Retro Bistro

The promise of a well-cooked steak au poivre and a glass of red at this friendly French spot raises our spirits after even the most soulless of shopping forays at nearby Woodfield Shopping Center. A recent visit for the three-course tasting menu had mixed results: The ratatouille risotto had depth from a meaty stock, but bland chicken Dijonnaise over salty spinach was a letdown. Ditto for the overly salty peppercorn sauce that obliterated the perfectly cooked beef tenderloin. Even so, we’ve got a soft spot for this place, so we’ll still return in hopes that the kitchen eases up on the saltshaker.