Food And Dining > Restaurants > French Restaurants > Cafe Matou

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More Information about Cafe Matou:

Message From Cafe Matou
Capturing the heart and soul of French dining
  • Traditional French dining
  • Instant online reservations
  • Eclectic wine list
Since Café Matou's inception in late 1997, Chef Charlie Socher's menu has embodied a respect for traditional French cuisine, updating classics with simple twists to reflect current tastes and trends. Café Matou occupies two storefronts and is cozy and inviting. Patrons may sit in the full-service bar or the smoke-free dining room that accommodates 54 diners. Both rooms have rustic brick walls, warm woods, high ceilings, comfy green leather chairs, colorful, original artwork by local artists and full-length windows that overlook the street. Cat-themed chandeliers adorn the dining room and align with the restaurant's name, "Matou," which means "tom-cat" in French. Call about the monthly regional wine dinner package, the second Tuesday of every month.

Editorial Review for Cafe Matou
Bucktown hidden gem serves up satisfying, traditional French fare in a cozy setting.

The Scene
A quiet, charming find on a gritty stretch of Milwaukee Avenue. Step through tied curtains from the front bar into the main dining room, where welcoming green leather chairs, hardwood floors and exposed brick set a relaxed, comfortable tone. Service is efficient, unhurried, and genuinely French, complete with charming accent.

The Food
Matou offers simple presentations of timeless country French fare on an ever-changing menu. Creamy, flavorful pâtés of the day (chicken liver and country pork terrine on one visit) are served with cornichons and dijon mustard, and just beg to be smeared on crusty bread. A plate of grilled asparagus, portabello mushroom, tomatoes and blue cheese dripping in olive oil is heavenly; escargots come doused in a lovely sauce of white wine, garlic, ham and parsley. Entrees shine: grilled mahi mahi with peppercorn butt

Insider Tips
What to Drink
The wine list features 10 by-the-glass selections for less than $10; a list of champagne cocktails features concoctions flavored with berries, chocolate and more, all created by one of the restaurant's bartenders.

Save Money
From Sunday through Thursday nights, Cafe Matou offers a three-course prix fixe dinner for $22 per person.

The Extras
On the second Tuesday of each month, the restaurant hosts a regional wine dinner featuring a six-course meal paired with French wines ($70-$80 per person, tax and tip included).

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Information provided by Citysearch
Restaurant Description: Cafe Matou captures the heart and soul of traditional French Cuisine.
Price: $31 to $50
Primary Food Type: French
Neighborhood Name: CHI - Bucktown/Wicker Park
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