Chez Simo Bistro Chicago

Vive la différence! A French bistro in the middle of Ravenswood that has the feel of those I remember fondly eating at in Paris and it is BYOB? Sign me up. So glad I got to experience this place. Very cute place that has that old European feel. Throw in the fact that the folks working there speak French and voilà, I am sold. Space itself is not that large, so I can see how having a reservation would make total sense if you are coming later in the evening. Let me preface this review by saying that the service was very European. So mes amies, if you are in a hurry, this might not be the place for you. We sat down at 5:05 pm. Glasses for the bubbles came about five minutes later. The waiter chatted with us for another 5 min while pouring, remembered Dr M and his party and chatted another 5 min. He came back with this great bread and a cold butter/black olive spread that was very good. Dr M and I nosed and chatted and had bubbles until about 6:05 pm. We were the only ones in the restaurant still, but what I liked was the fact that I could see him out of the corner of my eye, but he did not intrude on our conversation. We were not in a hurry and were fine with the bread and butter. It was nice not to have a server repeatedly asking if we were ready to order. Once we were ready to order, I caught the server's eye and he came over and took our order. I was going for broke, so I got the Escargot, the Terrine of Foie Gras, and the braised short ribs with a side of cabbage. Dr M got the Coq au Vin. What was nice about ordering was although we told him everything that we wanted, each dish came out at a respectable time after the one that was finished. And we were not rushed. I am bias when it comes to snails and fois gras, so you really have to screw it up for me not to like it. I will say that some folks may balk at the size of the fois gras based on the price, but it was worth it for me. Very delicate flavor and it was paired with what I believed to be either a fig or plum sauce. Very nice on the bread. The Escargot were super tender and the garlic was not overwhelming...just a hint in the pernod butter. The Braised Short Rib fell off the bone, I mean it just slipped out. If had one complaint about this dish, it would be that it needed more mash potatoes, but I am a potato lover and there can never be enough on my plate. Next time I will order a side with whatever I get. The cabbage was good, but too sweet for me. Dr M enjoyed it. Not sure why I was thinking it would taste like the red cabbage that I get at German restaurants. It was darker in color and tasted as if it had been cooked with raisins and brown sugar. Dr M's Coq au Vin was amazing. No idea how they cooked that chicken, but man it just slid off those bones like nothing. I would have love some rice to throw into that broth just to suck it up and eat it.

Excellent food and service. Great prices and a wonderful place for a night out with friends. Not the type of place where you run in and run out. But that's okay with me!