French Accent

The value just isn't there. You're paying for convenience.

This afternoon I think I just had my 4th lunch at French Accent, which is located on the "restaurant level" above the lobby of the Willis Tower.  I am happy and impressed with the quality of food offered at this wonderful spot for lunch in the West Loop. I understand they do dinner, too.  

It took me a while to become accustom to the set-up, but it is buffet-style with a few separate stations.  The large table starts off with cold options such as leaf salads, cheese, cold cut meats, cold fresh roasted vegetables, the obligatory salad bar veggies, toppings and dressings.  Then some fresh fruit and prepared salad options that change daily are available.  The first day we stopped in, there was a cold, whole salmon available (poached maybe?), complete with thin onion slices, capers, lemon and sour cream. Wow!

Let me see if I can remember what was offered on the opposite side of the buffet table. Wild rice, blackened tilapia, roasted beets, a vegetable medley, chicken cordon bleu, cheese ravioli in a light basil cream sauce, roast beef (medium and medium rare) with a wine reduction sauce and fresh parsley, mashed potatoes, ratatouille...  there was more, but I didn't plan on taking a whole inventory!

Everything, I mean everything was fresh and wonderfully prepared.  There were cooks and runners all over refreshing the numerous chafing dishes. This isn't a big honking steam table, they use smaller-to-medium sized chafing dishes that are, from what I could see, promptly refilled with fresh batches of well prepared, well flavored and seasoned food.
 
I haven't even mentioned the pizza, or maybe it's an Italian flat bread station, where I believe they also prepare bistro styled sandwiches and salads, the carving station with a variety of roast meat, a station where they prepare made-to-order crêpes. I think there's juice bar and cocktails are available from their full bar, as well.

You pay for most of the food by the pound and that's often been a turn off for me, since it's hard to assess the value of such a pricing scheme.  I swear, the value is there at French Accent!

I'm going to make it a point to carry one or two business cards from French Accent so when I'm asked on the street for a recommendation on where to eat, I'll have a quick answer.  These people do it right.

I really like this place. This is my go to place when I want something healthy but don't want to stand in line for it. :) Close to my office so I usually go there at least once a week. Good selection at the hot food buffet, also have a decent organic selection at the salad bar. Prices are not bad considering the food is good quality.