Miramar Bistro

We had a wonderful experience here on a Saturday night, albeit on the pricey side. The service was attentive and the space was warm and comfortable. I tried duck for the first time and was very happy with my choice. It was served with a large salad that was tasty in its own right. My husband loved the oysters, shrimp and crab claws. We spent about $ 250 for two bottles of wine and dinner for four, so it’s more of a special occasion place for my budget.

How have I not reviewed it yet? We found Miramar half a decade ago while randomly driving through the north shore and really needing to be pampered. And we were. And now are as regular as we can be. Why only a hundred or so reviewers have posted is mind boggling. If in Chicago, it would be a world famous French bistro. If in DC it would have eclipsed Au Pied de Cochon. I think they’d do ok in Paris. All the classics — pates, oysters, cheeses, onion soup, lyonnaise salad,.steak frites (which some silly reviewer complained were «just shoestring fries.» All in perfect bistro form. Fantastic space, distressed liqueur logo mirrors, dripping candles and tiles that make it look older than this suburb has existed. Oh and the staff are incredibly friendly. And there’s a random Cuban influence just for good measure. You must go here. Must. Go. Here. And never leave.

Best restaurant on the North Shore. Gabriel is a top chef for years and the restaurant space is open and inviting and their service is always impeccable. As for their food, great ingredients and combined with perfect preparation and playing for a casual affordable upscale dining experience with French and Cuban influences.

My nephew and I went there last Friday evening. The service was awesome as usual. There’s a team of servers always making sure your water and bread basket are full. The bistro’s ambiance is cozy and warm. I love their extra tall taper candles. The food was wonderful. I had the au gratin onion soup. It was flavorful and hearty and had a crust of melted, bubbling cheese on top. Simply Delicious. I also tried the special endive salad. It had a perfect blend of flavors and the bleu cheese dressing the server brought me was one of the best I’ve ever had. I ordered the bacon macaroni and cheese as an entrée. It’s a hugs portion. It was cheesy and had a good amount of bacon mixed in. It also had a bubbly broiled cheese crust on top. Perfect. My nephew had to finish it for me. So much cheese! I finished my meal with a delicious cup of coffee and a plate of their chocolate covered toffees!!! Rich, crisp and buttery! Next time I’m in Illinois, I’ll be back!

We held a Birthday party for my wife with about 40 guests. The atmosphere, food, and service was perfect. Gabe and his team at Miramar are seriously professional in their craft, in addition to being, warm and inviting hosts. A perfect match! Looking forward to the next party!

I have been to Miramar several times over the last (almost 10) years. It’s always good. Service is efficient, menu is clean and has options for everyone. Prices are high. I don’t normally mention price but in this case I want to be sure you know a bowl of French onion soup may be all you want to spend. I will admit that soup is amazing and worth it. Perfect ratio of onion, broth, bread and cheese. Seriously prefect. I have had all the usual suspects on the menu and all have been very good. My only wish would be that the food were hotter in the middle. But I like my food hot so maybe it’s just me. Take your wallet, be willing to open it and enjoy a really good meal.

I ordered the chicken pesto sandwich and onion soup. The wait staff was very friendly and I love the décor but the food was overpriced for the quality. I probably won’t become a frequent customer, unless I find a dish that blows me away.

I would like to stress that this review has nothing to do with the food. This review is based on drink prices. Namely the complete and total gauge of $ 8 they charge a beer, with tax teaches $ 8.70, for a Stella? In Highwood?!? Highway robbery. Even in the city. If the drink prices are indicative of the food prices, it’s going to be an expensive evening or afternoon

Food was delicious! Foie gras, oysters and escargot were superb!

Birthday party of six. Excellent experience. Outstanding, attentive service. Charming schmoozing with the owner/​chef. Ask him if he’s ever been to Cuba. We sat in the only booth, which was comfortable and easy for conversation. Dining room is small, so make a reservation. Admire the attractive room, created from scratch for a specific look. Ditto for the bathrooms.
The onion soup is beyond description. See photo below. Bouillabaisse has a strange Pernod flavor, yet is surprisingly enjoyable. Scallops are delicious. Ditto for burgers and pasta dish. Oysters disappeared in seconds. Shoestring potatoes are memorable. Fresh bread basket is replenished cheerfully. Toffee dessert was yummy, and I don’t especially like toffee. Flan dessert was demolished by table’s tag team with spoons.
Everyone in our group wants to return. This is a destination restaurant. Don’t worry about the $$ check. Worth every penny.

Ok but sitting outside on the busy road is not much fun, the maitre de told us it was too stuffy inside (great recommendation)
Waiters slow for everything except repeatedly refilling water even when only a ¼ inch from the top.
Steak was good but frites are those awful shoestring fries.

Elegant little place. Ate outside today. Perfect service actually best part of he meal today was the toasted bread with garlic sauce. Bouillabaisse was tasty …

Spectacular. It doesn’t hurt that we sat outside in a beautiful evening, surrounded by others enjoying themselves, and we were well attends to by their numerous reaffirms members.
My gorgeous date had the lyonese salad. Bacon egg and croutons were fantastic and lettuce was fresh.
I had the mushroom soup. While it is not as good as The Grape (see my review), it was best I have had in Illinois. Spectacular bread selection helped to, and the butter was room temperature, a feature I appreciate instead of he more typical frozen and hard butter.
We shared a dozen oysters that were fresh, clean, cold, and delicious. Tasty vinegars mix and awesome blend of cocktail horseradish.
Their staff was attentive and the only reason not a five star review is the number if times they came to take the plates away, despite our not being finished. Pay attention waiters and busmen. Do not ask if we are done until we clearly are. They even took away my bread, butter and cocktail sauce before I was done. I did not notice as I was in deep conversation mode
Lastly, desert of ice cream was awesome.
Pushing the limits on the cost per person, this place has an excellent chef and We will be back but looking for specials at lower prices and improved service.

Came on a Thursday. Made sure to have a reservation. The place was crowded but we got our table in 10 minutes. Had the artichoke appetizer and a couple of fresh oysters. The waiter was very helpful in explaining the oysters which I really appreciated!
I had the crêpe special and it was very good. You wouldn’t think crepes would be filling but with a rich sauce it was!
My dinner companion had the Linguini with clams and enjoyed that as well.
Drinks at the bar were done just right.
No dessert tonight for us but I am sure it is yummy as well.
The wait staff is very attentive yet not pushy. Tricky to do but they do it extremely well!
Definitely will go back.

We had a reservation for dinner and were seated at a tiny table in the front of the restaurant. If you like to have to speak very loudly to be heard, have mediocre service, eat over –priced food from a menu that doesn’t explain the offerings (the waiter did explain after asked that I could order a ½ salad as the one on the menu was entrée size. He did not explain nor did the menu indicate any side order for my salmon) then this is the place for you. We skipped coffee and dessert and went elsewhere where we could talk.
There was a total lack of attention.
I won’t be back.

So I will preface this review with the fact that my hubby doesn’t like to go here. He says it’s too expensive for what you get… So, I go here for lunch with my girlfriends/​sister.
Last time sis and I split the omelette and the salad nicoise. It was perfect and they were so nice to divide them both in the kitchen.
For dessert we had the toffee. It was just the right amount of «sweet» for the end of our meal. We even had enough to take a few pieces home.
We ate outside and lingered over our wine on a nice day.
What’s not to like?

Chose this place randomly for a Valentine’s lunch so I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t disappointed at all though so that’s good. Didn’t blow me out of the water though. Reading earlier reviews, I think Pam D sums up the entrance pretty well. «The owner Gabe greets patrons at the door with a handshake and a warm smile, like you’re a long lost friend.» So true, so true. He shook my hand and confused me but I guess that’s just the kind of place this is, and that’s definitely not a bad thing.
Got seated in the front area on a smallish table, would’ve preferred not being so close to the next two tables but that’s alright. Staff here is crazy friendly. Asking you if you need anything all the time, helping you with your coats, refills of water and tea without you even asking, and even holding the bathroom door open for people. A+ for customer service.
The lunch menu isn’t as big as the dinner one obviously, but I ended up getting the calamari, and the highwood burger with bacon, mushrooms and mozzarella. The gf got the roasted scallops, and we finished with the crème brûlée. The calamari was pretty good. Tasted real, wasn’t too much breading or fried taste. Was a pretty good started. My burger was pretty delicious too. The thing as a whole just tasted fresh, as if you went to the market and bought all the ingredients and made it yourself. Wasn’t the best burger I’ve ever had in my life, but it was pretty good. Pretty filling too since it comes with the fries and it’s at an affordable price. I tasted the scallops and I wasn’t too fond of it. The scallops were great, but i didn’t really like the sauce at all. Crème brûlée is always delicious. You can never go wrong with that.
Overall great place, they even make sure to say thanks and bye when you’re leaving. If it wasn’t so far from where I live, I would definitely come back sometime to try the dinner.

Great atmosphere, food, and service. Loved it and will return for sure. I had the lamb shank, which just fell off the bone and dissolved in my mouth. The wife got a steak that she enjoyed quite a bit.
The staff was excellent and on top of things without being overbearing. The rest of the patrons were all very friendly and good company.

Miramar is one of our favorite restaurants to celebrate special occasions in our family. Would love to eat there more often but, it is $$$. The owner Gabe greets patrons at the door with a handshake and a warm smile, like you’re a long lost friend. Having been to Paris a few times, Miramar meets or exceeds French Bistro cuisine. The atmosphere is semi-​casual, semi-​formal. White table cloths adorn tables accented with tall white candles dripping into an old wine bottle. Personal attention is given to all dining patrons. You are assigned a «team» to take care of you during your dining experience.
Recently, we enjoyed the seasonal soft shell crabs, yep that was my go to dish. The hubby enjoyed braised lamb chops with whipped sweet potatoes (don’t know why so many people don’t like sweet potatoes, they’re delish!), my son got his fave: the orange duck. My other son stuck with a burger. When we dine out and pay this kinda $$$, we expect consistent impressive service and food, which was achieved this night.
Summer lunch time is a wonderful time to relax with a glass of ice tea and enjoy half a sandwich with soup or salad. Menus are read from the paper place mats… so French!
Kudos to our waiter, Felipe and his team, great job!

This is my husband and my go-​to restaurant to celebrate. We have gone here for a friend’s birthday and when I passed my boards. It’s a special spot to us. The food is always wonderful and special.
My husband is nuts about the owner of this place. He’s an adventure guru and goes on philanthropic missions where he will hike the highest 7 peaks and swim the English channel.
The staff is quirky and excellent down to the 15 year old kid who filled our water. He stopped by every 5 minutes and we got to talking. This kid is working 2 jobs and at 10 PM at night he was still perky and extremely personable. He told us that he really enjoys his job and is saving up for his first car. This is the kind of place I want to bring my business to.
Now for the food. The last time we were here I got the scallops and a Stella. My husband got the gnocchi and it was superb. We had a great conversation and then had the dessert. We got something that consisted of a fluffy pastry with a hot fudge glaze and vanilla ice cream. It was unreal. One of the best desserts I’ve ever had.
This place isn’t cheap, but they got to a high level of service with a relaxed atmosphere. It is worth the amount you spend. The level of detail in this place to make it look like a true, French restaurant is impressive.
Note for coming in. There will be people who will be dressed to the 9s. However, I think that if you’re comfortable with yourself you’d be fine wearing jeans and flip flops. Parking can be tough, but just get there early enough, drive around, and you’ll find a spot eventually. You should probably get a reservation, which you can do on open table.
I would highly recommend this place and feel that its presence enhances our local area.