Bistro Voltaire

My best friend and I came during restaurant week on a Thursday night without reservations. I’m a brunch girl so reservations aren’t in my vocabulary. My friend asked me to make reservations — -I check Unilocal and see that they don’t open until 5PM, give up and text her that we can probably show up without one. We show up at 5PM, the host was very nice, didn’t laugh us out and offered us a table for 1 ½ hours.
Service was amazing. But I always have amazing service when dining out with the BFF. Some guy mentioned that he had to sit with his coat over his chair… they had free coat check so I don’t know why that happened to you. We sat in a comfortable booth in the far corner of the restaurant and had a good view of the place.
The restaurant week menu was a three course meal for $ 33. I ordered the escargots appetizer, scallops entrée, and the ~French tiramisu for dessert. The escargots arrived swimming in hot bubbling butter– had to wait a bit for it to cool down. I didn’t like the puff pastry on top of everything. It felt overcooked to me, on the chewier side but still very good. The scallops were perfect, however, they topped it with green beans instead of asparagus (without explanation)— we were confused but didn’t bring it up. We were too full to eat dessert and packed it to go. The wine our server recommended for us was a sauvignon blanc and went well with both the escargots and scallops.
We will be back to try the Monday night $ 29 prix fixe three course meal.

Came in on a Saturday evening for restaurant week. They had no record of our reservation so the night was off to a solid start. They were accommodating to the issue and sat us down either eat since we showed up before the 7pm crowd.
Starters:
Girlfriend had the onion soup, loved it. Great cheese to onion to bread ratio. I had the escargot, which was tasty but the presentation was sloppy. Whatever puff pastries they put on top of the escargot in the dish looked like they were thrown on there with no attention to whether or not they were on the escargot itself. They were cooked well, tasted great.
Entrees: both of us had the steak frites. Both of us were pretty disappointed. This being our go-​to dish at every French place we were hoping for at least a pinch of flavor but the hat wasn’t the case. While the steaks were cooked to perfect temperatures, they were bland, the gravy over them was tasteless, and the fries tasted like they were made out of a bag, overall just poor execution.
Dessert was delicious, had the gelato and lava cake.
Our waiter was very professional, attentive and polite. Unfortunately, great service won’t save you if the product you put out is mediocre.

I have to start by stating this occurred during Chicago Restaurant Week. While I understand the service may not be what you’d typically expect, it does not excuse the service. They overbooked the limited space available (hope you like overhearing every conversation but yours) and each server had to apologize to brief tables for extended wait.
This was one of the worst dining experiences I have had in my life. The food my girlfriend and I received should have never gotten to our table. My appetizer (escargot) was sloppily put together with the pastries all over the surface. My girlfriend ordered the gnocchi and had been waiting all week to try. The plate put in front her was disgusting, not resembling gnocchi in the slightest. It was burnt and essentially fused into one gigantic piece, with absolutely no sauce. Had we not been able to see how much care was put into similar dishes ordered by other customers, we may not have even known something was off.
The waiter decided that giving us two glasses of cheap champagne would make up for the fact that my girlfriend couldn’t even eat more than a couple bites off her plate. It didn’t and we didn’t bother accepting.
The desserts were delicious.

I was so upset with our experience that I waited a month to calm down! Brought a friend from out of town and was so embarrassed! First it took the waiter 10 minutes to acknowledge us because he was busy flirting with the girls at the next table. He then took our order and we literally NEVER saw him again! A female server came over and said he was downstairs on a break! I own restaurants in the city and I have NEVER allowed a server to go on a break while they still had tables. My friend and I paid with 2 credit cards and my friend left a SMALL tip and I did NOT. While walking to our car the female server ran out to yell out that I had forgotten to include a tip!!! if any of my servers ever did such a thing. they would be let go on the spot! My question is… Where was a manager while all of this was going on??? Needless to say we will never be coming back… shame on you and your management team!

Small intimate tables. French music. Not a big crowd. Quaint. I’m in the corner booth when you walk in on the right, and the seat is separated right in my bum. :/​At least my friends and I can all sit in a booth lol. I’ve been offered wine three times, but waiting on friends. Chris (very helpful) is our server, but someone else helped with our order, and he screws it up. I order the Malbec. It tastes oxidized (flat).
When mentioning specials, he regrets to tell us the ones we later saw in the board as we were leaving. I would have liked to try Kermits legs. Oh well. As I sit back and keep trying to wedge myself free from the booth that eats you (separated cushion), I relax against someone’s winter coat, and my own! Having a place to hang your coat is a plus, having it hang behind where you’re sitting is poor placement.
The six pieces of escargot are tasty and meaty, the puff pastry pillows are greasy, meh. I ordered the filet, and actually thought it a bit odd when the sub server didn’t ask me for a temp. Hmmm. He didn’t write it down. Came out with scallops. Wrong dish. Never brought bread after asking us if we’d like some. Pretty sure that while my dish was being prepared correctly, my friends ducks sat in the window. Having all your ducks in a row under a heat lamp, well not funny in this case. Glasses of wine are on them. Thanks. I think.
Filet is tasty with the foie, potatoes are nicely cooked with a little outer crunch, haricot vert were a smidge greasy. The peppery taste from the au poivre is overwhelming and my tongue is on fire! Not what you’d expect from a French bistro.
Needing something sweet to put out the fire in my mouth, I ask for the Opera torte. Nope, not even close. Cake slices are too thick and dry. Buttercream is hard as a rock. Gelato was good, and I guess it’s because it’s not made in house. DOH!

I really do not know what to write about this place; I was confused after my experience at Bistro Voltaire. Probably the best French food in the city, congratulation to the chef. On the other hand, I’ve never experienced such a poor, disorganized, kind of rude, and unprofessional service. Hence, 2 or 3 stars. 0 for the service, 5 for the food.
Ambiance is very cool.

Wanted to love this cute little place, but the prix fixe dishes had been cooked beforehand, then warmed in the microwave on the same plate they brought to the table. We were warned the plates would be hot, never a good sign. Our Beef Wellington, requested rare, came well done, almost cool, on the aforementioned too-​hot serving plates. Our server, though with a pleasant demeanor, was inattentive and forgetful. We had to ask multiple times for things we shouldn’t have had to ask for at all, like getting our water refilled. The food and the service in no way justified the prices. What I would recommend here is a glass of wine at the bar with the escargot, which was the only dish they got right on this visit. It’s adorable looking, so a glass of wine and an app after gallery hopping in Riv North might be fun, but for dinner, I think Kiki’s or Bistro Margot would be a much better bet.

The salad consisted in a few untrimmed leaves with a dribble of tasteless dressing, the pâté was not good, the beef was wayyyy overcooked and the attitude was thick… Dessert was blah and atmosphere cold… Definitely not a place I’d recommend…

Girlfriend and I came for the new $ 44 prix fixe A la Carte program (French restaurant week). Love, love, love the atmosphere — the panels of dark wood and the elegant lamps and lighting fixtures. Perfect for a relaxing drink or a special meal with a friend or lover.
The Foie Gras Maison was the standout of the night — incredibly rich, flavorful and smooth. Three nice-​size slices of it with some gherkins (love those little guys) and croutes. It was so good that I could have made a small meal of it. Other starter choices were Salade Lyonnaise (frisée, lardons, poached egg with Dijon vinaigrette), a cheese and paté plate (generous serving), or escargot in red wine reduction topped with a poached egg).
Entrée choices included NY strip and French fries, lamb chops with a cherry reduction, and duck breast with red wine reduction. Each of the last two was served with potato gratin and green beans. The duck breast was delicious — a generous helping cooked rare and slightly chewy; the red wine reduction was good but tasted more like a cherry reduction. The lamb chops, too, were rare and delicious — four loin chops.
The crust on the crème brûlée smelled and tasted like a dark-​toasted marshmallow, and that wasn’t all bad, though the crème itself seemed a little flat, as if it hadn’t been made with 100% heavy cream. The trio of gelatos was super creamy and included an unusual black cherry flavor in one selection. We didn’t try the third choice: molten chocolate cake. Eric, our server, was friendly and efficient. He recommended the Château Pey La Tour Cabernet for our red wine, which went well with our selections.
It would be fun to come back and experiment with a few dishes from the regular menu, but I’ll certainly come back soon to drink in the comfortable-​elegant atmosphere over a leisurely cocktail at happy hour: half-​price beer, wines by the glass, and cocktails from 5 to 6:30 weeknights. And a Monday night prix fixe menu for $ 29. Nice way to liven up a Monday!

The food was excellent and well presented. The service, however, was mediocre. We dined on a Saturday evening when the restaurant was busy. There were two larger groups eating at the restaurant. The wait staff focused their time on these groups rather than my husband and me. We waited forever for a table even though we had reservations. When we were finally seated, it took 15 minutes for someone to present us with a menu and take our drink order and another 15 minutes to get some bread. While I liked the food this fact was overshadowed by the service. Too bad because it was our anniversary. Get more help on weekends!

I spent my birthday here with my boyfriend and it was the best dinner I have ever been to in my life! We were not rushed at all! Everything was amazing! The service was so genuinely French! I loved every minute of it! The food was so delicious as were the drinks! Will be going back next year for my big day!:)

My wife and I have lived in France where we also have family, and know the Paris restaurant scene pretty well. We visit at least once a year.
I was eager to try Bistro Voltaire based on the reviews but extremely disappointed with the sub par performance of the space, the service and the food.
I haven’t seen a French Bistro yet (in Paris) where the smell is musty, the music (there is usually none) is Volare from Pandora, the bar runs the entire length of the restaurant, and none of the staff has a hint of an accent from anywhere in France.
The greeting was indifferent, the dinner average at best (snails and duck, salad and scallops), and I had my doubts about the provenance of the best Rhone red glass of wine on the menu (no bottle was in evidence).
A soufflé for dessert seemed like it came from an industrial kitchen, and the sauce (Grand Marnier?) non-​existent.
Decaf espresso? Not served.
French bistro? Maybe that’s how it started out, but it should not be called that today. We won’t be back.

Visiting Chicago for a conference and was looking for a nice French meal. The food itself was fantastic and the service impeccable. The staff was very knowledgable of their menu and seemed to enjoy their jobs. A great bistro experience!

This space is very small and intimate. Favorite part of the restaurant is how the wait staff is narrowed down to 3 people and all are experts with their wine.
We ordered the chef special:
Appetizer: Foie gras
Entrée sauté red snapper with balsamic vinegar paired a glass of wine recommended by the chef.
I would recommend this place for a 2^nd date, if you’re really trying to make a good impression without breaking the bank!

There are quite a few restaurants in and around River North that claim to be authentic French Bistros, but most of them really aren’t. This one is pretty much the real deal.
The intimate space is busy yet not loud, and the menu offers authentic bistro dishes such as Bouillabaisse and Salad Lyonnaise. We particularly liked the Rack of Lamb, which was served in a red wine sauce with a touch of sweetness to it. Food pricing is very reasonable.
A small to medium selection of fairly obscure French wines offers a few excellent selections if you look for the good years. Wine pricing is fairly reasonable.
Service was friendly, a bit overwhelmed on a busy Saturday, but they coped nicely.

I can’t give high enough praise. Unbelievable dining experience. The staff is highly educated on the food and wine pairings. Amazing flavors and a terrific value. Do yourself a favor and visit this restaurant. This is in my top 5.

I’m breaking my year-​plus review fast. It’s been a week since I’ve eaten here and it was by far the most anticipated and talked about part of our Chicago trip.
Everything we ordered, from the appetizers (escargot, salade lyonnaise and foie gras) to the main dish (noisettes de porc and margret de canard) to dessert (raspberry tart) was excellent. The meat was tender and juicy, all the dishes were flavorful and the ambiance fit the entire mood of the evening.
In a nutshell: awesome French food, lovely atmosphere, attentive waiter and welcoming owner. (The waiter even helped us find jazz clubs to go to that very night!) Thanks for a wonderful evening!

Great attentive service in this cozy french restaurant. I’ve been here twice. I really enjoyed the French onion soup, house warm french baguette with butter, esargot, and the chocolate soufflé. The entrees were decent but not amazing. It was your average good entrée which include the skirt steak with pomme frites and the jumbo scallop. I wasn’t too impress with the scallop which was presented with tomatoe sauce, which was not a preferable choice. I would probably go back again.

I came here with 3 girlfriends on a Friday night with 2 Gilts that was a three-​course prix fixe menu for two for $ 60. The restaurant is conveniently located near the Chicago brown line and it is a very quaint and romantic spot that would be great for a date night! Our server was very nice and had a cute French accent — though I’m not sure if it was an authentic one like some Unilocal reviewers have commented below. He recommended a bottle of white wine for us to share, which was very light and a great complement to our meal. He also brought out a freshly baked baguette, which was a delicious starter as we decided what to order.
For our first course, we ordered the French onion soup, the Salmon Tartare, and the Escargots de Bourgogne and everything was delicieux! The Salmon Tartare was fresh and the French onion soup was the best that I have ever had! It was not too salty with a lot of pieces of onion and the piece of baguette that was on top was covered in cheese and delicious. My favorite appetizer was the escargots, which were buttery, flavorful, and topped with some light and crispy puff pastry. I will definitely be ordering that again when I return!
For the second course, we ordered the mussels and pork tenderloins. The portion of mussels was HUGE and they were plump and juicy in a white wine, parsley, and shallot broth. The fries that it came with were very crispy and a great complement. The pork tenderloins were also so tender they were topped with a yummy gravy on a bed of shredded Brussels sprouts.
While the first and second courses were to die for, dessert did not disappoint! Perhaps it’s because Bistro Voltaire seems like a very date-​y place, but the waiter seemed to really appreciate having a table of 4 girls and comped us a free bottle of wine and brought out extra sorbet and chocolate cake in addition to the gelato and crème brulee that we ordered! The crème brulee was thick, sweet, and melt in your mouth and the blood orange sorbet was very refreshing and a great palate cleanser.
At the end of the meal, the bill came out to an extra $ 30 per person (so $ 60 in total per person), which was a great deal considering how much food/​wine we ordered and the items that we got for free! Our meal lasted for 3 hours and I could barely leave the restaurant because I was so full. Our dinner at Bistro Voltaire was hands down one of my best meals ever and I would recommend it whole heartedly if you’re looking for some delicious and authentic French food!

The ambiance is nice and the service is very polite. I can’t comment beyond the mussels and frites we ate. The fries were good, nothing too amazing. The mussels were probably good in the french cuisine sense but i personally wasn’t a big fan. They tasted too fishy. I still maintain that DiPescara has the best mussels.
I got some kronenbourge 1664 which was good and served in the right type of glass.
I would debate coming back to try some other eats if i were in the area.

Je m’arreterais de mourir, s’il me venait un bon mot ou une bonne idée…
Grand opening at Bistro Voltaire. A 9-​course tasting where appetizers, mains, and desserts were brought out as trios on a plate. A delightful sampling of wonderful things.
The Salade d’Asperge au Vinagigre Truffee was the standout dish in the appetizer trio. The earthiness of white asparagus against the freshness of green ones. The subtle truffle vinaigrette made me wish Olivia was out digging in the backyard. The Ephemere beer that was paired with the Flan de foie was a knockout. It’s a Québécois white ale made with apples. I love Lambics, and this took it to new heights.
Of the 3 mains, the Saumon en Feuille de Brick, Pommes Dauphinoises, Ratatouille was the knockout. Luscious salmon wrapped in eggroll-​esque crispy skin. I thought the potato and veggies might overwhelm the fish. But it harmonized well. The Magret de Canard was ok. The passion fruit sauce definitely overwhelmed the meat. The Piece de Boeuf was skillfully cooked, and it was a feat considering their format that night, where meat temperatures could easily have gone all over the place.
The star of the night though was the Crème Brulee aux Cepes. This humble little custard has been bastardized to death. Ginger, green tea, you name it. So I was skeptical until I took my first spoonful. Slightly sweet, and then the muskiness of the porcini… (Excuse me while I wipe the drool off.)
Why 3 stars? Bistro Voltaire is cramped, loud, and lively. Having just thoroughly enjoyed Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris’, I half expected Gertrude Stein and Dali to appear out of nowhere. Maybe the walls plastered with pictures of French personalities were giving me the hallucination. I also like that Bistro Voltaire, even though it comes off as the most traditional of all the new French restaurants popping up all over Chicago, is really very creative. This is not your neighborhood bistro with the classic steak frites. The kitchen showed a lot of promise. I can’t wait to try actual portions of the dishes, and what else chef has in store.