One of the goals during this Chicago visit was to eat and drink at places we hadn’t tried before. Giordano’s and tea at The Langham aside, we made it a point to try new places. You see, as familiar as we are with downtown Chicago and a couple of the suburbs, my crazy need for familiarity usually leads to us doing almost the same things every time we head up north.
I reached out to Ravae at the Chicago cocktail blog, Drink Fashionably for a few suggestions, and she came back to me with more names than we could get to in one visit. After narrowing down choices according to neighborhood, easy walking distance, menu, and time of day we would visit, Pierrot Gourmet kept popping up as a favorite.
I was a teeny bit hesitant at first, as PG is situated in the Penninsula hotel, directly across from Giordano’s, but the Foo Dogs that guard the hotel’s front doors, and the blue awnings that shield summer diners from the sun always appeared fun and cheerful to me. Not to mention that the hundred times or so I’ve passed by this place, those eating there have had what looked like amazing food on their plates. Saturday, late afternoon, we popped in.
Tiny, beautiful, with a dessert counter that looks like Heaven, and a wall of chickens roasting on a spit, I felt as if I were really in a small French cafe, despite being in an Eastern-inspired hotel.
** the sweets counter **
Tables were small, and close together, whether to encourage conversation or give an authentic French feel. We did strike up conversation over dessert with the couple next to us (whom I overheard to be discussing the purchase of their River North penthouse. I held in my jealousy). Our server, and all the staff I spotted, were kind and courteous. Having never been, we asked for suggestions on starters, and were presented with a charcuterie plate and the fanciest deviled egg I’ve ever laid eyes on.
** starters **
** the world’s prettiest deviled egg **
The very hearty crackers on the cheese plate were sweet and nutty, and the cheese options were well varied. The one you see peeking out in the upper right was a hard, salty number that I fell in love with.
It was difficult to narrow down dinner choices! I kept going back and forth between Truffle Mac and Cheese, Beef Bourguignon, and the Rotisserie Chicken. In the end, the juicy chickens were calling me from the spit, and they won out. The man went with his go-to at any new restuant- the NY Strip Sandwich.
** the steak sandwich **
** my chicken **
The sandwich came with a colorful salad, and boasted tomato, Gruyere, and Mushrooms. The chicken was halved, served on whipped potatoes and covered in a dripping gravy, next to multi-colored carrots. Delicious!
Usually ones to split a dessert, we went our separate ways here. Always a sucker for raspberries, I opted for the Raspberry Creme Fraiche Tart, while he chose the vanilla Creme Brûlée. The tart was wonderful- light and tart with contrasting textures, and the brûlée, while tasty, apparently fell second to Bobby Benjamin’s pistachio at La Coop (I’m sure B is still nursing his heart from his favorite resturant closing).
** raspberry tart **
** brûlée **
I have to admit, I’m now a total sucker for this place! The Parisian atmosphere alone is enough to make me come back, but the food was fantastic- comfortable, not over the top, just perfect for a leisurely meal. I can’t wait to go back when the wicker chairs and tablecloths are beckoning from outside!
