Bank Lane Bistro 670 Bank Lane, Lake Forest Tel:  (847) 234-8802  An extraordinary dining experience awaits anyone willing to seek out this intimate French restaurant in Chicago’s far north suburbs.  Just a short walk from the Lake Forest Metra station, the Bistro has been serving satisfied patrons since 1997, but it has remained a close-kept secret.  The main dining room, which can seat fifty very nicely, is a warm, cozy eating area featuring an open view of chef John des Rosier’s kitchen. Comfortable wicker chairs at wrought iron tables provide outdoor seating for twenty on the balcony which overlooks Lake Forest’s old world Market Square and its adjoining side streets.  The look and feel is definitely European all the way.  Menus are redesigned each day to make every dining experience unique.  A typical  lunch might include any one of three amazing soups, a number of mouth-watering appetizers often containing black truffles or goji berries, several inventive salads designed to accompany an entree or to be eaten as the main course, itself, gourmet sandwiches and designer pizzas and entrees, both vegetarian and not.  Lunch also features a menu of daily specials, which also includes a quiche of the day (priced at $11), a soup of the day (between $6 and $7) and a choice of two amazing entrees ($13 to $18).  With fine dining, presentation must be everything, and in that area the Bistro excels.  Dinners, served Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 until 9:30, are works of edible art.  They may be selected from yet another menu that is also created daily.  Start your meal by selecting your first course from the “chilled” section of the menu with choices like the Maine lobster spring roll with avocado, watercress, daikon and hot and sour sauce (priced at $11), or a “heated” selection, like the incredibly delicious black truffle and mascarpone agnolotti, watercress and reggiano (priced $10) that explodes with flavor in your mouth.  The other  first course choice is a “go-between, a combination of heated and chilled ingredients, such as the belgium endive salad with hazelnuts, haricots verts, shallot vinaigrette and warm goat cheese (priced $8).  The principal  courses may come from the land ($25 to $29), the sea ($27 to $34) or from the “go-between,” featuring such dishes as Chesapeake Bay soft-shelled crab, rosemary pork confit with ginger carrot broth and fava beans (priced $28).   But an inspired third choice of three “Tasting Menus,”which may include between four and ten courses, and allows the chef to select some of the choices from the night’s menu or he will create several new food items, just for you!  Prices range between $48 and $88 per person, with a selection of incredible wines for an additional price.  The dessert menu (prices $7 to $11), which also includes some interesting after-dinner drinks and coffees, features a very tasty toffee coffee creme brulee, a melt-in-your-mouth flourless chocolate cake in a cold chocolate soup, and a bing cherry mousse with a filo wafer, 40 vanilla bean ice cream and Grand Marnier sauce that will make you weep!  The Bistro also has a full service bar.  Directions to Bank Lane Bistro Take 41 to Deerpath Road.  Turn left on Bank Lane and park in the Market Square or the Municiple parking lot.  It is on the opposite side of the South Gate Cafe.    Hours Lunch served Monday-Friday from 11:30 until 2:00; dinner Tuesday-Saturday from 5:30 until 9:00 (later on Friday and Saturday evenings during summer months); closed Sundays.   Methods of Payment American Express, Optima, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard, Carte Blanche. Special Information Two rooms available for private parties of 65; the main restaurant can be rented and seats 50.  This is an upscale restaurant that welcomes all patrons, but does not have a children’s menu.