"Poached eggs were perfect, as was the salmon and hangar steak. All the vegetables were cooked with care and the market salad was crisp , delicate, perfectly dressed. But the Bearnaise was too thick and lacked both the tang of wine vinegar and the essential flavor of tarragon, really too bad as it would have made the steak and the asparagus sublime."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem
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"I visited on Mother's Day, on which they were only serving a fixed, limited menu, so I cannot speak to a normal dinner at the restaurant. However, nothing in my experience yesterday would ever inspire me to return. The restaurant failed to identify on its website or when following up with reservation holders that they were only serving a limited menu. I overheard a number of other diners upset to find this out upon being seated. The food itself was just fine. Nothing was bad, but the only consistently remarkable trait of the menu was that they were passably mediocre. The bearnaise was bland, the fries limp, the beef cold for medium rare and seemingly a little past its prime. Otherwise, the service was slow and seemingly disinterested."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"Three of us went on a quiet Monday night. Not many tables were filled, and they are spaced for private conversation, which is a shame because the food was delish. The portions reflected the richness of the ingredients which melded beautifully with each other. Other than being too salty-my trout, my son's lamb ragout, my husband's coq au vin-the food was attractive and really tasty. Both the menu of the day and the Chef's menu are great deals. If you like rice pudding, you'll like the tergoule. The chocolate mousse was presented attractively and made without gelatin. I look forward to returning."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I indulged with the Croque Poisson which is not on the website's menu and it was excellent. Endless mimosas are also a good thing and thankfully you can taste the champagne."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for brunch
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"My boyfriend and I were disappointed with the restaurant. The food was just OK. And we had a horrible waiter, who rushed us to order, and then forgot to tell the kitchen about one of the entrees. We won’t be going back."
Dined on 5/04/2013
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"First off, the service was outstanding. The food was good, but definitely didn't knock my socks off...we went on a Sunday evening and I was unaware of the Sunday Supper arrangement, so we weren't able to order off the full menu. It was fine, very French actually, but I have to say while the food was delicious, nothing I ate made me desperate to return."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2008
Special Features: romantic
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"Second time in and it was much better! I guess I came in on an off night the first time, which happens to the best of us. Food was really great--boeuf bourguignon and croque poisson were fantastic, and the specialty cocktails for the evening were great. Service was a little more casual than I'm used to, but not bad or inattentive. So happy I chose to give it another chance--will be back for sure."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic
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"It was Easter and the place was pretty empty. The prix fixe menu was good, not outstanding, though. Portions were good, but unfortunately we won't be returning as we weren't blown away by this restaurant."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"We had a fantastic meal at Brasserie 54 this weekend. Two of us had the menu de jour, with Boudin blanc and port tenderoloin, both were very tasty. My partner had the frog legs and lamb cheeks.
Normally, I would complain about the very limited selection of wines by the glass, but we tasted 3 out of the 7 and all three were very good. So I now think they have quality and don't need quantity.
We also had drinks before dinner upstairs, and the bartender was very engaging, talking with us about his homemade simple syrup and bitters.
We're just moving into the neighborhood and we will be back."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Service was a little off. There was no host when I arrived and all the staff were in back, so I wandered for a bit. I grabbed a pre-dinner cocktail--the Gold Rush--which was good, but a little too sweet/citrusy for my tastes. For dinner, service started great but fell apart when our empty soup dishes sat on the table for fifteen minutes, and then our mains were sluggish to come out. The main dishes sat empty on the table far longer than was necessary, too. The dessert was on the table before our mains were cleared, and then our server disappeared. After I paid I left and got a sandwich at Subway. I need to give Brasserie 54 another chance on a different night."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2012
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"There is much to choose from in Andersonville. Brasserie 54 has a nice atmosphere, good food and friendly service. Not my favorite, but then the competition is pretty fierce nearby.
Food was quite good and reasonable. We tried the chef's menu, my whole bass was very good. The cocoa rabbit, just okay, but maybe a matter of taste. I have had much better mousse, but the crème brule was nice.
I suggest more comfy chairs at the front tables, great spot, but a bit cramped."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Brasserie 54 shows signs of a new restaurant. It was Easter and they were holding a brunch menu. Several issues presented themselves. They seemed "slammed," even though they knew the time and number of all arrivals. Food drifted out on an irregular basis. They might be new at this and I am willing to give them another try but when I do, I hope that their learning curve has brought them up to speed. I will say that the service was good and that any failure on Brasserie 54's part was no fault of theirs."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
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"Had the croque veggie but made it a madame w/ the egg. Super good. Escargot was kinda boring. Yummy devereaux cocktail. They took our dessert off the menu which was nice. Creme Brulee was one of the best I've had."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"The restaurant was fairly middle-of-the-road. Nothing seriously was wrong but nothing was overwhelming good. The brick chicken was good but the sides that came with were non-existent. My friend said his steak frites was good but the steak lacked good flavor. Do not let them sit you at any of the high top tables at the bar. There isn't enough room on either side between the bar and the regular tables for staff to properly use so we were constantly being knocked by the clearly aware (and polite) staff. Desert choices are seriously lacking."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2007
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"Went on a rare date with my husband (kids at a sleepover) so picking the right dinner spot was important. We live close to Andersonville and friends suggested Brasserie 54. We loved the former wine bar that existed prior to this new restaurant so we also had another hurdle in our minds: make us love you even more. I cannot say enough great things about our experience. We chose a later seating (8:30pm) on Saturday night and the place was teeming with energy and packed. The service was impeccable--probably the best I've had in Chicago...friendly, knowledgeable staff anticipating your every need. The food was insane--hearty, delicious,and moderately priced. We each had 3 courses-w/d drinks and wine came to $120... This is now "our place"!"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Be sure and start upstairs at L'etage for cocktails (great atmosphere with decent drinks). We had reservations but were asked to wait for about 10 minutes at the bar. We ended up eating at the bar which felt cozier than the tables in the front. We each had fish (whitefish and the special whichwas lake trout. Both were delicious! Save room for the desserts - chocolate mousse and creme brûlée were a nice finish to the meal. LImited wine selections but solid choices. All in a great night out and a real value."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"After a glass of Champagne spilled all over guests at the table next to us, our table took a backseat to staff efforts to make up for that. We waited an hour for our entrees and had to point that out to our waiter and the host. Once they knew, they bent over backward for us, even hugely discounting the price of our dinner and offering dessert and drinks gratis.
This is usually a favorite spot for us in the neighborhood, and the staff knew how to make a less-than-stellar evening much better. Things do happen; but this place gets high marks for dealing with unexpected issues."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2006
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"I don't know much about french food other than what I have learned on PBS from Julia Child and Jacques Pepin.
I do know that Brasserie54 will be seeing me again. The food was good I had a dark chicken quarter in a savory brown roux with pearl onions as my entree and a french lentil soup which was new to me. I enjoy lentil soups but mostly have had them with Indian or Mediterranean or Middle Eastern fare.
The atmosphere is slightly rustic and cozy warm yellows and wood tones make you feel at home. Service was how do you say, ah yes, tres bien.
I would like to go back for another Sunday supper or perhaps just brunch."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"I had their prix fixe restaurant week dinner... fish, sea bass... way overcooked. Oysters and desert were excellent. nice wine list... though no muscat desert wines. Wait staff friendly and professional."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2002
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"We had a lovely Valentines' Day dinner. Excellent service and attention to detail, a lively but not loud setting, and very good food. We are regulars, and will be back again soon. A great addition to the Andersonville neighborhood."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"I really enjoyed Brasserie 54, a nice little place tucked into the heart of Andersonville. The interior is fairly simple, but felt cozy and romantic. It was a quiet Monday night, so I can't comment on the noise. Our server was delightful - friendly, knowledgeable and energetic. The food was delicious. I had a comfort food veal dish and my son had the traditional steak and frites. He was having a last meal before a tonsillectomy and was very happy with his selection. The steak was a nice thick cut and cooked perfectly. I definitely plan to go back again."
Dined on 02/11/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"The best filet I've ever had in my life. Charlie, the general manager, was so attentive, wonderful and helpful. Great place. I'll definitely be going back soon."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Great food at affordable prices. Intimate and the menu is nonintimidating. Our waiter was friendly and not overly chatty. Overall a great evening out."
Dined on 02/04/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Brasserie 54 is a very nice classic French Brasserie. Food is great and the manager Charlie is always running around making sure everything is perfect for everyone there. It is worth checking out."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"It was fine. The food was fine, the server was hurried but I think perhaps each server just had too many tables? The foie gras with blood orange was the highlight of the evening (and the first thing we had) everything after that was pretty much down hill."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion
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