The Stained Glass Bistro in Evanston - Good Things Come In Small Packages (Chicago Area Restaurant Review 46)

On yet another freezing cold night in this endless Chicago winter we decided to try The Stained Glass Bistro because when we went there previously it seemed like a cozy winter place. While it actually wasn't that cozy, we really liked the dining experience. Initially, while we rarely have anything bad to say about the maitre'd, this time we were unimpressed. She seated us at a table right by the door, and when we asked to move, she grudgingly moved us to a table only a few feet away even though the restaurant was not crowded and a much warmer table away from the door was empty (and remained empty all night). But we got over it.

We started with a bottle of Burton Merlot. This was a good pick for a cold night. It was warming, with a nice fruity aftertaste. We started dinner with a smoked salmon terrine appetizer. This came in the form of a mound and the salmon was fresh and tasted wonderful. We both really loved it.

For salads, Lisa had the apple and watercress. This consisted of a baked apple with the salad part where the core would have been. It was chilled and very tasty, with a good combination of sweet and tart flavors. Steve had the beet carpaccio. It would have been better were it beef carpaccio but for beets it was ok. There were also some nice colors in the mix so Steve found it aesthetially pleasing. He also liked the goat cheese which was why he ordered something with beets in the first place.

We had partaken of Lisa's wonderful chocalate fondue (she could be a four star chef if she cooked more) in the afternoon, so neither of us was particularly hungry (if you can believe it - no Steve really doesn't look like Hurley on Lost), which was reflected in our entree choices. Lisa had what is normally just a hot appetizer, the sauteed crab cakes. These were three small cakes, which Lisa thought had good flavor, if a little spicy. Steve had the salmon, which again looked very pretty and tasted great as well (Lisa had a bite and also thought so).

Dessert was different, and a definite highlight. We ordered the cheese course. This included four different types of cheeses, all of which were in large portions, and all of which tasted superb. Even though we were full, we couldn't help but finish almost all the cheese. Particularly worthy of note were a blue cheese that Steve really liked and a goat cheese that Lisa favored.

The rest rooms were nice, with warm water coming out of the automatic faucets, which often doesn't happen. The rooms were small but clean and well-decorated.

Dinner for two, with a bottle of wine (half-priced on Sundays) was $160 and would have been about $130 with wine by the glass.

Compared to many of the restaurants we go to, which are well over $200 for two, this was a great price, particularly given the top notch quality of all the food. We highly recommend this place, but either reserve a table away from the door or plan to wear your coat during dinner if you go in the winter.

Our ratings for The Stained Glass Bistro, 1735 Benson, Evanston, Illinois
8 of 10 Steak Knives; 2.5 of 3 Bathroom Brushes.