"Perfect Nightcap"

August 5, 2012

• Food: Casual French
• Decor: Shabby Chic French Brasserie
• Service: Great!
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great

Overview:

After doing a Randolph crawl with some friends one Tuesday afternoon, we decided to end the night on a high note at Maude's. I had only been to Maude's once to grab drinks while waiting for a table at Au Cheval, and I could not wait to get back to try their food.

I dig the atmosphere here! The mismatched light fixtures and chandeliers along with the brick walls and dim lighting just lend to a really cozy, sexy atmosphere. The upstairs lounge is even sexier, and it's always great to watch the kitchen at work, it's definitely a great date spot.

The first time around my boyfriend and I ordered whiskey smashes and we had to revisit this drink a second time around. I ended up switching to wine with dinner, and the wine list is great as well.

For our late night snack we ordered the French Onion Fondue, which was seriously good, I wanted to lick the plate. It was everything delicious about French Onion soup made to scoop up with some rustic bread. Yum. We also got the Country Terrine, which was also amazing, and the triple cream Delice cheese with strawberries, which almost made me cry with happiness- it was creamy, sharp, sweet, and seriously decadent.

We will be returning to try the full dinner menu soon, this was just a tease!

Recommended Dishes:

"I love this place!"

April 23, 2012

• late night dining

• Food: Casual French
• Decor: Bistro
• Service: Hip
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: Mixologists

Overview:

I really can't say enough about this place, it is just dam cool! Let's start with the atmosphere it is chic, sexy and always has a great buzz in the room. I really think they have done something with the lighting that makes everyone look good.

The bar is quaint and the drinks are sublime. I usually go with one of "Smashes" either the Chartreuse or Smokey violet. If you can't get a table, the bar is as good as anywhere to grab some things off the menu. The second floor also has seating and unlike other places it carries the same vibe upstairs.

I always start with my favorite salad in the city, the classic lyonnasise. It is escarole served with a pork belly and a fried egg on top…how can that be bad? I consider myself a French fry aficionado and the pomme frites here are perfectly crispy served with a dangerously addicting garlic aioli. The steak tartare is one of the best I ever had. For the end of the meal finish off with the crème brulee, they use an iron press to caramelize the sugar on top!

Recommended Dishes:

Lyonnsaie salad, steak tartare, pomme frites and the creme brulee.

"Great liquor bar in the West Loop"

March 8, 2012

• Craft cocktails
• lounge
• west loop

• Food: Small plates, great for sharing
• Decor: Low lighting, French inspired
• Service: Great!
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

Came here on a Thursday night around 5 PM (right when they open) to catch up with a friend over a light dinner. I shouldn't say "light" too lightly, because we ended up ordering 6 things and becoming quite stuffed. My favorite was the chicken liver mousse - it came with a pickled jelly of some sort and was delicious! We also ordered the cheese plate so the two dishes paired nicely. We also got the pork belly salad with the egg and the mushroom appetizer. For dessert - I ate the entire creme brulee!

To drink I had a draft of Bell's Two Hearted and a really fabulous whiskey sour. They are very creative with their drink menu so make sure you read the whole thing before you order!

Recommended Dishes:

Chicken Liver Mousse, Cheese Plate

"One of my favorites!"

January 13, 2012

• great for sharing

• Food: French
• Decor: sexy, warm
• Service: excellent suggestions and service
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: inventive cocktails

Overview:

LOVE Maude's and is always a go-to for me. This really is the perfect place for a date or a night out with friends. It has a very sexy vibe and the food is outstanding.

They have one of my favorite cocktails in the city called The Saint Germain Fizz. If you are a fan of grapefruit, do not miss this drink.

The food is perfect for sharing and there is a wide variety to choose depending on your palate.

Our waiter recommended a few dishes and one was the Shaved vegetable salad. This dish is almost to pretty to eat! It is layers of thinly shaved veggies, bleu cheese and walnuts. Delish!

The Pomme Frittes are a must have every time. Perfectly cripsy and paired with a rich garliz aoili dip. sign me up!

The tenderloin steak tartare is some of the best in the city. Perfection that melts in your mouth.

We went with the short rib speacial and it was a great choice. So tender with a ton of flavor paired with gnochi. Also, could not leave out our friends the brussel sprouts. Divine!

Maude's always impresses and holds a special place in my belly!

Recommended Dishes:

Brussel sprouts, vegetable salad, steak tartare, short ribs, pomme frittes

"Love the Decor!"

August 12, 2011

• Food:
• Decor: Cozy and Frenchy Eclectic
• Service: Good
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

And the food is good. We had the steak tartare, which was really good - a bit of a spicy kick to it. We also had the mussels, which were average in my opion and portion was on the smaller side. I would definitely go back to check out other items on the menu. It is a cozy place and a great night for friends or a date.

Recommended Dishes:

Steak Tartare

"oh là là"

May 18, 2011

• Food:
• Decor:
• Service:
• Cost: $
• Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

The saying "quality is better than quantity" is perfect for this French Bistro! The dinner menu does not have a ton of options, but what they do serve is absolutely excellent. We tried several dishes on the menu. My favorite's were the brussel sprouts (AMAZING and very flavorful!) and the beef short ribs.

Being a liquor bar, the drink menu will not disappoint!

I would recommend sitting at one of the quieter tables upstairs as well.

Recommended Dishes:

"Great Bistro fare in a wonderful setting"

May 5, 2011

• Food: classic french
• Decor: sexy
• Service: solid
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: small, but well thought out

Overview:

Bustling bistro downstairs. swanky, sexy lounge upstairs, who could ask for anything more. Well executed traditional bistro fare, highlighting excellent ingredients. Seafood tower is a must, amazing shrimp, crab and clams. Chicken liver mousse, steak tartare and sausage of the day all outstanding. Well thought out beverage program. Go with friends and share away.

Recommended Dishes:

chicken liver mousse, frittes, seafood tower, sausage, tartare

"French food the sexy way"

April 30, 2011

• Food: French, American
• Decor:
• Service: Great
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great cocktail menu, try the Smash

Overview:

And by that we mean, decadent slippery oysters and crisp duck fat frites (you try not to suck your fingers while you eat them - it's impossible). Jeff Pikus, we would have a crush on you if we weren't all married. Snag a table upstairs, if you can, and enjoy a 'smash' or two, along with the french onion fondue.

Recommended Dishes:

oysters, duck fat frites

"Great drinks and great food"

February 26, 2011

• Great cocktail menu

• Food: Costal French with American twist
• Decor: French contemporary
• Service: Great
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great - but cocktail menu is even better! especially the smashes with vodka

Overview:

From the owners of Gilt, Maude's is a fantastic twist on french food. The atmosphere throughout the restaurant is great but I would recommend sitting upstairs if you can.

Every dish we tried was great and the brussel sprouts are beyond amazing. Another favorite is the drink menu, the Smashes with vodka is highly recommended.

I can't wait to eat at Maude's again and I have a feeling it will become another favorite just like Gilt!

Recommended Dishes:

Lyonnaisse, french onion fondue, pomme frites, escargot, cassoulet, beef shortrib, brussel sprouts

"Go here."

January 27, 2011

• Food: French brasserie meets gastropub.
• Decor: old french brasserie
• Service: friendly and efficient
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: great representation, global

Overview:

First off, the space is amazing. Brand new, but appears to have been there for a century. Downstairs is open, airy, boisterous, with a bar in the back. Exposed brick and a very worn look, yet sophisticatedly modern. Upstairs is completely the opposite, dark, mysterious, quiet, almost prohibition era feeling with another bar. Plenty of lounge seating, very intimate. We had a large party and shared several food items, all delicious (see recommended dishes). The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful.

This place manages to combine lounge and restaurant seamlessly. I'd be happy just coming for drinks, but you'd be missing out on the wonderful food.

I was already a huge fan of Gilt and this place is just as good, if not better. I am excited to return (soon).

Recommended Dishes:

Snails, Duck Rillette, Foie Torchon, Shortrib Bourguignon, Brussel Sprouts, Pork Belly