Venteux Review

By Rachel Keefe

Photos by Phoebe Fingold

Neighborhood: Chicago Loop

Prices: $$$

Dishes to try: Venteux Burger, Winter Salad, Pappardelle with Braised Short Rib

Located a block away from Millenium Station, Venteux is a cozy yet chic French brasserie, cafe, and oyster bar. Venteux in French means “windswept,” which aptly describes the contemporary vibe of the restaurant upon first entrance. Visitors feel as if they are transported to a charming Parisian restaurant. The burgundy upholstered booth cushions coupled with the soft light of the chandeliers create a classic feel that permeates the entire space. Brass picture frames and mirrors adorn the walls.The clinking of glasses and excited chatter fill the air as waiters bustle about, but the space still invites intimate conversations. The atmosphere balances elegance and simplicity, so customers feel as though they are dining in a sophisticated space without it being too pretentious.

Dining on the early side of a Friday night, our table was seated in the heart of the main dining room. The menu meshes the staples of French cuisine—steak frites, French onion soup, and ratatouille en cocotte, to name a few—with traditional eats like their classic Venteux burger. As a group of eight, we ordered a variety of dishes, sharing plates with one another as the portion sizes were extremely generous. In the beginning, the service was prompt and efficient, however, as the night progressed, the staff was less attentive to our table, which resulted in slower fulfillment of requests and food service.

The winter salad—composed of sweet candied walnut, tart pears, red beets, and Boursin atop fresh mixed greens—was a table favorite. The complementary blend of sweet and savory had a delectable taste, which was further enhanced by the airiness of the champagne herb vinaigrette. Moving on to the heartier dishes, the salmon en papillote was tender and coupled with warm baked vegetables. While the salmon had a rich, buttery flavor, the presentation was somewhat strange in the paper wrapping and lacked aesthetic quality— in other words, it was not very Instagram worthy. However, the pappardelle with braised short rib was decadent. The tender, slow-cooked short rib mixed with the hearty paradelle pasta created a comforting harmony of taste and texture. The saltiness of the crispy pancetta and the creaminess of the chestnut mushrooms added depth to the dish, melding together a rich abundance of flavor. We finished with the classic Venteux burger. Though the burger size was a bit overwhelming, the patty topped with gruyére had a smoky flavor, which paired nicely with the mountain of crispy thin-cut fries.

All in all, Venteux was successful in producing the classic feel of a Parisian restaurant while satisfying our palettes with rich cuisine. Although service at the restaurant was substandard, the overall experience was positive given the warm ambiance and delightful food that pleased both our eyes and taste buds. So, if you’re looking to indulge in flavorful French cuisine, Venteux is the spot for you.