Café Absinthe

Cafe Absinthe can be found at W North Ave 1954. The following is offered: Restaurants: French. The entry is present with us since Sep 9, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Chicago there are 23 other Restaurants: French . An overview can be found here.

Know Before You Go: The address may be North Avenue, but the entrance is in the alley off Damen Avenue.

The Extras: The restaurant can accommodate private parties of up to 65 people.

"Clever and tasty" seasonal American-French fare in an "intimate" setting is the draw of this longtime Bucktown bistro; if some complain the "close" seating is "not conversation-friendly", loyalists point instead to moderate tabs and say "well-meaning" staffers contribute to the overall "good vibe."

The entrance is off an alley behind the restaurant on North Avenue, though locals are well aware of this longstanding address. It’s the kind of go-to place that makes it hard to isolate recommendations --- the menu changes fairly often, but more often than not satisfies with what’s familiar enough: foie gras, rack of lamb and the like. When available, it’s always a safe bet to start with the...

The birth of Bucktown/Wicker Park's stylized dining scene is most credited to this global eatery crammed between neighborhood watering holes and crummy apartments at the Six Corners. While Caf� Absinthe's prices have always been on the high side, its servers appear to go out of their way to keep a low profile with diners. They're not the most attentive, but the food makes up for it,...

Candlelight flickers off exposed brick walls and muted curtains in this cozy, hip space. A well-dressed, established crowd buzzes at close tables while cooks work up a sweat in the open kitchen...

Pros

+ romanticgreat French fare

Cons

- service can be slow

If a night of romance is on the docket or you are looking to make inroads with a new flame, consider this Wicker Park favoriteCafe Absinthe. Once you circle the building and enter from the alley, the low lit dining room and candlelit tables are perfect for intimate conversations. But the open kitchen and sleek decor help keep the atmosphere trendy and on the funky side. The menu is...