Les Nomades, Chicago, Illinois Restaurant Details

Food:

A "true Parisian first-class restaurant, this expensive Streeterville French draws applause for Roland Liccioni's "knockout" prix fixe meals featuring "decadent" "updates" of "classic" dishes; gracious hospitality, "incredible" wines and a "refined" townhouse setting with gorgeous" floral arrangements further explain why it's a "special-occasion" pick; P.S. jackets required.

Food:

My wife and I ate dinner here for our anniversary last weekend. First of all, I should say I very much appreciated their ability to accommodate my dietary restriction. However, apart from that, neither of us were very impressed. We have been to high end French restaurants in other cities (Philadelphia, Boston) and this one was not even close in quality of food or service. The hostess was very nice but our waiter and servers were rather stiff, saying very little and barely cracking a smile.

The decor was very nice, but sadly the ambiance was ruined by a large obnoxious group of older adults sitting right behind us. My wife and I would barely have a conversation with those folks cackling behind us. It would have been nice if the staff offered a gentle reminder of their own stated noise policy.

The food: Appetizers were tasty - I enjoyed my artichoke salad very much. Both of us ordered the mushroom soup with high hopes. It tasted like mushrooms in warm milk with a little froth on top. I couldn't believe they were actually serving that in this caliber of restaurant. Both of our main courses were average - nothing that made either one of us go wow, especially not for the price.

Overall, we had a pleasant evening but I would not go back here personally; not even if they lowered the price dramatically.

Food:

Very nice restaurant with French cuisine; even some vegetables come from Chef's garden! Romantic atmosphere and very good service. The wine menu is amazing! If you go there, you definitely have to try the "Grand Marnier soufflé" - Jacket required for men

Food:

Food: 5
Decor: 4
Service: 2

3.5 stars, rounding down. Amazing food, but awkward service.

I came here for a birthday dinner at 5:15pm Saturday. I managed to find street parking right across, so I lucked out.

Upon arriving, there was a woman standing almost in the pathway to the restaurant. I paused for a second, and she asked me if I was going to Les Nomades. After saying yes, she opened the door for me and led me into the restaurant.

They greeted me by name, which is always nice, and I was promptly seated. Normally, I don't care too much about service, as long as it's not horrible. However, this was a nice dinner, and I was about to be a bit surprised.

I was handed the menu. Since I was just interested in the 3 course, I mentioned it to the server since it wasn't listed. He asked me if I had a Savored reservation, and I replied no. He then walked to the back, got another menu, and gave it to me. This one was for the 3-course Savored menu. After a minute or two, he eventually came back with yet another menu, swapping the one I had again. He apologized and said that there is a special 3-course for $65 for early reservations, and that the Savored menu is different.

As I sat figuring out what to order, I could hear him talking in the back about how he felt like a used car salesman (probably because he kept bothering me). Yes, I could almost hear every single word he was saying, since he was maybe a dozen feet away. During my meal, he mentioned something about trimming some trees.

The meal itself was superb. Very solid dishes, with the exception of a couple.

1. Warm vegetable soup amuse
Really good. I can't remember the vegetable, but it was a very nice amuse.

2. Seared diver scallop, heirloom squash, chorizo, preserved black garlic
Delicious. Scallops were perfectly cooked, and the dish was excellent, even though I didn't taste the chorizo.

3. Loup de Mer with lobster ragoût, preserved Meyer lemon, Cognac jus
Delicious. Sea bass was perfectly cooked, one of the best I've had. The greens were excellent, as was the lobster jus.

4. Fruit sorbet palate cleanser
Okay. Sorbet was very good, but the berry sauce that came with it was unusual. It reminded me of a chunky Jamba smoothie.

5. Warm chocolate tart with raspberries, white coffee bean ice cream, vanilla froth and chocolate sauce
Okay. "Warm" was more like "piping hot," and I probably would have burned myself if I dug in right away. The coffee ice cream was okay, but I don't recall any vanilla froth. There was also a side piece of raspberry chocolate, which was excellent. Fresh raspberries were delicious. There was a hint of lemon sauce on my plate (which I'm assuming was an accident), but it was delicious. Wish I had gotten that instead.

6. Macaron, jelly, chocolate, and biscuit
Mediocre. Macaron was so-so, and the chocolate was very rich.

7. Pomegranate soda, 7
Pretty good. I got this instead of alcohol since I was driving after.

If you like rare meat, the venison loin is good. If you like medium meat, the veal is good. I decided to get the sea bass this time.

Service during the meal was good, but very stiff, as everyone else has mentioned. Also, no one wished me happy birthday, which would have been nice since it was jotted on my reservation.

The couple across from me also spoke on their phone and had a server take a picture. I understand it's your anniversary, but the menu specifically states no phones or cameras (hence no pictures from me this time). My server was also their's, and he was much friendlier to them, even volunteering to have them sample some fish and wine.

Total was about $95 after tax/tip. The food was excellent, but I wouldn't come back again since it's pretty overpriced and the service was disappointing.

Food:

Maybe a little bit stuffy, but that is why you come here - one of the last remaining classic French white tablecloth occasion restaurants. Magical in winter with the lights and fireplaces. Costs a fortune, but glad I went.

Food:

Les Nomades is one of Chicago's finest and most elegant dining venues. The food is well prepared and creative. The staff is efficient,attentive and knowledgeable The atmosphere is inviting and quiet. They have a dress code that eliminates having to look at someone wearing a wrinkled plaid shirt, grungy jeans and flip flops. If elegance and sophistication is your thing, it's a must visit.