Le Figaro

Le Figaro actually a bit overbearing – there’s a limit to how good service can be before becoming intrusive. Otherwise fantastic.

This restaurant is in an interesting building/​location, but overall I was very impressed. If I was just going off of the food and ambiance it would be a solid four stars, but because of the excellent service we received from our waiter (I wish I could remember his name!!) I have to give it five stars. Our waiter was fantastic and very helpful since it was our first time there. My date had the lobster bisque to start while I had the asparagus bisque. Both were very good. I had the veal medallions with seafood, asparagus and bearnaise sauce which far exceeded my expectations. He had the New York Strip with a cognac black peppercorn sauce that literally melted in your mouth. For dessert our waiter recommended his favorite and we loved it!

I came expecting an elegant meal in an upscale restaurant. I was ready for tablecloths, high prices, small yet fancy-​looking portions, and everything I always expect from a fine dining experience.
What I found:
Elegant, yet very outdated. I doubt this place has been updated since 30 or 40 years ago. The waiters were nice, but there was something about them that did not fit, although I could not put a finger on it. Perhaps it was the way the man pouring the water dumped our fancily folded napkins onto the table in front of us so that he could pour our water and plop it in front of us… or the way he plopped the bread and butter on the table as if in the middle of a drive-​by while hardly slowing.
The prices appeared high. However, as the meal progressed, I decided that the prices were actually fairly reasonable, considering the fare. Every entrée came with a salad, fresh vegetables, and potatoes. I do not think I have ever seen such generous portions in a «fine dining» experience. Granted, it meant that the typically frilly presentation of what would also be typically a very tiny serving was not nearly as fancy plating as other places I’ve been.
As far as quality. Honestly, the appetizers were fine but didn’t sway me in either direction. However, as far as the main entrée, I ordered the Chateaubriand. The meat was the most tender I can remember having in a very long time, even when dining at other high end steak places. Whatever they do to tenderize, the first bites stunned both me and my husband with it’s softer-​than-​butter texture. I ordered it rare, and it was a perfect rare cut. Absolutely stunning.
I was intrigued by the «tapas» bar section in their separate lounge. Can’t comment on the menu though, as it was not part of the fare on our own menu.
I highly recommend their Chateaubriand. I think this place might get the extra star if the restaurant itself had been updated into a more current elegant surrounding. I do have to add though… I don’t think this place would have quite the muster to survive in a bigger metropolitan area… Quad Cities might be the most appropriate reason they continue to survive, despite decades of stagnant physical appearances.

Great quality food from a limited menu. Unfortunately the quality is not consistent. I’ve had some outstanding meals, and some, such as the last one on Valentine’s Day this year that were very poor.
Service is the highest order, though sometimes slow if they’re very busy.
Mainly french cuisine featuring beef fillets with various sauces. Their garlic soup is delicious and a great treat.

Food service and ambiance all good, for rock island. I had rave reviews abt this place frm a foreigner turned local so I was intrigued, but it’s pretty standard fare and not particularly «French», per se; for what it’s worth the food is good but watch out for the desserts as its not their strong point. You will leave full but slightly regretful

How have I not reviewed Le Figaro, or more specifically their Star Bar, until now! It’s my #1 destination every time I visit the QCA, and I just finished night #2 here for this 4 day-​visit. The ambiance, service, tapas, cocktails, wines, service, and… just the whole experience here is always wonderful and never a disappointment. 5 of us popped into the bar, unexpectedly and somewhate late tonight, around 8pm, ordered about ½ the tapas menu and a few drinks, later followed by desserts, and were served quickly, professionally and with warm friendliness. Couldn’t have been a finer finish to one of our rare QC visits, and leaves me looking so forward to the next time we can get here to visit friends, family, and old favorites.

Did you know? Le Figaro had high hopes in my book but was extremely disappointing.
I arrived at 5p to catch an early dinner before a show at 6p. We were seated quickly with orders placed quickly. After waiting 45 minutes, we finally received our salad. I have to say the house salad was pretty good. The dressing was a mix of blue cheese and somewhat sweet to compliment the apple in the salad. Our entrees, however, did not meet the same expectations. The pork medallions were overlooked. The meat was extremely tough. The steak was cooked to medium rare as we ordered but the crust was overcharred. It was difficult to enjoy without avoiding the burnt taste. The red wine sauce, potatoes, green beans, and carrots were the other highlights of the meal.
Lastly, the service was pretty poor. They didn’t take our coats. They forgot our checks after we had to ask twice. They kept avoiding contact with us. They served our first course after 45 minutes and Second after 30 minutes. The only good part was the guy who refilled our water. He was on top of it, making sure it was never empty.
I really wanted to like this place but sadly I won’t be here again.

Le Figaro has been the best French restaurant I have ever been to by far. They have melt in your mouth food that I can’t even begin to describe. Their atmosphere is very elegant — somewhere to go for a very nice date or dinner. Their service is excellent — they are very attentive and professional. It is not a cheap eat, but it is well worth the money you spend.

Star Bar, a great venue for Tapas. Quiet, comfy, great service and a delicious Tapas selection to suit most any taste. Want to feel like you left the mid-​west…, the Star Bar.

Can’t get better than this. Ive been going here since high school prom! Rasheed is a pro. If you love a great steak and atmosphere you will not be disappointed.

Le Figaro is a strong 3 stars. In the Quad Cities world alone, it is undoubtedly 5 stars, but I am rating it in the broader world. I had mixed feelings about a 4 star rating, because it is a very good restaurant, well run with a fine menu. Compared to some I have rated 4 stars, it is lacking a little excitement. It is a fairly formal, somewhat staid restaurant with good food at reasonable prices. On the other hand, the menu has not changed very much in 20 years. Ms T and I first dined at Chez Rachid when the French Moroccan owner and his Norwegian wife ran their restaurant located in the Hotel Muscatine. We have dined at Le Figaro numerous times since they moved to Rock Island years ago and have always been satisfied.
Out latest visit was in a party of eight for Ms T’s mother’s 90^th birthday. The French influence shows clearly in the dishes and sauces. Our appetizers included Ms T’s absolute favorite which she still raves about, Coquilles St Jacques, rich and buttery. Katie T and I enjoyed our lobster bisque. Several others enjoyed French onion soup.
For main course, both Ms T and Katie had Veal Oscar. It has always been there and is dependably good. Let’s face it though, even the best veal does not have a lot of meaty flavor, but it all works together. I had the beef filet mignon with Cognac peppercorn sauce. I support Andrew T’s contention that the beef needed more sear crust. The birthday girl had the pork medallions in a plum sauce. The dishes are all high quality, well made, showing their French influence. They are not nouvelle cuisine and have not changed much in years. They are safe, not exciting. The menu should not be compared to a high end steak house. It is not the same category.
I don’t want to denigrate Rock Island dining. Le Figaro is likely the best place for a higher end meal in the area. If you are used to Chicago or East Coast you will find quality here at lower prices than you are used to. The clientele is not young. If you are less than 60 years old, you will probably be the youngest one there. You will enjoy Le Figaro and won’t be disappointed. The service is always perfect. If you travel and experience higher end creative dining, you will not be wowed either.

My choice for a special night out in the Quad Cities. Le Figaro serves French-​inspired cuisine in a classy-​casual setting. The entrees run the gamut of succulent meat-​centered meals such as duck with orange or raspberry sauce, but they also offer a vegetarian entrée. If you are in the mood for something lighter, the adjacent Star Bar has a good selection of soups and salads, plus several delicious tapas dishes like bacon-​wrapped dates, escargots, and mini Beef Wellington.

Update: I reconsidered. This can’t be a four star if III Forks in Dallas was also a four star — no way, no how. Was Le Figaro bad? No. Was it great? No. It gets some benefit of the doubt for a smaller town, but not that much, in retrospect. Now, does everything I say below still hold true? Yes. The food was fine. But I can’t rank it the same as III Forks, and I don’t want to make III Forks a five star until I have steaked my face off somewhere in Chicago.
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This is really a strong 3, but I will give it 4 based on location and price. I actually think the place is very not pricey for what they’re serving, but we’ll say it’s «Chicago cheap.» I’ve been here twice, both for a grandmother’s birthday celebration. Both times were pretty good, but not outstanding.
This time around, I started with the french onion, which could use a tiny bit of work. As much as I hate raw onion, I really enjoy a good french onion soup. However, the reason I like it is the strong, savory beef base, a good strong cheese, and nice rich bread. This french onion needed a little stronger base, could do with better cheese, etc, etc. Not bad, but not great.
My entrée was a fillet with a peppercorn crust and a cognac sauce. The beef was fine, tender if not super flavorful. It could have used a better crust of spices, but the cognac sauce was pretty tasty, and it was cooked to exactly the right level, so that I definitely appreciate. Had that crust been a bit better, maybe some more coarse salt, it would have been really quite good. Sides of green and wax beans and potatoes were very good as well. Best part — it was a very nice sized fillet, and was «just» $ 25. Try paying $ 25 for a fillet at most steakhouses.
Others enjoyed their pork medallions with plum sauce and veal oscar, even if I thought the veal wasn’t particularly good — she enjoyed it and that’s what counts.
Service was attentive (even if I never got the club soda I asked for) and my water glass was never empty. My father commented that they probably hadn’t changed their menu in 20+ years, but… hey. If it works, it works. Considering the location, this is really a nice restaurant, serving pretty good fare. One last thing to mention — my 90 year old grandmother might not have been the oldest person in the room. A decidedly elderly crowd. Like, oddly so. Not that it makes a difference. Just amusing.

Very luxe and styled restaurant in the heart of rock island, the district. Excellent continental menu, prompt and attentive staff, and delectable selections.
Very romantic, perfect for an anniversary or special date. Very pricey though, and they do not always carry the latest rendition of the Beaujolais Nuveau… alas.