Restaurant Review: Roscoe Village’s Le Sud Mediterranean Kitchen…French Bistro with a Mediterranean Soul
Roscoe Village is known as a family-friendly neighborhood, famously nicknamed “The Village Within the City.”
In this family-friendly oasis, Le Sud Mediterranean Kitchen opened eight years ago, inspired by the warmth, flavors, and seasonal rhythms of the South of France. Their French-Mediterranean cuisine focuses on clean flavors and seasonal ingredients, rather than heavy sauces or overly complicated preparations.
Their menu celebrates fresh seafood, quality olive oil, seasonal vegetables and herbs, wood-grilled meats, and bright citrus and Mediterranean spices.
Start with Small Plates like the French-inspired Escargots Au Chablis–baked burgundy snails in white wine, with garlic herbed butter on a baguette.
Autumn Burrata is a combination of roasted butternut squash, prosciutto, baby arugula, toasted hazelnuts, in a honey balsamic vinaigrette, served on a grilled baguette. Or, try the Mediterranean- inspired Moroccan Lamb Meatballs withtomato sauce, parmigiana reggiano, and herbs of Provence, served on a crostin. Wild Mushroom Croquettes is a mix of gruyère and mozzarella cheeses, herbes de Provence, and lemon garlic aioli.
Soupe A L Oignon Gratinee is Le Sud’s own French onion soup, with a pad of Gruyere cheese, with a rustic crouton. Harvest Salad is a colorful, Fall harvest-inspired combination of mixed greens, poached pear, goat cheese, candied walnuts, and dried cranberries in an apple cider vinaigrette.
Garden Beet Salad, one of my favorites, includes roasted root vegetables, beets, greens, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, croutons, shaved parmesan and lemon in a tangy dijon vinaigrette.
Le Sud takes pride in their the Wood-Fired Grill entrees, which are cooked over live fire for natural smoke, char and aroma.
Steak Frites is a prime top sirloin steak, maître d’ butter, frites, with garlic aioli. Presa Iberico Pork is Le Sud’s returning Anniversary favorite, combining savory and sweet flavors with Spanish Iberico, white truffle, Parmigiano Reggiano mashed potato, apricot chutney, micro herbs, and fresh shaved radishes.
Their Wood-Grilled Branzino is a Mediterranean sea bass, with squash, cherry tomatoes, and sautéed shrimp scampi. Grilled Octopus (another favorite of mine)is made with golden potatoes, green beans, lemon-caper salsa verde, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Mediterranean Classics include their Steak Au Poivre, lively with peppercorn-crusted tenderloin medallions, green beans, smashed potatoes, and a cognac cream.
Pan-Seared Barramundi is Australian wild-caught, served with a fondant potato, wild mushrooms and peas, with herb butter sauce. Poulet Rôti is a roasted Joyce Farms chicken with golden potatoes, Roman artichokes, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs.
Over the weekend, their Brunch includes such specials as Croque Madame with smoked ham, gruyère cheese, Mornay sauce, and a fried egg, served with sourdough bread and breakfast potatoes. Shakshuka hassunny side up eggs, poached potatoes, roasted bell pepper, fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic, shallots, smoked paprika, and herbs of Provence on sourdough toast. Egg Shawarma are scrambled spiced eggs with caramelized onions, spinach, pita, and spicy whipped feta, served with breakfast potatoes.
For those who like the more classic breakfast fare, Le Sud also serves a French Toast with fresh berries, maple syrup, and whipped cream, and a Classic Benedict with poached eggs, Black Forest ham, English muffin, hollandaise, breakfast potatoes and many other classics.
Daily Specials
Le Sud Mediterranean Kitchen has specials going nearly every day. Take, for example, Sunday, designated Family Night & Rewards. OnSundays, Kids Eat Free from 4pm–6pm.One complimentary kids’ meal with each adult entrée purchased.
You also get double loyalty points when you eat at Le Sud on Sundays.
On Tuesdays, Le Sud offers $45 Three-Course Prix-Fixe Dinners for $45 per person, with your choice of items from the regular dinner menu…no restrictions! It’s your choice of:
• 1 Small Plate
• 1 Large Plate
• 1 Dessert
It’s perfect for date night or a relaxed weekday dinner in Roscoe Village.
Le Sud Mediterranean Kitchen is located at 2301 W. Roscoe Street. They are open for dinner Tuesday–Thursday from 4pm–9pm; Friday–Saturday from 4pm–10pm, and Sunday from 4pm–8:30pm. Their Happy Hours are from Tuesday–Sunday, 4pm–6pm.
They’re also open for Weekend Brunch on Saturday–Sunday, from 10:30am–2pm. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by clicking here.
Alison Moran–Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
