Cafe des Amis Restaurant Review: This spacious, vivacious brasserie at the corner of Union and Buchanan features a chic atmosphere. The stately dining room is handsome in its sharp black, white and red dressings --- dramatic red velvet curtains and comfortable booths hint at old-fashioned luxury, while high ceilings and colossal French doors open to the sidewalk to keep things airy. The menu is full of sophisticated classics, most of them French --- think escargots, as well as cracked crab, clams and plump shrimp in hefty stainless steel bowls packed with shaved ice. Entrées hail from the French countryside, and include a rustic and robust coq au vin, the skin crisped and caramelized, paired with creamy potato mousseline. Rather than upstage, a bed of hearty lentils braised in a red wine gastrique provides friendly rivalry to tender grilled arctic char. Look for the requisite selection of cheese and charcuterie. Desserts are lovely reinvented standards, such as a strawberry tart smartly paired with basil sorbet, while a nice twist on lemon tart includes a brûléed crust on top. The wine list touts 500 bottles, the majority of which hail from France.
|
Send to Phone 
Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area.
