La Sardine

I headed to La Sardine with Ginger D. and Howie M. to celebrate Howie's birthday, which happened to fall on a Tuesday. This made La Sardine the perfect choice for us due to their Prix Fixed Menu, appetizer, entrée, and dessert for $27. A STEAL when you consider the fact that some of the entrees are $27 individually.
Being a picky vegetarian there were not many options for me, however I must mention that the gorgonzola potatoes were absolutely delicious! I would go back just for the potatoes. Dessert is what sticks out regarding my experience at La Sardine. My white chocolate raspberry bread pudding was heavenly, and perfectly portioned for one if you are a "dessert person" and two if you just want a taste. I did sample the birthday boy's lavender ice cream.......big sigh, I love lavender ice cream when its done right and this was "done right". So smooth, so refreshing........ I would return to La Sardine just for dessert if not for the atrocious service we received.

I know that wait staff are people, they have bad days, colds, rude customers etc. I also acknowledge that this was a busy night due to the Prix Fixed Menu, however there is no excuse for the behavior of our waitress Callie. She acted as if we were keeping her from something extremely important and we were bothering her with our silly questions about food and requests for items such as honey for tea (quick question- how can an establishment serve honey on a cheese platter but not have honey to serve with tea?).

Some specific examples of our horrid service include; upon explaining that it was Howie's birthday she did not bother to smile or say "happy birthday" (actually she did not smile at all- but she did send out a candle with his ice cream); when I asked her questions about some of the menu items she spoke to me as if I had an IQ of 50 because I was not familiar with French cooking styles; she never asked us how things were, poor Howie had his hands in the air like a school boy trying to get her attention to place requests; in response to a question Ginger D. had regarding post dinner coffee drinks she again began the "I am talking to someone with an IQ of 50" tone; after we received our café au lait (which was not made in the kitchen, she poured coffee and then handed us the tiniest side of warm milk I had ever seen) I took a sip and felt it was really too weak for my preferences. Ginger D felt the same way and when Callie came back, Ginger asked if she could please remove the coffee from the bill as we did not enjoy or drink it (both of our cups were full) and she received a blank stare. I piped in that the coffee was "far too weak for my tastes, and I was sorry but could she remove it from the bill", she did not say "sorry" or "okay" or "I will see what I can do" she said "well have you had our coffee before?" Ginger stated that she had eaten at the sister restaruant Bouchon previously and enjoyed their coffee, Callie replied "well its the same." That was not the point. The coffee at Bouchon is relevant to the taste and strength of the coffee we wished to enjoy at La Sardine THAT night.

At this point we felt so bad that Howie's bday dinner was being ruined I just stated "No, this is my first time here, I prefer much stronger coffee, can you PLEASE remove this from the bill?" and she replied "fine". Ginger D. stated that we were ready for the check and she said "Good.". She then proceeded to drop the check on my tea pot and walk off in a huff. She did not ask if we needed anything else, she did not say thank you, she did not ask us to come again to La Sardine. I suppose our questions regarding the menu items, requests for condiments and coffee were just SO DEMANDING she was glad to be rid of us!

For the record we did tip 20%, as I know that tips are often shared and the Hosts were very polite and helpful. I would not want the bus people or hosts to suffer because of one indignant server.

If you happen to have a pleasant server I am sure La Sardine would be a "go-to spot" for french cuisine, however a bad taste has been left in my mouth. Sadly I will not be back to La Sardine despite the wonderful dessert given that I do not need to attend a restaurant or spend my hard earned money and feel as if I am a burden. I feel especially terrible that it was my friend's birthday and THIS is the experience he was left with.

Coming here with a group on a Tuesday night was an excellent idea. The $27 prix-fixe is a phenomenal deal, especially since the entire menu is open to select from. We really enjoyed the Chef's interpretation of bouillabaisse. It was wholesome, traditional, and with a generous helping of seafood - no complaints there.

The soufflé is pretty good. I'd actually hold off on the cream- it is a bit on the sweeter side.

Their new white chocolate soufflé with passion fruit sauce is quite possibly the best dessert I've ever had in my life.  Incredible doesn't begin to cover it!  

Been coming here for a few years now and I've never had a bad meal.  The food is so rich, comforting, filling...what more could you want on a cold Chicago day?   Favorite standby dish is probably the Lyonaisse salad.  Hot poached egg on top of a salad???  Yes.  Trust me.  And always order a soufflé for dessert, because they're absolutely perfect and where else are you going to get them on a dessert menu?

Can't beat the Tuesday night special!  

Street parking is actually decent in this area, another score.