[Photograph: Nick Kindelsperger]

Besides wine regions, my understanding of the French language is minimal, so when I sat down at Bistrot Zinc in the Gold Coast, I had no idea what to expect from the Gigot d'Agneau ($9.96). All I knew was that the description mentioned leg of lamb, and that was good enough for me. I didn't care if the meat was roasted, grilled, braised, or minced up into little bits, for some reason I knew it would be good. (Okay, maybe not the last one.)

Even though I was ordering blind, I was still surprised by what appeared. The lamb had been cut into 1/4-inch thick pieces and then grilled over high heat (it had some serious grill marks to prove it). Well seasoned and very tender, the only embellishments are some peppery watercress and pickled red onions. It's all served on thick grilled bread and slathered with a rosemary aioli. I'll make sure to remember the name of this sandwich for now on.

Bistrot Zinc

1131 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
312-337-1131
bistrotzinc.com‎