Bistro Bordeaux

618 Church Street

Evanston, IL

Got an offer from Chalkboard Eats for a 4 course menu for $40 with $10 wine pairing. We partook in the "Farewell to Summer" tasting menu.

Bread was excellent - warm crispy crust and fluffy insides. Only downfall was that the butter was too cold.

1st Course:

Soupe Froide de Haricot Blanc, Poitrine de Porc Croustillante

Chilled Petite French Bean soup, crispy pork belly

Served with a 2010, Chateau Mourges du Gres, "Fleur d' Eglantine, Costieres de Nimes Rose

Forgot to take a picture, but bowls came out with just beans, celery heart leaves and crispy pork belly. Then tableside they poured the soup around the beans. Very elegant. The room was served at room temperature. Very velvety texture. Well seasoned, especially when eaten all together.

2nd Course:

Coquille Saint Jacques Poellee, Ragout de Lentilles Noires, Sauce au Foie de Volailles, Poireaux Confit

Pan Seared Sea Scallop, stewed black beluga lentils, chicken liver sauce, crispy leeks

Served with 2010 La Font du Vent, "Les Promesses" Cotes du Rhone Rose

Biggest let down was the wine pairing, really not well matched. The chicken liver sauce was a little rich and overwhelmed the scallop a bit. It was good, but not very summery. The scallop had a great sear on it and was perfectly cooked. the crispy leeks were really good.

3rd Course:

Filet d"Agneau Roti, Fricassee de Legume de Saison, ail Confit et son Jus Naturel

Roasted Lamb loin, Summer market vegetable fricassee, garlic confit, natural jus.

Served with a 2010, Chateau de Segries, Tavel, Rhone

Lamb was really tender, roasted garlic was really tasty. Veggies were fresh and the jus was really flavorful. Mark's favorite (surprise, surprise). Very nice wine pairing.

4th Course:

Tarte aux Pommes Caramelisee, Glace aux Epices

Carmalized gala apple tart, spiced ice cream

Served with N.V. Baron d'Arignac Rose', Vin de Pays d'Oc

Tarte Served warm with real vanilla ice cream. Tarte pastry was flaky. Apple was tender-crisp. Wine pairing was the worst yet. Although on it's own the wine was nice.