Oliver Poilevey is a James Beard Award semifinalist chef and restaurateur, co-owner of the acclaimed French restaurants Obélix and Le Bouchon in Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his dedication to classic French...
5
The food is absolutely fabulous, and my wife loved it very much. We had the oysters, escargot, foie-co, duck consomme and halibut with a side of asparagus. The oysters tasted clean and fresh, and were not briny. Not for briny oyster lovers. The escargot was really tender and soft, and some of the best we've had. The foie-co was a very nice take on a foie gras taco, but I felt that the foie gras could have been more flavorful, though it melted in my mouth and the mouthfeel was perfect. The halibut was good, though I did not feel anything spectacular I think it is worth the price, and the asparagus was excellent. Service is kind and thoughtful but I thought the gap in serving between the foie-co and our halibut was really long. We saw a lot of people waiting also for tables to be ready and we would've been done sooner if not for the long wait for the halibut, though we ordered it right at the start. Probably better to get an early reservation at 5 plus than one during dinner time due to this.
I have been to Obelix many times for brunch and several times for dinner! The food is SO good and the service is exceptional. I’ve tried many dishes and have loved them all! My faves are all the pastries (croissants, danishes, canelés, pain suisse), the merguez brunch dish, Moroccan carrots, and all the dishes with foie gras! The menu is so exciting and changes with the season! Yesterday we had the newly added calamari grillés app, and duck breast dish which were so tasty and the egg yolk pasta with artichoke. I wanted to lick my pasta bowl!!! They also have an amazing to-go pastry box that you can pre-order during the week for weekend pickups! I love this restaurant so much, and I really think you will, too!
I was visiting Chicago and made it a point to try Obélix because I’d never had beef Wellington before, and it’s not something that’s easy to find where I’m from. It ended up being a great choice.
From the moment we sat down, the service stood out. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made the experience feel relaxed.
My friend and I shared the beef Wellington, which came with béarnaise sauce, peppercorn sauce, fries, asparagus, and garlic aioli. The Wellington itself was cooked perfectly—tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The contrast between the crisp, flaky puff pastry and the savory sauces really elevated the dish. You can tell a lot of care went into the preparation.
The fries were crispy and well-seasoned, and they paired especially well with the garlic aioli. Even the sides felt thoughtfully done rather than an afterthought.
We also ordered drinks, which were well-balanced and enjoyable, and the ambiance struck a nice balance, upscale but still comfortable.
Overall, I left very satisfied and would absolutely return the next time I’m in Chicago.
Their dishes are flavorful. You have many options with duck and foie gras. Taste: the lobster crepe dish was refreshing. The duck salad and foie gras pancake dish were rich. It’s all shareable and great for small parties or dining yourself.
We walked into a warm and inviting atmosphere that felt like a Parisian Family Sunday Dinner where you could see the chefs behind the glass. Our server was very knowledgeable and gave great suggestions. All were very attentive.
Best Escargot we ever tasted. We actually ordered another tray with dinner.
Frois Gras w/crispy rice was excellent. I ordered the crusted Duck Breast in a pomegranate & mango sauce and my husband ordered Beef Wellington..Both entree’s were Delicious!! We ordered the Dessert Soufflé and another Chocolate Cake w/mousse & mango ice cream with a yummy rice crisp. We can’t wait to go back when we’re back in Chicago!!
