Great food
Food and atmosphere was great, wine selection was on the skimpy side. On a scale of 1 –10 I would rate 9.

Definitely warrants a return visit    [15 Jul 2005 12:35:15]

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     ­Anonymous   

sure to become my favorite
Fabulous food, well-trained waitstaff, comfortable but classy atmosphere, for a reasonable price. I'll go back as often as I can.    [05 Aug 2005 00:12:34]

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     ­Anonymous   

Give me a break
I was underwhelmed from the start. Its a bit pretentious. The food was ok, the service is excellent and maybe that makes some feel its better then it is    [29 Aug 2005 02:03:20]

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     ­Anonymous   

Awesome Dining Experience
Probably only the best restaurant in NW Indiana. You could drive 50 miles to Chicago and spend 2X the amount and come away half as satisfied as a visit to Bistro 157. Good wine list. Attentive staff. Fabulous food, with a creative ever-changing menu. French, Asian and Caribbean influences. Give it a try, you will NOT be disappointed.    [10 Mar 2006 14:15:18]

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Recommended Dishes: Veal & Shrimp, Fresh Fish

     ­Anonymous   

Awesome
My absolute favorite place to dine, hands down. The food is the best, even better than super-pricey downtown Chicago restaurants.
Atmosphere is quiet and calm. Great for a romantic dinner or quick healthy lunch!    [19 Apr 2006 12:20:22]

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     ­Anonymous   

Best in NWI
Great ingredients, well mannered staff, comfortable atmosphere and great Chef make Bistro 157 a unique and exciting dining experience. It is one that should be on anyone's "Must Dine at" list....    [06 Jun 2006 15:18:32]

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     ­Bill, BP Pipelines North America   

Award Winning Wine List
2006 Wine Spectator Award Broght our attention to this restaurant. WGN Chicago reinforced it. Our relaxing evening with Chicago food and profesional, attentive, yet friendly service will bring us back.    [28 Nov 2006 23:21:22]

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Recommended Dishes: Sushi, Lamb Stroganoff Pasta, All desserts!

     ­KM   

PUH-LEEZE
"It's just like downtown Chicago" NOT. This restaurant is too busy believing its own press to turn out anything truly "gourmet." Tired examples of "fusion" cooking (couple garlic mashed potatoes with one more dish and I'll scream) coupled with a paltry wine list and followed by banal dessert offerings (flourless chocolate torte - how original!). Add to that a nasally wait staff in French blue shirts who gaze off into the distance while trying to remember the today's specials and you have the typical Northwest Indiana answer to what fine dining truly is. Apparantly, it's not much and it certainly is not original.    [14 Jan 2007 19:34:36]

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     ­Dan   

Disgruntled Dan
The Bistro is not tring to be anything more than a true neighborhood Bistro - good food in a comfortable atmosphere. After six years of testing the menu and trying to please Northwest Indiana diners of all kinds, the Chef offers a fairly priced menu for all palates. Contrary to Dan's review, there are dishes with alternatives to Smashed Potatoes. Try the Beef Tenderloin with Oxtail Potato Cake, or the Duck with Dried Fruit Wild Rice (NOT Uncle Ben's). The Chef's Winter Stew of Cassoulet is with Tarbais White Beans (never seen THAT in Northwest Indiana!) There are also daily fresh fish features with rice, creamy polenta, potao hashes etc...

Perhaps Dan has a personal "beef" with the restaurant???    [24 Feb 2007 14:18:00]

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Recommended Dishes: Cassoulet, Sushi, Opera Cake Dessert, Home made gelatos, sorbets

     ­Anonymous   

No Comparison Needed
I've travelled a lot for business and worked as a professional chef and consultant for several years. This is better than many places I've eaten in Chicago and other big cities. Every other experienced diner I've spoken with agrees - the food is outstanding.    [13 Jul 2007 11:53:06]

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Recommended Dishes: Hot Smoked Salmon, Kobe Burgers, Seafood

     ­Garry West