Chez Joel

A unique, intimate spot to enjoy well crafted French food. While for some the menu may seem a bit intimidating or hard to navigate, after being there I would encourage you if you’re going to truly explore French cuisine this would be a place to try it in Chicago! We had salads and pommes frites to start with their warm table bread and then Flounder, Filet Mignon, and Mixed Seafood platter. Finished with desserts. All were outstanding and I cleaned my plate! Atmosphere for me was a bit dated and average thus the lower rating, food outshined that for sure!

We chose the restaurant to celebrate a 2 year anniversary and I recommend this venue to anyone looking for any occasion - but it definitely leans towards intimate/romantic. My partner speaks French, so we were both pleasantly surprised when our waiter, Omar, who was welcoming and witty, was able to speak fluently and take our order in French. The menu was thoughtfully procured and the food presentation was above average for the price. For myself, I had just returned from a European trip and eating at this restaurant made me teary-eyed as it brought back amazing memories of Paris from the music playlist to the intimate restaurant layout. Most important to us was that there was easy access to ample free street parking! (Valet was also available to those who were wondering.)

Free street parking if you can find it. We found some free spots close to our reservation time. Service was exceptional. Every dish was superb, can’t find any faults. Price is standard for this type of cuisine. -grilled calamari with pesto, arugula, and roasted peppers -Frog legs with garlic spinach, capers, and brown butter sauce - not on current menu unless you ask -Rack of lamb, mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, au jus - any lamb is good on their menu -magret et confit de canard, sauce a l’orange -gateau aux amondes -profiterole

Loveddddd this little intimate French bistro! Definitely a new favorite. The bread with their special oil is great. French onion soup is bomb! We had the grilled calamari, good flavor but I know now I just prefer fried calamari. The steak with the peppercorn sauce is oh so yummy. I had the half chicken with mashed potatoes; the sauce was very tasty. Went for my birthday and they brought out the creamiest vanilla ice cream. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend.

Was my first time there with my wife. I seriously don't have enough words to complement this restaurant. The whole experience was excellent. Our server Nancy was fantastic, friendly, helpful. Food was great, I have to say the onion soup, I could drink a gallon of it! Sooo good! Seriously. Even on the end of the night, our valet parking guy Juan Carlos was so attentive and nice. You guys are doing a fantastic job. I have to mention the ambience of the whole place inside and outside is breathtaking. Definitely a place to come back over and over....

One of my favorite Chicago restaurants that always makes a repeat visit on my list. The service is outstanding and the ambiance to die for. Outside is a magical oasis and inside is charming and elegant. So many delicious entrees to enjoy I could pick just one. Save room for dessert. The frites are a must. We tasted each others meals and all agreed the lamb shank was the winner over duck and steak.

We really enjoyed our dinner here on St Val 2023. The stand out dishes for us are the mussels & the duck. We had spent 2 weeks in Belgium this past summer, and ate mussels everywhere. We both agreed that the flavor here at Chez Joel was better than any of the many we tried in The Land of Mussels...even Brussels! The duck was perfectlycooked and so flavorful. And the creme brulé is a must here as well. Our only regret is that we are lifelong Chicagoans and we should have been here years ago.