Inside Fox & Obel, Chicago's Premier Gourmet Food Market, is River East's favorite dining spot The Market Bistro. Overlooking the Ogden Slip and McClurg Court, this restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine at incredible values and features wines from the store at market retail prices, without the customary restaurant mark up or corkage fee. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Reservations for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

41 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

(41 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 41 reviews

5 stars

(9)

4 stars

(17)

3 stars

(12)

2 stars

(2)

1 star

(1)

Food

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

neighborhood gem(27)
fit for foodies(12)
scenic view(12)

notable wine list(9)
great for lunch(7)
romantic(6)

The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel Reviews List

Review 1 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Need more wait staff

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/14/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Lovely setting and good food but the poor wait staff was woefully stretched. I understand the need to control costs, but people should not have to be sweating and running between tables in order to make sure diners are attended to."

Dined on 5/14/2013

Special Features: scenic view, neighborhood gem

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Review 2 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Always delicious - fresh -

Top 1000 contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/22/2013

2007

Dined on 04/22/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Always delicious - fresh - lovely presentation Service very accomodating"

Dined on 04/22/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic

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Review 3 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Pleasant surprise

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/16/2013

2001

Dined on 04/16/2013

2001

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Wasn't expecting much, wanted a quiet place to eat alone on a business trip. The food was excellent, and the prices very reasonable. Was very surprised that the place wasn't more crowded. Ate at several "big name" places on the last two trips, and this one beat them all. Highly recommended"

Dined on 04/16/2013

2001

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 4 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The food was fabulous in this

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/18/2013

2006

Dined on 04/18/2013

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The food was fabulous in this quiet, small restaurant. The menu on open table is the menu for the little deli on the other side of the grocery store. It is not the menu for this restaurant. I had grilled salmon with a mustard sauce with roasted new potatoes and asparagus. It was delicious. Our waiter was very nice but a little full of himself. We didn't order wine but rather a bottle of sparkling Pelegrino. He showed it to us like it was a bottle of wine. I thought he was going to try to uncork it and ask us to check it to make sure it hadn't gone bad! Very funny. But the food is serious and I would really recommend this place."

Dined on 04/18/2013

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 5 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The name describes it well:

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/09/2013

2013

Dined on 04/09/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The name describes it well: a bistro located in a food market. And it offers both, the sensory experience of a good foodmarket and the relaxed atmosphere of a bistro.
Had the combo for lunch: a combination of two half dishes (salat, soup or sandwich). Good quality ingredients, nice combinations. Emphasis on substance rather than on glamour.
Attentive and friendly staff."

Dined on 04/09/2013

2013

Special Features: great for brunch, great for lunch

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Review 6 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Neat place located in a gourmet

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2013

2009

Dined on 04/06/2013

2009

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Neat place located in a gourmet supermarket. The food and atmosphere were great but our server, Gabe, made the visit awesome."

Dined on 04/06/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list

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Review 7 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

EXCELLENT food at very reasonable

Top 500 Contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/04/2013

2002

Dined on 04/04/2013

2002

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"EXCELLENT food at very reasonable prices and most important service has improved a lot since our last visit. If you are in the neighborhood it is the place for dinner."

Dined on 04/04/2013

2002

Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, scenic view

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Review 8 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Exceptionally mediocre

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/31/2013

2008

Dined on 03/31/2013

2008

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Food is quite good, but the service - from the waiters themselves to the accuracy of the dishes we ordered - was absolutely abysmal during this visit."

Dined on 03/31/2013

2008

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 9 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Reasonably priced. Portions

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/26/2013

2009

Dined on 03/26/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Reasonably priced. Portions are just right."

Dined on 03/26/2013

2009

Special Features: scenic view

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Review 10 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great risotto with mushrooms.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2013

2012

Dined on 03/23/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Great risotto with mushrooms. Generous portions. Would definitely go again."

Dined on 03/23/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem

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Review 11 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Disappointing. We thought

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/17/2013

2005

Dined on 03/17/2013

2005

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Disappointing. We thought it would be fitting to have the Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner for St. Patrick’s Day. Bad choice. We weren't looking for anything fancy, just basic but tasty. The corned beef was dry and tasteless, and there was no cabbage to be found. Only the potato soup starter and ice cream sandwich dessert were OK. The wine we chose from their wine list was not available, and the waiter didn’t know to suggest that we could pick one from the store. The ambiance of the bistro is very casual, which is fine if the food is good. We’ve had better dinners here. This, unfortunately, was bad."

Dined on 03/17/2013

2005

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Review 12 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

At an early hour (7 pm ) the

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/11/2013

2009

Dined on 03/11/2013

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"At an early hour (7 pm ) the restaurant was out of several items that were of interst to us. They were also short on wines and asked us to get our wines from the store which in fact worked out well. We will certainly go back because the food quality for value was high but its puzzling that a restaurant would be out of several items on a limited menu early in the evening."

Dined on 03/11/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 13 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Oscar is a wonderful waiter.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/08/2013

2006

Dined on 03/08/2013

2006

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Oscar is a wonderful waiter. He anticipates patrons needs and creates a warm environment."

Dined on 03/08/2013

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list

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Review 14 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Good if You Have a Movie to Catch

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/08/2013

2011

Dined on 03/08/2013

2011

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The restaurants seems a bit impromptu. The dining area gives a feel of a well done wedding reception, nice but not established. The menu options and specials are nice but the execution of the food is usually about average. Most food needs seasoning and a bit of innovation. Service has always been satisfactory."

Dined on 03/08/2013

2011

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 15 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Excellent food at very reasonable

Top 500 Contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/06/2013

2002

Dined on 03/06/2013

2002

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Excellent food at very reasonable prices. However the waiters have to pay more attention to the customers - refilling water generally being around etc. Resturant has great potential."

Dined on 03/06/2013

2002

Special Features: neighborhood gem, scenic view

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Review 16 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great place to go if you are

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/23/2013

2007

Dined on 02/23/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Great place to go if you are off to the Shakespeare theatre. Nice portions - not huge. Very reasonable prices for being so close to navy pier and very nice variety."

Dined on 02/23/2013

2007

Special Features: neighborhood gem, scenic view

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Review 17 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

I had the Chicken and Waffles

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/17/2013

2010

Dined on 02/17/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I had the Chicken and Waffles for brunch and it was delicious. I wish it was a little bit of a bigger portion, but it was tasty. The Smoked Salmon was also very good."

Dined on 02/17/2013

2010

Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch

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Review 18 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Long wait for a mediocre-at-best

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/27/2013

2011

Dined on 01/27/2013

2011

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Long wait for a mediocre-at-best brunch. Took nearly an hour for us to get our food. It wasn't even busy in the restuarant. The server was incredibly rude as well. He invited himself into a private conversation between me and my friend and was incredibly rude. He even had the nerve to offer me life advice. It was bizarre. I will never go back there."

Dined on 01/27/2013

2011

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Review 19 for The Market Bistro at Fox and Obel

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5