbs and seasoning. For desert we had the Tarte and the Clafoulis. Although both deserts were good, we would have preferred to try the Chocolate Entermet, Fantaisie au Chocolat or the Crème Brulee that we saw other patrons order. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Jackie G.
Delish! From customer service to the very last pickin on your plate. I had the Dover Sole Meunière, Asparagus Viennoise, Grapefruit and Lemon Balm and let me say YUM!. Also, the butter that is served along with the bread is divine. Truly enjoyed the ambient and decor - cozy, simple and elegant from the moment you enter the first door. Also, the bartender was also very helpful was we first had a drink at the bar before sitting at our table.
(4)
Jackie G.
As huge fans of Naha, we were anxious to try Brindille and it certainly did not disappoint. We were very impressed to say the least. We ordered the tasting menu and loved each and every bite. Food was fresh and beautifully presented. Service was excellent and ambiance serene. We shall look forward to returning with more friends.
(4)
Eric W.
Outstanding food; exceptional service. A real education in dining. A quiet find, but one of the city's best.
(5)
Janet S.
After looking forward to the Nahabedian's new restaurant, we were both thrilled with the food but, disappointed in the service. The starters, oysters in a marvelous eggy sauce with osetra caviar and the asparagus, were excellent. I coul have eaten a dozen of the oysters. The main courses, French turbot and duck with fois gras, were outstanding in presentation, flavor and complexity. Our waiter was kind and tried to be informative. But, he is definitely in need of some help with his communication skills. Five minutes of superlatives does not neccesarily describe an entree, starter or dessert. He proved to be more of a distraction than a help. Also, clearly no one was paying attention to our dining pace. After waiting for some time for the starter, the entree then arrived within 2 minutes of us finishing the first course. No time to rest, enjoy a glass of wine, etc. Not what I am used to in a restaurant of this class. We'll wait awhile to return as we have confidence that the food will still be top-tier and the service will have improved. Perhaps that is why the restaurant was only half full on a beautiful Friday night in Chicago!
(4)
Desiree N.
Definitely a must try here in Chicago and one of my favorite meals I've had in the city. My friend and I had been looking to dine and were lucky enough to get a reservation. The decor was beautiful, service was never intrusive and very professional, but the food...wow. I started with the crab. So beautiful and the flavors were exquisite. I then had the lobster Brindelle...this dish is a MUST try...My friend had the sweet breads and the duck...he also raved about his meal. The wine list has something for everyone. I plan on returning and trying the tasting menu next time. Congrats, on opening yet another rave worthy restaurant here in Chicago.
(5)
Diana Z.
Amazing meal in a beautiful space. We started our evening with cocktails at their comfortable bar. The gentleman behind the bar was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped my husband select the perfect aperitif (or two). Our dinner was outstanding, and the standout dishes were the steak tar tare, lobster entree and lamb entree. My only criticism, if you can even call it that, is that the waiter could have offered a bit more explanation of the dishes when our plates were served. This was certainly one of the more expensive meals we've had in Chicago, but it's well worth the splurge for a special occasion. My husband and I will be back :)
(5)
Ann M.
Dinner tonight- I am giving them 5 stars because they were are the best restaurant I have ever been to that has only been open 2 weeks. The service--Jeffrey our waiter whom we remembered from a prior circumstance (and who remembers their waiter?--yes, he is THAT GOOD)--was wonderful; attentive without being obsequious. That attitude was prevalent from everyone there--they ALL wanted to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. But the food speaks for itself. I had the Guinea Hen with morels fava beans and sunchokes--because Jeffrey told me to (I had planned to order the Dover Sole Meuniere--will have to go back) and if i could have done so unobtrusively, I would have licked my plate. I wanted a pint of the sauce to go. My husband had the Duck with wheatberries--the duck was cut from the center of the breast and cooked perfectly. We had the King Crab appetizer--delicious, but we shared it and it was too small to do that--note: Jeffrey warned/mentioned that, but we ordered it anyway. Had the cheese course and some port for dessert; and it was a very ample cheese plate that we split--probably 12 small slices with a full range of cheese choices. Truly enjoyed the food, the decor, and the service. For those who might find NAHA slightly loud, this was a more controlled buzz and we could easily talk to each other. BRAVO--a wonderful addition to the Chicago fine dining scene. Cant wait to go back.
(5)
Eric M.
As a huge fan of Naha - it's my favorite restaurant in Chicago - I am very excited that Carrie and Michael have opened a new concept and I was eager to check it out. My dining companion and I ate dinner early (6pm reservation) on a Sunday night. I'll start by saying the service was very good - I have no complaints about that. It was unrushed, very informative when asked to be, and very pleasant. It seems to me that with Brindille, Carrie may be aiming for 2-Michelin-star status, and I think the service component of that is on the right track. I think there's a little room for polish, but for the short length of time they've been open they're clearly doing the right things when it comes to service and I have no complaints at all about that. We started with the frog legs for him and for me the broccoli soup. I loved the soup - I think the soups at Naha are awesome and I"m glad to see that skillset made it here, too. The frog legs were nicely pan-fried. They came with a blanc-manger, which I guess they should be dipped in, because the legs themselves were only very lightly seasoned. For the main course, we had the monkfish tail and the guinea fowl. My dining companion ate the monkfish tail and it was quite substantial, with a lot of good, meaty fish on the bones, and a lot of flavor with the vegetables that came with it. I had the guinea fowl based on the waiter's recommendation and, to be honest, it was quite disappointing. My biggest complaint was that it was on the cool side of room temperature. It wasn't exactly cold, and it didn't really help that the A/C system was blowing cool air directly from the ceiling onto our table, but it wasn't what I'd consider to be an ideal eating temperature. It also seemed like a bunch of unrelated items on a plate instead of a cohesive dish. The monkfish had a lot of things, too, but they all interacted well together - that wasn't the case with the guinea fowl. The cockcombs didn't seem to add anything. The morels were overpowered by the cooking liquid and quite acidic and just sopping, squishy things - not the more firm, mushroomy ones I enjoy. I would not order the guinea fowl again - for this level of dining it was, in my opinion, a disasterous dish. I know they can do better, and I'm confident they will, but this dish, as served to me, was a terrible showing. Finally, for dessert we had the Paris-Brest of strawberries, and the roasted pineapple. The strawberries were very nice - we both enjoyed those. The pineapple was ok, although I guess I expected it to be roasted further than it was. There weren't any of the complex caramel flavors I would expect seeing "roasted" in a description of a fruit dessert. It was nice, it just didn't live up to what I would consider its full potential. But, for all I know, that was the goal with the dish, to be lightly roasted and still have some of those fresh, brighter flavors pineapple brings to the table. All in all, I will almost certainly be back after a few months to see how things are progressing. The guinea fowl was a real disappointment, there were a couple other things I think will improve with time, but overall I was satisfied with the meal. My dining companion was not an experienced fine dining gourmand, and is always complaining he doesn't understand why people pay so much for fancy food. But he managed to enjoy himself, which I think speaks to the fine service we received and that most of the dishes were well-executed.
(4)
Nancy C.
This is a 4.5 star review. The experience was very near perfect. The space is lovely. Understated, grays, browns, blacks. Very large window up front, comfy booths and chairs. Lavender sweaters on the staff. The service was so spot on. Witty, charming, knowledgeable and efficient. Rob was a star! The appetizers were excellent. The hand cut noodles, chanterelles and snails for me---a heavenly dream appetizer! For him: the scallops. Also superb, much lighter and beautifully executed with the unique addition of uni. Mains: Lobster for me, duck for him. Here is where a minor slip occurred. The food was very very good. The lobster was plentiful and accompanied by truly amazing flavors. The duck and foie gras were beautifully cooked (absolutely perfect char on the foie). The slip was that both plates (meaning china) and the food were not hot. In fact, they were below lukewarm. Can't figure out what happened. The place was not busy. Our waiter seemed very efficient. The food just wasn't the right temperature. So, a little point shaving for that. The second issue was two gnats that were hovering around the table (made more noticeable by the impeccable white table cloth-love the beautiful gray napkins, by the way). Gnats in a restaurant, especially one of this caliber, are troubling to me. Had to keep shooing them from my wine glass. Wine?? Ah, yes, wine. Back to the positives. The wines, while expensive are really well thought out and quite good. And the staff is very very good at recommendations and their are some unique finds on both the bottle and by the glass lists. The pairings were perfect. Whites for me, white and red for him. Terrific choices by Rob. Champagne by the glass a bit pricey. OK, dessert. Dessert is something I sometimes enjoy and other times can pass on. I am SO glad we didn't pass. The Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis IS NOT TO BE MISSED! It is light, airy, deliciousness. If the plate hadn't been so hot (funny, I know) we would have licked it. Truly amazing! I will be back here. Next time I really want to have the Dover Sole Meunière, one of my favorite dishes. And TWO of the Clafoutis!!!!
(5)
Katherine H.
So good! Polished romantic, great service. You must try the lobster brindille!
(5)
James H.
Brindille offers very good cuisine, but not sure it quite warrants the high price point. Our table had scallops, steak tartar, Dover Sole and the Hunters Plate, and the food quality was very good. Portions are small, even for the entrees, but that is not unusual for this style restaurant, however it leaves one a bit unsatisfied after a pricey, multi-course meal. The atmosphere, however, is not for everyone. My table brought down the average age in the restaurant by about 20 years, and this was on a late Thursday evening. Older crowd, quite formal dress and atmosphere, a little bit stuffy even, definitely not a scene by any means (nobody having drinks at the bar or anything like that). The staff however was very courteous and helpful, adding to the high-end dining experience. Overall it was a very good yet expensive meal but the ambiance is not for everyone.
(3)
Khloe K.
Sophisticated, modern, elegant. Oysters were fantastic. I could of had a dozen on my own. I'm craving them right now as i write this review. I unfortunately wasn't as wow'd by the King crab appetizer, monkfish and guinea hen They were good but perhaps my expectations were too high. I'd like to return and try some other things on the menu .....and hopefully get those oysters again
(3)
Joanna K.
Really a 3.5. Went to Brindille; admittedly high expectations given the great food and service at Naha! Had a drink at the bar while waiting for my friends -- had a gin cocktail wth currant caviar, which was strong and delicious! Started dinner with the oysters -- these were beautiful, delicate, delicious. Would order again in a heartbeat! Ordered the crab and the duck for main course; this is where the problems started. It took a long (long!) time for the entrees to come out; when they finally came to us, my duck, while perfectly medium-rare, was cold. I really really don't like cold meat, and that hadn't been mentioned in the menu, so I asked if it was meant to be served cold. The answer was no, so I requested that it could be fixed and heated appropriately. What a shame, because it was so beautifully prepared. My friends ordered lobster -- that, while tasty, was also borderline cold, which led us to believe that these had possibly been prepared correctly and then sat out for a while. My duck was then returned to me -- now overcooked. :( They did ask me how it was; I didn't want to complain again so I said it was OK. (yes, yes I know I could have complained again, but there's only so much complaining one can do in a restaurant). I appreciate that not everything is always perfect, but at close to $40/entree they need to be able to execute and coordinate well. (without putting the onus on the diner to be the "complainer"; I am not sure how my request was presented to the kitchen, but any chef would think that what was sent back out to me the second time was overcooked.) To the server's credit, he did "top off" my wine since it was almost drained during all the waiting for the dish! Dessert was divine; we tried the clafoutis, the chocolate fantasy, and the Paris-Brest wheel pastry (wow!) Food is top-notch; service needs some work for coordination. Not sure if I'm going to return; they need to work out the kinks first.
(3)
Michelle G.
Amazing! This is the first time we've been to a restaurant the first week it opens, but this wasn't much of a gamble, given that Naha is amazing. Brindille is definitely meant to be a dining experience, but we had theater tickets so we had to rush a little. We had the king crab appetizer, which was awesome. I had the Dover sole, which was wonderful, and my husband had the rib of beef, also wonderful, as was the glazed potato concoction that came with it. We didn't have time for dessert but the Fantaise au Chocolat looked incredible. Quite pricey, but a great place for a special occasion.
(5)
Nancy K.
We like to "graze" around town and get appetizers/small plates at the bar at a few places on a nice evening. When one of our favorites was already too crowded at 6:30 we aimed for the new Brindille. We never moved on. Chatted with bartender Steve and enjoyed a quick talk with Carrie N! We are fans of Naha and she has outdone herself here. Best Steak Tartare ever. Fois Gras, crab and sweetbreads made for an incredible meal.
(5)
Charlie B.
Truly a special occasion sort of place. Is the food expensive? Yes. Is it totally going against the latest casual is better trend? Yes. But yet it totally works and was worth the splurge. I was celebrating a new job and decided to find something a bit more special for the night. So, we went here to check it out. Everything we had was wonderful and the vibe is pretty swank, but that's what we were looking for. I loved Naha a block down so was pretty sure this would be my kind of place. My only comment is that the lobster dish I ordered was decadent and good, but not really warrenting the over the top price. The cheese plate we ordered featured 13 French cheeses and was SO fun to get!
(5)
A K.
Went here for a graduation dinner for someone and couldn't have been more impressed. Quiet atmosphere with very elegant dining room. Service was beyond awesome. Every dish was presented like art and tastes even better. The lobster was seasoned perfectly and cooked the same. Will be back for sure. Worth every penny. You can't get this kind of food and service in many places.
(5)
Philip D.
Note... 3.5 STARS Was excited to try this place as it has such a high rating on yelp. I should mention my background experience with fine dining. I am someone who eats out a lot, but will spend over 100 dollars on a meal about once every three months (so not everyday). I've eaten at severeI Michelin star(or two) restaurants but wouldn't call myself a sophisticated food I was able to get a reservation the day of at 7:30 pm (and some other times available), which was awesome... but made me a bit nervous as maybe that's a bad sign? Although not advertised we ordered the tasting menu (server was happy to have us do it). Things I liked: great service, very attentive, pace was great for food, nice atmosphere but nothing stood out. Seating was comfortable! There were 8 courses in the tasting, some of things included: an oyster, steak tartar, tomatoes, noodle dish with escargot, duck roast with fois gras, and some delicious desserts (chocolate and a fruity one). Some great flavors and textures in the meal. I just can't justify the cost of $150 for the tasting menu... I came hungry (not starving) and at the end was not quite full. I'm 160 lbs so I'm not massive, I just think some of the portions were a bit too small, even for a tasting menu. Our server explained things and was very friendly, but the one thing I thought a bit lacking, was ensuring we understood what we eating. We were offered juices and coffee at the end, although would have been nice, spending as much as we did, I was hesitant about spending any more more (which may have been ALOT). Maybe best option is NOT to do the tasting? Was a great experience but can't justify the price.
(3)
Cody S.
I've had the pleasure of eating at many fine restaurants across the world, but this one is easily in my top 3 places I've ever been. I took a client here because I wanted to avoid the cliched steak dinner, and this was more of an experience than a dinner. 1) The service: our server was incredible. He provided the perfect amount of checking in, his knowledge of the food and how it was prepared was incredible, and to top it off he was humorous without being ridiculous. In other words he was the perfect blend of what you want. 2) The food: First and foremost order the foie gras. That was the best part of the meal. Everything else was terrific, but the foie was just sooooooooo good (I know, super expressive right). The menu is of course French so if you're not too familiar fear not and ask your server's opinion on what to order and they'll help guide you. 3) The dessert: Order the Mont Blanc AND the Dark Chocolate Entrement. Yes order both. Seriously do it, and then come back and thank me. 4) Cocktails: well we had Moscow Mules and I gotta be honest. Best one I ever had.
Amazing meal in a beautiful space. We started our evening with cocktails at their comfortable bar. The gentleman behind the bar was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped my husband select the perfect aperitif (or two). Our dinner was outstanding, and the standout dishes were the steak tar tare, lobster entree and lamb entree. My only criticism, if you can even call it that, is that the waiter could have offered a bit more explanation of the dishes when our plates were served. This was certainly one of the more expensive meals we've had in Chicago, but it's well worth the splurge for a special occasion. My husband and I will be back :)
(5)
Stephanie L.
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! OMG, this is by far my favorite dining experience this year. We recently went to another french restaurant that we thought was great...but Brindille blows that one out of the water. HEAVEN...I am in love with this restaurant! 1. Easy Open Table reservations 2. Space...by far, everything was perfect. Gray tones, crisp, light, elegant, upscale...with a pop of color...pink. They actually steam the table cloths when they set the table. The silverware to the plates to the paintings on the walls...everything is great. 3. Service...I cannot tell you enough about the amazing service we received from Robert. He is a fantastic server and read us like a book. Not pretentious, fun, knowledgeable, psychotherapist...LOVED him. It was seriously probably the best service we have received all around in 3 years...waters always full, appropriately clearing plates, coursed out perfectly...I cannot say enough about it. 4. Food...OMG, the FOOD WAS AMAZING! Yes, its pricey, but it is warranted. Hand cut noodles, snails and morels were a surprising delight! Steak tartare was excellent! Frise salad perfect and light. Soup was creamy yet not too rich. Lobster Brindille is EXCELLENT and huge! Filet of beef tenderloin was great and the potatoes on the side really shined. They taste like french onion soup...you know a place is good when they have amazing sides to accompany amazing mains. Dover sole was thick cut and deliciously prepared. Last time I had dover was at Everest and it was terrible. Desserts-Lemon tarte...excellent and the Strawberry, rhubarb, leek cream was amazing! I legit wanted to lick the plate on all of the above...you cannot go wrong here. I am shocked there isnt more reviews of this place. For an upscale meal, you WANT o try this place.
(5)
Sofia J.
Lovely anniversary dinner - each dish offers an artist's palette of tastes. Scallops, veal sweetbreads, and medallion of venison leg all rich, full of flavor, and intricate embellishments. I would not recommend the Pear Mille Feuille, but the mignardise absolutely made up for an otherwise unexciting sweet finish. And on Michael Aram dinnerware!
(4)
Johna P.
An Amazing experience from the moment you step in the door, had an amazing whit burgundy, a couple apps and I had the Duck for dinner. Finished with a pastry of some sort that was on the house. Highly recommend for any occasion!
(5)
Stephanie L.
There was not a single facet of this dining experience that wasn't stellar. The food, ambiance, service, wine list - everything was simply superb. We did the tasting menu, which I highly, highly recommend. Truly one of the best dining experiences and evenings of my life (we were celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary and were legally married)! Thank you to Jeremy and the whole Brindille team for making us feel so special! Visit Brindille - you will not be disappointed...
(5)
Sara P.
There was nothing wrong with the restaurant, but I think it's overpriced. The dorade was good, but it was essentially a $37 piece of fish that would have been $12 anywhere else. The soft lettuces salad was delicious, but it was a $15 salad with nothing particularly fancy about it. It was fine - I'd go here during Restaurant Week if there was a deal.
(2)
Sarah B.
WOW!! If you enjoy French food, excellent wine pairings and service that goes above and beyond, you MUST visit Brindille. Where do I begin? We arrive for our 530 reservation on Saturday evening and are immediately are seated at a lovely table for the 4 of us. I loved the cushions they had on the bench. Very comfy. A big kudos to our server Rob who was knowledgeable, friendly, didn't rush us at any point of the meal (we didn't leave until after 9pm). Our water glasses were never empty and were filled with no interruptions. We begin with the Duval-Leroy Brut Rose champagne ($26) which was perfect on a warm evening. We toyed with the idea of a tasting menu (7 courses) which was $150 each but since we also wanted to do wine pairings with each dish and only 3 of us were interested in having wine, we decided to just order a bunch of plates and share them. Rob was also happy to select the wine for us and poured 2 oz each for the 3 of us and simply charged us the cost of the glass. He also was quite generous with pouring a little more if we really liked it :) Based on the yelp reviews, the 3 of us went with 3 apps (oysters, foie gras, sweetbreads) and 3 mains (lobster, duck, squab). My hubby went with the split poussin (chicken) as he didn't want any of the other stuff. They brought the 4 oysters out first which was perfect with the champagne! Best I have ever had. We let Dave have the extra oyster but it was tough to give it up. They then brought out the lobster which they paired with a white burgundy (2011 Chassagne-Montrachet: $28). Best lobster I have ever had and excellent with the wine. Jill even ordered another glass to go with her dessert! They then brought out a 2011 Alsace Riesling to go with the foie gras and a red burgundy (Marsannay "Les Vaudenelles") to go with the sweetbreads. This was the best foie gras I have ever had. (Are you seeing a theme here?) Even better than what I had in France! I also recommend the sweetbreads and perfect wine pairings too. Next came a glass of 2007 Bonarda from Italy to enjoy with the squab and duck. I recommend trying the squab but was not a big fan of the duck. I think it was a bit over done. Loved the Bonarda. My hubby loved the poussin which also came with a poached egg. The egg was cold but it's hard to keep an egg warm... For dessert, I was stuffed but Dave had so much confidence in Rob that he told Rob to pick out a dessert, and to provide a wine pairing of his choice, AND to provide a smoke and a light and he didn't disappoint. He brought a lovely glass of Jurancon, a fantastic dessert and... a cigarette (camel I think?) and a lighter! Can you believe it? Jill got the cheese plate ($35) which was shaped like a clock and had 12 samplings to have in a specific order (clockwise starting at 12). It came with these yummy warm bread sticks and an amazing jam. Wow... We were also provided a free dessert that was in the oven for 25 minutes and was complete heaven. A warm cherry and almond clafoutis with a chantilly creme. Amazing... Rob filled up my glass with more of the Bonarda I enjoyed with the last course and then filled Dave's glass of Jurancon too! No charge on any of the extra pours mentioned. This is the best dining experience I have ever had. The service, the food, the presentation, the level of knowledge that Rob had and the freebies were all beyond belief. You must go! Even the butter that came with the bread was incredible...
(5)
Nathan S.
The potage (soup) at a true French restaurant should be good, period. At Brindille it was luxurious...with hints of flavors popping up throughout the dish. The decor is simple, but they deliver on the food & drinks in a big way. A small but fantastic drink menu accompanies a very well balanced menu & I will return.
(5)
Sophia Y.
Excellent food, excellent service, great deco, everything was perfect!! I have been to many different very good restaurant around the world, this one is in my top 10.
(5)
John L.
Brindle is a solid, classic French modern. The food was excellent if not inspired or inventive (a day later I can't even remember what I had) and the service was solid if not perfect (asked for a couple little things that were ignored). The prices are a little steep for Chicago ($350 for two with tip) but not out of line for the quality. The wine list seemed to have few delicious options under $200-$300 per bottle. Most were mediocre and overpriced, our $125 Chateauneuf du pape lacked any fruit in the nose or palate to go along with the other spicy rhone flavors.
This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. and the service was superb. I would definitely go here again. one warning: this place is very expensive. (but unlike most high-ticket restaurants, Brindille warrants the price).
(5)
Albert K.
Very positive review of this place - we hosted an executive event for the company here for many of our top clients. We booked the whole venue. Service was superior. People offering to take our coats as we walked in, offer us a cocktail or drinks, and more. The food was pretty good overall as well. Kicked off with oysters, went into greens/meats, and ended up delicious desserts. Man the dessert was awesome - macaroons, cookies, and more. Very impressed. The ambiance of this place is very romantic also. Great date spot. I'd definitely return here for a date, client dinner, or just to catch up with friends.
(4)
Kerry L.
My husband and I visited Brindille on our anniversary, and while the space and the level of cuisine is certainly appropriate for a special occasion, I would recommend it more for a business event than romance. The decor is impeccable and modern, but the monotone grey scheme lit by bright lights felt cold. Seating along the bench wall was tight. Our server was not personable, did not make eye contact, and when asked to describe a few dishes on the menu or tell us his personal favorites, he simply listed verbatim exactly what was printed before us on the paper. I was also a bit icked out by the absence of a single female staff member or server. However, the food is excellent. Squab, hare, and duck were cooked perfectly but the standout was the steak tartare first course - it was delicious and the portion was generous.
(4)
Alex S.
One of the best meals of my life. I loved the ambiance. It was romantic and sophisticated without being overly stuffy. That being said the crowd is on the more 'experienced' side of the spectrum. The food was amazing. To start we had the handcut noodles with snails and it was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting something completely different, but loved every bite. The lobster brindille is perhaps the best bite of food I've ever had. It was amazing and gets 5 stars without anything else. The rib of beef was a let down. Get the lobster. The service was superb. We never had to ask for more bread, water, or anything. They were attentive while always on the outskirts.
(5)
Breck M.
I can't say enough. Please go here. The people, the service, the food, the wine... Jude was incredible and the most amazing host. Please. GO HERE.
(5)
Rosette S.
OMG... YOU MUST GO HERE.. Pricey . But worth every 100.00 + you'll spend.. The oysters top with caviar... Had me moaning like I shouldn't in public. The scallops, lobster Brandille, foie gras ( better than Paris ) all to moan and lick your lips over.... The service is spectacular as well... Can't wait to return..... Yum, Yum, Yum.....
(5)
Maria D.
Fantastic all around:) My boyfriend surprised me with dinner at this new Chicago gem on my birthday, and I was more than pleased! With a few modern touches, they managed to capture all the fanciness and theatrics which ultimately separate French fine dining from any other cuisine. Reserved, but knowledgeable wait staff (mainly men in pink sweaters... very cute:)) provide excellent service with the kind of sophistication that perfectly fits the overall ambiance. We requested a tasting menu (great value) and oysters (served in cream sauce with black caviar), sweetbreads, squab and soup, and was our favorites! Duck breast and Foie gras courses were pretty traditional but absolutely perfect, and duck breast did come with a surprise, it had a tiny little duck tongue between the breasts (my bf noted:' "right where it should be") I was also impressed with their elaborate (although on the pricey side) wine list. I enjoyed their elegant and trendy decor and comfortable seating arrangement (which is not unimportant for a long meal!) We will be back!
(5)
Mike W.
Basically every element of Brindille gets high marks. The food, the environment and the service are all exquisite. The service was attentive and helpful. I never felt like we were abandoned, but I also didn't feel like we were being bothered or rushed. They gave us just the right amount of time to have conversation before ordering and between courses. They really seem to know their diner. The environment is lovely - it has a very simple and elegant look and is quite quiet without being eerily so. My only (extremely minor) complaint is that the table for three had one person on the short side of the table and the other two on the same long side of the table. It made it easy for the server to speak with all of us, but it was a bit awkward for us to converse. But let's get to one really matters - the food. This was an absolutely outstanding meal. The appetizer of short breads and rabbit was very well balanced and delicious. There were no wasted elements on the dish and it all came together very well. The beef rib entree was incredibly rich and delicious. The "sauce bearnaise and red wine" was delicious and complemented the beef perfectly without at all overpowering it. My dining companions both ordered the lobster brindille and I had some regret at not ordering giving how great it looked and how much they raved about it The by-the-glass wine menu fits well with the food and is clearly carefully selected, as it is short and manageable. My only complaint is that the chocolat dessert was very underwhelming - the flavors were fine, but there was very little to it. After such a delicious first two courses, it was a big step down. Regardless, I would go back in a heartbeat. It is very pricey, so probably best reserved for special occasions.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Went here on Bastille Day with a couple foodie friends and we had a wonderful experience. It was definitely a little on the pricey side for what I spend on dinner but we treated ourselves and it was definitely delicious. We started with the veal sweetbreads and steak tartare for our appetizers. The veal sweetbread was very good and it was my first time having rabbit! My friends had most of the steak tartare as that's not really my thing but I did try a bit and it was surprisingly yummy. For my main course I had the Rib of Beef (the 2nd priciest thing on the menu) but I wouldn't have traded it for anything! It was so good and a really good sized portion as well. We had to do dessert of course and I had the Fantaisie au Chocolat because I am a chocolate fiend. Once again, did not disappoint! It was a very enjoyable dining experience, just a little on the pricey side. Great for special occassions!
(4)
Michael U.
Items Experienced: Jean d'Arc - No. 3 Gin, White Currant Jam, Black Currant Caviar Semolina Bread with Honey Butter Prince Edward Island Oysters, Eggs Brouilles, Leeks, Oscietra Caviar Steak Tartare with Flavors of Rye, Sorrel, Pickled Mustard Seeds, Arugula, Quail Egg Dover Sole Meuniere with Rissole Potatoes, Watercress, Meyer Lemon, Horseradish Loup de Mere with Summer Squash and Blossoms, Smoked Whitefish, Heirloom Tomatoes, Sauce Basquaise Roasted Scallops with Uni Custard, Parsley Scallion Puree, Finger Lime, Dried Satsuma Orange, Cucumber, Tapioca, Marrow Emulsion Lobster Brindille with a Remoulade of Parsnip and Celeriac, Haricot Vert, Sugar Snap Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, Fragrant Greens Hand Cut Noodles with Foraged Canterelles, Red Wine Braised Snails, Gesier de Poulet, Fines Herbs Veal Sweetbreads, Loin and Rillette of Rabbit, Pearl Onions, Purslane, Golden Beet, Ginger and Cocoa Foie Gras and Saffron-Poached Rhubarb, Preserved Crimson Sultanas, Scented Brioche, Bourriers de Venise Tranche of Duck Breast and Foie Gras, Beluga Lentils, Belgian Endive, Scarlet Turnips, Cipollini Onions, Sutters Plum Grilled Lamb Loin Scented with Lavender and Orange, French Horn Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Young Turnips, Sauce Gribiche Wagyu Ribeye - Puff Pastry, Shaved Artichokes, Vin Jaune, Micro Greens, Foraged Mushrooms, Preserved Ramps Fantasie au Chocolat Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis, Crème Chantilly Vanilla Bourbon pate de fruit, Raspberry Truffle Defiantly French in an era when such restaurants are few and far between dinner at Brindille was planned as the centerpiece of my first day in Chicago and joined by a friend at 5:30 it can simply be said that Carrie Nahabedian's second restaurant on North Clark Street ranks amongst Chicago's very best, a seven-course and fourteen plate tandem-tasting for $155 per person allowing us to taste nearly the entire late summer menu with not a single course falling short of expectations that were admittedly quite high. Treated to educated and gracious service with a table drenched in sunlight from the wide front windows it was almost immediately after a brief conversation about likes, dislikes, allergies, and intolerances that our meal began and with a decadent cocktail delivered complete with mother of pearl spoon soon in hand as my friend sipped his well priced Bordeaux even the warm bread and honey butter would prove exemplary, the following flavors of supple tartare with herbal aromatics and briny oysters resting in eggy pudding just a glimpse of things to come. Truly a restaurant rooted in classic technique yet at the same time happy to dabble in unexpected pairings of pristine ingredients it was with perfect timing plus portions amenable to plate-swapping that our evening progressed and although each plate proved excellent in one way or another it was a trio of savories that shined brightest of the night, the tender duck liver richly accented with notes of saffron and cleverly set against citrus while the lightly cooked lamb and a caramelized scallop atop savory custard courses proved equally impressive, the later amongst the sweetest specimens I've tasted to date. Without a doubt one of the most refined experiences to open in Chicago over the past few years but not once stuffy or uptight throughout the course of our three-hour stay Brindille is the sort of place that every 'upscale' restaurant should aspire to be and as good as NAHA was during my lone lunch there several years ago, Brindille has decidedly one upped its older sister in nearly all ways - a Michelin Star or perhaps even Two seemingly destined to come in next year's guide.
(5)
Shardool P.
My significant other brought us here for my 30th birthday dinner, and I must say it was a great choice! This review is really a 3.5. Why only 3.5 stars? While everything was good, considering the price point, I wasn't significantly moved by anything except the Duck Breast / Foie Gras dish, and one or two of the side vegetables. I'm big on ambiance, and the ambiance and set up here was fantastic. To describe Brindille in one word: Gentle. The light plays well in the space as it peers in through the large front windows, but trickles off by the time you are at the back of the room, so there's a blend of 'evening ambiance' for everyone. The space is beautiful from the lightbox lighting, to the quiet artwork, multi-point lighting, down to the silverware. As for dress code, I would recommend wearing a formal jacket, or at least a well-kept dress shirt. Service was pretty much impeccable: attentive but uninvasive so as to keep the experience intimate to the guests ... just like any good French service should be. Our server recommended their sazerac, a favorite of mine, and I was not disappointed! One mystery to us was that while it was hard to get reservations, 65% of the restaurant was empty for the entire 2 hours that we were there. We shared these dishes: - Frog Legs, Blanc-manger of Cauliflower and Parsley, Ramps, Hazelnuts and Green Garlic - King Crab Merus, Tapioca Custard, Spring Pea, Cucumber, Pink Grapefruit, and Sauternes - Tranche of Duck Breast, Foie Gras and Wheat Berries, Young Carrots and Turnips, Watercress and Candied Orange Peel - Monkfish Tail, Burgundy Snails, Gem Romaine, Yellow Beans, Flageolets and Coriander Overall the entire meal was delish, but I felt the frog legs and monkfish in particular could have used a bit stronger seasoning. Don't get me wrong, they were both cooked perfectly, plated beautifully etc. but it was a bit plain on taste. Some find this to be the case on certain sister-restaurant Naha's dishes, so I'm not particularly surprised. Maybe that's just their philosophy and they feel any further seasoning would interfere with allowing the prime-quality ingredients to shine? Though I personally feel it would enhance, if anything. The King Crab was great, and all side vegetables of all dishes were really tasty! The dish that continues to shine in my mind was the Duck/Foie Gras dish. It was just so decadent! The foie gras melts like butter. It was such a rich dish I had to take little breaks to cleanse my palette and just reflect on the meaning of life, haha. The duck breast was cooked just right, and quite tasty, though honestly if I wasn't sharing it, I would have gotten bored with it ... it too could have used a bit more flavor. All in all, a great experience, and a great intimate Sunday evening dinner. They even surprised us and wrote my name on a special birthday dessert in chocolate syrup.
(3)
Anna G.
L-O-V-E! Everything about our dinner at Brindille was great. The food was amazing. They were out of our chosen wine but suggested a wonderful alternative. I really liked the decor. And the service was top notch. Carrie Nahabedian stopped by and chatted with some of the diners while we were there and I thought that was a nice touch. If you're looking for a restaurant for a special dinner or just a nicer evening out, I cannot recommend Brindille enough.
(5)
Angela Z.
Read the yelp ratings before hand, and I do think going in my expectations were a little too high; nevertheless, the food was exceptional. Just to get a sense of the atmosphere, as we were walking in a limo dropped a small group of people off at the restaurant. They also tuck the table in for you if you sit in a wall weat. The service was perfect, probably the best service from a restaurant I've ever experienced. I went with a group of three and one person in our party came quite long after the reservation time because she late from a meeting. The staff was really accommodating as the two of us kind of awkwardly waited at the table for almost an hour. They checked in on us throughout the night at the most appropriate times, not too much, not too little. A small odd detail but I enjoyed how the they explained to us what was in the dish as they served it. I could rave about the food but the menu itself isn't that extensive and other reviewers have already praised the steak enough! The snail was incredibly delicious too. Would absolutely recommend for a special occasion.
(5)
Ivy w.
My husband and I had a lovely meal at Brindelle this weekend. We chose the tasting menu-highlights were the halibut and the noodles with snails, but everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our server Sophie was knowledgable and she and the rest of the staff were attentive and kind. The space is modern, yet comfortable. So why only 4 stars? The gent who greeted us at the door was frenetic and almost rude. In addition, there was a couple at a nearby table watching the Blackhawks game on their phone throughout dinner and commenting loudly. The same gent stopped by the table frequently and encouraged this disruptive behavior. I'm as excited for the Hawks as the next Chicagoan but wanted to have a nice meal out, not go to a sports bar. Turns out the gent was the GM- totally unacceptable. I would recommend Brindelle. We eat out often and don't mind spending the money for thoughtful food and a great experience but sadly, the actions of the GM and some disruptive guests soured our experience from great to just good.
(4)
Fletcher M.
Leaving 5 stars means the top of the top. After frequenting some of the best restaurants in the area, I'm letting you know that Brindille is the best. What's more - my wife called this her favorite restaurant in the world - coming from a traveler of dozens of countries and an appreciation for the details this is huge. The tasting menu is perfect and the staff are exceptional. Say hello to Jude when you arrive, you'll never forget your dinner here, I know I won't.
(5)
Susan P.
Lovely fine dining. Aperitif was wonderful. Recommend the steak tatar for those who enjoy mustard and the oysters for anyone and everyone. Roasted chestnut soup was, again, just lovely. Hunter's plate was unique and tasty. Careful not to fill up on bread and honied butter ahead of time. Had to leave before dessert, which was just too bad. Crab pour commencer was also nice paired with serrano ham.
(4)
Ann S.
Lived up to the reviews. A delightful evening. Appetizers were amazing and my beef dish was scrumptious ( and large).
(4)
Judd H.
Absolutely fabulous. Take negative reviews with a grain of salt. The entrees are super expensive, which I am sure rubs some folks the wrong way. But, it is not much pricier than any of the steak places around there and the food at brindille is ten times better. I had the beef and my wife had the duck with foie gras. Both excellent choices. Our server steered me toward the steak because I mentioned my fondness of French sauces. I was not disappointed. The duck dish - over the top. Duck was very tender/ not gamey. The three apps that are the most popular are the foie gras, the sweet breads and the frog legs. All great. For drinks, try the whiskey cocktail with the vermouth, cognac, etc. I had two.
(5)
Jennifer M.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and what an amazing experience. Not only did I have the best dirty martini I've ever had (and I'm pretty darn picky with my martinis), the food was absolutely superb and the service is one of a kind. Our server was able to explain food in a way I never thought possible. I would go back purely for the server, but the food and drinks make it even better. Definitely a must go!
(5)
Samantha G.
Food, service, and ambiance are on par. The lobster brindille is amazing and I also recommend the steak tartare for an appetizer. I would pick the cherry option for dessert (forgot the full name). The food is very well done and the portions are the right size if you want a 3-course meal. I can't wait to go back and try the other menu items!
(5)
Jessica F.
The price tag on this one can be rough, so definitely more of a special occasion place, but everything is done well. Pleasant staff, very knowledgable and helpful in no way snooty or pretentious. The wines are lovely and the food is superb. Truly a lovely experience.
(4)
Haydar M.
asked the server to recommend his favorite wines and without providing us with any benchmarks he recommended 3 wines of which we picked the first one, it turned out this was a $400 bottle of wine. next time, server should ask for a price point. because recommendations should never include a $400 bottle of wine. on top of it all, he told us that we shouldn't order desert since the kitchen is about to close and we were simply rushed out of there after paying a $700 tab for 2 people. never going back there again!.. very dissapointed.. felt like we were being robbed and shoo'd out of there before we could realize it
(1)
Liz W.
Two of my colleagues and I dined at Brindille with four clients on Thursday 5/1, and neither the food nor the overall experience could have been more lovely. While everyone at our table raved about their selections, I can say from first-hand experience that the green garlic soup with fennel was luscious and altogether perfect. The Dover sole with lemon and horseradish was also fantastic. I look forward to dining at Brindille again on future trips to Chicago.
(5)
Mimi P.
My husband chose this restaurant to celebrate mother's day. We dine at many Chicagoland restaurants including very upscale places. While the atmosphere and decor where lovely , the food was disappointing. It is OVERPRICED. The portions were VERY small -primarily in the appetizer category. The menu shows two coarses but I recommend that you order two and either a salad to share or a third. The food all came at room temperature at best. I have dined in France and other restaurants at this same price point and never had this odd temperature. Some things seemed less appealing at this temperature while others it worked well. The desserts range from $12-15. When I say small, I mean small. Don't share if you have your heart set on what you order. Unfortunately, I would recommend other 4 star restaurants in Chicago before this.
(3)
John M.
This place was fantastic. Great atmosphere and a really nice staff. I got the chestnut soup which was great as well as the duck which was also great. For dessert we got what I believe was called the chocolate fantasy. It had a sugar glass outside that you break with your fork. Pretty cool. Pretty expensive, but that is to be expected from a place like this. If I came at an earlier time I might have tried the fixed price menu.
(5)
Desiree N.
Definitely a must try here in Chicago and one of my favorite meals I've had in the city. My friend and I had been looking to dine and were lucky enough to get a reservation. The decor was beautiful, service was never intrusive and very professional, but the food...wow. I started with the crab. So beautiful and the flavors were exquisite. I then had the lobster Brindelle...this dish is a MUST try...My friend had the sweet breads and the duck...he also raved about his meal. The wine list has something for everyone. I plan on returning and trying the tasting menu next time. Congrats, on opening yet another rave worthy restaurant here in Chicago.
(5)
alexis K.
This place is overpriced, the food is terrible , the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad This place is overpriced, the food is terrible, the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad So as we wanted to leave the restaurant the manager came over to us to tell that he saw our Yelp review, which we posted after receiving our check. He complained that we didn't give them a chance to make it better. Sorry but was too late. And now here is the best. The flamboyant manager started arguing with us and calling me the boy friend of my wife of 10 years. He started insulting me, that I had a t-shirt on, instead of apologizing for the bad food. We go to restaurants nearly weekly and have never experienced anything like that. So if you want to spend a lot of money on bad food and bad service and get insulted at the same time, this is the place to go.
(1)
Jay I.
This is a 4.5 star restaurant to me. Seems like the owner/chefs are putting more attention to this new restaurant since I saw them walking around, talking to customers (we missed them by seconds because she was with the table next to us as we left). We've tried: - Non-alcoholic cocktail drink: very tasty citrus flavor; also has citrus-y bubbles on the bottom which is quite fun to taste - bread with honey-cream: One of the best. I don't know how they made it, but this is a must try. It tastes like strawberry whipped cream cheese, but tastes a thousand times better. I also liked that they continuously supplied bread without asking. -King crap dish: pretty well designed soupy dish with king crab merus - veal sweetbread with rabbit and vegetable: well execulated; very rich sauce flavor - Turbot with black truffle: dish of the day I would say. Maybe it's the truffle, but the flavor was very rich and turbot was cooked perfectly. - Lobster brindille: it had solid rich flavor; the sauce had rich lobster flavor but not to the way to overpower the whole dish. - Cheese dessert: 9 different cheese dessert. Bread was too little to have the cheese with. - Chocolat dessert: pretty well illustrated. tasted well. Service: It wasn't bad, but I felt like we were constantly overlooked. Also, the server never explained us about the dishes we got except the dessert. He did that more to my other tables. So one, not explaining about the dishes upon serving at a fine dining is not really a standard. We would like to know what we have in detail. Two, discrimination? why is it so hard to explain us about the dishes if you do it at other tables? Overall, even though we felt like we were neglected at times (I don't know, since neither of us drink, which means less total cost, which in turn means less tip for them?), the presentation and flavor of dishes were spectacular, and it was just short of scoring 5 stars. Oh btw no special treatment for our 2nd wedding anniversary (Refer to Tru review for our 1st wedding anniversary). Not that it was a big issue, but I could not help but compare.
(4)
Omar R.
Here's a French restaurant that provides an exhilarating and innovative culinary experience - without going "fusion" or wandering into the realms of molecular gastronomy. Just superb execution on nouveau French. The veal sweetbreads (appetizer) and dover sole (entree) are worth a repeat visit. And I liked the selection on the wine menu - though pricey (you'll be hard pressed to find a bottle under $130). Deserts are very good - adding the right finishing touch without overwhelming.
The name means "Twig". But you definitely won't be one if you eat often at this French sibling of NAHA that recently opened in River North, for the food was delicious, the ambiance serene and the staff pleasant, personable and definitely on their game! Brindille (I wanted to call it "Brindle" but I was corrected that it's more like "brawn dee"- that will tell you how effective all those years of French that I took were!) has been open for about a month when we visited. We went on a weeknight and since most of my party was running late- it gave me a chance to sit at the bar (love the stools but the bar is too low to cross your legs at it) check out my surroundings and chat with the bartender who was pleasant and knowledgeable. Given my knowledge of wines is best when choosing domestic and the list was much more global in nature, she led me toward a wonderful red that they had by the glass. Perfect for the bounty we were going to enjoy. Once our party arrived- we were seated by the manager, Jude (thought he was terrific- going out of his way to make sure we had a wonderful evening) and we ordered a wide range of things to taste on the menu. For our first course- we had the king crab with spring peas and tapioca custard, the fois gras and the steak tartar. All were delicious with each flavor complementing the next. I wanted to try the frog legs- but no one at my table was game so those are definitely going on my list for the next time! As for entrees- I had the lobster Brindille which came with little potatoes and mushrooms which was absolutely delicious and prettily plated. Others enjoyed their "saddle of lamb" (so perfectly prepared you could cut it with a fork) and the Dover sole was another favorite. For dessert (hard to believe we even had room at this point) we shared the cherry clafoutis which was like a cherry souffle and the cheese plate. Now this was no ordinary cheese plate but one with so many little bites of perfection, that it came with a list so that we would know exactly what we were tasting. The perfect ending to an amazing dinner. Brindille is a bit of a splurge. Appetizers are in the $15 - $20 range and the entrees average around $40 - $48. Add in some drinks and dessert and dinner for 4 was about $460 before tip. But if you are looking for that perfect night- where you are coddled and made to feel special- Brindille is the perfect place. We loved the simple ambiance, the attention to detail with the china, the interesting cutlery and the artful shapes of things, like the simple water pitcher. The staff made sure that we had what we needed even before we knew we needed them and took care in escorting us to where ever we needed to be. The end result being that it felt like they valued our business which is so critical today! And like a good restaurant should- they took my valet ticket and found the valet so that my car was waiting out front as I said my goodbyes. All in all a lovely evening out made even better by some terrific food, great friends and staff who care. You can bet I will be back.
(5)
c L.
I'm pretty picky about noise and service and food, anyone of those can become an issue for me. This experience was in every regard top notch. Our waiter Rob was so sweet and knowledgable that two of us offered him jobs in our profession! I had the lobster, delicious...the gorgeous gin drink with purple pearls of pomegranate, delightful, Extremely comfortable, noise level, seemed tuned to perfection, not kidding! I could go on but you will not be disappointed and it will be memorable.
(5)
Tracey M.
We dined at Brindille on an early Saturday evening before our show at Lookingglass Theatre. All I can say is, this restaurant is sublime. Yes it is a splurge, an utterly satisfying dining and ambiance experience worth every penny. I will definitely return. We started with the Jeanne D'arc and Boisson Adulte cocktails, oysters for me and scallops for my friend. The oysters were beautifully presented in a beautiful (and I'm guessing custom-made) platter, perfectly dressed in crème fraiche and caviar. The scallops were huge and meaty with a divine emulsion and uni custard. Our entrees were Dover sole and lobster. The sole was perfectly cooked with a scrumptious touch of delicate brown butter, with crisp potatoes rissole. The lobster was phenomenal, with an unbelievably flavorful stock sauce. We finished with the cheese course and the chocolate fantasy; both were extraordinary the cheese wonderfully presented in a clock formation from lightest to strongest flavors with quince jam accompaniment, and the chocolate fantasy was both rich and light, with an airy foam that complimented the dense chocolate mousse. Al of the dishes were very clean tasting, nothing cloying or overly rich, and pleasantly confounded my expectations of french food. Our server was wonderful, just the right amount of attention, and she provided explanations of the dishes which really added a lot to the experience. We felt very cared for by our server when she steered us away from the cherry clafouti we wanted for dessert so we could make our show's curtain. She even asked if I wanted to finish the black current pearls in my (drained) cocktail glass. The space is beautifully and cleanly appointed, not at all stuffy, and is very quiet (hallelujah). A truly wonderful experience all around.
(5)
Emi O.
My new favorite French restaurant! I had the lobster brindille and scallops. Our dishes were all beautifully presented and the flavors were amazing as well. I loved the ambience and decor of the restaurant (plus comfortable seats with cushions). Our server was attentive and knowledgable. Overall great dining experience. We will definitely be back again!
(5)
Erin P.
I had the opportunity to spend my sister's 27th birthday dining at the newly opened Brindille and it was was as amazing as promised. The decor was beautiful, the service seamless, and food perfect. Unable to decide on dishes we did the testing menu. At $150 each the tasting menu was a comparable rate to the a la cart prices, but provided the opportunity to taste so much more! Don't miss the oyster, crab, lamb and cheese plate.
(5)
Eric B.
Due to a clerical error I rated this a four star experience; truly, it is a five star extravaganza of French decadence. Enjoy, with my blessings.
(5)
Avital l.
Visited This new place for my anniversary. They got top marked for food and service. The wine selection is great and the dessert was out of This world. The location is on the small side so the atmosphere is intimate and fitted for special occasion. I would go back as soon as I can.
(5)
Justin M.
Walking into Brindille, you quickly get the sense that if they put half the attention into their food that they do to their impeccable interior design, you're in for a fantastic meal. They put in more. I arrived at Brindille a good half hour before my party, so I sat at the bar and had a drink while I waited. The bartender was attentive and quick and my gin and currant caviar cocktail was refreshing. My party arrived and we were quickly sat and greeted by our server. We had been looking forward to our meal all week, so we were happy that he seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the food and excited about our experience. First up was some bread with maple butter that was delicious. We ordered almost every appetizer to share (frog legs, oysters, sweetbreads, crab salad, foie gras and steak tartare) and none of them disappointed. The oysters were phenomenal and the sweetbreads and foie were very memorable. The crab was delicate and well composed and the frog legs and steak tartar were also enjoyable. For my entree, I had the lobster Brindille, which was certainly the most decadent plate of the night. The portion size generous. You'd be hard pressed to find a more satisfying crustacean in Chicago. I sampled bites of the duck and sole as well. Both were incredible. For dessert, we had everything except the cheese plate. The Fantaisie au Chocolat was my favorite. The presentation was stunning. I also loved the roasted pineapple. The other plates were good, too. At some point I had the absinthe and champagne cocktail, which complemented my meal excellently. Brandille, having been open about a week when I visited, was very on-point. The meal was paced nicely and everyone in my party had a fantastic time. I'm looking forward to going back again; if they're that good after a week, I'm excited to see what heights they reach in a few months. --- Update: 7/24/13 Returned to Brindille tonight and ate enough with my brother to slake the hunger of a small army. Again, had nearly every appetizer on the menu and then ordered the duck for my entree. Enjoyed a cocktail and a nice syrah. The meal was so outstanding that I considered walking into the kitchen to kiss a cook directly on the mouth. Any kinks since opening have been utterly obliterated. This was easily one of the two most satisfying fine dining meals I've had this year, and considering the other one was in Mexico City, Brindille is hitting the spot in Chicago.
(5)
Jackie G.
Delish! From customer service to the very last pickin on your plate. I had the Dover Sole Meunière, Asparagus Viennoise, Grapefruit and Lemon Balm and let me say YUM!. Also, the butter that is served along with the bread is divine. Truly enjoyed the ambient and decor - cozy, simple and elegant from the moment you enter the first door. Also, the bartender was also very helpful was we first had a drink at the bar before sitting at our table.
(4)
Meredith K.
Everything about Brindille is great. When you walk in you're pleasantly greeted and the space is beautiful!! We were all commenting on how stunning it is in there. Except the butter knives were confused for sharks. LOL! Our server could take over for Morgan Freedman for narrating things. His descriptions of the dishes, wines and cocktails were wonderful. And he wasn't like some servers who say everything is great. We were definitely directed to order one thing over another. I think he maybe Carrie's cousin? Anyhow. We were having a wonderful time. The bread and butter could have been enough. I was super happy with that butter!! I want it every day for the rest of my life. There were 4 of us so we shared 2 starters. The crab dish and the asparagus dish. WOW. The four of us were inhaling it. The crab is warm and buttery and they do not skimp on the black truffles. It was like a truffle parade went by!! If you're having a bad day stop by and get this dish. Its a warm hug. The asparagus was also outstanding. The mushrooms were meaty and hearty. I like the fried squash blossoms and that duck egg! Creamy and yummy. Oh yeah and the asparagus was nicely cooked. Again I could have stopped there. But we didn't. I tried the signature dish - Lobster Brindille. It was just ok for me. It wasn't hot and the lobster was a little tough in some places. My boyfriend got the rib of prime beef and WOW - he said it melted. If he could he'd break up with me and date that dish. Its the #1 dish for him in Chicago. My friend tried the duck and she loved it. Another great sauce. And my other friend got the guinea hen which he enjoyed very much. Then we went on to dessert. The list for bourbons is not impressive but they had some interesting options. I tried one from CA that I thought was ok. My boyfriend tried the angel's share which I thought was too cinnamony for me. The chocolate cake-ish dessert was fun to look at, fun to eat and SO GOOD. It was like the starters all over again where we were grabbing for every bite. Yum!! Then we waited for the cherry dish which came out like a souffle. It was just ok - it probably paled in comparison to that first dessert. This was a wonderful meal and we had a memorable time. I look forward to checking them out again as the seasons change.
(5)
Denny C.
Chef Carrie and Manager Michael Nahabedian, cousins exuding warmth and love of food, have opened a charming French restaurant one block away from their venerable NAHA. Brindille, designed with the calm, gray Zen tones of Naha, has a tight French menu, filled with classics one finds in the chic arrondissements of Paris. Brindille was not created to be trendy. This is fine dining, bringing back memories of elegance and sophistication, what one would find in the Sixteenth Arrondissement. Yet, dishes are created and served with no pretension or attitude. This is a unique combination and hard to find in the restaurant world. Elegance with a hug! The Dover Sole is oh so light, perfectly done, with a delicate turn. The Quail was cooked perfectly, well seasoned, and everything worked well together. The hand cut noodles were amazing, with great depth of flavor. While I sometimes avoid snails, I didn't even notice them, as my taste buds were rejoicing. The wine list has unique offerings in all price ranges, and the mark up was very fair. L'Oeuf a la Neige for dessert had me singing like Edith Piaf. I walked away from Brindille looking up, expecting to see the lit Eiffel Tower looming in the distance. Je suis heureux.
(5)
Tracy F.
My husband and I went to Brindille for our anniversary/New Year's Eve. We love Naha and had heard great things about Brindille. First, yes, the restaurant is absolutely overpriced. Our bill was $280 for the two of us. We had 4 glasses of wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 1 dessert. That being said, it was one of the nicest experiences I've ever had. The server was knowledgeable about all the dishes/ingredients & drinks. He didn't shy away from recommendations and stopped by the appropriate amount to check on us. The maitre d' was also very friendly, as was the bus staff. The food: Appetizers: Fois Gras: Large portion compared to other restaurants. Deliciously prepared with a nice onion relish Cream of Onion Soup: Granted, I switched out the roquefort for parmesan, so I'm not sure what affect that had on the original taste. It was just a bit bland (but still relatively good). My biggest issue is that I like my soup hot and this soup was served warm. This dish kept the restaurant from having a 5-star rating. Entrees: Lobster Brindille: This is the best lobster dish I've ever had. By far. The entire lobster is removed from the shell, making it a hearty portion. The flavors of the dish were wonderful. I would definitely recommend this dish. Dover Sole: I didn't taste this, but my husband said it was one of the top two fish dishes he's ever had (tied with Roy's butterfish) and definitely the best Dover sole. Dessert: We had an almond pastry. The way it was described by both the waiter and on the menu, we thought it would be a cream filled pastry, almost like an almond croissant. Unfortunately the pastry was without any moisture, so it was super dry. It was served with a scoop of ice cream, but it didn't help the pastry by itself. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. We would love to go here again, but will probably stick to Naha simply because the food is just as good but the bill is about $75 cheaper.
(4)
Apu B.
Experienced exceptional, attentive, personable service by Jeremy and Sergio who made every effort to accommodate our every whim with a smile and a sense of humor. Each dish was a culinary adventure that tested our taste buds and always pleased our palates. Cocktails, wine and drinks were fabulous. Desserts were varied and well-made but we wished they were sweeter (this seems to be an unfortunate trend in dining establishments across the city which cannot run its course soon enough!) We had the best seats in the house to appreciate the subdued yet elegant atmosphere, but no need to worry this was not a stuffy establishment. Great for any occasion as long as you embrace creative culinary experiences.
(5)
Kenneth C.
Since it was our wedding anniversary, to celebrate we tried their tasting menu. It consisted of one appetizer, 4 small entries and desert selected by the chef after considering our preferences and any allergies. The food was outstanding! Each course was introduced by the wait staff. First we had the hand cut noodles with snails. We then had the four entries, Lobster Brindille, Dover Sole, Grilled Lamb and Roasted Quail. Each were wonderfully presented, tasty with wonderful herbs and seasoning. For desert we had the Tarte and the Clafoulis. Although both deserts were good, we would have preferred to try the Chocolate Entermet, Fantaisie au Chocolat or the Crème Brulee that we saw other patrons order. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Jackie G.
As huge fans of Naha, we were anxious to try Brindille and it certainly did not disappoint. We were very impressed to say the least. We ordered the tasting menu and loved each and every bite. Food was fresh and beautifully presented. Service was excellent and ambiance serene. We shall look forward to returning with more friends.
(4)
Anne M.
Generally when I spend this much money on dinner and drinks, I tend to think, "Wow, that was really worth the coin". Brindelle was good, no doubt, but I'm not sure it was really worth the price. The small plates/appetizers (particularly the carpaccio, foie) and the cocktails are a different story; delicious, rich, high quality and very inventive. A pretty room; really striking light fixtures. I felt our of place in jeans, so be forewarned.
(3)
Eric W.
Outstanding food; exceptional service. A real education in dining. A quiet find, but one of the city's best.
(5)
Janet S.
After looking forward to the Nahabedian's new restaurant, we were both thrilled with the food but, disappointed in the service. The starters, oysters in a marvelous eggy sauce with osetra caviar and the asparagus, were excellent. I coul have eaten a dozen of the oysters. The main courses, French turbot and duck with fois gras, were outstanding in presentation, flavor and complexity. Our waiter was kind and tried to be informative. But, he is definitely in need of some help with his communication skills. Five minutes of superlatives does not neccesarily describe an entree, starter or dessert. He proved to be more of a distraction than a help. Also, clearly no one was paying attention to our dining pace. After waiting for some time for the starter, the entree then arrived within 2 minutes of us finishing the first course. No time to rest, enjoy a glass of wine, etc. Not what I am used to in a restaurant of this class. We'll wait awhile to return as we have confidence that the food will still be top-tier and the service will have improved. Perhaps that is why the restaurant was only half full on a beautiful Friday night in Chicago!
(4)
Ann M.
Dinner tonight- I am giving them 5 stars because they were are the best restaurant I have ever been to that has only been open 2 weeks. The service--Jeffrey our waiter whom we remembered from a prior circumstance (and who remembers their waiter?--yes, he is THAT GOOD)--was wonderful; attentive without being obsequious. That attitude was prevalent from everyone there--they ALL wanted to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. But the food speaks for itself. I had the Guinea Hen with morels fava beans and sunchokes--because Jeffrey told me to (I had planned to order the Dover Sole Meuniere--will have to go back) and if i could have done so unobtrusively, I would have licked my plate. I wanted a pint of the sauce to go. My husband had the Duck with wheatberries--the duck was cut from the center of the breast and cooked perfectly. We had the King Crab appetizer--delicious, but we shared it and it was too small to do that--note: Jeffrey warned/mentioned that, but we ordered it anyway. Had the cheese course and some port for dessert; and it was a very ample cheese plate that we split--probably 12 small slices with a full range of cheese choices. Truly enjoyed the food, the decor, and the service. For those who might find NAHA slightly loud, this was a more controlled buzz and we could easily talk to each other. BRAVO--a wonderful addition to the Chicago fine dining scene. Cant wait to go back.
(5)
Eric M.
As a huge fan of Naha - it's my favorite restaurant in Chicago - I am very excited that Carrie and Michael have opened a new concept and I was eager to check it out. My dining companion and I ate dinner early (6pm reservation) on a Sunday night. I'll start by saying the service was very good - I have no complaints about that. It was unrushed, very informative when asked to be, and very pleasant. It seems to me that with Brindille, Carrie may be aiming for 2-Michelin-star status, and I think the service component of that is on the right track. I think there's a little room for polish, but for the short length of time they've been open they're clearly doing the right things when it comes to service and I have no complaints at all about that. We started with the frog legs for him and for me the broccoli soup. I loved the soup - I think the soups at Naha are awesome and I"m glad to see that skillset made it here, too. The frog legs were nicely pan-fried. They came with a blanc-manger, which I guess they should be dipped in, because the legs themselves were only very lightly seasoned. For the main course, we had the monkfish tail and the guinea fowl. My dining companion ate the monkfish tail and it was quite substantial, with a lot of good, meaty fish on the bones, and a lot of flavor with the vegetables that came with it. I had the guinea fowl based on the waiter's recommendation and, to be honest, it was quite disappointing. My biggest complaint was that it was on the cool side of room temperature. It wasn't exactly cold, and it didn't really help that the A/C system was blowing cool air directly from the ceiling onto our table, but it wasn't what I'd consider to be an ideal eating temperature. It also seemed like a bunch of unrelated items on a plate instead of a cohesive dish. The monkfish had a lot of things, too, but they all interacted well together - that wasn't the case with the guinea fowl. The cockcombs didn't seem to add anything. The morels were overpowered by the cooking liquid and quite acidic and just sopping, squishy things - not the more firm, mushroomy ones I enjoy. I would not order the guinea fowl again - for this level of dining it was, in my opinion, a disasterous dish. I know they can do better, and I'm confident they will, but this dish, as served to me, was a terrible showing. Finally, for dessert we had the Paris-Brest of strawberries, and the roasted pineapple. The strawberries were very nice - we both enjoyed those. The pineapple was ok, although I guess I expected it to be roasted further than it was. There weren't any of the complex caramel flavors I would expect seeing "roasted" in a description of a fruit dessert. It was nice, it just didn't live up to what I would consider its full potential. But, for all I know, that was the goal with the dish, to be lightly roasted and still have some of those fresh, brighter flavors pineapple brings to the table. All in all, I will almost certainly be back after a few months to see how things are progressing. The guinea fowl was a real disappointment, there were a couple other things I think will improve with time, but overall I was satisfied with the meal. My dining companion was not an experienced fine dining gourmand, and is always complaining he doesn't understand why people pay so much for fancy food. But he managed to enjoy himself, which I think speaks to the fine service we received and that most of the dishes were well-executed.
(4)
Nancy C.
This is a 4.5 star review. The experience was very near perfect. The space is lovely. Understated, grays, browns, blacks. Very large window up front, comfy booths and chairs. Lavender sweaters on the staff. The service was so spot on. Witty, charming, knowledgeable and efficient. Rob was a star! The appetizers were excellent. The hand cut noodles, chanterelles and snails for me---a heavenly dream appetizer! For him: the scallops. Also superb, much lighter and beautifully executed with the unique addition of uni. Mains: Lobster for me, duck for him. Here is where a minor slip occurred. The food was very very good. The lobster was plentiful and accompanied by truly amazing flavors. The duck and foie gras were beautifully cooked (absolutely perfect char on the foie). The slip was that both plates (meaning china) and the food were not hot. In fact, they were below lukewarm. Can't figure out what happened. The place was not busy. Our waiter seemed very efficient. The food just wasn't the right temperature. So, a little point shaving for that. The second issue was two gnats that were hovering around the table (made more noticeable by the impeccable white table cloth-love the beautiful gray napkins, by the way). Gnats in a restaurant, especially one of this caliber, are troubling to me. Had to keep shooing them from my wine glass. Wine?? Ah, yes, wine. Back to the positives. The wines, while expensive are really well thought out and quite good. And the staff is very very good at recommendations and their are some unique finds on both the bottle and by the glass lists. The pairings were perfect. Whites for me, white and red for him. Terrific choices by Rob. Champagne by the glass a bit pricey. OK, dessert. Dessert is something I sometimes enjoy and other times can pass on. I am SO glad we didn't pass. The Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis IS NOT TO BE MISSED! It is light, airy, deliciousness. If the plate hadn't been so hot (funny, I know) we would have licked it. Truly amazing! I will be back here. Next time I really want to have the Dover Sole Meunière, one of my favorite dishes. And TWO of the Clafoutis!!!!
(5)
Katherine H.
So good! Polished romantic, great service. You must try the lobster brindille!
(5)
James H.
Brindille offers very good cuisine, but not sure it quite warrants the high price point. Our table had scallops, steak tartar, Dover Sole and the Hunters Plate, and the food quality was very good. Portions are small, even for the entrees, but that is not unusual for this style restaurant, however it leaves one a bit unsatisfied after a pricey, multi-course meal. The atmosphere, however, is not for everyone. My table brought down the average age in the restaurant by about 20 years, and this was on a late Thursday evening. Older crowd, quite formal dress and atmosphere, a little bit stuffy even, definitely not a scene by any means (nobody having drinks at the bar or anything like that). The staff however was very courteous and helpful, adding to the high-end dining experience. Overall it was a very good yet expensive meal but the ambiance is not for everyone.
(3)
Khloe K.
Sophisticated, modern, elegant. Oysters were fantastic. I could of had a dozen on my own. I'm craving them right now as i write this review. I unfortunately wasn't as wow'd by the King crab appetizer, monkfish and guinea hen They were good but perhaps my expectations were too high. I'd like to return and try some other things on the menu .....and hopefully get those oysters again
(3)
Joanna K.
Really a 3.5. Went to Brindille; admittedly high expectations given the great food and service at Naha! Had a drink at the bar while waiting for my friends -- had a gin cocktail wth currant caviar, which was strong and delicious! Started dinner with the oysters -- these were beautiful, delicate, delicious. Would order again in a heartbeat! Ordered the crab and the duck for main course; this is where the problems started. It took a long (long!) time for the entrees to come out; when they finally came to us, my duck, while perfectly medium-rare, was cold. I really really don't like cold meat, and that hadn't been mentioned in the menu, so I asked if it was meant to be served cold. The answer was no, so I requested that it could be fixed and heated appropriately. What a shame, because it was so beautifully prepared. My friends ordered lobster -- that, while tasty, was also borderline cold, which led us to believe that these had possibly been prepared correctly and then sat out for a while. My duck was then returned to me -- now overcooked. :( They did ask me how it was; I didn't want to complain again so I said it was OK. (yes, yes I know I could have complained again, but there's only so much complaining one can do in a restaurant). I appreciate that not everything is always perfect, but at close to $40/entree they need to be able to execute and coordinate well. (without putting the onus on the diner to be the "complainer"; I am not sure how my request was presented to the kitchen, but any chef would think that what was sent back out to me the second time was overcooked.) To the server's credit, he did "top off" my wine since it was almost drained during all the waiting for the dish! Dessert was divine; we tried the clafoutis, the chocolate fantasy, and the Paris-Brest wheel pastry (wow!) Food is top-notch; service needs some work for coordination. Not sure if I'm going to return; they need to work out the kinks first.
(3)
Michelle G.
Amazing! This is the first time we've been to a restaurant the first week it opens, but this wasn't much of a gamble, given that Naha is amazing. Brindille is definitely meant to be a dining experience, but we had theater tickets so we had to rush a little. We had the king crab appetizer, which was awesome. I had the Dover sole, which was wonderful, and my husband had the rib of beef, also wonderful, as was the glazed potato concoction that came with it. We didn't have time for dessert but the Fantaise au Chocolat looked incredible. Quite pricey, but a great place for a special occasion.
(5)
Nancy K.
We like to "graze" around town and get appetizers/small plates at the bar at a few places on a nice evening. When one of our favorites was already too crowded at 6:30 we aimed for the new Brindille. We never moved on. Chatted with bartender Steve and enjoyed a quick talk with Carrie N! We are fans of Naha and she has outdone herself here. Best Steak Tartare ever. Fois Gras, crab and sweetbreads made for an incredible meal.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Shardool P.
My significant other brought us here for my 30th birthday dinner, and I must say it was a great choice! This review is really a 3.5. Why only 3.5 stars? While everything was good, considering the price point, I wasn't significantly moved by anything except the Duck Breast / Foie Gras dish, and one or two of the side vegetables. I'm big on ambiance, and the ambiance and set up here was fantastic. To describe Brindille in one word: Gentle. The light plays well in the space as it peers in through the large front windows, but trickles off by the time you are at the back of the room, so there's a blend of 'evening ambiance' for everyone. The space is beautiful from the lightbox lighting, to the quiet artwork, multi-point lighting, down to the silverware. As for dress code, I would recommend wearing a formal jacket, or at least a well-kept dress shirt. Service was pretty much impeccable: attentive but uninvasive so as to keep the experience intimate to the guests ... just like any good French service should be. Our server recommended their sazerac, a favorite of mine, and I was not disappointed! One mystery to us was that while it was hard to get reservations, 65% of the restaurant was empty for the entire 2 hours that we were there. We shared these dishes: - Frog Legs, Blanc-manger of Cauliflower and Parsley, Ramps, Hazelnuts and Green Garlic - King Crab Merus, Tapioca Custard, Spring Pea, Cucumber, Pink Grapefruit, and Sauternes - Tranche of Duck Breast, Foie Gras and Wheat Berries, Young Carrots and Turnips, Watercress and Candied Orange Peel - Monkfish Tail, Burgundy Snails, Gem Romaine, Yellow Beans, Flageolets and Coriander Overall the entire meal was delish, but I felt the frog legs and monkfish in particular could have used a bit stronger seasoning. Don't get me wrong, they were both cooked perfectly, plated beautifully etc. but it was a bit plain on taste. Some find this to be the case on certain sister-restaurant Naha's dishes, so I'm not particularly surprised. Maybe that's just their philosophy and they feel any further seasoning would interfere with allowing the prime-quality ingredients to shine? Though I personally feel it would enhance, if anything. The King Crab was great, and all side vegetables of all dishes were really tasty! The dish that continues to shine in my mind was the Duck/Foie Gras dish. It was just so decadent! The foie gras melts like butter. It was such a rich dish I had to take little breaks to cleanse my palette and just reflect on the meaning of life, haha. The duck breast was cooked just right, and quite tasty, though honestly if I wasn't sharing it, I would have gotten bored with it ... it too could have used a bit more flavor. All in all, a great experience, and a great intimate Sunday evening dinner. They even surprised us and wrote my name on a special birthday dessert in chocolate syrup.
(3)Avital l.
Visited This new place for my anniversary. They got top marked for food and service. The wine selection is great and the dessert was out of This world. The location is on the small side so the atmosphere is intimate and fitted for special occasion. I would go back as soon as I can.
(5)Anna G.
L-O-V-E! Everything about our dinner at Brindille was great. The food was amazing. They were out of our chosen wine but suggested a wonderful alternative. I really liked the decor. And the service was top notch. Carrie Nahabedian stopped by and chatted with some of the diners while we were there and I thought that was a nice touch. If you're looking for a restaurant for a special dinner or just a nicer evening out, I cannot recommend Brindille enough.
(5)Angela Z.
Read the yelp ratings before hand, and I do think going in my expectations were a little too high; nevertheless, the food was exceptional. Just to get a sense of the atmosphere, as we were walking in a limo dropped a small group of people off at the restaurant. They also tuck the table in for you if you sit in a wall weat. The service was perfect, probably the best service from a restaurant I've ever experienced. I went with a group of three and one person in our party came quite long after the reservation time because she late from a meeting. The staff was really accommodating as the two of us kind of awkwardly waited at the table for almost an hour. They checked in on us throughout the night at the most appropriate times, not too much, not too little. A small odd detail but I enjoyed how the they explained to us what was in the dish as they served it. I could rave about the food but the menu itself isn't that extensive and other reviewers have already praised the steak enough! The snail was incredibly delicious too. Would absolutely recommend for a special occasion.
(5)Charlie B.
Truly a special occasion sort of place. Is the food expensive? Yes. Is it totally going against the latest casual is better trend? Yes. But yet it totally works and was worth the splurge. I was celebrating a new job and decided to find something a bit more special for the night. So, we went here to check it out. Everything we had was wonderful and the vibe is pretty swank, but that's what we were looking for. I loved Naha a block down so was pretty sure this would be my kind of place. My only comment is that the lobster dish I ordered was decadent and good, but not really warrenting the over the top price. The cheese plate we ordered featured 13 French cheeses and was SO fun to get!
(5)Ivy w.
My husband and I had a lovely meal at Brindelle this weekend. We chose the tasting menu-highlights were the halibut and the noodles with snails, but everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our server Sophie was knowledgable and she and the rest of the staff were attentive and kind. The space is modern, yet comfortable. So why only 4 stars? The gent who greeted us at the door was frenetic and almost rude. In addition, there was a couple at a nearby table watching the Blackhawks game on their phone throughout dinner and commenting loudly. The same gent stopped by the table frequently and encouraged this disruptive behavior. I'm as excited for the Hawks as the next Chicagoan but wanted to have a nice meal out, not go to a sports bar. Turns out the gent was the GM- totally unacceptable. I would recommend Brindelle. We eat out often and don't mind spending the money for thoughtful food and a great experience but sadly, the actions of the GM and some disruptive guests soured our experience from great to just good.
(4)Fletcher M.
Leaving 5 stars means the top of the top. After frequenting some of the best restaurants in the area, I'm letting you know that Brindille is the best. What's more - my wife called this her favorite restaurant in the world - coming from a traveler of dozens of countries and an appreciation for the details this is huge. The tasting menu is perfect and the staff are exceptional. Say hello to Jude when you arrive, you'll never forget your dinner here, I know I won't.
(5)Maria D.
Fantastic all around:) My boyfriend surprised me with dinner at this new Chicago gem on my birthday, and I was more than pleased! With a few modern touches, they managed to capture all the fanciness and theatrics which ultimately separate French fine dining from any other cuisine. Reserved, but knowledgeable wait staff (mainly men in pink sweaters... very cute:)) provide excellent service with the kind of sophistication that perfectly fits the overall ambiance. We requested a tasting menu (great value) and oysters (served in cream sauce with black caviar), sweetbreads, squab and soup, and was our favorites! Duck breast and Foie gras courses were pretty traditional but absolutely perfect, and duck breast did come with a surprise, it had a tiny little duck tongue between the breasts (my bf noted:' "right where it should be") I was also impressed with their elaborate (although on the pricey side) wine list. I enjoyed their elegant and trendy decor and comfortable seating arrangement (which is not unimportant for a long meal!) We will be back!
(5)Alex S.
One of the best meals of my life. I loved the ambiance. It was romantic and sophisticated without being overly stuffy. That being said the crowd is on the more 'experienced' side of the spectrum. The food was amazing. To start we had the handcut noodles with snails and it was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting something completely different, but loved every bite. The lobster brindille is perhaps the best bite of food I've ever had. It was amazing and gets 5 stars without anything else. The rib of beef was a let down. Get the lobster. The service was superb. We never had to ask for more bread, water, or anything. They were attentive while always on the outskirts.
(5)Breck M.
I can't say enough. Please go here. The people, the service, the food, the wine... Jude was incredible and the most amazing host. Please. GO HERE.
(5)Rosette S.
OMG... YOU MUST GO HERE.. Pricey . But worth every 100.00 + you'll spend.. The oysters top with caviar... Had me moaning like I shouldn't in public. The scallops, lobster Brandille, foie gras ( better than Paris ) all to moan and lick your lips over.... The service is spectacular as well... Can't wait to return..... Yum, Yum, Yum.....
(5)A K.
Went here for a graduation dinner for someone and couldn't have been more impressed. Quiet atmosphere with very elegant dining room. Service was beyond awesome. Every dish was presented like art and tastes even better. The lobster was seasoned perfectly and cooked the same. Will be back for sure. Worth every penny. You can't get this kind of food and service in many places.
(5)Sofia J.
Lovely anniversary dinner - each dish offers an artist's palette of tastes. Scallops, veal sweetbreads, and medallion of venison leg all rich, full of flavor, and intricate embellishments. I would not recommend the Pear Mille Feuille, but the mignardise absolutely made up for an otherwise unexciting sweet finish. And on Michael Aram dinnerware!
(4)Philip D.
Note... 3.5 STARS Was excited to try this place as it has such a high rating on yelp. I should mention my background experience with fine dining. I am someone who eats out a lot, but will spend over 100 dollars on a meal about once every three months (so not everyday). I've eaten at severeI Michelin star(or two) restaurants but wouldn't call myself a sophisticated food I was able to get a reservation the day of at 7:30 pm (and some other times available), which was awesome... but made me a bit nervous as maybe that's a bad sign? Although not advertised we ordered the tasting menu (server was happy to have us do it). Things I liked: great service, very attentive, pace was great for food, nice atmosphere but nothing stood out. Seating was comfortable! There were 8 courses in the tasting, some of things included: an oyster, steak tartar, tomatoes, noodle dish with escargot, duck roast with fois gras, and some delicious desserts (chocolate and a fruity one). Some great flavors and textures in the meal. I just can't justify the cost of $150 for the tasting menu... I came hungry (not starving) and at the end was not quite full. I'm 160 lbs so I'm not massive, I just think some of the portions were a bit too small, even for a tasting menu. Our server explained things and was very friendly, but the one thing I thought a bit lacking, was ensuring we understood what we eating. We were offered juices and coffee at the end, although would have been nice, spending as much as we did, I was hesitant about spending any more more (which may have been ALOT). Maybe best option is NOT to do the tasting? Was a great experience but can't justify the price.
(3)Johna P.
An Amazing experience from the moment you step in the door, had an amazing whit burgundy, a couple apps and I had the Duck for dinner. Finished with a pastry of some sort that was on the house. Highly recommend for any occasion!
(5)Stephanie L.
There was not a single facet of this dining experience that wasn't stellar. The food, ambiance, service, wine list - everything was simply superb. We did the tasting menu, which I highly, highly recommend. Truly one of the best dining experiences and evenings of my life (we were celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary and were legally married)! Thank you to Jeremy and the whole Brindille team for making us feel so special! Visit Brindille - you will not be disappointed...
(5)Cody S.
I've had the pleasure of eating at many fine restaurants across the world, but this one is easily in my top 3 places I've ever been. I took a client here because I wanted to avoid the cliched steak dinner, and this was more of an experience than a dinner. 1) The service: our server was incredible. He provided the perfect amount of checking in, his knowledge of the food and how it was prepared was incredible, and to top it off he was humorous without being ridiculous. In other words he was the perfect blend of what you want. 2) The food: First and foremost order the foie gras. That was the best part of the meal. Everything else was terrific, but the foie was just sooooooooo good (I know, super expressive right). The menu is of course French so if you're not too familiar fear not and ask your server's opinion on what to order and they'll help guide you. 3) The dessert: Order the Mont Blanc AND the Dark Chocolate Entrement. Yes order both. Seriously do it, and then come back and thank me. 4) Cocktails: well we had Moscow Mules and I gotta be honest. Best one I ever had.
(5)Kelly C.
Fine French cuisine with an exquisite combination of flavors and impeccable service. Went here with some business colleagues for a celebratory meal and the restaurant certainly delivered. During the week the tasting menu is more of a chefs choice tailored to the tastes of people at the table. The chef really exceeded my expectations (even writhing my pregnancy diet constraints). The 7 courses ($150 per person) included: watercress soup, crab with grapefruit and cauliflower purée, black cod, lobster brindille, noodles with snails (nostalgic take on Japanese ramen noodles), foie gras and pineapple then a dessert selection that we shared including a chocolate espresso cake, cherry clafoutis and hazelnut meringue of sorts. Everything was very good - highlights for me were the lobster, noodles and foie gras. The server/sommelier was passionate about the cuisine and his descriptions of the wine pairings - and likely the only person to make you believe that your wine has just the right amount of sass to talk back to you after a long day. I would agree with another reviewer that the decor is a bit more suited to a business dinner than a romantic one - decorated in cool gray tones and masculine light fixtures. Not to say you won't also enjoy for a date night, but it does have a more modern masculine feel. It's a good place to dine alone if you're in town and just want a great expenses meal.
(5)Stephanie L.
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! OMG, this is by far my favorite dining experience this year. We recently went to another french restaurant that we thought was great...but Brindille blows that one out of the water. HEAVEN...I am in love with this restaurant! 1. Easy Open Table reservations 2. Space...by far, everything was perfect. Gray tones, crisp, light, elegant, upscale...with a pop of color...pink. They actually steam the table cloths when they set the table. The silverware to the plates to the paintings on the walls...everything is great. 3. Service...I cannot tell you enough about the amazing service we received from Robert. He is a fantastic server and read us like a book. Not pretentious, fun, knowledgeable, psychotherapist...LOVED him. It was seriously probably the best service we have received all around in 3 years...waters always full, appropriately clearing plates, coursed out perfectly...I cannot say enough about it. 4. Food...OMG, the FOOD WAS AMAZING! Yes, its pricey, but it is warranted. Hand cut noodles, snails and morels were a surprising delight! Steak tartare was excellent! Frise salad perfect and light. Soup was creamy yet not too rich. Lobster Brindille is EXCELLENT and huge! Filet of beef tenderloin was great and the potatoes on the side really shined. They taste like french onion soup...you know a place is good when they have amazing sides to accompany amazing mains. Dover sole was thick cut and deliciously prepared. Last time I had dover was at Everest and it was terrible. Desserts-Lemon tarte...excellent and the Strawberry, rhubarb, leek cream was amazing! I legit wanted to lick the plate on all of the above...you cannot go wrong here. I am shocked there isnt more reviews of this place. For an upscale meal, you WANT o try this place.
(5)Albert K.
Very positive review of this place - we hosted an executive event for the company here for many of our top clients. We booked the whole venue. Service was superior. People offering to take our coats as we walked in, offer us a cocktail or drinks, and more. The food was pretty good overall as well. Kicked off with oysters, went into greens/meats, and ended up delicious desserts. Man the dessert was awesome - macaroons, cookies, and more. Very impressed. The ambiance of this place is very romantic also. Great date spot. I'd definitely return here for a date, client dinner, or just to catch up with friends.
(4)John L.
Brindle is a solid, classic French modern. The food was excellent if not inspired or inventive (a day later I can't even remember what I had) and the service was solid if not perfect (asked for a couple little things that were ignored). The prices are a little steep for Chicago ($350 for two with tip) but not out of line for the quality. The wine list seemed to have few delicious options under $200-$300 per bottle. Most were mediocre and overpriced, our $125 Chateauneuf du pape lacked any fruit in the nose or palate to go along with the other spicy rhone flavors.
(4)Sara P.
There was nothing wrong with the restaurant, but I think it's overpriced. The dorade was good, but it was essentially a $37 piece of fish that would have been $12 anywhere else. The soft lettuces salad was delicious, but it was a $15 salad with nothing particularly fancy about it. It was fine - I'd go here during Restaurant Week if there was a deal.
(2)Kerry L.
My husband and I visited Brindille on our anniversary, and while the space and the level of cuisine is certainly appropriate for a special occasion, I would recommend it more for a business event than romance. The decor is impeccable and modern, but the monotone grey scheme lit by bright lights felt cold. Seating along the bench wall was tight. Our server was not personable, did not make eye contact, and when asked to describe a few dishes on the menu or tell us his personal favorites, he simply listed verbatim exactly what was printed before us on the paper. I was also a bit icked out by the absence of a single female staff member or server. However, the food is excellent. Squab, hare, and duck were cooked perfectly but the standout was the steak tartare first course - it was delicious and the portion was generous.
(4)Sarah B.
WOW!! If you enjoy French food, excellent wine pairings and service that goes above and beyond, you MUST visit Brindille. Where do I begin? We arrive for our 530 reservation on Saturday evening and are immediately are seated at a lovely table for the 4 of us. I loved the cushions they had on the bench. Very comfy. A big kudos to our server Rob who was knowledgeable, friendly, didn't rush us at any point of the meal (we didn't leave until after 9pm). Our water glasses were never empty and were filled with no interruptions. We begin with the Duval-Leroy Brut Rose champagne ($26) which was perfect on a warm evening. We toyed with the idea of a tasting menu (7 courses) which was $150 each but since we also wanted to do wine pairings with each dish and only 3 of us were interested in having wine, we decided to just order a bunch of plates and share them. Rob was also happy to select the wine for us and poured 2 oz each for the 3 of us and simply charged us the cost of the glass. He also was quite generous with pouring a little more if we really liked it :) Based on the yelp reviews, the 3 of us went with 3 apps (oysters, foie gras, sweetbreads) and 3 mains (lobster, duck, squab). My hubby went with the split poussin (chicken) as he didn't want any of the other stuff. They brought the 4 oysters out first which was perfect with the champagne! Best I have ever had. We let Dave have the extra oyster but it was tough to give it up. They then brought out the lobster which they paired with a white burgundy (2011 Chassagne-Montrachet: $28). Best lobster I have ever had and excellent with the wine. Jill even ordered another glass to go with her dessert! They then brought out a 2011 Alsace Riesling to go with the foie gras and a red burgundy (Marsannay "Les Vaudenelles") to go with the sweetbreads. This was the best foie gras I have ever had. (Are you seeing a theme here?) Even better than what I had in France! I also recommend the sweetbreads and perfect wine pairings too. Next came a glass of 2007 Bonarda from Italy to enjoy with the squab and duck. I recommend trying the squab but was not a big fan of the duck. I think it was a bit over done. Loved the Bonarda. My hubby loved the poussin which also came with a poached egg. The egg was cold but it's hard to keep an egg warm... For dessert, I was stuffed but Dave had so much confidence in Rob that he told Rob to pick out a dessert, and to provide a wine pairing of his choice, AND to provide a smoke and a light and he didn't disappoint. He brought a lovely glass of Jurancon, a fantastic dessert and... a cigarette (camel I think?) and a lighter! Can you believe it? Jill got the cheese plate ($35) which was shaped like a clock and had 12 samplings to have in a specific order (clockwise starting at 12). It came with these yummy warm bread sticks and an amazing jam. Wow... We were also provided a free dessert that was in the oven for 25 minutes and was complete heaven. A warm cherry and almond clafoutis with a chantilly creme. Amazing... Rob filled up my glass with more of the Bonarda I enjoyed with the last course and then filled Dave's glass of Jurancon too! No charge on any of the extra pours mentioned. This is the best dining experience I have ever had. The service, the food, the presentation, the level of knowledge that Rob had and the freebies were all beyond belief. You must go! Even the butter that came with the bread was incredible...
(5)Nathan S.
The potage (soup) at a true French restaurant should be good, period. At Brindille it was luxurious...with hints of flavors popping up throughout the dish. The decor is simple, but they deliver on the food & drinks in a big way. A small but fantastic drink menu accompanies a very well balanced menu & I will return.
(5)Michael U.
Items Experienced: Jean d'Arc - No. 3 Gin, White Currant Jam, Black Currant Caviar Semolina Bread with Honey Butter Prince Edward Island Oysters, Eggs Brouilles, Leeks, Oscietra Caviar Steak Tartare with Flavors of Rye, Sorrel, Pickled Mustard Seeds, Arugula, Quail Egg Dover Sole Meuniere with Rissole Potatoes, Watercress, Meyer Lemon, Horseradish Loup de Mere with Summer Squash and Blossoms, Smoked Whitefish, Heirloom Tomatoes, Sauce Basquaise Roasted Scallops with Uni Custard, Parsley Scallion Puree, Finger Lime, Dried Satsuma Orange, Cucumber, Tapioca, Marrow Emulsion Lobster Brindille with a Remoulade of Parsnip and Celeriac, Haricot Vert, Sugar Snap Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, Fragrant Greens Hand Cut Noodles with Foraged Canterelles, Red Wine Braised Snails, Gesier de Poulet, Fines Herbs Veal Sweetbreads, Loin and Rillette of Rabbit, Pearl Onions, Purslane, Golden Beet, Ginger and Cocoa Foie Gras and Saffron-Poached Rhubarb, Preserved Crimson Sultanas, Scented Brioche, Bourriers de Venise Tranche of Duck Breast and Foie Gras, Beluga Lentils, Belgian Endive, Scarlet Turnips, Cipollini Onions, Sutters Plum Grilled Lamb Loin Scented with Lavender and Orange, French Horn Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Young Turnips, Sauce Gribiche Wagyu Ribeye - Puff Pastry, Shaved Artichokes, Vin Jaune, Micro Greens, Foraged Mushrooms, Preserved Ramps Fantasie au Chocolat Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis, Crème Chantilly Vanilla Bourbon pate de fruit, Raspberry Truffle Defiantly French in an era when such restaurants are few and far between dinner at Brindille was planned as the centerpiece of my first day in Chicago and joined by a friend at 5:30 it can simply be said that Carrie Nahabedian's second restaurant on North Clark Street ranks amongst Chicago's very best, a seven-course and fourteen plate tandem-tasting for $155 per person allowing us to taste nearly the entire late summer menu with not a single course falling short of expectations that were admittedly quite high. Treated to educated and gracious service with a table drenched in sunlight from the wide front windows it was almost immediately after a brief conversation about likes, dislikes, allergies, and intolerances that our meal began and with a decadent cocktail delivered complete with mother of pearl spoon soon in hand as my friend sipped his well priced Bordeaux even the warm bread and honey butter would prove exemplary, the following flavors of supple tartare with herbal aromatics and briny oysters resting in eggy pudding just a glimpse of things to come. Truly a restaurant rooted in classic technique yet at the same time happy to dabble in unexpected pairings of pristine ingredients it was with perfect timing plus portions amenable to plate-swapping that our evening progressed and although each plate proved excellent in one way or another it was a trio of savories that shined brightest of the night, the tender duck liver richly accented with notes of saffron and cleverly set against citrus while the lightly cooked lamb and a caramelized scallop atop savory custard courses proved equally impressive, the later amongst the sweetest specimens I've tasted to date. Without a doubt one of the most refined experiences to open in Chicago over the past few years but not once stuffy or uptight throughout the course of our three-hour stay Brindille is the sort of place that every 'upscale' restaurant should aspire to be and as good as NAHA was during my lone lunch there several years ago, Brindille has decidedly one upped its older sister in nearly all ways - a Michelin Star or perhaps even Two seemingly destined to come in next year's guide.
(5)Sophia Y.
Excellent food, excellent service, great deco, everything was perfect!! I have been to many different very good restaurant around the world, this one is in my top 10.
(5)Julia D.
Exquisite French-inspired cuisine. My fiancé and I celebrated our anniversary at Brindille. Our experience was outstanding. A recap of our evening: As we arrived, we were welcomed with a "Happy Anniversary" from the hostess, which set a positive first impression. We had a 9pm reservation, and arrived about 45 minutes early to settle in with a cocktail. After checking my coat, we were seated at the bar with a cocktail menu. The service was attentive to our needs. I ordered the Elemental Genièvre, which was light, crisp and refreshing. Erick ordered the Vieux Carre, which was incredibly smooth. We were both pleased. Atmosphere was chic and sophisticated. Music selection was a blend of genres (including indie-pop!). Set a relaxed vibe on a Friday night. Decor was modern and elegant. Tables were adorned with white linens, and tree artwork covered the walls. Unfortunately, table flow was behind and we were not seated until 9:30pm. Understandable, considering the relaxed and welcoming ambiance. For entrees, I ordered the Lobster Brindille, Sugar Snap Peas, Young Turnips, Knob Onions, Greens, Pink Grapefruit, Coral Butter and Vanilla. Loved. Erick ordered the Rib of Beef, Tarte Tatin of Shaved Artichokes, Potatoes and Tomme de Savoie, Marbled Olive Oil, Sauce Bearnaise and Red Wine. Although we were already quite full, we decided to order dessert. L'Oeuf a la Neige, Strawberries, Rhubarb, Chardonnay Vinegar Crème Anglaise and the Fantaisie au Chocolat were presented beautifully. Brindille went above and beyond by writing "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate on both plates. While presented well, both left a little to be desired in comparison to the rest of the meal. However, our server provided both to us complimentary on behalf of Brindille to offset the late seating and to cap off our anniversary. What a wonderful surprise! All in all, I recommend. Thank you, Brindille.
(5)Auren H.
This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. and the service was superb. I would definitely go here again. one warning: this place is very expensive. (but unlike most high-ticket restaurants, Brindille warrants the price).
(5)Mimi P.
My husband chose this restaurant to celebrate mother's day. We dine at many Chicagoland restaurants including very upscale places. While the atmosphere and decor where lovely , the food was disappointing. It is OVERPRICED. The portions were VERY small -primarily in the appetizer category. The menu shows two coarses but I recommend that you order two and either a salad to share or a third. The food all came at room temperature at best. I have dined in France and other restaurants at this same price point and never had this odd temperature. Some things seemed less appealing at this temperature while others it worked well. The desserts range from $12-15. When I say small, I mean small. Don't share if you have your heart set on what you order. Unfortunately, I would recommend other 4 star restaurants in Chicago before this.
(3)Mike W.
Basically every element of Brindille gets high marks. The food, the environment and the service are all exquisite. The service was attentive and helpful. I never felt like we were abandoned, but I also didn't feel like we were being bothered or rushed. They gave us just the right amount of time to have conversation before ordering and between courses. They really seem to know their diner. The environment is lovely - it has a very simple and elegant look and is quite quiet without being eerily so. My only (extremely minor) complaint is that the table for three had one person on the short side of the table and the other two on the same long side of the table. It made it easy for the server to speak with all of us, but it was a bit awkward for us to converse. But let's get to one really matters - the food. This was an absolutely outstanding meal. The appetizer of short breads and rabbit was very well balanced and delicious. There were no wasted elements on the dish and it all came together very well. The beef rib entree was incredibly rich and delicious. The "sauce bearnaise and red wine" was delicious and complemented the beef perfectly without at all overpowering it. My dining companions both ordered the lobster brindille and I had some regret at not ordering giving how great it looked and how much they raved about it The by-the-glass wine menu fits well with the food and is clearly carefully selected, as it is short and manageable. My only complaint is that the chocolat dessert was very underwhelming - the flavors were fine, but there was very little to it. After such a delicious first two courses, it was a big step down. Regardless, I would go back in a heartbeat. It is very pricey, so probably best reserved for special occasions.
(5)Jennifer M.
Went here on Bastille Day with a couple foodie friends and we had a wonderful experience. It was definitely a little on the pricey side for what I spend on dinner but we treated ourselves and it was definitely delicious. We started with the veal sweetbreads and steak tartare for our appetizers. The veal sweetbread was very good and it was my first time having rabbit! My friends had most of the steak tartare as that's not really my thing but I did try a bit and it was surprisingly yummy. For my main course I had the Rib of Beef (the 2nd priciest thing on the menu) but I wouldn't have traded it for anything! It was so good and a really good sized portion as well. We had to do dessert of course and I had the Fantaisie au Chocolat because I am a chocolate fiend. Once again, did not disappoint! It was a very enjoyable dining experience, just a little on the pricey side. Great for special occassions!
(4)Susan P.
Lovely fine dining. Aperitif was wonderful. Recommend the steak tatar for those who enjoy mustard and the oysters for anyone and everyone. Roasted chestnut soup was, again, just lovely. Hunter's plate was unique and tasty. Careful not to fill up on bread and honied butter ahead of time. Had to leave before dessert, which was just too bad. Crab pour commencer was also nice paired with serrano ham.
(4)Ann S.
Lived up to the reviews. A delightful evening. Appetizers were amazing and my beef dish was scrumptious ( and large).
(4)Omar R.
Here's a French restaurant that provides an exhilarating and innovative culinary experience - without going "fusion" or wandering into the realms of molecular gastronomy. Just superb execution on nouveau French. The veal sweetbreads (appetizer) and dover sole (entree) are worth a repeat visit. And I liked the selection on the wine menu - though pricey (you'll be hard pressed to find a bottle under $130). Deserts are very good - adding the right finishing touch without overwhelming.
(5)Kari S.
The food and service here were excellent. It is very pricey, especially the wine list, making it more of a special occasion restaurant. We had the handmade noodles with snails and chanterelles, the steak tartar, and frisée salad to start. All were delicious, including the bread and honey butter too. For entrees we ordered the lobster and the lamb. Both were great! We ended the meal with the made-to-order almond cake- a must have!
(4)Judd H.
Absolutely fabulous. Take negative reviews with a grain of salt. The entrees are super expensive, which I am sure rubs some folks the wrong way. But, it is not much pricier than any of the steak places around there and the food at brindille is ten times better. I had the beef and my wife had the duck with foie gras. Both excellent choices. Our server steered me toward the steak because I mentioned my fondness of French sauces. I was not disappointed. The duck dish - over the top. Duck was very tender/ not gamey. The three apps that are the most popular are the foie gras, the sweet breads and the frog legs. All great. For drinks, try the whiskey cocktail with the vermouth, cognac, etc. I had two.
(5)Carol K.
The name means "Twig". But you definitely won't be one if you eat often at this French sibling of NAHA that recently opened in River North, for the food was delicious, the ambiance serene and the staff pleasant, personable and definitely on their game! Brindille (I wanted to call it "Brindle" but I was corrected that it's more like "brawn dee"- that will tell you how effective all those years of French that I took were!) has been open for about a month when we visited. We went on a weeknight and since most of my party was running late- it gave me a chance to sit at the bar (love the stools but the bar is too low to cross your legs at it) check out my surroundings and chat with the bartender who was pleasant and knowledgeable. Given my knowledge of wines is best when choosing domestic and the list was much more global in nature, she led me toward a wonderful red that they had by the glass. Perfect for the bounty we were going to enjoy. Once our party arrived- we were seated by the manager, Jude (thought he was terrific- going out of his way to make sure we had a wonderful evening) and we ordered a wide range of things to taste on the menu. For our first course- we had the king crab with spring peas and tapioca custard, the fois gras and the steak tartar. All were delicious with each flavor complementing the next. I wanted to try the frog legs- but no one at my table was game so those are definitely going on my list for the next time! As for entrees- I had the lobster Brindille which came with little potatoes and mushrooms which was absolutely delicious and prettily plated. Others enjoyed their "saddle of lamb" (so perfectly prepared you could cut it with a fork) and the Dover sole was another favorite. For dessert (hard to believe we even had room at this point) we shared the cherry clafoutis which was like a cherry souffle and the cheese plate. Now this was no ordinary cheese plate but one with so many little bites of perfection, that it came with a list so that we would know exactly what we were tasting. The perfect ending to an amazing dinner. Brindille is a bit of a splurge. Appetizers are in the $15 - $20 range and the entrees average around $40 - $48. Add in some drinks and dessert and dinner for 4 was about $460 before tip. But if you are looking for that perfect night- where you are coddled and made to feel special- Brindille is the perfect place. We loved the simple ambiance, the attention to detail with the china, the interesting cutlery and the artful shapes of things, like the simple water pitcher. The staff made sure that we had what we needed even before we knew we needed them and took care in escorting us to where ever we needed to be. The end result being that it felt like they valued our business which is so critical today! And like a good restaurant should- they took my valet ticket and found the valet so that my car was waiting out front as I said my goodbyes. All in all a lovely evening out made even better by some terrific food, great friends and staff who care. You can bet I will be back.
(5)c L.
I'm pretty picky about noise and service and food, anyone of those can become an issue for me. This experience was in every regard top notch. Our waiter Rob was so sweet and knowledgable that two of us offered him jobs in our profession! I had the lobster, delicious...the gorgeous gin drink with purple pearls of pomegranate, delightful, Extremely comfortable, noise level, seemed tuned to perfection, not kidding! I could go on but you will not be disappointed and it will be memorable.
(5)Tracey M.
We dined at Brindille on an early Saturday evening before our show at Lookingglass Theatre. All I can say is, this restaurant is sublime. Yes it is a splurge, an utterly satisfying dining and ambiance experience worth every penny. I will definitely return. We started with the Jeanne D'arc and Boisson Adulte cocktails, oysters for me and scallops for my friend. The oysters were beautifully presented in a beautiful (and I'm guessing custom-made) platter, perfectly dressed in crème fraiche and caviar. The scallops were huge and meaty with a divine emulsion and uni custard. Our entrees were Dover sole and lobster. The sole was perfectly cooked with a scrumptious touch of delicate brown butter, with crisp potatoes rissole. The lobster was phenomenal, with an unbelievably flavorful stock sauce. We finished with the cheese course and the chocolate fantasy; both were extraordinary the cheese wonderfully presented in a clock formation from lightest to strongest flavors with quince jam accompaniment, and the chocolate fantasy was both rich and light, with an airy foam that complimented the dense chocolate mousse. Al of the dishes were very clean tasting, nothing cloying or overly rich, and pleasantly confounded my expectations of french food. Our server was wonderful, just the right amount of attention, and she provided explanations of the dishes which really added a lot to the experience. We felt very cared for by our server when she steered us away from the cherry clafouti we wanted for dessert so we could make our show's curtain. She even asked if I wanted to finish the black current pearls in my (drained) cocktail glass. The space is beautifully and cleanly appointed, not at all stuffy, and is very quiet (hallelujah). A truly wonderful experience all around.
(5)Emi O.
My new favorite French restaurant! I had the lobster brindille and scallops. Our dishes were all beautifully presented and the flavors were amazing as well. I loved the ambience and decor of the restaurant (plus comfortable seats with cushions). Our server was attentive and knowledgable. Overall great dining experience. We will definitely be back again!
(5)Erin P.
I had the opportunity to spend my sister's 27th birthday dining at the newly opened Brindille and it was was as amazing as promised. The decor was beautiful, the service seamless, and food perfect. Unable to decide on dishes we did the testing menu. At $150 each the tasting menu was a comparable rate to the a la cart prices, but provided the opportunity to taste so much more! Don't miss the oyster, crab, lamb and cheese plate.
(5)Jay I.
This is a 4.5 star restaurant to me. Seems like the owner/chefs are putting more attention to this new restaurant since I saw them walking around, talking to customers (we missed them by seconds because she was with the table next to us as we left). We've tried: - Non-alcoholic cocktail drink: very tasty citrus flavor; also has citrus-y bubbles on the bottom which is quite fun to taste - bread with honey-cream: One of the best. I don't know how they made it, but this is a must try. It tastes like strawberry whipped cream cheese, but tastes a thousand times better. I also liked that they continuously supplied bread without asking. -King crap dish: pretty well designed soupy dish with king crab merus - veal sweetbread with rabbit and vegetable: well execulated; very rich sauce flavor - Turbot with black truffle: dish of the day I would say. Maybe it's the truffle, but the flavor was very rich and turbot was cooked perfectly. - Lobster brindille: it had solid rich flavor; the sauce had rich lobster flavor but not to the way to overpower the whole dish. - Cheese dessert: 9 different cheese dessert. Bread was too little to have the cheese with. - Chocolat dessert: pretty well illustrated. tasted well. Service: It wasn't bad, but I felt like we were constantly overlooked. Also, the server never explained us about the dishes we got except the dessert. He did that more to my other tables. So one, not explaining about the dishes upon serving at a fine dining is not really a standard. We would like to know what we have in detail. Two, discrimination? why is it so hard to explain us about the dishes if you do it at other tables? Overall, even though we felt like we were neglected at times (I don't know, since neither of us drink, which means less total cost, which in turn means less tip for them?), the presentation and flavor of dishes were spectacular, and it was just short of scoring 5 stars. Oh btw no special treatment for our 2nd wedding anniversary (Refer to Tru review for our 1st wedding anniversary). Not that it was a big issue, but I could not help but compare.
(4)John M.
This place was fantastic. Great atmosphere and a really nice staff. I got the chestnut soup which was great as well as the duck which was also great. For dessert we got what I believe was called the chocolate fantasy. It had a sugar glass outside that you break with your fork. Pretty cool. Pretty expensive, but that is to be expected from a place like this. If I came at an earlier time I might have tried the fixed price menu.
(5)Jennifer M.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and what an amazing experience. Not only did I have the best dirty martini I've ever had (and I'm pretty darn picky with my martinis), the food was absolutely superb and the service is one of a kind. Our server was able to explain food in a way I never thought possible. I would go back purely for the server, but the food and drinks make it even better. Definitely a must go!
(5)Samantha G.
Food, service, and ambiance are on par. The lobster brindille is amazing and I also recommend the steak tartare for an appetizer. I would pick the cherry option for dessert (forgot the full name). The food is very well done and the portions are the right size if you want a 3-course meal. I can't wait to go back and try the other menu items!
(5)Eric B.
Due to a clerical error I rated this a four star experience; truly, it is a five star extravaganza of French decadence. Enjoy, with my blessings.
(5)Jessica F.
The price tag on this one can be rough, so definitely more of a special occasion place, but everything is done well. Pleasant staff, very knowledgable and helpful in no way snooty or pretentious. The wines are lovely and the food is superb. Truly a lovely experience.
(4)alexis K.
This place is overpriced, the food is terrible , the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad This place is overpriced, the food is terrible, the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad So as we wanted to leave the restaurant the manager came over to us to tell that he saw our Yelp review, which we posted after receiving our check. He complained that we didn't give them a chance to make it better. Sorry but was too late. And now here is the best. The flamboyant manager started arguing with us and calling me the boy friend of my wife of 10 years. He started insulting me, that I had a t-shirt on, instead of apologizing for the bad food. We go to restaurants nearly weekly and have never experienced anything like that. So if you want to spend a lot of money on bad food and bad service and get insulted at the same time, this is the place to go.
(1)Anne M.
Generally when I spend this much money on dinner and drinks, I tend to think, "Wow, that was really worth the coin". Brindelle was good, no doubt, but I'm not sure it was really worth the price. The small plates/appetizers (particularly the carpaccio, foie) and the cocktails are a different story; delicious, rich, high quality and very inventive. A pretty room; really striking light fixtures. I felt our of place in jeans, so be forewarned.
(3)Justin M.
Walking into Brindille, you quickly get the sense that if they put half the attention into their food that they do to their impeccable interior design, you're in for a fantastic meal. They put in more. I arrived at Brindille a good half hour before my party, so I sat at the bar and had a drink while I waited. The bartender was attentive and quick and my gin and currant caviar cocktail was refreshing. My party arrived and we were quickly sat and greeted by our server. We had been looking forward to our meal all week, so we were happy that he seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the food and excited about our experience. First up was some bread with maple butter that was delicious. We ordered almost every appetizer to share (frog legs, oysters, sweetbreads, crab salad, foie gras and steak tartare) and none of them disappointed. The oysters were phenomenal and the sweetbreads and foie were very memorable. The crab was delicate and well composed and the frog legs and steak tartar were also enjoyable. For my entree, I had the lobster Brindille, which was certainly the most decadent plate of the night. The portion size generous. You'd be hard pressed to find a more satisfying crustacean in Chicago. I sampled bites of the duck and sole as well. Both were incredible. For dessert, we had everything except the cheese plate. The Fantaisie au Chocolat was my favorite. The presentation was stunning. I also loved the roasted pineapple. The other plates were good, too. At some point I had the absinthe and champagne cocktail, which complemented my meal excellently. Brandille, having been open about a week when I visited, was very on-point. The meal was paced nicely and everyone in my party had a fantastic time. I'm looking forward to going back again; if they're that good after a week, I'm excited to see what heights they reach in a few months. --- Update: 7/24/13 Returned to Brindille tonight and ate enough with my brother to slake the hunger of a small army. Again, had nearly every appetizer on the menu and then ordered the duck for my entree. Enjoyed a cocktail and a nice syrah. The meal was so outstanding that I considered walking into the kitchen to kiss a cook directly on the mouth. Any kinks since opening have been utterly obliterated. This was easily one of the two most satisfying fine dining meals I've had this year, and considering the other one was in Mexico City, Brindille is hitting the spot in Chicago.
(5)Haydar M.
asked the server to recommend his favorite wines and without providing us with any benchmarks he recommended 3 wines of which we picked the first one, it turned out this was a $400 bottle of wine. next time, server should ask for a price point. because recommendations should never include a $400 bottle of wine. on top of it all, he told us that we shouldn't order desert since the kitchen is about to close and we were simply rushed out of there after paying a $700 tab for 2 people. never going back there again!.. very dissapointed.. felt like we were being robbed and shoo'd out of there before we could realize it
(1)Liz W.
Two of my colleagues and I dined at Brindille with four clients on Thursday 5/1, and neither the food nor the overall experience could have been more lovely. While everyone at our table raved about their selections, I can say from first-hand experience that the green garlic soup with fennel was luscious and altogether perfect. The Dover sole with lemon and horseradish was also fantastic. I look forward to dining at Brindille again on future trips to Chicago.
(5)Meredith K.
Everything about Brindille is great. When you walk in you're pleasantly greeted and the space is beautiful!! We were all commenting on how stunning it is in there. Except the butter knives were confused for sharks. LOL! Our server could take over for Morgan Freedman for narrating things. His descriptions of the dishes, wines and cocktails were wonderful. And he wasn't like some servers who say everything is great. We were definitely directed to order one thing over another. I think he maybe Carrie's cousin? Anyhow. We were having a wonderful time. The bread and butter could have been enough. I was super happy with that butter!! I want it every day for the rest of my life. There were 4 of us so we shared 2 starters. The crab dish and the asparagus dish. WOW. The four of us were inhaling it. The crab is warm and buttery and they do not skimp on the black truffles. It was like a truffle parade went by!! If you're having a bad day stop by and get this dish. Its a warm hug. The asparagus was also outstanding. The mushrooms were meaty and hearty. I like the fried squash blossoms and that duck egg! Creamy and yummy. Oh yeah and the asparagus was nicely cooked. Again I could have stopped there. But we didn't. I tried the signature dish - Lobster Brindille. It was just ok for me. It wasn't hot and the lobster was a little tough in some places. My boyfriend got the rib of prime beef and WOW - he said it melted. If he could he'd break up with me and date that dish. Its the #1 dish for him in Chicago. My friend tried the duck and she loved it. Another great sauce. And my other friend got the guinea hen which he enjoyed very much. Then we went on to dessert. The list for bourbons is not impressive but they had some interesting options. I tried one from CA that I thought was ok. My boyfriend tried the angel's share which I thought was too cinnamony for me. The chocolate cake-ish dessert was fun to look at, fun to eat and SO GOOD. It was like the starters all over again where we were grabbing for every bite. Yum!! Then we waited for the cherry dish which came out like a souffle. It was just ok - it probably paled in comparison to that first dessert. This was a wonderful meal and we had a memorable time. I look forward to checking them out again as the seasons change.
(5)Denny C.
Chef Carrie and Manager Michael Nahabedian, cousins exuding warmth and love of food, have opened a charming French restaurant one block away from their venerable NAHA. Brindille, designed with the calm, gray Zen tones of Naha, has a tight French menu, filled with classics one finds in the chic arrondissements of Paris. Brindille was not created to be trendy. This is fine dining, bringing back memories of elegance and sophistication, what one would find in the Sixteenth Arrondissement. Yet, dishes are created and served with no pretension or attitude. This is a unique combination and hard to find in the restaurant world. Elegance with a hug! The Dover Sole is oh so light, perfectly done, with a delicate turn. The Quail was cooked perfectly, well seasoned, and everything worked well together. The hand cut noodles were amazing, with great depth of flavor. While I sometimes avoid snails, I didn't even notice them, as my taste buds were rejoicing. The wine list has unique offerings in all price ranges, and the mark up was very fair. L'Oeuf a la Neige for dessert had me singing like Edith Piaf. I walked away from Brindille looking up, expecting to see the lit Eiffel Tower looming in the distance. Je suis heureux.
(5)Tracy F.
My husband and I went to Brindille for our anniversary/New Year's Eve. We love Naha and had heard great things about Brindille. First, yes, the restaurant is absolutely overpriced. Our bill was $280 for the two of us. We had 4 glasses of wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 1 dessert. That being said, it was one of the nicest experiences I've ever had. The server was knowledgeable about all the dishes/ingredients & drinks. He didn't shy away from recommendations and stopped by the appropriate amount to check on us. The maitre d' was also very friendly, as was the bus staff. The food: Appetizers: Fois Gras: Large portion compared to other restaurants. Deliciously prepared with a nice onion relish Cream of Onion Soup: Granted, I switched out the roquefort for parmesan, so I'm not sure what affect that had on the original taste. It was just a bit bland (but still relatively good). My biggest issue is that I like my soup hot and this soup was served warm. This dish kept the restaurant from having a 5-star rating. Entrees: Lobster Brindille: This is the best lobster dish I've ever had. By far. The entire lobster is removed from the shell, making it a hearty portion. The flavors of the dish were wonderful. I would definitely recommend this dish. Dover Sole: I didn't taste this, but my husband said it was one of the top two fish dishes he's ever had (tied with Roy's butterfish) and definitely the best Dover sole. Dessert: We had an almond pastry. The way it was described by both the waiter and on the menu, we thought it would be a cream filled pastry, almost like an almond croissant. Unfortunately the pastry was without any moisture, so it was super dry. It was served with a scoop of ice cream, but it didn't help the pastry by itself. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. We would love to go here again, but will probably stick to Naha simply because the food is just as good but the bill is about $75 cheaper.
(4)Apu B.
Experienced exceptional, attentive, personable service by Jeremy and Sergio who made every effort to accommodate our every whim with a smile and a sense of humor. Each dish was a culinary adventure that tested our taste buds and always pleased our palates. Cocktails, wine and drinks were fabulous. Desserts were varied and well-made but we wished they were sweeter (this seems to be an unfortunate trend in dining establishments across the city which cannot run its course soon enough!) We had the best seats in the house to appreciate the subdued yet elegant atmosphere, but no need to worry this was not a stuffy establishment. Great for any occasion as long as you embrace creative culinary experiences.
(5)Kenneth C.
Since it was our wedding anniversary, to celebrate we tried their tasting menu. It consisted of one appetizer, 4 small entries and desert selected by the chef after considering our preferences and any allergies. The food was outstanding! Each course was introduced by the wait staff. First we had the hand cut noodles with snails. We then had the four entries, Lobster Brindille, Dover Sole, Grilled Lamb and Roasted Quail. Each were wonderfully presented, tasty with wonderful herbs and seasoning. For desert we had the Tarte and the Clafoulis. Although both deserts were good, we would have preferred to try the Chocolate Entermet, Fantaisie au Chocolat or the Crème Brulee that we saw other patrons order. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Jackie G.
Delish! From customer service to the very last pickin on your plate. I had the Dover Sole Meunière, Asparagus Viennoise, Grapefruit and Lemon Balm and let me say YUM!. Also, the butter that is served along with the bread is divine. Truly enjoyed the ambient and decor - cozy, simple and elegant from the moment you enter the first door. Also, the bartender was also very helpful was we first had a drink at the bar before sitting at our table.
(4)Jackie G.
As huge fans of Naha, we were anxious to try Brindille and it certainly did not disappoint. We were very impressed to say the least. We ordered the tasting menu and loved each and every bite. Food was fresh and beautifully presented. Service was excellent and ambiance serene. We shall look forward to returning with more friends.
(4)Eric W.
Outstanding food; exceptional service. A real education in dining. A quiet find, but one of the city's best.
(5)Janet S.
After looking forward to the Nahabedian's new restaurant, we were both thrilled with the food but, disappointed in the service. The starters, oysters in a marvelous eggy sauce with osetra caviar and the asparagus, were excellent. I coul have eaten a dozen of the oysters. The main courses, French turbot and duck with fois gras, were outstanding in presentation, flavor and complexity. Our waiter was kind and tried to be informative. But, he is definitely in need of some help with his communication skills. Five minutes of superlatives does not neccesarily describe an entree, starter or dessert. He proved to be more of a distraction than a help. Also, clearly no one was paying attention to our dining pace. After waiting for some time for the starter, the entree then arrived within 2 minutes of us finishing the first course. No time to rest, enjoy a glass of wine, etc. Not what I am used to in a restaurant of this class. We'll wait awhile to return as we have confidence that the food will still be top-tier and the service will have improved. Perhaps that is why the restaurant was only half full on a beautiful Friday night in Chicago!
(4)Desiree N.
Definitely a must try here in Chicago and one of my favorite meals I've had in the city. My friend and I had been looking to dine and were lucky enough to get a reservation. The decor was beautiful, service was never intrusive and very professional, but the food...wow. I started with the crab. So beautiful and the flavors were exquisite. I then had the lobster Brindelle...this dish is a MUST try...My friend had the sweet breads and the duck...he also raved about his meal. The wine list has something for everyone. I plan on returning and trying the tasting menu next time. Congrats, on opening yet another rave worthy restaurant here in Chicago.
(5)Diana Z.
Amazing meal in a beautiful space. We started our evening with cocktails at their comfortable bar. The gentleman behind the bar was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped my husband select the perfect aperitif (or two). Our dinner was outstanding, and the standout dishes were the steak tar tare, lobster entree and lamb entree. My only criticism, if you can even call it that, is that the waiter could have offered a bit more explanation of the dishes when our plates were served. This was certainly one of the more expensive meals we've had in Chicago, but it's well worth the splurge for a special occasion. My husband and I will be back :)
(5)Ann M.
Dinner tonight- I am giving them 5 stars because they were are the best restaurant I have ever been to that has only been open 2 weeks. The service--Jeffrey our waiter whom we remembered from a prior circumstance (and who remembers their waiter?--yes, he is THAT GOOD)--was wonderful; attentive without being obsequious. That attitude was prevalent from everyone there--they ALL wanted to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. But the food speaks for itself. I had the Guinea Hen with morels fava beans and sunchokes--because Jeffrey told me to (I had planned to order the Dover Sole Meuniere--will have to go back) and if i could have done so unobtrusively, I would have licked my plate. I wanted a pint of the sauce to go. My husband had the Duck with wheatberries--the duck was cut from the center of the breast and cooked perfectly. We had the King Crab appetizer--delicious, but we shared it and it was too small to do that--note: Jeffrey warned/mentioned that, but we ordered it anyway. Had the cheese course and some port for dessert; and it was a very ample cheese plate that we split--probably 12 small slices with a full range of cheese choices. Truly enjoyed the food, the decor, and the service. For those who might find NAHA slightly loud, this was a more controlled buzz and we could easily talk to each other. BRAVO--a wonderful addition to the Chicago fine dining scene. Cant wait to go back.
(5)Eric M.
As a huge fan of Naha - it's my favorite restaurant in Chicago - I am very excited that Carrie and Michael have opened a new concept and I was eager to check it out. My dining companion and I ate dinner early (6pm reservation) on a Sunday night. I'll start by saying the service was very good - I have no complaints about that. It was unrushed, very informative when asked to be, and very pleasant. It seems to me that with Brindille, Carrie may be aiming for 2-Michelin-star status, and I think the service component of that is on the right track. I think there's a little room for polish, but for the short length of time they've been open they're clearly doing the right things when it comes to service and I have no complaints at all about that. We started with the frog legs for him and for me the broccoli soup. I loved the soup - I think the soups at Naha are awesome and I"m glad to see that skillset made it here, too. The frog legs were nicely pan-fried. They came with a blanc-manger, which I guess they should be dipped in, because the legs themselves were only very lightly seasoned. For the main course, we had the monkfish tail and the guinea fowl. My dining companion ate the monkfish tail and it was quite substantial, with a lot of good, meaty fish on the bones, and a lot of flavor with the vegetables that came with it. I had the guinea fowl based on the waiter's recommendation and, to be honest, it was quite disappointing. My biggest complaint was that it was on the cool side of room temperature. It wasn't exactly cold, and it didn't really help that the A/C system was blowing cool air directly from the ceiling onto our table, but it wasn't what I'd consider to be an ideal eating temperature. It also seemed like a bunch of unrelated items on a plate instead of a cohesive dish. The monkfish had a lot of things, too, but they all interacted well together - that wasn't the case with the guinea fowl. The cockcombs didn't seem to add anything. The morels were overpowered by the cooking liquid and quite acidic and just sopping, squishy things - not the more firm, mushroomy ones I enjoy. I would not order the guinea fowl again - for this level of dining it was, in my opinion, a disasterous dish. I know they can do better, and I'm confident they will, but this dish, as served to me, was a terrible showing. Finally, for dessert we had the Paris-Brest of strawberries, and the roasted pineapple. The strawberries were very nice - we both enjoyed those. The pineapple was ok, although I guess I expected it to be roasted further than it was. There weren't any of the complex caramel flavors I would expect seeing "roasted" in a description of a fruit dessert. It was nice, it just didn't live up to what I would consider its full potential. But, for all I know, that was the goal with the dish, to be lightly roasted and still have some of those fresh, brighter flavors pineapple brings to the table. All in all, I will almost certainly be back after a few months to see how things are progressing. The guinea fowl was a real disappointment, there were a couple other things I think will improve with time, but overall I was satisfied with the meal. My dining companion was not an experienced fine dining gourmand, and is always complaining he doesn't understand why people pay so much for fancy food. But he managed to enjoy himself, which I think speaks to the fine service we received and that most of the dishes were well-executed.
(4)Nancy C.
This is a 4.5 star review. The experience was very near perfect. The space is lovely. Understated, grays, browns, blacks. Very large window up front, comfy booths and chairs. Lavender sweaters on the staff. The service was so spot on. Witty, charming, knowledgeable and efficient. Rob was a star! The appetizers were excellent. The hand cut noodles, chanterelles and snails for me---a heavenly dream appetizer! For him: the scallops. Also superb, much lighter and beautifully executed with the unique addition of uni. Mains: Lobster for me, duck for him. Here is where a minor slip occurred. The food was very very good. The lobster was plentiful and accompanied by truly amazing flavors. The duck and foie gras were beautifully cooked (absolutely perfect char on the foie). The slip was that both plates (meaning china) and the food were not hot. In fact, they were below lukewarm. Can't figure out what happened. The place was not busy. Our waiter seemed very efficient. The food just wasn't the right temperature. So, a little point shaving for that. The second issue was two gnats that were hovering around the table (made more noticeable by the impeccable white table cloth-love the beautiful gray napkins, by the way). Gnats in a restaurant, especially one of this caliber, are troubling to me. Had to keep shooing them from my wine glass. Wine?? Ah, yes, wine. Back to the positives. The wines, while expensive are really well thought out and quite good. And the staff is very very good at recommendations and their are some unique finds on both the bottle and by the glass lists. The pairings were perfect. Whites for me, white and red for him. Terrific choices by Rob. Champagne by the glass a bit pricey. OK, dessert. Dessert is something I sometimes enjoy and other times can pass on. I am SO glad we didn't pass. The Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis IS NOT TO BE MISSED! It is light, airy, deliciousness. If the plate hadn't been so hot (funny, I know) we would have licked it. Truly amazing! I will be back here. Next time I really want to have the Dover Sole Meunière, one of my favorite dishes. And TWO of the Clafoutis!!!!
(5)Katherine H.
So good! Polished romantic, great service. You must try the lobster brindille!
(5)James H.
Brindille offers very good cuisine, but not sure it quite warrants the high price point. Our table had scallops, steak tartar, Dover Sole and the Hunters Plate, and the food quality was very good. Portions are small, even for the entrees, but that is not unusual for this style restaurant, however it leaves one a bit unsatisfied after a pricey, multi-course meal. The atmosphere, however, is not for everyone. My table brought down the average age in the restaurant by about 20 years, and this was on a late Thursday evening. Older crowd, quite formal dress and atmosphere, a little bit stuffy even, definitely not a scene by any means (nobody having drinks at the bar or anything like that). The staff however was very courteous and helpful, adding to the high-end dining experience. Overall it was a very good yet expensive meal but the ambiance is not for everyone.
(3)Khloe K.
Sophisticated, modern, elegant. Oysters were fantastic. I could of had a dozen on my own. I'm craving them right now as i write this review. I unfortunately wasn't as wow'd by the King crab appetizer, monkfish and guinea hen They were good but perhaps my expectations were too high. I'd like to return and try some other things on the menu .....and hopefully get those oysters again
(3)Joanna K.
Really a 3.5. Went to Brindille; admittedly high expectations given the great food and service at Naha! Had a drink at the bar while waiting for my friends -- had a gin cocktail wth currant caviar, which was strong and delicious! Started dinner with the oysters -- these were beautiful, delicate, delicious. Would order again in a heartbeat! Ordered the crab and the duck for main course; this is where the problems started. It took a long (long!) time for the entrees to come out; when they finally came to us, my duck, while perfectly medium-rare, was cold. I really really don't like cold meat, and that hadn't been mentioned in the menu, so I asked if it was meant to be served cold. The answer was no, so I requested that it could be fixed and heated appropriately. What a shame, because it was so beautifully prepared. My friends ordered lobster -- that, while tasty, was also borderline cold, which led us to believe that these had possibly been prepared correctly and then sat out for a while. My duck was then returned to me -- now overcooked. :( They did ask me how it was; I didn't want to complain again so I said it was OK. (yes, yes I know I could have complained again, but there's only so much complaining one can do in a restaurant). I appreciate that not everything is always perfect, but at close to $40/entree they need to be able to execute and coordinate well. (without putting the onus on the diner to be the "complainer"; I am not sure how my request was presented to the kitchen, but any chef would think that what was sent back out to me the second time was overcooked.) To the server's credit, he did "top off" my wine since it was almost drained during all the waiting for the dish! Dessert was divine; we tried the clafoutis, the chocolate fantasy, and the Paris-Brest wheel pastry (wow!) Food is top-notch; service needs some work for coordination. Not sure if I'm going to return; they need to work out the kinks first.
(3)Michelle G.
Amazing! This is the first time we've been to a restaurant the first week it opens, but this wasn't much of a gamble, given that Naha is amazing. Brindille is definitely meant to be a dining experience, but we had theater tickets so we had to rush a little. We had the king crab appetizer, which was awesome. I had the Dover sole, which was wonderful, and my husband had the rib of beef, also wonderful, as was the glazed potato concoction that came with it. We didn't have time for dessert but the Fantaise au Chocolat looked incredible. Quite pricey, but a great place for a special occasion.
(5)Nancy K.
We like to "graze" around town and get appetizers/small plates at the bar at a few places on a nice evening. When one of our favorites was already too crowded at 6:30 we aimed for the new Brindille. We never moved on. Chatted with bartender Steve and enjoyed a quick talk with Carrie N! We are fans of Naha and she has outdone herself here. Best Steak Tartare ever. Fois Gras, crab and sweetbreads made for an incredible meal.
(5)Charlie B.
Truly a special occasion sort of place. Is the food expensive? Yes. Is it totally going against the latest casual is better trend? Yes. But yet it totally works and was worth the splurge. I was celebrating a new job and decided to find something a bit more special for the night. So, we went here to check it out. Everything we had was wonderful and the vibe is pretty swank, but that's what we were looking for. I loved Naha a block down so was pretty sure this would be my kind of place. My only comment is that the lobster dish I ordered was decadent and good, but not really warrenting the over the top price. The cheese plate we ordered featured 13 French cheeses and was SO fun to get!
(5)A K.
Went here for a graduation dinner for someone and couldn't have been more impressed. Quiet atmosphere with very elegant dining room. Service was beyond awesome. Every dish was presented like art and tastes even better. The lobster was seasoned perfectly and cooked the same. Will be back for sure. Worth every penny. You can't get this kind of food and service in many places.
(5)Philip D.
Note... 3.5 STARS Was excited to try this place as it has such a high rating on yelp. I should mention my background experience with fine dining. I am someone who eats out a lot, but will spend over 100 dollars on a meal about once every three months (so not everyday). I've eaten at severeI Michelin star(or two) restaurants but wouldn't call myself a sophisticated food I was able to get a reservation the day of at 7:30 pm (and some other times available), which was awesome... but made me a bit nervous as maybe that's a bad sign? Although not advertised we ordered the tasting menu (server was happy to have us do it). Things I liked: great service, very attentive, pace was great for food, nice atmosphere but nothing stood out. Seating was comfortable! There were 8 courses in the tasting, some of things included: an oyster, steak tartar, tomatoes, noodle dish with escargot, duck roast with fois gras, and some delicious desserts (chocolate and a fruity one). Some great flavors and textures in the meal. I just can't justify the cost of $150 for the tasting menu... I came hungry (not starving) and at the end was not quite full. I'm 160 lbs so I'm not massive, I just think some of the portions were a bit too small, even for a tasting menu. Our server explained things and was very friendly, but the one thing I thought a bit lacking, was ensuring we understood what we eating. We were offered juices and coffee at the end, although would have been nice, spending as much as we did, I was hesitant about spending any more more (which may have been ALOT). Maybe best option is NOT to do the tasting? Was a great experience but can't justify the price.
(3)Cody S.
I've had the pleasure of eating at many fine restaurants across the world, but this one is easily in my top 3 places I've ever been. I took a client here because I wanted to avoid the cliched steak dinner, and this was more of an experience than a dinner. 1) The service: our server was incredible. He provided the perfect amount of checking in, his knowledge of the food and how it was prepared was incredible, and to top it off he was humorous without being ridiculous. In other words he was the perfect blend of what you want. 2) The food: First and foremost order the foie gras. That was the best part of the meal. Everything else was terrific, but the foie was just sooooooooo good (I know, super expressive right). The menu is of course French so if you're not too familiar fear not and ask your server's opinion on what to order and they'll help guide you. 3) The dessert: Order the Mont Blanc AND the Dark Chocolate Entrement. Yes order both. Seriously do it, and then come back and thank me. 4) Cocktails: well we had Moscow Mules and I gotta be honest. Best one I ever had.
(5)Kelly C.
Fine French cuisine with an exquisite combination of flavors and impeccable service. Went here with some business colleagues for a celebratory meal and the restaurant certainly delivered. During the week the tasting menu is more of a chefs choice tailored to the tastes of people at the table. The chef really exceeded my expectations (even writhing my pregnancy diet constraints). The 7 courses ($150 per person) included: watercress soup, crab with grapefruit and cauliflower purée, black cod, lobster brindille, noodles with snails (nostalgic take on Japanese ramen noodles), foie gras and pineapple then a dessert selection that we shared including a chocolate espresso cake, cherry clafoutis and hazelnut meringue of sorts. Everything was very good - highlights for me were the lobster, noodles and foie gras. The server/sommelier was passionate about the cuisine and his descriptions of the wine pairings - and likely the only person to make you believe that your wine has just the right amount of sass to talk back to you after a long day. I would agree with another reviewer that the decor is a bit more suited to a business dinner than a romantic one - decorated in cool gray tones and masculine light fixtures. Not to say you won't also enjoy for a date night, but it does have a more modern masculine feel. It's a good place to dine alone if you're in town and just want a great expenses meal.
(5)Diana Z.
Amazing meal in a beautiful space. We started our evening with cocktails at their comfortable bar. The gentleman behind the bar was friendly, knowledgeable, and helped my husband select the perfect aperitif (or two). Our dinner was outstanding, and the standout dishes were the steak tar tare, lobster entree and lamb entree. My only criticism, if you can even call it that, is that the waiter could have offered a bit more explanation of the dishes when our plates were served. This was certainly one of the more expensive meals we've had in Chicago, but it's well worth the splurge for a special occasion. My husband and I will be back :)
(5)Stephanie L.
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! OMG, this is by far my favorite dining experience this year. We recently went to another french restaurant that we thought was great...but Brindille blows that one out of the water. HEAVEN...I am in love with this restaurant! 1. Easy Open Table reservations 2. Space...by far, everything was perfect. Gray tones, crisp, light, elegant, upscale...with a pop of color...pink. They actually steam the table cloths when they set the table. The silverware to the plates to the paintings on the walls...everything is great. 3. Service...I cannot tell you enough about the amazing service we received from Robert. He is a fantastic server and read us like a book. Not pretentious, fun, knowledgeable, psychotherapist...LOVED him. It was seriously probably the best service we have received all around in 3 years...waters always full, appropriately clearing plates, coursed out perfectly...I cannot say enough about it. 4. Food...OMG, the FOOD WAS AMAZING! Yes, its pricey, but it is warranted. Hand cut noodles, snails and morels were a surprising delight! Steak tartare was excellent! Frise salad perfect and light. Soup was creamy yet not too rich. Lobster Brindille is EXCELLENT and huge! Filet of beef tenderloin was great and the potatoes on the side really shined. They taste like french onion soup...you know a place is good when they have amazing sides to accompany amazing mains. Dover sole was thick cut and deliciously prepared. Last time I had dover was at Everest and it was terrible. Desserts-Lemon tarte...excellent and the Strawberry, rhubarb, leek cream was amazing! I legit wanted to lick the plate on all of the above...you cannot go wrong here. I am shocked there isnt more reviews of this place. For an upscale meal, you WANT o try this place.
(5)Sofia J.
Lovely anniversary dinner - each dish offers an artist's palette of tastes. Scallops, veal sweetbreads, and medallion of venison leg all rich, full of flavor, and intricate embellishments. I would not recommend the Pear Mille Feuille, but the mignardise absolutely made up for an otherwise unexciting sweet finish. And on Michael Aram dinnerware!
(4)Johna P.
An Amazing experience from the moment you step in the door, had an amazing whit burgundy, a couple apps and I had the Duck for dinner. Finished with a pastry of some sort that was on the house. Highly recommend for any occasion!
(5)Stephanie L.
There was not a single facet of this dining experience that wasn't stellar. The food, ambiance, service, wine list - everything was simply superb. We did the tasting menu, which I highly, highly recommend. Truly one of the best dining experiences and evenings of my life (we were celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary and were legally married)! Thank you to Jeremy and the whole Brindille team for making us feel so special! Visit Brindille - you will not be disappointed...
(5)Sara P.
There was nothing wrong with the restaurant, but I think it's overpriced. The dorade was good, but it was essentially a $37 piece of fish that would have been $12 anywhere else. The soft lettuces salad was delicious, but it was a $15 salad with nothing particularly fancy about it. It was fine - I'd go here during Restaurant Week if there was a deal.
(2)Sarah B.
WOW!! If you enjoy French food, excellent wine pairings and service that goes above and beyond, you MUST visit Brindille. Where do I begin? We arrive for our 530 reservation on Saturday evening and are immediately are seated at a lovely table for the 4 of us. I loved the cushions they had on the bench. Very comfy. A big kudos to our server Rob who was knowledgeable, friendly, didn't rush us at any point of the meal (we didn't leave until after 9pm). Our water glasses were never empty and were filled with no interruptions. We begin with the Duval-Leroy Brut Rose champagne ($26) which was perfect on a warm evening. We toyed with the idea of a tasting menu (7 courses) which was $150 each but since we also wanted to do wine pairings with each dish and only 3 of us were interested in having wine, we decided to just order a bunch of plates and share them. Rob was also happy to select the wine for us and poured 2 oz each for the 3 of us and simply charged us the cost of the glass. He also was quite generous with pouring a little more if we really liked it :) Based on the yelp reviews, the 3 of us went with 3 apps (oysters, foie gras, sweetbreads) and 3 mains (lobster, duck, squab). My hubby went with the split poussin (chicken) as he didn't want any of the other stuff. They brought the 4 oysters out first which was perfect with the champagne! Best I have ever had. We let Dave have the extra oyster but it was tough to give it up. They then brought out the lobster which they paired with a white burgundy (2011 Chassagne-Montrachet: $28). Best lobster I have ever had and excellent with the wine. Jill even ordered another glass to go with her dessert! They then brought out a 2011 Alsace Riesling to go with the foie gras and a red burgundy (Marsannay "Les Vaudenelles") to go with the sweetbreads. This was the best foie gras I have ever had. (Are you seeing a theme here?) Even better than what I had in France! I also recommend the sweetbreads and perfect wine pairings too. Next came a glass of 2007 Bonarda from Italy to enjoy with the squab and duck. I recommend trying the squab but was not a big fan of the duck. I think it was a bit over done. Loved the Bonarda. My hubby loved the poussin which also came with a poached egg. The egg was cold but it's hard to keep an egg warm... For dessert, I was stuffed but Dave had so much confidence in Rob that he told Rob to pick out a dessert, and to provide a wine pairing of his choice, AND to provide a smoke and a light and he didn't disappoint. He brought a lovely glass of Jurancon, a fantastic dessert and... a cigarette (camel I think?) and a lighter! Can you believe it? Jill got the cheese plate ($35) which was shaped like a clock and had 12 samplings to have in a specific order (clockwise starting at 12). It came with these yummy warm bread sticks and an amazing jam. Wow... We were also provided a free dessert that was in the oven for 25 minutes and was complete heaven. A warm cherry and almond clafoutis with a chantilly creme. Amazing... Rob filled up my glass with more of the Bonarda I enjoyed with the last course and then filled Dave's glass of Jurancon too! No charge on any of the extra pours mentioned. This is the best dining experience I have ever had. The service, the food, the presentation, the level of knowledge that Rob had and the freebies were all beyond belief. You must go! Even the butter that came with the bread was incredible...
(5)Nathan S.
The potage (soup) at a true French restaurant should be good, period. At Brindille it was luxurious...with hints of flavors popping up throughout the dish. The decor is simple, but they deliver on the food & drinks in a big way. A small but fantastic drink menu accompanies a very well balanced menu & I will return.
(5)Sophia Y.
Excellent food, excellent service, great deco, everything was perfect!! I have been to many different very good restaurant around the world, this one is in my top 10.
(5)John L.
Brindle is a solid, classic French modern. The food was excellent if not inspired or inventive (a day later I can't even remember what I had) and the service was solid if not perfect (asked for a couple little things that were ignored). The prices are a little steep for Chicago ($350 for two with tip) but not out of line for the quality. The wine list seemed to have few delicious options under $200-$300 per bottle. Most were mediocre and overpriced, our $125 Chateauneuf du pape lacked any fruit in the nose or palate to go along with the other spicy rhone flavors.
(4)Julia D.
Exquisite French-inspired cuisine. My fiancé and I celebrated our anniversary at Brindille. Our experience was outstanding. A recap of our evening: As we arrived, we were welcomed with a "Happy Anniversary" from the hostess, which set a positive first impression. We had a 9pm reservation, and arrived about 45 minutes early to settle in with a cocktail. After checking my coat, we were seated at the bar with a cocktail menu. The service was attentive to our needs. I ordered the Elemental Genièvre, which was light, crisp and refreshing. Erick ordered the Vieux Carre, which was incredibly smooth. We were both pleased. Atmosphere was chic and sophisticated. Music selection was a blend of genres (including indie-pop!). Set a relaxed vibe on a Friday night. Decor was modern and elegant. Tables were adorned with white linens, and tree artwork covered the walls. Unfortunately, table flow was behind and we were not seated until 9:30pm. Understandable, considering the relaxed and welcoming ambiance. For entrees, I ordered the Lobster Brindille, Sugar Snap Peas, Young Turnips, Knob Onions, Greens, Pink Grapefruit, Coral Butter and Vanilla. Loved. Erick ordered the Rib of Beef, Tarte Tatin of Shaved Artichokes, Potatoes and Tomme de Savoie, Marbled Olive Oil, Sauce Bearnaise and Red Wine. Although we were already quite full, we decided to order dessert. L'Oeuf a la Neige, Strawberries, Rhubarb, Chardonnay Vinegar Crème Anglaise and the Fantaisie au Chocolat were presented beautifully. Brindille went above and beyond by writing "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate on both plates. While presented well, both left a little to be desired in comparison to the rest of the meal. However, our server provided both to us complimentary on behalf of Brindille to offset the late seating and to cap off our anniversary. What a wonderful surprise! All in all, I recommend. Thank you, Brindille.
(5)Auren H.
This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. and the service was superb. I would definitely go here again. one warning: this place is very expensive. (but unlike most high-ticket restaurants, Brindille warrants the price).
(5)Albert K.
Very positive review of this place - we hosted an executive event for the company here for many of our top clients. We booked the whole venue. Service was superior. People offering to take our coats as we walked in, offer us a cocktail or drinks, and more. The food was pretty good overall as well. Kicked off with oysters, went into greens/meats, and ended up delicious desserts. Man the dessert was awesome - macaroons, cookies, and more. Very impressed. The ambiance of this place is very romantic also. Great date spot. I'd definitely return here for a date, client dinner, or just to catch up with friends.
(4)Kerry L.
My husband and I visited Brindille on our anniversary, and while the space and the level of cuisine is certainly appropriate for a special occasion, I would recommend it more for a business event than romance. The decor is impeccable and modern, but the monotone grey scheme lit by bright lights felt cold. Seating along the bench wall was tight. Our server was not personable, did not make eye contact, and when asked to describe a few dishes on the menu or tell us his personal favorites, he simply listed verbatim exactly what was printed before us on the paper. I was also a bit icked out by the absence of a single female staff member or server. However, the food is excellent. Squab, hare, and duck were cooked perfectly but the standout was the steak tartare first course - it was delicious and the portion was generous.
(4)Alex S.
One of the best meals of my life. I loved the ambiance. It was romantic and sophisticated without being overly stuffy. That being said the crowd is on the more 'experienced' side of the spectrum. The food was amazing. To start we had the handcut noodles with snails and it was a pleasant surprise. I was expecting something completely different, but loved every bite. The lobster brindille is perhaps the best bite of food I've ever had. It was amazing and gets 5 stars without anything else. The rib of beef was a let down. Get the lobster. The service was superb. We never had to ask for more bread, water, or anything. They were attentive while always on the outskirts.
(5)Breck M.
I can't say enough. Please go here. The people, the service, the food, the wine... Jude was incredible and the most amazing host. Please. GO HERE.
(5)Rosette S.
OMG... YOU MUST GO HERE.. Pricey . But worth every 100.00 + you'll spend.. The oysters top with caviar... Had me moaning like I shouldn't in public. The scallops, lobster Brandille, foie gras ( better than Paris ) all to moan and lick your lips over.... The service is spectacular as well... Can't wait to return..... Yum, Yum, Yum.....
(5)Maria D.
Fantastic all around:) My boyfriend surprised me with dinner at this new Chicago gem on my birthday, and I was more than pleased! With a few modern touches, they managed to capture all the fanciness and theatrics which ultimately separate French fine dining from any other cuisine. Reserved, but knowledgeable wait staff (mainly men in pink sweaters... very cute:)) provide excellent service with the kind of sophistication that perfectly fits the overall ambiance. We requested a tasting menu (great value) and oysters (served in cream sauce with black caviar), sweetbreads, squab and soup, and was our favorites! Duck breast and Foie gras courses were pretty traditional but absolutely perfect, and duck breast did come with a surprise, it had a tiny little duck tongue between the breasts (my bf noted:' "right where it should be") I was also impressed with their elaborate (although on the pricey side) wine list. I enjoyed their elegant and trendy decor and comfortable seating arrangement (which is not unimportant for a long meal!) We will be back!
(5)Mike W.
Basically every element of Brindille gets high marks. The food, the environment and the service are all exquisite. The service was attentive and helpful. I never felt like we were abandoned, but I also didn't feel like we were being bothered or rushed. They gave us just the right amount of time to have conversation before ordering and between courses. They really seem to know their diner. The environment is lovely - it has a very simple and elegant look and is quite quiet without being eerily so. My only (extremely minor) complaint is that the table for three had one person on the short side of the table and the other two on the same long side of the table. It made it easy for the server to speak with all of us, but it was a bit awkward for us to converse. But let's get to one really matters - the food. This was an absolutely outstanding meal. The appetizer of short breads and rabbit was very well balanced and delicious. There were no wasted elements on the dish and it all came together very well. The beef rib entree was incredibly rich and delicious. The "sauce bearnaise and red wine" was delicious and complemented the beef perfectly without at all overpowering it. My dining companions both ordered the lobster brindille and I had some regret at not ordering giving how great it looked and how much they raved about it The by-the-glass wine menu fits well with the food and is clearly carefully selected, as it is short and manageable. My only complaint is that the chocolat dessert was very underwhelming - the flavors were fine, but there was very little to it. After such a delicious first two courses, it was a big step down. Regardless, I would go back in a heartbeat. It is very pricey, so probably best reserved for special occasions.
(5)Jennifer M.
Went here on Bastille Day with a couple foodie friends and we had a wonderful experience. It was definitely a little on the pricey side for what I spend on dinner but we treated ourselves and it was definitely delicious. We started with the veal sweetbreads and steak tartare for our appetizers. The veal sweetbread was very good and it was my first time having rabbit! My friends had most of the steak tartare as that's not really my thing but I did try a bit and it was surprisingly yummy. For my main course I had the Rib of Beef (the 2nd priciest thing on the menu) but I wouldn't have traded it for anything! It was so good and a really good sized portion as well. We had to do dessert of course and I had the Fantaisie au Chocolat because I am a chocolate fiend. Once again, did not disappoint! It was a very enjoyable dining experience, just a little on the pricey side. Great for special occassions!
(4)Michael U.
Items Experienced: Jean d'Arc - No. 3 Gin, White Currant Jam, Black Currant Caviar Semolina Bread with Honey Butter Prince Edward Island Oysters, Eggs Brouilles, Leeks, Oscietra Caviar Steak Tartare with Flavors of Rye, Sorrel, Pickled Mustard Seeds, Arugula, Quail Egg Dover Sole Meuniere with Rissole Potatoes, Watercress, Meyer Lemon, Horseradish Loup de Mere with Summer Squash and Blossoms, Smoked Whitefish, Heirloom Tomatoes, Sauce Basquaise Roasted Scallops with Uni Custard, Parsley Scallion Puree, Finger Lime, Dried Satsuma Orange, Cucumber, Tapioca, Marrow Emulsion Lobster Brindille with a Remoulade of Parsnip and Celeriac, Haricot Vert, Sugar Snap Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, Fragrant Greens Hand Cut Noodles with Foraged Canterelles, Red Wine Braised Snails, Gesier de Poulet, Fines Herbs Veal Sweetbreads, Loin and Rillette of Rabbit, Pearl Onions, Purslane, Golden Beet, Ginger and Cocoa Foie Gras and Saffron-Poached Rhubarb, Preserved Crimson Sultanas, Scented Brioche, Bourriers de Venise Tranche of Duck Breast and Foie Gras, Beluga Lentils, Belgian Endive, Scarlet Turnips, Cipollini Onions, Sutters Plum Grilled Lamb Loin Scented with Lavender and Orange, French Horn Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, Young Turnips, Sauce Gribiche Wagyu Ribeye - Puff Pastry, Shaved Artichokes, Vin Jaune, Micro Greens, Foraged Mushrooms, Preserved Ramps Fantasie au Chocolat Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis, Crème Chantilly Vanilla Bourbon pate de fruit, Raspberry Truffle Defiantly French in an era when such restaurants are few and far between dinner at Brindille was planned as the centerpiece of my first day in Chicago and joined by a friend at 5:30 it can simply be said that Carrie Nahabedian's second restaurant on North Clark Street ranks amongst Chicago's very best, a seven-course and fourteen plate tandem-tasting for $155 per person allowing us to taste nearly the entire late summer menu with not a single course falling short of expectations that were admittedly quite high. Treated to educated and gracious service with a table drenched in sunlight from the wide front windows it was almost immediately after a brief conversation about likes, dislikes, allergies, and intolerances that our meal began and with a decadent cocktail delivered complete with mother of pearl spoon soon in hand as my friend sipped his well priced Bordeaux even the warm bread and honey butter would prove exemplary, the following flavors of supple tartare with herbal aromatics and briny oysters resting in eggy pudding just a glimpse of things to come. Truly a restaurant rooted in classic technique yet at the same time happy to dabble in unexpected pairings of pristine ingredients it was with perfect timing plus portions amenable to plate-swapping that our evening progressed and although each plate proved excellent in one way or another it was a trio of savories that shined brightest of the night, the tender duck liver richly accented with notes of saffron and cleverly set against citrus while the lightly cooked lamb and a caramelized scallop atop savory custard courses proved equally impressive, the later amongst the sweetest specimens I've tasted to date. Without a doubt one of the most refined experiences to open in Chicago over the past few years but not once stuffy or uptight throughout the course of our three-hour stay Brindille is the sort of place that every 'upscale' restaurant should aspire to be and as good as NAHA was during my lone lunch there several years ago, Brindille has decidedly one upped its older sister in nearly all ways - a Michelin Star or perhaps even Two seemingly destined to come in next year's guide.
(5)Shardool P.
My significant other brought us here for my 30th birthday dinner, and I must say it was a great choice! This review is really a 3.5. Why only 3.5 stars? While everything was good, considering the price point, I wasn't significantly moved by anything except the Duck Breast / Foie Gras dish, and one or two of the side vegetables. I'm big on ambiance, and the ambiance and set up here was fantastic. To describe Brindille in one word: Gentle. The light plays well in the space as it peers in through the large front windows, but trickles off by the time you are at the back of the room, so there's a blend of 'evening ambiance' for everyone. The space is beautiful from the lightbox lighting, to the quiet artwork, multi-point lighting, down to the silverware. As for dress code, I would recommend wearing a formal jacket, or at least a well-kept dress shirt. Service was pretty much impeccable: attentive but uninvasive so as to keep the experience intimate to the guests ... just like any good French service should be. Our server recommended their sazerac, a favorite of mine, and I was not disappointed! One mystery to us was that while it was hard to get reservations, 65% of the restaurant was empty for the entire 2 hours that we were there. We shared these dishes: - Frog Legs, Blanc-manger of Cauliflower and Parsley, Ramps, Hazelnuts and Green Garlic - King Crab Merus, Tapioca Custard, Spring Pea, Cucumber, Pink Grapefruit, and Sauternes - Tranche of Duck Breast, Foie Gras and Wheat Berries, Young Carrots and Turnips, Watercress and Candied Orange Peel - Monkfish Tail, Burgundy Snails, Gem Romaine, Yellow Beans, Flageolets and Coriander Overall the entire meal was delish, but I felt the frog legs and monkfish in particular could have used a bit stronger seasoning. Don't get me wrong, they were both cooked perfectly, plated beautifully etc. but it was a bit plain on taste. Some find this to be the case on certain sister-restaurant Naha's dishes, so I'm not particularly surprised. Maybe that's just their philosophy and they feel any further seasoning would interfere with allowing the prime-quality ingredients to shine? Though I personally feel it would enhance, if anything. The King Crab was great, and all side vegetables of all dishes were really tasty! The dish that continues to shine in my mind was the Duck/Foie Gras dish. It was just so decadent! The foie gras melts like butter. It was such a rich dish I had to take little breaks to cleanse my palette and just reflect on the meaning of life, haha. The duck breast was cooked just right, and quite tasty, though honestly if I wasn't sharing it, I would have gotten bored with it ... it too could have used a bit more flavor. All in all, a great experience, and a great intimate Sunday evening dinner. They even surprised us and wrote my name on a special birthday dessert in chocolate syrup.
(3)Anna G.
L-O-V-E! Everything about our dinner at Brindille was great. The food was amazing. They were out of our chosen wine but suggested a wonderful alternative. I really liked the decor. And the service was top notch. Carrie Nahabedian stopped by and chatted with some of the diners while we were there and I thought that was a nice touch. If you're looking for a restaurant for a special dinner or just a nicer evening out, I cannot recommend Brindille enough.
(5)Angela Z.
Read the yelp ratings before hand, and I do think going in my expectations were a little too high; nevertheless, the food was exceptional. Just to get a sense of the atmosphere, as we were walking in a limo dropped a small group of people off at the restaurant. They also tuck the table in for you if you sit in a wall weat. The service was perfect, probably the best service from a restaurant I've ever experienced. I went with a group of three and one person in our party came quite long after the reservation time because she late from a meeting. The staff was really accommodating as the two of us kind of awkwardly waited at the table for almost an hour. They checked in on us throughout the night at the most appropriate times, not too much, not too little. A small odd detail but I enjoyed how the they explained to us what was in the dish as they served it. I could rave about the food but the menu itself isn't that extensive and other reviewers have already praised the steak enough! The snail was incredibly delicious too. Would absolutely recommend for a special occasion.
(5)Ivy w.
My husband and I had a lovely meal at Brindelle this weekend. We chose the tasting menu-highlights were the halibut and the noodles with snails, but everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our server Sophie was knowledgable and she and the rest of the staff were attentive and kind. The space is modern, yet comfortable. So why only 4 stars? The gent who greeted us at the door was frenetic and almost rude. In addition, there was a couple at a nearby table watching the Blackhawks game on their phone throughout dinner and commenting loudly. The same gent stopped by the table frequently and encouraged this disruptive behavior. I'm as excited for the Hawks as the next Chicagoan but wanted to have a nice meal out, not go to a sports bar. Turns out the gent was the GM- totally unacceptable. I would recommend Brindelle. We eat out often and don't mind spending the money for thoughtful food and a great experience but sadly, the actions of the GM and some disruptive guests soured our experience from great to just good.
(4)Fletcher M.
Leaving 5 stars means the top of the top. After frequenting some of the best restaurants in the area, I'm letting you know that Brindille is the best. What's more - my wife called this her favorite restaurant in the world - coming from a traveler of dozens of countries and an appreciation for the details this is huge. The tasting menu is perfect and the staff are exceptional. Say hello to Jude when you arrive, you'll never forget your dinner here, I know I won't.
(5)Susan P.
Lovely fine dining. Aperitif was wonderful. Recommend the steak tatar for those who enjoy mustard and the oysters for anyone and everyone. Roasted chestnut soup was, again, just lovely. Hunter's plate was unique and tasty. Careful not to fill up on bread and honied butter ahead of time. Had to leave before dessert, which was just too bad. Crab pour commencer was also nice paired with serrano ham.
(4)Ann S.
Lived up to the reviews. A delightful evening. Appetizers were amazing and my beef dish was scrumptious ( and large).
(4)Judd H.
Absolutely fabulous. Take negative reviews with a grain of salt. The entrees are super expensive, which I am sure rubs some folks the wrong way. But, it is not much pricier than any of the steak places around there and the food at brindille is ten times better. I had the beef and my wife had the duck with foie gras. Both excellent choices. Our server steered me toward the steak because I mentioned my fondness of French sauces. I was not disappointed. The duck dish - over the top. Duck was very tender/ not gamey. The three apps that are the most popular are the foie gras, the sweet breads and the frog legs. All great. For drinks, try the whiskey cocktail with the vermouth, cognac, etc. I had two.
(5)Jennifer M.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and what an amazing experience. Not only did I have the best dirty martini I've ever had (and I'm pretty darn picky with my martinis), the food was absolutely superb and the service is one of a kind. Our server was able to explain food in a way I never thought possible. I would go back purely for the server, but the food and drinks make it even better. Definitely a must go!
(5)Samantha G.
Food, service, and ambiance are on par. The lobster brindille is amazing and I also recommend the steak tartare for an appetizer. I would pick the cherry option for dessert (forgot the full name). The food is very well done and the portions are the right size if you want a 3-course meal. I can't wait to go back and try the other menu items!
(5)Jessica F.
The price tag on this one can be rough, so definitely more of a special occasion place, but everything is done well. Pleasant staff, very knowledgable and helpful in no way snooty or pretentious. The wines are lovely and the food is superb. Truly a lovely experience.
(4)Haydar M.
asked the server to recommend his favorite wines and without providing us with any benchmarks he recommended 3 wines of which we picked the first one, it turned out this was a $400 bottle of wine. next time, server should ask for a price point. because recommendations should never include a $400 bottle of wine. on top of it all, he told us that we shouldn't order desert since the kitchen is about to close and we were simply rushed out of there after paying a $700 tab for 2 people. never going back there again!.. very dissapointed.. felt like we were being robbed and shoo'd out of there before we could realize it
(1)Liz W.
Two of my colleagues and I dined at Brindille with four clients on Thursday 5/1, and neither the food nor the overall experience could have been more lovely. While everyone at our table raved about their selections, I can say from first-hand experience that the green garlic soup with fennel was luscious and altogether perfect. The Dover sole with lemon and horseradish was also fantastic. I look forward to dining at Brindille again on future trips to Chicago.
(5)Mimi P.
My husband chose this restaurant to celebrate mother's day. We dine at many Chicagoland restaurants including very upscale places. While the atmosphere and decor where lovely , the food was disappointing. It is OVERPRICED. The portions were VERY small -primarily in the appetizer category. The menu shows two coarses but I recommend that you order two and either a salad to share or a third. The food all came at room temperature at best. I have dined in France and other restaurants at this same price point and never had this odd temperature. Some things seemed less appealing at this temperature while others it worked well. The desserts range from $12-15. When I say small, I mean small. Don't share if you have your heart set on what you order. Unfortunately, I would recommend other 4 star restaurants in Chicago before this.
(3)John M.
This place was fantastic. Great atmosphere and a really nice staff. I got the chestnut soup which was great as well as the duck which was also great. For dessert we got what I believe was called the chocolate fantasy. It had a sugar glass outside that you break with your fork. Pretty cool. Pretty expensive, but that is to be expected from a place like this. If I came at an earlier time I might have tried the fixed price menu.
(5)Desiree N.
Definitely a must try here in Chicago and one of my favorite meals I've had in the city. My friend and I had been looking to dine and were lucky enough to get a reservation. The decor was beautiful, service was never intrusive and very professional, but the food...wow. I started with the crab. So beautiful and the flavors were exquisite. I then had the lobster Brindelle...this dish is a MUST try...My friend had the sweet breads and the duck...he also raved about his meal. The wine list has something for everyone. I plan on returning and trying the tasting menu next time. Congrats, on opening yet another rave worthy restaurant here in Chicago.
(5)alexis K.
This place is overpriced, the food is terrible , the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad This place is overpriced, the food is terrible, the service is unfriendly and they have now idea how to treat a customer that pays $49 on an entree. Don't go here. It's another one of those rip off places. Bad, bad, bad So as we wanted to leave the restaurant the manager came over to us to tell that he saw our Yelp review, which we posted after receiving our check. He complained that we didn't give them a chance to make it better. Sorry but was too late. And now here is the best. The flamboyant manager started arguing with us and calling me the boy friend of my wife of 10 years. He started insulting me, that I had a t-shirt on, instead of apologizing for the bad food. We go to restaurants nearly weekly and have never experienced anything like that. So if you want to spend a lot of money on bad food and bad service and get insulted at the same time, this is the place to go.
(1)Jay I.
This is a 4.5 star restaurant to me. Seems like the owner/chefs are putting more attention to this new restaurant since I saw them walking around, talking to customers (we missed them by seconds because she was with the table next to us as we left). We've tried: - Non-alcoholic cocktail drink: very tasty citrus flavor; also has citrus-y bubbles on the bottom which is quite fun to taste - bread with honey-cream: One of the best. I don't know how they made it, but this is a must try. It tastes like strawberry whipped cream cheese, but tastes a thousand times better. I also liked that they continuously supplied bread without asking. -King crap dish: pretty well designed soupy dish with king crab merus - veal sweetbread with rabbit and vegetable: well execulated; very rich sauce flavor - Turbot with black truffle: dish of the day I would say. Maybe it's the truffle, but the flavor was very rich and turbot was cooked perfectly. - Lobster brindille: it had solid rich flavor; the sauce had rich lobster flavor but not to the way to overpower the whole dish. - Cheese dessert: 9 different cheese dessert. Bread was too little to have the cheese with. - Chocolat dessert: pretty well illustrated. tasted well. Service: It wasn't bad, but I felt like we were constantly overlooked. Also, the server never explained us about the dishes we got except the dessert. He did that more to my other tables. So one, not explaining about the dishes upon serving at a fine dining is not really a standard. We would like to know what we have in detail. Two, discrimination? why is it so hard to explain us about the dishes if you do it at other tables? Overall, even though we felt like we were neglected at times (I don't know, since neither of us drink, which means less total cost, which in turn means less tip for them?), the presentation and flavor of dishes were spectacular, and it was just short of scoring 5 stars. Oh btw no special treatment for our 2nd wedding anniversary (Refer to Tru review for our 1st wedding anniversary). Not that it was a big issue, but I could not help but compare.
(4)Omar R.
Here's a French restaurant that provides an exhilarating and innovative culinary experience - without going "fusion" or wandering into the realms of molecular gastronomy. Just superb execution on nouveau French. The veal sweetbreads (appetizer) and dover sole (entree) are worth a repeat visit. And I liked the selection on the wine menu - though pricey (you'll be hard pressed to find a bottle under $130). Deserts are very good - adding the right finishing touch without overwhelming.
(5)Kari S.
The food and service here were excellent. It is very pricey, especially the wine list, making it more of a special occasion restaurant. We had the handmade noodles with snails and chanterelles, the steak tartar, and frisée salad to start. All were delicious, including the bread and honey butter too. For entrees we ordered the lobster and the lamb. Both were great! We ended the meal with the made-to-order almond cake- a must have!
(4)Carol K.
The name means "Twig". But you definitely won't be one if you eat often at this French sibling of NAHA that recently opened in River North, for the food was delicious, the ambiance serene and the staff pleasant, personable and definitely on their game! Brindille (I wanted to call it "Brindle" but I was corrected that it's more like "brawn dee"- that will tell you how effective all those years of French that I took were!) has been open for about a month when we visited. We went on a weeknight and since most of my party was running late- it gave me a chance to sit at the bar (love the stools but the bar is too low to cross your legs at it) check out my surroundings and chat with the bartender who was pleasant and knowledgeable. Given my knowledge of wines is best when choosing domestic and the list was much more global in nature, she led me toward a wonderful red that they had by the glass. Perfect for the bounty we were going to enjoy. Once our party arrived- we were seated by the manager, Jude (thought he was terrific- going out of his way to make sure we had a wonderful evening) and we ordered a wide range of things to taste on the menu. For our first course- we had the king crab with spring peas and tapioca custard, the fois gras and the steak tartar. All were delicious with each flavor complementing the next. I wanted to try the frog legs- but no one at my table was game so those are definitely going on my list for the next time! As for entrees- I had the lobster Brindille which came with little potatoes and mushrooms which was absolutely delicious and prettily plated. Others enjoyed their "saddle of lamb" (so perfectly prepared you could cut it with a fork) and the Dover sole was another favorite. For dessert (hard to believe we even had room at this point) we shared the cherry clafoutis which was like a cherry souffle and the cheese plate. Now this was no ordinary cheese plate but one with so many little bites of perfection, that it came with a list so that we would know exactly what we were tasting. The perfect ending to an amazing dinner. Brindille is a bit of a splurge. Appetizers are in the $15 - $20 range and the entrees average around $40 - $48. Add in some drinks and dessert and dinner for 4 was about $460 before tip. But if you are looking for that perfect night- where you are coddled and made to feel special- Brindille is the perfect place. We loved the simple ambiance, the attention to detail with the china, the interesting cutlery and the artful shapes of things, like the simple water pitcher. The staff made sure that we had what we needed even before we knew we needed them and took care in escorting us to where ever we needed to be. The end result being that it felt like they valued our business which is so critical today! And like a good restaurant should- they took my valet ticket and found the valet so that my car was waiting out front as I said my goodbyes. All in all a lovely evening out made even better by some terrific food, great friends and staff who care. You can bet I will be back.
(5)c L.
I'm pretty picky about noise and service and food, anyone of those can become an issue for me. This experience was in every regard top notch. Our waiter Rob was so sweet and knowledgable that two of us offered him jobs in our profession! I had the lobster, delicious...the gorgeous gin drink with purple pearls of pomegranate, delightful, Extremely comfortable, noise level, seemed tuned to perfection, not kidding! I could go on but you will not be disappointed and it will be memorable.
(5)Tracey M.
We dined at Brindille on an early Saturday evening before our show at Lookingglass Theatre. All I can say is, this restaurant is sublime. Yes it is a splurge, an utterly satisfying dining and ambiance experience worth every penny. I will definitely return. We started with the Jeanne D'arc and Boisson Adulte cocktails, oysters for me and scallops for my friend. The oysters were beautifully presented in a beautiful (and I'm guessing custom-made) platter, perfectly dressed in crème fraiche and caviar. The scallops were huge and meaty with a divine emulsion and uni custard. Our entrees were Dover sole and lobster. The sole was perfectly cooked with a scrumptious touch of delicate brown butter, with crisp potatoes rissole. The lobster was phenomenal, with an unbelievably flavorful stock sauce. We finished with the cheese course and the chocolate fantasy; both were extraordinary the cheese wonderfully presented in a clock formation from lightest to strongest flavors with quince jam accompaniment, and the chocolate fantasy was both rich and light, with an airy foam that complimented the dense chocolate mousse. Al of the dishes were very clean tasting, nothing cloying or overly rich, and pleasantly confounded my expectations of french food. Our server was wonderful, just the right amount of attention, and she provided explanations of the dishes which really added a lot to the experience. We felt very cared for by our server when she steered us away from the cherry clafouti we wanted for dessert so we could make our show's curtain. She even asked if I wanted to finish the black current pearls in my (drained) cocktail glass. The space is beautifully and cleanly appointed, not at all stuffy, and is very quiet (hallelujah). A truly wonderful experience all around.
(5)Emi O.
My new favorite French restaurant! I had the lobster brindille and scallops. Our dishes were all beautifully presented and the flavors were amazing as well. I loved the ambience and decor of the restaurant (plus comfortable seats with cushions). Our server was attentive and knowledgable. Overall great dining experience. We will definitely be back again!
(5)Erin P.
I had the opportunity to spend my sister's 27th birthday dining at the newly opened Brindille and it was was as amazing as promised. The decor was beautiful, the service seamless, and food perfect. Unable to decide on dishes we did the testing menu. At $150 each the tasting menu was a comparable rate to the a la cart prices, but provided the opportunity to taste so much more! Don't miss the oyster, crab, lamb and cheese plate.
(5)Eric B.
Due to a clerical error I rated this a four star experience; truly, it is a five star extravaganza of French decadence. Enjoy, with my blessings.
(5)Avital l.
Visited This new place for my anniversary. They got top marked for food and service. The wine selection is great and the dessert was out of This world. The location is on the small side so the atmosphere is intimate and fitted for special occasion. I would go back as soon as I can.
(5)Justin M.
Walking into Brindille, you quickly get the sense that if they put half the attention into their food that they do to their impeccable interior design, you're in for a fantastic meal. They put in more. I arrived at Brindille a good half hour before my party, so I sat at the bar and had a drink while I waited. The bartender was attentive and quick and my gin and currant caviar cocktail was refreshing. My party arrived and we were quickly sat and greeted by our server. We had been looking forward to our meal all week, so we were happy that he seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the food and excited about our experience. First up was some bread with maple butter that was delicious. We ordered almost every appetizer to share (frog legs, oysters, sweetbreads, crab salad, foie gras and steak tartare) and none of them disappointed. The oysters were phenomenal and the sweetbreads and foie were very memorable. The crab was delicate and well composed and the frog legs and steak tartar were also enjoyable. For my entree, I had the lobster Brindille, which was certainly the most decadent plate of the night. The portion size generous. You'd be hard pressed to find a more satisfying crustacean in Chicago. I sampled bites of the duck and sole as well. Both were incredible. For dessert, we had everything except the cheese plate. The Fantaisie au Chocolat was my favorite. The presentation was stunning. I also loved the roasted pineapple. The other plates were good, too. At some point I had the absinthe and champagne cocktail, which complemented my meal excellently. Brandille, having been open about a week when I visited, was very on-point. The meal was paced nicely and everyone in my party had a fantastic time. I'm looking forward to going back again; if they're that good after a week, I'm excited to see what heights they reach in a few months. --- Update: 7/24/13 Returned to Brindille tonight and ate enough with my brother to slake the hunger of a small army. Again, had nearly every appetizer on the menu and then ordered the duck for my entree. Enjoyed a cocktail and a nice syrah. The meal was so outstanding that I considered walking into the kitchen to kiss a cook directly on the mouth. Any kinks since opening have been utterly obliterated. This was easily one of the two most satisfying fine dining meals I've had this year, and considering the other one was in Mexico City, Brindille is hitting the spot in Chicago.
(5)Jackie G.
Delish! From customer service to the very last pickin on your plate. I had the Dover Sole Meunière, Asparagus Viennoise, Grapefruit and Lemon Balm and let me say YUM!. Also, the butter that is served along with the bread is divine. Truly enjoyed the ambient and decor - cozy, simple and elegant from the moment you enter the first door. Also, the bartender was also very helpful was we first had a drink at the bar before sitting at our table.
(4)Meredith K.
Everything about Brindille is great. When you walk in you're pleasantly greeted and the space is beautiful!! We were all commenting on how stunning it is in there. Except the butter knives were confused for sharks. LOL! Our server could take over for Morgan Freedman for narrating things. His descriptions of the dishes, wines and cocktails were wonderful. And he wasn't like some servers who say everything is great. We were definitely directed to order one thing over another. I think he maybe Carrie's cousin? Anyhow. We were having a wonderful time. The bread and butter could have been enough. I was super happy with that butter!! I want it every day for the rest of my life. There were 4 of us so we shared 2 starters. The crab dish and the asparagus dish. WOW. The four of us were inhaling it. The crab is warm and buttery and they do not skimp on the black truffles. It was like a truffle parade went by!! If you're having a bad day stop by and get this dish. Its a warm hug. The asparagus was also outstanding. The mushrooms were meaty and hearty. I like the fried squash blossoms and that duck egg! Creamy and yummy. Oh yeah and the asparagus was nicely cooked. Again I could have stopped there. But we didn't. I tried the signature dish - Lobster Brindille. It was just ok for me. It wasn't hot and the lobster was a little tough in some places. My boyfriend got the rib of prime beef and WOW - he said it melted. If he could he'd break up with me and date that dish. Its the #1 dish for him in Chicago. My friend tried the duck and she loved it. Another great sauce. And my other friend got the guinea hen which he enjoyed very much. Then we went on to dessert. The list for bourbons is not impressive but they had some interesting options. I tried one from CA that I thought was ok. My boyfriend tried the angel's share which I thought was too cinnamony for me. The chocolate cake-ish dessert was fun to look at, fun to eat and SO GOOD. It was like the starters all over again where we were grabbing for every bite. Yum!! Then we waited for the cherry dish which came out like a souffle. It was just ok - it probably paled in comparison to that first dessert. This was a wonderful meal and we had a memorable time. I look forward to checking them out again as the seasons change.
(5)Denny C.
Chef Carrie and Manager Michael Nahabedian, cousins exuding warmth and love of food, have opened a charming French restaurant one block away from their venerable NAHA. Brindille, designed with the calm, gray Zen tones of Naha, has a tight French menu, filled with classics one finds in the chic arrondissements of Paris. Brindille was not created to be trendy. This is fine dining, bringing back memories of elegance and sophistication, what one would find in the Sixteenth Arrondissement. Yet, dishes are created and served with no pretension or attitude. This is a unique combination and hard to find in the restaurant world. Elegance with a hug! The Dover Sole is oh so light, perfectly done, with a delicate turn. The Quail was cooked perfectly, well seasoned, and everything worked well together. The hand cut noodles were amazing, with great depth of flavor. While I sometimes avoid snails, I didn't even notice them, as my taste buds were rejoicing. The wine list has unique offerings in all price ranges, and the mark up was very fair. L'Oeuf a la Neige for dessert had me singing like Edith Piaf. I walked away from Brindille looking up, expecting to see the lit Eiffel Tower looming in the distance. Je suis heureux.
(5)Tracy F.
My husband and I went to Brindille for our anniversary/New Year's Eve. We love Naha and had heard great things about Brindille. First, yes, the restaurant is absolutely overpriced. Our bill was $280 for the two of us. We had 4 glasses of wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees and 1 dessert. That being said, it was one of the nicest experiences I've ever had. The server was knowledgeable about all the dishes/ingredients & drinks. He didn't shy away from recommendations and stopped by the appropriate amount to check on us. The maitre d' was also very friendly, as was the bus staff. The food: Appetizers: Fois Gras: Large portion compared to other restaurants. Deliciously prepared with a nice onion relish Cream of Onion Soup: Granted, I switched out the roquefort for parmesan, so I'm not sure what affect that had on the original taste. It was just a bit bland (but still relatively good). My biggest issue is that I like my soup hot and this soup was served warm. This dish kept the restaurant from having a 5-star rating. Entrees: Lobster Brindille: This is the best lobster dish I've ever had. By far. The entire lobster is removed from the shell, making it a hearty portion. The flavors of the dish were wonderful. I would definitely recommend this dish. Dover Sole: I didn't taste this, but my husband said it was one of the top two fish dishes he's ever had (tied with Roy's butterfish) and definitely the best Dover sole. Dessert: We had an almond pastry. The way it was described by both the waiter and on the menu, we thought it would be a cream filled pastry, almost like an almond croissant. Unfortunately the pastry was without any moisture, so it was super dry. It was served with a scoop of ice cream, but it didn't help the pastry by itself. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. We would love to go here again, but will probably stick to Naha simply because the food is just as good but the bill is about $75 cheaper.
(4)Apu B.
Experienced exceptional, attentive, personable service by Jeremy and Sergio who made every effort to accommodate our every whim with a smile and a sense of humor. Each dish was a culinary adventure that tested our taste buds and always pleased our palates. Cocktails, wine and drinks were fabulous. Desserts were varied and well-made but we wished they were sweeter (this seems to be an unfortunate trend in dining establishments across the city which cannot run its course soon enough!) We had the best seats in the house to appreciate the subdued yet elegant atmosphere, but no need to worry this was not a stuffy establishment. Great for any occasion as long as you embrace creative culinary experiences.
(5)Kenneth C.
Since it was our wedding anniversary, to celebrate we tried their tasting menu. It consisted of one appetizer, 4 small entries and desert selected by the chef after considering our preferences and any allergies. The food was outstanding! Each course was introduced by the wait staff. First we had the hand cut noodles with snails. We then had the four entries, Lobster Brindille, Dover Sole, Grilled Lamb and Roasted Quail. Each were wonderfully presented, tasty with wonderful herbs and seasoning. For desert we had the Tarte and the Clafoulis. Although both deserts were good, we would have preferred to try the Chocolate Entermet, Fantaisie au Chocolat or the Crème Brulee that we saw other patrons order. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Jackie G.
As huge fans of Naha, we were anxious to try Brindille and it certainly did not disappoint. We were very impressed to say the least. We ordered the tasting menu and loved each and every bite. Food was fresh and beautifully presented. Service was excellent and ambiance serene. We shall look forward to returning with more friends.
(4)Anne M.
Generally when I spend this much money on dinner and drinks, I tend to think, "Wow, that was really worth the coin". Brindelle was good, no doubt, but I'm not sure it was really worth the price. The small plates/appetizers (particularly the carpaccio, foie) and the cocktails are a different story; delicious, rich, high quality and very inventive. A pretty room; really striking light fixtures. I felt our of place in jeans, so be forewarned.
(3)Eric W.
Outstanding food; exceptional service. A real education in dining. A quiet find, but one of the city's best.
(5)Janet S.
After looking forward to the Nahabedian's new restaurant, we were both thrilled with the food but, disappointed in the service. The starters, oysters in a marvelous eggy sauce with osetra caviar and the asparagus, were excellent. I coul have eaten a dozen of the oysters. The main courses, French turbot and duck with fois gras, were outstanding in presentation, flavor and complexity. Our waiter was kind and tried to be informative. But, he is definitely in need of some help with his communication skills. Five minutes of superlatives does not neccesarily describe an entree, starter or dessert. He proved to be more of a distraction than a help. Also, clearly no one was paying attention to our dining pace. After waiting for some time for the starter, the entree then arrived within 2 minutes of us finishing the first course. No time to rest, enjoy a glass of wine, etc. Not what I am used to in a restaurant of this class. We'll wait awhile to return as we have confidence that the food will still be top-tier and the service will have improved. Perhaps that is why the restaurant was only half full on a beautiful Friday night in Chicago!
(4)Ann M.
Dinner tonight- I am giving them 5 stars because they were are the best restaurant I have ever been to that has only been open 2 weeks. The service--Jeffrey our waiter whom we remembered from a prior circumstance (and who remembers their waiter?--yes, he is THAT GOOD)--was wonderful; attentive without being obsequious. That attitude was prevalent from everyone there--they ALL wanted to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. But the food speaks for itself. I had the Guinea Hen with morels fava beans and sunchokes--because Jeffrey told me to (I had planned to order the Dover Sole Meuniere--will have to go back) and if i could have done so unobtrusively, I would have licked my plate. I wanted a pint of the sauce to go. My husband had the Duck with wheatberries--the duck was cut from the center of the breast and cooked perfectly. We had the King Crab appetizer--delicious, but we shared it and it was too small to do that--note: Jeffrey warned/mentioned that, but we ordered it anyway. Had the cheese course and some port for dessert; and it was a very ample cheese plate that we split--probably 12 small slices with a full range of cheese choices. Truly enjoyed the food, the decor, and the service. For those who might find NAHA slightly loud, this was a more controlled buzz and we could easily talk to each other. BRAVO--a wonderful addition to the Chicago fine dining scene. Cant wait to go back.
(5)Eric M.
As a huge fan of Naha - it's my favorite restaurant in Chicago - I am very excited that Carrie and Michael have opened a new concept and I was eager to check it out. My dining companion and I ate dinner early (6pm reservation) on a Sunday night. I'll start by saying the service was very good - I have no complaints about that. It was unrushed, very informative when asked to be, and very pleasant. It seems to me that with Brindille, Carrie may be aiming for 2-Michelin-star status, and I think the service component of that is on the right track. I think there's a little room for polish, but for the short length of time they've been open they're clearly doing the right things when it comes to service and I have no complaints at all about that. We started with the frog legs for him and for me the broccoli soup. I loved the soup - I think the soups at Naha are awesome and I"m glad to see that skillset made it here, too. The frog legs were nicely pan-fried. They came with a blanc-manger, which I guess they should be dipped in, because the legs themselves were only very lightly seasoned. For the main course, we had the monkfish tail and the guinea fowl. My dining companion ate the monkfish tail and it was quite substantial, with a lot of good, meaty fish on the bones, and a lot of flavor with the vegetables that came with it. I had the guinea fowl based on the waiter's recommendation and, to be honest, it was quite disappointing. My biggest complaint was that it was on the cool side of room temperature. It wasn't exactly cold, and it didn't really help that the A/C system was blowing cool air directly from the ceiling onto our table, but it wasn't what I'd consider to be an ideal eating temperature. It also seemed like a bunch of unrelated items on a plate instead of a cohesive dish. The monkfish had a lot of things, too, but they all interacted well together - that wasn't the case with the guinea fowl. The cockcombs didn't seem to add anything. The morels were overpowered by the cooking liquid and quite acidic and just sopping, squishy things - not the more firm, mushroomy ones I enjoy. I would not order the guinea fowl again - for this level of dining it was, in my opinion, a disasterous dish. I know they can do better, and I'm confident they will, but this dish, as served to me, was a terrible showing. Finally, for dessert we had the Paris-Brest of strawberries, and the roasted pineapple. The strawberries were very nice - we both enjoyed those. The pineapple was ok, although I guess I expected it to be roasted further than it was. There weren't any of the complex caramel flavors I would expect seeing "roasted" in a description of a fruit dessert. It was nice, it just didn't live up to what I would consider its full potential. But, for all I know, that was the goal with the dish, to be lightly roasted and still have some of those fresh, brighter flavors pineapple brings to the table. All in all, I will almost certainly be back after a few months to see how things are progressing. The guinea fowl was a real disappointment, there were a couple other things I think will improve with time, but overall I was satisfied with the meal. My dining companion was not an experienced fine dining gourmand, and is always complaining he doesn't understand why people pay so much for fancy food. But he managed to enjoy himself, which I think speaks to the fine service we received and that most of the dishes were well-executed.
(4)Nancy C.
This is a 4.5 star review. The experience was very near perfect. The space is lovely. Understated, grays, browns, blacks. Very large window up front, comfy booths and chairs. Lavender sweaters on the staff. The service was so spot on. Witty, charming, knowledgeable and efficient. Rob was a star! The appetizers were excellent. The hand cut noodles, chanterelles and snails for me---a heavenly dream appetizer! For him: the scallops. Also superb, much lighter and beautifully executed with the unique addition of uni. Mains: Lobster for me, duck for him. Here is where a minor slip occurred. The food was very very good. The lobster was plentiful and accompanied by truly amazing flavors. The duck and foie gras were beautifully cooked (absolutely perfect char on the foie). The slip was that both plates (meaning china) and the food were not hot. In fact, they were below lukewarm. Can't figure out what happened. The place was not busy. Our waiter seemed very efficient. The food just wasn't the right temperature. So, a little point shaving for that. The second issue was two gnats that were hovering around the table (made more noticeable by the impeccable white table cloth-love the beautiful gray napkins, by the way). Gnats in a restaurant, especially one of this caliber, are troubling to me. Had to keep shooing them from my wine glass. Wine?? Ah, yes, wine. Back to the positives. The wines, while expensive are really well thought out and quite good. And the staff is very very good at recommendations and their are some unique finds on both the bottle and by the glass lists. The pairings were perfect. Whites for me, white and red for him. Terrific choices by Rob. Champagne by the glass a bit pricey. OK, dessert. Dessert is something I sometimes enjoy and other times can pass on. I am SO glad we didn't pass. The Warm Baked Cherry & Almond Clafoutis IS NOT TO BE MISSED! It is light, airy, deliciousness. If the plate hadn't been so hot (funny, I know) we would have licked it. Truly amazing! I will be back here. Next time I really want to have the Dover Sole Meunière, one of my favorite dishes. And TWO of the Clafoutis!!!!
(5)Katherine H.
So good! Polished romantic, great service. You must try the lobster brindille!
(5)James H.
Brindille offers very good cuisine, but not sure it quite warrants the high price point. Our table had scallops, steak tartar, Dover Sole and the Hunters Plate, and the food quality was very good. Portions are small, even for the entrees, but that is not unusual for this style restaurant, however it leaves one a bit unsatisfied after a pricey, multi-course meal. The atmosphere, however, is not for everyone. My table brought down the average age in the restaurant by about 20 years, and this was on a late Thursday evening. Older crowd, quite formal dress and atmosphere, a little bit stuffy even, definitely not a scene by any means (nobody having drinks at the bar or anything like that). The staff however was very courteous and helpful, adding to the high-end dining experience. Overall it was a very good yet expensive meal but the ambiance is not for everyone.
(3)Khloe K.
Sophisticated, modern, elegant. Oysters were fantastic. I could of had a dozen on my own. I'm craving them right now as i write this review. I unfortunately wasn't as wow'd by the King crab appetizer, monkfish and guinea hen They were good but perhaps my expectations were too high. I'd like to return and try some other things on the menu .....and hopefully get those oysters again
(3)Joanna K.
Really a 3.5. Went to Brindille; admittedly high expectations given the great food and service at Naha! Had a drink at the bar while waiting for my friends -- had a gin cocktail wth currant caviar, which was strong and delicious! Started dinner with the oysters -- these were beautiful, delicate, delicious. Would order again in a heartbeat! Ordered the crab and the duck for main course; this is where the problems started. It took a long (long!) time for the entrees to come out; when they finally came to us, my duck, while perfectly medium-rare, was cold. I really really don't like cold meat, and that hadn't been mentioned in the menu, so I asked if it was meant to be served cold. The answer was no, so I requested that it could be fixed and heated appropriately. What a shame, because it was so beautifully prepared. My friends ordered lobster -- that, while tasty, was also borderline cold, which led us to believe that these had possibly been prepared correctly and then sat out for a while. My duck was then returned to me -- now overcooked. :( They did ask me how it was; I didn't want to complain again so I said it was OK. (yes, yes I know I could have complained again, but there's only so much complaining one can do in a restaurant). I appreciate that not everything is always perfect, but at close to $40/entree they need to be able to execute and coordinate well. (without putting the onus on the diner to be the "complainer"; I am not sure how my request was presented to the kitchen, but any chef would think that what was sent back out to me the second time was overcooked.) To the server's credit, he did "top off" my wine since it was almost drained during all the waiting for the dish! Dessert was divine; we tried the clafoutis, the chocolate fantasy, and the Paris-Brest wheel pastry (wow!) Food is top-notch; service needs some work for coordination. Not sure if I'm going to return; they need to work out the kinks first.
(3)Michelle G.
Amazing! This is the first time we've been to a restaurant the first week it opens, but this wasn't much of a gamble, given that Naha is amazing. Brindille is definitely meant to be a dining experience, but we had theater tickets so we had to rush a little. We had the king crab appetizer, which was awesome. I had the Dover sole, which was wonderful, and my husband had the rib of beef, also wonderful, as was the glazed potato concoction that came with it. We didn't have time for dessert but the Fantaise au Chocolat looked incredible. Quite pricey, but a great place for a special occasion.
(5)Nancy K.
We like to "graze" around town and get appetizers/small plates at the bar at a few places on a nice evening. When one of our favorites was already too crowded at 6:30 we aimed for the new Brindille. We never moved on. Chatted with bartender Steve and enjoyed a quick talk with Carrie N! We are fans of Naha and she has outdone herself here. Best Steak Tartare ever. Fois Gras, crab and sweetbreads made for an incredible meal.
(5)