Awesome place for lunch. Always loved the Steak Frites! And Creme Brulee!
(5)
David M.
Update: they redecorated last year. I mightily approve -- it's a very comfortable space.
(4)
Chuck R.
I used to go to this place faithfully. The food is EXCELLENT, the service fine, but .... it's a poor value. I love French Bistros and go to them whenever possible. The problem with 'Retro' is that their cocktails and wines are expensive and the pours are short. This is especially true of their wine pours. As a result, even a moderate drinker is going to run up a big tab. In fairness, they do make their entire wine book available by the glass which is a big positive. Do I love this place? Yup. Do I think it is worth it? Nope. There are just too many other good - and more reasonably priced - alternatives. I can think of two other similar places in Chicagoland (Cafe Touche' in Edison Park and Bistro Margaux on Wells St.) that are just as good and far better values. And ... if you want the shock of your life, go to Sheboygan Wisconsin when you have a day, and eat at Margaux there ... oh dear heavens what a phenomenal place.
(3)
Les O.
Delivered on all fronts.
(4)
Marie B.
Heading to Nordstrom Rack and my friend decides we should get a snack so we are rejuvenated...thus, we pop into the stip mall that houses this and other restuarants. We cannot decide what we want to eat and which restauants are good. Thus, we turn to Yelp... I can see where all the rave comes from! The food is divine. I had the Prix Fix Menu...starting with a huge serving of Pate...which was divine by the way. I also had Roast Tenderloin, which was to die for! I finished my meal with a chocolate ganache and strawberry dish. The service was wonderful and I loved the vibrant energy of the place! It makes for a great place to have a casual meal...but it also had a bit of romanticism about it. We've decided Nordstrom Rack...and Retro Bistro at least once a month...of course, we have a tendency to fudge...so it may be once a week! ; )
(4)
David S.
An adventurous menu combining the best of French menu items with some exciting Asian fusion touches. The interior is very well decorated with incredible, unique wall paintings that are worth the trip by themselves. The wait staff are attentive and very well trained. The finest French restaurant in the Northwest Suburbs.
(5)
barbara m.
Had dinner here on a Saturday night. Tapenade is on the table along with bread. The tapenade was flavorless. New on the menu that night was the fennel gratin and it was pretty inedible. They boiled the fennel bulb until it was mush then melted Asiago cheese over it. Not only was it flavorless but it was green, probably boiled the greens in the same pot with the bulb. Next I ordered the duck confit. Although it was cooked nicely, it was very small and covered in cherry compote served on what I think was either a bed of polenta or couscous. Two strips of carrot and 3 green beans were served on the side. Husband made the mistake of ordering stuffed capon breast. It was stuffed with goat cheese of all things, spinach and a portobello mushrooms, covered with a saffron sauce, again with carrots and green bean strips. Too many strong flavors competing. Presention was poor. There is no aroma of food being prepared fresh. The only redeeming quality about this restaurant was that they had Piper-Heidsieck champagne on the menu.
(1)
M J.
What the heck happened here - new owners? What used to be a great bistro now serves ritz-like crackers as a starter. The food used to be wonderful but now seems average at best. The prices are higher than a lot of Chicago restaurants. I will not be back.
(3)
Barman S.
I decided to try this restaurant after getting a 4-course-dinner-for-2 coupon from Living Social. I'm not disappointed at all because the food was great and the service was excellent. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is the price. With the coupon, I still spent $113. Without the coupon, it'll be about $150 for both of us. Menu (9/10) The selection isn't much, but they look good. All the dishes we got on our first visit were excellent and we'll be back again for a second visit on my wife's birthday in December. Price (4/10) Very expensive compared to another French Restaurant closer to our home. The score of 4 is if there's no coupon. With coupon, I'll give it 7. Ambiance (9/10) I like the setting. It's not too upscale and not too shabby. I can wear a pair of nice jeans and shirt to eat here. No jacket is necessary and no one wears shorts and flip flops. The seating is a bit crowded though because the distance between tables are narrow. Service (10/10) Great service. Our server was attentive and came by our table to ask how we were doing often. Location (8/10) It's a bit far from our house and is located in a strip mall. The area around the place is just so-so, not an upscale neighborhood and not a shabby one. At least the parking is free and there are plenty of spaces out there. Overall score: 8/10
(4)
Katy D.
Delicious and delightful good service
(4)
Krista S.
My husband and I went to Retro Bistro last night because we purchased a Groupon. I wasn't sure what the restaurant would be like since it's in the middle of strip mall, but I was pleasantly surprised. We were greeted very friendly and seated immediately when we arrived. The waitress came over right away and gave us menu and told us about the specials. There was a house made tapenade on the table, which was very good. We don't frequent French restaurants very often, so we had several questions when looking at the menu. The waitress was very friendly and helpful in explaining the dishes to us and making recommendations. We had a tart for an appetizer, which is basically a flat bread pizza. For our entrees we had an open-faced Kobe beef burger and a rolled chicken breast. The food was fantastic. We didn't try any of the desserts because we were so full from our meals. The restaurant ambiance was very relaxed. There was a nice crowd there for a Wednesday evening, so I can imagine it gets busy on the weekends and you would want to make a reservation. I will definitely be going back here again to try more items on their menu. I recommend Wednesday nights because they have a $17/bottle wine special on select bottles. We couldn't take advantage of it because we already were using a Groupon, but will definitely be going back for that offer!
(4)
David G.
We arrived early evening so it was not too busy. The staff was friendly and the owner was on hand to seat us and was very nice. The food is very pricy for this area and not so good. My wife and I had chicken Dijonaise and I felt I had to go on a digging exposition to find the chicken buried in bread crumbs. Not very tasty at all over the top with spices especially rosemary. Everything is alacarte making it more expensive. Did not feel I wanted to go with 3 course special. Will not be going back and I cannot recommend.
(1)
Terri J.
We went here for New Year's Eve. Wow... Cozy little French bistro with amazing food. After devouring all of the fresh crispy bread, we all stated out with the Lobster cakes with a shrimp and a scallop on top with a delightful sauce (of course - it's French!) and a splash of caviar. Superb! I ordered the Dover Sole Wellington with shrimp and lobster mousse...and of course I had to have the truffled mashed potatoes (even though it was part of another entree) because Truffles are just simply the best and they were willing to let me add it. So what's not good cooked inside of puff pastry? I mean really? The dessert was a combo of two chocolate things ( I don't like chocolate so I didn't pay attention but everyone else loved it), a caramel crepe, raspberry sorbet, and a chocolate covered strawberry...delicious! The wine was very good. Expensive...yes. Worth it? Yes! If I ever get the chance to visit again, I will!
(5)
Ilse Albert- l.
We stumbled onto Retro Bistro and it was the best stumble We ever took. We had the Sunday brunch. Three courses for $20. I had the very best carpaccio I've ever had. I compare all carpaccio to one they served in Miami oand this one beat it. Second course I had the beef tips with poached egg and hash browns....yummy yummy. The service was friendly and professional. The room was clean, comfortable and romantic. I would highly recommend it spot. If you want a very good meal and nice atmosphere give Retro Bistro a try.
(4)
Don Z.
I have been to Retro Bistro several times for lunch. Unfortunately, due to the draconian policies of my employer I am not permitted to drink alcohol at lunch. I mention that because it means my review may be skewed due to my sobriety. The place is a tiny little store front in a typical suburban strip mall. There is plenty of parking in a large shared lot. The ambience inside is nice with white table cloths and whimsical paintings on the walls. It is very crowded with tables taking up all available space. I don't think there is really a great spot in the whole restaurant. On my last visit, I ended up in the middle of the main dining room and had the various waitstaff walking back and forth behind me a million times. There is an attempt to be "fancy" at Retro Bistro, but the servers just don't seem to be able to pull it off. Looking at the menu, the first thing that you will notice is that it is expensive. But as I said to begin with, I have been back a few times, so the food is good, but not something I can afford regularly. Lunch for two can easily run $45. I have had several good dishes, with the fish being of particular note. The bison Wellington was also very tasty. You must be willing to wait for this kind of quality. It takes about 30 minutes for the food to be prepared. This can make it hard to squeeze into a lunch time frame. Despite all the walking back and forth, I never saw my waiter during the entire meal. The busboy did a great job of filling water and clearing plates, but the waiter was otherwise occupied until I asked for the check. Overall, I might be back for the occasional special lunch, but I always have a slight hesitation when I think about going to Retro Bistro.
(3)
laura o.
Retro is outstanding. My husband and I have been going there for at least 10 years now and I absolutely love it. The food reflects an attention to detail and a reverence for fresh, beautifully prepared food that delights us every time. The service is consistently great and the ambiance is warm, inviting and romantic. I cannot say enough. Every single person I have introduced to this restaurant has become a fan. Currently they have a wonderful special going with their gift cards. You get a nice bottle of wine in a cute bag with every $50 gift certificate you purchase. Nice!
(5)
V.i.o.l.e.t.t.a. D.
Sooo good! I loved my salad.. this Bistro sure knows food. I loved the presentation of everything.....would be a great place to take your significant other for a romantic meal at night :] The outside isn't very memorable but once you step inside it's a whole 'nother world. I love the little "attention-to-details" they have like the wrapped cubed sugars and linen table clothes...wonderful :] Also, the wait staff is superb..very friendly which is hard to find these days. I didn't have a taste of the delicious looking asparagus soup that my companion had, but next time, it's on! :D
Once was too much. Not what I ordered, sent it back. They had the audacity to remove the fish, wash it, reheat and replate... with again the wrong sauce. The owner came over and grabbed it and brought out a new piece of fish with sauce on the side. It was a foul piece of fish. I ate it anyway and was sick all night. I can't believe what we paid. I know this sounds mean but I'm only being honest.
(1)
Cheryl H.
The area this shop is found in may look iffy, but the restuarant itself was amazing! Good atmosphere and AMAZING food. Went for the champaign brunch and it was well worth it! Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Cara P.
My husband & I reserved a table for our Valentine's Day dinner. At first I was a little wary because it was so easy to book; that didn't seem to be a good sign. Turned out that was only because I wanted a time before they usually get busy. And there's a good reason they get busy! This was one of the nicest evenings I've had. The staff was attentive, the food (steak frites for him, braised rabbit for me) was fantastic, the atmosphere relaxed & comfortable. And, I don't know, somehow the fact that it's in a suburban strip mall makes it even better. GO. GO NOW. ENJOY.
(5)
mary p.
Went to Retro Bistro for the first time last night and loved it! I would grade the service A-, the food A, and the atmosphere A. A few small errors kept the service from rating as perfect as the rest. Had to ask for a refill on my lemonade twice. And when my husband finished his wine and asked for water, he received a second glass of wine. These can be easily overlooked in light of the exceptional experience our dinner was, and the entire staff was friendly, welcoming and professional. Each one of the four in our party was presented with an entree that was extraordinary, meaning the flavor combinations, textures, temperature, portion size, etc were right on, and delicious!!! Appetizers were also wonderful, as was dessert. The wine selection is very nice, and the wine prices are certainly reasonable. Retro Bistro is a restaurant I will most definitely go back to, especially for special occasions. Also looking forward to trying lunch.
(5)
Ron S.
We have been to Retro Bistro at least 6 or 7 times and this is my first review of the restaurant. My wife and I visited for an early dinner last Saturday. The restaurant was mostly empty when we arrived with several patrons at the bar but by 6:45, the restaurant was 80% full. My wife ordered a pomegranate martini and I ordered a Pinot Noir by the glass. She really enjoyed the martini and I thought the Pinot was a good value. Appetizers were steak tartare and brie cheese in a puff pastry. The tartare was as good as any that I have had. The puff pastry was so-so. She ordered the pankau crusted pacific salmon which was very nicely prepared - not a huge portion but very tasty. I have ordered this twice in the past since I am very fond of Alaskan, wild salmon and have never been disappointed. This evening I ordered the grilled beef tenderloin off of the paper specials menu. It was one of the most expensive items on the menu. I was intrigued that the chef would try grilling beef tenderloin much as you would a filet instead of the more traditional oven roasting. I decided to give it a go. I never order filet mignon anymore since I don't feel it has much flavor. The beef tenderloin was cooked perfectly and I remarked to the wife that it was as good as any steak that I have had. For dessert, we just had to try the Jack Daniel's bread pudding. There used to be a restaurant in Chicago (Mrs. O'Learys) that had the best bread pudding I've ever had. I've never found a bread pudding that came close. This was wonderfully prepared with a scoop of ice cream drizzeled with their bourbon sauce. The sauce was a perfect balance of sweetness and whiskey taste. We normally don't order dessert but were glad that we tried the bread pudding. All in all, between the two of us, we had one martini, 3 glasses of wine, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, dessert and one capacinno. The bill was $133. I think that's a pretty good value. Service was mediocre and the reason I have only offered 4 stars. Sure, the decor is nothing to write home about and its in a strip mall but I don't think that is worthy of a downgraded rating. We find it to be a comfortable restaurant that has never disappointed.
(4)
Amanda S.
The service is excellent and the food is delicious. So thrilled that we have such a great restaurant within walking distance. Skip Black Cow and go to Retro Bistro instead!
(5)
Bing B.
One of my favorite French restaurants. Simply: - it's affordable. - it's darn good. esp for the price - unique menu. - service not bad. - in the burbs. If you don't want to deal w/ the snobbery, expensive bill, and mediocre food you might get at other French places, try this place.
(5)
David P.
The entrees are good but the apps is why you come. You HAVE to try the steak tar tar here with a nice pino noir. happy times
(5)
Shannon O.
We love this place. My husband and I actually went here on one of first dates and the night we got engaged so Retro Bistro will always have a special place in our hearts. The food is so good. We have tried a few things off the menu and we have loved it all. The martini's are really good too. We will of course be back!
(5)
Charles S.
Living Social introduced me to this delightful restaurant, and the only thing keeping it from becoming a weekly staple is the price point. I'll just get it out of the way - it isn't cheap, but it isn't going to set you back as much as some of the steak houses will. My wife had the duck liver mousse, tomato soup, stuffed capon; I had the crab cake, tomato soup, and steak au poivre. Dessert was a shared plate, with chocolate cake, a profiterole, and an apple tart. The bread was warm, light, and fluffy - exactly what french bread should be. It was served with a chickpea, tomato, and olive tapenade - I ran out of bread and may have surreptitiously started eating it with a spoon. The duck liver mousse was delicious and rich, and a bit too much for my wife, but a culinary treat for me. The crab cake was delicious, with a wonderful texture and was perfectly cooked without being either over- or under-done. The soup was great. My wife loved the capon, but it could have had more goat cheese for her taste - though a block of goat cheese could have more goat cheese for her taste. The steak au poivre was a solid 8/10; the filet was a slightly lower grade of meat than I expected, but then again, for $20, it is probably spot on. A little more in the way of potatoes and vegetables would add to the presentation - an extra carrot spear and two or three more green beans would make it a more rounded meal. Also, I usually expect a bold peppercorn taste to steak au poivre, and this one was more muted and sublte, and the sauce a bit darker; I would expect it is made with red wine instead of brandy. Overall, it was still fantastic, just not exactly what I was expecting. Dessert was 9/10, and would be 10/10 if just a slightly larger portion size. The atmosphere and decor are great, and the place just oozes charm. Service was fast and helpful.
(4)
Renee S.
Hubby and I went here on a Groupon. I work near this place and always wanted to try it out. The Groupon helped get me in the door, and we will be back. :) Whatever the spread is that they serve you with bread--YUM! I got the salmon special with corn relish. It reminded me of a similar dish I had at Michael Symon's restaurant, but I'm happy to say Retro Bistro was much better and the relish was more "complete" :) Hubby got the NY Strip sandwich, and cleaned his plate. Memorable experience. we WILL be back :)
(5)
Alison G.
Used to be one of my favorite french bistros. But visited it about half a year ago, it was quite disappointed. Everything was extremely salty, like the chef added a whole bag of salt in the food by accident. I cannot even finish half of the lobster soup since it was way too salty. The seafood main course was salty too but i could at least finish half of it. Will i go back again? Yes definitely I just wish it was just an accident and I do not mind to try again since it was not expensive for a french dinner.
(3)
Haley S.
My family lives in Mt Prospect but we don't go to Retro Bistro much for dinner - maybe sometimes for a glass of wine and an appetizer. After our meal on Mother's Day though, we will definitely make a point to return. We had reservations at 4:30pm this past Sunday. There was a prix fixe menu that you could order from if you wanted but you didn't have to. There was also a kids menu for a lower price. I had the crab wellington as an appetizer and it was outstanding!! Probably one of the best crab appetizers I have had in a long time. I had the stuffed capon breast for my main course which was also really good. The chicken was a tad on the dry side but the filling of goat cheese, red pepper and spinach was amazing. The kids had burgers and fries and they were good as well. My husband had pork tenderloin which he said was wonderful and my father in law had the lamb chops which he really enjoyed. The desserts were outstanding as well - creme brulee was so so good. Our waiter brought my stepdaughter the chocolate souffle cake off of the regular menu because she didn't want the ice cream on the kids menu which was very thoughtful and the cake was rich and delicious. We will definitely be back and we're glad this is so close to our house! Forgot to mention, the owner Chris was one of the best hosts I've ever encountered in a restaurant. He gave the moms free champagne and constantly was checking on us to make sure we were happy. It was really nice to feel so welcome.
(5)
Dan G.
3.5 is the actual score. Service was very good, which was pleasant. When we walked in the bar tender took the time to great us, chat, and let us know that someone would seat us shortly. Nice job. The food was okay. We had the braised rib wonton in a red wine reduction sauce, and all the components were fine. But between the wonton and braised ribs... it was all soft. Nothing had any tooth feel; with just a pickled (to cut through the richness of it all), crisp SOMETHING included in the dish, it would have been fantastic. I had the wasabi crusted tuna, and my wife had the steak au poivre. The tuna was disappointing, but then I'll take half the blame. The plate delivered what it promised, but I didn't suspect that the crust would be so thick nor that the tuna be that cooked. My bad. But if they dialed down the thickness of the crust (a dusting, if you will) and kept the tuna more raw they'd have a winner. My wife's steak au poivre was fantastic. Cooked perfectly to our request, and the mashed potatoes were spot on. Nice nice dish. One minor complaint - the plates were fantastically hot. Not sure why they would want the food to continue cooking on the plate... concerned that it sat under some heat lamps for far too long. Drinks were well made, server was engaging. Will give it another shot for sure. Once again, nothing wrong with a 3 star rating.
(3)
harold k.
The garbanzo bean spread for the bread was so tasty! I cant remember the last time I ate so much bread... and the Florida Marlin summer special menu item was delicious!
(4)
トモ T.
You don't need to drive to the city to find this neat casual French bistro serving quality food in the suburbs. While I am not a big fan of their artistic taste of the decor, I like their neighborhood non-chain restaurant atmosphere where you won't find too many people wearing a tie or jacket. Prices are quite reasonable for the quality of ingredients they use. I've dined here a couple times and never been disappointed. We like to order a bunch of appetizers and enjoy them as a meal. They often have dishes with interesting ingredients; furthermore, they have daily specials which make dining really fun. Service was nice and friendly. They also have a pretty good selection of wines by glass. Walk-in on weekday dinner is not a problem, but this place gets pretty crowded on Fri & Sat nights. If you don't have a reservation, you can sit at tables by the bar area on the right and still order from their full menu. They are closed on Sundays. Cold Soup ($5.50) --- Just the right amount of flavor and texture was excellent. Gratin of sea scallops and crayfish ($8) --- One of my favorite. Crab and shrimp cake ($8.95) --- Came with a nice sauce. Soft shell crab ($9.95) --- Special of the day. I liked it, but some may find it too buttery. Pommes frites ($2.95) --- Slightly too salty, but crispy and nice. Maybe not a 5 Star if Retro Bistro was in San Francisco or Chicago, but 5 Stars in Mount Prospect.
(5)
Steven M.
I met a friend here for lunch and we were the first in the gate at noon. We both had an iced tea that was promptly delivered. My friend ordered the soft shell crab and she loved it. I had the grilled New York strip sandwich. It was very well done. But the waiter that I assume was the owner never asked how I wanted it cooked. It had chunks of blue cheese broiled on top of it. The menu did not say anything about bc and I really don't care for it. The bun was only on the bottom and it was soaked. It came with a salad that had grapes in it that also was not on the menu. They served it on the same place so it was mixed in with the juice from the steak. The shoe string fries that I was expecting were pretty good execpt that they were swimming in the tank. I would give this place another try for lunch, but I would not even consider it for dinner.
(2)
Kim G.
Went for dinner tonight and was thoroughly impressed. I had the stuffed capon breast which was phenomenal. The staff was very friendly and inviting...even though we had a groupon. We will definitely be returning!
(5)
Nick S.
The Retro Bistro is what Marketer Seth Godin would call a Meatball Sundae. The restaurants message doesn't match it's product offering. A bistro is a supposed to be a simple restaurant with good food and moderate prices. The Retro Bistro has good, rustic food. It is a very simple restaurant, but it's expensive. There are more entres on the menu over $25 than under and it's an ala carte menu. I'm not being cheap, but if I'm going to pay a fine dining price, I want a fine dining experience. The bartender was our server. She did a nice job serving us, but you could tell the restaurant was playing it by ear and undestaffed. The restaurant has sort of an identity crisis. We were eating on the sidewalk; there was a softball team boozing it up in the bar. Is it a Bistro? Sportsbar? Or fine dining? My advice is improve the inside of the restaurant are make the food and cost more consistent with the ambiance. They also served the same sauce with our appetizer (Crab Cakes) and my Tilapia, which is a little tacky.
(3)
Miriam W.
We were pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant in the midst of a Beaujolais Nouveau release party on the night we went for dinner. The Beaujolais was brilliant (a rare 96 points in Wine Spectator) and the food was good. The bread they serve is great, and we all liked the olive tapenade starter. I had the salad Lyonnaise, which featured frisee tossed in a vinaigrette with bacon and a soft poached egg...delicious. Doug got the foie gras, which he found overly peppered but well sauced. Our friend went for the 3 course prix fixe menu and was happy with the crab wellington app and cassoulet. I had the chicken Dijon, which I liked, but I've made this dish at home with similar results. so I wasn't over the moon. I mean, I like my cooking, and I'm a pretty good cook, but I expect a little more from a French restaurant. We had creme brulee for dessert, and our friend got the chocolate souffle cake. Both were good, but the brulee was missing those flecks of vanilla that are so integral to this dish. The souffle cake was very satisfying, but chocolate nearly always is. Overall, a good dining experience. The violinist roaming the room playing French classics is a nice touch.
(3)
Rik P.
Service was good, you might be satisfied with the size of meal, however the taste was just ok. It is more like French style American cuisine. When you go to this restaurant, do not expect anything...then you can be surprised and enjoy meals.
(3)
J R.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. Definitely don't be put off by the strip mall storefront, this place is a hidden gem. The service is top notch; it's one of those places where I often remark "wow, it seems like they really want us here, like they are happy to wait on us." I'm just going to get it out of the way and tell you that I always order the same thing when I visit Retro Bistro because I like these two particular dishes so much that I am not really interested in anything else. The herbed goat cheese salad is fantastic- I always order it for the salad course, but you can also order a larger size along with chicken and turn it into a meal. The Lolo's pasta is to die for. It's one of those comforting dishes that you tell yourself that you are only going to eat half of, but you are really just going to finish the whole thing because it's so good. I've tried several different desserts here; the profiteroles are incredible.
(5)
Jill P.
We had a great time at Retro's wine dinner Friday night! Every few months they showcase a special wine purveyor and pair 5 wines with a special 5 course menu. Excellent wine. Excellent food. And a very festive and fun vibe! We always look forward to Retro wine dinners!
(5)
Laura A.
This is a little hidden gem that's been around over 20 years. We have taken my father in law here, and he's been impressed... which is hard to do. The menu is limited, but still seems to have something for everyone. Atmosphere is pleasant and casual, the staff and owners are polite and wonderful. This is a favorite of ours, and a go-to for us with friends.
(4)
Barbara O.
Service was great. Food was ok but not at all as good as the reviews said. Went for a dinner with 8 people and I asked 2 others later how their meal was and they said the same...ok, but not the best and overpriced. Plenty of other options in the area.
(2)
Linda B.
We visited on a Saturday night. Hidden in a nondescript strip mall, as we walked up it seemed inviting and bright with music piped outside to welcome us compared to the drab and dark surrounding area. Upon entering, we were enthusiastically greeted and sat a a table around the bar. The staff all night went out of their way to be attentive and friendly. We lucked out as this was one of four nights that they serve Cajun food before Mardis Gras. We were given beads and enjoyed the music and decorations. Most importantly, we ordered the three course fixed price meal, each receiving an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The seafood gumbo and barbecued shrimp brochettes were perfectly prepared. My husband's jambalaya was full of seafood and very good. I had the braised short ribs over mashed potatoes with asparagus and carrots. The meat was tender, the vegetables crisp, and all tasted great. They served bread with a tapenade that looked intimidating but was perfect with the warm bread. For the dessert course we both ordered king's cake, delicious with custard and ice cream on the side, and I promptly won a bottle of wine to take home. All told we enjoyed the night and cannot wait to go back for more good food.
(4)
Jean C.
It was mom's birthday today and we decided to celebrate by coming to Retro Bistro. We had been here before but it had been some time since the last visit. We had an early dinner reservation for 6pm. We were seated immediately and greeted by a couple different people. We looked at the menu and they had a prix fixe menu for $25 with three selections for appetizers, entrees and dessert. I ended up ordering the pate appetizer and the Vietnam Panga Panga. Both were delicious. The pate appetizer with horseradish mustard was large enough to be a meal itself! The Panga Panga had shrimp, scallops and spinach with a lobster sauce all baked in a puff pastry. My husband and my mom got the prix fixe and my father ordered the escargot and steak au poivre. Everyone finished their meals except me. I love leftovers! The service was great even though the server talked as if he was in a hurry. Overall, the meal took about two hours and we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)
David T.
I'd actually give it two and a half stars but the option isn't available. We went on a Saturday night at 7:30 and it was crowded. Met my inlaws and was table of five. Prompt drink service but that was it. I'd say service was sub par with no bus boy. We had to ask for water more than once and it came after appetizers. Food was what I'd call average. The prices were way above average with most entrees over $20. Also not to get too personal but I got sick to my stomach when I got home and I didn't even have anything overly rich. Everyone else was ok. My wife had fish and said it was so-so. My duck was also average. We won't be going back.
(2)
Maria C.
If the restaurant is located in a strip mall, it will need to work extra hard to earn stars from me. I hate to admit but my husband and I have a lot of prejudice against strip malls, let alone restaurants located there. To make things worse, my former boss said so many great things about this place that we got there with high expectations. They overcooked my steak and the place just didn't do it for me. I can't even remember where it is... just deleted from my mind.
(1)
Amanda C.
This place was okay... When you walk in, there is no host station or podeum to indicate where you should go to wait to be seated, so you are left standing there feeling kind of silly. The decor was okay... Kind of cheesey. Big pieces of fruit painted on the wall with christmas lights surrounding them. Not really my idea of cute, but whatever. The patrons were generally well dressed. I didn't know I had to dress up so my guest and I felt a little under-dressed. Mildly uncomfortable but I didn't care! I just wanted delicious yums. They brought a crusty bread right away. Yum. I ordered off of a holiday menu which offered a 3 course meal for $25. I got mussels in a white bean sauce. They were pretty good... Huge portion for an appetizer so I was happy! Manders loves to eat! Num nums! Anyway, as for the main course I got grilled salmon over mashed potatoes in a buttery sauce and my guest got tilapia with shrimp, scallop, and veggie skewers on top. That was served over an orange sauce. The plating was beautiful and I really wanted to dive in. Mine was good... Not great, but definitely good. My guest was annoyed that the skewers only had 2 pieces of shrimp and one scallop; they consisted mostly of red onions. That is lame! Boo! With that being said, both enjoyed our fish. Creme brulle (spelling?) to finish... I liked it, my guest didn't. Factoring in the lame service (our server was so quiet), my guest's opinions, and my own, I'd say this place is just okay. A bit expensive and I will probably never go there again. Go to the Korean restaurant across the street!
(3)
Amanda Z.
strange location but wonderful food, nice ambiance and reasonable prices for the quality and quantity of food you get. Weds is wine special night, so they had good wine for $15 a bottle. we had a yummy Chilean Malbec that we polished off. the bread and bean/olivey dip that they bring out to start is very good. we all ordered the warm goat cheese salad, which is probably one of the best salads i have EVER had. this is a must have. then i had the stuffed chicken breast - goat cheese, spinach, mushrooms and i think onion inside, all on top of some savory tomatoey sauce. served with cous-cous and a little veggies. was wonderful...i ate it all! also tried the grilled steak and fries which was tasty as well, although i preferred my chicken. the fries were nothing special. yummy pumpkin cheesecake for dessert topped off a fabulous meal. highly recommend Retro Bistro if you are in the area...especially for a nice date or special occasion.
(4)
Elizabeth L.
My husband and I noticed the high Zagat rating and since we live in the area decided to give this place a try. We docked a star because the location (in a strip mall) and the decor are a little "suburban diner" feeling for a date night, but the food and the rest of the experience was great! I wouldn't drive out of the city to eat here (not necessarily that you have better value for money in the city), but just because it's a long drive. However, for those in the NW suburbs I definitely recommend giving it a try.
(4)
Wenyi L.
Everything was delicious!
(4)
Suzette B.
I love Retro Bistro. My husband and I appreciate the unique dishes they offer, most everything we have tried there has been delicious. Prices are reasonable, owner and staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, It's sophisticated food without being snobby. Highly recommend!
This is a regular lunch spot of mine and it is rare to find a place that is as consistent as Retro! Week after week they put out outstanding food and spotless service. Some may think Retro is pricey but " you get what you pay for"! If you are on a budget go for the lunch "pre fix" specials giving you the choice of an appetizer, entree and dessert for only $17.00 . You can't go wrong here!
(5)
C. W.
What a great gem in Mount Prospect. I don't know how they make such awesome food this good here, and everywhere else is...decent, good maybe - but this rocks my world. The latest favorite is the Au Poivre (with pepper for the non-French), amazing. My 2-1/2 yr old was mooching off my plate. It is a great date-night destination BUT they also have a kids' menu and sometimes offer specials for kids - the night of Blizzard 2011 for example, kids like mine ate free, and surprisingly we were not nearly the only ones in there, it was a decent crowd considering the roads were awful! The service is so friendly and I almost always get Prix Fixe which is a great deal to try app or soup, dinner & dessert. You can go in jeans or dress up a little, I wouldn't go too casual though. YUM-O, my favorite place in MP!
(5)
Claudia G.
I have been going to Retro Bistro for years for both business and purely social dining - a five star experience every time until my last visit. Focusing on what you will love: - The food is outstanding. My entree every time, given my vegetarian diet, is LoLo's Pasta and it is amazing. Every dinner companion I have ever had has raved about his/her dish as well. - The ambiance is great. It is casual yet upscale. - The service is generally very good. - The owners, save my last visit, are omnipresent. My concerns from my last visit: - I was delighted to see a Yelp Check-In Offer. When I mentioned it to the waiter he knew nothing about it and said he would ask the manager. The manager eventually came over to say she knew nothing about it and since the owners weren't there she couldn't honor it. I understood (begrudgingly). My dinner companion and I were rather surprised we weren't offered a little something (glass of wine? dessert?) since I was showing the discount offer on my smartphone. - The waiter was very atypical from those I have experienced in the past. First he told me I needed to print off the check-in offer...um. Then, I wonder if the manager didn't come over for such an extended time because the waiter was waiting me out. It seemed odd. Also he didn't seem terribly knowledgable about the wine or food. Finally, in the end he put down the check and stared at us for thirty minutes while we chatted. We were nowhere near the last people there. I am chalking this up to when the cat's away the mice will play and hope that my next visit will be a stellar experience as I have enjoyed in the past. Don't let the strip mall locale deter you, just be happy for the ample parking.
(3)
Kay J.
Some of the selections are really delicious, others are just OK. We have eaten here several times over the last 6 years or so, and would say that, for the suburbs, it's a good choice for continental/French food. The live music (a violinist and accordian player) are a little too much "in your face", but it's nice to hear older European melodies for a change. The owner/manager is WAY too in your face, and speaks in a very loud voice (disturbing if you're trying to relax and enjoy your meal). Service is by and large good, and waiters seem knowledgable, but I have had one or two less then stellar service people in the past (one was actually so bad that we complained to the owner/manager, who just stared at us without commenting or apologizing). I have previously said that if Retro Bistro were in the city of Chicago, or in New York or San Francisco, nobody would notice it much.... but for Mount Prospect, it's good. (check out "Le Titi de Paris" for REALLY GREAT French food in the suburbs).
(3)
Sonesh S.
Whoa...what a surprise. Strip Mall + Mount Prospect usually doesn't equal good french food. While this place isn't exactly going to be michelin rated for its french cuisine, the dishes were well prepared, and the quality was decent. The service was great, and the staff was knowledgeable. I wouldn't leave the city to come out here, but if I was in the area, I would certainly visit again. Bartender is great too - always makes sure you have a full glass - very attentive and on the ball.
(3)
Thamara D.
One of my very favorite places to dine. I have been going to this place since 1993 and they have never failed to impress me. Exceptional food, perfect service, very knowledgeable staff, great wine list, full bar and the most accommodating owners I have ever met. They have helped me with wine pairings, put together a well planned girls night to a picnic to Ravinia, always exceeding my expectations. I love the Tuna purse Tartare, Won Ton ravioli, La Casserole Provencal, and Wasabi Seared Ahi Tuna among other exceptional dishes. I am here about once a week, mostly take out when I feel the need to treat my self for great meal. I give my very best recommendation to this little hidden gem in the NW suburbs. Bon Appetit !
(5)
Bill S.
In a word comfortable. Everything good, nothing great except for the singer on Tuesday nights, he was amazing. Thought they were playing recordings of Sinatra. Go Tuesday night for the music, you will enjoy the food as well.
(3)
Maria L.
The service was beyond incredible, the waiters are so friendly and eager to cater to your every need. As for the meal, I am absolutely amazed by their surf and turf combinations! It was unlike any other! There's an amazing selection of seafood and meat So you better come HUN-GRY! And trust me, you WILL BE SATISFIED for DAYS! My favorite is definitely the prime rib ! Overall, the experience was truly beyond amazing.. I didn't even want to leave the restaurant! Me and my girlfriend will definitely be going back there soon! It is our ultimate favorite place to dine!
(4)
John D.
Bar is great, service friendly, owner introduced himself, was busy brought out apps without asking, food good, if you know wine....prices reasonable, while leaving waiter, bartender and owner asked how our experience was....really? Only reason not a 5, one small bathroom had to wait.
(4)
Ilene F.
When my best pal turned into a strip mall while promising a good meal, I was a little skeptical. But then I remembered that some of the best sushi in LA is served under fluorescent lights next to a pet supply store, so I went in with an open mind. After seeing the latest reviews here, I was a little surprised. The service was terrific, and the food was quite good. I guess I wasn't thinking traditional French, so I wasn't disappointed. We shared an appetizer of asparagus and brie, which was melty and fattening, I had a very tasty (and generous) seared tuna with wasabi and ginger while my friend had the pork with apples. The wine choices were spot on, and the dessert was chocolaty and decadent. We both grew up in the City and have pretty high standards when it comes to these things, but both agree that for a decent meal in the 'burbs, this is a pretty good choice.
(4)
Michael O.
Quality food, fast, friendly service (thanks Cara), a fair price and an unpretentious attitude assures we will return. Besides, finding this gem in a strip shopping center makes it all the better.
(5)
Tim D.
My wife and I have been going to RB for years and never been disatisfied. I don't think I've has the same thing twice. Last night two friends came for the first time and LOVED it! They'll be back!
(5)
Joan D.
I've been going here once a month for lunch for about four years and my friend and I love the food. I like the fact that they do change seasonally. The items that are repeated are all good, like the red wine reduction they serve with the chicken and mashed potatoes as well as some other dishes. I've brought friends from out of town as well as from other suburbs and they love it. The prix fixe is $16.00 for lunch and $25 or 28 for dinner. I usually get it for dinner, but it's too much food for lunch. We did order the lunch for the holidays. The two desserts on the prix fixe the last few times were creme brulee or profiteroles, and both were excellent. Good food at a decent price for the quality.
(4)
Colin W.
my wife and i were in the woodfield area and decided to try Retro because we had been there years ago. This place continues to be one of the better restaurants in the suburbs. Great value on food and wine unique choices. the pre-fixe is the way to go. Not your typical chain joint, very special. Highly recommend.
(5)
Rick B.
Great special occasion place... One thing I love about this place is how often they change up the menu. We don't go often, but when we do, it is always a home run. Once, only once, did I order a dish I did not care for. And once, I changed plates with my wife; we each liked the other's entrees better. I know very little about wine, but I know this: this is the only place I've been to that is good at making a suggestion to pairing wine with the meal. It isn't cheap, that is for sure, so it does tend to be a special occasion place for us. Also, we have brought friends to this place who did not care for it. They did not like the spread for the bread, mostly because they did not know what was in the spread. My friends wife scraped things off of her fish because it was orange and she didn't know what it was. ...so, if you are the type of person who wants to know exactly what is in your meal, then you may find the food somewhat inaccessible. If you are like me and you just care if your meal tastes good, then it is highly accessible.
(4)
Roberto F.
I know this sounds dumb but man they really have some great mash potatoes here. There creamy and tasteful, just like mom would make. Food is good two, I usually trie to go for the specials when i'm here since it is kind of pricy. I guess that's why I give it a 4 and not a five. I know food should bewilder the toungue but in my mind food is not that high on my list of things to spend on. Other then that I probably would come here in again, most likely for a lunch time special.
(4)
Lea R.
We drive past this place all the time & for some reason decided to stop one evening. Wow!!! The food was amazing. Our server was so nice. And the owner really made a point of stopping by our table and talking to us. Afterwords we decided to have a drink at the bar and the owner sent over a desert on the house. We definitely can see why the place was packed. The food is great, reasonably priced plus the owner and staff are friendly and make you feel welcome and like an old friend.
(5)
K.M. C.
I've only been to Retro Bistro twice. The first time was around 3 years ago and I can't remember much except they had a good wine list and I liked the skate fish I ordered. This recent second visit was for dessert to celebrate my friend's birthday. I can describe the experience in one word...disappointment. There were 4 in our party and we ordered the Chocolate Ganache Cake, Birthday Assortment (cheesecake, fruit tart, a profiterole), and homemade ice cream. The only dessert worth buying was the ice cream. Either we made the wrong choices or dessert is not their forte. The waiter was very frantic (it was a busy time) and not helpful at all. We asked if the Ganache or the Flourless Cake had a melted middle and he told us the Ganache...wrong! Even if we had ordered dinner, a good French restaurant should have amazing desserts because that's what the French are know for, so I can only give 2 stars. I might try David's Bistro when in the neighborhood next time.
(2)
Michelle F.
The restaurant was suggested by friends. Prix fix menu was $28/person for an appetizer, entree and dessert. The polenta stuffed artichoke appetizer was delicious. The wait staff was friendly and patient. They answered my questions about what menu items were without rolling their eyes or giving me a look. Wines are sorted by price and they have a varied selection.
(4)
Peter F.
Very good restaruant. Food is excellent as is the wine choices. Ambiance is the next best thing to being in France,if you ever want to go there. I don't any more. But this is a very enjoyable place that is not pretentious and they don't get pissed-off if you don't speak French.LOL. Good wait staff. Good prices.
(4)
WIndow S.
Don't be put off by strip-mall location near Asian men-only clubs. We live somewhat nearby, and have been going off & on for years. Daily specials are usually very tasty & good value. Obviously suffering in current economy since we no longer have to wait an hour for a table, and daily menu has fewer choice but lower price ($25! for 3 courses). Veteran waitstaff will provide faster, more pleasant experience than the newer ones. Still, better than expected given the location!
(4)
kb j.
Went there on a Saturday night. Been to this restaurant many times over the last 10+ years. Often crowded. Usually start in the bar while waiting for a table. Small wine list, but usually a few good, relatively inexpensive choices. Once seated, we were presented with warm, crusty french bread and a tapenade-like dip to go with it. Need to be careful not to fill up on the bread, though. Usually get the fish and this time ordered a nut encrusted grouper dish accompanied by (very good) mashed potatoes. Portions are decent sized and given the pricing represent a good value.
(4)
Alexis L.
Amazing service, amazing food! Went for my birthday in May and my boyfriend and I were so impressed that we came back for our anniversary. The lamb shank is heavenly! Trust your server's opinion.
(5)
Alain G.
Going to Retro Bistro was a bit of a disappointment. The food lacked the fresh flavors of good French restaurants, and the side dishes were so small I needed tweezers to find my string beans. The roasted chicken did have a tasty glaze. Desert was also bellow par. A pastry filled with ice cream topped with melted Belgian chocolate lacked the perfection of flakiness and tenderness you would expect from this little globe holding the ice cream. Maybe it's difficult getting the necessary ingredients out in Mount Prospect. And maybe the chef needs to be in the kitchen savoring each and every ingredients. The owner/chef was at the entrance jovially greeting everyone and trying his best to make us feel welcomed, which he succeeded at. But whoever was in the kitchen needed to complement his welcome with a generous hot meal for a bon ami. Keep trying!
(2)
Nathan R.
Excellent restaurant hidden in a little stripmall. From the menu and what I had I don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu. Excellent presentation and very inviting service. I would highly recommend it.
(5)
Gabriel K.
French restaurant. Very nice tapenade to start with, accompanied with warm bread. Had a great halibut for entree. It's not 5 stars since the desserts sounded better than they tasted. They need to improve them. But overall a very good meal!
(4)
K P.
We had the nicest greeting by the owner when we arrived! And the lunch portions were a nice size, not like the expected French 'tidbit'! Oui,oui!
(4)
mike h.
All you people who had such a great experience, I'm happy for you. I'll tell you this. I GOT SICK AS A DOG FROM THEIR STEAK TARTAR . SICK. i wont go into details . I will never eat at this place again. eff them. you think I should have told them? ha what good would it do. EFF THIS PLACE
(1)
Yami J.
Food is great! Service is great! Our waiter introduce us a 3 carouse special deal just for 25 dollars! Include a drink( I got a champagne) we definitely will come back! Ps we use Groupon for Sunday brunch, they r welcome us very nicely;)
(5)
Jackie H.
I have been driving past this strip mall for about 10 years, and never even noticed this place. A few days ago, my dad told our family that he wanted to go to Retro Bistro for his birthday. "Where??" I asked him. "Retro Bistro. It's in that strip mall on Gold and Busse." I still had no idea what he was talking about it. So when I drove by the next day on my way to work, I looked, and sure enough, there it was! I have to admit I was VERY skeptical... Normally strip mall restaurants are a recipe for food poisoning. But we went anyway. And I WAS NOT disappointed. The interior may be a little cheesy, but it had a very homie feel, which I liked. I had the beef tenderloin au poivre, and it was incredible. The beef was perfectly cooked, and the poivre (pepper) sauce that was over it had a lot of flavor. It had a great "zing" to it and added a lot to the beef. It was served over incredible garlic mashed potatoes and with carrots and green beans on the side. It was a delicious meal and I was not disappointed. Had the caramel chocolate cake for dessert and it was incredible, and I don't like caramel. I was impressed to say the least and I will be back. Retro Bistro is definitely a hidden gem of the Chicago suburbs. I HIGHLY recommend it.
(5)
Stephanie L.
This place was good,not great. Pros: crab cake -AMAZING! Bread and spread- yum! Service- fantastic and attentive! Cons: Tilapia- nothing special. Only tasted the potatoes . Very disappointed by this. Escargot- sauce wasn't up to par.
(4)
John S.
First time at Retro Bistro on a weekday eve. Good bread and tapenade was brought out to us first. The lighting is uneven inside so some tables are lit and some super dark... We started with the Ravioli (they call them wontons???) stuffed with goat cheese in a tomato sauce with polenta. It was very good but IMO overloaded with cheese which throws the balance of the dish off. The wonton was super thin (and good) and the tomato sauce was mild (and good) so the cheese powered right thru it. The polenta was also really good, buttery but not overly so. Next had the shrimp and crab cake. It is basically a hockey puck of ground seafood meat. This sounds bad but it really sums it up. If you've ever had shumi from an asian place you will be right at home with this. The flavors of the cake and sauce are good but it's dense because they do not add bread etc as a binder to it. It's all shrimp and crab! A good item to share. I had a salad lyonnaise to follow. Nice greens, bacon, etc but it had 2-3x the amount of dressing needed for my small, pooling at the bottom of the bowl... otherwise it would have been perfect. Had the Duck & Sausage. The duck was good, the sausage was not my style, possibly made with some liver or blood to I've it a slight irony flavor. I just assume this is how certain sausages are made more so in Europe etc but I just don't eat them often. Steak Parisian was next. A nice strip steak cooked just about medium and some nice thin frites. They call them home fries on the menu which makes me think of thicker steak fries. Regardless this was a pretty solid dish. I can see returning to sample a few other things...
(3)
Gary G.
As good as it gets for sure. Serious great food as well at dedicated service! Will be back.
(5)
Marty M.
Owner / Chris is very welcoming and warm. Service was great - helpful/knowledgable of the awesome menu. Food was so great and delicious....nice sized portions (not small potions on large plates). 1/2 off select wine bottles was a treat as was the Happy Anniversary dessert we enjoyed. We'll be back soon.
(5)
Howard L.
This is a nice upbeat place with good French-themed food and friendly attentive servers. I'd say about 4.5 stars overall. They've been here 25 years, but you wouldn't guess it from the look of the modernized strip mall they are located in. In addition to their regular menu, we learned they have a daily $35 three course prix fixe menu, so I went with that. Wife had a roasted chicken salad and samplings from my 3 courses. I ordered a nice chilled cucumber soup, pork tenderloin medallions, and chocolate profiteroles. I enjoyed all the courses and which all had great taste, flavor, and presentation. The profiteroles were the nicest and most flavorful presentation I've had for such and came with delectable white chocolate, raspberrry, and chocolate sauces. They had a nice vibrant weekday crowd, and everyone here except possibly for us were wine drinkers. Overall, a very nice French-themed dinner spot in this part of Chicagoland.
(4)
L. L.
For myself, family and friends, Retro Bistro has been a regular dining destination whether celebrating a special occasion or just wanting a drink at the bar for years. The service is consistently great and you can almost always get a table or a seat at the small bar (reservations recommended on weekend evenings). Recently (May 2015) they changed their menu (heavily meat based) and on my most recent visit the food was not up to their usual excellent standards. I usually order from their changing special menu, however both the dishes I ordered were over-cooked and over-salted. I will continue to dine at Retro Bistro and hope that whatever is happening in the kitchen will improve as this restaurant is a gem in the northwest suburbs. ** It would be nice to know if food is sourced from local farmers.
(3)
Chet M.
Retro Bistro is a very solid pick for food, value, service, and free/plentiful parking. Lamb Shank and Skate Wing entrees were excellent. The Prix Fixe offerings are a great deal if you're the type that eats everything. If I had to nit pick, I'd say their mussels are a little on the small side (seems like bad mussels crop everywhere in the last 2 years) and their steaks are a little underwhelming in presentation.
(4)
Michelle R.
Call before you go , site says open till 10 pm on Tuesday . Went there at 9 only to be told it's kitchen is closed . They need to update their hours online wasted going here .
(1)
Michael P.
Retro Bistro- comfortable, yet fancy Retro Bistro is a delicious restaurant full of surprises! From the incredable presentation of the food to the awesome murals on the walls. The lighting is gorgeous as well as the atmosphere itself! I had their Crab Cake, which was incredable as well as a steak, which was very tough, but had top-of-the-line flavor! I will definitely be coming back soon to try your prix fixe menu! PS- The hospitality is the absolute best. Shoutout to the servers at Retro Bistro!
(4)
Nicole W.
Have you ever enjoyed a meal that leaves you (almost violently) ill but still give it 5 stars? Well, I did at Retro Bistro. And let me state up front - it was not Retro Bistro's fault. All items were cooked beautifully and thoroughly, cleanliness was completely up to par and there were no health code issues in sight. No no, the issue I had with my amazing lunch at Retro Bistro was the actual ingredients themselves. For those who haven't enjoyed the fish escolar - be warned. I'm not going to go into specifics, but if you have a sensitive tummy or consume over six ounces of this butterfish, things can go south very very fast. Don't say I didn't warn you. I wish someone would have give me that head's up before I stuffed my face full of their grilled escolar lunch special. It was buttery. Delicious. Swimming in a lovely champagne ginger sauce. And sat atop the most incredible mashed potatoes and carrots. But of course, Candice G and I are often not just satisfied with a great meal. Dessert had to happen. Times two. The chocolate lava cake a la mode was a delight and the pineapple tart was a nice yang to the rich yin of our other dessert choice. So - moral of the story? If you're about to embark into new waters, make sure you look up the rogue fish you'll be consuming. It may be beyond delicious, but you may pay for it later. No regrets.
(5)
Candice G.
I don't want to say I over-ate or anything, but I came here with a pregnant person and tried to hold my own against someone who was eating for two and I sorely (SORELY) paid the price. (See also: Hysterical pregnancy. Then cut to my making loud exhaling noises while waddling out of here... then cut to 30-minutes later with me at home massaging cocoa butter and Vaseline into my stomach skin to avoid getting stretch marks from this truly gut-busting meal) The thing is, I think were doing pretty good right up until the point we decided to order TWO desserts. We had no regrets about it until a good 10 minutes had passed since our last sweet bite... then the itis started to set in and that's when it became pretty obvious that while she was the only one pregnant with a baby, we were both pretty pregnant with one course too many of some of the finest French fair I've ever had. The atmosphere is relaxing and adorable. There's a cute bar that you walk in to, but we sat at a table in the regular dining area which was just as cute and had lots of natural lighting. The menu had numerous options but I was drawn to their full page of specials, the Grilled Hawaiian Escolar (which the internet now tells me *may* have some kinda gross side-effects, but I haven't experienced any yet and I've eaten at Hooters enough times to not really be effected by it anyway.) I have no regrets about the Escolar whatsoever. It was some of the best and well-cooked fish I've ever had. The grill taste was superb and as my prego-friend would be quick to remind, came with some seriously bitchin' mashed potatoes. Almost life-changing. When I go back, if Escolar is on the menu I'll 100% order that again and again. For dessert with split both the pineapple tart and flour-less chocolate cake a la mode. I don't regret getting either, but I do regret the amount of it that I let myself eat. We polished them off like we were eating for a dozen and took to nursing out Republic of Tea Pomegranate and Ginger-Peach iced teas. The staff here are really on top of their game. If you drop a crumb, they'll be there to sweep it away and a split second after you're done licking your plate they'll be there to clear it for you. Really nice people and beared with us through our laptops-open lunch and making what seemed like a Sophie's choice of a decision when it came to dessert.
(5)
Barbara A.
Consistently good food and excellent service make this an great choice for French-influenced food in the northwest suburbs. Excellent bread and unique tapenade to get you started. Good wine list. Sauces are always nicely done. I've had steak, pork, various fish, and chicken and always enjoyed my meal.
(4)
Gary T.
I hardly ever write reviews. I went to retro bistro about a week and a half ago. I cannot remember what I ate. All I can remember is that the flavors were outstanding. Everything that I ordered was extremely good. I know I will most definitely be back. Although it is located in s strip mall, based on the food quality and the final product, then do not let that change your decision on whether to dine here or not. For me, this restaurant belongs in the where I want to go whenever I want to dine at a top quality restaurant. 5 stars all the way!! The reason I wrote this review is that other people really need to know about this restaurant. Ohh, it was so good.
(5)
Judi S.
Retro Bistro is a hidden gem in the northwest suburb of Mount Prospect. In are area rife with chain restaurants, this independent eatery shines. While French Bistro fare is highlighted, it eschews they'll mark heavy sauces French food is known for. Instead, dishes are served that have bright flavors and interesting combinations. On a recent visit, the very affordable special was Duck Confit with Duck Sausage. The confitted duck was fall-off the-bone tender, and the cherry sauce that accompanied it was just the right thing for cutting the richness of the dish. It was lucky we had room for our entrees, having enjoyed the crusting bread and olive tapenade before hand a little too much! Dessert was coconut cheesecake, which was somewhat of a letdown after the fine meal we ate. The gelee atop the cake was off putting. Stick to their regular cheesecake if you go. It was creamy and not too sweet. We plan on returning to try one of the bistros Alsatian tarts. Their Sunday brunch also looks intriguing!
(4)
Julia L.
I am a huge fan of well run, independently owned neighborhood restaurants. This one is truly a gem. It was warm and cozy on a chilly October Sunday evening. Nice selection of wines. They start you out with a small loaf of bread with a lentil (?) dip. My fiance had duck leg with duck sausage and a cherry sauce. He really enjoyed his meal. I went with their prix fixe menu for $35. Started with french onion soup, main course was one of the best trout dishes I have ever tasted, and we shared creme brulee for dessert. Everything was extremely tasty, and they have perfectly sized portions. Will return for sure!
(5)
Karen C.
Retro Bistro did the catering for our wedding reception last year and everything was absolutely amazing. All of our guests raved about the food from the appetizers all the way through to the deserts. The staff was wonderful in accommodating our requests and dealing with my moments of crazy bride brain. We've also eaten in the restaurant numerous times for brunch and dinner both before and after and have always felt like welcomed guests and greatly enjoyed each meal.
(5)
Mick B.
Just a quick shout out and thumbs up to the staff at Retro for making us feel so welcomed today when we stopped in for a quick cocktail during the lunch hour. It would appear that they have done some redecorating and it felt cute and cozy at the same time- a good combo! I am definitely interested in coming back another time to sample the items on their menu; I scanned the menu and posted it so you can have a look!
(4)
Amy S.
Wow-what a refreshing experience. A restaurant that serves downtown style cuisine in a suburb of Chicago. Definitely put this restaurant on your list. Hopefully, they will continue to stay true to their recipe of success. The owner's wife and husband are very gracious and delightful.
(4)
Anna P.
Amazing. How is this amazing place in a little suburb? Seriously, some of the best food you'll ever eat . Had the potato crusted tilapia tonight, it was the most delicate and complex fish dish. And their desserts are nothing more than fantastic. Order the creme brulee, you'll be born again. A bargain in the Northwest suburbs.
(5)
Tim D.
Really really good. Waiter was excellent. He knew the product he was serving. Potatoe encrusted talapia was awesome. Make sure they charge you the friday nite special price. Appetizers were awesome as well. My desert of chocalate mouse with ice cream was enough for two. My bill came and I surprised it wasnt more. The only drawback to the evening was they had a woman singing that couldnt carry a tune in a paper bag. It was painful.
(4)
Greg H.
Came here for a father's day dinner with the family. The portion sizes are huge, the food was yummy, and the staff was on point. We didn't know our reservation coincided with their anniversary celebration but they graciously accepted our GroupOn despite the fine print excluding special events.
(3)
Alexandra P.
The service was very friendly and the food was so good! We had wine, salad, main course, and dessert and all of it was a 5 out of 5! Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Ryan S.
Came here once, food was decent. But nothing to extraordinary to make me come back. Would say give it a try at least if your curious.
(3)
Victoria W.
What a gem! We accidentally got here half an hour before they opened and spotted the entire staff having dinner together. Always neat to see that. After a little driving around (not much too see around here, heh) we returned and were seated by the window. The cheerfully romantic ambiance made me feel like I was in a festive city restaurant. The music contributed a lot to the mood--a mix of lilting French music and Sinatra-esque songs. Loved the warm crusty bread with scrumptious tapenade that we were served in the beginning. I ordered the oyster mushroom polenta special and the roquefort and pear tart. Wow, the mushroom dish was incredible. It had the heartiness and flavor of a beef stew (and it probably did have beef broth in it). It actually had a bit of an oyster-ish scent and flavor, which I've never actually experienced in oyster mushrooms, but I liked it a lot. The pear tart basically looked like a pizza and was a bit on the small side for the price, but it was very good. They didn't mention it on the menu, but instead of a sauce beneath the toppings, it had caramelized onion! Also, it was served with a dipping sauce that seemed to be some kind of wine and beef broth mixture. So fantastic. My partner ordered the Saturday $20 steak special and deemed it very good, better than the usual. Will be back on a Thursday to try the martini specials and maybe the veggie sandwich!
(4)
Katie S.
Awesome food! I was sincerely impressed. Plenty of good options, even the salads! The wait staff was also wonderful. I was very surprised by how quick everything was. The food came out so fast. I didn't wait long for anything. It was all around great!
(5)
T A.
Service wonderful Fixed price menu with many choices Of very tasty food for only $45 A review mentioning generous portions usually a turn off but this place is the exception
(4)
Patty F.
I was here for lunch and had French onion soup and the Potato encrusted Talapia. It was fantastic. The service was impeccable. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Masha L.
Amaaazing food, the lamb is OUTSTANDING! The ahi tuna is fabulous too. People are wonderful
(5)
Jody B.
It had been a while since I was here last. My bro-in-law picked it for his Bday dinner celebration. We went on a Sunday night which was nice and quiet. We all decided against the three course option and all chose a la carte. I had the mushroom polenta for app and the salmon for entree. One bro-in-law also got the Salmon. They other had a steak dish. Hubby had horseradish crusted chicken. My polenta was very good. It had a nice brown sauce mixed with the meaty mushrooms on top. Very satisfying. The salmon was also very good. It wasn't over cooked. It had this fresh made salad of tomatoes and diced cucumbers and onions on top with a light creamy sauce. It was heaven. My bro-in-law kept raving about it. I agreed. The other two diners seemed "ok" with their choices. Hubby said it was too much of a punch of horseradish for him and scraped most of it off. We didn't order dessert... but this is the really nice part. We were celebrating a wedding and the birthday, so I bought this special rainbow cake. They did such a wonderful job of decorating it. They were also so nice about serving something we brought in (I had called ahead to ask if it was ok). So nice... I won't wait so long to go back!
(4)
Bob D.
Really nice place. Kara at the bar is attentive and engaging. Makes the experience a pleasure. Food is really nice with Wednesdays half price wine on selected bottles. Classy joint with nice atmosphere.
(4)
Charlee G.
Sunday Brunch - a must I have reviewed Retro Bistro before and it has been our favorite go-to restaurant since they opened more than 20 years ago. They have never varied from their original mission - wonderful innovative food. Today we tried their Sunday Brunch for the first time and it was incredible. They have a $25 pre-fixed menu that includes a drink (Bloody Mary for me), appetizer (escargot in puff pastry), entree ( eggs benedict with crab and shrimp) and dessert (best fruit plate ever). My husband had an equally wonderful brunch and we had a $55 check. Quite a bargain and it was delicious.
(5)
April G.
Found my new favorite restaurant! First off they have a homemade tapenade at the table for you with bread which is so good we asked for more! We started off with crab cakes as an appetiZer which was really good.. For an entree I had the lamb shank. Omg. Best lamb I have ever had!! So tender it fell right off the bone and the mashed potatoes were to die for! My boyfriend had the duck entree and loved that as well. The wine we had was also really good. We also got dessert and that was amazing too. We will definitely be back! Soooo goooood!
(5)
Kathleen P.
Wow! Incredible service along with charming ambience paved the way for some of the most delicious food I've had in ages! We decided to share the steak special and the Kobe burger, along with their heavenly French fries. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mark T.
Poor service and indifference on our anniversary. First time was charming, this time two seats in a busy aisle with a take it or leave it approach. We left; I would have rated it one star but the first time was quite nice.
(2)
Iulia T.
A gem in the burbs. Had a great experience, great service, cozy, dimmed light, welcomed right from the entrance. Went with a groupon to give it a try. I will definitely go back. I will add some pics as well.
(5)
Matt B.
Retro bistro is not your typical dinner spot in Mount prospect. It has a little bit of a fancy feel to it but the workers and owner there makes you feel at home. The staff and food are really great and the only downsides are the location and prices. First off its located in a strip mall that I have lived close to my entire life and it wasn't until recently that I found this place. It's also right by a lot of other dinner spots. The owner greeted my girlfriend and I extremely nicely and gave us a table. The menu was a little confusing because it uses a lot of French or technical terms that most people have never heard of but the waiter was great in helping us pick a dish. The food was delicious and very flavotful. Lots of flavor combos that I have never had and it was really amazing. Overall the food and people are great just wish it wasn't so hidden, expensive and confusing for a typical hungry person.
(4)
Vince V.
I was going through a little exercise in my head, looking for a word that described Retro Bistro best. "Friendly" comes to mind, as the service was indeed very warm upon my entrance as I waited for the rest of my party to arrive. "Engaging" captures the short time spent at the bar before getting our table ready, the bartender offering us a delicious red wine while we nibbled on crackers and lentil spread. "Relaxed" would aptly describe the rest of dinner, which for me centered around a perfectly medium-rare New York strip as I chatted with friends, this in spite of the noise levels. I finished with the profiterole and chocolate dessert and some very good coffee. In the end, I think the word that best works is "sincere". There is a simple sincerity that permeates the dining experience, from the Chef/Owner greeting me at the door, the rustic yet accessible decor, the bartender's informed suggestions to our server's rapt attention. The Retro Bistro sincerely made this a classy good time.
(4)
Dominique L.
...just watched "Check please" and my wife and I being regulars of Retro Bistro are happy that this couple (owners) and their staff get rewarded for their true commitment of the past 20+ years in this ever challenging business....bravo and many more years to you!
(5)
Steve R.
Retro Bistro is a hidden treasure, located in a small strip mall in Mt. Prospect. You enter the restaurant through the small, romantic bar area, greeted by the co-owner Chris. French music plays softly in the background and French-themed artwork adorn the walls. We tried the prix-fixe menu via a Living Social deal. I felt adventurous and enjoyed the puff pastry escargot. We both ordered the amazing beef tenderloin. Wines were good, and went well with the meal. Overall a very good experience. We'll definitely keep Retro Bistro on our list to return.
(4)
Gloria B.
I've been here twice for MeetUp Sunday brunches and for a vegetarian, they only have a couple of dishes I can have, so both times I've had the same thing. Crepes with veggies, the French herbal goat cheese salad and creme brulee for dessert. The salad is very good, the entree is tasty and the creme brulee is truly outstanding! Both times I've gotten the Sunday Brunch special, which is $25 for three courses with a mimosa thrown in. That is a great value! I just wish they had one or two more rotating main course veggie dishes, because I don't want to go back for a while, since I don't want to eat the same thing 3X in a row. Both times the wait staff has been very patient with a large group of women demanding separate checks, returning food, asking for changes and substitutions - oh my!
(4)
Ted M.
Came here on a groupon for Sunday Brunch. Only one item we ordered wasn't exceptional, and the service was really good. Coffee was good but not great. Desserts (creme brulee and profiteroles) were both incredible, as was the beef tenderloin n eggs and the salmon pancake starter. Recommended.
(5)
Ashley A.
Every trip here exceeds our expectations! Wonderful staff, great atmosphere and AMAZING food! It's hard to believe you'd find such a gem in a Mount Prospect strip mall but it's definitely worth checking out! Can't wait for next time!
(5)
Ania W.
Loove this place! I recently discovered this and its right down the street form my house. Great ambiance, food an wine. The owners are super friendly.
(4)
Bugbunny_V K.
I run into Retro Bistro by mistake and I'm glad I did. On my first visit, I tried the grilled chicken salad. The chicken was more like chicken salad (with mayo). I wasn't expecting that but it tasted good nonetheless. I've returned on at least 3 different occasions for their Sunday brunch and all the menu items are always a hit. The warm bread and hummus(? or whatever it is that they serve with it) is phenomenal. For wine lovers, they have an extended wine list. Great selections. Oh and the service is great.
(4)
Leslie D.
We dined her last night on a Groupon. What a pleasant surprise! It is inconspicuously located in a strip mall. You would never seek this out on a whim, unless someone tells you about this place. We were so impressed. From the time you walk in and are personally greeted by the owner, who talks to you and your family for a few minutes. All of the staff were smiling, happy and said hi to our 5 year old daughter. It made you feel like a family place. The food is outstanding! We had the filet and lamp chops, and I had the Hawaiian Hebi fish. Both dishes were incredible. We were pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem and will be sure to come back here again. I am looking forward to coming again very soon.
(5)
Sarah S.
This place is a hidden gem. You wouldn't expect this quiet venue to have such amazing food. My boyfriend and I had the escargot and steak tartar for appetizers. The tartar was complimented well with all the garnishes on the plate. The escargot was perfect. They were very delicious. Our entrees were the wasabi Hawaiian Ahi Tuna and the Pasta Retro Bistro. Both of these dishes were phenomenal. Our waiter was polite and responsive. We did not have one complaint about the meal or service.
(5)
David K.
Okay, I just recently ate there again with the same group of friends. The food was MUCH better and the service was attentive (at is always has been). Again, I'm a bit of a snob, but if you live in Mt. Prospect or Wheeling or Des Plaines and you don't feel like driving into the city (the CITY! Oh, my GOD) then you could do a lot worse than Retro Bistro. Oh, and I don't drink but I hear that their wine selection is pretty good.
(3)
Pam K.
Retro Bistro was recommended to us by a friend. We loved the appetizers and the food was delcious! It was very creamy and rich, the desserts were flavorful and decadent. Service was an A+. The owners Chris and Lorraine are wine enthusiasts and very friendly. Loved the specials!
(3)
Sue T.
Left the place after being seated in the middle of the aisle. We had made reservations for our anniversary. The owners did not even care. He just kept talking and not trying to make any accommodations even though there were empty tables. I plan to never return to this restaurant. Had to rate the place in order to post. Would have given it zero stars if possible.
(1)
Happy M.
Very nice bistro. Food was not desapointing and nice size portions. Price was just right and good selection of wine. My only concern was with service. Our waiter was a little off and missing the bistro charm. Did not explan the menu or the wine paring .Kind of rushing . He also never asked how my companion likes the stake ? When I asked him what did he order for him he looked surprized and said ofcourse medium rare . Really ? .. The stake was not medium rare at all. Not a big deal, but strange. My fish was perfect and the desert was wonderful. Thank you .
(4)
Brooke J.
I found this place one day while walking around the shopping center when I first moved into the area. Don't let the name fool you this place is quite elegant. They have shelves and shelves of great wine and the environment is intimate and classy. The prices are a little expensive but then again I'm in college so that might be a relative statement. I ordered a skirt steak sandwich and was quite thrilled with my order. The waiters were very kind and friendly and I would definitely recommend this place to other couples. They also have a bar and TVs for those sports lovers. We will defiantly go again !
(5)
Michelle Kei T.
BEST PLACE in Mount Prospect EVER!! Love the owners and the staff. Best tasting food and service EVER!! Food is to die for!!! Have never had a bad meal here ever.
Chris and Lorraine Barth have an amazing establishment. they provide gourmet delights. and great wine. lovely decor. true pros. had an amazing experience with our French guests.
(5)
Ginger P.
Unexpectedly wonderful. This fantastic French restaurant is strangely out of place in a Mt. Prospect strip mall....but what it lacks in curb appeal, it more than makes up for in the quality of the food and service. I loved every last morsel. The crab cake was one of the best I've had ... superb. For an entree, I had a peppercorn crusted filet -- perfectly cooked, delicious. Dessert was decadent and delightful as well. As it was Valentine's weekend, they offered a dessert plate with profiteroles, chocolate dipped strawberries, and creme brulee. Mmmmm. The night I was there, a violinist and accordian player strolled about the restaurant and made the ambiance all the more charming. Five stars for the food and the friendly, knowledgeable staff.
(5)
Theresa N.
I love to eat out but I rarely write reviews. After eating at Retro Bistro about 10 or 12 times I have to say I have NEVER had anything that wasn't incredibly delicious. I drive an hour here just for lunches!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lance J.
Awesome place for lunch. Always loved the Steak Frites! And Creme Brulee!
(5)David M.
Update: they redecorated last year. I mightily approve -- it's a very comfortable space.
(4)Chuck R.
I used to go to this place faithfully. The food is EXCELLENT, the service fine, but .... it's a poor value. I love French Bistros and go to them whenever possible. The problem with 'Retro' is that their cocktails and wines are expensive and the pours are short. This is especially true of their wine pours. As a result, even a moderate drinker is going to run up a big tab. In fairness, they do make their entire wine book available by the glass which is a big positive. Do I love this place? Yup. Do I think it is worth it? Nope. There are just too many other good - and more reasonably priced - alternatives. I can think of two other similar places in Chicagoland (Cafe Touche' in Edison Park and Bistro Margaux on Wells St.) that are just as good and far better values. And ... if you want the shock of your life, go to Sheboygan Wisconsin when you have a day, and eat at Margaux there ... oh dear heavens what a phenomenal place.
(3)Les O.
Delivered on all fronts.
(4)Marie B.
Heading to Nordstrom Rack and my friend decides we should get a snack so we are rejuvenated...thus, we pop into the stip mall that houses this and other restuarants. We cannot decide what we want to eat and which restauants are good. Thus, we turn to Yelp... I can see where all the rave comes from! The food is divine. I had the Prix Fix Menu...starting with a huge serving of Pate...which was divine by the way. I also had Roast Tenderloin, which was to die for! I finished my meal with a chocolate ganache and strawberry dish. The service was wonderful and I loved the vibrant energy of the place! It makes for a great place to have a casual meal...but it also had a bit of romanticism about it. We've decided Nordstrom Rack...and Retro Bistro at least once a month...of course, we have a tendency to fudge...so it may be once a week! ; )
(4)David S.
An adventurous menu combining the best of French menu items with some exciting Asian fusion touches. The interior is very well decorated with incredible, unique wall paintings that are worth the trip by themselves. The wait staff are attentive and very well trained. The finest French restaurant in the Northwest Suburbs.
(5)barbara m.
Had dinner here on a Saturday night. Tapenade is on the table along with bread. The tapenade was flavorless. New on the menu that night was the fennel gratin and it was pretty inedible. They boiled the fennel bulb until it was mush then melted Asiago cheese over it. Not only was it flavorless but it was green, probably boiled the greens in the same pot with the bulb. Next I ordered the duck confit. Although it was cooked nicely, it was very small and covered in cherry compote served on what I think was either a bed of polenta or couscous. Two strips of carrot and 3 green beans were served on the side. Husband made the mistake of ordering stuffed capon breast. It was stuffed with goat cheese of all things, spinach and a portobello mushrooms, covered with a saffron sauce, again with carrots and green bean strips. Too many strong flavors competing. Presention was poor. There is no aroma of food being prepared fresh. The only redeeming quality about this restaurant was that they had Piper-Heidsieck champagne on the menu.
(1)M J.
What the heck happened here - new owners? What used to be a great bistro now serves ritz-like crackers as a starter. The food used to be wonderful but now seems average at best. The prices are higher than a lot of Chicago restaurants. I will not be back.
(3)Barman S.
I decided to try this restaurant after getting a 4-course-dinner-for-2 coupon from Living Social. I'm not disappointed at all because the food was great and the service was excellent. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is the price. With the coupon, I still spent $113. Without the coupon, it'll be about $150 for both of us. Menu (9/10) The selection isn't much, but they look good. All the dishes we got on our first visit were excellent and we'll be back again for a second visit on my wife's birthday in December. Price (4/10) Very expensive compared to another French Restaurant closer to our home. The score of 4 is if there's no coupon. With coupon, I'll give it 7. Ambiance (9/10) I like the setting. It's not too upscale and not too shabby. I can wear a pair of nice jeans and shirt to eat here. No jacket is necessary and no one wears shorts and flip flops. The seating is a bit crowded though because the distance between tables are narrow. Service (10/10) Great service. Our server was attentive and came by our table to ask how we were doing often. Location (8/10) It's a bit far from our house and is located in a strip mall. The area around the place is just so-so, not an upscale neighborhood and not a shabby one. At least the parking is free and there are plenty of spaces out there. Overall score: 8/10
(4)Katy D.
Delicious and delightful good service
(4)Krista S.
My husband and I went to Retro Bistro last night because we purchased a Groupon. I wasn't sure what the restaurant would be like since it's in the middle of strip mall, but I was pleasantly surprised. We were greeted very friendly and seated immediately when we arrived. The waitress came over right away and gave us menu and told us about the specials. There was a house made tapenade on the table, which was very good. We don't frequent French restaurants very often, so we had several questions when looking at the menu. The waitress was very friendly and helpful in explaining the dishes to us and making recommendations. We had a tart for an appetizer, which is basically a flat bread pizza. For our entrees we had an open-faced Kobe beef burger and a rolled chicken breast. The food was fantastic. We didn't try any of the desserts because we were so full from our meals. The restaurant ambiance was very relaxed. There was a nice crowd there for a Wednesday evening, so I can imagine it gets busy on the weekends and you would want to make a reservation. I will definitely be going back here again to try more items on their menu. I recommend Wednesday nights because they have a $17/bottle wine special on select bottles. We couldn't take advantage of it because we already were using a Groupon, but will definitely be going back for that offer!
(4)David G.
We arrived early evening so it was not too busy. The staff was friendly and the owner was on hand to seat us and was very nice. The food is very pricy for this area and not so good. My wife and I had chicken Dijonaise and I felt I had to go on a digging exposition to find the chicken buried in bread crumbs. Not very tasty at all over the top with spices especially rosemary. Everything is alacarte making it more expensive. Did not feel I wanted to go with 3 course special. Will not be going back and I cannot recommend.
(1)Terri J.
We went here for New Year's Eve. Wow... Cozy little French bistro with amazing food. After devouring all of the fresh crispy bread, we all stated out with the Lobster cakes with a shrimp and a scallop on top with a delightful sauce (of course - it's French!) and a splash of caviar. Superb! I ordered the Dover Sole Wellington with shrimp and lobster mousse...and of course I had to have the truffled mashed potatoes (even though it was part of another entree) because Truffles are just simply the best and they were willing to let me add it. So what's not good cooked inside of puff pastry? I mean really? The dessert was a combo of two chocolate things ( I don't like chocolate so I didn't pay attention but everyone else loved it), a caramel crepe, raspberry sorbet, and a chocolate covered strawberry...delicious! The wine was very good. Expensive...yes. Worth it? Yes! If I ever get the chance to visit again, I will!
(5)Ilse Albert- l.
We stumbled onto Retro Bistro and it was the best stumble We ever took. We had the Sunday brunch. Three courses for $20. I had the very best carpaccio I've ever had. I compare all carpaccio to one they served in Miami oand this one beat it. Second course I had the beef tips with poached egg and hash browns....yummy yummy. The service was friendly and professional. The room was clean, comfortable and romantic. I would highly recommend it spot. If you want a very good meal and nice atmosphere give Retro Bistro a try.
(4)Don Z.
I have been to Retro Bistro several times for lunch. Unfortunately, due to the draconian policies of my employer I am not permitted to drink alcohol at lunch. I mention that because it means my review may be skewed due to my sobriety. The place is a tiny little store front in a typical suburban strip mall. There is plenty of parking in a large shared lot. The ambience inside is nice with white table cloths and whimsical paintings on the walls. It is very crowded with tables taking up all available space. I don't think there is really a great spot in the whole restaurant. On my last visit, I ended up in the middle of the main dining room and had the various waitstaff walking back and forth behind me a million times. There is an attempt to be "fancy" at Retro Bistro, but the servers just don't seem to be able to pull it off. Looking at the menu, the first thing that you will notice is that it is expensive. But as I said to begin with, I have been back a few times, so the food is good, but not something I can afford regularly. Lunch for two can easily run $45. I have had several good dishes, with the fish being of particular note. The bison Wellington was also very tasty. You must be willing to wait for this kind of quality. It takes about 30 minutes for the food to be prepared. This can make it hard to squeeze into a lunch time frame. Despite all the walking back and forth, I never saw my waiter during the entire meal. The busboy did a great job of filling water and clearing plates, but the waiter was otherwise occupied until I asked for the check. Overall, I might be back for the occasional special lunch, but I always have a slight hesitation when I think about going to Retro Bistro.
(3)laura o.
Retro is outstanding. My husband and I have been going there for at least 10 years now and I absolutely love it. The food reflects an attention to detail and a reverence for fresh, beautifully prepared food that delights us every time. The service is consistently great and the ambiance is warm, inviting and romantic. I cannot say enough. Every single person I have introduced to this restaurant has become a fan. Currently they have a wonderful special going with their gift cards. You get a nice bottle of wine in a cute bag with every $50 gift certificate you purchase. Nice!
(5)V.i.o.l.e.t.t.a. D.
Sooo good! I loved my salad.. this Bistro sure knows food. I loved the presentation of everything.....would be a great place to take your significant other for a romantic meal at night :] The outside isn't very memorable but once you step inside it's a whole 'nother world. I love the little "attention-to-details" they have like the wrapped cubed sugars and linen table clothes...wonderful :] Also, the wait staff is superb..very friendly which is hard to find these days. I didn't have a taste of the delicious looking asparagus soup that my companion had, but next time, it's on! :D
(5)F S.
Downhill Slide I had been going to Retro for the last 15 years or so and have seen the place move into a rapid downhill slide. The prices have increased while the service and atmosphere continues to deteriorate. Originally it was easy to overlook the strip mall location. Currently ,however, it is becoming exactly what would be expected from a strip mall diner. The food is average (desserts are good) , The never changing menu is now laminated ( it has a real Dennys feel ), the service is inconsistent at best and at worst terrible; the food is slightly overpriced and wine and drinks are outrageous. It is common to get your food overcooked, served cold or the order is just wrong. Wait staff are scarce and flustered. The décor is meant to be trendy, but looks dated and juvenile, and the restrooms are not well maintained on busy evenings. Although once impressive, the plate presentation now consists of a sprig of parsley and maybe a lemon wedge ( again think Dennys). At this point they should just install a long counter with stools and officially add the "Grand Slam" breakfast to the menu.. I am sorry to see it go.
(2)elderberry b.
Once was too much. Not what I ordered, sent it back. They had the audacity to remove the fish, wash it, reheat and replate... with again the wrong sauce. The owner came over and grabbed it and brought out a new piece of fish with sauce on the side. It was a foul piece of fish. I ate it anyway and was sick all night. I can't believe what we paid. I know this sounds mean but I'm only being honest.
(1)Cheryl H.
The area this shop is found in may look iffy, but the restuarant itself was amazing! Good atmosphere and AMAZING food. Went for the champaign brunch and it was well worth it! Highly recommend this place!
(5)Cara P.
My husband & I reserved a table for our Valentine's Day dinner. At first I was a little wary because it was so easy to book; that didn't seem to be a good sign. Turned out that was only because I wanted a time before they usually get busy. And there's a good reason they get busy! This was one of the nicest evenings I've had. The staff was attentive, the food (steak frites for him, braised rabbit for me) was fantastic, the atmosphere relaxed & comfortable. And, I don't know, somehow the fact that it's in a suburban strip mall makes it even better. GO. GO NOW. ENJOY.
(5)mary p.
Went to Retro Bistro for the first time last night and loved it! I would grade the service A-, the food A, and the atmosphere A. A few small errors kept the service from rating as perfect as the rest. Had to ask for a refill on my lemonade twice. And when my husband finished his wine and asked for water, he received a second glass of wine. These can be easily overlooked in light of the exceptional experience our dinner was, and the entire staff was friendly, welcoming and professional. Each one of the four in our party was presented with an entree that was extraordinary, meaning the flavor combinations, textures, temperature, portion size, etc were right on, and delicious!!! Appetizers were also wonderful, as was dessert. The wine selection is very nice, and the wine prices are certainly reasonable. Retro Bistro is a restaurant I will most definitely go back to, especially for special occasions. Also looking forward to trying lunch.
(5)Ron S.
We have been to Retro Bistro at least 6 or 7 times and this is my first review of the restaurant. My wife and I visited for an early dinner last Saturday. The restaurant was mostly empty when we arrived with several patrons at the bar but by 6:45, the restaurant was 80% full. My wife ordered a pomegranate martini and I ordered a Pinot Noir by the glass. She really enjoyed the martini and I thought the Pinot was a good value. Appetizers were steak tartare and brie cheese in a puff pastry. The tartare was as good as any that I have had. The puff pastry was so-so. She ordered the pankau crusted pacific salmon which was very nicely prepared - not a huge portion but very tasty. I have ordered this twice in the past since I am very fond of Alaskan, wild salmon and have never been disappointed. This evening I ordered the grilled beef tenderloin off of the paper specials menu. It was one of the most expensive items on the menu. I was intrigued that the chef would try grilling beef tenderloin much as you would a filet instead of the more traditional oven roasting. I decided to give it a go. I never order filet mignon anymore since I don't feel it has much flavor. The beef tenderloin was cooked perfectly and I remarked to the wife that it was as good as any steak that I have had. For dessert, we just had to try the Jack Daniel's bread pudding. There used to be a restaurant in Chicago (Mrs. O'Learys) that had the best bread pudding I've ever had. I've never found a bread pudding that came close. This was wonderfully prepared with a scoop of ice cream drizzeled with their bourbon sauce. The sauce was a perfect balance of sweetness and whiskey taste. We normally don't order dessert but were glad that we tried the bread pudding. All in all, between the two of us, we had one martini, 3 glasses of wine, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, dessert and one capacinno. The bill was $133. I think that's a pretty good value. Service was mediocre and the reason I have only offered 4 stars. Sure, the decor is nothing to write home about and its in a strip mall but I don't think that is worthy of a downgraded rating. We find it to be a comfortable restaurant that has never disappointed.
(4)Amanda S.
The service is excellent and the food is delicious. So thrilled that we have such a great restaurant within walking distance. Skip Black Cow and go to Retro Bistro instead!
(5)Bing B.
One of my favorite French restaurants. Simply: - it's affordable. - it's darn good. esp for the price - unique menu. - service not bad. - in the burbs. If you don't want to deal w/ the snobbery, expensive bill, and mediocre food you might get at other French places, try this place.
(5)David P.
The entrees are good but the apps is why you come. You HAVE to try the steak tar tar here with a nice pino noir. happy times
(5)Shannon O.
We love this place. My husband and I actually went here on one of first dates and the night we got engaged so Retro Bistro will always have a special place in our hearts. The food is so good. We have tried a few things off the menu and we have loved it all. The martini's are really good too. We will of course be back!
(5)Charles S.
Living Social introduced me to this delightful restaurant, and the only thing keeping it from becoming a weekly staple is the price point. I'll just get it out of the way - it isn't cheap, but it isn't going to set you back as much as some of the steak houses will. My wife had the duck liver mousse, tomato soup, stuffed capon; I had the crab cake, tomato soup, and steak au poivre. Dessert was a shared plate, with chocolate cake, a profiterole, and an apple tart. The bread was warm, light, and fluffy - exactly what french bread should be. It was served with a chickpea, tomato, and olive tapenade - I ran out of bread and may have surreptitiously started eating it with a spoon. The duck liver mousse was delicious and rich, and a bit too much for my wife, but a culinary treat for me. The crab cake was delicious, with a wonderful texture and was perfectly cooked without being either over- or under-done. The soup was great. My wife loved the capon, but it could have had more goat cheese for her taste - though a block of goat cheese could have more goat cheese for her taste. The steak au poivre was a solid 8/10; the filet was a slightly lower grade of meat than I expected, but then again, for $20, it is probably spot on. A little more in the way of potatoes and vegetables would add to the presentation - an extra carrot spear and two or three more green beans would make it a more rounded meal. Also, I usually expect a bold peppercorn taste to steak au poivre, and this one was more muted and sublte, and the sauce a bit darker; I would expect it is made with red wine instead of brandy. Overall, it was still fantastic, just not exactly what I was expecting. Dessert was 9/10, and would be 10/10 if just a slightly larger portion size. The atmosphere and decor are great, and the place just oozes charm. Service was fast and helpful.
(4)Renee S.
Hubby and I went here on a Groupon. I work near this place and always wanted to try it out. The Groupon helped get me in the door, and we will be back. :) Whatever the spread is that they serve you with bread--YUM! I got the salmon special with corn relish. It reminded me of a similar dish I had at Michael Symon's restaurant, but I'm happy to say Retro Bistro was much better and the relish was more "complete" :) Hubby got the NY Strip sandwich, and cleaned his plate. Memorable experience. we WILL be back :)
(5)Alison G.
Used to be one of my favorite french bistros. But visited it about half a year ago, it was quite disappointed. Everything was extremely salty, like the chef added a whole bag of salt in the food by accident. I cannot even finish half of the lobster soup since it was way too salty. The seafood main course was salty too but i could at least finish half of it. Will i go back again? Yes definitely I just wish it was just an accident and I do not mind to try again since it was not expensive for a french dinner.
(3)Haley S.
My family lives in Mt Prospect but we don't go to Retro Bistro much for dinner - maybe sometimes for a glass of wine and an appetizer. After our meal on Mother's Day though, we will definitely make a point to return. We had reservations at 4:30pm this past Sunday. There was a prix fixe menu that you could order from if you wanted but you didn't have to. There was also a kids menu for a lower price. I had the crab wellington as an appetizer and it was outstanding!! Probably one of the best crab appetizers I have had in a long time. I had the stuffed capon breast for my main course which was also really good. The chicken was a tad on the dry side but the filling of goat cheese, red pepper and spinach was amazing. The kids had burgers and fries and they were good as well. My husband had pork tenderloin which he said was wonderful and my father in law had the lamb chops which he really enjoyed. The desserts were outstanding as well - creme brulee was so so good. Our waiter brought my stepdaughter the chocolate souffle cake off of the regular menu because she didn't want the ice cream on the kids menu which was very thoughtful and the cake was rich and delicious. We will definitely be back and we're glad this is so close to our house! Forgot to mention, the owner Chris was one of the best hosts I've ever encountered in a restaurant. He gave the moms free champagne and constantly was checking on us to make sure we were happy. It was really nice to feel so welcome.
(5)Dan G.
3.5 is the actual score. Service was very good, which was pleasant. When we walked in the bar tender took the time to great us, chat, and let us know that someone would seat us shortly. Nice job. The food was okay. We had the braised rib wonton in a red wine reduction sauce, and all the components were fine. But between the wonton and braised ribs... it was all soft. Nothing had any tooth feel; with just a pickled (to cut through the richness of it all), crisp SOMETHING included in the dish, it would have been fantastic. I had the wasabi crusted tuna, and my wife had the steak au poivre. The tuna was disappointing, but then I'll take half the blame. The plate delivered what it promised, but I didn't suspect that the crust would be so thick nor that the tuna be that cooked. My bad. But if they dialed down the thickness of the crust (a dusting, if you will) and kept the tuna more raw they'd have a winner. My wife's steak au poivre was fantastic. Cooked perfectly to our request, and the mashed potatoes were spot on. Nice nice dish. One minor complaint - the plates were fantastically hot. Not sure why they would want the food to continue cooking on the plate... concerned that it sat under some heat lamps for far too long. Drinks were well made, server was engaging. Will give it another shot for sure. Once again, nothing wrong with a 3 star rating.
(3)harold k.
The garbanzo bean spread for the bread was so tasty! I cant remember the last time I ate so much bread... and the Florida Marlin summer special menu item was delicious!
(4)トモ T.
You don't need to drive to the city to find this neat casual French bistro serving quality food in the suburbs. While I am not a big fan of their artistic taste of the decor, I like their neighborhood non-chain restaurant atmosphere where you won't find too many people wearing a tie or jacket. Prices are quite reasonable for the quality of ingredients they use. I've dined here a couple times and never been disappointed. We like to order a bunch of appetizers and enjoy them as a meal. They often have dishes with interesting ingredients; furthermore, they have daily specials which make dining really fun. Service was nice and friendly. They also have a pretty good selection of wines by glass. Walk-in on weekday dinner is not a problem, but this place gets pretty crowded on Fri & Sat nights. If you don't have a reservation, you can sit at tables by the bar area on the right and still order from their full menu. They are closed on Sundays. Cold Soup ($5.50) --- Just the right amount of flavor and texture was excellent. Gratin of sea scallops and crayfish ($8) --- One of my favorite. Crab and shrimp cake ($8.95) --- Came with a nice sauce. Soft shell crab ($9.95) --- Special of the day. I liked it, but some may find it too buttery. Pommes frites ($2.95) --- Slightly too salty, but crispy and nice. Maybe not a 5 Star if Retro Bistro was in San Francisco or Chicago, but 5 Stars in Mount Prospect.
(5)Steven M.
I met a friend here for lunch and we were the first in the gate at noon. We both had an iced tea that was promptly delivered. My friend ordered the soft shell crab and she loved it. I had the grilled New York strip sandwich. It was very well done. But the waiter that I assume was the owner never asked how I wanted it cooked. It had chunks of blue cheese broiled on top of it. The menu did not say anything about bc and I really don't care for it. The bun was only on the bottom and it was soaked. It came with a salad that had grapes in it that also was not on the menu. They served it on the same place so it was mixed in with the juice from the steak. The shoe string fries that I was expecting were pretty good execpt that they were swimming in the tank. I would give this place another try for lunch, but I would not even consider it for dinner.
(2)Kim G.
Went for dinner tonight and was thoroughly impressed. I had the stuffed capon breast which was phenomenal. The staff was very friendly and inviting...even though we had a groupon. We will definitely be returning!
(5)Nick S.
The Retro Bistro is what Marketer Seth Godin would call a Meatball Sundae. The restaurants message doesn't match it's product offering. A bistro is a supposed to be a simple restaurant with good food and moderate prices. The Retro Bistro has good, rustic food. It is a very simple restaurant, but it's expensive. There are more entres on the menu over $25 than under and it's an ala carte menu. I'm not being cheap, but if I'm going to pay a fine dining price, I want a fine dining experience. The bartender was our server. She did a nice job serving us, but you could tell the restaurant was playing it by ear and undestaffed. The restaurant has sort of an identity crisis. We were eating on the sidewalk; there was a softball team boozing it up in the bar. Is it a Bistro? Sportsbar? Or fine dining? My advice is improve the inside of the restaurant are make the food and cost more consistent with the ambiance. They also served the same sauce with our appetizer (Crab Cakes) and my Tilapia, which is a little tacky.
(3)Miriam W.
We were pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant in the midst of a Beaujolais Nouveau release party on the night we went for dinner. The Beaujolais was brilliant (a rare 96 points in Wine Spectator) and the food was good. The bread they serve is great, and we all liked the olive tapenade starter. I had the salad Lyonnaise, which featured frisee tossed in a vinaigrette with bacon and a soft poached egg...delicious. Doug got the foie gras, which he found overly peppered but well sauced. Our friend went for the 3 course prix fixe menu and was happy with the crab wellington app and cassoulet. I had the chicken Dijon, which I liked, but I've made this dish at home with similar results. so I wasn't over the moon. I mean, I like my cooking, and I'm a pretty good cook, but I expect a little more from a French restaurant. We had creme brulee for dessert, and our friend got the chocolate souffle cake. Both were good, but the brulee was missing those flecks of vanilla that are so integral to this dish. The souffle cake was very satisfying, but chocolate nearly always is. Overall, a good dining experience. The violinist roaming the room playing French classics is a nice touch.
(3)Rik P.
Service was good, you might be satisfied with the size of meal, however the taste was just ok. It is more like French style American cuisine. When you go to this restaurant, do not expect anything...then you can be surprised and enjoy meals.
(3)J R.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. Definitely don't be put off by the strip mall storefront, this place is a hidden gem. The service is top notch; it's one of those places where I often remark "wow, it seems like they really want us here, like they are happy to wait on us." I'm just going to get it out of the way and tell you that I always order the same thing when I visit Retro Bistro because I like these two particular dishes so much that I am not really interested in anything else. The herbed goat cheese salad is fantastic- I always order it for the salad course, but you can also order a larger size along with chicken and turn it into a meal. The Lolo's pasta is to die for. It's one of those comforting dishes that you tell yourself that you are only going to eat half of, but you are really just going to finish the whole thing because it's so good. I've tried several different desserts here; the profiteroles are incredible.
(5)Jill P.
We had a great time at Retro's wine dinner Friday night! Every few months they showcase a special wine purveyor and pair 5 wines with a special 5 course menu. Excellent wine. Excellent food. And a very festive and fun vibe! We always look forward to Retro wine dinners!
(5)Laura A.
This is a little hidden gem that's been around over 20 years. We have taken my father in law here, and he's been impressed... which is hard to do. The menu is limited, but still seems to have something for everyone. Atmosphere is pleasant and casual, the staff and owners are polite and wonderful. This is a favorite of ours, and a go-to for us with friends.
(4)Barbara O.
Service was great. Food was ok but not at all as good as the reviews said. Went for a dinner with 8 people and I asked 2 others later how their meal was and they said the same...ok, but not the best and overpriced. Plenty of other options in the area.
(2)Linda B.
We visited on a Saturday night. Hidden in a nondescript strip mall, as we walked up it seemed inviting and bright with music piped outside to welcome us compared to the drab and dark surrounding area. Upon entering, we were enthusiastically greeted and sat a a table around the bar. The staff all night went out of their way to be attentive and friendly. We lucked out as this was one of four nights that they serve Cajun food before Mardis Gras. We were given beads and enjoyed the music and decorations. Most importantly, we ordered the three course fixed price meal, each receiving an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The seafood gumbo and barbecued shrimp brochettes were perfectly prepared. My husband's jambalaya was full of seafood and very good. I had the braised short ribs over mashed potatoes with asparagus and carrots. The meat was tender, the vegetables crisp, and all tasted great. They served bread with a tapenade that looked intimidating but was perfect with the warm bread. For the dessert course we both ordered king's cake, delicious with custard and ice cream on the side, and I promptly won a bottle of wine to take home. All told we enjoyed the night and cannot wait to go back for more good food.
(4)Jean C.
It was mom's birthday today and we decided to celebrate by coming to Retro Bistro. We had been here before but it had been some time since the last visit. We had an early dinner reservation for 6pm. We were seated immediately and greeted by a couple different people. We looked at the menu and they had a prix fixe menu for $25 with three selections for appetizers, entrees and dessert. I ended up ordering the pate appetizer and the Vietnam Panga Panga. Both were delicious. The pate appetizer with horseradish mustard was large enough to be a meal itself! The Panga Panga had shrimp, scallops and spinach with a lobster sauce all baked in a puff pastry. My husband and my mom got the prix fixe and my father ordered the escargot and steak au poivre. Everyone finished their meals except me. I love leftovers! The service was great even though the server talked as if he was in a hurry. Overall, the meal took about two hours and we enjoyed ourselves.
(4)David T.
I'd actually give it two and a half stars but the option isn't available. We went on a Saturday night at 7:30 and it was crowded. Met my inlaws and was table of five. Prompt drink service but that was it. I'd say service was sub par with no bus boy. We had to ask for water more than once and it came after appetizers. Food was what I'd call average. The prices were way above average with most entrees over $20. Also not to get too personal but I got sick to my stomach when I got home and I didn't even have anything overly rich. Everyone else was ok. My wife had fish and said it was so-so. My duck was also average. We won't be going back.
(2)Maria C.
If the restaurant is located in a strip mall, it will need to work extra hard to earn stars from me. I hate to admit but my husband and I have a lot of prejudice against strip malls, let alone restaurants located there. To make things worse, my former boss said so many great things about this place that we got there with high expectations. They overcooked my steak and the place just didn't do it for me. I can't even remember where it is... just deleted from my mind.
(1)Amanda C.
This place was okay... When you walk in, there is no host station or podeum to indicate where you should go to wait to be seated, so you are left standing there feeling kind of silly. The decor was okay... Kind of cheesey. Big pieces of fruit painted on the wall with christmas lights surrounding them. Not really my idea of cute, but whatever. The patrons were generally well dressed. I didn't know I had to dress up so my guest and I felt a little under-dressed. Mildly uncomfortable but I didn't care! I just wanted delicious yums. They brought a crusty bread right away. Yum. I ordered off of a holiday menu which offered a 3 course meal for $25. I got mussels in a white bean sauce. They were pretty good... Huge portion for an appetizer so I was happy! Manders loves to eat! Num nums! Anyway, as for the main course I got grilled salmon over mashed potatoes in a buttery sauce and my guest got tilapia with shrimp, scallop, and veggie skewers on top. That was served over an orange sauce. The plating was beautiful and I really wanted to dive in. Mine was good... Not great, but definitely good. My guest was annoyed that the skewers only had 2 pieces of shrimp and one scallop; they consisted mostly of red onions. That is lame! Boo! With that being said, both enjoyed our fish. Creme brulle (spelling?) to finish... I liked it, my guest didn't. Factoring in the lame service (our server was so quiet), my guest's opinions, and my own, I'd say this place is just okay. A bit expensive and I will probably never go there again. Go to the Korean restaurant across the street!
(3)Amanda Z.
strange location but wonderful food, nice ambiance and reasonable prices for the quality and quantity of food you get. Weds is wine special night, so they had good wine for $15 a bottle. we had a yummy Chilean Malbec that we polished off. the bread and bean/olivey dip that they bring out to start is very good. we all ordered the warm goat cheese salad, which is probably one of the best salads i have EVER had. this is a must have. then i had the stuffed chicken breast - goat cheese, spinach, mushrooms and i think onion inside, all on top of some savory tomatoey sauce. served with cous-cous and a little veggies. was wonderful...i ate it all! also tried the grilled steak and fries which was tasty as well, although i preferred my chicken. the fries were nothing special. yummy pumpkin cheesecake for dessert topped off a fabulous meal. highly recommend Retro Bistro if you are in the area...especially for a nice date or special occasion.
(4)Elizabeth L.
My husband and I noticed the high Zagat rating and since we live in the area decided to give this place a try. We docked a star because the location (in a strip mall) and the decor are a little "suburban diner" feeling for a date night, but the food and the rest of the experience was great! I wouldn't drive out of the city to eat here (not necessarily that you have better value for money in the city), but just because it's a long drive. However, for those in the NW suburbs I definitely recommend giving it a try.
(4)Wenyi L.
Everything was delicious!
(4)Suzette B.
I love Retro Bistro. My husband and I appreciate the unique dishes they offer, most everything we have tried there has been delicious. Prices are reasonable, owner and staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, It's sophisticated food without being snobby. Highly recommend!
(5)Tom R.
Expensive Average Bistro, just average I have visited Retro Bistro because I had a Groupon for $40 (First time diner). For a bistro, the place is a bit expensive. The bartender made a great first impression and I knew I will have a good time. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place had few tables already (always a good sign on a Sunday). Décor was nice for a bistro, a bit dusty on the mirrors which needed some wiping. Bottle of wine on each table is excellent marketing idea (10+ points to the owner on that). In my opinion menu was inadequate, perhaps adding few more options would be clever. My wife doesn't eat meat so we had Mushroom Ravioli ($10) for appetizer. This was supposed to be made with wild mushrooms but I don't think it was since there was no flavor of mushrooms in the ravioli (no joke) Rating of Ravioli 3/10. My recommendation to the chef, use some truffle oil in your mushroom mix to create intense flavor (or at least in the broth that ravioli was severed in). Our second course was soup. We had Eggplant Soup ($7.50) and Onion Soup ($8.50). Soups could have used a bit more salt, they were nothing special for that price. Rating 5/10. For main entre I had Wasabi Ahi Tuna ($24) which was over cooked, main reason because the chef is putting too much crust on. When searing it, too much heat is being transitioned to Tuna. Recommendation, use a little less crust this way you will not overcook the tuna. Rating 6/10. My wife had Potato Crusted Tilapia ($21.95), she thought it was good. Rating 8/10. The dessert selection is limited (there is even no dessert menu). Items that are on daily specials are the desserts (4 items total). We hit a jackpot when we ordered Almond Purse ($7.95), WOW, spectacular you have to try that yourself. I would go back anytime to this restaurant ONLY for desert itself. Rating 10/10. Altin was good but lacked a bit of personality. When check was presented I noticed that 17% after tax gratuity was applied to my check automatically. Note to the owner: You cannot force gratuity on the tax amount, the waiter told us the gratuity was applied to the total not pre-tax. I usually tip on the total not pre-tax but by law you can only add the gratuity to pre-tax amount. Except dessert nothing was really special that would make me go back.
(3)Rick G.
This is a regular lunch spot of mine and it is rare to find a place that is as consistent as Retro! Week after week they put out outstanding food and spotless service. Some may think Retro is pricey but " you get what you pay for"! If you are on a budget go for the lunch "pre fix" specials giving you the choice of an appetizer, entree and dessert for only $17.00 . You can't go wrong here!
(5)C. W.
What a great gem in Mount Prospect. I don't know how they make such awesome food this good here, and everywhere else is...decent, good maybe - but this rocks my world. The latest favorite is the Au Poivre (with pepper for the non-French), amazing. My 2-1/2 yr old was mooching off my plate. It is a great date-night destination BUT they also have a kids' menu and sometimes offer specials for kids - the night of Blizzard 2011 for example, kids like mine ate free, and surprisingly we were not nearly the only ones in there, it was a decent crowd considering the roads were awful! The service is so friendly and I almost always get Prix Fixe which is a great deal to try app or soup, dinner & dessert. You can go in jeans or dress up a little, I wouldn't go too casual though. YUM-O, my favorite place in MP!
(5)Claudia G.
I have been going to Retro Bistro for years for both business and purely social dining - a five star experience every time until my last visit. Focusing on what you will love: - The food is outstanding. My entree every time, given my vegetarian diet, is LoLo's Pasta and it is amazing. Every dinner companion I have ever had has raved about his/her dish as well. - The ambiance is great. It is casual yet upscale. - The service is generally very good. - The owners, save my last visit, are omnipresent. My concerns from my last visit: - I was delighted to see a Yelp Check-In Offer. When I mentioned it to the waiter he knew nothing about it and said he would ask the manager. The manager eventually came over to say she knew nothing about it and since the owners weren't there she couldn't honor it. I understood (begrudgingly). My dinner companion and I were rather surprised we weren't offered a little something (glass of wine? dessert?) since I was showing the discount offer on my smartphone. - The waiter was very atypical from those I have experienced in the past. First he told me I needed to print off the check-in offer...um. Then, I wonder if the manager didn't come over for such an extended time because the waiter was waiting me out. It seemed odd. Also he didn't seem terribly knowledgable about the wine or food. Finally, in the end he put down the check and stared at us for thirty minutes while we chatted. We were nowhere near the last people there. I am chalking this up to when the cat's away the mice will play and hope that my next visit will be a stellar experience as I have enjoyed in the past. Don't let the strip mall locale deter you, just be happy for the ample parking.
(3)Kay J.
Some of the selections are really delicious, others are just OK. We have eaten here several times over the last 6 years or so, and would say that, for the suburbs, it's a good choice for continental/French food. The live music (a violinist and accordian player) are a little too much "in your face", but it's nice to hear older European melodies for a change. The owner/manager is WAY too in your face, and speaks in a very loud voice (disturbing if you're trying to relax and enjoy your meal). Service is by and large good, and waiters seem knowledgable, but I have had one or two less then stellar service people in the past (one was actually so bad that we complained to the owner/manager, who just stared at us without commenting or apologizing). I have previously said that if Retro Bistro were in the city of Chicago, or in New York or San Francisco, nobody would notice it much.... but for Mount Prospect, it's good. (check out "Le Titi de Paris" for REALLY GREAT French food in the suburbs).
(3)Sonesh S.
Whoa...what a surprise. Strip Mall + Mount Prospect usually doesn't equal good french food. While this place isn't exactly going to be michelin rated for its french cuisine, the dishes were well prepared, and the quality was decent. The service was great, and the staff was knowledgeable. I wouldn't leave the city to come out here, but if I was in the area, I would certainly visit again. Bartender is great too - always makes sure you have a full glass - very attentive and on the ball.
(3)Thamara D.
One of my very favorite places to dine. I have been going to this place since 1993 and they have never failed to impress me. Exceptional food, perfect service, very knowledgeable staff, great wine list, full bar and the most accommodating owners I have ever met. They have helped me with wine pairings, put together a well planned girls night to a picnic to Ravinia, always exceeding my expectations. I love the Tuna purse Tartare, Won Ton ravioli, La Casserole Provencal, and Wasabi Seared Ahi Tuna among other exceptional dishes. I am here about once a week, mostly take out when I feel the need to treat my self for great meal. I give my very best recommendation to this little hidden gem in the NW suburbs. Bon Appetit !
(5)Bill S.
In a word comfortable. Everything good, nothing great except for the singer on Tuesday nights, he was amazing. Thought they were playing recordings of Sinatra. Go Tuesday night for the music, you will enjoy the food as well.
(3)Maria L.
The service was beyond incredible, the waiters are so friendly and eager to cater to your every need. As for the meal, I am absolutely amazed by their surf and turf combinations! It was unlike any other! There's an amazing selection of seafood and meat So you better come HUN-GRY! And trust me, you WILL BE SATISFIED for DAYS! My favorite is definitely the prime rib ! Overall, the experience was truly beyond amazing.. I didn't even want to leave the restaurant! Me and my girlfriend will definitely be going back there soon! It is our ultimate favorite place to dine!
(4)John D.
Bar is great, service friendly, owner introduced himself, was busy brought out apps without asking, food good, if you know wine....prices reasonable, while leaving waiter, bartender and owner asked how our experience was....really? Only reason not a 5, one small bathroom had to wait.
(4)Ilene F.
When my best pal turned into a strip mall while promising a good meal, I was a little skeptical. But then I remembered that some of the best sushi in LA is served under fluorescent lights next to a pet supply store, so I went in with an open mind. After seeing the latest reviews here, I was a little surprised. The service was terrific, and the food was quite good. I guess I wasn't thinking traditional French, so I wasn't disappointed. We shared an appetizer of asparagus and brie, which was melty and fattening, I had a very tasty (and generous) seared tuna with wasabi and ginger while my friend had the pork with apples. The wine choices were spot on, and the dessert was chocolaty and decadent. We both grew up in the City and have pretty high standards when it comes to these things, but both agree that for a decent meal in the 'burbs, this is a pretty good choice.
(4)Michael O.
Quality food, fast, friendly service (thanks Cara), a fair price and an unpretentious attitude assures we will return. Besides, finding this gem in a strip shopping center makes it all the better.
(5)Tim D.
My wife and I have been going to RB for years and never been disatisfied. I don't think I've has the same thing twice. Last night two friends came for the first time and LOVED it! They'll be back!
(5)Joan D.
I've been going here once a month for lunch for about four years and my friend and I love the food. I like the fact that they do change seasonally. The items that are repeated are all good, like the red wine reduction they serve with the chicken and mashed potatoes as well as some other dishes. I've brought friends from out of town as well as from other suburbs and they love it. The prix fixe is $16.00 for lunch and $25 or 28 for dinner. I usually get it for dinner, but it's too much food for lunch. We did order the lunch for the holidays. The two desserts on the prix fixe the last few times were creme brulee or profiteroles, and both were excellent. Good food at a decent price for the quality.
(4)Colin W.
my wife and i were in the woodfield area and decided to try Retro because we had been there years ago. This place continues to be one of the better restaurants in the suburbs. Great value on food and wine unique choices. the pre-fixe is the way to go. Not your typical chain joint, very special. Highly recommend.
(5)Rick B.
Great special occasion place... One thing I love about this place is how often they change up the menu. We don't go often, but when we do, it is always a home run. Once, only once, did I order a dish I did not care for. And once, I changed plates with my wife; we each liked the other's entrees better. I know very little about wine, but I know this: this is the only place I've been to that is good at making a suggestion to pairing wine with the meal. It isn't cheap, that is for sure, so it does tend to be a special occasion place for us. Also, we have brought friends to this place who did not care for it. They did not like the spread for the bread, mostly because they did not know what was in the spread. My friends wife scraped things off of her fish because it was orange and she didn't know what it was. ...so, if you are the type of person who wants to know exactly what is in your meal, then you may find the food somewhat inaccessible. If you are like me and you just care if your meal tastes good, then it is highly accessible.
(4)Roberto F.
I know this sounds dumb but man they really have some great mash potatoes here. There creamy and tasteful, just like mom would make. Food is good two, I usually trie to go for the specials when i'm here since it is kind of pricy. I guess that's why I give it a 4 and not a five. I know food should bewilder the toungue but in my mind food is not that high on my list of things to spend on. Other then that I probably would come here in again, most likely for a lunch time special.
(4)Lea R.
We drive past this place all the time & for some reason decided to stop one evening. Wow!!! The food was amazing. Our server was so nice. And the owner really made a point of stopping by our table and talking to us. Afterwords we decided to have a drink at the bar and the owner sent over a desert on the house. We definitely can see why the place was packed. The food is great, reasonably priced plus the owner and staff are friendly and make you feel welcome and like an old friend.
(5)K.M. C.
I've only been to Retro Bistro twice. The first time was around 3 years ago and I can't remember much except they had a good wine list and I liked the skate fish I ordered. This recent second visit was for dessert to celebrate my friend's birthday. I can describe the experience in one word...disappointment. There were 4 in our party and we ordered the Chocolate Ganache Cake, Birthday Assortment (cheesecake, fruit tart, a profiterole), and homemade ice cream. The only dessert worth buying was the ice cream. Either we made the wrong choices or dessert is not their forte. The waiter was very frantic (it was a busy time) and not helpful at all. We asked if the Ganache or the Flourless Cake had a melted middle and he told us the Ganache...wrong! Even if we had ordered dinner, a good French restaurant should have amazing desserts because that's what the French are know for, so I can only give 2 stars. I might try David's Bistro when in the neighborhood next time.
(2)Michelle F.
The restaurant was suggested by friends. Prix fix menu was $28/person for an appetizer, entree and dessert. The polenta stuffed artichoke appetizer was delicious. The wait staff was friendly and patient. They answered my questions about what menu items were without rolling their eyes or giving me a look. Wines are sorted by price and they have a varied selection.
(4)Peter F.
Very good restaruant. Food is excellent as is the wine choices. Ambiance is the next best thing to being in France,if you ever want to go there. I don't any more. But this is a very enjoyable place that is not pretentious and they don't get pissed-off if you don't speak French.LOL. Good wait staff. Good prices.
(4)WIndow S.
Don't be put off by strip-mall location near Asian men-only clubs. We live somewhat nearby, and have been going off & on for years. Daily specials are usually very tasty & good value. Obviously suffering in current economy since we no longer have to wait an hour for a table, and daily menu has fewer choice but lower price ($25! for 3 courses). Veteran waitstaff will provide faster, more pleasant experience than the newer ones. Still, better than expected given the location!
(4)kb j.
Went there on a Saturday night. Been to this restaurant many times over the last 10+ years. Often crowded. Usually start in the bar while waiting for a table. Small wine list, but usually a few good, relatively inexpensive choices. Once seated, we were presented with warm, crusty french bread and a tapenade-like dip to go with it. Need to be careful not to fill up on the bread, though. Usually get the fish and this time ordered a nut encrusted grouper dish accompanied by (very good) mashed potatoes. Portions are decent sized and given the pricing represent a good value.
(4)Alexis L.
Amazing service, amazing food! Went for my birthday in May and my boyfriend and I were so impressed that we came back for our anniversary. The lamb shank is heavenly! Trust your server's opinion.
(5)Alain G.
Going to Retro Bistro was a bit of a disappointment. The food lacked the fresh flavors of good French restaurants, and the side dishes were so small I needed tweezers to find my string beans. The roasted chicken did have a tasty glaze. Desert was also bellow par. A pastry filled with ice cream topped with melted Belgian chocolate lacked the perfection of flakiness and tenderness you would expect from this little globe holding the ice cream. Maybe it's difficult getting the necessary ingredients out in Mount Prospect. And maybe the chef needs to be in the kitchen savoring each and every ingredients. The owner/chef was at the entrance jovially greeting everyone and trying his best to make us feel welcomed, which he succeeded at. But whoever was in the kitchen needed to complement his welcome with a generous hot meal for a bon ami. Keep trying!
(2)Nathan R.
Excellent restaurant hidden in a little stripmall. From the menu and what I had I don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu. Excellent presentation and very inviting service. I would highly recommend it.
(5)Gabriel K.
French restaurant. Very nice tapenade to start with, accompanied with warm bread. Had a great halibut for entree. It's not 5 stars since the desserts sounded better than they tasted. They need to improve them. But overall a very good meal!
(4)K P.
We had the nicest greeting by the owner when we arrived! And the lunch portions were a nice size, not like the expected French 'tidbit'! Oui,oui!
(4)mike h.
All you people who had such a great experience, I'm happy for you. I'll tell you this. I GOT SICK AS A DOG FROM THEIR STEAK TARTAR . SICK. i wont go into details . I will never eat at this place again. eff them. you think I should have told them? ha what good would it do. EFF THIS PLACE
(1)Yami J.
Food is great! Service is great! Our waiter introduce us a 3 carouse special deal just for 25 dollars! Include a drink( I got a champagne) we definitely will come back! Ps we use Groupon for Sunday brunch, they r welcome us very nicely;)
(5)Jackie H.
I have been driving past this strip mall for about 10 years, and never even noticed this place. A few days ago, my dad told our family that he wanted to go to Retro Bistro for his birthday. "Where??" I asked him. "Retro Bistro. It's in that strip mall on Gold and Busse." I still had no idea what he was talking about it. So when I drove by the next day on my way to work, I looked, and sure enough, there it was! I have to admit I was VERY skeptical... Normally strip mall restaurants are a recipe for food poisoning. But we went anyway. And I WAS NOT disappointed. The interior may be a little cheesy, but it had a very homie feel, which I liked. I had the beef tenderloin au poivre, and it was incredible. The beef was perfectly cooked, and the poivre (pepper) sauce that was over it had a lot of flavor. It had a great "zing" to it and added a lot to the beef. It was served over incredible garlic mashed potatoes and with carrots and green beans on the side. It was a delicious meal and I was not disappointed. Had the caramel chocolate cake for dessert and it was incredible, and I don't like caramel. I was impressed to say the least and I will be back. Retro Bistro is definitely a hidden gem of the Chicago suburbs. I HIGHLY recommend it.
(5)Stephanie L.
This place was good,not great. Pros: crab cake -AMAZING! Bread and spread- yum! Service- fantastic and attentive! Cons: Tilapia- nothing special. Only tasted the potatoes . Very disappointed by this. Escargot- sauce wasn't up to par.
(4)John S.
First time at Retro Bistro on a weekday eve. Good bread and tapenade was brought out to us first. The lighting is uneven inside so some tables are lit and some super dark... We started with the Ravioli (they call them wontons???) stuffed with goat cheese in a tomato sauce with polenta. It was very good but IMO overloaded with cheese which throws the balance of the dish off. The wonton was super thin (and good) and the tomato sauce was mild (and good) so the cheese powered right thru it. The polenta was also really good, buttery but not overly so. Next had the shrimp and crab cake. It is basically a hockey puck of ground seafood meat. This sounds bad but it really sums it up. If you've ever had shumi from an asian place you will be right at home with this. The flavors of the cake and sauce are good but it's dense because they do not add bread etc as a binder to it. It's all shrimp and crab! A good item to share. I had a salad lyonnaise to follow. Nice greens, bacon, etc but it had 2-3x the amount of dressing needed for my small, pooling at the bottom of the bowl... otherwise it would have been perfect. Had the Duck & Sausage. The duck was good, the sausage was not my style, possibly made with some liver or blood to I've it a slight irony flavor. I just assume this is how certain sausages are made more so in Europe etc but I just don't eat them often. Steak Parisian was next. A nice strip steak cooked just about medium and some nice thin frites. They call them home fries on the menu which makes me think of thicker steak fries. Regardless this was a pretty solid dish. I can see returning to sample a few other things...
(3)Gary G.
As good as it gets for sure. Serious great food as well at dedicated service! Will be back.
(5)Marty M.
Owner / Chris is very welcoming and warm. Service was great - helpful/knowledgable of the awesome menu. Food was so great and delicious....nice sized portions (not small potions on large plates). 1/2 off select wine bottles was a treat as was the Happy Anniversary dessert we enjoyed. We'll be back soon.
(5)Howard L.
This is a nice upbeat place with good French-themed food and friendly attentive servers. I'd say about 4.5 stars overall. They've been here 25 years, but you wouldn't guess it from the look of the modernized strip mall they are located in. In addition to their regular menu, we learned they have a daily $35 three course prix fixe menu, so I went with that. Wife had a roasted chicken salad and samplings from my 3 courses. I ordered a nice chilled cucumber soup, pork tenderloin medallions, and chocolate profiteroles. I enjoyed all the courses and which all had great taste, flavor, and presentation. The profiteroles were the nicest and most flavorful presentation I've had for such and came with delectable white chocolate, raspberrry, and chocolate sauces. They had a nice vibrant weekday crowd, and everyone here except possibly for us were wine drinkers. Overall, a very nice French-themed dinner spot in this part of Chicagoland.
(4)L. L.
For myself, family and friends, Retro Bistro has been a regular dining destination whether celebrating a special occasion or just wanting a drink at the bar for years. The service is consistently great and you can almost always get a table or a seat at the small bar (reservations recommended on weekend evenings). Recently (May 2015) they changed their menu (heavily meat based) and on my most recent visit the food was not up to their usual excellent standards. I usually order from their changing special menu, however both the dishes I ordered were over-cooked and over-salted. I will continue to dine at Retro Bistro and hope that whatever is happening in the kitchen will improve as this restaurant is a gem in the northwest suburbs. ** It would be nice to know if food is sourced from local farmers.
(3)Chet M.
Retro Bistro is a very solid pick for food, value, service, and free/plentiful parking. Lamb Shank and Skate Wing entrees were excellent. The Prix Fixe offerings are a great deal if you're the type that eats everything. If I had to nit pick, I'd say their mussels are a little on the small side (seems like bad mussels crop everywhere in the last 2 years) and their steaks are a little underwhelming in presentation.
(4)Michelle R.
Call before you go , site says open till 10 pm on Tuesday . Went there at 9 only to be told it's kitchen is closed . They need to update their hours online wasted going here .
(1)Michael P.
Retro Bistro- comfortable, yet fancy Retro Bistro is a delicious restaurant full of surprises! From the incredable presentation of the food to the awesome murals on the walls. The lighting is gorgeous as well as the atmosphere itself! I had their Crab Cake, which was incredable as well as a steak, which was very tough, but had top-of-the-line flavor! I will definitely be coming back soon to try your prix fixe menu! PS- The hospitality is the absolute best. Shoutout to the servers at Retro Bistro!
(4)Nicole W.
Have you ever enjoyed a meal that leaves you (almost violently) ill but still give it 5 stars? Well, I did at Retro Bistro. And let me state up front - it was not Retro Bistro's fault. All items were cooked beautifully and thoroughly, cleanliness was completely up to par and there were no health code issues in sight. No no, the issue I had with my amazing lunch at Retro Bistro was the actual ingredients themselves. For those who haven't enjoyed the fish escolar - be warned. I'm not going to go into specifics, but if you have a sensitive tummy or consume over six ounces of this butterfish, things can go south very very fast. Don't say I didn't warn you. I wish someone would have give me that head's up before I stuffed my face full of their grilled escolar lunch special. It was buttery. Delicious. Swimming in a lovely champagne ginger sauce. And sat atop the most incredible mashed potatoes and carrots. But of course, Candice G and I are often not just satisfied with a great meal. Dessert had to happen. Times two. The chocolate lava cake a la mode was a delight and the pineapple tart was a nice yang to the rich yin of our other dessert choice. So - moral of the story? If you're about to embark into new waters, make sure you look up the rogue fish you'll be consuming. It may be beyond delicious, but you may pay for it later. No regrets.
(5)Candice G.
I don't want to say I over-ate or anything, but I came here with a pregnant person and tried to hold my own against someone who was eating for two and I sorely (SORELY) paid the price. (See also: Hysterical pregnancy. Then cut to my making loud exhaling noises while waddling out of here... then cut to 30-minutes later with me at home massaging cocoa butter and Vaseline into my stomach skin to avoid getting stretch marks from this truly gut-busting meal) The thing is, I think were doing pretty good right up until the point we decided to order TWO desserts. We had no regrets about it until a good 10 minutes had passed since our last sweet bite... then the itis started to set in and that's when it became pretty obvious that while she was the only one pregnant with a baby, we were both pretty pregnant with one course too many of some of the finest French fair I've ever had. The atmosphere is relaxing and adorable. There's a cute bar that you walk in to, but we sat at a table in the regular dining area which was just as cute and had lots of natural lighting. The menu had numerous options but I was drawn to their full page of specials, the Grilled Hawaiian Escolar (which the internet now tells me *may* have some kinda gross side-effects, but I haven't experienced any yet and I've eaten at Hooters enough times to not really be effected by it anyway.) I have no regrets about the Escolar whatsoever. It was some of the best and well-cooked fish I've ever had. The grill taste was superb and as my prego-friend would be quick to remind, came with some seriously bitchin' mashed potatoes. Almost life-changing. When I go back, if Escolar is on the menu I'll 100% order that again and again. For dessert with split both the pineapple tart and flour-less chocolate cake a la mode. I don't regret getting either, but I do regret the amount of it that I let myself eat. We polished them off like we were eating for a dozen and took to nursing out Republic of Tea Pomegranate and Ginger-Peach iced teas. The staff here are really on top of their game. If you drop a crumb, they'll be there to sweep it away and a split second after you're done licking your plate they'll be there to clear it for you. Really nice people and beared with us through our laptops-open lunch and making what seemed like a Sophie's choice of a decision when it came to dessert.
(5)Barbara A.
Consistently good food and excellent service make this an great choice for French-influenced food in the northwest suburbs. Excellent bread and unique tapenade to get you started. Good wine list. Sauces are always nicely done. I've had steak, pork, various fish, and chicken and always enjoyed my meal.
(4)Gary T.
I hardly ever write reviews. I went to retro bistro about a week and a half ago. I cannot remember what I ate. All I can remember is that the flavors were outstanding. Everything that I ordered was extremely good. I know I will most definitely be back. Although it is located in s strip mall, based on the food quality and the final product, then do not let that change your decision on whether to dine here or not. For me, this restaurant belongs in the where I want to go whenever I want to dine at a top quality restaurant. 5 stars all the way!! The reason I wrote this review is that other people really need to know about this restaurant. Ohh, it was so good.
(5)Judi S.
Retro Bistro is a hidden gem in the northwest suburb of Mount Prospect. In are area rife with chain restaurants, this independent eatery shines. While French Bistro fare is highlighted, it eschews they'll mark heavy sauces French food is known for. Instead, dishes are served that have bright flavors and interesting combinations. On a recent visit, the very affordable special was Duck Confit with Duck Sausage. The confitted duck was fall-off the-bone tender, and the cherry sauce that accompanied it was just the right thing for cutting the richness of the dish. It was lucky we had room for our entrees, having enjoyed the crusting bread and olive tapenade before hand a little too much! Dessert was coconut cheesecake, which was somewhat of a letdown after the fine meal we ate. The gelee atop the cake was off putting. Stick to their regular cheesecake if you go. It was creamy and not too sweet. We plan on returning to try one of the bistros Alsatian tarts. Their Sunday brunch also looks intriguing!
(4)Julia L.
I am a huge fan of well run, independently owned neighborhood restaurants. This one is truly a gem. It was warm and cozy on a chilly October Sunday evening. Nice selection of wines. They start you out with a small loaf of bread with a lentil (?) dip. My fiance had duck leg with duck sausage and a cherry sauce. He really enjoyed his meal. I went with their prix fixe menu for $35. Started with french onion soup, main course was one of the best trout dishes I have ever tasted, and we shared creme brulee for dessert. Everything was extremely tasty, and they have perfectly sized portions. Will return for sure!
(5)Karen C.
Retro Bistro did the catering for our wedding reception last year and everything was absolutely amazing. All of our guests raved about the food from the appetizers all the way through to the deserts. The staff was wonderful in accommodating our requests and dealing with my moments of crazy bride brain. We've also eaten in the restaurant numerous times for brunch and dinner both before and after and have always felt like welcomed guests and greatly enjoyed each meal.
(5)Mick B.
Just a quick shout out and thumbs up to the staff at Retro for making us feel so welcomed today when we stopped in for a quick cocktail during the lunch hour. It would appear that they have done some redecorating and it felt cute and cozy at the same time- a good combo! I am definitely interested in coming back another time to sample the items on their menu; I scanned the menu and posted it so you can have a look!
(4)Amy S.
Wow-what a refreshing experience. A restaurant that serves downtown style cuisine in a suburb of Chicago. Definitely put this restaurant on your list. Hopefully, they will continue to stay true to their recipe of success. The owner's wife and husband are very gracious and delightful.
(4)Anna P.
Amazing. How is this amazing place in a little suburb? Seriously, some of the best food you'll ever eat . Had the potato crusted tilapia tonight, it was the most delicate and complex fish dish. And their desserts are nothing more than fantastic. Order the creme brulee, you'll be born again. A bargain in the Northwest suburbs.
(5)Tim D.
Really really good. Waiter was excellent. He knew the product he was serving. Potatoe encrusted talapia was awesome. Make sure they charge you the friday nite special price. Appetizers were awesome as well. My desert of chocalate mouse with ice cream was enough for two. My bill came and I surprised it wasnt more. The only drawback to the evening was they had a woman singing that couldnt carry a tune in a paper bag. It was painful.
(4)Greg H.
Came here for a father's day dinner with the family. The portion sizes are huge, the food was yummy, and the staff was on point. We didn't know our reservation coincided with their anniversary celebration but they graciously accepted our GroupOn despite the fine print excluding special events.
(3)Alexandra P.
The service was very friendly and the food was so good! We had wine, salad, main course, and dessert and all of it was a 5 out of 5! Can't wait to go back.
(5)Ryan S.
Came here once, food was decent. But nothing to extraordinary to make me come back. Would say give it a try at least if your curious.
(3)Victoria W.
What a gem! We accidentally got here half an hour before they opened and spotted the entire staff having dinner together. Always neat to see that. After a little driving around (not much too see around here, heh) we returned and were seated by the window. The cheerfully romantic ambiance made me feel like I was in a festive city restaurant. The music contributed a lot to the mood--a mix of lilting French music and Sinatra-esque songs. Loved the warm crusty bread with scrumptious tapenade that we were served in the beginning. I ordered the oyster mushroom polenta special and the roquefort and pear tart. Wow, the mushroom dish was incredible. It had the heartiness and flavor of a beef stew (and it probably did have beef broth in it). It actually had a bit of an oyster-ish scent and flavor, which I've never actually experienced in oyster mushrooms, but I liked it a lot. The pear tart basically looked like a pizza and was a bit on the small side for the price, but it was very good. They didn't mention it on the menu, but instead of a sauce beneath the toppings, it had caramelized onion! Also, it was served with a dipping sauce that seemed to be some kind of wine and beef broth mixture. So fantastic. My partner ordered the Saturday $20 steak special and deemed it very good, better than the usual. Will be back on a Thursday to try the martini specials and maybe the veggie sandwich!
(4)Katie S.
Awesome food! I was sincerely impressed. Plenty of good options, even the salads! The wait staff was also wonderful. I was very surprised by how quick everything was. The food came out so fast. I didn't wait long for anything. It was all around great!
(5)T A.
Service wonderful Fixed price menu with many choices Of very tasty food for only $45 A review mentioning generous portions usually a turn off but this place is the exception
(4)Patty F.
I was here for lunch and had French onion soup and the Potato encrusted Talapia. It was fantastic. The service was impeccable. Will definitely be back.
(5)Masha L.
Amaaazing food, the lamb is OUTSTANDING! The ahi tuna is fabulous too. People are wonderful
(5)Jody B.
It had been a while since I was here last. My bro-in-law picked it for his Bday dinner celebration. We went on a Sunday night which was nice and quiet. We all decided against the three course option and all chose a la carte. I had the mushroom polenta for app and the salmon for entree. One bro-in-law also got the Salmon. They other had a steak dish. Hubby had horseradish crusted chicken. My polenta was very good. It had a nice brown sauce mixed with the meaty mushrooms on top. Very satisfying. The salmon was also very good. It wasn't over cooked. It had this fresh made salad of tomatoes and diced cucumbers and onions on top with a light creamy sauce. It was heaven. My bro-in-law kept raving about it. I agreed. The other two diners seemed "ok" with their choices. Hubby said it was too much of a punch of horseradish for him and scraped most of it off. We didn't order dessert... but this is the really nice part. We were celebrating a wedding and the birthday, so I bought this special rainbow cake. They did such a wonderful job of decorating it. They were also so nice about serving something we brought in (I had called ahead to ask if it was ok). So nice... I won't wait so long to go back!
(4)Bob D.
Really nice place. Kara at the bar is attentive and engaging. Makes the experience a pleasure. Food is really nice with Wednesdays half price wine on selected bottles. Classy joint with nice atmosphere.
(4)Charlee G.
Sunday Brunch - a must I have reviewed Retro Bistro before and it has been our favorite go-to restaurant since they opened more than 20 years ago. They have never varied from their original mission - wonderful innovative food. Today we tried their Sunday Brunch for the first time and it was incredible. They have a $25 pre-fixed menu that includes a drink (Bloody Mary for me), appetizer (escargot in puff pastry), entree ( eggs benedict with crab and shrimp) and dessert (best fruit plate ever). My husband had an equally wonderful brunch and we had a $55 check. Quite a bargain and it was delicious.
(5)April G.
Found my new favorite restaurant! First off they have a homemade tapenade at the table for you with bread which is so good we asked for more! We started off with crab cakes as an appetiZer which was really good.. For an entree I had the lamb shank. Omg. Best lamb I have ever had!! So tender it fell right off the bone and the mashed potatoes were to die for! My boyfriend had the duck entree and loved that as well. The wine we had was also really good. We also got dessert and that was amazing too. We will definitely be back! Soooo goooood!
(5)Kathleen P.
Wow! Incredible service along with charming ambience paved the way for some of the most delicious food I've had in ages! We decided to share the steak special and the Kobe burger, along with their heavenly French fries. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Mark T.
Poor service and indifference on our anniversary. First time was charming, this time two seats in a busy aisle with a take it or leave it approach. We left; I would have rated it one star but the first time was quite nice.
(2)Iulia T.
A gem in the burbs. Had a great experience, great service, cozy, dimmed light, welcomed right from the entrance. Went with a groupon to give it a try. I will definitely go back. I will add some pics as well.
(5)Matt B.
Retro bistro is not your typical dinner spot in Mount prospect. It has a little bit of a fancy feel to it but the workers and owner there makes you feel at home. The staff and food are really great and the only downsides are the location and prices. First off its located in a strip mall that I have lived close to my entire life and it wasn't until recently that I found this place. It's also right by a lot of other dinner spots. The owner greeted my girlfriend and I extremely nicely and gave us a table. The menu was a little confusing because it uses a lot of French or technical terms that most people have never heard of but the waiter was great in helping us pick a dish. The food was delicious and very flavotful. Lots of flavor combos that I have never had and it was really amazing. Overall the food and people are great just wish it wasn't so hidden, expensive and confusing for a typical hungry person.
(4)Vince V.
I was going through a little exercise in my head, looking for a word that described Retro Bistro best. "Friendly" comes to mind, as the service was indeed very warm upon my entrance as I waited for the rest of my party to arrive. "Engaging" captures the short time spent at the bar before getting our table ready, the bartender offering us a delicious red wine while we nibbled on crackers and lentil spread. "Relaxed" would aptly describe the rest of dinner, which for me centered around a perfectly medium-rare New York strip as I chatted with friends, this in spite of the noise levels. I finished with the profiterole and chocolate dessert and some very good coffee. In the end, I think the word that best works is "sincere". There is a simple sincerity that permeates the dining experience, from the Chef/Owner greeting me at the door, the rustic yet accessible decor, the bartender's informed suggestions to our server's rapt attention. The Retro Bistro sincerely made this a classy good time.
(4)Dominique L.
...just watched "Check please" and my wife and I being regulars of Retro Bistro are happy that this couple (owners) and their staff get rewarded for their true commitment of the past 20+ years in this ever challenging business....bravo and many more years to you!
(5)Steve R.
Retro Bistro is a hidden treasure, located in a small strip mall in Mt. Prospect. You enter the restaurant through the small, romantic bar area, greeted by the co-owner Chris. French music plays softly in the background and French-themed artwork adorn the walls. We tried the prix-fixe menu via a Living Social deal. I felt adventurous and enjoyed the puff pastry escargot. We both ordered the amazing beef tenderloin. Wines were good, and went well with the meal. Overall a very good experience. We'll definitely keep Retro Bistro on our list to return.
(4)Gloria B.
I've been here twice for MeetUp Sunday brunches and for a vegetarian, they only have a couple of dishes I can have, so both times I've had the same thing. Crepes with veggies, the French herbal goat cheese salad and creme brulee for dessert. The salad is very good, the entree is tasty and the creme brulee is truly outstanding! Both times I've gotten the Sunday Brunch special, which is $25 for three courses with a mimosa thrown in. That is a great value! I just wish they had one or two more rotating main course veggie dishes, because I don't want to go back for a while, since I don't want to eat the same thing 3X in a row. Both times the wait staff has been very patient with a large group of women demanding separate checks, returning food, asking for changes and substitutions - oh my!
(4)Ted M.
Came here on a groupon for Sunday Brunch. Only one item we ordered wasn't exceptional, and the service was really good. Coffee was good but not great. Desserts (creme brulee and profiteroles) were both incredible, as was the beef tenderloin n eggs and the salmon pancake starter. Recommended.
(5)Ashley A.
Every trip here exceeds our expectations! Wonderful staff, great atmosphere and AMAZING food! It's hard to believe you'd find such a gem in a Mount Prospect strip mall but it's definitely worth checking out! Can't wait for next time!
(5)Ania W.
Loove this place! I recently discovered this and its right down the street form my house. Great ambiance, food an wine. The owners are super friendly.
(4)Bugbunny_V K.
I run into Retro Bistro by mistake and I'm glad I did. On my first visit, I tried the grilled chicken salad. The chicken was more like chicken salad (with mayo). I wasn't expecting that but it tasted good nonetheless. I've returned on at least 3 different occasions for their Sunday brunch and all the menu items are always a hit. The warm bread and hummus(? or whatever it is that they serve with it) is phenomenal. For wine lovers, they have an extended wine list. Great selections. Oh and the service is great.
(4)Leslie D.
We dined her last night on a Groupon. What a pleasant surprise! It is inconspicuously located in a strip mall. You would never seek this out on a whim, unless someone tells you about this place. We were so impressed. From the time you walk in and are personally greeted by the owner, who talks to you and your family for a few minutes. All of the staff were smiling, happy and said hi to our 5 year old daughter. It made you feel like a family place. The food is outstanding! We had the filet and lamp chops, and I had the Hawaiian Hebi fish. Both dishes were incredible. We were pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem and will be sure to come back here again. I am looking forward to coming again very soon.
(5)Sarah S.
This place is a hidden gem. You wouldn't expect this quiet venue to have such amazing food. My boyfriend and I had the escargot and steak tartar for appetizers. The tartar was complimented well with all the garnishes on the plate. The escargot was perfect. They were very delicious. Our entrees were the wasabi Hawaiian Ahi Tuna and the Pasta Retro Bistro. Both of these dishes were phenomenal. Our waiter was polite and responsive. We did not have one complaint about the meal or service.
(5)David K.
Okay, I just recently ate there again with the same group of friends. The food was MUCH better and the service was attentive (at is always has been). Again, I'm a bit of a snob, but if you live in Mt. Prospect or Wheeling or Des Plaines and you don't feel like driving into the city (the CITY! Oh, my GOD) then you could do a lot worse than Retro Bistro. Oh, and I don't drink but I hear that their wine selection is pretty good.
(3)Pam K.
Retro Bistro was recommended to us by a friend. We loved the appetizers and the food was delcious! It was very creamy and rich, the desserts were flavorful and decadent. Service was an A+. The owners Chris and Lorraine are wine enthusiasts and very friendly. Loved the specials!
(3)Sue T.
Left the place after being seated in the middle of the aisle. We had made reservations for our anniversary. The owners did not even care. He just kept talking and not trying to make any accommodations even though there were empty tables. I plan to never return to this restaurant. Had to rate the place in order to post. Would have given it zero stars if possible.
(1)Happy M.
Very nice bistro. Food was not desapointing and nice size portions. Price was just right and good selection of wine. My only concern was with service. Our waiter was a little off and missing the bistro charm. Did not explan the menu or the wine paring .Kind of rushing . He also never asked how my companion likes the stake ? When I asked him what did he order for him he looked surprized and said ofcourse medium rare . Really ? .. The stake was not medium rare at all. Not a big deal, but strange. My fish was perfect and the desert was wonderful. Thank you .
(4)Brooke J.
I found this place one day while walking around the shopping center when I first moved into the area. Don't let the name fool you this place is quite elegant. They have shelves and shelves of great wine and the environment is intimate and classy. The prices are a little expensive but then again I'm in college so that might be a relative statement. I ordered a skirt steak sandwich and was quite thrilled with my order. The waiters were very kind and friendly and I would definitely recommend this place to other couples. They also have a bar and TVs for those sports lovers. We will defiantly go again !
(5)Michelle Kei T.
BEST PLACE in Mount Prospect EVER!! Love the owners and the staff. Best tasting food and service EVER!! Food is to die for!!! Have never had a bad meal here ever.
(5)Ramena A.
This place is wonderful! I came for dinner on a pretty quiet night with my friend and I absolutely fell in love. The staff was friendly and warm. I strangely felt like they were family, they were just that sweet. My friend and I ordered appetizers which were delicious! We ordered the escargot and a tart flambé which was so yummy I can taste it now. For dinner I had ordered a horrendous chicken plate, it was inedible, asked for them to take it back and they did without hesitation. The crust was salty, the sauce was bitter, but the chicken was cooked to perfection. When they took it back, I asked for a steak instead, and that was heavenly. Usually I don't finish my meal, but theirs I finished within ten minutes! It was mouth wateringly good. The steak was juicy and the butter on top was a perfect compliment to it. Their fries were delicious, I actually judge places on their fry quality (just to show how good they really were). Overall the meal was delectable apart from the chicken. Also, my friend ordered an alcoholic beverage and said their syrup to liquor ratio wasn't as good as it should have been. It was just too strong for her. (But I wouldn't know I'm under 21 and am turned off by alcohol).
(4)Paula R.
Chris and Lorraine Barth have an amazing establishment. they provide gourmet delights. and great wine. lovely decor. true pros. had an amazing experience with our French guests.
(5)Ginger P.
Unexpectedly wonderful. This fantastic French restaurant is strangely out of place in a Mt. Prospect strip mall....but what it lacks in curb appeal, it more than makes up for in the quality of the food and service. I loved every last morsel. The crab cake was one of the best I've had ... superb. For an entree, I had a peppercorn crusted filet -- perfectly cooked, delicious. Dessert was decadent and delightful as well. As it was Valentine's weekend, they offered a dessert plate with profiteroles, chocolate dipped strawberries, and creme brulee. Mmmmm. The night I was there, a violinist and accordian player strolled about the restaurant and made the ambiance all the more charming. Five stars for the food and the friendly, knowledgeable staff.
(5)Theresa N.
I love to eat out but I rarely write reviews. After eating at Retro Bistro about 10 or 12 times I have to say I have NEVER had anything that wasn't incredibly delicious. I drive an hour here just for lunches!
(5)