Jacky’s Bistro

I’ve eaten here several times because I have a couple of family members who love this place. I think it’s ok. Decent food, ok service, food is a little overpriced for the quality. They do have outdoor seating that’s nice on a nice summer day. I wouldn’t say Jacky’s is good or bad, just mostly not very memorable to me one way or another.

This restaurant has reopened under a new name and cannot speak to it. Was a perfect date night restaurant. (pre-​2009). Excellent wine list, great food, high quality service.

Firstly, if the food was up to par with the waiter (Alfredo) this would be a 6 star restaurant. I can’t say enough about his friendly, but very professional demeanor. We had four courses with wine/​s and after dinner port and he paced everything to perfection and followed our food pairings with considerable conscientiousness.
The food and the owner man doesn’t really compare.
Firstly, the owner was cordial upon entering but couldn’t be bothered with a «Thank you» or anything upon leaving, which is bizarre since we thanked HIM for a good evening. We received a strange inaudible sound, whilst he was looking directly at us.
We were curious about this. Did we linger and take up a table on a busy night? No, it was a slower weekday. Did we act unruly after too much wine? No, it was a work week, thus no hangovers please. Did we share one entrée amongst 5 of us? No, we had full tilt everything. Afterwords, we realised he never «worked» the room, checked with his guests, opened wine, etc. We had asked and he was the owner. Even if he was merely the host that evening this was a strange man. Possibly rude? Couldn’t quite figure that out. Hmm…
Anyway, in hind sight the great experience was our own company and that of the waiter and his excellent service. The food was okay. We were not unhappy, but not inspired to endlessly discuss its details as we do when it is to die for.
For example, the roasted garlic with the bread was good, but Bistro 110 in downtown Chicago is better. And, Bistro 110 is a corporate restaurant. Someone had the crab starter and said it was very good but the other starters were so-​so. I had the steak with pomme frites. The steak was okay. The surprise was that the frites were delicious, even as leftovers. But, I went there for a French steak first. The other entrees had the same response, so-​so. Not bad but not really exciting.
The wine list is good. The wines by-​the-​glass carry a good selection as well.
Nothing is stellar though, and that was the problem along with the strangeness. We or I, would probably give it another try but currently they only receive 2 stars, great waiter or not. I think the lack of acknowledgment upon leaving put a very bad taste in our mouths, pardon the pun, especially after rather high prices for so-​so food. Lasting impressions can also be as powerful as initial ones.

I LOVE roasted garlic. I bet my dentist loves it too. Jacky’s Bistro is a gem in Evanston. We go here for a quiet dinner on a weekday night and we go here for a loud weekend dinner with family. We like Jacky’s Bistro because the service is great and the food is delectable. We love the roasted garlic that comes with the bread. We love the bouillabaisse and the lamb. You can’t go wrong with any of the items. And the coffee… the coffee taste like chocolate.

Honestly, I have always loved this place, and I love it when north shore ladies let their hair down and have a few together. Honestly. Technically, they are probably young ladies.

Meh. Two words come to mind: pretentious. overpriced.
I went for Sunday brunch with my parents and great aunt and uncle. I had taken my parents to Jilly’s a couple of times, which is fantastic, but I wanted us to try something new. (I work at a church in Wilmette on Sundays, so we like to do brunch places in the vicinity).
So, we get to the restaurant, and there is some kind of 70^th birthday party going on – about forty elderly people are milling around the restaurant and around our table. The hostess assured us they would be moving into a back room shortly, which they did, but it made the first fifteen minutes or so a bit awkward. The jazz combo was good but a bit loud for a Sunday morning, so we kindly asked them to turn down the volume a bit, which they did.
The server seemed uncomfortably stiff and formal and a little condescending (when my dad asked for wheat toast the server replied «we only have brioche toast», in a rather annoying tone). For all the condescension, he was not very attentive, and many waters went unfilled and requests for things like coffee or more dressing were unmet. We had asked him to split the bill, which he forgot, and then it took forever to correct the mistake and track him down to pay the bill.
The food is decent, but not spectacular — but with the prices, you’d expect it to be spectacular. Every diner gets a glass of champagne, and if that’s what is jacking up the price of brunch so much, I’d happily do without it. My father’s scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns were $ 12, and didn’t look a whole lot better than diner quality, where they’d surely be half the price. I had the quiche, which was fine, but unmemorable. Everyone was satisfied with their food, but for the prices and the attitude of the waitstaff, I was expecting a lot more.
I doubt I’ll return to Jacky’s. The servers really annoyed me and the food did not live up the high price tag. We’ll stick to Jilly’s for fancy sit down brunch or Walker Bros for fun laid back brunch.

Came for the Jazz Champagne Brunch and had the duck confit eggs benedict which was just ok — pretty sparse on the duck and the hollandaise was uninspired. The croque monsieur (which the server also recommended) was less than ok as the bread used was like 2 inches thick and made the sandwich horribly dry. Also, I think it’s weird that if you sit in the dining room right off the bar, you have to go through the kitchen (just a step mind you) to get to the rest rooms.

Four or five stars reviews I expected a lot more from Jacky’s. I highly recommend making reservations because they fill the place (mostly rich Evanstonites). We were lucky enough to get one of the last tables by the bar, I guess they don’t leave tables open in the dinning area. No big deal except then the service was kind of slow… ok really slow when it came to certain things.
Me: Hi
Hostess: (half smile) Do you have reservations!!!
Me: No, sorry
Hostess: Well then you can seat at the bar tables
Me: Ok, great
Hostess: Please seat yourself
Me: Thanks
10 min later
Me: If it wouldn’t be too much trouble can I have menus!!!
Hostess: Sure
I really only gave it one extra star because I really liked the lay-​out, very clean, classic and romantic. I guess the patio outside would be nice to have a meal too. However it does get very loud, even by the bar. Service was slow, I saw a lot of standing waiters just ignoring the crowd. Food was fast though but…
Has to be the worst French cuisine I have had in this city. I swear the vegetables were from the freezer section at Jewel (actually Jewel is probably better). Only one chicken dish on the menu and it was dry!!! Jacky’s might have designed their dishes from Southern France but they did not execute them like the French. So unimaginative, so flavorless, so disappointed I was. Ok so the oven roasted garlic cloves and oil that they give when you walk in (…well not quite when you walk in) is good but really I could have cooked a better meal myself.
Then you get the bill!!! I really want to give less stars but our waitress was very nice and the bartender pours some crazy drinks (this old gentleman who likes them strong so yours are too) I probably won’t be coming back even for their brunch.

I have been wanting to go there for a meal for a LONG time! And finally, we went here with another couple and enjoyed their Sparking Jazz brunch where we had 1 Complementary Glass of Champagne per Person. Sadly, the hubby had to drink mine for me. I stole a bite of my friend’s Duck Confit Eggs Benedict which was delicious. I opted for the steak and eggs which was huge portions and really good, as well.
Service was very friendly and the prices are a little high (if you want French brunch for the same price — Jilly’s down the road might be for you) but overall, a really great experience. I noticed that they have some great lunch and dinner options.
I also noticed that they offer special menu packages — prix fixe dinner that includes soft drinks/​tea/​coffee for $ 40 per person or prix fixe lunch for $ 20 per person.

I booked on OpenTable, but was running late. Though it was a Tuesday evening, they were quite busy. Luckily, moving my reservation later was no problem.
The food was excellent, starting with our appetizers (onion soup and warm goat cheese crostini), through the main courses (lamb rack and braised short ribs) and the dessert (a yummy chocolate raspberry concoction). The flavors were intense but not overpowering, the food tasted fresh, and everything was cooked perfectly.
Look for coupons in mailers – they can really make a meal here affordable.

You gotta love a place that gives you a free glass of champagne with brunch :) They were nice enough to seat me and my friend for brunch even though we arrived about two minutes before they stopped serving it. The live music was also a nice touch. My soup (cream of tomato with goat cheese) was absolutely wonderful. I also appreciated the tableside service where they poured the soup from a pitcher onto the goat cheese in a bowl right in front of me. The fruit salad actually has lots of nice, fresh berries rather than being diluted with chunks of cheap, crappy watermelon. The duck confit eggs hollaindaise is really, really rich and amazing. Plus the potatoes and peppers that come with it are also cooked in yummy duck fat. Will definitely go for another meal again!

Ah after many duds on my reviews of French restaurants I found a truly spectacular one. The pâté platter was wonderful, the main courses were great although next time I would have the duck over the lamb I ordered (it wast still good). I even enjoyed the scallops and I usually hate them. The desert was great– a few mini crème brules and some wonderful scotch. The wine pairings for dinner was also great.

heaven on earth! I could eat the whole full garlic bundle roasted in olive oil that you get with your bread when you sit down and be completely happy. I got the instructions from the server and tried to make it at home. I almost burned my place down.
The food was delicious and the service is great. Their location is really cute too! If you haven’t been, rest assured that you will be pleased.

We had a party of 6 at Jacky’s last weekend and had reserved the «wine room»…a round table back in the wine racks behind the bar. Great experience there and the location of the wine room damped the noise to where there was nice hustle and bustle background noise, but at a level where you could still hold a conversation. Appetizers were great, especially the crabcake. All entrees were very well liked by everyone. I highly recommend the tiger shrimp on pesto mashed potatos, the lamb or the steaks. All of us being quite full, we opted to split the crème brule trio. A vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut, all of which were delicious and the right amount to top off the evening. Oh, and yes, the roasted garlic and fresh bread was a big hit to start off the meal! The valet was quick with the car and our waiter, a young quirky guy, did a very nice job overall.

We got a gift certificate to Jacky’s and decided to try it this past weekend. We’d been looking for a place Francaise nearby. This one is very quaint and we looked forward to a great meal after checking out the reviews.
The bread with fresh roasted garlic in olive oil for dipping and spreading started us off with lots of hope for the evening. The roasted beet salad with greens and signature dressing was refreshing and tasty. The onion soup was sweet, allowing the onions to create the flavor.
My s-​o got the lamb shank and was in heaven, although his potatoes were supposed to be garlic mashed, instead of the pesto mashed. I got the grilled tiger shrimp and was kind of disappointed in the meal. They were served on a bed of pesto mashed potatoes… not the best flavor for one of my fave comfort foods — I would have preferred the garlic mashed. I’m thinking I should have tried the vegetable risotto, which was actually my first choice… why oh why don’t I listen to my tummy at times like these!!!
Dessert was the best — the pommes tarte with ice cream and the chocolate palet were to die for.
We’ll give it 4 stars — service was superb and the staff was attentive without being intrusive. We’d both like to check it out again on another nite — or pop in for lunch and order the right dish!

Jacky’s Bistro is a dangerous place. For dinner, they bring out whole heads of roasted garlic with their bread. I have been known to eat so much garlic that I’ve been forced to sleep in a different room for days. (Something about the profusion of distinctive smells…) Sorry, I just can’t help myself.
The seared duck breasts, the risottos, lamb, the Assortment of Homemade Pates and Charcuterie with Garnitures… every dish I have ever had at Jacky’s has warranted a 5 star review in and of themselves. The wait staff is always pleasant and helpful, never snotty as other French restaurants are in Evanston. Our waiters have always helped us choose memorable bottles of wine.
This is definitely a great «get away from the city and go on a date» restaurant. It’s so dark, lovely, and romantic. Just be careful of the garlic if you’re planning to get it on later in the evening. It’s really powerful stuff.

I have been there many times for dinner, and Jacky’s bouillabaisse is definitely my favorite dish in the depressing winter season! At $ 23.95, it is a bit pricey, but it will make me happy for a whole week. Worth every penny.
But in this review I want to promote their lunch menu. Although you can still get steak frites, pasta, that kind of thing, they offer a set menu (petit lunch) for $ 11.95. You can choose one soup and one salad, or one soup and one sandwich from the regular menu. It really doesn’t make sense because ordering the salad itself cost you $ 12.95. With the light lunch menu you practically get a free soup!
I thought, OK, what’s the catch, the portion had to be much smaller. I like quantity as much as quality. Would my «light» lunch disappoint? Hell no, my Medium-​rare Sirloin Salad with Tomato Mozzarella Salsa was huge and artfully presented. It had fried onion on top, generous, juicy slices of grilled steak, fresh greens garnished with green onion and shallot, and bits of mozzarella and tomatoes, caprezze style. It’s like eating three dishes at once. And it’s quite huge. Oh, did I say huge? As I had already filled up on onion soup and traditional pain de campagne, I left the bistro completely satisfied.
Come for power lunch, laid back lunch, or whatever! The final tab came to $ 13 (tax included) for one person; and the service was very good. Great value in Evanston!

I went there on my birthday with my girlfriend. We found the place to be quaint and charming.
Service was a tad slow but experieced when it came to the food and wine. They have one of the better selctions in Evanstion. The food was very good, but rather rich and I attribute that to the way the French cook. It was expensive.
Parking was just aweful, being off of a residential street.

i used to work up in evanston and this place is great. my mom and i went to lunch here and it was OUTSTANDING! nice people, good menu.
service was slow, but that was just fine by us. if you are up that way in evanston, check it out for a nice, long lunch.

Agree with both reviewers here. My Mom and me have lunch here maybe 6 or 7 times a year and it’s consistently good — if a bit pricey and the service can be slow. Still it’s always a pleasant setting and all around good experience.
At lunch, avoid the Omelet du Jour — which always sounds really good but is usually too rich and just not worth the price tag (Note: it is extremely easy and inexpensive to make omelets at home — even if you are severely cooking impaired…)
I often order the Salad Nicoise which can be sublime or just plain pretty good — mostly depending on the quality of the tomatoes and how long the potatoes have been sitting around.
This is a great place to go when someone else is paying the bill — and the setting is charming, and with the right person, quite romantic.