Aigre Doux: Our First Recommended Restaurant (Chicago-Area Restaurant Review 2)

We read many good reviews about Aigre Doux, so, on the spur of the moment, we decided to try it. That afternoon, we made a 6:15 Saturday night reservation. When we got there, the restaurant looked somewhat empty. But, by the time we left, it was completely full, and with good reason.

Aigre Doux is an excellent new addition to the Chicago fine dining scene. We loved both of our appetizers. In fact, Steve thought the baked risotto over prosciouto was the best risotto he'd ever tasted. Lisa's appetizer, the heirloom tomatos and fresh goat cheese, was also great. Dessert was another highlight. We shared the ice cream trio and the panna cotta with pineapple. Again, Steve thought the ice cream was some of the best he'd ever eaten. The honeycomb ice cream tasted like fresh honey. The butter pecan was rich, and the ginger chocolate chip added a new twist to the usual chocolate chip ice cream experience.

The entrees at Aigre Doux were good, but not as outstanding as the other courses. The salmon was tender, and the rack of lamb, while not presented quite as nicely as one might expect, was flavorful, but neither was spectacular. Given the overall quality of the restaurant, different entrees might well be in keeping with the rest of the meal, and we plan to go back and try other dishes.

Aigre Doux has an extensive wine list, although more in bottles than by the glass. We chose a mid-priced Pomerol, which was quite good. It was not as heavy as some Pomerols and had an interesting smoky taste.

While the food is our first priority, we also enjoyed the artsy (but not overly so) minimalist decor. However, Aigre Doux is a very live room, and when full, became quite loud. The service, while earnest, was a bit uneven, particularly when it got crowded. If you are more interested in the food than the scene, we advise dining at 6 p.m. or before. Total bill was about $190 with tip and wine. With wine by the glass, it would have been closer to $150.

The bathrooms varied. Lisa found the women's room clean and nicely decorated, though she didn't like that the faucet only stayed on when held. The men's room, while clean, had only cold water running from the sink and had no towels.

Our ratings for Aigre Doux, 230 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, Illinois:

8 of 10 steak knives, and 2 of 3 bathroom brushes (1.5 for men's, 2.5 for women's)