For over 20 years this has been one of my favorite French venues and my absolute favorite Oak Park restaurant, that’s what makes this review so difficult. Unfortunately the restaurant put a child in charge of the host stand, our experience was unbelievably rude and childlike, she literally told us to go sit down when we asked about our reservation.Someone should take the time to explain to this young lady what it takes to be successful in the hospitality industry.I will not be back…..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Blue Point Oysters
Robert C.
For over 20 years this has been one of my favorite French venues and my absolute favorite Oak Park restaurant, that's what makes this review so difficult. Unfortunately the restaurant put a child in charge of the host stand, our experience was unbelievably rude and childlike, she literally told us to go sit down when we asked about our reservation. Someone should take the time to explain to this young lady what it takes to be successful in the hospitality industry. I will not be back.....
Sissy Siss
I was invited here for my birthday ??? atmosphere was everything. Quiet secluded old school authentic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Tina Himmler
I had the crepes, and it was very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Irina Hynes
Brunch buffet was very average, nothing seemed that fresh; tasteless cheese; hard, dried out cantaloupe; unappetizing quiche with salmon in it (unlabeled), etc. Waiter was very nice. Mostly an Old Ladies Who Lunch scene.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Kbug
This is a delightful little bistro that could be so much more than it is. The food is well flavored - the whitefish entree and lobster salad were good, but the mussels were small and many of them were not fully opened enough for us to be comfortable eating them. There was a LOT of sauce - almost too much, was more like a soup than a sauce. The bread is good, but should be served warm. Last, while the service was pleasant, knowledgeable and friendly, the pace was unreasonably, annoyingly, ridiculously slow. We waited a full hour between our appetizers and the main course, then another 30 minutes for the souffle, which we had - by that point - ordered two hours before!! I appreciate unrushed meals as much as anyone, but we were at the table for >3 hours for one appetizer, one entree and a shared dessert. That's too long.
Shawn Gregory
I had dinner. Everyone raved about their entrees. I ordered the Beef Wellington, which I was a little disappointed with. It was a very thin, fatty piece of meat with too much foie gras and mushrooms. For $42 , I should have sent back.They should get some new menus. A 2 sided printout in a plastic sleeve is too much like a greasy-spoon diner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Michael Bass
Wonderful dining experience. Great food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup
Ryan Scofield
Best Sunday Brunch in Chicago, the staff super friendly! The meal comes with an entree with a buffet and I could have just done buffet. The spread was amazing! Cozy atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Chocolate Mousse, Brioche French Toast
BessC
This is a great neighborhood restaurant. The food and service are always good. The ambience is cozy and it's never been too loud. If you are looking for authentic French food in Oak Park, this is it!
My wife had the red snapper (a special) and I had the seared scallops. We started with an endive salad. Had several reasonably-priced wines by the glass. All first rate. Hemmingway's never disappoints.
Lisl
Such good ambiance for Valentine's day! Live jazz, nixe lighting, flowers and candles. Butternut swash ravioli was a bit oily but everything else was great. Great for date night.
Coco
Service at Hemingway's is always wonderful. Onion soup is always outstanding! My husband's steak was excellent. Chicken pot pie was under salted and sort of flavorless. Everything could have been about half the size. Lovely setting, but tables are very close together. On Valentine's Day, the crowded atmosphere was a little overwhelming. I have had better food at Hemingway's on many occasions, so I will still go there and recommend it to friends.
Otto Man
My partner and I look young for our age and we were asked if we planned to order any other food after initially ordering an appetizer - clearly insinuating if we can even afford to spend more (this was later reinforced when the waiter kept advising what the prices were.)That was rectified later when I asked for an alcoholic beverage half way through dinner and the waiter asked for our ID and saw our actual age - then immediately looked apologetic for the sass they gave earlier on where they insinuated if we could afford the meal. - we tipped 20% still and we spent $163 after tip and tax - nothing crazy, but also by no means "cheapskates."This is Oak Park, we can afford the meal and we've never received this type of service at previous French restaurants in the Chicagoland area.There were no candles lighting the restaurant, like other intimate French restaurants in the area.I'd recommend at least dimming the lights more and lighting with candles, since they were going for intimate setting, but clearly failed at it with cheap Christmas lights.Our waiter couldn't even speak French, which if I'm going for a "proper" French restaurant, at least hire staff who can speak French.The food was good, but the experience was mediocre at best. However, there was someone who always filled our water up to the brim, which was nice, but he wasn't our waiter, but still appreciated.Would recommend Bistro Campagne or Mon Ami Gabi for the same price, same great quality of food, but way better experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
FranciscoV
The Food was Delicious & wonderfully French We had the French Onion & Mushroom Soup and they were outstanding !! My Duck was Cooked Perfectly & my Wife Loved the Butternut Squash Ravioli !! BUT, the STAR of the Meal was my Mango Vanilla Soufflé, just Fantastic & my Wife had a Delicious Crème Brûlée !! We will try the Brunch next, with the Grandchildren !! Thank You
For over 20 years this has been one of my favorite French venues and my absolute favorite Oak Park restaurant, that’s what makes this review so difficult. Unfortunately the restaurant put a child in charge of the host stand, our experience was unbelievably rude and childlike, she literally told us to go sit down when we asked about our reservation.Someone should take the time to explain to this young lady what it takes to be successful in the hospitality industry.I will not be back…..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Blue Point Oysters
For over 20 years this has been one of my favorite French venues and my absolute favorite Oak Park restaurant, that's what makes this review so difficult. Unfortunately the restaurant put a child in charge of the host stand, our experience was unbelievably rude and childlike, she literally told us to go sit down when we asked about our reservation. Someone should take the time to explain to this young lady what it takes to be successful in the hospitality industry. I will not be back.....
I was invited here for my birthday ??? atmosphere was everything. Quiet secluded old school authentic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Seafood
I had the crepes, and it was very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Brunch buffet was very average, nothing seemed that fresh; tasteless cheese; hard, dried out cantaloupe; unappetizing quiche with salmon in it (unlabeled), etc. Waiter was very nice. Mostly an Old Ladies Who Lunch scene.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
This is a delightful little bistro that could be so much more than it is. The food is well flavored - the whitefish entree and lobster salad were good, but the mussels were small and many of them were not fully opened enough for us to be comfortable eating them. There was a LOT of sauce - almost too much, was more like a soup than a sauce. The bread is good, but should be served warm. Last, while the service was pleasant, knowledgeable and friendly, the pace was unreasonably, annoyingly, ridiculously slow. We waited a full hour between our appetizers and the main course, then another 30 minutes for the souffle, which we had - by that point - ordered two hours before!! I appreciate unrushed meals as much as anyone, but we were at the table for >3 hours for one appetizer, one entree and a shared dessert. That's too long.
I had dinner. Everyone raved about their entrees. I ordered the Beef Wellington, which I was a little disappointed with. It was a very thin, fatty piece of meat with too much foie gras and mushrooms. For $42 , I should have sent back.They should get some new menus. A 2 sided printout in a plastic sleeve is too much like a greasy-spoon diner.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Wonderful dining experience. Great food and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup
Best Sunday Brunch in Chicago, the staff super friendly! The meal comes with an entree with a buffet and I could have just done buffet. The spread was amazing! Cozy atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Chocolate Mousse, Brioche French Toast
This is a great neighborhood restaurant. The food and service are always good. The ambience is cozy and it's never been too loud. If you are looking for authentic French food in Oak Park, this is it!
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife had the red snapper (a special) and I had the seared scallops. We started with an endive salad. Had several reasonably-priced wines by the glass. All first rate. Hemmingway's never disappoints.
Such good ambiance for Valentine's day! Live jazz, nixe lighting, flowers and candles. Butternut swash ravioli was a bit oily but everything else was great. Great for date night.
Service at Hemingway's is always wonderful. Onion soup is always outstanding! My husband's steak was excellent. Chicken pot pie was under salted and sort of flavorless. Everything could have been about half the size. Lovely setting, but tables are very close together. On Valentine's Day, the crowded atmosphere was a little overwhelming. I have had better food at Hemingway's on many occasions, so I will still go there and recommend it to friends.
My partner and I look young for our age and we were asked if we planned to order any other food after initially ordering an appetizer - clearly insinuating if we can even afford to spend more (this was later reinforced when the waiter kept advising what the prices were.)That was rectified later when I asked for an alcoholic beverage half way through dinner and the waiter asked for our ID and saw our actual age - then immediately looked apologetic for the sass they gave earlier on where they insinuated if we could afford the meal. - we tipped 20% still and we spent $163 after tip and tax - nothing crazy, but also by no means "cheapskates."This is Oak Park, we can afford the meal and we've never received this type of service at previous French restaurants in the Chicagoland area.There were no candles lighting the restaurant, like other intimate French restaurants in the area.I'd recommend at least dimming the lights more and lighting with candles, since they were going for intimate setting, but clearly failed at it with cheap Christmas lights.Our waiter couldn't even speak French, which if I'm going for a "proper" French restaurant, at least hire staff who can speak French.The food was good, but the experience was mediocre at best. However, there was someone who always filled our water up to the brim, which was nice, but he wasn't our waiter, but still appreciated.Would recommend Bistro Campagne or Mon Ami Gabi for the same price, same great quality of food, but way better experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
The Food was Delicious & wonderfully French We had the French Onion & Mushroom Soup and they were outstanding !! My Duck was Cooked Perfectly & my Wife Loved the Butternut Squash Ravioli !! BUT, the STAR of the Meal was my Mango Vanilla Soufflé, just Fantastic & my Wife had a Delicious Crème Brûlée !! We will try the Brunch next, with the Grandchildren !! Thank You