A good lunch today at Z Breakfast Club … good primarily because the company was so delightful.
Things seemed a little out of whack. The room was packed … some having to be turned away … and the single server manning the room was clearly overworked, although he did a great job under the circumstances.
And he shared with us the big news — Pascal Berthoumieux had just sold the restaurant to the owners of Jilly’s Bistro, a little further north in Evanston, on Green Bay Road just north of Central Street. Jilly’s will turn it into a 3-meal-a-day restaurant, making other changes, probably with a new name. As such, a few menu items weren’t available, since the new owners wanted to stock the refrigerators and shelves in the kitchen somewhat differently, so they were letting current stocks of some things run out.
Still, I think the — relatively few — issues with the food were more related to the transition in ownership, and not to the underlying French philosophies and competencies of either owner. Although it’s been a few years,
the Evanston Lunch Group™ has had a very successful visit to Jilly’s several years ago (although possibly under another different ownership).With minimal comment, as things may change in the near future, here’s what we had:
Forestiere Crepe — roasted Amish chicken, sautéed onions, baby spinach, mixed mushrooms, classic Mornay sauce, fried egg; with French Fries
Bourguign Crepe —beef chuck braised in red burgundy wine, pearl onions, carrots, mushrooms, bacon lardons, fried egg Some thought it was a bit salty, otherwise fine
Daily Special — Quiche with spinach, mushroom & cheddar; with salad Was a rather heavy quiche; crust could have been crisper
Smoked Salmon Omelet — two soft poached eggs, Scottish smoked salmon, red onion relish, tomato, hollandaise sauce; Z breakfast potatoes And for dessert:
Fruits des Bois crepe — creme patissiere, mixed berry coulis, almonds, chantilly Seemed to be all whipped cream with minimal crepes and light on the berry coulis
Overall, the food was fine, but nothing to go out of your way for. Previous visits had been significantly better. I'm hoping that the new management, once it gets established, will return this joint to its previous excellence.