New Restaurant Hopes to Grow Neighborhood’s French Population

The French are coming.

Chez Simo, a classic French restaurant at 1968 W. Lawrence Ave., opens its doors Thursday to a growing European influence in the area.

With a new French International school moving three blocks south in the former Ravenswood Hospital property, owner Simo Yacobi hopes his restaurant will cater to the new French families moving into the neighborhood.

“I want people to come in and take their time,” he said.

The restaurant is BYOB, and serves what Yacobi calls “simple and classic” French food.

Patrons can start with classic appetizers like French onion soup and mussels provencale, but also have more regional cuisine like terrine de foie gras and escargot a la bourgogne.

“People are getting more familiar with those kinds of food, so I hope they will come in an experience them,” Yacobi said.

Entrees range from the $15 croque monsieur to the $25 steak au poivre. Yacobi recommends the restaurant’s duck confit or the coq au vin, braised chicken cooked in red wine, lardon, mushrooms and vegetables.

Join Patch for more neighborhood news and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

The restaurant owner has been eating French food most of his life, even after moving to Chicago from Morocco 25 years ago.

“I got hooked on Lincoln Square,” he said. “I’ve only moved within a few blocks of the area since 1987.”

Now, Yacobi and his wife and two children live just across the river in Albany Park and the business is truly a family affair. His wife designed the French country interior and his son has already set sights on becoming a chef.

Before opening Chez Simo, Yacobi dabbled in the antique and consulting businesses, but always found himself coming back to the restaurant industry.

He said he was simply driving by when he saw the “For Lease” sign in the window of the former Cinnamon Cafe. Two days later, Yacobi signed a lease for the space.

“I put everything on the table for this; it’s do or die,” he said.

Opening the restaurant didn’t come without obstacles. Yacobi went through two chefs before hiring George Vega just last week. The chef cut his teeth at both Mon Ami Gabi and Pete Miller’s Seafood and Prime Steak.

Chez Simo is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.