Petite Edith
Petite Edith — River North french that most people haven't found yet. Everything about the room says stay awhile. Cocktails here aren't an afterthought. "The staff is amazing, the food was incredible, and a really nice atmosphere" — Emily Miller
What 76 diners keep saying
What 76 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“A convenient walk down the road, I’ve been Petit Edith half a dozen times now so thought I should finally leave a reservation. With one exception when the service was a bit off (new waiter? Forgot my order? They made up for it with more free apps than I could finish) this place has really grown on me. From my first visit and leek tart to the most recent roast chicken meal, the food only seems to get better over time as they settle in. Great food. Great wines, even by the glass, a secret hamburger happy meal special, week day happy hours. I’m sure I’ll be back soon.”

“Phenomenal food and service. Octopus was our favorite dish but really everything was delicious.”

“First time at Petite Edith tonight! Our server Jean Pierre/Matty was SO friendly and very knowledgeable.Felt like we were chatting with an old friend every time he came over. The expectations were high for this restaurant and they did not disappoint. Although it’s more of an upscale menu the vibe is definitely relaxed and they make you feel welcomed immediately. We got the crudo, fries, leek tart, duck and the turbot fish and everything was absolutely amazing! Will definitely come back.”

“AWESOME!!!! We loved our experience. Emily E was an amazing server, and she was spot on with every recommendation. The food was Perfection. Can’t wait to go back. One of the managers (maybe owners?), Zane, was really warm and friendly for chatting after dinner.”

“The menu is broken up in several sections, so we move to their bread section where we chose the leek tart. Super buttery and flaky, and smooth with those leeks and cottage cheese. And that’s where things really pick up because the seared foie gras was rich, and was paired with a sweet apple butter that I could drink a whole jar of. Some of their daily specials really caught my eye like the rabbit leg schitznel. It was super crispy, layered with a cooling potato salad everything about this was intentional. Pig Trotters was the richest dish of the night because the foot was stuffed with sweetbread, foie gras, make sure you eat this with those potatoes because….it’s just so damn rich. Steak Au Poivre was a tender 8oz filet of Australian Wagyu, paired with a deep 5 peppercorn sauce. I loved how this entire meal is a symbiotic relationship between France and the Midwestern touch. Dessert was a creme caramel flan-like sweet treat and we had to try the Swiss Roll because it’s raspberries galore and light. Incredible spot.”

“Had a wonderful sunday brunch with live jazz, fabulous cocktails, impeccable service, and incredible bites!”

“I had an incredible dinner tonight here. Our server, John, was one of the best servers I’ve had in a while. He was funny, personable, and really made our time quite special. Food—the most important part—surpassed my expectations as well. I truly loved everything we ordered. The cheese bread with pomegranates was incredible—a must order. Our mains—the turbot in brioche and veal cheeks—were delicious. Don’t skip the rhubarb tart for dessert! This was the true star, although the chocolate ganache and creme caramel were great. I can’t wait to be back to try more from the menu! The ambiance is also great—the dining room is bright, airy and spacious. No crammed tables where you can hear others’ conversations.”

“We had a late reservation the day we ew in to Chicago. Our flight got delayed and we were in contact with the restaurant to let them know of our delay. They couldn’t have been nicer! The atmosphere is light and invitingly cozy. The food was beautifully prepared and it is evident that the staff is passionate about it. Overall, lovely experience. Also, the caviar dish is 11-year-old approved. 👍”

“We dined at Petite Edith two weeks ago and I still can’t stop thinking about the food — which says everything. Every dish was thoughtful, balanced, and deeply satisfying, the kind of meal that lingers with you long after you leave. Just as memorable was the warmth of the staff — welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited to share the experience. Petite Edith is one of those rare places that gets everything right: food, energy, and hospitality. We’ll absolutely be back!”

“Sat at the bar with a friend. Our meal was amazing. We both have some dietary restrictions, I have celiac and she doesn’t eat dairy. And they completely accommodated us. The staff is amazing, the food was incredible, and a really nice atmosphere. The only reason I gave service four out of five stars was because the food was a bit slow to come out out of the kitchen, and they did not have any dairy free dessert option like sorbet for my friend. Can’t wait to go back.”

“Highly accessible fine dining. While Petite Edith is very much a neighborhood French restaurant that you can go back to every few weeks, it is absolutely not a typical neighborhood bistro. Every dish is a reimagined version of a French bistro classic, and after experiencing Chef Tomaska’s imagination I was definitely not left craving the typical treatment of these dishes. I’m excited to go back again and sit at the gorgeous wrap around bar to have some drinks and enjoy another wonderful meal. The service is outstanding and the staff’s knowledge of the menu is impressive. One note is that although our server recommended 3-4 dishes per guest, we would probably do 2-3 per guest in the future, but that is very subjective.”

“Last night I was thrilled to try Petite Edith, a new bistro concept by Chef Jenner Tomaska. II’d like to know who designed Petite Edith, because the decor embodies understated elegance that is luxurious without calling attention to itself. It’s where contemporary design meets cozy hospitality. It’s the kind of place where you instantly feel at ease, and where the space itself feels like part of the meal. The room opens under soaring ceilings lined with sculptural, wave-like acoustic panels. Suspended beneath them, fabric pendants lend the room a dreamy, almost oceanic calm. Their soft geometric luminosity evokes the quiet grace of jellyfish—a subtle nod to the natural world that keeps the space feeling alive. Paired with the rose-clay–colored acoustic forms undulating across the ceiling, the effect is immersive and textural—the kind of detail that makes the restaurant not just beautifully designed but beautifully felt. The exposed industrial ceiling adds a contemporary contrast that highlights the space’s stylish balance between refinement and urban character. Throughout the restaurant, seating is arranged with intention: dark wood tables anchor the room, surrounded by graceful, curved-back chairs and plush banquettes upholstered in muted coral. Candles flicker on every table, giving the dining floor a soft glow of warmth. The energy is vibrant yet unhurried; the space hums pleasantly with conversation, never feeling crowded thanks to generous walkways, high ceilings, and smart spacing. A mural depicting birds serenely perched among delicate branches, wrapped in a soft blue halo of light, adds a touch of whimsy and artistry. At the heart of the room, an elegant marble-topped bar curves organically, anchored by a ribbon-like ceiling installation that adds quiet elegance overhead. Behind the bar, warm brass accents and lush greenery create a focal point that draws the eye without overpowering the space. It’s a bar that makes you want to linger over sparkling wine or craft cocktails. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views of the surrounding cityscape. At night, reflections of twinkling trees and the glow from nearby buildings blend beautifully with the restaurant’s interior light, blurring the line between indoors and out. My only critique is that while poetic vagueness works on a degustation menu—where surprise is part of the experience—an à la carte menu needs to be more explicit so you can order what you actually want. I’d seen a photo on social media of a stunning butterflied whole fish and assumed it was the trout, so I ordered the trout, only to discover it was an entirely different dish. What I’d mistaken for a whole pan-fried trout was actually the butterflied seabream, served as their reimagined “Fish and ‘Chips”—a crisp, elegant presentation with onion butter, citrus, and smoked potatoes, which made the naming conventions feel a bit at odds with the idea that form should follow function. That said, the trout I accidentally ordered was extraordinary—perfectly cooked and, like everything we tried, thoroughly enjoyable. A simple clarification on the menu—such as “Fish and 'Chips’ reimagined: butterflied whole seabream with onion butter, citrus, and smoked potatoes”—would prevent the confusion without diminishing the charm. Staffed by seasoned industry veterans—from the hosts to the bartenders, servers, and bar backs—Petite Edith achieved the rare feat of offering genuinely warm, seamless service within a day of opening. Petite Edith shares a similar milieu with Oliver’s and Creepies, and while I’m fond of all three, Petite Edith is the one I’ll return to soonest and most. Petite Edith 868 N Wells St, Chicago”
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