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Review - Compere Lapin
Posted on 6/15/15 at 1:00 pm
Posted on 6/15/15 at 1:00 pm
It's been a while since I've tried somewhere new, so with a friend moving to Chicago, this was the perfect occasion. We decided on Compere Lapin, Nina Lacompe's new restaurant. Chef Lacompte is a recent runner up of Top Chef. Her background and influence is mostly Caribbean, so I was excited to try what I thought would be some interesting flavors.
I wasn't disappointed.
Atmosphere: A-
I loved the atmosphere. Rich browns, interesting lighting, exposed brick. Had a prohibition era type feel to it. I did find it to get pretty loud at times. They should probably invest in some cushioning underneath the tables.
Service: B+
This is a tough one to rate. This is a new restaurant, and they're trying really hard to make you feel welcome, and give good service. The problem? They're trying just a little too hard. 3 different people came to our table 4 separate times to see how we were doing. This is in addition to the standard times where our waiter inquired when dropping things off or picking things up from our table. It was just too much, and felt overbearing. It seemed to occur each time we got deep into conversation. If they could just simmah down some with this, I could give an A on service. Our server Chris was really nice, and gave a great suggestion for an appetizer to share.
Drinks: A
There is a great selection of craft cocktails if that's your jam. The prices range from $10-$14. I don't remember the name of the drink my friend ordered, but I tried it, and it was very tasty! I was in the mood for some summer bubbly, so I ordered a cava rose. It was very good.
Food: A-
The food was really good. You're started off with 2 small homemade biscuits with honey, chive, and bacon butter. ZOMG! Sooo yummy! After our waiter saw how much we loved (and devoured them), he promptly brought us more! At the suggestion of our waiter, we started off sharing the smoked tuna tartare. It was fresh and delicious, and a perfect amount for sharing. We decided to share two entrees. We ordered the crawfish pasta and the curried goat with gnocchi. The crawfish pasta was good, but it wasn't great. I really prefer a cream type sauce with my pasta. It had a good amount of spice, was flavorful, and it was cooked right, it just wasn't something I'd order again. My friend really liked it. Now the curried goat was fantastic. I'm a sucker for curry, and this was no exception. Tender goat in a flavorful gravy with homemade gnocchi and topped with tomatoes and cilantro. I was slopping that up with mah biscuit. For dessert, the kitchen sent out a surprise complimentary dessert of horchatta panna cotta with berry sorbet over a graham cracker crust and all topped with an assortment of melon balls. It was light and flavorful, and the perfect end to a biscuit, pasta, and gnocchi meal.
Value: B+
This place isn't cheap, but I didn't expect it to be either. I'm ok with higher prices if you're putting out quality food, which they are. My only complaint was that the entree portion sizes were a tad on the small size. Had I not had the biscuits, and shared an appetizer, I'm not sure the entree would've been sufficient, and I find it safe to say that it wouldn't have been sufficient for a man.
I would absolutely recommend Compere Lapin for it's lovely atmosphere, and tasty food...especially if you're into curry. That goat...
I wasn't disappointed.
Atmosphere: A-
I loved the atmosphere. Rich browns, interesting lighting, exposed brick. Had a prohibition era type feel to it. I did find it to get pretty loud at times. They should probably invest in some cushioning underneath the tables.
Service: B+
This is a tough one to rate. This is a new restaurant, and they're trying really hard to make you feel welcome, and give good service. The problem? They're trying just a little too hard. 3 different people came to our table 4 separate times to see how we were doing. This is in addition to the standard times where our waiter inquired when dropping things off or picking things up from our table. It was just too much, and felt overbearing. It seemed to occur each time we got deep into conversation. If they could just simmah down some with this, I could give an A on service. Our server Chris was really nice, and gave a great suggestion for an appetizer to share.
Drinks: A
There is a great selection of craft cocktails if that's your jam. The prices range from $10-$14. I don't remember the name of the drink my friend ordered, but I tried it, and it was very tasty! I was in the mood for some summer bubbly, so I ordered a cava rose. It was very good.
Food: A-
The food was really good. You're started off with 2 small homemade biscuits with honey, chive, and bacon butter. ZOMG! Sooo yummy! After our waiter saw how much we loved (and devoured them), he promptly brought us more! At the suggestion of our waiter, we started off sharing the smoked tuna tartare. It was fresh and delicious, and a perfect amount for sharing. We decided to share two entrees. We ordered the crawfish pasta and the curried goat with gnocchi. The crawfish pasta was good, but it wasn't great. I really prefer a cream type sauce with my pasta. It had a good amount of spice, was flavorful, and it was cooked right, it just wasn't something I'd order again. My friend really liked it. Now the curried goat was fantastic. I'm a sucker for curry, and this was no exception. Tender goat in a flavorful gravy with homemade gnocchi and topped with tomatoes and cilantro. I was slopping that up with mah biscuit. For dessert, the kitchen sent out a surprise complimentary dessert of horchatta panna cotta with berry sorbet over a graham cracker crust and all topped with an assortment of melon balls. It was light and flavorful, and the perfect end to a biscuit, pasta, and gnocchi meal.
Value: B+
This place isn't cheap, but I didn't expect it to be either. I'm ok with higher prices if you're putting out quality food, which they are. My only complaint was that the entree portion sizes were a tad on the small size. Had I not had the biscuits, and shared an appetizer, I'm not sure the entree would've been sufficient, and I find it safe to say that it wouldn't have been sufficient for a man.
I would absolutely recommend Compere Lapin for it's lovely atmosphere, and tasty food...especially if you're into curry. That goat...
3
Posted on 6/15/15 at 1:16 pm to nikinik
Nice review!
I'm looking forward to trying this place soon. What kind of sauce was the crawfish pasta served with? Tomato?
Goat dish sounds like a beast.
Also, did you tell anyone about their overbearing service? That's definitely something worth mentioning to a manager. IMO
I'm looking forward to trying this place soon. What kind of sauce was the crawfish pasta served with? Tomato?
Goat dish sounds like a beast.
Also, did you tell anyone about their overbearing service? That's definitely something worth mentioning to a manager. IMO
Posted on 6/15/15 at 1:23 pm to Oenophile Brah
It was a tomato sauce. It was flavorful, don't get me wrong. I just prefer cream based sauces on pasta.
I didn't mention it because I know they're brand new. And it's also mentioned in many reviews on Yelp...so they'll get the picture. And there was just no time. I had limited time with my friend who is moving, and whose mother is critically ill.
I didn't mention it because I know they're brand new. And it's also mentioned in many reviews on Yelp...so they'll get the picture. And there was just no time. I had limited time with my friend who is moving, and whose mother is critically ill.
Posted on 6/15/15 at 1:25 pm to nikinik
We went on Saturday night and haven't had the chance to write a review yet.
I agree.
First of all, its a beautiful space. They did a good job. However, it is loud. Like...EXTREMELY loud.
The service was impeccable, but I do agree that it was a little overattentive. We had the same experience, we had multiple people asking if we needed anything, etc.
The food was top notch. We had the tartar, the pig ears, the broiled shrimp, and the gnocchi with sweet corn. Everything was great. Also had a doberge dessert that we liked.
Had a few Oskar Blues Pils while the wife had a few glasses of wine.
Great place.
I agree.
First of all, its a beautiful space. They did a good job. However, it is loud. Like...EXTREMELY loud.
The service was impeccable, but I do agree that it was a little overattentive. We had the same experience, we had multiple people asking if we needed anything, etc.
The food was top notch. We had the tartar, the pig ears, the broiled shrimp, and the gnocchi with sweet corn. Everything was great. Also had a doberge dessert that we liked.
Had a few Oskar Blues Pils while the wife had a few glasses of wine.
Great place.
Posted on 6/15/15 at 1:33 pm to Fun Bunch
Sounds like our experiences were pretty much the same. I really wanted the pig ears, but I knew if we got two appetizers, I wouldn't enjoy my entrée as much.
Posted on 6/15/15 at 1:35 pm to nikinik
My wife doesn't do entrees if multiple apps/small plates are available options. I think I've had an entree like 3 times in 8 years. 
I did want the curried goat.
I did want the curried goat.
This post was edited on 6/15/15 at 1:36 pm
Posted on 6/24/15 at 8:40 am to nikinik
Pics of pastas. Sorry. Having iPhone issues.
Bump for a quick review.
I went last night for dinner and came away impressed. Chef Nina was in the house, executing her menu.
I agree with your assessment of atmosphere and service though I didn't have the bombardment of service you experienced. Perhaps they've already addressed your concern.
I didn't have a cocktail (hit Oxalis for drinks prior) so I won't judge that. Wine list was fine for a new place at that price point.
I had some of the same dishes as well:
smoked tuna tartare- was excellent but was dressed with some spicy oil that I found overwhelming. It could have been toned down IMO. Presentation was top notch.
Conch croquettes- I would avoid them. I didn't pick up much conch in the "sticks". Good concept, but maybe not well executed.
Spiced pig ears- I enjoyed these though my date did not. The ears are slow cooked prior to being fried. I loved the creamy texture inside the cripsy outside. The aoili was a little intense.
Pici pasta with lobster- Good dish. I only had a few bites but was flavorful. You could see the big lumps of lobster. Think the sauce was different then the one you had with crawfish. They changed this dish last week.
Goat pasta- loved the dish. The goat and pasta were both cooked perfectly. They were sitting in the GOAT goat-curry sauce. I do want some bread with this dish. When I was finished, I had too much sauce remaining. The sauce is too good to be heading back to the kitchen.
I think the place is a pretty good value. Several of the app/small plates are cheap/fair value. All but one entree was under $30 which is pretty good. The portion sizes were pretty good. While I wasn't stuffed, I was full and that's all I'm looking for. Minor critique would be the overall weight of several of the dishes. Several dishes were served with an aioli or similar heavy sauce. Perhaps my ordering was off (some were compromise choices). I'm looking to return and try a few other things. I think the bar serves as a great place to try CL. Most of the plates are small in size and can be shared easily between two people.
Check them out.
Bump for a quick review. I went last night for dinner and came away impressed. Chef Nina was in the house, executing her menu.
I agree with your assessment of atmosphere and service though I didn't have the bombardment of service you experienced. Perhaps they've already addressed your concern.
I didn't have a cocktail (hit Oxalis for drinks prior) so I won't judge that. Wine list was fine for a new place at that price point.
I had some of the same dishes as well:
smoked tuna tartare- was excellent but was dressed with some spicy oil that I found overwhelming. It could have been toned down IMO. Presentation was top notch.
Conch croquettes- I would avoid them. I didn't pick up much conch in the "sticks". Good concept, but maybe not well executed.
Spiced pig ears- I enjoyed these though my date did not. The ears are slow cooked prior to being fried. I loved the creamy texture inside the cripsy outside. The aoili was a little intense.
Pici pasta with lobster- Good dish. I only had a few bites but was flavorful. You could see the big lumps of lobster. Think the sauce was different then the one you had with crawfish. They changed this dish last week.
Goat pasta- loved the dish. The goat and pasta were both cooked perfectly. They were sitting in the GOAT goat-curry sauce.
I do want some bread with this dish. When I was finished, I had too much sauce remaining. The sauce is too good to be heading back to the kitchen. I think the place is a pretty good value. Several of the app/small plates are cheap/fair value. All but one entree was under $30 which is pretty good. The portion sizes were pretty good. While I wasn't stuffed, I was full and that's all I'm looking for. Minor critique would be the overall weight of several of the dishes. Several dishes were served with an aioli or similar heavy sauce. Perhaps my ordering was off (some were compromise choices). I'm looking to return and try a few other things. I think the bar serves as a great place to try CL. Most of the plates are small in size and can be shared easily between two people.
Check them out.
This post was edited on 6/24/15 at 9:48 am
Posted on 10/1/15 at 4:27 pm to Oenophile Brah
I'm going here tonight. The goat dish is definitely on my hit list. Any other must get dishes?
Which apps?
Which apps?
Posted on 10/1/15 at 6:02 pm to Neauxla
Sadly, I haven't been since my review.
I would pass on the conch fritters but the arincini sounds good.
I would pass on the conch fritters but the arincini sounds good.
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