01/21/08

Closed

by rudyone

Yes it is closed. I ate there once and found the food to be good but expensive for the area that it served. Maybe that is why it closed, no business. The young crowd was not interested in this type of restaurant. Try the Gypsy Cafe around the corner. It is also Old World cooking and is quite interesting.

05/07/07

Unfortunately, closed or has moved

by pintoem

I believe that the restaurant has closed or has moved. The great reviews made me anxious to try it, but the building appears vacant and the phone number listed on this site has been disconnected.

Does anyone have more information?

11/09/03

Old Europe

by paulryb

Friendly, knowledgeable server. Wonderful pork with hazelnut cream. Entire menu is intriguing. Good wine recommendation. Will return. Worth the reasonable cost. Great decaf coffee!

08/18/03

Offering high quality food with an old world touch.

by Contributor

The Scene
The setting is perfect, on East Carson Street on the South Side, a traditional babushka fortress. There is a fresh trout tank at the entrance, with a small bar area. Two dining rooms open towards the back, with white tablecloths and beautiful handmade Bulgarian plates and serving dishes.

The Food
Descriptions are in order, as the food is from many countries, and is not generally seen on menus. There is a rich borscht offered here, Russian style served with sour cream. Good appetizers include Vareniki, (potato or sauerkraut dumplings) and pepper "Bjurek" (sweet red peppers filled with feta, covered with bread crumbs, and sautéed). Main courses run from Moussaka, an eggplant and veal casserole, to chicken paprikash, a chicken stew served over noodles. And remember that trout tank at the entrance? They're not there as pets. They are wrapped in grape leaves and grilled, for a moist and delicious alternative to the heavier stews and casseroles.

The Extras
All entrées are served with banitza appetizer (cheese-filled phyllo), homemade bread, a chopped salad of cucumber, tomato, and pepper, and a vegetable side dish. It sounds like a lot of food, and it is. But save room for the apple strudel dessert. Served warm, it is a pleasant confection of apples, cream, nuts and phyllo.

• Pros: good for groups

08/12/02

absolutely amazing!

by supersci

My dinner at Old Europe was one of those meals that halts all other polite conversation. We were lost in a daze, uttering 'oh my god!' and 'you have to taste this!'. I started with a cup of a cold cherry soup (with a hint of cinnamon), then my friend and I shared Salmon Blini (with caviar creme fraiche--yum) and veriniki, and my entree was possibly the best thing I've ever tasted. The Gundel Tenderloin is very tender sauteed pork tenderloin with hazelnut cream and pear/apple/prune chutney. Wow. Our waiter mentioned that this particular dish had recently been featured on the Food Network. I can see why. Also, the waiter was very knowledgeable, and made great suggestions for wine/beer. An all-around wonderful dining experience!

• Pros: delicious, great presentation, fabulous
• Cons: not a one