August 3 is National Watermelon Day. Try Bistrot Zinc's Unique Yellow Watermelon Salad

There is always something delicious and new cooking in the Bistrot Zinc (1131 N. State St., Chicago) kitchen and August 3 is no exception.   National Watermelon Day is August 3 and Bistrot Zinc has prepared the perfect yellow watermelon appetizer to celebrate this delicious fruit. The juiciness of the watermelon is paired with the fragrant flavors of French feta cheese and basil oil, making it a refreshing appetizer. With this starter revealing the luscious ingredients used and delectable food served at Bistrot Zinc, you will be keen to try all of Bistrot Zinc's menu items. Bistrot Zinc serves lunch (brunch on weekends) and dinner seven days a week. Lunch is served Monday - Friday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner is served Monday - Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday - Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, please visit the website at www.bistrotzinc.com or call 312-337-1131 for reservations.

There's No Need to go to France with Bistrot Zinc Just Around the Corner

share   Dreaming of a trip to France? Look no further than Bistrot Zinc, 1131 N. State St. in Chicago (telephone: 312-337-1131). Bistrot Zinc is the perfect spot for a French summer escape. Step inside and immediately be transported to your favorite Parisian bistrot. Located in the heart of Chicago's bustling Gold Coast neighborhood, Bistrot Zinc's open French doors and colorful Parisian décor will be sure to help you unwind while you delight in the classic and contemporary French dishes faithfully prepared by Chef Tim Kirker.   Celebrating its 16th anniversary this year, Bistrot Zinc endures as one of Chicago's most popular neighborhood restaurants because it remains fresh and contemporary while staying authentically true to French tradition. Bistrot Zinc gets its name from typical French bistrots where the "zinc" bar is a popular meeting place for good food, conversation and camaraderie. Gracious hospitality and unpretentious, exceptional service are the hallmark of this friendly bistrot that boasts a large community of regular customers. The traditional bistrot ambiance of tile floors, tin ceilings, and the beautifully handcrafted zinc bar offers French authenticity as guests step into its lively Parisian atmosphere. While Bistrot Zinc's success can be attributed to many things, one of the most important is that each month Chef Kirker offers a new special seasonal menu featuring contemporary French preparations. July's seasonal specials include appetizers such as Grilled radicchio with fig and walnut vinaigrette ($8.95); Watermelon with French feta and basil ($8.95); Brochette of lamb tenderloin with spring onions and pistou ($13.95); Sautéed soft-shelled crab with roasted corn salad and red pepper coulis ($14.95); Traditional steak tartare ($12.95) and Baby beets with Banyuls vinaigrette and shaved fennel ($8.95). Special entrées include Grilled salmon with gingered red lentils and spinach ($23.95); Bouillabaisse with rouille croutons ($26.95); Pork Milanese with heirloom tomato salad ($22.95), and Pan-seared duck breast with tarragon-roasted peaches and basmati rice ($25.95).   In addition to the special seasonal menu, guests will always find a wide selection of classic dishes that are virtually synonymous with the term "French bistrot." Popular items include starters such as Escargots BZ or the classic Soupe à l'Oignon, French Onion Soup, and classic entrées such as Steak Frites and Vol-au-Vent, the stew du jour in puff pastry with crème fraîche mashed potatoes.   Bistrot Zinc serves lunch (brunch on weekends) and dinner seven days a week. Lunch is served Monday - Friday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner is served Monday - Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday - Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.   For more information, please visit the website at www.bistrotzinc.com or call 312-337-1131 for reservations.     Appetizers Grilled radicchio with fig and walnut vinaigrette 8.95 Watermelon with French feta and basil 8.95 Brochette of lamb tenderloin with spring onions and pistou 13.95 Sautéed soft-shelled crab with roasted corn salad and red pepper coulis 14.95 Traditional steak tartare 12.95 Baby beets with Banyuls vinaigrette and shaved fennel 8.95  Entrees Grilled salmon with gingered red lentils and spinach 23.95 Bouillabaisse with rouille croutons 26.95 Pork Milanese with heirloom tomato salad 22.95 Pan-seared duck breast with tarragon-roasted peaches and basmati rice 25.95  À Côté Side Dishes Grilled asparagus, balsamic syrup 5.50 Baby squash, grape tomato sauté 5.95 Sautéed spinach 4.95 Ratatouille 5.50 Pommes frites 4.95 Haricots verts 5.50

Bastille Day means Bon Appetit at Bistrot Zinc July 14

Share  Marie Antoinette, in full costume, will pass out complimentary cake to guests Bistrot Zinc (1131 N. State St., Chicago; 312-337-1131) will express its French pride on Monday, July 14, as this popular French bistrot celebrates Bastille Day, commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 which is considered the start of the French Revolution. Bastille Day is always an important day at Bistrot Zinc, and the restaurant will be serving a special Bastille Day prix fixe menu in addition to the regular menu. The menu will be available from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is priced at $32.95 per person. On Bastille Day we recall the legend of French Queen Marie Antoinette: When she was told that the French people were angry because they had no bread to eat, she said haughtily, "Then let them eat cake." Whether the story is true or not, it is a fact that Marie Antoinette didn’t care to deal with serious matters and was more or less oblivious to France’s financial crisis. The French people became disenchanted with her, leading to the storming of the Bastille and ending the French monarchy. Bistrot Zinc can’t pass up a good opportunity to express its authenticity, so the restaurant has arranged for Marie Antoinette to be on hand on Bastille Day to pass out cake to all the guests. Bistrot Zinc’s Bastille Day menu begins with a selection of tantalizing appetizers, including Pâté Traditionnel, duck liver pâté served with red wine mustard and crouton; Baby Beets, served with Banylus vinaigrette and shaved fennel; and Sautéed Calamari with shaved radish and citrus vinaigrette. The dinner continues with excellent entrée choices including Grilled Salmon with gingered red lentils;Coq Au Vin on buttered egg noodles; Pork Milanese with heirloom tomato salad; and Vegetable Chickpea Tagine, a Moroccan-inspired dish served with toasted almonds and couscous. The meal will conclude on a sweet note with a choice of Stone Fruit Parfait, Chocolate Mousse and Almond-Butter Cake served with macerated berries. Bistrot Zinc’s authentic and delicious regular menu features popular items such as Escargots BZ to start or the classic Soupe à l’Oignon, French Onion Soup. Tried and true entrées include Steak Frites, a bistrot steak served with butter and pommes frites and Vol-au-Vent, the stew du jour in puff pastry with crème fraîche mashed potatoes. Bistrot Zinc is the perfect spot for a French summer escape for lunch or dinner, located in the heart of Chicago’s bustling Gold Coast neighborhood.  Bistrot Zinc’s open French doors and colorful country French décor will be sure to help you unwind while you delight in the classic and contemporary French dishes faithfully prepared by Chef Tim Kirker. About Bistrot Zinc Bistrot Zinc, celebrating its 16th anniversary this fall, is an authentic French Bistrot (1131 N. State St, Chicago, IL, 60610; 312-337-1131), serving classic and contemporary French food. The name is derived from typical French bistrots where the "zinc" bar is a popular meeting place for good food, conversation and camaraderie. In this lovely French bistrot, moderately-priced classic and contemporary French food is served amid the traditional bistrot ambiance of tile floors, tin ceilings, and the beautifully handcrafted zinc bar. An atmosphere of French authenticity prevails throughout as you step into this lively Parisian atmosphere. Lunch is served Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brunch is served Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner is served Monday – Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday – Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, please visit the website at www.bistrotzinc.com.

Enjoy a rainy Chicago Saturday @ Chicago French Market with Chef Dominque Tougne

Enjoy a rainy Chicago Saturday @ Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton between Washington and Randolph) with BISTRO 110's DOMINIQUE TOUGNE. Chef demo begins today at 3pm. Learn from the best! Chef Dominique Tougne has been heralded by Paris newspaper Le Monde as "reshaping the way we think about our bistro's" and has been executive chef of Bistro 110 since 1996. He will be demonstrating his delicious duck confit, fingerling potatoes and chocolate truffles!

DOMINIQUE TOUGNE

“In [French] cuisine today, Chef Dominique Tougne is reshaping the way we think about bistros,” reported the leading Paris newspaper Le Monde. Much to Chicago’s delight, Tougne has brought that culinary vision to Bistro 110, where he has served as executive chef since 1996.

Tougne’s professional history includes significant periods of study with leading figures in French cuisine, including Joel Robuchon and Jacques Senechal. After completing an apprenticeship at the celebrated Hotel Intercontinental restaurant in Paris (a restaurant of exceptional quality according to Le Bottin Gourmand), Tougne went to the Hotel Nikko de Paris, where he worked at both of its restaurants: Pont Mirabeau and Les Celebrités, awarded the Michelin Guide’s coveted star of quality. At the Nikko, he worked under the supervision of Chef de Cuisine Jacques Senechal (formerly the chef of the Tour d’Argent of Paris, considered one of the world’s best restaurants). To this day, Tougne credits Senechal’s instruction as having a significant influence on his culinary philosophy.

After a short hiatus to fulfill his military service obligation, Tougne resumed his culinary career as chef de cuisine at the Chateau des Reynats in Perigueux near Bordeaux. He established the new restaurant’s reputation as one of the finest in the region by earning a Michelin Star, rave reviews from Gayot’s Best of France ("Splendid"), and acclaim in the Bottin Gourmand, which called Tougne’s menu "creative" and "audacious." French newspapers also recognized his "brilliance" and "inventiveness" in the culinary arts.

In October 1993, Joel Robuchon, France’s most famous contemporary chef, recruited Tougne to be executive sous chef at Le Relais du Parc in Paris. Regarded by many as the greatest chef in the world, Robuchon has been featured in hundreds of articles worldwide, has authored several books, and was awarded three stars by Michelin for his namesake restaurant Le Relais du Parc. At Le Relais du Parc, Tougne’s skills in the art of presentation, seasoning techniques and the reinterpretation of classic bistro dishes were further developed into his own signature cuisine. Under Tougne’s hand, and Robuchon’s tutelage, Le Relais du Parc received honors in Gayot’s Best of France as holding "a winning hand" and offering "bistro prices for attractive fare."

Tougne was born in 1965 in Haguenau, France. In 1985, he graduated from Ecole Culinaire de Blois, one of the top culinary schools in the world. An outstanding student, he was awarded with two of France’s most prestigious awards for young chefs: the Journée du Champagne of Moët and Chandon and the Tour du Monde by Hennessy. Tougne was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as "Rising Star Chef, 2000."

About Chicago French Market

Chicago French Market brings together a unique collection of local vendors that were hand selected for their individual passions and high-quality products. Bringing together the best-of-the-best from Chicago neighborhoods and outlying areas, Chicago French Market is largely comprised of entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and accomplished purveyors.

Featuring nearly 30 individual specialty vendors, Chicago French Market offers fresh ingredients for cooking at home, delicious grab-and-go options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, light snacks, picnics, easy party planning for home and office settings, plus meaningful gift ideas, all in one convenient location.

Chicago French Market came about with the movement in America to support local farmers and artisans and bring back the European-inspired marketplace -- providing you with year-round, permanent access to their local bounty. No other setting would be more perfect for this than the adaptive reuse and transit-oriented development, MetraMarket.  The location helps create a compact, walkable community centered around a high-quality rail system.

The Bensidoun family, the largest market operator in and around Paris since 1953, co-developed the market with Chicago-based U.S. Equities Realty, and operates and manages Chicago French Market. The family operates nearly 100 open-air and indoor markets throughout the U.S. and Europe, including 11 Chicagoland outdoor, summer weekend markets.

As with all local markets, our goal is to bring a sense of community found in the markets of Europe, and provide a place to gather, socialize and purchase quality goods