Lincoln Park-French bistro near the zoo
by Dabs about Mon Ami Gabi
Last visit April 19, 2008
I love French bistro food and Mon Ami Gabi is one of my favorites in Chicago along with Marche and Brasserie Jo. This is one of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants and there are several locations, Las Vegas, Bethesda, Oakbrook which is a suburb of Chicago and the original one in Lincoln Park located in the same building as the Belden Stratford Hotel. It is within walking distance of the Lincoln Park zoo so you can combine your visit to the zoo with an early dinner here. During the warmer months, there is dining outside on the terrace but I always seem to go in the colder months.
On a recent Saturday night, the restaurant was very busy but service was efficient and friendly. They even comped our dessert after they broke a wine glass next to our table.
Reservations can be made at I almost always get the same thing when I come here, I start off with the Onion soup au gratin ($6.50), a sweet soup chock full of well cooked onions and croutons topped with loads of cheese. By the time I'm done, I'm almost full, it's large enough to share.
For an entree I select one of the many steak frites ($19.95), sometimes the bordelaise with carmelized onions and red wine sauce, sometimes the bearnaise with tarragon shallot butter, sometimes the steak classique, all come with a hearty portion of crispy frites.
For dessert, I always get the bananas foster crepes ($6.50), a crepe filled with ice cream, covered in bananas and caramel sauce and a dollop of fresh cream. The portion size is huge, one dessert, two spoons.
Entrees run from about $15-$30, appetizers $8-10.
Photos
Lake Michigan view from the Belden-Stratford Hotel
Forum Posts
WNBA Games -- Hotel
by Sagillie5
My daughter and I plan to attend a couple of WNBA games at the UIC Pavilion. We are looking for a moderately priced hotel that is safe and close to public transportation. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We're not sure if it would be better to stay some place as close as possible to the Pavilion or to stay someplace downtown since we are also planning to tour several places in Chicago while we are there. Chicago has so many places to visit that our problem is narrowing our list down.
RE: WNBA Games -- Hotel
by midnight_mike
First, the UIC area is not a place you want to stay. It is a developing area... meaning it is a mix of good and bad. I don't even think there are many hotels around there.... I would stay downtown. I live in Chicago so I have never stayed in a hotel there. I used to live by the Belden Stratford Hotel, which is across the street from the Lincoln Park zoo and two blocks from Lake Michigan. I have heard good things about it. It is about five to ten minutes from downtown. The bus stop is not far away. While staying downtown, you will be close to a lot of attractions However, there will not be many places open at night. Have fun and hope the Sky win a game! Check out my Chicago page as I have a list of things to do
RE: RE: WNBA Games -- Hotel
by Sagillie5
Thanks for letting us know that it would be better to stay downtown rather than near UIC. Is public transportation safe and available at night after the games?
I liked your Chicago tips and suggestions. We had checked on Cubs games, but my daughter thought they were all sold out. After reading your suggestions, we might want to give the ticket brokers a try. I also appreciate the tip of using a train/taxi combo as that is something we'll consider as well.
RE: RE: WNBA Games -- Hotel
by Sagillie5
Thanks for letting us know that it would be better to stay downtown rather than near UIC. Is public transportation safe and available at night after the games?
I liked your Chicago tips and suggestions. We had checked on Cubs games, but my daughter thought they were all sold out. After reading your suggestions, we might want to give the ticket brokers a try. I also appreciate the tip of using a train/taxi combo as that is something we'll consider as well.
RE: RE: WNBA Games -- Hotel
by ljbs
Public transportation is quite safe even at night. Check the Chicago Transit Authority"s web site for routes, passes, and the excellent Trip Planner:
http:/www.transitchicago.com
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