Mimi's Brasserie & Speakeasy

If a French brasserie with a hidden speakeasy in the back sounds like something out of a movie, that's more or less what Mimi's is going for — and pulling off. The Southside Village spot opened last December in the former Adeline space on Hillview Street, and it's been quietly building a following since.

The brasserie side runs the straightforward play: steak frites, mushroom croquettes, croque monsieur, a proper French onion soup. Co-owner Edward Zaki, who also runs Lucky 8 and 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen, wanted a room that feels like an actual neighborhood bistro, not a theme restaurant, and the exposed brick and warm lighting suggest it's landing.

Then there's the speakeasy. Walk through the dining room after 5 PM and you'll find it — a dimmer, cocktail-focused room with no reservations and no sign out front. The drink list leans botanical and theatrical: the Cabaret L'enfer mixes gin, ginger, hibiscus, and sparkling wine. It's the kind of place that rewards showing up without a plan.

The scoop: Mimi's Brasserie & Speakeasy