I was taken to this restaurant for my Birthday a few days ago. It had a great atmosphere, our server was friendly and attentive, and I really enjoyed my experience! So...how is the food? I had escargot (garlic butter, yum!) and then mussels for appetizers. They were cooked right and delicious! I had the Cannard (Duck) for my main course...and wow...they know how to cook and present their Cannard! I highly recommend this restaurant. I am not a expert on French Food, but I am picky and know what like. This was it. All-around a VERY good experience!
(5)
Lila S.
Super good french onion soup, awesome steak with thin fries and their specialty chicken dish, coz au vin was so flavorable! We finished our evening with an apple tart that was such a delicious way to end the night! Owner is really nice by the way and is great at what he does! Service was awesome. We just moved to the neighborhood so we'll definitely be frequenting this restaurant quite often!
(5)
Jimm D.
Went there with friends and had an awesome time. The food was amazing and the atmosphere allows for a nice dinner, no rushing to turn tables. It's BYOB which is great. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Great date place.
(5)
Chicago G.
This place is amazing. Not snooty. Just wonderful cozy delicious food. Bring your hottest date or your best friend. Don't bring your kids. Soooo good!
(5)
Natalie C.
I would actually be giving Chez Simo Bistro a 4 star rating (a high 4 star rating at that) if the review was strictly based on the food. I went with a couple girlfriends and we shared a salad that was on special to start with - it had roasted pears, arugula, a creamy cheese, and was refreshing and delicious. I had the canard (duck) and it was cooked to perfection - well seasoned and juicy on the inside with a crisp skin on the outside. The restaurant is also BYOB so that is another point in their favor. The reason for the three-star (okay so it would be a 3.5 star, the food WAS really good and affordable) rating is because our server, while friendly, kind of lied to me. When I got my duck dish, it was supposed to come on top of creamy polenta (a big reason why I ordered the dish, I love me some good creamy polenta) - the duck was on top of the braised cabbage and had a little bundle of sauteed vegetables (looked like zucchini, carrot, and yellow squash) cut into matchsticks next to it. Our waiter dropped off our dishes and whisked off, checking on other tables. When I was able to get his attention, I asked about the polenta, as I hadn't touched my meal yet (I wanted to enjoy it all together) - he assured me it was 'coming' and then rushed off again. I waited for a few more minutes and then just started eating since I didn't want my entire dish to be cold. After I was nearly halfway through my dish, I again flagged down our waiter and asked about the polenta - he seemed confused and then said "Oh the chef didn't like how that batch came out, so we gave you those vegetables instead.". Wait what? Not only did they not say anything about the vegetable sub out, but he had definitely told me earlier that it was 'on its way'. I was very confused and explained to him what he had said prior (and it felt weird.. since ya know.. I was repeating what the waiter himself had said earlier)... he then said 'oh well.. do you want some mashed potatoes instead?'. I ended up conceding (since there wasn't really any other option, the polenta apparently having been trashed), but there was no apologies whatsoever from the part of the waiter for the very strange mix-up. I get that sometimes a batch of whatever isn't good, but I would have appreciated at least a heads up that there was going to be a subbed ingredient or at the VERY least not to be lied to. I'm a bit torn about coming back to Chez Simo Bistro since the food WAS very good, but the waiter was very strange. I'll probably give it a second shot in the future, but be wary of any other strange behaviors on the part of the staff.
(3)
Susan S.
I found Chez Simo in a BYOB search and had dinner there Friday night with a party of 5. Don't let the casual appearance of the dining room throw you as the meal and service were outstanding!! I had the escargots which were done in the traditional garlic butter style and good bread for soaking it up. The special that evening was Trout and I have to say it was the best I have ever had. The fish was light and flavorful with a delicious sauce. My friends had the duck and raved as well as the French Onion soup as their appetizer. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Ben B.
Holy smokes, the service is slow. I mean SLOW. We sat down and the server opened our bottles of wine. I think it was close to 40 minutes before he swung back. I started with the French onion soup ($8), which was good, but scalding. Help yourself to some complimentary bread while you wait for the cauldron to stop bubbling. For my entree, I had the steak pommes frites ($19). The steak was delicious, but heavily doused in pepper. I liked that, but if you're sensitive to pepper, ask them to leave that off. I didn't like the frites, however. Maybe I'm too Americanized when it comes to my fries, but these guys were tiny, hard potato shards. I had to blast them with salt so they weren't completely flavorless. It's cool that this place is BYOB, though there is a corkage fee - we paid $8 for the table (3 bottles of wine). While the food was generally good, I do have to reiterate how slow the service was. Our waiter was largely absent and there weren't that many full tables in the restaurant. Also, the guy coming around with water refills had horrendous B.O. The women at the table specifically asked us to put our glasses near the edge so the guy wouldn't lean over and release a death cloud of stank from his armpits. Lousy service and body odor? IT'S AUTHENTIC FRENCH! The decor leaves a lot to be desired. It looks like this place was a diner that went under and Chez Simo bought it and left most of the fixtures in tact. I would go back because the food was good and we got properly sloshed on the wine we brought. But there are enough drawbacks that I wouldn't go out of my way to return.
We called ahead to make reservation that day but were told that since we were arriving pretty early (530-630) we wouldn't need a reservation. When we arrived we were asked if we had reso and said no, we kinda got the sneer look by the hostess... we replied that we called but said that it shouldn't be a problem. We were seated. The food was good but not the best we've had. Its a BYOB.
(3)
James M.
Let's see, great food and a relatively tiny bill? Yeh, I love this place! I had the Steak au Poivre which was very good but the congac cream sauce was insanely good and the mashed potatoes were fantastic. Next time I'm going with the braised short ribs. This place is the best value that I have run across in the city in a very long time.
When you have young kids a date night is rare. My wife and I were very excited to come here at the recommendation of others. We made a reservation for 7pm on a Saturday night. We showed up at 6:55 and were told it would be a few minutes. We sat at the bar with our bottle of wine. We were never offered a drink or offered to open the wine we brought. While we waited there were two other couples that came after us, but were seated immediately. That was slightly frustrating, but were finally seated after a 15 minute wait. Once we were seated our service was almost non-existent. We had to ask for bread rather than it get brought to us. I had to get up and ask twice for water refills. I am really not picky about these things, but it was incredibly frustrating as we were expecting a nice night out. The food itself was OK. I liked my wife's dish better than my Steak Frites. Overall I would have much rather gone to Mon-Ami for the service, atmosphere, and food. It gets two starts, because maybe we caught them on an off night. If that's the norm here then it's a solid one star spot.
(2)
mark k.
Love love love! Can't recommend enough. Classic continental cuisine executed perfectly. As authentically prepared as any French bistro I've been to in France...which isn't surprising since the owner is French (who was even our server, giving our experience a very personal touch). The muscles in white sauce were as good or better as I've had anywhere, the lamb shank was flavorful and fell off the bone, and the scallops were delicate and fresh. Great care was also given to the plate presentation, which is somewhat uncommon at a neighborhood BYOB.
We came here on a recommendation from our neighbor as well as the excellent Yelp reviews, we were not disappointed. We arrived at 6:00 and there were only two tables occupied, as the night moved on it began to fill up. The appetizers consumed were: escargot, smoked salmon and two soups (Clam Chowder). Entrees: One Steak Frittes and Three of the specials which were seared scallops, kale, fingerling potatoes with a caper butter sauce. All of which were were very good and cooked perfectly. Deserts: Profiteroles, Bread Pudding and an Apple tart Drinks: Two bottles of wine (minimal corkage fee) and three cups of coffee Everyone in our party of four was very pleased with the food and the service. There was one server working and he never seemed in the weeds or was intrusive. We will certainly be back.
(4)
Jeff N.
I've given this restaurant a couple tries--mostly on account of the fact that my boyfriend & I love French food and it's so close by. While I don't have any complaints about the food specifically--I will say that the service we've received each time we've been there hasn't been very warm or hospitable. The last time we were in we were made to feel any request we mad was annoying to them--as was evidenced in the eye rolls directed toward us. The ambience itself isn't the greatest either. The smell of bathroom cleaner/deodorizer is pretty strong throughout the place.
My favorite BYOB for French food in Chicago. Food quality, service and ambiance deliver the goods at this establishment. My foodie critic Frank BYOB, put this place on my radar. The Ex Chef did an outstanding job with all food preparations. The escargot and smoked salmon appetizers surpassed our expectations! We tried steak frites, duck confite and short ribs - all were all on point. Ask for the au poivre sauce with the frites. Wow! Bring your favorite Cotes de Rhone or Burgundy and prepare yourself for a delightful gastronomic engagement. This place deserves high praise! Enjoy
We decided to switch our annual holiday girl's dinner from Tapas/Med food to French and since we always need BYOB, Chez Simo Bistro was shouting from across the room "COME TO ME!" So, we did. There were 12 of us all together. The seating situation is a bit peculiar. I think the space used to house a diner so for the intimate French setting is...well...it's...interesting. Anyhow, we sat down and one of my chicks was super hungry so she ordered ALL THE APPETIZERS. I'm so glad she did. There wasn't one thing we had that we all didn't want to lick the plate... Foie Gras - Soft, tasty, and amazing for the price Snails - I wanted three orders...for myself. Salmon was fresh and refreshing Mussels in the white wine sauce were perfectly cooked and the sauce with the bread was food-gasm Shrimp were garlicky and wonderfully prepared. I'd never had a Lyonnaise salad - but if they all taste like this one did, I'm a new a fan! I love this place because they have something for everyone: Steak, chicken, veggies, fish, pasta... Short ribs were fatty and rich. Lamb was succulent. Duck was cooked to perfection. I tried all of those. My entree was steak and mashed (I subbed the frites) and the steak was just really good quality cooked steak. Nothing more...nothing less. It was so satisfying. For dessert we had the mousse, crepe, and chocolate cake. We wanted three more of each but decided against it. All of this for 12 people, with tax and tip, turned out to be a whopping $27 per person. WHAT????????????????!?!?!?! I don't know how and I don't care. We're thinking this will be our girl's dinner for a few more years. I can't wait to bring my husband here
(4)
Helen D.
Beautifully prepared food with exquisite taste. Friendly and down to earth husband/wife duo that top off the dining experience. Everything is so fresh & tasty... and the ambiance is perfect. Decent prices for an exceptionally prepared meal. A true neighbirhood gem.
(5)
LadyBird X.
It is with great sadness that I must remove a star for this place. I moved to a different neighborhood, so I don't come here nearly as often but the last time I went their escargot tasted a bit off. It was evident straight away. They used to bring the bread out right away, but now it takes them a good 15 minutes after they open your wine. I still insist the it's great quality for the price though (and there are very few French restaurants in that area). And to those of you complaining about the lack of "ambience"... it's true, this place was a diner before Simo bought it, but contrary to popular belief most provincial french restaurants aren't "fancy" and they've done what they could to make this setting cozy and comfortable (as tacky as they are, I find booths to be far more comfortable and intimate). If you're looking for a super fancy date night then go elsewhere. I will still come here, and I encourage you to as well!
(4)
Cindy R.
This place is just blocks from my home and is a standard in our dining rotation. Casual french food with BYOB makes a great date night. Our top picks (multiple repeat orders) are the escargot and terrine appetizers, and for entrees, the duck confit and braised beef. Also the mousse and bread pudding desserts Last time I changed it up and ordered the fish of the day (trout) and it was fantastic, with a delicious wine sauce. The only dish that's been more mediocre for us is the steak frites, which we found fine but not memorable. Highly recommend going with one of the other entrees mentioned above.
(5)
fred g.
Wow. I am very disappointed in Chicago. C.S.B. is a classic French bistro with incredibly good food. Where are the crowds? the lines? the hype? We were there last night, for our 4th visit, and it was better than ever. The pate was one of the best I've ever had, the steak/frites magnifique (the frites are thinly julienned -- like eating fried air), the three desserts wonderful (chocolate mousse, apple tart, crepes suzette). The price point is excellent (and BYO means you save $40 on that $20 bottle). The service was by the mom and pop proprietors. Others have complained of slow service, but if you brought good wine and good company, what's the rush. Ambience is part authentic French bistro and part diner -- it really does not detract from the package (and it keeps the prices down). Seriously Chicago, how can you mob Le Bouchon and not at least try Chez Simo? Don't let location be a problem -- the time you save not looking for street parking or paying a valet will be well spent going to Ravenswood.
(5)
Kristina C.
Love this adorable BYOB spot. We live close and went the first month they have opened and fell in love with the creme brulee. We've since been back many times and not had a bad meal. The French Onion Soup is a show stopper. The Steak Au Poivre is amazing, Lyonaise Salad, Beef Bourguignonne and other items are too good to pass up. The prix fixe is a phenomenal deal, but pay the upcharge for the french onion soup.
(5)
Keith A.
Chez Simo Bistro is a real find. I came here with several friends to open up some french wine and eat some french food (novel concept, right?). The menu is more of a rustic and country style of french food. This isn't haute cuisine, but that's the point and is why I love the rustic side of french cuisine. I also really like that the menu is to the point and doesn't overdo things. It's a simple menu that is easy to navigate, but hard to choose what exactly to eat. Since it was hard to decide on what to eat, a friend and I decided to split some plates. The ragout with mushrooms was absolutely killer. Now, this ragout was loaded with butter, so I hope people don't complain about it "being too rich" as that basically is the point. That led into getting the escargot. These were done just how I like them(with a good dose of butter) and they were meaty chunks as well. For my entree, I had to get the coq au vin. This was done absolutely perfect. The chicken was tender and there was the right amount of sauce. I normally don't practically inhale meals, but this was one of those times and I have zero regrets about that. The best part was leaving here only having paid under $50 including a big tip. We ordered a belt loosening amount of food and it was all very affordable. On top of that, there was $0 corkage! That is always welcome in my book. Chez Simo is a real win on the whole and I really look forward to many returns.
(4)
Rob A.
Had a wonderful dinner here with good friends, two of whom are regulars at Chez Simo. I ordered an endive salad to start, which was light, refreshing and well-balanced with the inclusion of pomegranate. For the entree, I had the trout special; the cream sauce was a little decadent, but not overpowering. Next time, I will try the onion soup, and the steak frittes, which one member of our party ordered and raved about. I like this place; it makes French food accessible to those of us who are newer to the cuisine, and it seems to have a lot to offer for more refined palettes.
(5)
Jenny H.
This is a cute little French restaurant! If you come on Monday-Thursday, they offer a 3 course prix fixe menu for $25, which is quite a good deal. Our waiter was very nice and greeted us promptly. We both got the soup du jour since it was cold, and it was a mushroom soup that I thoroughly enjoyed. Large portion, too! Not just a dinky cup, but a whole bowl. We also were given some bread with cured olive infused butter. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the entree quite as much as the appetizer. We got the skirt steak comme frites (19) and the Coq au vin (18). The steak was a little too chewy for my tastes, and the fries were just average. The chicken was better but wasn't amazing or anything. The dessert was delicious though, which bumps my review up to 4 stars. We got the pear tart and the baba cognac, which both came with ice cream. Yum! Definitely don't skip dessert if you come here.
(4)
Jules H.
The Good: BYOB, $5 cork fee, reasonable in my cork fee log. The Mediocre: Sorta tacky left over diner seating and the food was only so-so. Okay pomme frites, a cheap steak cooked only half right. We skipped dessert. The Bad: Date with an old boyfriend, not yelp's fault, totally mine :-(
(3)
Chet M.
Chez Simo is a nice Tuesday night place to grab a bite. Stick with the pre-fixe $25 deal for a great mushroom soup or super healthy greens salad with dessert. Sorry to say this but their entree department is a little weak. Their food would have been great by 1990's standards but pretty average in taste, presentation, and value today. The French vibe is a bit compromised by the Formica table tops from the last tenant (a breakfast diner joint of some sorts) and the harsh French caberet recordings of ladies singing on the PA is bit loud and can get on your nerves.
(3)
Lauren B.
Went here last Saturday with another couple and had a great time. BYOB is awesome, parking is easy on the street or is very close to the brown line or metra. Inside is cute and the staff were overall, very nice. We had the duck, steak frites, and creme brule. 1. The duck was amazing and so well portioned for the price. 2. Steak frites were solid, but I'd say just a hair on the side of too done for a medium rare steak and 3. the creme brule was amazing. Only off part about the night was when our entrees came out one was wrong and while it took us a few minutes to flag someone down one of the runners said "oh this is the wrong entree isnt it!" and he quickly switched us out, so I'm assuming there was just a mix-up. When the waiter came around to apoligize he more or less blamed the runner. Fine, no biggie. Then we put in our dessert orders and the wrong dessert comes out again (for the couple we were with) and nothing was really said about it. I just find that a little annoying, but hopefully those kinks are worked out soon.
(4)
Anna G.
Came here for a quaint dinner date with my husband and loved everything about the place. The atmosphere was simple, cozy and not pretentious. A bonus was that it was BYOB. The food was amazing. I ordered Braised Lamb Shank and my husband had Croque Madame (it wasn't on their menu, but they made it anyway). Everything was just so lovely!
(5)
Caryn G.
No complaints about the food! It was nicely prepared and the portions were more generous than the typical french bistro servings. Of course the BYOB was a huge draw, and we appreciated that. What keeps me from giving Chez Simo a higher rating is the service and the condition of the interior. There was a bit of Gallic attitude that I find acceptable in Paris but not Ravenswood - I felt like our requests were kind of annoying them at times. I could've lived with that, but eating on formica, smelling the washroom deodorizer right when you walk in the place, then discovering the washroom wasn't particularly clean and then paying a pretty hefty dinner tab considering we'd brought our own wine wasn't my idea of a 5-star experience. However, if you're not particularly concerned about the ambience, and particularly if you go for the prix fixe, I think this would be a worthwhile dining choice.
(3)
Eric B.
My ears hear the phrase "BYOB French bistro", but my heart hears "I love you", or "Will you marry me", or "My parents are out of town this weekend" and I can't help but swoon. Chez Simo Bistro lives up to such a heightened emotional response. A BYOB French bistro is a lovely thing. Not because it allows you to skimp on the wine - leave that Two Buck Chuck on the shelf, you philistine - but because it allows you to SPLURGE on the wine at a fraction of the price. So dust off that Chateauneuf du Pape in the back of your closet or wine cellar and join me, n'est-ce pas? You will not be disappointed, as the food is excellent. I had the soup special - sweet carrot soup - and it was rich with creme and perfectly pureed to a pristine smoothness. Kelly had the French Onion soup and it was rich with cheese. For entrees, we had the duck and the steak. The duck was a revelation and some of the best you'll have in the city - the breast, cooked medium rare, was substantial in quantity and earthy and gamy in quality. The confit leg was impossibly rich and fatty, and eye rollingly delicious. I took home half of the entree and it made a delicious Friday lunch. The steak was good, if not quite as emotionally evocative (overcooked but still juicy). However, I would like to call out the frites for their petite crisp deliciousness. They are worth a side order if you are a frites afficionado and they do not come with your entree. I brought a young Chateauneuf for our dinner and the proprietor did have a decanter for it, although it was more a water pitcher with a narrow neck than a true decanter. You may wish to bring your own if you are carrying serious juice. The extra baggage is worth it, however, as the quality of food more than stands up to a top Rhone, or Burgundy, or Bordeaux wine. Because entrees were large and service was a bit slow, we did not try dessert, but they do have the usual bistro options. At some time I hope to be back tor try them. For atmosphere, French music plays softly on speakers, and while the space was probably a diner/greasy spoon in a prior life, the owner's work on the decor amply places you in a French bistro setting, albeit a humble one. It makes for a simple, and not at all unwelcome, dinner with exquisite food. If you live anywhere close to the neighborhood, and love French food, I urge you to eat here, both for your own pleasure and to keep the owner's dream alive.
(4)
Tim S.
BYOB I will give it another try because the French Onion soup was delicious. Service was very slow at times, and my medium rare steak was a little too rare. BYOB
What is fantastic about Chez Simo is that it is excellent yet casual French food. It is exactly the kind of bistro food you would find walking off the street in Paris without a reservation. In the US, French food tends to always be upscale. What you really miss is that amazing home-cooked quality bistro food that is so present in France. Chez Simo not only produces that rare quality, it is done Chicago style. They seem to have taken over an old diner and the space maintains some of that feel, with a bit of an upgrade. The menu is full of simple, classic French dishes that when executed well are mind-blowing. This will definitely become one of our favorite go-to date night neighborhood restaurants.
(5)
E. K.
Lovely - staff & food & ambiance! How wonderful was it to not feel rushed while enjoying our dinner! It's not slow service, people.... it's how dining should be! The food was delish -- had the escargot, the fois gras, the steak au poive, and crepe dessert. Plus, we requested a cheese plate for dessert as well....wasn't on the menu, but in a pinch, they were able to produce a lovely arrangement of brie, gruyere, rochefort and goat cheeses. My only gripe was that our steak had much too much fat in it. They ought to trim it back before serving. However the loveliness of the staff and the deliciousness of everything we tried more than made up for that. Welcome to the 'hood, Chez Simo - can't wait to return!
Honestly, this is the Howard Johnsons of French restaurants, right down to the vinyl booths, bright lights and bad service. I doubt I would ever spend my money here again.
(2)
scott B.
Really enjoyed dinner here on a Saturday night. We brought our own craft beer and were glad not to be be paying $7 a bottle. The Escargot were good, but I prefer a different style. The Lamb Shank was delicious. Dessert was great as well. Pricing is spot on with larger than usual portions. We are looking forward to trying their Prix Fixe.
(4)
Sarah R.
Our favorite neighborhood gem! Everything on the menu is fantastic and I love that you can BYOB with no corkage fee. The owners are super friendly and make you want to come back. It's not fancy, but it's solid. Highly recommend!
(5)
M J.
Awesome food and a real French bistro vibe. BYOB makes it that much better. Everything we had was great! Location and view isn't the best, but the food makes up for it! We have been there twice and there was a wide range of people and ages. Great neighborhood place that isn't stuffy if you you don't feel like getting dressed up but want good food at a decent price. It was honestly better than most of the food we had when we were in Paris.
(4)
Kris W.
We had dinner at Chez Simo on a Saturday night. It's a really nice neighborhood restaurant that is BYOB. Nicely edited menu with specials. The grilled peach salad was wonderful and my husband enjoyed his mushroom soup. We had salmon, roasted chicken, lamb shank and the coq a vin at our table. All was well prepared and plated. Desserts were also very good and the chocolate profiteroles seemed to be flying out of the kitchen. Everyone seems to complain about the diner seating. So what. They've probably never seen a true bistro in a smaller town in France. Good food and good value.
(3)
Brian C.
This was a perfect place to get us out of our restaurant rut. I had a good feeling this would be a great under the radar spot away from the high profile eateries in nearby Lincoln Square, especially on a Friday evening. The menu is very straightforward bistro fare. Steak frites for me, and my wife had the croque monsieur. Even better, it's BYOB. I brought a relatively cheap negociant Chateauneuf du Pape that showed well. Dessert was profieteroles and crepes. If we still lived in Lincoln Square, we'd no doubt be regulars.
(4)
Beatriz C.
I live in the neighborhood and have been to Chez Simo several times. The food and service have always been outstanding. Months later I'm still dreaming about a mushroom puff pastry appetizer. We've brought our 6 year old daughter to dinner with us and a smaller version of the pasta & vegetables has been prepared for her. It's impossible to choose a bad dish.
(5)
Karen K.
I went to Chez Simo for my birthday with my boyfriend and daughter. We took advantage of the prix fixe dinner of appetizer, entree and dessert for $25--what a value! We brought a lovely wine too as this place is BYOB, a great perk. We enjoyed the red/yellow pepper soup and salad to start. 2 of us had the salmon with julienned vegetables in a white wine, lemon and caper sauce, WOW. My daughter had the croque monsieur/frites which was equally good. To end the dinner we had chocolate mousse and a very nice pear tart. The ambience was nice even though some of the previous restaurant's decor was still there. You MUST try this place. Great location at Lawrence/Damen and easy parking.
(5)
T K.
The staff and ambience of this place is great. However, the real star is the food. I've been twice in the last two weeks after finding this place through yelp while looking for good byobs. The lamb shank and the cassoulet when they have it are my two favorite entrees. The foie Gras is creamy and delicious and even though I don't usually care for snails, the escargot is very tasty and of the highest quality. Highly recommend.
(5)
Katherine E.
Have been to every French bistro in the city, and we still love Chez Simo. Great value, BYOB, warm and friendly staff. Although they tout the coq au vin as their specialty (and it is good), I dream about the poulet roti, which is crisp on the outside, moist on the inside and deliciously garlicky. Scallops also wonderful. Simo and his wife are very caring, and very honest. If you ask what is good, or how things are prepared, they will tell you. The staff is good, if not super "professional". We live close to Mon Ami, and love it, but bringing our own wine to Chez Simo means we have as great a dinner food-and-wine-wise, at about half the price. That's hard to beat. They do need to fix the sewer gas problem, which really detracts from the experience.
(4)
Sam J.
My wife and I went here a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely loved it. We're lucky enough to have eaten French food in Paris, and our meal at Chez Simo was as good as any meal we had in France.. The ambience is nice and very relaxing, you don't feel hurried like in many other restaurants, and the staff don't overdo the number of table visits - just the right amount. The food itself was absolutely fantastic - we had the mushroom soup to start, steak frites for the main course, and chocolate mouse / apple tart for dessert. Every course was delicious. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough - my wife and I will be regulars.
(5)
Charlie B.
A great first visit here for some traditional french eats! The decor is sort of a decked out diner with mostly booths. We got there at around 8 p.m. on a Thursday and only a couple tables had other visitors. The server/owner? was friendly enough and the menu is pretty basic. We brought a nice bottle of wine and sat in the window. It's so great to have a reasonably priced French bistro around that is also BYO! Our bill was just under $80 for a shrimp and escargot starter along with a steak and coq au vin entree. We will be back for sure!
(4)
Neha M.
this place is charming. the food is exquisite especially the escargot. on new year's eve we had the scallops entree and i practically inhaled it. it's also a byob and the desserts are amazingly the best part of the meal. to wit, i love chez simo!
(5)
Victoria W.
Friendly service, tasty food, nice ambiance and great value. Chez Simo offers a winning combination even though they have only been open a few days. Traditional French bistro fare may seem simple, but it's not always done well. It's nice to have a place like Simo's in the neighborhood. Fans of Rendezvous bistro will be happy to rediscover Simo a little further east on Lawrence Ave. and patrons of Cinnamon Cafe will be impressed by the transformation (even though breakfast is not served). We hope to see some Moroccan influences on the menu in the future!
(5)
XOne F.
Went here on the strength of other reviews and left disappointed. BYOB is a plus, atmosphere was pleasant, and presentation was appealing. BUT the food was blah. My lamb shank was tough, vegetables did not seem very fresh, and my companion's steak was particularly gristly. Oh well.
(3)
Sarah D.
I'm kind of on the fence about this review. I want to give 2 1/2 stars but, since that's not an option, I'll give them the benefit of the extra half star. The food and service were both average. The lamb shank I had was a bit bland, and none of us (six total) had an "oh-my-god-you-have-to-try-this" dish. Dessert was closer to OMG good, but still not all the way there. The staff was cordial, but not particularly welcoming, and we had to flag down our waitress a few times for water refills. Surprisingly empty for a Saturday night.
(3)
Jenna B.
A wonderful place! Excellent food.
(5)
Patrick S.
I took my parents here last night. They're both snobs for French food and they've been looking to change things up from their usual places (Chez Moi, Bistrot Zinc, etc.), so this seemed like a good option. I'm reviewing it in the hopes that people find out about this place, since I'd love to see it stick around and improve. Overall, we were very satisfied. I'm giving this four stars for some excellent dishes, great ambiance, and reasonable prices on the positive end, but one bad dish and service issues on the negative end. There was only one waiter working last night. While he was courteous and helpful, he got swamped periodically and there were stretches where we wouldn't see him. Hopefully this place can get a liquor license soon so that they can make enough money to hire a second server, since the poor guy was overwhelmed. Appetizers: Vichyssoise - Creamy and perfect for a hot summer day. Beat Salad - Large portions and quite flavorful Foie Gras Terrine - By far the dish of the night. It was velvety, delicious, and a perfect portion. They could double the price and we'd order it again, no questions asked. Entrees: Duck Two Ways - Perfect doneness on the confit and the breast. The cabbage and polenta helped mellow everything out, too. Cod - Also cooked perfectly, plus the fish was really moist. Mussels - The worst dish of the night. This seemed like a supplier issue, since the broth was delicious and the mussels were cooked well, but the mussels themselves just tasted like they had been frozen for awhile. This would have been a really good dish with fresh mussels. Oh well. Desserts were creme brulee and pear tart; we enjoyed both quite a bit. We will be going back! BYOB definitely helped the price, but even with a wine list our bill would have been quite reasonable. New restaurants can sometimes be a bit uneven, but if this place irons out the wrinkles, it will be phenomenal.
(4)
Jeff K.
Went there with my dear wife and really enjoyed it. Good crowd there the entire time, but it wasn't packed. Perfect situation. We had the beet salad to start and both of us followed with meat. She got the special of the day, braised beef short rib, and I got the steak au poivre. We finished with a tasty apple, cinnamon and caramel dessert. All was delicious. So happy to have a good spot so close, especially in a dead spot on Lawrence. Close walk for locals and parking is exceptionally easy at night. Looking forward to trying the other dishes soon!
(5)
Mike Y.
I enjoyed this sooooo much. The foie gras was excellent. the mushroom ragout as well. The steak and pomme frites were good, but the mousse for desert was wonderful. I like this and will return. Across the street is a wonderful wine shop with a full compliment of great wines. This is a true byob....no corkage. you can pair with your meal..
(5)
john C.
Welcome back Simo. Glad you are back. The food and service are excellant as always. our table started with the escargot. perfectly done in the rich garlicikly sauce. I had the Salad lyonnaisse. delicious. The frittes were crisp, hot and fresh. Perfectly done. The mussels in white wine were flavorfully seasoned and the sauce was designed for bread dipping. The flounder special was light, fresh and wonderfully done. The atmosphere was pleasant, friendly and service was perfect. Welcome back Simo
(5)
Steph C.
We went here last night for Valentine's Day and were really excited especially given all the good reviews. The room is really cute and we were seated quickly (we had a rez). They brought us waters immediately but then we had a solid wait until anyone came over. When our server finally came to open our wine (it's BYOB- another big plus), he neither greeted us nor told us the specials. After the wine was opened and served, he left. Ok... We wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. He seemed to be the only server in the room. Maybe someone called in and he was in the weeds? Who knows, but a "Hello" and "How do you do?" go a long way in my book. After another long wait, he returned to take our order. He, again, failed to tell us the "du jours" and was not overly friendly... or even mildly friendly for that matter. That being said, our appetizer (the foie terrine) was fabulous! It was tasty, smooth and delicious. When our meal came (again after a lengthy wait), I was in love with my order. The duck was flawless. It was served with a braised red cabbage that went so well with the meat. Yum! So, you might wonder, why is my rating so bad? Just the service? Not entirely... it's more because of the little things. Here's why: my husband's steak au poivre was well-cooked, the sauce was amazing, the frites were perfect but the cut of meat was tough and fatty. He ate every last (edible) bite and and left a pile of scraps on the side. Had anyone come over during the entire meal, they would have seen it and hopefully questioned it, but nobody did. When the hostess came over to take our plates (another reason I think they were understaffed), my husband very pleasantly commented that, although it was delicious, the piece of meat was really not good. And this is where my rating went from 3 stars to 1. All she had to do was say "I'm so sorry, I"ll make sure the chef knows" and that would have been it. Instead, she just smiled at him, took his plate and asked if we wanted a desert... you can guess my answer. So, as a result, we will not return to this establishment or recommend it in the future.
(1)
Julie H.
Excellent meal. Braised short ribs, trout almandine and coq au vin were all top notch! Pleasant, casual place with elegant, high quality food. A must.
(5)
Matt C.
This is just the restaurant that was needed in this neighborhood. We were there for the early prix fixe, which was an exceptional value. The meal was all around very good; my partner's mahi mahi was just ok (despite a delicious mango salsa, I'm not wild about mahi mahi), but my coq au vin was delicious. The tarte tatin was just perfect with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and leaves of mint. It really did feel almost like being in a french bistro (though they need to hook up their espresso machine!... alas, we are still on Lawrence avenue). I will certainly be back!
(4)
Allison C.
For the price the atmosphere is lovely and the service was splendid, get the French peer-to-peer corn steak in brandy sauce and muscles for an app, great carrot soup.
(4)
steven c.
Yes! Spectacular little French place...every ingredient in every dish pure bliss. Escargot amazing and pomme frittes best ever. This place just opened and no doubt will soon become packed but last night it was quiet and we had a chance to meet the owners who are incredibly nice and obviously talented. BYOB with liquor store across the street. Love Chez Simo!
(5)
Steve S.
My wife and I dined at Chez Simo last weekend. We had a fine evening, and I am very glad that this restaurant is here. Chez Simo took over the space of a failed breakfast restaurant, and thus is the answer to (probably) everyone's main concern: "what is up with the tile floors and the vinyl booths?" Think "vestige of horrible breakfast restaurant", and then be very, very glad that this place took it over and is here for our dining pleasure. Why only 4 stars? Well, in Chicago, the land of 10,000 spectacular restaurants, I would have to say I have higher standards. If this place was in , say, Peoria, I'd probably give it 4 & 1/2 stars. 4 stars is probably a stretch for Chez Simo right now, but I'm rounding up because this is a great addition to the neighborhood and the staff was very nice. Chez Simo is a nice place. We shared a salad for starters (no problem splitting it for us), and it was nice. My wife had the trout, and it was fine. I had the Steak au poive, and it was fine. They are BYOB, and I brought a very nice Cote Du Rhone, and everything went well together. For dessert we ordered Creme' Brulee (my wife's favorite), and it was very good. Being a new place, they are thinly staffed and trying to 'make it work'. I applaud their efforts, and I would say the service was attentive and friendly. This is a really nice addition to the neighborhood, nice people, a relaxed atmosphere, a good value, and we enjoyed our dinner. I am rooting for Chez Simo to 'make it' and I hope they are here for a long time (long enough to replace the vinyl floor tiles, and maybe expand the menu just a tad ;)).
(4)
Pablo S.
I am a Ravenswood resident and when I mentioned that there was a new French Bistro in town, my sister insisted on trying it out the next time she was in town. Soon enough, she came visiting and off we went to Chez Simo Bistro, eager to have a meal at this new restaurant and satisfy our curiosity. Well, all I can say is that it left us with an impression good enough to warrant another visit before she left town in less than a week. We made a reservation right after our first visit because the food was awesome. The staff are friendly and go out of their way to ensure that you get exactly what you want or how you want your food done. It's also great the BYOB doesn't warrant a corkage fee and you can enjoy your meal and drink in a relaxed environment with no fuss.
(5)
Caitlin W.
Went here back in September and came back on Saturday with my boyfriend's parents who were in town. They absolutely love French food and last time they were in town, we took them to Bistro Campagne. Let me say that this was one of the best meals I have ever had in Chicago and they agreed. The Coq Au Vin was hands down the best chicken I've had. It was full of flavor, yet not heavy at all. The trout was prepared perfectly, served with a quinoa side that was to die for. My boyfriend got the Steak Pommes Frites both times we went here (so that says something!), but he kept coming back for more of the Coq Au Vin I ordered. His parents ordered the duck as well as escargot and they let us know that everything was cooked perfectly. They were very impressed. Ambience: It was clearly an old diner before Chez Simo. It's a normal noise level and a casual place, but since the food is so amazingly delicious, you feel like you should have dressed up to play the part. There are only a couple people working there, so it feels like you are truly in a restaurant in France. The waiter/owner actually told us how to prepare some of the dishes and gave up a few secret ingredients. All in all, I love this place and will be coming back very shortly.
(5)
Wicker W.
I read through a lot of the reviews here before I went, which run the extreme, so I was a little cautious. But all in all, we had a very delicious, relaxed, authentic French dinner. The owner, Simo, who was at Kiki's Bistro for years, was the only server for the room when we went, so there were long waits, but that is the French way of dining. In fact, we were savoring our dessert wine with the profiteroles, waiting for the check, and I finally went back to the kitchen to ask for it. Simo said, politely, he did not want to disturb us while we savored our wine. So the service isn't poor, it's just reflective of the European lifestyle. We started with a mixed greens salad and escargot. Both were fresh, tasty. The homemade baguettes (yes, he bakes them onsite) were yummy and plentiful, and we mopped up the escargot with them. I had the coq au vin. To be honest, I don't have a lot of experience with this dish. But it was absolutely delicious The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the sauce was rich and divine. It was a nice, big portion too, so I could share with my fellow diners. It is also BYOB, probably for the long-term, and Simo has invested in all types of stemware, so we were able to drink our bubbly, dinner wine, and dessert wine out of proper glassware -- rare for a BYOB to be this detail-oriented. I also liked the unpretentious atmosphere and low-key French soundtrack in the background, being rather sick and tired of being blasted with loud music that most new restaurants subject you to these days. All in all, a nice, relaxed dinner with a charming host.
(4)
Linda S.
The food is delicious and a huge bargain if you consider that it's French Cuisine! I've visited this place with a group of friends and everyone ordered something a little different, and everyone but one soul raved, even the Frenchman that was with us was impressed (he hated the fries that came with his steak but once he saw the bill he cheered up instantly:))! The only person who wasn't too psyched was the single person that ordered the salad - it was just a bunch of lettuce leaves without even a drizzle of dressing. Desserts however left us floored - we ordered seconds! I'm taking a star away because the decor was a little weird - empty bottles of wine all along the wall. Seeing how this is a BYOB restaurant (French restaurant that doesn't serve wine?!) and nobody noticed it in our group before coming in (and asking for the wine list like fools...) we suffered greatly, without a drop of wine with a view of empty bottles... Should you bring a nice bottle of wine along this place is extremely affordable and I will come back for sure!
(4)
Stephanie G.
This is very traditional French "comfort" food, but the portions are not too large; they are perfect. The food is EXCELLENT. I had the coq au vin which was so tender and flavorful. My mother and brother had their daily special braised short ribs and my father had the special trout dish. The service was good and traditional French service, so if you're looking for a quick bite, save this place for a time when you have time to relax and enjoy your dining experience. There is no corkage fee, which is great! There is a liquor store across the street, but there is a gourmet-ish store right next to Chez Simo that has a better selection of wine, so I would advise going there first. I can't wait to go back! at $20/plate, it is certainly reasonable! Great addition to the neighborhood!
(5)
Michelle D.
Went here for the first time on Valentines Day. I was so happy they gave me a reservation Thursday when all other places were BOOKED. This was a perfect little spot to enjoy the evening. The noise level was low enough I didn't have to yell across to my boyfriend. It was a full house but it still felt intimate. We both ordered the house salad and steak au poivre for our entree. Simple salad not over dressed. We both ordered our steaks med well but mine seemed to be more on the well side. The sauce that comes on it was rich and a little saltier for my taste. It was a nice size NY strip neither of us could finish our food. The staff was very friendly and attentive . Its BYOB which is great ! There was a cork fee. Overall it was a lovely evening and we will definitely be back again ! I walk past this place all the time not sure what took me so long to try them.Prices are very affordable (my bf was surprised ) . I can see this becoming one of our go to date night spots .
(4)
Candace A.
HORRIBLE!! They don't even deserve one star! All diners except for my husband and I were friends of the owner. I can only believe that's where the good reviews came from. I could write a novel about our experience but I'll shoot for cliff notes: Muscles smelled like garbage Lyonnaise salad had semi raw poach egg (clear runny white) and bitter dressing Braised shank was cold so obviously not cooked today Frites were soggy. Steak was paper thin, full of sinew An hour to get our food even though rare paper thin steak should have taken 4 min max and shank was precooked... restaurant wasn't half full! Walked in to restaurant in a good mood left cranky. Terrible service Wanted to really love this place since we own a home nearby and support local businesses. Not a chance we will be back. Plus,it still feels like a diner. A change of paint doesn't mask the ripped vinyl booths and weird stench. Try at your own risk. We felt ripped off
(1)
Harold J.
So, I don't yelp about restaurants often because I don't see the point of being clever. But, I always want to support a good restaurant. But, this place is amazing. French onion soup, salads lyonnaise, and mussels. All were classically done. And the creme brulee was the best way to finish. I've already planned out my next 2 meals here.
(5)
Paul C.
Went here on a Wednesday night with three other friends. I liked this place a lot. The food was very good and reasonably priced. I had the duck which was excellent. My friends had a short rib special, poulet roti, and coq au vin. Everyone's food was very good. The owner (Simo) was incredibly friendly and attentive. The only knock I have is that the tables and booths are a little small for more than 2 people (not sure why the tables are so small, but it looks like the same furnishings that were here before when it was Cinnamon Cafe). Given the turnover in this location before (Cinnamon Cafe, Rendezvous Bistro), I am really hoping that Chez Simo will be here for a long time - the food and service are definitely worth coming out for!
(4)
Liz D.
Chez Simo is a great option, but a bit over-hyped on yelp. After all the 4-5 star reviews, I guess I was expecting a bit more. It is good - I did not think it was great. I was there with a group, and we had a wonderful night, and most people in the group were RAVING about it. I would definitely come back, and I would probably come back often if it were in my neighborhood - BYOB french is kind of win-win, right? The restaurant itself is cute, a bit shabby, but has a nice neighborhood feel. What I couldn't get past - and I know Chez Simo can't control this - was a pervading sewer smell. (Have you ever been to a wicker park boutique on Milwaukee when it's been dry, and that smell comes out of the drains - that smell.) So walking in, it just not appetizing. But on to things Chez Simo can control.....we had made reservations for a larger group, and walked into a strange set up. The layout of the restaurant makes parties over 8 awkward (unless you have a private party as offered on Monday & Tuesdays). Our waiter was french - good sign; very attentive and not at all intrusive. The bread was forgettable (bummer as there are great baguettes to be had in this city) and the butter ice cold, tasteless (what truffles?) and unspreadable. We ordered the escargot, fois gras, mussels and mushrooms for starters. I don't partake of snails or liver but my dining companions were really happy; the mussels were fresh and tasty, but slightly overdone and TINY. The mushroom ragout was very good, but not something I'd fill up on. Entres came, and they were nicely presented, and large portions. I had the lamb shank......it was fall-off-the-bone tender, a bit over-gamey, and very underseasoned. It came with both couscous (the israeli type) AND garlic mashed potatoes, about 4 green beans and 1 baby carrot. Could have lost a starch and gained more veggies IMO. I also tried the steak au poivre; the au poivre sauce was good, the steak was just a tad underdone and again, underseasoned. It was not the worst nor the best strip steak for the price. That being said, I would like to go back and try other menu options because even if not great, good french is still pretty good, and they were very nice. So totally solid option for BYOB french, but more "I don't want to cook tonight" than destination date night. Oh, almost forgot to mention the desserts - we tried almost all of them, and, well, I almost forgot we did.
(3)
Christian C.
I moved to Chicago over three years ago and realized that I haven't experienced any local French bistros in the area. Luckily, I tried out Chez Simo Bistro recently with some friends. I found the food to be what you should expect in a bistro, moderately priced comfort food. Very tasty and with an accommodating wait staff. Work can be done to update the interior, but that is a minor distraction. What I will come back for is to enjoy the food!
(4)
Liz K.
This place is JUST what the neighborhood needs. I went with my husband last night and we already can't wait to return! We shared the escargot which was delicious! I ordered the Poulet Roti and my husband ordered the Coq au Vin. Both were outstanding. The service was great. It's definitely a relaxed atmosphere where you don't feel rushed and are able to enjoy a nice dinner over a bottle of wine. (BYOB!) I can't wait to take out of town visitors, family and friends back to Chez Simo! What a treat to have right in Ravenswood!
(5)
Phaic N.
Excellent! The couple that runs this place are very friendly, and the food is amazing.
(5)
Allison T.
I just moved to the neighborhood, and after the reviews on this place, my husband and I were eager to try it. I had the coq au vin, and he had the poulet roti. They were very flexible to get us in close to closing, however, the food was, well, I really hate to say this, but pretty bad. The coq au vin was over peppered, there was too much bacon, the chicken tasted rubbery, the carrots were dried out. I honestly thought they must source their food from a very low-budget grocer given the low quality. Also, there is usually potatoes or pasta or some type of starch that goes along with coq au vin, but there was nothing. My husband's poulet roti was dry and lacked flavor. The bread they give you is old crusty bread, and the butter was over chilled and kind of greasy. I really wanted this place to be great, but we will definitely not go back (too expensive for sub par food). I felt compelled to write this review because the other reviews were so glowing, and we had probably one of the worst meals we've ever had there, and I wouldn't want others to have the same experience. Do yourself a favor - if you're looking for a French restaurant in the area, go to Bistro Campagne. You will definitely have a better experience for not much more money.
(1)
Len W.
Local friends recently introduced us to this rare gem for our wedding day dinner. Our hosts, Simo Ely Yacobi and wife Rashida Kechab welcomed us with open arms. Within minutes, we felt completely at home. Along with Chef George Vega, they have refined an authentic bistro menu for their BYOB boîte. Our starters were roasted beet with walnuts and warm peach and balsamic salads, beautifully prepared and presented without the pretense of many French bistros. Our entrees included Cocque au Vin, Grilled Duck and Confit with polenta and red cabbage, and Seared Scallops with a vegetable saute. All were very nicely prepared. If you are in the mood for comfort food and friendly ambiance, you won't go wrong here. At this time reservations are not necessary, but that won't be the case for much longer.
(5)
Jeff R.
My wife, daughter and I had a delightful dinner last night. The room is simple, casual and charming, with Paris street signs, ads and travel posters lining the walls, including a cute blue plaque showing the address of the restaurant as "47th Arr. Rue Lawrence 1968". The food was uniformly well-prepared, classic French--steak and frites, poulet roti, cassoulet (a special last night that I enjoyed very much), tarte aux pommes, mousse au chocolat. What you might find at a classic neighborhood bistro in France. Despite a couple of the comments below, we found the service to be friendly and attentive.
(5)
Kristin M.
The duck was amazing, and the portions were small enough that we all wanted some delicious dessert. It was an expensive meal (for me) but I felt like they delivered and the atmosphere was very cozy.
An absolutely delicious authentic meal. Very reasonably priced, friendly and attentive. A must if you are looking for a good meal.
(5)
Susan M.
Chez Simo is a welcomed addition on a not-so-well developed strip of Lawrence. Hopefully it is the first of many new businesses which will flourish with the addition of the Mariano's and the streetscaping. Saturday night at 6:30 there were only a handful of tables to include a family with kids. It isn't what I would peg as particularly kid friendly menu but since it wasn't crowded, was perfect (if you can find something for them to eat). By about 7:30, it was about 3/4 full which was a good sign for a new place. It is BYO which is a winner in my book. We got a variety of starter-the escargot (BF was a big fan), asparagus salad, french onion soup, and salad lyonaise. All were solid, no complaints. Main meals were also good-steak au poivre wt frites, salmon special, and a short rib which was good. Dessert was a berry bread pudding and also received a thumbs up. The only negatives (not enough to make us think about not coming back) were the coffee not being hot enough and the service being adequate but a bit understaffed. We are looking forward to our next visit!
(4)
Duncan S.
You cannot go wrong at this great local French place. The restaurant is unpretentious, casual and lives up to the bistro name. Menu is tight with something for everyone, with the predictable French classics, reasonably priced and good quality. I had the steak frites which was a good size (at half the price of a Chicago steak house), perfectly cooked with a delicious sauce and tasty shoestring fries. My wife had the French Onion soup which was very solid along with a salad. The only let down was the bread a little mediocre for what one would typically find in a French eatery. For dessert we had the creme brulee which was delicious. Service was very friendly and efficient. My tip on the BYOB is to make a purchase before arriving, the beer and wine across the road is very underwhelming. It would be great if this place could get the bar up and running.
(4)
Melisa P.
Before trying out any new restaurant, I always check for what Yelpers have to say. I read only positive things about this place, and having traveled extensively through France, decided that it'd be nice to have a taste of France in Chicago. My husband and I arrived at 7:30pm, and were seated at a booth in the back corner. Service was extremely quick, and the fact that it's a BYOB was a plus. We started with the salad du jour, I ordered the fish of the day, and my husband ordered the steak au poivre (medium). The salad came out fast, was alright...nothing too special. Almost immediately following salad service, our food arrived. We had paid 1.5 hours of parking, expecting our dinner would take some time...but evidently not. For $28 I had expected a bit more than two filets and some shaved zucchini, but meh, it was tasty. My husband cut into his steak, and it was so rare it was practically moo-ing. We called the owner over, and he had no trouble fixing it. Upon return of the steak, my husband proceeded to cut into it again, and it was still absolutely rare. It was as if they had put it into the microwave, as the cooking was uneven. We called the owner again, and he apologized. Having both worked in the F&B industry for a large chunk of our lives, the standard rule at the restaurant is if a customer complains more than twice about something, you give them something new. Apparently at Chez Simo...they don't follow by this standardized rule, and proceeded to bring back the same steak, (at this time half was missing because he'd cut into it so many times), covered in sauce. By then, we were both turned off by both the food and the way the situation was handled, asked for the steak to be taken off the menu, and left. I've traveled to Europe throughout my life, and yes, service there differs than service here..but Chez Simo needs to step up their game.
(2)
Debra M.
I hope neighborhood folks and visitors who are shopping on Damen or in Lincoln Square support this place. The food is delicious and the service is friendly. Since it's BYOB, it's going to be a more reasonably priced dinner--but there won't be people stopping in to drink. So don't be deterred by the location or the breakfasty-type furnishings.... this is excellent food, with desserts that rival anything I've ever eaten in downtown French bistros or frankly in France. We had the Poulet Roti and a special short ribs dish, with one vegetarian plate made up for our diner with celiac disease. All were excellent and the veggies and potatoes accompanying the meats were great. The grilled peach salad and onion soup were openers and were delicious--the soup was delicate and flavorful, and the salad was enhanced by a bit of cilantro. Desserts--chocolate mousse, lemon tart, and creme brulee--were outstanding. Creme brulee had a bit of chocolate at the bottom as a surprise. Just really really good, and we were certainly not rushed. Disappointing to see it pretty quiet on a Saturday night though our server said business has been pretty good. As I said, this is not a corner that tends to be a destination unless you're going to CVS, so I hope people will give Chez Simo a chance. Even if you only want some soup and salad this would be a good choice. We will definitely be eating at Chez Simo again.
(5)
Naomi M.
Chez Simo Bistro is fantastic. The food is flavorful and authentic, the service is friendly and earnest, and the prices can't be beat for wonderful French cuisine. I love the hints of Paris in every direction, especially the music!!
(5)
Luis B.
Fantastic!
(5)
Susan M.
We have been to this little BYOB gem of a restaurant 3 times now and it never fails to serve the finest food! The service is impeccable. You are not rushed....only well taken care of. We love it here so much.
Friendly French bistro that's BYOB and located steps away from the ravenswood metra and Damen brown line stop. Lamb shank is the menu highlight, along with classic French dishes like coq au vin and steak frites. Don't miss the escargot appetizer. Great addition to the Ravenswood dining scene!
(5)
M P.
Finally, a great restaurant at this location! Really good french comfort food, and lovely desserts. Everything we had was delicious - salmon, coq au vin, and desserts. The chocolate mousse is very good - the real deal! BYOB - there's a liquor store across the street with some decent options. Service was great.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Brandon B.
I was taken to this restaurant for my Birthday a few days ago. It had a great atmosphere, our server was friendly and attentive, and I really enjoyed my experience! So...how is the food? I had escargot (garlic butter, yum!) and then mussels for appetizers. They were cooked right and delicious! I had the Cannard (Duck) for my main course...and wow...they know how to cook and present their Cannard! I highly recommend this restaurant. I am not a expert on French Food, but I am picky and know what like. This was it. All-around a VERY good experience!
(5)Lila S.
Super good french onion soup, awesome steak with thin fries and their specialty chicken dish, coz au vin was so flavorable! We finished our evening with an apple tart that was such a delicious way to end the night! Owner is really nice by the way and is great at what he does! Service was awesome. We just moved to the neighborhood so we'll definitely be frequenting this restaurant quite often!
(5)Jimm D.
Went there with friends and had an awesome time. The food was amazing and the atmosphere allows for a nice dinner, no rushing to turn tables. It's BYOB which is great. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Great date place.
(5)Chicago G.
This place is amazing. Not snooty. Just wonderful cozy delicious food. Bring your hottest date or your best friend. Don't bring your kids. Soooo good!
(5)Natalie C.
I would actually be giving Chez Simo Bistro a 4 star rating (a high 4 star rating at that) if the review was strictly based on the food. I went with a couple girlfriends and we shared a salad that was on special to start with - it had roasted pears, arugula, a creamy cheese, and was refreshing and delicious. I had the canard (duck) and it was cooked to perfection - well seasoned and juicy on the inside with a crisp skin on the outside. The restaurant is also BYOB so that is another point in their favor. The reason for the three-star (okay so it would be a 3.5 star, the food WAS really good and affordable) rating is because our server, while friendly, kind of lied to me. When I got my duck dish, it was supposed to come on top of creamy polenta (a big reason why I ordered the dish, I love me some good creamy polenta) - the duck was on top of the braised cabbage and had a little bundle of sauteed vegetables (looked like zucchini, carrot, and yellow squash) cut into matchsticks next to it. Our waiter dropped off our dishes and whisked off, checking on other tables. When I was able to get his attention, I asked about the polenta, as I hadn't touched my meal yet (I wanted to enjoy it all together) - he assured me it was 'coming' and then rushed off again. I waited for a few more minutes and then just started eating since I didn't want my entire dish to be cold. After I was nearly halfway through my dish, I again flagged down our waiter and asked about the polenta - he seemed confused and then said "Oh the chef didn't like how that batch came out, so we gave you those vegetables instead.". Wait what? Not only did they not say anything about the vegetable sub out, but he had definitely told me earlier that it was 'on its way'. I was very confused and explained to him what he had said prior (and it felt weird.. since ya know.. I was repeating what the waiter himself had said earlier)... he then said 'oh well.. do you want some mashed potatoes instead?'. I ended up conceding (since there wasn't really any other option, the polenta apparently having been trashed), but there was no apologies whatsoever from the part of the waiter for the very strange mix-up. I get that sometimes a batch of whatever isn't good, but I would have appreciated at least a heads up that there was going to be a subbed ingredient or at the VERY least not to be lied to. I'm a bit torn about coming back to Chez Simo Bistro since the food WAS very good, but the waiter was very strange. I'll probably give it a second shot in the future, but be wary of any other strange behaviors on the part of the staff.
(3)Susan S.
I found Chez Simo in a BYOB search and had dinner there Friday night with a party of 5. Don't let the casual appearance of the dining room throw you as the meal and service were outstanding!! I had the escargots which were done in the traditional garlic butter style and good bread for soaking it up. The special that evening was Trout and I have to say it was the best I have ever had. The fish was light and flavorful with a delicious sauce. My friends had the duck and raved as well as the French Onion soup as their appetizer. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Ben B.
Holy smokes, the service is slow. I mean SLOW. We sat down and the server opened our bottles of wine. I think it was close to 40 minutes before he swung back. I started with the French onion soup ($8), which was good, but scalding. Help yourself to some complimentary bread while you wait for the cauldron to stop bubbling. For my entree, I had the steak pommes frites ($19). The steak was delicious, but heavily doused in pepper. I liked that, but if you're sensitive to pepper, ask them to leave that off. I didn't like the frites, however. Maybe I'm too Americanized when it comes to my fries, but these guys were tiny, hard potato shards. I had to blast them with salt so they weren't completely flavorless. It's cool that this place is BYOB, though there is a corkage fee - we paid $8 for the table (3 bottles of wine). While the food was generally good, I do have to reiterate how slow the service was. Our waiter was largely absent and there weren't that many full tables in the restaurant. Also, the guy coming around with water refills had horrendous B.O. The women at the table specifically asked us to put our glasses near the edge so the guy wouldn't lean over and release a death cloud of stank from his armpits. Lousy service and body odor? IT'S AUTHENTIC FRENCH! The decor leaves a lot to be desired. It looks like this place was a diner that went under and Chez Simo bought it and left most of the fixtures in tact. I would go back because the food was good and we got properly sloshed on the wine we brought. But there are enough drawbacks that I wouldn't go out of my way to return.
(3)Jennifer S.
Wonderful BYOB French bistro! The waiters are French. Many of those dining are French. Just a lovely place to have good, classic, surprisingly large portions of French food served in a casual, unpretentious atmosphere. We had the poisson du jour which was trout - prepared perfectly and served on a large bed of vegetables. We also had the braised beef short rib - also excellent. We plan on returning for the prix fix early dining special: $25 for your choice of appetizer, entrée and a dessert.
(4)Issy G.
We called ahead to make reservation that day but were told that since we were arriving pretty early (530-630) we wouldn't need a reservation. When we arrived we were asked if we had reso and said no, we kinda got the sneer look by the hostess... we replied that we called but said that it shouldn't be a problem. We were seated. The food was good but not the best we've had. Its a BYOB.
(3)James M.
Let's see, great food and a relatively tiny bill? Yeh, I love this place! I had the Steak au Poivre which was very good but the congac cream sauce was insanely good and the mashed potatoes were fantastic. Next time I'm going with the braised short ribs. This place is the best value that I have run across in the city in a very long time.
(5)Holly M.
This has become our go-to neighborhood fine dining restaurant in a casual but sincerely French atmosphere. Edith playing in the background, low lighting, lovely French bistro decor sets the stage for what will be one of the best simple French meals you will ever have. Coq a vin done in the most authentic way, pomme frites that will demand you have another round, and specials that surprise and make your mouth water. Tonight we shared dinner with six friends. The host Simo treated us like family, sharing our jokes, recommending his favorites and opening our wine. Our starters ranged from the awesome mushroom soup to the mussels in a wine sauce that was fought over for bread dipping. Main courses were coq a vin, melt in your mouth chicken in a savory sauce, pork loin in a blueberry reduction with spinach, cut it with a fork steak and the special, salmon in beurre blanc sauce...rave reviews from the table And what can be better than French desserts. Tarte Tatin, creme brûlée, profiteroles, and the best Napoleon EVER! Please, please don't miss this hidden gem. Read the history of the owners, stop in for a bite and you'll fall in love. Face away from the windows and you'll be in Paris for the evening!
(5)Luke S.
When you have young kids a date night is rare. My wife and I were very excited to come here at the recommendation of others. We made a reservation for 7pm on a Saturday night. We showed up at 6:55 and were told it would be a few minutes. We sat at the bar with our bottle of wine. We were never offered a drink or offered to open the wine we brought. While we waited there were two other couples that came after us, but were seated immediately. That was slightly frustrating, but were finally seated after a 15 minute wait. Once we were seated our service was almost non-existent. We had to ask for bread rather than it get brought to us. I had to get up and ask twice for water refills. I am really not picky about these things, but it was incredibly frustrating as we were expecting a nice night out. The food itself was OK. I liked my wife's dish better than my Steak Frites. Overall I would have much rather gone to Mon-Ami for the service, atmosphere, and food. It gets two starts, because maybe we caught them on an off night. If that's the norm here then it's a solid one star spot.
(2)mark k.
Love love love! Can't recommend enough. Classic continental cuisine executed perfectly. As authentically prepared as any French bistro I've been to in France...which isn't surprising since the owner is French (who was even our server, giving our experience a very personal touch). The muscles in white sauce were as good or better as I've had anywhere, the lamb shank was flavorful and fell off the bone, and the scallops were delicate and fresh. Great care was also given to the plate presentation, which is somewhat uncommon at a neighborhood BYOB.
(5)Lisa M.
Visited last evening for a date nite. My husband and I were so impressed. The owner, also server, added to the charm of the evening! The food was outstanding. We had the shrimp appetizer and went through two baskets of bread so we could sop up the sauce. The foie gras melted in our mouths and had wonderful flavor. The special grilled peach salad was very flavorful and light. I ordered the trout which was prepared perfectly and my husband had the duck and he devoured it. We ordered the creme brûlée and the warm blueberry bread pudding, both very yummy. After enjoying our dinner so much, we will definitely go back. It helps that it's within walking distance of our home!
(5)Gary B.
We came here on a recommendation from our neighbor as well as the excellent Yelp reviews, we were not disappointed. We arrived at 6:00 and there were only two tables occupied, as the night moved on it began to fill up. The appetizers consumed were: escargot, smoked salmon and two soups (Clam Chowder). Entrees: One Steak Frittes and Three of the specials which were seared scallops, kale, fingerling potatoes with a caper butter sauce. All of which were were very good and cooked perfectly. Deserts: Profiteroles, Bread Pudding and an Apple tart Drinks: Two bottles of wine (minimal corkage fee) and three cups of coffee Everyone in our party of four was very pleased with the food and the service. There was one server working and he never seemed in the weeds or was intrusive. We will certainly be back.
(4)Jeff N.
I've given this restaurant a couple tries--mostly on account of the fact that my boyfriend & I love French food and it's so close by. While I don't have any complaints about the food specifically--I will say that the service we've received each time we've been there hasn't been very warm or hospitable. The last time we were in we were made to feel any request we mad was annoying to them--as was evidenced in the eye rolls directed toward us. The ambience itself isn't the greatest either. The smell of bathroom cleaner/deodorizer is pretty strong throughout the place.
(2)Courtney J.
I love this place and even more so that its in the neighborhood. Servers were attentive without being pushy, my steak was cooked perfectly, the creme brûlée was magic (has a touch of chocolate in it) I have every intention of coming back and bringing friends!
(5)Tom S.
My favorite BYOB for French food in Chicago. Food quality, service and ambiance deliver the goods at this establishment. My foodie critic Frank BYOB, put this place on my radar. The Ex Chef did an outstanding job with all food preparations. The escargot and smoked salmon appetizers surpassed our expectations! We tried steak frites, duck confite and short ribs - all were all on point. Ask for the au poivre sauce with the frites. Wow! Bring your favorite Cotes de Rhone or Burgundy and prepare yourself for a delightful gastronomic engagement. This place deserves high praise! Enjoy
(4)Michael S.
More like Chez-Say-NO.. it was good, nothing great. I had the asparagus salad, which was nothing extraordinary. Mushroom soup was really good. I and the coq au vin.. It was mediocre. The 'au vin' part was too salty and not enough chicken in the dish to justify the price. My partner had the braised short ribs.. that was really good. Highly recommend that. For dessert, creme brûlée which I thought was pretty good and the apple tart, which my partner thought was really good. It is closer to a 3.5, but dropped to a 3 for service (and was close to getting a 2). Though they did get crowded, no excuse for not getting coffee with the dessert I ordered or having to wait repeatedly for the check. Further, never came and checked on how our entrees or desserts were. Place is BYOB so IF you feel like you must go (and this isn't a MUST GO kinda place) bring a bottle of vino. Good choices at the liquor store right across the street.
(3)julie q.
We decided to switch our annual holiday girl's dinner from Tapas/Med food to French and since we always need BYOB, Chez Simo Bistro was shouting from across the room "COME TO ME!" So, we did. There were 12 of us all together. The seating situation is a bit peculiar. I think the space used to house a diner so for the intimate French setting is...well...it's...interesting. Anyhow, we sat down and one of my chicks was super hungry so she ordered ALL THE APPETIZERS. I'm so glad she did. There wasn't one thing we had that we all didn't want to lick the plate... Foie Gras - Soft, tasty, and amazing for the price Snails - I wanted three orders...for myself. Salmon was fresh and refreshing Mussels in the white wine sauce were perfectly cooked and the sauce with the bread was food-gasm Shrimp were garlicky and wonderfully prepared. I'd never had a Lyonnaise salad - but if they all taste like this one did, I'm a new a fan! I love this place because they have something for everyone: Steak, chicken, veggies, fish, pasta... Short ribs were fatty and rich. Lamb was succulent. Duck was cooked to perfection. I tried all of those. My entree was steak and mashed (I subbed the frites) and the steak was just really good quality cooked steak. Nothing more...nothing less. It was so satisfying. For dessert we had the mousse, crepe, and chocolate cake. We wanted three more of each but decided against it. All of this for 12 people, with tax and tip, turned out to be a whopping $27 per person. WHAT????????????????!?!?!?! I don't know how and I don't care. We're thinking this will be our girl's dinner for a few more years. I can't wait to bring my husband here
(4)Helen D.
Beautifully prepared food with exquisite taste. Friendly and down to earth husband/wife duo that top off the dining experience. Everything is so fresh & tasty... and the ambiance is perfect. Decent prices for an exceptionally prepared meal. A true neighbirhood gem.
(5)LadyBird X.
It is with great sadness that I must remove a star for this place. I moved to a different neighborhood, so I don't come here nearly as often but the last time I went their escargot tasted a bit off. It was evident straight away. They used to bring the bread out right away, but now it takes them a good 15 minutes after they open your wine. I still insist the it's great quality for the price though (and there are very few French restaurants in that area). And to those of you complaining about the lack of "ambience"... it's true, this place was a diner before Simo bought it, but contrary to popular belief most provincial french restaurants aren't "fancy" and they've done what they could to make this setting cozy and comfortable (as tacky as they are, I find booths to be far more comfortable and intimate). If you're looking for a super fancy date night then go elsewhere. I will still come here, and I encourage you to as well!
(4)Cindy R.
This place is just blocks from my home and is a standard in our dining rotation. Casual french food with BYOB makes a great date night. Our top picks (multiple repeat orders) are the escargot and terrine appetizers, and for entrees, the duck confit and braised beef. Also the mousse and bread pudding desserts Last time I changed it up and ordered the fish of the day (trout) and it was fantastic, with a delicious wine sauce. The only dish that's been more mediocre for us is the steak frites, which we found fine but not memorable. Highly recommend going with one of the other entrees mentioned above.
(5)fred g.
Wow. I am very disappointed in Chicago. C.S.B. is a classic French bistro with incredibly good food. Where are the crowds? the lines? the hype? We were there last night, for our 4th visit, and it was better than ever. The pate was one of the best I've ever had, the steak/frites magnifique (the frites are thinly julienned -- like eating fried air), the three desserts wonderful (chocolate mousse, apple tart, crepes suzette). The price point is excellent (and BYO means you save $40 on that $20 bottle). The service was by the mom and pop proprietors. Others have complained of slow service, but if you brought good wine and good company, what's the rush. Ambience is part authentic French bistro and part diner -- it really does not detract from the package (and it keeps the prices down). Seriously Chicago, how can you mob Le Bouchon and not at least try Chez Simo? Don't let location be a problem -- the time you save not looking for street parking or paying a valet will be well spent going to Ravenswood.
(5)Kristina C.
Love this adorable BYOB spot. We live close and went the first month they have opened and fell in love with the creme brulee. We've since been back many times and not had a bad meal. The French Onion Soup is a show stopper. The Steak Au Poivre is amazing, Lyonaise Salad, Beef Bourguignonne and other items are too good to pass up. The prix fixe is a phenomenal deal, but pay the upcharge for the french onion soup.
(5)Keith A.
Chez Simo Bistro is a real find. I came here with several friends to open up some french wine and eat some french food (novel concept, right?). The menu is more of a rustic and country style of french food. This isn't haute cuisine, but that's the point and is why I love the rustic side of french cuisine. I also really like that the menu is to the point and doesn't overdo things. It's a simple menu that is easy to navigate, but hard to choose what exactly to eat. Since it was hard to decide on what to eat, a friend and I decided to split some plates. The ragout with mushrooms was absolutely killer. Now, this ragout was loaded with butter, so I hope people don't complain about it "being too rich" as that basically is the point. That led into getting the escargot. These were done just how I like them(with a good dose of butter) and they were meaty chunks as well. For my entree, I had to get the coq au vin. This was done absolutely perfect. The chicken was tender and there was the right amount of sauce. I normally don't practically inhale meals, but this was one of those times and I have zero regrets about that. The best part was leaving here only having paid under $50 including a big tip. We ordered a belt loosening amount of food and it was all very affordable. On top of that, there was $0 corkage! That is always welcome in my book. Chez Simo is a real win on the whole and I really look forward to many returns.
(4)Rob A.
Had a wonderful dinner here with good friends, two of whom are regulars at Chez Simo. I ordered an endive salad to start, which was light, refreshing and well-balanced with the inclusion of pomegranate. For the entree, I had the trout special; the cream sauce was a little decadent, but not overpowering. Next time, I will try the onion soup, and the steak frittes, which one member of our party ordered and raved about. I like this place; it makes French food accessible to those of us who are newer to the cuisine, and it seems to have a lot to offer for more refined palettes.
(5)Jenny H.
This is a cute little French restaurant! If you come on Monday-Thursday, they offer a 3 course prix fixe menu for $25, which is quite a good deal. Our waiter was very nice and greeted us promptly. We both got the soup du jour since it was cold, and it was a mushroom soup that I thoroughly enjoyed. Large portion, too! Not just a dinky cup, but a whole bowl. We also were given some bread with cured olive infused butter. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the entree quite as much as the appetizer. We got the skirt steak comme frites (19) and the Coq au vin (18). The steak was a little too chewy for my tastes, and the fries were just average. The chicken was better but wasn't amazing or anything. The dessert was delicious though, which bumps my review up to 4 stars. We got the pear tart and the baba cognac, which both came with ice cream. Yum! Definitely don't skip dessert if you come here.
(4)Jules H.
The Good: BYOB, $5 cork fee, reasonable in my cork fee log. The Mediocre: Sorta tacky left over diner seating and the food was only so-so. Okay pomme frites, a cheap steak cooked only half right. We skipped dessert. The Bad: Date with an old boyfriend, not yelp's fault, totally mine :-(
(3)Chet M.
Chez Simo is a nice Tuesday night place to grab a bite. Stick with the pre-fixe $25 deal for a great mushroom soup or super healthy greens salad with dessert. Sorry to say this but their entree department is a little weak. Their food would have been great by 1990's standards but pretty average in taste, presentation, and value today. The French vibe is a bit compromised by the Formica table tops from the last tenant (a breakfast diner joint of some sorts) and the harsh French caberet recordings of ladies singing on the PA is bit loud and can get on your nerves.
(3)Lauren B.
Went here last Saturday with another couple and had a great time. BYOB is awesome, parking is easy on the street or is very close to the brown line or metra. Inside is cute and the staff were overall, very nice. We had the duck, steak frites, and creme brule. 1. The duck was amazing and so well portioned for the price. 2. Steak frites were solid, but I'd say just a hair on the side of too done for a medium rare steak and 3. the creme brule was amazing. Only off part about the night was when our entrees came out one was wrong and while it took us a few minutes to flag someone down one of the runners said "oh this is the wrong entree isnt it!" and he quickly switched us out, so I'm assuming there was just a mix-up. When the waiter came around to apoligize he more or less blamed the runner. Fine, no biggie. Then we put in our dessert orders and the wrong dessert comes out again (for the couple we were with) and nothing was really said about it. I just find that a little annoying, but hopefully those kinks are worked out soon.
(4)Anna G.
Came here for a quaint dinner date with my husband and loved everything about the place. The atmosphere was simple, cozy and not pretentious. A bonus was that it was BYOB. The food was amazing. I ordered Braised Lamb Shank and my husband had Croque Madame (it wasn't on their menu, but they made it anyway). Everything was just so lovely!
(5)Caryn G.
No complaints about the food! It was nicely prepared and the portions were more generous than the typical french bistro servings. Of course the BYOB was a huge draw, and we appreciated that. What keeps me from giving Chez Simo a higher rating is the service and the condition of the interior. There was a bit of Gallic attitude that I find acceptable in Paris but not Ravenswood - I felt like our requests were kind of annoying them at times. I could've lived with that, but eating on formica, smelling the washroom deodorizer right when you walk in the place, then discovering the washroom wasn't particularly clean and then paying a pretty hefty dinner tab considering we'd brought our own wine wasn't my idea of a 5-star experience. However, if you're not particularly concerned about the ambience, and particularly if you go for the prix fixe, I think this would be a worthwhile dining choice.
(3)Eric B.
My ears hear the phrase "BYOB French bistro", but my heart hears "I love you", or "Will you marry me", or "My parents are out of town this weekend" and I can't help but swoon. Chez Simo Bistro lives up to such a heightened emotional response. A BYOB French bistro is a lovely thing. Not because it allows you to skimp on the wine - leave that Two Buck Chuck on the shelf, you philistine - but because it allows you to SPLURGE on the wine at a fraction of the price. So dust off that Chateauneuf du Pape in the back of your closet or wine cellar and join me, n'est-ce pas? You will not be disappointed, as the food is excellent. I had the soup special - sweet carrot soup - and it was rich with creme and perfectly pureed to a pristine smoothness. Kelly had the French Onion soup and it was rich with cheese. For entrees, we had the duck and the steak. The duck was a revelation and some of the best you'll have in the city - the breast, cooked medium rare, was substantial in quantity and earthy and gamy in quality. The confit leg was impossibly rich and fatty, and eye rollingly delicious. I took home half of the entree and it made a delicious Friday lunch. The steak was good, if not quite as emotionally evocative (overcooked but still juicy). However, I would like to call out the frites for their petite crisp deliciousness. They are worth a side order if you are a frites afficionado and they do not come with your entree. I brought a young Chateauneuf for our dinner and the proprietor did have a decanter for it, although it was more a water pitcher with a narrow neck than a true decanter. You may wish to bring your own if you are carrying serious juice. The extra baggage is worth it, however, as the quality of food more than stands up to a top Rhone, or Burgundy, or Bordeaux wine. Because entrees were large and service was a bit slow, we did not try dessert, but they do have the usual bistro options. At some time I hope to be back tor try them. For atmosphere, French music plays softly on speakers, and while the space was probably a diner/greasy spoon in a prior life, the owner's work on the decor amply places you in a French bistro setting, albeit a humble one. It makes for a simple, and not at all unwelcome, dinner with exquisite food. If you live anywhere close to the neighborhood, and love French food, I urge you to eat here, both for your own pleasure and to keep the owner's dream alive.
(4)Tim S.
BYOB I will give it another try because the French Onion soup was delicious. Service was very slow at times, and my medium rare steak was a little too rare. BYOB
(3)Richie D.
OUAH! If you would have walked in here after visiting the previous restaurants (Cinnamon Cafe and Rendezvous Bistro), you would think you entered a completely different building. At first, I thought it was a sister restaurant to Chez Joel or Chez Moi, until I came to realization that Chez Simo means "at Simo's house" (props to Joanna B. for the translation). The owners of Chez Simo Bistro did a wonderful job creating a Parisian bistro ambiance, without the joy of cigarette smoke and table-side Fido. There's a chalkboard lit by candles at the bar, black and white photographs, and all the dark wood juxtaposed with the bright red booths. Since French food isn't the cheapest cuisine, CSB is luckily BYOB---without a corkage fee! Good thing because we started with a bottle of champagne, continued on to a red wine to pair with our entrees, and enjoyed dessert with a sweet bottle of French Sauternes. I appreciated the fact that they had a specific glass for each beverage, although what more could I expect for a French restaurant? If you didn't come prepared, there's Mandy's Liquors across Lawrence Ave. We started off with the Moules Mariniere (mussels in white wine), Saumon Fumée (smoked salmon) with cream fraiche, capers and brioche, and a Cream of Broccoli Soupe du Jour. All were very good, particularly the finely sliced salmon with toast and capers, while the soup was tasty without being too rich (although the color had little to be desired). Yet, nothing could compare to the fantastic entrees. I personally enjoyed the Steak with Pomme Frites. These Pomme Frites are done absolutely perfectly and identical to what you find in France. Shoestring cut potatoes, fried to perfection with a soft crunch and just the right amount of salt. The steak was cooked just as I requested with no grizzle or chewiness ( yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… ). Of course the melted maitre d' butter on top made it even more perfect. Another diner had the Coq au Vin which was to-die-for and extremely tender while holding onto tons of flavor. No one had any complaints. For dessert we enjoyed the Tarte Tatin and Chocolate Mousse ( yelp.com/biz_photos/chez… ). The mousse was tasty, but not as delicious as the one you can find at Troquet down the street. Although the mousse looked like a woman's bosom, some of the plating of dishes could be done more appealing and strategic---but that's being nit-picky for a newcomer. Lincoln Square seems to be the hotspot for French food with Bistro Champagne, Troquet and now Chez Simo Bistro! I wish the owners the best, and was happy to see so many diners on a Monday evening. They take reservations too.
(4)Emma S.
What is fantastic about Chez Simo is that it is excellent yet casual French food. It is exactly the kind of bistro food you would find walking off the street in Paris without a reservation. In the US, French food tends to always be upscale. What you really miss is that amazing home-cooked quality bistro food that is so present in France. Chez Simo not only produces that rare quality, it is done Chicago style. They seem to have taken over an old diner and the space maintains some of that feel, with a bit of an upgrade. The menu is full of simple, classic French dishes that when executed well are mind-blowing. This will definitely become one of our favorite go-to date night neighborhood restaurants.
(5)E. K.
Lovely - staff & food & ambiance! How wonderful was it to not feel rushed while enjoying our dinner! It's not slow service, people.... it's how dining should be! The food was delish -- had the escargot, the fois gras, the steak au poive, and crepe dessert. Plus, we requested a cheese plate for dessert as well....wasn't on the menu, but in a pinch, they were able to produce a lovely arrangement of brie, gruyere, rochefort and goat cheeses. My only gripe was that our steak had much too much fat in it. They ought to trim it back before serving. However the loveliness of the staff and the deliciousness of everything we tried more than made up for that. Welcome to the 'hood, Chez Simo - can't wait to return!
(5)Dan M.
Really, REALLY Outstanding! Why Have So Few People Discovered This Place?!? I Want to Tell The World About It! We Had the L'Escargot Appetizer (So Good We Needed to Get a 2nd One!!!), The Delicious Onion Soup, and The Smoked Salmon! All Delicious!! We Then Had The Grilled Peach Salad, and Then We Had The Steak Frites and The Sautéed Duck. Everything Was Incredible! And You're Hearing This From Someone With 37 Years in Food Service! We Had The Absolutely Perfect Creme Brûlée And The Profiteroles. From Start to Finish a Perfect Meal! It's a Wonderful Sign When Your Friends Thank YOU For Finding Such a Great Place! Truly Outstanding! I'll Definitely Be Back Soon!
(5)J P.
Honestly, this is the Howard Johnsons of French restaurants, right down to the vinyl booths, bright lights and bad service. I doubt I would ever spend my money here again.
(2)scott B.
Really enjoyed dinner here on a Saturday night. We brought our own craft beer and were glad not to be be paying $7 a bottle. The Escargot were good, but I prefer a different style. The Lamb Shank was delicious. Dessert was great as well. Pricing is spot on with larger than usual portions. We are looking forward to trying their Prix Fixe.
(4)Sarah R.
Our favorite neighborhood gem! Everything on the menu is fantastic and I love that you can BYOB with no corkage fee. The owners are super friendly and make you want to come back. It's not fancy, but it's solid. Highly recommend!
(5)M J.
Awesome food and a real French bistro vibe. BYOB makes it that much better. Everything we had was great! Location and view isn't the best, but the food makes up for it! We have been there twice and there was a wide range of people and ages. Great neighborhood place that isn't stuffy if you you don't feel like getting dressed up but want good food at a decent price. It was honestly better than most of the food we had when we were in Paris.
(4)Kris W.
We had dinner at Chez Simo on a Saturday night. It's a really nice neighborhood restaurant that is BYOB. Nicely edited menu with specials. The grilled peach salad was wonderful and my husband enjoyed his mushroom soup. We had salmon, roasted chicken, lamb shank and the coq a vin at our table. All was well prepared and plated. Desserts were also very good and the chocolate profiteroles seemed to be flying out of the kitchen. Everyone seems to complain about the diner seating. So what. They've probably never seen a true bistro in a smaller town in France. Good food and good value.
(3)Brian C.
This was a perfect place to get us out of our restaurant rut. I had a good feeling this would be a great under the radar spot away from the high profile eateries in nearby Lincoln Square, especially on a Friday evening. The menu is very straightforward bistro fare. Steak frites for me, and my wife had the croque monsieur. Even better, it's BYOB. I brought a relatively cheap negociant Chateauneuf du Pape that showed well. Dessert was profieteroles and crepes. If we still lived in Lincoln Square, we'd no doubt be regulars.
(4)Beatriz C.
I live in the neighborhood and have been to Chez Simo several times. The food and service have always been outstanding. Months later I'm still dreaming about a mushroom puff pastry appetizer. We've brought our 6 year old daughter to dinner with us and a smaller version of the pasta & vegetables has been prepared for her. It's impossible to choose a bad dish.
(5)Karen K.
I went to Chez Simo for my birthday with my boyfriend and daughter. We took advantage of the prix fixe dinner of appetizer, entree and dessert for $25--what a value! We brought a lovely wine too as this place is BYOB, a great perk. We enjoyed the red/yellow pepper soup and salad to start. 2 of us had the salmon with julienned vegetables in a white wine, lemon and caper sauce, WOW. My daughter had the croque monsieur/frites which was equally good. To end the dinner we had chocolate mousse and a very nice pear tart. The ambience was nice even though some of the previous restaurant's decor was still there. You MUST try this place. Great location at Lawrence/Damen and easy parking.
(5)T K.
The staff and ambience of this place is great. However, the real star is the food. I've been twice in the last two weeks after finding this place through yelp while looking for good byobs. The lamb shank and the cassoulet when they have it are my two favorite entrees. The foie Gras is creamy and delicious and even though I don't usually care for snails, the escargot is very tasty and of the highest quality. Highly recommend.
(5)Katherine E.
Have been to every French bistro in the city, and we still love Chez Simo. Great value, BYOB, warm and friendly staff. Although they tout the coq au vin as their specialty (and it is good), I dream about the poulet roti, which is crisp on the outside, moist on the inside and deliciously garlicky. Scallops also wonderful. Simo and his wife are very caring, and very honest. If you ask what is good, or how things are prepared, they will tell you. The staff is good, if not super "professional". We live close to Mon Ami, and love it, but bringing our own wine to Chez Simo means we have as great a dinner food-and-wine-wise, at about half the price. That's hard to beat. They do need to fix the sewer gas problem, which really detracts from the experience.
(4)Sam J.
My wife and I went here a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely loved it. We're lucky enough to have eaten French food in Paris, and our meal at Chez Simo was as good as any meal we had in France.. The ambience is nice and very relaxing, you don't feel hurried like in many other restaurants, and the staff don't overdo the number of table visits - just the right amount. The food itself was absolutely fantastic - we had the mushroom soup to start, steak frites for the main course, and chocolate mouse / apple tart for dessert. Every course was delicious. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough - my wife and I will be regulars.
(5)Charlie B.
A great first visit here for some traditional french eats! The decor is sort of a decked out diner with mostly booths. We got there at around 8 p.m. on a Thursday and only a couple tables had other visitors. The server/owner? was friendly enough and the menu is pretty basic. We brought a nice bottle of wine and sat in the window. It's so great to have a reasonably priced French bistro around that is also BYO! Our bill was just under $80 for a shrimp and escargot starter along with a steak and coq au vin entree. We will be back for sure!
(4)Neha M.
this place is charming. the food is exquisite especially the escargot. on new year's eve we had the scallops entree and i practically inhaled it. it's also a byob and the desserts are amazingly the best part of the meal. to wit, i love chez simo!
(5)Victoria W.
Friendly service, tasty food, nice ambiance and great value. Chez Simo offers a winning combination even though they have only been open a few days. Traditional French bistro fare may seem simple, but it's not always done well. It's nice to have a place like Simo's in the neighborhood. Fans of Rendezvous bistro will be happy to rediscover Simo a little further east on Lawrence Ave. and patrons of Cinnamon Cafe will be impressed by the transformation (even though breakfast is not served). We hope to see some Moroccan influences on the menu in the future!
(5)XOne F.
Went here on the strength of other reviews and left disappointed. BYOB is a plus, atmosphere was pleasant, and presentation was appealing. BUT the food was blah. My lamb shank was tough, vegetables did not seem very fresh, and my companion's steak was particularly gristly. Oh well.
(3)Sarah D.
I'm kind of on the fence about this review. I want to give 2 1/2 stars but, since that's not an option, I'll give them the benefit of the extra half star. The food and service were both average. The lamb shank I had was a bit bland, and none of us (six total) had an "oh-my-god-you-have-to-try-this" dish. Dessert was closer to OMG good, but still not all the way there. The staff was cordial, but not particularly welcoming, and we had to flag down our waitress a few times for water refills. Surprisingly empty for a Saturday night.
(3)Jenna B.
A wonderful place! Excellent food.
(5)Patrick S.
I took my parents here last night. They're both snobs for French food and they've been looking to change things up from their usual places (Chez Moi, Bistrot Zinc, etc.), so this seemed like a good option. I'm reviewing it in the hopes that people find out about this place, since I'd love to see it stick around and improve. Overall, we were very satisfied. I'm giving this four stars for some excellent dishes, great ambiance, and reasonable prices on the positive end, but one bad dish and service issues on the negative end. There was only one waiter working last night. While he was courteous and helpful, he got swamped periodically and there were stretches where we wouldn't see him. Hopefully this place can get a liquor license soon so that they can make enough money to hire a second server, since the poor guy was overwhelmed. Appetizers: Vichyssoise - Creamy and perfect for a hot summer day. Beat Salad - Large portions and quite flavorful Foie Gras Terrine - By far the dish of the night. It was velvety, delicious, and a perfect portion. They could double the price and we'd order it again, no questions asked. Entrees: Duck Two Ways - Perfect doneness on the confit and the breast. The cabbage and polenta helped mellow everything out, too. Cod - Also cooked perfectly, plus the fish was really moist. Mussels - The worst dish of the night. This seemed like a supplier issue, since the broth was delicious and the mussels were cooked well, but the mussels themselves just tasted like they had been frozen for awhile. This would have been a really good dish with fresh mussels. Oh well. Desserts were creme brulee and pear tart; we enjoyed both quite a bit. We will be going back! BYOB definitely helped the price, but even with a wine list our bill would have been quite reasonable. New restaurants can sometimes be a bit uneven, but if this place irons out the wrinkles, it will be phenomenal.
(4)Jeff K.
Went there with my dear wife and really enjoyed it. Good crowd there the entire time, but it wasn't packed. Perfect situation. We had the beet salad to start and both of us followed with meat. She got the special of the day, braised beef short rib, and I got the steak au poivre. We finished with a tasty apple, cinnamon and caramel dessert. All was delicious. So happy to have a good spot so close, especially in a dead spot on Lawrence. Close walk for locals and parking is exceptionally easy at night. Looking forward to trying the other dishes soon!
(5)Mike Y.
I enjoyed this sooooo much. The foie gras was excellent. the mushroom ragout as well. The steak and pomme frites were good, but the mousse for desert was wonderful. I like this and will return. Across the street is a wonderful wine shop with a full compliment of great wines. This is a true byob....no corkage. you can pair with your meal..
(5)john C.
Welcome back Simo. Glad you are back. The food and service are excellant as always. our table started with the escargot. perfectly done in the rich garlicikly sauce. I had the Salad lyonnaisse. delicious. The frittes were crisp, hot and fresh. Perfectly done. The mussels in white wine were flavorfully seasoned and the sauce was designed for bread dipping. The flounder special was light, fresh and wonderfully done. The atmosphere was pleasant, friendly and service was perfect. Welcome back Simo
(5)Steph C.
We went here last night for Valentine's Day and were really excited especially given all the good reviews. The room is really cute and we were seated quickly (we had a rez). They brought us waters immediately but then we had a solid wait until anyone came over. When our server finally came to open our wine (it's BYOB- another big plus), he neither greeted us nor told us the specials. After the wine was opened and served, he left. Ok... We wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. He seemed to be the only server in the room. Maybe someone called in and he was in the weeds? Who knows, but a "Hello" and "How do you do?" go a long way in my book. After another long wait, he returned to take our order. He, again, failed to tell us the "du jours" and was not overly friendly... or even mildly friendly for that matter. That being said, our appetizer (the foie terrine) was fabulous! It was tasty, smooth and delicious. When our meal came (again after a lengthy wait), I was in love with my order. The duck was flawless. It was served with a braised red cabbage that went so well with the meat. Yum! So, you might wonder, why is my rating so bad? Just the service? Not entirely... it's more because of the little things. Here's why: my husband's steak au poivre was well-cooked, the sauce was amazing, the frites were perfect but the cut of meat was tough and fatty. He ate every last (edible) bite and and left a pile of scraps on the side. Had anyone come over during the entire meal, they would have seen it and hopefully questioned it, but nobody did. When the hostess came over to take our plates (another reason I think they were understaffed), my husband very pleasantly commented that, although it was delicious, the piece of meat was really not good. And this is where my rating went from 3 stars to 1. All she had to do was say "I'm so sorry, I"ll make sure the chef knows" and that would have been it. Instead, she just smiled at him, took his plate and asked if we wanted a desert... you can guess my answer. So, as a result, we will not return to this establishment or recommend it in the future.
(1)Julie H.
Excellent meal. Braised short ribs, trout almandine and coq au vin were all top notch! Pleasant, casual place with elegant, high quality food. A must.
(5)Matt C.
This is just the restaurant that was needed in this neighborhood. We were there for the early prix fixe, which was an exceptional value. The meal was all around very good; my partner's mahi mahi was just ok (despite a delicious mango salsa, I'm not wild about mahi mahi), but my coq au vin was delicious. The tarte tatin was just perfect with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and leaves of mint. It really did feel almost like being in a french bistro (though they need to hook up their espresso machine!... alas, we are still on Lawrence avenue). I will certainly be back!
(4)Allison C.
For the price the atmosphere is lovely and the service was splendid, get the French peer-to-peer corn steak in brandy sauce and muscles for an app, great carrot soup.
(4)steven c.
Yes! Spectacular little French place...every ingredient in every dish pure bliss. Escargot amazing and pomme frittes best ever. This place just opened and no doubt will soon become packed but last night it was quiet and we had a chance to meet the owners who are incredibly nice and obviously talented. BYOB with liquor store across the street. Love Chez Simo!
(5)Steve S.
My wife and I dined at Chez Simo last weekend. We had a fine evening, and I am very glad that this restaurant is here. Chez Simo took over the space of a failed breakfast restaurant, and thus is the answer to (probably) everyone's main concern: "what is up with the tile floors and the vinyl booths?" Think "vestige of horrible breakfast restaurant", and then be very, very glad that this place took it over and is here for our dining pleasure. Why only 4 stars? Well, in Chicago, the land of 10,000 spectacular restaurants, I would have to say I have higher standards. If this place was in , say, Peoria, I'd probably give it 4 & 1/2 stars. 4 stars is probably a stretch for Chez Simo right now, but I'm rounding up because this is a great addition to the neighborhood and the staff was very nice. Chez Simo is a nice place. We shared a salad for starters (no problem splitting it for us), and it was nice. My wife had the trout, and it was fine. I had the Steak au poive, and it was fine. They are BYOB, and I brought a very nice Cote Du Rhone, and everything went well together. For dessert we ordered Creme' Brulee (my wife's favorite), and it was very good. Being a new place, they are thinly staffed and trying to 'make it work'. I applaud their efforts, and I would say the service was attentive and friendly. This is a really nice addition to the neighborhood, nice people, a relaxed atmosphere, a good value, and we enjoyed our dinner. I am rooting for Chez Simo to 'make it' and I hope they are here for a long time (long enough to replace the vinyl floor tiles, and maybe expand the menu just a tad ;)).
(4)Pablo S.
I am a Ravenswood resident and when I mentioned that there was a new French Bistro in town, my sister insisted on trying it out the next time she was in town. Soon enough, she came visiting and off we went to Chez Simo Bistro, eager to have a meal at this new restaurant and satisfy our curiosity. Well, all I can say is that it left us with an impression good enough to warrant another visit before she left town in less than a week. We made a reservation right after our first visit because the food was awesome. The staff are friendly and go out of their way to ensure that you get exactly what you want or how you want your food done. It's also great the BYOB doesn't warrant a corkage fee and you can enjoy your meal and drink in a relaxed environment with no fuss.
(5)Caitlin W.
Went here back in September and came back on Saturday with my boyfriend's parents who were in town. They absolutely love French food and last time they were in town, we took them to Bistro Campagne. Let me say that this was one of the best meals I have ever had in Chicago and they agreed. The Coq Au Vin was hands down the best chicken I've had. It was full of flavor, yet not heavy at all. The trout was prepared perfectly, served with a quinoa side that was to die for. My boyfriend got the Steak Pommes Frites both times we went here (so that says something!), but he kept coming back for more of the Coq Au Vin I ordered. His parents ordered the duck as well as escargot and they let us know that everything was cooked perfectly. They were very impressed. Ambience: It was clearly an old diner before Chez Simo. It's a normal noise level and a casual place, but since the food is so amazingly delicious, you feel like you should have dressed up to play the part. There are only a couple people working there, so it feels like you are truly in a restaurant in France. The waiter/owner actually told us how to prepare some of the dishes and gave up a few secret ingredients. All in all, I love this place and will be coming back very shortly.
(5)Wicker W.
I read through a lot of the reviews here before I went, which run the extreme, so I was a little cautious. But all in all, we had a very delicious, relaxed, authentic French dinner. The owner, Simo, who was at Kiki's Bistro for years, was the only server for the room when we went, so there were long waits, but that is the French way of dining. In fact, we were savoring our dessert wine with the profiteroles, waiting for the check, and I finally went back to the kitchen to ask for it. Simo said, politely, he did not want to disturb us while we savored our wine. So the service isn't poor, it's just reflective of the European lifestyle. We started with a mixed greens salad and escargot. Both were fresh, tasty. The homemade baguettes (yes, he bakes them onsite) were yummy and plentiful, and we mopped up the escargot with them. I had the coq au vin. To be honest, I don't have a lot of experience with this dish. But it was absolutely delicious The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the sauce was rich and divine. It was a nice, big portion too, so I could share with my fellow diners. It is also BYOB, probably for the long-term, and Simo has invested in all types of stemware, so we were able to drink our bubbly, dinner wine, and dessert wine out of proper glassware -- rare for a BYOB to be this detail-oriented. I also liked the unpretentious atmosphere and low-key French soundtrack in the background, being rather sick and tired of being blasted with loud music that most new restaurants subject you to these days. All in all, a nice, relaxed dinner with a charming host.
(4)Linda S.
The food is delicious and a huge bargain if you consider that it's French Cuisine! I've visited this place with a group of friends and everyone ordered something a little different, and everyone but one soul raved, even the Frenchman that was with us was impressed (he hated the fries that came with his steak but once he saw the bill he cheered up instantly:))! The only person who wasn't too psyched was the single person that ordered the salad - it was just a bunch of lettuce leaves without even a drizzle of dressing. Desserts however left us floored - we ordered seconds! I'm taking a star away because the decor was a little weird - empty bottles of wine all along the wall. Seeing how this is a BYOB restaurant (French restaurant that doesn't serve wine?!) and nobody noticed it in our group before coming in (and asking for the wine list like fools...) we suffered greatly, without a drop of wine with a view of empty bottles... Should you bring a nice bottle of wine along this place is extremely affordable and I will come back for sure!
(4)Stephanie G.
This is very traditional French "comfort" food, but the portions are not too large; they are perfect. The food is EXCELLENT. I had the coq au vin which was so tender and flavorful. My mother and brother had their daily special braised short ribs and my father had the special trout dish. The service was good and traditional French service, so if you're looking for a quick bite, save this place for a time when you have time to relax and enjoy your dining experience. There is no corkage fee, which is great! There is a liquor store across the street, but there is a gourmet-ish store right next to Chez Simo that has a better selection of wine, so I would advise going there first. I can't wait to go back! at $20/plate, it is certainly reasonable! Great addition to the neighborhood!
(5)Michelle D.
Went here for the first time on Valentines Day. I was so happy they gave me a reservation Thursday when all other places were BOOKED. This was a perfect little spot to enjoy the evening. The noise level was low enough I didn't have to yell across to my boyfriend. It was a full house but it still felt intimate. We both ordered the house salad and steak au poivre for our entree. Simple salad not over dressed. We both ordered our steaks med well but mine seemed to be more on the well side. The sauce that comes on it was rich and a little saltier for my taste. It was a nice size NY strip neither of us could finish our food. The staff was very friendly and attentive . Its BYOB which is great ! There was a cork fee. Overall it was a lovely evening and we will definitely be back again ! I walk past this place all the time not sure what took me so long to try them.Prices are very affordable (my bf was surprised ) . I can see this becoming one of our go to date night spots .
(4)Candace A.
HORRIBLE!! They don't even deserve one star! All diners except for my husband and I were friends of the owner. I can only believe that's where the good reviews came from. I could write a novel about our experience but I'll shoot for cliff notes: Muscles smelled like garbage Lyonnaise salad had semi raw poach egg (clear runny white) and bitter dressing Braised shank was cold so obviously not cooked today Frites were soggy. Steak was paper thin, full of sinew An hour to get our food even though rare paper thin steak should have taken 4 min max and shank was precooked... restaurant wasn't half full! Walked in to restaurant in a good mood left cranky. Terrible service Wanted to really love this place since we own a home nearby and support local businesses. Not a chance we will be back. Plus,it still feels like a diner. A change of paint doesn't mask the ripped vinyl booths and weird stench. Try at your own risk. We felt ripped off
(1)Harold J.
So, I don't yelp about restaurants often because I don't see the point of being clever. But, I always want to support a good restaurant. But, this place is amazing. French onion soup, salads lyonnaise, and mussels. All were classically done. And the creme brulee was the best way to finish. I've already planned out my next 2 meals here.
(5)Paul C.
Went here on a Wednesday night with three other friends. I liked this place a lot. The food was very good and reasonably priced. I had the duck which was excellent. My friends had a short rib special, poulet roti, and coq au vin. Everyone's food was very good. The owner (Simo) was incredibly friendly and attentive. The only knock I have is that the tables and booths are a little small for more than 2 people (not sure why the tables are so small, but it looks like the same furnishings that were here before when it was Cinnamon Cafe). Given the turnover in this location before (Cinnamon Cafe, Rendezvous Bistro), I am really hoping that Chez Simo will be here for a long time - the food and service are definitely worth coming out for!
(4)Liz D.
Chez Simo is a great option, but a bit over-hyped on yelp. After all the 4-5 star reviews, I guess I was expecting a bit more. It is good - I did not think it was great. I was there with a group, and we had a wonderful night, and most people in the group were RAVING about it. I would definitely come back, and I would probably come back often if it were in my neighborhood - BYOB french is kind of win-win, right? The restaurant itself is cute, a bit shabby, but has a nice neighborhood feel. What I couldn't get past - and I know Chez Simo can't control this - was a pervading sewer smell. (Have you ever been to a wicker park boutique on Milwaukee when it's been dry, and that smell comes out of the drains - that smell.) So walking in, it just not appetizing. But on to things Chez Simo can control.....we had made reservations for a larger group, and walked into a strange set up. The layout of the restaurant makes parties over 8 awkward (unless you have a private party as offered on Monday & Tuesdays). Our waiter was french - good sign; very attentive and not at all intrusive. The bread was forgettable (bummer as there are great baguettes to be had in this city) and the butter ice cold, tasteless (what truffles?) and unspreadable. We ordered the escargot, fois gras, mussels and mushrooms for starters. I don't partake of snails or liver but my dining companions were really happy; the mussels were fresh and tasty, but slightly overdone and TINY. The mushroom ragout was very good, but not something I'd fill up on. Entres came, and they were nicely presented, and large portions. I had the lamb shank......it was fall-off-the-bone tender, a bit over-gamey, and very underseasoned. It came with both couscous (the israeli type) AND garlic mashed potatoes, about 4 green beans and 1 baby carrot. Could have lost a starch and gained more veggies IMO. I also tried the steak au poivre; the au poivre sauce was good, the steak was just a tad underdone and again, underseasoned. It was not the worst nor the best strip steak for the price. That being said, I would like to go back and try other menu options because even if not great, good french is still pretty good, and they were very nice. So totally solid option for BYOB french, but more "I don't want to cook tonight" than destination date night. Oh, almost forgot to mention the desserts - we tried almost all of them, and, well, I almost forgot we did.
(3)Christian C.
I moved to Chicago over three years ago and realized that I haven't experienced any local French bistros in the area. Luckily, I tried out Chez Simo Bistro recently with some friends. I found the food to be what you should expect in a bistro, moderately priced comfort food. Very tasty and with an accommodating wait staff. Work can be done to update the interior, but that is a minor distraction. What I will come back for is to enjoy the food!
(4)Liz K.
This place is JUST what the neighborhood needs. I went with my husband last night and we already can't wait to return! We shared the escargot which was delicious! I ordered the Poulet Roti and my husband ordered the Coq au Vin. Both were outstanding. The service was great. It's definitely a relaxed atmosphere where you don't feel rushed and are able to enjoy a nice dinner over a bottle of wine. (BYOB!) I can't wait to take out of town visitors, family and friends back to Chez Simo! What a treat to have right in Ravenswood!
(5)Phaic N.
Excellent! The couple that runs this place are very friendly, and the food is amazing.
(5)Allison T.
I just moved to the neighborhood, and after the reviews on this place, my husband and I were eager to try it. I had the coq au vin, and he had the poulet roti. They were very flexible to get us in close to closing, however, the food was, well, I really hate to say this, but pretty bad. The coq au vin was over peppered, there was too much bacon, the chicken tasted rubbery, the carrots were dried out. I honestly thought they must source their food from a very low-budget grocer given the low quality. Also, there is usually potatoes or pasta or some type of starch that goes along with coq au vin, but there was nothing. My husband's poulet roti was dry and lacked flavor. The bread they give you is old crusty bread, and the butter was over chilled and kind of greasy. I really wanted this place to be great, but we will definitely not go back (too expensive for sub par food). I felt compelled to write this review because the other reviews were so glowing, and we had probably one of the worst meals we've ever had there, and I wouldn't want others to have the same experience. Do yourself a favor - if you're looking for a French restaurant in the area, go to Bistro Campagne. You will definitely have a better experience for not much more money.
(1)Len W.
Local friends recently introduced us to this rare gem for our wedding day dinner. Our hosts, Simo Ely Yacobi and wife Rashida Kechab welcomed us with open arms. Within minutes, we felt completely at home. Along with Chef George Vega, they have refined an authentic bistro menu for their BYOB boîte. Our starters were roasted beet with walnuts and warm peach and balsamic salads, beautifully prepared and presented without the pretense of many French bistros. Our entrees included Cocque au Vin, Grilled Duck and Confit with polenta and red cabbage, and Seared Scallops with a vegetable saute. All were very nicely prepared. If you are in the mood for comfort food and friendly ambiance, you won't go wrong here. At this time reservations are not necessary, but that won't be the case for much longer.
(5)Jeff R.
My wife, daughter and I had a delightful dinner last night. The room is simple, casual and charming, with Paris street signs, ads and travel posters lining the walls, including a cute blue plaque showing the address of the restaurant as "47th Arr. Rue Lawrence 1968". The food was uniformly well-prepared, classic French--steak and frites, poulet roti, cassoulet (a special last night that I enjoyed very much), tarte aux pommes, mousse au chocolat. What you might find at a classic neighborhood bistro in France. Despite a couple of the comments below, we found the service to be friendly and attentive.
(5)Kristin M.
The duck was amazing, and the portions were small enough that we all wanted some delicious dessert. It was an expensive meal (for me) but I felt like they delivered and the atmosphere was very cozy.
(4)Laura K.
We discovered this great new French restaurant by accident as we drove by on a cold, rainy night. What a pleasant surprise to find a new authentic bistro in town! Then, to our surprise, we discovered that the owner is one of our favorite waiters from Kiki's bistro--a friendly, kind and warm man, who knows the art of hospitality and food. We tried bistro favorites--French onion soup, which was served bubbly hot, steak frites, which as cooked perfectly and served with a generous amount of frites, sautéed trout with vegetables, and perfect endive salads. The food was great, and if I say predictable, that is a good thing. Thoroughly French, thoroughly bistro. It is a BYOB, but there is a liquor store across the street where we were able to purchase wine. We brought our eight year old daughter, and they could not have been more warm and accommodating to her and to us. Her chocolate mousse that she ordered for dessert was the perfect way to end the meal. It is a welcome newcomer to the French dining scene in Chicago!
(4)Philippe C.
An absolutely delicious authentic meal. Very reasonably priced, friendly and attentive. A must if you are looking for a good meal.
(5)Susan M.
Chez Simo is a welcomed addition on a not-so-well developed strip of Lawrence. Hopefully it is the first of many new businesses which will flourish with the addition of the Mariano's and the streetscaping. Saturday night at 6:30 there were only a handful of tables to include a family with kids. It isn't what I would peg as particularly kid friendly menu but since it wasn't crowded, was perfect (if you can find something for them to eat). By about 7:30, it was about 3/4 full which was a good sign for a new place. It is BYO which is a winner in my book. We got a variety of starter-the escargot (BF was a big fan), asparagus salad, french onion soup, and salad lyonaise. All were solid, no complaints. Main meals were also good-steak au poivre wt frites, salmon special, and a short rib which was good. Dessert was a berry bread pudding and also received a thumbs up. The only negatives (not enough to make us think about not coming back) were the coffee not being hot enough and the service being adequate but a bit understaffed. We are looking forward to our next visit!
(4)Duncan S.
You cannot go wrong at this great local French place. The restaurant is unpretentious, casual and lives up to the bistro name. Menu is tight with something for everyone, with the predictable French classics, reasonably priced and good quality. I had the steak frites which was a good size (at half the price of a Chicago steak house), perfectly cooked with a delicious sauce and tasty shoestring fries. My wife had the French Onion soup which was very solid along with a salad. The only let down was the bread a little mediocre for what one would typically find in a French eatery. For dessert we had the creme brulee which was delicious. Service was very friendly and efficient. My tip on the BYOB is to make a purchase before arriving, the beer and wine across the road is very underwhelming. It would be great if this place could get the bar up and running.
(4)Melisa P.
Before trying out any new restaurant, I always check for what Yelpers have to say. I read only positive things about this place, and having traveled extensively through France, decided that it'd be nice to have a taste of France in Chicago. My husband and I arrived at 7:30pm, and were seated at a booth in the back corner. Service was extremely quick, and the fact that it's a BYOB was a plus. We started with the salad du jour, I ordered the fish of the day, and my husband ordered the steak au poivre (medium). The salad came out fast, was alright...nothing too special. Almost immediately following salad service, our food arrived. We had paid 1.5 hours of parking, expecting our dinner would take some time...but evidently not. For $28 I had expected a bit more than two filets and some shaved zucchini, but meh, it was tasty. My husband cut into his steak, and it was so rare it was practically moo-ing. We called the owner over, and he had no trouble fixing it. Upon return of the steak, my husband proceeded to cut into it again, and it was still absolutely rare. It was as if they had put it into the microwave, as the cooking was uneven. We called the owner again, and he apologized. Having both worked in the F&B industry for a large chunk of our lives, the standard rule at the restaurant is if a customer complains more than twice about something, you give them something new. Apparently at Chez Simo...they don't follow by this standardized rule, and proceeded to bring back the same steak, (at this time half was missing because he'd cut into it so many times), covered in sauce. By then, we were both turned off by both the food and the way the situation was handled, asked for the steak to be taken off the menu, and left. I've traveled to Europe throughout my life, and yes, service there differs than service here..but Chez Simo needs to step up their game.
(2)Debra M.
I hope neighborhood folks and visitors who are shopping on Damen or in Lincoln Square support this place. The food is delicious and the service is friendly. Since it's BYOB, it's going to be a more reasonably priced dinner--but there won't be people stopping in to drink. So don't be deterred by the location or the breakfasty-type furnishings.... this is excellent food, with desserts that rival anything I've ever eaten in downtown French bistros or frankly in France. We had the Poulet Roti and a special short ribs dish, with one vegetarian plate made up for our diner with celiac disease. All were excellent and the veggies and potatoes accompanying the meats were great. The grilled peach salad and onion soup were openers and were delicious--the soup was delicate and flavorful, and the salad was enhanced by a bit of cilantro. Desserts--chocolate mousse, lemon tart, and creme brulee--were outstanding. Creme brulee had a bit of chocolate at the bottom as a surprise. Just really really good, and we were certainly not rushed. Disappointing to see it pretty quiet on a Saturday night though our server said business has been pretty good. As I said, this is not a corner that tends to be a destination unless you're going to CVS, so I hope people will give Chez Simo a chance. Even if you only want some soup and salad this would be a good choice. We will definitely be eating at Chez Simo again.
(5)Naomi M.
Chez Simo Bistro is fantastic. The food is flavorful and authentic, the service is friendly and earnest, and the prices can't be beat for wonderful French cuisine. I love the hints of Paris in every direction, especially the music!!
(5)Luis B.
Fantastic!
(5)Susan M.
We have been to this little BYOB gem of a restaurant 3 times now and it never fails to serve the finest food! The service is impeccable. You are not rushed....only well taken care of. We love it here so much.
(5)Chris P.
Excellent addition to the neighborhood. Everything we ordered was excellent. Standout dishes were the mussels in white wine sauce, the canard and steak au poivre entrees, and the creme brûlée dessert. Service was professional. We will be returning often.
(4)Rich W.
Friendly French bistro that's BYOB and located steps away from the ravenswood metra and Damen brown line stop. Lamb shank is the menu highlight, along with classic French dishes like coq au vin and steak frites. Don't miss the escargot appetizer. Great addition to the Ravenswood dining scene!
(5)M P.
Finally, a great restaurant at this location! Really good french comfort food, and lovely desserts. Everything we had was delicious - salmon, coq au vin, and desserts. The chocolate mousse is very good - the real deal! BYOB - there's a liquor store across the street with some decent options. Service was great.
(5)