Lincoln Park French Bistro The Blanchard Closes After Three Years

After three years in Lincoln Park, The Blanchard, a French bistro that opened in 2015, has closed. The restaurant appeared to be searching for an identity after executive chef Jason Paskewitz left, a departure that followed a lawsuit filed against the chef by the restaurant’s owner. It’s not clear how that lawsuit was settled, but Paskewitz continued to work during some of the legal proceedings.

The restaurant was located south of Clark and Armitage at 1935 N. Lincoln Park West. Paskewitz left the restaurant which he founded early last year. A spokesperson for owner Richard Duffy sent out a statement announcing the shutter. The restaurant space has already been listed for sale. After the Blanchard opened in 2015, it earned the Jean Banchet award for Best New Restaurant. Critics loved the restaurant and it became one of the toughest reservations in town.

There seems to be a rash of French restaurants closing in Chicago as of late. Bistrot Zinc in Gold Coast recently announced it was closing at the end of August.