A Berwyn Gem

Autre Monde - Café and Spirits

A few weeks ago Chris and I were taking a nice summer stroll after dinner with the kids to Gina’s Italian Ice (a little cup of Americana and gem!) when we stumbled upon a new restaurant.   A really cool looking restaurant with a really cool looking menu outside for us to peruse. How had we missed the buzz of a new restaurant opening so close by?! Diners sitting at the window tables had huge grins on their faces, beverages in the air saluting us and giving the place a big thumbs up. Awesome, and to be so close to us…in Berwyn of all places. Could this be the cultural shift we’ve waited for on Roosevelt?? Fingers crossed!

They describe themselves as a Mediterranean influenced restaurant similar to tapas type dining where the dishes are meant to be shared. They have a “farm to table” philosophy with its very own greenhouse to back the philosophy.

A couple of weeks ago we finally checked this place out with our good friends Rob and Kara.  My overall impression---Love the place and will definitely go back; great potential.

It had a casual feel, a mix of rustic/simple décor, the staff was eager and super friendly, the cocktails were excellent and the food was really, really good. Understandably, being a brand spanking new restaurant, they have a few little kinks to work out. For starters, they HAVE to lower the volume level with some panels or something to ease the sound. That’s my only true complaint. My voice was shot after leaving because I had to shout so much during the dinner. It was our waiter's 2nd day on the job so I will cut her a lot of slack. So what if we didn’t get our wine until close to the end of the meal! As for the food, the stars of the night were the grilled octopus and sardines. They were simply perfect. The other dishes were good but I think they need a little tweaking of the menu and the flavors…which will come with time no doubt.

This restaurant has only been open a couple of months and has gotten a ton of press. The night we were there the Hungry Hound was taping for a show (that guy has the best job e.v.e.r!!!). I’m keeping an eye out to see if our table made the cut! Given all of this press, a reservation is a must.

A Berwyn gem!!!