Cafe Pyrenees

05/28/09

5-star restaurant!

by sjriley72

We're in town visiting Chicago and Great America, and I came across this restaurant on Citysearch. After reading all of the great reviews, we decided to give it a try as it was only a few minutes from our hotel.

We called to see if they have a kid's menu; they don't have a dedicated one, but were so flexible in wanting to create something that our kids would enjoy. When we arrived, there was first a complimentary wine tasting of 5 of their wines; this gave us an excellent preview of what we were wanting to drink for dinner! On top of that, their wines were 50% off, so we got an excellent bottle for $14.

After we ordered from Alejandro, our waiter, the owner Mari came by and took our 5-year-old on a personal tour of the kitchen (along with complimentary ice cream). She treated us like family.

Our dinner rates among the best we've ever had; Duck Duo was succulent and paired well with our wine, as did the Beef Bourgignon. Our children's meals were beautifully prepared and all of us gave it a 5-star rating. For dessert, more ice cream, a chocolate banana crepe, and the Delices des Pyrennes, a rich chocolate mousse combo.

Then the best part...the total bill, wine and all, was a whopping $97. We've had dinners for 3 times this amount that haven't come close.

If we were residents of Libertyville, this would be our new favorite restaurant...a truly wonderful start to our Chicago-area vacation.

• Pros: Amazing food, personal service, great wines, affordable!
• Cons: None to speak of

03/21/08

Family restaurant w/gourmet food.

by dna4

This is hands down, our favorite restaurant. We have lived and dined in many different parts of the US, SA, Europe etc and we always look forward to coming home and going to Cafe Pyrennes. The family/owners/chef/hostess/manager, they do it all, and they serve with love and compassion. Many of the non-family staff have been with them over 10-15yrs, and you can tell they feel like family as well. The food is exceptional, fair pricing and great specials, as well as special event evenings and a great wine selection. We have dined here with a large group and always enjoy ourselves, and we have dined alone and never feel like we can't have an intimate conversation, while still enjoying the festive atmosphere.

• Pros: Incredible gourmet food w/friendly family atmosphere
• Cons: If they could be open everyday, but being wonderful family people, they are not.

09/01/07

WOW! This place is amazing!!!!!!

by elliana67

After finding Cafe Pyrenees, again, after it had relocated from Vernon Hills to Libertyville we are so very excited. There is one thing to say about a restaurant in the suburbs that has been in business for 17 years, EXCELLENT. The owners (who are all family) and staff are so welcoming and the food is like nothing you can find in one of those corporate establishments. Cafe Pyrenees is what it is, a family bistro with wonderful flavor. We love the wine selections and the special Wild Wine Wednesday nights. My husband and I go for the crab cake and duck duo. I personally love the hummus salad as well. You have GOT TO TRY THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: Great food, bar and great wine selections. Also has a retail wine store.
• Cons: not open on Mondays.

05/05/06

Why didn't they serve us?

by tsaisandra

This is the 5th time I've been here and the service keeps getting worse. Previously, I've gone with my business to interview clients. Lately though, I've been embarrassed by the extremely slow service. This last time, I took my husband there for dinner. We were seated at the bar, which was fine, but the hostess had to keep checking on us to see if we were being helped. It took 15 minutes for someone to take our drink order and another 10 minutes to get our drinks. We sat with our menus closed for a good 20 minutes without a single inquiry as to whether or not we wanted to order food. We finally got so frustrated that the next time the hostess came by, we asked for the check. She never asked us why we decided not to order food, nor did we get an apology for being ignored.

• Pros: Food?
• Cons: Poor service, Loud

11/22/05

They have moved! Oh and WOW!

by cruit813

We live in Vernon Hills and thought, incorrectly, that we would have to make the long and tiresome drive downtown to get a great French Meal...well, er uh, we found this Cafe which just blew us away...we were treated an outstanding meal...you better make a reservation for Friday night though...thank goodness we did and we were whisked right awya to our table...from the wine list and appetizers (try the Mussels) to the entrees and desserts...this place is FANTASTIC...dont take my word, check it out for your self!!! Seriously, you wont have to brave the Edens on a Friday Night or travel down into Wheeling to that OTHER place!

• Pros: Warmth, Menu Creativity
• Cons: Crowded