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Review Tue Nov 24 2009
Affordable French Comes to Lincoln Square
When I saw the inside of LM Le Restaurant, I thought for sure I had been taken back to a series of miserable jobs I've held that required traveling a few times each year to staff conventions. Tired from running between meeting rooms for 10 hours straight and ravenous, I would take the path of least resistance and hit up the hotel restaurant, which always had a ridiculous name ("The Fountain Room," "Fontinas"), to quietly eat a $20 cheeseburger and let my swollen feet return to their normal shape. LM's interior--high-backed leather seats, deep orange-hued curtains, white tablecloths and interesting, high-end plates and flatware--made me think I was in for an overpriced, forgettable meal. I'm glad to report that I was schooled.
I visited for brunch one Sunday, and my friend and I were seated immediately. The small menu meant easy pickings on our order of an omelette and eggs Benedict--although we had a very hard deliberation between the sourdough pancakes with elderberry preserves, the Croque Monsieur, or the cheeseburger/fried egg combo. Each of us received a croissant and small pots of preserves (yum), which went down well with the Julius Meinl French press coffee at our sides.
Both of our dishes were great--I especially loved the breakfast potatoes, which were a small row of coin-sized and deeply browned spuds. LM takes great care with their food, and the portions were larger than I had expected with French fare. The service was great, the prices affordable, and the back of LM--which boasts a high-ceilinged patio that come summer, should be packed with customers--was a treat to visit and something to look forward to visiting again.
LM
4539 N. Lincoln
773-942-7585
Serves brunch and dinner.
April / November 24, 2009 2:05 PM
The food looks really good. So how much did you end up spending?