Petite Vie, the latest offering from acclaimed chef Paul Virant, aims to redefine the restaurant experience in Western Springs with its unique menu focused on French cuisine infused with a Midwestern twist. This brasserie-style eatery, which opened in May 2024, has quickly made a name for itself by incorporating market-priced potatoes into its offerings, a bold move that reflects the chef’s creative culinary vision.
Virant, who also operates the Gaijin okonomiyaki shop and Vistro Prime steakhouse, describes Petite Vie as a lively gathering place where the emphasis is on well-prepared food grounded in traditional French culinary methods. The restaurant’s name pays homage to its predecessor, Vie, which closed following a landlord dispute after 19 successful years.
The compelling menu features star items such as the steak frites, while the boeuf bourguignon stands out as the current dish of the day, showcasing a tender beef stew elevated by a resourceful celeriac purée and a fresh remoulade, blending classic French techniques with local ingredients.
Virant places significant emphasis on the potpourri of market-priced potatoes, like the aligot, a delightful mash that boasts a fabulous cheese pull, crafted to pay homage to French gastronomic traditions. He encourages his kitchen team to use the potato section of Escoffier’s cookbook as inspiration, steering away from the usual steak and seafood associations.
The menu’s evolution also showcases seasonal offerings; for instance, the pithivier, a vegetable-filled puff pastry with marinated squash and parsnips, invites diners to relish in the flavors of the season. With an ever-changing quiche and carefully crafted brunch dishes, the restaurant caters to various tastes while maintaining a strong connection to its French roots.
In addition to a robust food menu, Petite Vie presents a thoughtful drink selection led by bar manager Patrick Swanson, who offers balanced cocktails made from quality ingredients. During a recent brunch visit, the Pomme de Vie spritz and a versatile alcohol-free option, Tigre en Papier, garnered praise for their intricate flavors.
The ambiance at Petite Vie is equally inviting, melding a traditional French brasserie aesthetic with a local neighborhood feel. With an open bar area facing the street and intimate dining settings adorned with candlelight, the restaurant aims to provide an exceptional dining experience every day of the week.
Petite Vie 909 Burlington Ave., Western Springs
708-260-7017
petite-vie.com
Open daily, dinner from 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday to 9:30 p.m., Sunday to 8 p.m.; brunch Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prices: $15 (aligot), $23 (pithivier), $38 (beef bourguignon), $16 (nougat), $18 (quiche), $14 (Tigre en Papier non-alcoholic drink), $6 (drip coffee with financier cookie)
Noise Level: OK (65 to 70 dB)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with restrooms on a single level
Tribune rating: Excellent, 3 of 4 stars