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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lincoln ParkTue-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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This is going to be a place I look forward to frequenting and watching it grow. The atmosphere is just plain friendly. It feels like a hang out spot for the neighborhood where you can get good drinks and food at a nice price.
I started with the Cucumber Northside cocktail and it was outstanding. My wife and I shared an order of the duck confit nachos which were as outstanding as they sound. She ordered the risotto which was too loose for me, but she enjoyed it. I had the braised short ribs which were outstanding. Our server was very knowledgeable and friendly as well. Gemini Bistro is just a fun place you need to check out.
We have driven by this place 20 times and thought it looked pleasantly surprising for the surrounding venues. Finally, we made reservations. We had 9:00 reservations, and ended up sitting at the bar waiting for a table until 9:45. I was impressed by how crowded it was! While waiting was not fun they did give us a free round of cocktails and a free appetizer to make up for the wait which went a long way with us. That being said, the food and drink just wasn't all that good.
I started with a dirty martini which was fine, my fiance had the mango mojito which she had already picked out prior to our arrival. It was OK- kind of sour, but nice fresh mango flavor.
We each started with a bowl of soup. I had the lobster bisque my fiance had the tomato soup with grilled cheese. Hers was great, mine was borderline inedible. They had fresh pieces of lobster in the bisque which was nice, but the bisque itself was so salty it bordered on being sent back. The bread that accompanied the soup was kind of dry and certainly below average.
For our appetizers we got the crabcake and the braised short rib ravioli (yes I know braised short rib as a ravioli filling- amazing right?). The crabcake was very good, nice fresh chunks of crab with a light salad and cream sauce. The braised short rib ravioli I'm sad to say was very bland- it came with a sweet sundried tomato puree which made them a lot better- still for how excited we were when we read it off the menu, a disappointment.
We then shared the halibut- the fish was fresh and well cooked, the sauce was overpowering and a little bit of a weird flavor to couple with a white fish- it tasted almost like the spicy mayo commonly paired with sushi rolls.
Given we got a couple glasses of nice wine $110 including tax and tip was quite reasonable for a fancy dinner in Chicago- I just wasn't overwhelmed with the flavors- super nice staff though.
I was very excited to check out this new spot - it's definitely what this area needed. The last thing I want is another neighborhood Italian restaurant (not that I don't love 'em!)
I was pleasantly surprised to see how casually the staff was dressed - everyone was in jeans from the hostess to the waiters. That kind of atmosphere is my favorite: upscale food, unpretentious surroundings. The decor is very cool, too. Minimal and not fussy.
Yes, the portion sizes aren't huge, but the food was great. Another thumbs up for the duck nachos, which are a great app to split. That plus salads and main entrees made a pretty perfectly sized meal. I was dining with my parents, and the words, "this is the best thing I've ever eaten" actually came out of my mom's mouth while she was eating her filet.
Didn't have time for desert, but I'd definitely come back for it, as well to try the new things they seem to add to the menu as they become seasonally favorable. Oh, and definitely make a reservation; the place was packed.
I'm going to start with a couple of complaints:
(1) We went to Gemini Bistro on a Friday night with 8 p.m. reservations. We were not seated until 8:30 p.m. I understand that it was crowded, but this is unacceptable under any circumstance. The hostess was very apologetic and they did provide our table with a complimentary appetizer, which certainly went a long way to making me feel better about the whole thing.
(2) We were seated in the tables along the bar. The bar area was so packed that it made it very difficult for our server to wait on our table without being continually jostled. This was not inconvenient for us--aside from the volume of the room (which was loud, but not unbearable)--and our waitress was more than pleasant, but honestly could not have been comfortable under those circumstances.
Now, I don't tend to complain a whole lot in these reviews, but I point those out here because the rest of the dining experience was so exceptional (frankly near perfect) that with several small tweaks I think that Gemini Bistro could become one of the premier restaurants in Chicago at its price point.
My dinner mates commented that eating at Gemini Bistro is kind of like eating in a Banana Republic--neutral grey tones and textures. Shortly after we were seated we were given some Duck Confit Nachos. They were phenomenal--the duck was great and it was covered with several different layers of cheese, fruit and vegetables. A great combination.
I started with a Yia-Yia Salad. A simple, but superb, take on a traditional greek salad. Monica had a tomato soup, which was also spectacular.
I had lobster ravioli as an entree. It was served in a really, really delicate cream sauce. Now I haven't thought that I liked cream sauces. But I made a point of telling our busboy and our waitress to tell the chef that that was one of the best sauces I have had on anything in a long time. The lobster raviolis were very well cooked and very well garnished with some lobster chunks and greens.
Monica had a crabcake which I thought was tasty. It was almost all crab meat, but it was well seasoned and perfectly cooked.
The highlight of the evening was the dessert. We had an apple crumble that was simply the greatest dessert I have ever eaten in my life. Honestly. I used to think that apple crumbles were simple, homey things that I'd get at mom's house for Sunday dinner. This was that on a culinary school education. It was rich and creamy and crunchy and buttery and cinnamony and appley and honestly as I am writing this all I want to do is go and eat some more of that. Frankly, we had another dessert on the table (which I remember as being good), but I have completely forgotten what it was--simply because that apple crumble was so fantastic.
So, there are lots and lots and lots of things to like about the food at Gemini Bistro.
An upscale yet neighborhoody feel can be tough to pull off, but the new kid in Lincoln Park, Gemini Bistro, does just this.
After some disappointment that there was no Riesling on the table our waiter rushed to get me a taste of dessert wine he thought I would like. And he was right...I loved it, but I prefer to save dessert wine for...well, dessert. Instead I ordered a lovely glass of sauvignon blanc while my fabulous dining companion and I decided what to order.
For me: A bowl of creamless tomato soup served with a tiny grilled cheese sandwich on the side. I hoped that "creamless" meant it was healthy, but doubtful. The soup was good, although thought it could use a bit of a kick- maybe some cream? The grilled cheese was delish and so tiny that I didn't feel guilty about eating it.
For my dining companion- Baby Beet Salad. She seemed to enjoy it- although it's difficult to not like anything with goat cheese.
For both of us:
Ahi Tuna Tartar. I"ve been trying to take it easy on the ahi tuna lately in fear of mercury poisoning, but this was well worth any possible toxic effects
Steamed P.E.I Mussels. Perfectly cooked mussels in a yummy broth. I used some extra bread from the impressive bread basket to soak up all the deliciousness.
We happened to be there during the Minneapolis/Detroit baseball playoffs...or so my dining companion informed me (i'm clueless when it comes to sports). There was a crowd of VERY EXCITED men surrounding the one flat screen TV. Apparently this is a good spot to watch a sports game- if that's your thing.
No room for dessert (even dessert wine), but I left very satisfied with my meal. Gemini Bistro is a nice addition to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. And if you don't happen to live in the neighborhood (like me) they do have a valet service available for $8.
If you walk past Gemini Bistro while strolling down this stretch of Lincoln Avenue, you might wonder "What's a nice place like this doing on Sports-bar Boulevard?". For a long time I've considered Lincoln south of Fullerton to be pretty much a culinary dead zone, but decided to give this place a try after seeing it written up in Time Out Chicago.
Gemini's dinner menu is split up into S, M, L, and XL choices, which I suppose is nice when it comes to portion control and sharing. We tried the Bistro Salad (good) and Duck Confit Nachos (really really good, though I was wishing that the topping-to-chip ratio had been a bit more substantial). Then we went for two "Large"-class entrees - scallops and short ribs - which were great but frankly not terribly "Large" - maybe more like very roomy Mediums??
At any rate, that left us plenty of room for dessert - we chose the warm skillet sundae which ended up being the highlight of the meal. It's served in a hot skillet with a big, warm, mooshy chocolate chip cookie at the bottom, topped with gelato and whipped cream. Heavenly but definitely too big & rich for one person to consume - be prepared to share!
Service was great and the atmosphere of the dining room is very nice, almost soothing, if you are lucky enough to dine there at a non-peak hour. After 7:00 the space starts filling quickly with vapid LP-types and their chatter echoes off of every wall. Not really my scene but if someone tried to twist my arm into coming back for brunch, I probably would.
There is one apparently vegetarian entree on the menu. It's mushroom risotto, exactly the kind of boring, perfunctory thing they throw together for vegetarians. Except it isn't vegetarian at all because it's made with chicken stock. *eye roll*
I feel difficult, given that this is the third review in a row I'm posting because of a lack of vegetarian items. Perhaps it's unrealistic to expect that every non-steakhouse restaurant between Northwestern University and McCormick Place should have something on the menu for vegetarians to eat, aside from a suite of side dishes. Perhaps I'm stuck with a handful of north shore thai restaurants that seem used to dealing with these eccentric americans and their fever for death-free dining.
I loved the space. I loved the service. I loved the atmosphere. I enjoyed my salad. I enjoyed the mashed potatoes. The spinach and brussels sprouts were too smoky but I suppose people like that sort of thing. It's a great place. It'd be nice if they put something I could eat on the dinner menu.
Until then, I look forward to checking out their brunch, which I've been assured is fantastic.
I came here two Saturday nights ago, the night that my fiance proposed...and this place really added to delight of the evening.
I may be a bit biased on the service, as our waiter, Zac, is a very good friend. However, his service has always been impecable, and everyone at the table agreed. He's attentive, knowledgeable, and funny...again, not that I'm biased!
But I digress...we got here around 8p after the question was popped. While sitting at the bar waiting for our table, the bartender made us two awesome shots as a congratulations on the house. Everyone was so friendly. We sat at a table for 6 in the back part of the room. The ambiance was great- busy and chic without being uppitty or pretentious. We ordered a crab cake to share, and it was honestly one of the best crab cakes I've ever had. There was WAY more crab to filler, it was delicious. My fiance and I shared the steak, which was definitely large enough to share without being over the top large. The mashed potatoes we had with it were delicious too- we both wished there were more than just the little side.
Everyone at the table loved what they received, including tuna tartare, scallops, and veal (although we thought the veal was a tad small on the portion size).
The big highlight was the cookie skillet Zac brought us for dessert. It was insanely good. Without a doubt, I would go back for a special occassion (it's a tad on the pricey side)...I'd even go there just for the crab cake and skillet cookie...and of course, the awesome service by Zac!!!
Dined here last night and had a pretty good experience.
We dined with another couple. The men had cheeseburgers, the women had steak frites.
We all ordered our meat medium, yet there was a wide range of color. My medium burger was over cooked, while my friend's was perfect.
They ran out of pretzel buns for the burgers and we called them out on it. We were offered a free dessert which was a very nice gesture. Also, I thought the fries could have been cooked longer.
Service was great. Waitress was very attentive. But the chef has some work to do on consistency.
Gemini astrological reading for the day:
You will be hospitable and inviting and have a flair for entertaining.
Yep. That's just what I found the other night at the Gemini Bistro. Named after the astro twins of Gemini, this new bistro does a great job of pulling it all together.
First- the building. Located in an art deco building in a space that used to house a pharmacy- this contemporary space is warm and welcoming. From the dark wood floors, to the white marble bar, to the sconces on the walls and the dramatic down lighting over the bar, Gemini Bistro is a delight for the eyes. If there is a downside- it is a bit loud as there is little to soften the noise in the place.
We were seated immediately and our server (who was great, personable and friendly- thanks Christine) explained the menu to us. There are small, medium, large and x large plates on the menu. Easy to understand- the small plates are appetizers meant for one moving all the way up to the xlarge section which housed a whole chicken.
We ordered the tuna tartar (delicious with a little kick coming from the chilies) and the crab cake (with Tabasco aioli- terrific!) to start.
For our entrees- we went with the halibut (good) and the chicken breast with mushrooms (quite tasty). For our sides were some of the creamiest mashed potatoes ever along with some baby spinach.
For dessert we tried the key lime pie (not the winner of the night but interesting with the caramel sauce drizzle) and the triple chocolate cake (now that was calorie worthy!)
I ran into the owner, Ryan O'Donnell, who I knew from his other places around town who was great at telling me his plans and vision for the place. He has partnered with Chef Jason Paskewitz who used to work at Wave and Sushi Samba and is now turning out some great food at the Gemini Bistro
Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food served (entrees run about $16 - $22) and there is valet parking for $8 as parking is a bit of a challenge in this neck of the woods.
Back to the astrological sign namesake. Let's hope that the flighty side of Gemini doesn't rear it's ugly head anytime soon- as this is one new place that looks full of promise for the long haul.
We had dinner at Gemini Bistro last Saturday night. We live right around the corner and were excited for the potential of another good restaurant so close by. We were not disappointed.
The service was impeccable -- warm and attentive without being overbearing or judgmental. We were "those people" who brought an 11 month old and the staff could not have been more accommodating.
I am a cocktail girl and the cocktail menu did not disappoint -- there were several tantalizing options and I loved that some came in two sizes.
I like to share food as well, and so the small, medium, large menu fits my tastes perfectly. We started with the tomato soup and beet salad, which complemented each other well. For entrees, we shared the duck confit nachos (different but definitely yummy) and the pork entree, which was tender and juicy. Too full for dessert and the little one was nearing his expiration date, but next time we hope to indulge.
We will definitely be back!
This is a promising place in a neighborhood that used to be more hopping but has now become rather sleepy and sedate.
We had reservations for 4 on their first Friday night in business. The front of the house had their act together and we were seated right away.
We split appetizers -- duck nachos and tuna tartare. Both were good, though the duck nachos were better.
Entrees were nicely done. I had the crispy-skinned chicken breast, which was served with a demi-glace type sauce that was so delicious that I wouldn't mind taking a bath in it. My boyfriend had the skate wing. He thought it was a bit oily due to the pesto. Our friends enjoyed their entrees.
We didn't try dessert as Dairy Queen is a block away...
Room is pleasant looking. Got a bit loud but what doesn't?
Service was pleasant and efficient.
If I lived in this area, I'd be very pleased to hang out here regularly.
I was fortunate enough to have reservations for opening night at Gemini Bistro. Very fortunate indeed!
Walking in to this contemporary American bistro, I felt immediately comfortable. The seating is spacious and cozy. We found the entire staff to be extremely friendly too. Smart design and easy lighting helped us to ease right into our booth.
Ahi Tuna Tartare started off the night on a nice note. This dish was spiked with chilies, lime, and avocado plus garnished with two thin fried potatoes slices. Though I personally would have liked a bit more spice, it was a deeply satisfying dish of substantial size particularly for its price.
When you have a serious craving, you just go with it, you what I mean? This theory is what led to me to the burger on a pretzel roll, add bacon, cheese, and BBQ sauce. Yes, I am hardcore like that! It was juicy, tender, and the cheese...Oh Baby.
Prior to arriving, I knew what I was looking forward to most...Blueberry Shortcake with whipped cream and blueberry ice cream.
IT WAS ALL WORTH IT. We had a fantabulous bottle of Australian Shiraz for only $38, the water was always full, the timing of the courses was impeccable.
With such an impressive opening night, I am anxious to sing the praises of Gemini Bistro to both my guests and my colleagues alike. Bravo!
A very pleasant surprise!!
Start with the art-deco building exterior that is impersonated perfectly in the interior decor of the place. When we first walked in the room the atmosphere was vibrant, like it was the "the new cool place to be".
The menu is very well thought out. A little bit of everything. Love the small, medium, large and x-large plate idea because it gives you the ability to dine tapas-style or in more traditional form.
We had the lobster gazpacho which was amazing and the Gemini Bistro salad with an egg Milanese. The egg Milanese was definitely a new one for me. Outstanding.
We followed with the jumbo pan friend scallops. The cioppino was again outstanding. incredibly well seasoned and the scallops cooked perfectly.
Our next serving was the veal and steak frites both which were excellent. The steak could not have been better.
finally getting to the desserts, the key lime pie is probably on the top of my favorite key lime pie list. The bueberry shortcake is another gem in the selection.
Wine list is ample and affordable. Martinis are awesome.
Overall a very good experience.
Being a new restaurant it still has a few kinks to work out with the service however nothing that would ruin your experience (just check-in a little more often on water and drinks).
Bottom line - I'm very happy ts place is in the hood. Will definitely be going back there often!! I encourage everyone to try it out!!
Initial impression is postive - fun and warm decor but went a little cheap which is understable but still detracts. The staff was professional though still getting into the groove. Our waitress got distracted on occasion. The drink and food menu are enticing - recommend the duck nachoes and clams, beet salad and the halibut. Some found the wild mushrooms and swordfish salty.
Not really a four star but very good with room to improve.
We have been awaiting the Gemini Bistro to open for sometime as we live just down the street.
The decor is modern yet warm and we felt comfortable the second we arrived. We were trying the Sunday brunch (second day they were serving brunch) with a party of 6 with no reservation which was accommodated quickly.
The food was all good, we sampled a fair amount of the brunch menu and the entire group which has varying palates were all pleased. The only thing that is keeping this place from a five star review is that the portions even from the "large" section of the menu, left us wishing we had more to eat. The waiter indicated that the menu was still being tweaked somewhat, but it's to be expected as its so new.
Also tried several of the cocktails, the punch was good, as were the Bellini's and Mimosa's.
A great addition to the neighborhood, price seems to be right, we will be sampling the dinner menu in the near future!
Gemini Bistro opened in Lincoln Park--mere minutes from the city's largest farmers market--with a menu that lacked a single nod to local produce. It opened in early September--during the most lush weeks of Chicago's growing season--without a single seasonal dish on the menu.
The space has its charm, but unfortunately the food is devoid of personality. Scallops were cooked nicely, but part of a colorless tableau of gummy beurre blanc and mashed potatoes. Duck Nachos win the prize for most poorly executed dish of the year: Thin tortilla chips came nearly naked save for a pathetic sprinkling of queso fresco, 10-15 tiny mango cubes, a few dessicated shards of duck and a lone cilantro sprig garnish. The whole sad concoction was served, inexplicably, in a cast iron Staub pot.
Pre-opening, the restaurant was touted as chef-driven. As such, I'd hoped it would bring some character to a Lincoln Park corner that's ripe for a great neighborhood spot. But the chef took off his apron in the back corner of the dining room at 10pm on a busy Saturday night, making it clear that there's no serious culinary value--or ambition--behind this restaurant.
i sorta thought the host mistook us for famous, we were treated that well. they were late getting us to our table, despite reservations but said fame treatment made up for it.
the complimentary "we're sorry we forced you on our congenial bartenders to enjoy your pre dinner cocktail" duck nachos didn't change any lives, but were good. the beef carpaccio tasted like salmon. but everything else made it. standard beet, goat cheese salad with truffle oil was no disappointment. scallops were perfect. lobster ravioli shouldn't be missed.
not much innovation - i surmise there was no chemically induced inspiration in the making of this very standard american fare. but it is a perfect place to open and enjoy in the fall.
This place is very good. I would give it 5 stars, but it seemed just a tad bit pricey to be a neighborhood place, which is what it is.
The menu is laid out in a creative manner, with small through X-large plates. We shared the Duck Confit Nachos (awesome!), I had a very good Tuna Tartar and the Oxtail Ravioli. The server was friendly, and they have a great neighborhood vibe going. I will definitely go back to try more of the menu items.
I loved this place! We went with 9 people and they had our table ready way before our scheduled reservation. I showed up early and had a glass of wine at the bar. The bartender was super information and friendly.
Our server wasn't the most outgoing friendly guy in the world, but he did a good enough job.
We ordered the duck nachos which were a huge hit at the table! We also ordered the beet salad, crab cake and beef carpachio. Everyone loved it all!!
For dinner, I had the steak frites (which was just standard seasoned french fries), but the steak was fantastic. Had so much flavor and really impressed me.
Other people had the scallops, which were really good, the salmon, the short ribs.. and the list goes on. Everything was extremely good.
And, possibly the best part is that the food came out quickly and the wine flowed quite well.
I would definitely go back and definitely highly recommend this place.
We live in the area, so the addition of Gemini to our neighborhood has been fantastic. The other neighborhood outposts like Marge's and Four Farthings have marginal food at best. We've gone for both dinner and brunch multiple times and we have yet to be disappointed. The nice thing about the menu is how it accommodates all diners- small/large plates, cheap/more expensive price points, standard/ambitious cuisine. Salmon, burger, and the pork chop are the standouts.
Went here on a Tuesday night. Its a super cute space. They have valet for $8...eh. Anyway, cute little booths, which I totally love and they have tables. The ambiance is sweet. I just like the look of it. Our waitress was great. She was super cute and sweet and really tried to help us with our selections. We got the beet salad. It was good but it was made up of like four little baby beets, a little handful of greens and a half dollar size of goat cheese...it was not a lot of food at all for the price. I got the sea scallop and bf got steak frites. Three medium scallops on a bed of mashed potatoes. Decent sized steak with a MOUND of fries. The food was pretty good but its definitely pricey. We got a bottle of wine. So for two of us to eat and a bottle of wine $90. Menu is kind of cool though because there are different "sizes" of plates. The one thing that I have to complain about is...only one true vegetarian dish. I eat fish/seafood but not any other meat and all of the dishes (even the ones with fish) had some sort of meat in it...overall, good restaurant. Also, the place was pretty busy for a Tuesday night...I was surprised.
This place is IT! Everything from the decor, the ambiance, the food, and the service is top notch.
We had the duck nachos, which were incredible. This appetizer was perfect for our group of four. We also tried the crabcake, which was excellent.
For entrees, we had the chicken and the veal and loved BOTH. For dessert, you can't miss with Cagney's cookie.
The atmosphere and service were incomparable. You feel at home as soon as you are greeted by the hostess. I cannot wait to come back to try some of their other items.
Excellent 4.5 Star Saturday Brunch! I want to give it 5 stars, but my husband was a tad disappointed in his brunch choice. We stopped in this morning, the first day they were open for brunch for nothing short of a fabulous experience. Their service was 5 star, probably the best I've experienced before the dinner hour. The tea and water was always refilled, the waitress was great (didn't forget a thing and always with a smile) and the little extras made it a 5 star experience. I was definitely looking forward to checking it out, because we go to brunch every weekend and I'm always searching for the perfect Steak and Eggs Benedict (which unfortunately they didn't have). It's also great because it's open both Saturday and Sunday at 9am (which is nice for people with kids who can actually roll out of bed before 11am). After we ordered, they surprised us with a complimentary order of the most moist delicious mini donuts ever. I ordered the Croque Madame (added tomato to it) and it was insanely fabulous--5 star! My better half ordered the Chorizo Scramble, which he claimed was too bland. I certainly couldn't tell by the time I tasted it because he had drenched it in tabasco, but nevertheless; my son was thrilled with his choc chip pancakes. Lastly, because we were their first brunch customers, they surprised us with a complimentary key lime pie--which was top notch. Lastly, it certainly seems they have perfected the art of customer service, which is what brings people back time and time again.
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