What a perfect place to grab a late lunch! Bistro du Midi is located right on the Public Garden and next to a La Perla boutique (ooo la la). Yesterday afternoon I was looking for something a little special and this hit the mark. The bartender,. Jenna, was absolutely lovely, and she helped me navigate the menu as well as conversing amicably throughout the meal ~ I enjoyed meeting her as much as my meal! I had a roasted squash soup, rich and flavorful, which was made even more special with the addition of chestnuts and a few fresh cranberries cooked into the soup that provided a wonderfully sour, contrasting pop to all that richness. I also enjoyed a cheese plate, beautifully prepared and generously presented with apricot, strawberries, pear and toasts. The provence rose was a perfect accompaniment to this array. I was actually quite full when I left but in a very happy, satisfied way, and I went on my merry way through the public gardens. I would go there again in a second. Highly recommended!
(5)
Brad R.
Excellent location for outdoor people-watching. Solid wine list which is about 20 pages deep. Food presentation and ambiance with music is perfect for a quaint little lunch. Beer list is pretty wimpy with only 5 beers available. One local microbrew and the rest lager imports. The croquet mosieur is amazing. Great during summer, overlooking the park sitting in the shade with a cool breeze.
(4)
Marion M.
Favorite restaurant. Ever. Good for pretty much everything: drinks, brunch with friends, delicious upscale dinner, etc. Beautiful location overlooking the Public Garden (which is great since there's outdoor seating late spring-early fall), easy to get to as well. Have the goat cheese/honey barbajuans (puff pastry pillows) and the tuna tartare. I usually hate fish and seafood in general but that tuna tartare was absurdly good. Can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes - most are made from scratch and hand rolled in house. If you're seated by the giant window into the kitchen, you can watch them make it. For dessert, get the chocolate souffle. Make sure you order it with your meal since it takes 25 minutes to prepare and bake fresh for you. They have a wine cellar two stories tall and the most experienced and charming waitstaff I've ever encountered. Really, I can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)
Lala I.
we went to bistro du midi for restaurant week tonight. i wasnt impressed by the food, but the service was great. the waiter was super attentive and polite. my water/wine was never less than half full. we lost track of time at the end of meal cuz we were too drawn into our convo and it was already mid-night; nobody ever told us to leave or made us feel uncomfortable of staying. the ambience is supposed to be romantic and classy, but i felt really comfortable and cozy. we started off with a bottle of riesling and followed by steamed mussels, hake, and ginaduja palette. my dessert, the best thing ive had all night and probably one of the best desserts iv had in a restaurant recently: ginaduja palette, hazelnut ice cream oh la la it was so good. super creamy and rich hazelnut flavor!!! loved it!
(3)
Sam T.
Bistro du Midi was an unexpected treat, after an afternoon of walking and sight seeing around the Boston Common area. We came upon this spot towards dinner time and decided to grab something to eat. After a short wait, the maitre d' informed us, that we could be seated right away, but we had to finish, in about 90 minutes, due to a reservation. We were okay with that, so we were brought up to the second floor, corner table, with a great view, of the street and the Boston Common Park. The service was good and my seared duck breast with swiss chard, black olives, and gnocci was exquisite. The duck was succulent and flavorful. The sauce was delicious and went well with the chard and gnocci. We were not rushed at all, even when we went overtime a bit. Overall the best surprise on the trip to Boston.
(5)
AD S.
Also went here for restaurant week--take that for what you will, but we had an appetizer (pate), flat-iron steak, and desert cake for $38. The food was quite good, though in relatively modest portions. Due to high cost (I think $10-14), I skipped the cocktails, though I sipped my friends' and they were quite good as well. The space is nice, and well located in the city. Service was attentive, though I felt the server and even the host would not take seriously four people coming in just for the restaurant week sample (particularly after one of my friends butchered some French words on the menu). The latter point is not that big of a deal, but it just serves my point--this is not my kind of place. I like good food, but not to the tune of $30+ and leaving only moderately full. Further, one can't have more than one drink without adding substantially to the bill (again, not my style). It would be a nice place to take a date--cocktails and desert would be nice, though probably in excess of $60.
(3)
Lindsey E.
Went for restaurant week. Food was ok but nothing special. Near the end of my meal I asked for a glass of red wine. The waiter immediately suggested a pinot noir. He brought the wine over in the bottle and gave me a generous pour and even some to my date to finish the bottle. The wine was above room temperature (very warm) and actually gritty. I'm sure the bottle had been sitting open at the bar for days. It was by far the worst glass of wine I have ever had. Then the check comes and it was $15. You think a restaurant that has a table of contents for its wine menu would have a little more respect for the wine they serve. Clearly, they have no trouble pawning bad product off onto customers and charging an insane amount.
Great wine list, excellent tuna tartar and a pretty impressive angus burger.
(5)
Evelyn S.
Excellent food and wine.
(4)
Lisa I.
I came here for a big group event, and was NOT impressed. The service was awful. We had 1 waiter for a party of 20+, which wasn't sufficient. They were extremely slow to take our orders, bring our drinks, etc. I actually asked the manager to see if they could get some additional help for our party (given our size), but things didn't improve. Service was very slow throughout the evening. The food itself was very mediocre, which was disappointing, considering the menu looked awesome. Will not be back.
(2)
Julianna G.
I go out for nice dinners every one to two months and this place is the best! We went for Valentines day and we still say it is the best meal we have ever had in Boston. Service is awesome, little up tight but the staff is watched closely by the managers (which is fine). Just wish they could make it a little bit more personable. I will still give them 5 stars. The wine was fantastic and so were the drinks we had downstairs before dinner. We are going for restaurant week next week bc its just that good.
(5)
Richard C.
An easy burger to peg, plagued by many of the same issues of wannabe burgers from the past, the Bistro du Midi burger is merely ordinary. Too bad, this $15, "Black Angus Burger" sounds fine, available at the bar only, in what is a well respected establishment. But, as is often the case with well respected establishments and their burgers, not much thought is put into it, yet the price tag is advanced based on location and reputation of adjoining dishes on the menu. Everyone wants to serve a burger, I get it, but where's the love? We all want to join the Boston burger party but no one wants to be prepared. Maybe I'm taking this a bit too seriously, but then again, that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me or this blog. I'm serious about my burgers, maybe I should learn to lighten up. Then again maybe I'll lighten up for the next one. It's not a bad burger by any stretch, but a cliched example of the price killing any glimmer of respectability. You're paying for ambiance in a lovely restaurant, and location. What ever happened to paying for the product? It's more or less a $9 burger overcharged by about $6. Tasting like a pretty standard beef blend (chuck or sirloin most likely) it has modest seasoning and minimal beef flavor. The requested medium-rare is mostly honored, over-cooked around the edges but a rosy pink on the interior, it's neither overly juicy or completely dry. The fries, promised to be seasoned with Espelette Pepper, a common spice used by many pretentious chefs (kidding of course, it's wonderful) does nothing to live up to its mild heat and aroma teaser. Pale and less than optimal in the crunch factor, they are bland and devoid of pairing with most burgers, let alone a $15 one. Goat Cheese is an uncommon option to top a burger and one we couldn't pass up. It would have worked better had the beef flavor been more predominant, but instead it's all cheese and no beef. Ideally, the sharpness of the goat cheese would have paired beautifully with the salty and rich beef. Maybe in my perfect burger world, but this isn't it. The bun, in the much maligned Brioche neighborhood, is too large to work with the burger, and the addition of iceberg lettuce and raw red onion give it a Pub style feel I had hoped they'd want to avoid. Again, it's not an offensive burger, it's simply too plain Jane for the price tag that goes with it, surely a great setting to try something else on their extensive menu, but it's hard to recommend this burger.
(2)
Amanda B.
Went for a glass of wine pre-movie and wasn't that impressed. The wine was good (except for the good tablespoon of sediment at the bottom of my glass) and the server was very nice. The place was cute, but kind of seemed like a Disneyland French restaurant...it had all the right things, it just didn't feel right.
(2)
Alexandra H.
We had an elegant meal in a beautiful restaurant in Boston overlooking the Public Garden. Bistro Du Midi has exquisite food in a lovely setting with courtly service. Everything was fine. The appetizers are exceptional. My only comment to the slightly negative was my fellow guests ordered pork chops and there was basically nothing else on the plate except a bit of greenery and the chop. But all in all a superb meal celebrating the hopeful return of Boston to peaceful tranquility.
(4)
Marshall M.
I've been a few times and the food is always very good, the dining room (especially during the holiday season), lovely. Most recently we celebrated a friend's graduation. We were all enjoying a bottle of champagne when (their wine manager?) brought out the bottle of red I ordered. I politely asked him if he could maybe open it up to let it breathe and then pour it later after we were finished with our champagne. He very smugly replied that that doesn't do anything and it's best to get get it in the glass and proceeded to pour. I found this extremely pushy, inconsiderate, and rude. Honestly, we're guests at your restaurant. I don't think I would have been out of bounds if I asked him to shake the bottle up and serve it over ice, we're paying for it. I understand that it was a busy night in the holiday season and they had more physical tables in there than they have normally (all of them full), but this is no excuse. I think it was just because they were just so busy that night, but I could also have taken it that they were just trying to push more wine on us. In fact now that I think about it, at the time I still had an unfinished glass of red in front of me from the bar. I think part of being a good sommelier/wine director/buyer/etc. is being helpful without isolating or belittling your guests with an assumed lack of knowledge/appreciation. How about offering to decant it instead? I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't want to take away from the celebration in any way and I'm sure the grad didn't even notice. The rest of the night was fantastic though and our server was friendly and attentive.
(3)
AB H.
This place deserves its stars. We just had a best dinner of white asparagus soup with a two hour poached egg, the pea gnocchi with goat cheese (half portion), and the duck breast. All were perfectly cooked and delicious. We finished the meal with the chocolate ganache tart with coconut gelato - also amazingly good. We split all that, and I'm pretty full. I loved my 2nd floor view of the park. Wait staff was also very good, though our waiter forgot a drink at one point (really not OK at a fancy place like this). The did comp us the drink when they finally brought it.
(4)
Eric F.
Fantastic lunch spot with ample outdoor seating, top notch food, and excellent service! I tried the Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade and it was cooked perfectly - crispy edges with a flavorful, tender center. My friend had the Provencal Lamb Canneloni and he had nothing but praise for the dish. The soft bread and olive oil were also great starters and our waitress was very prompt with refills on both that and our waters. I'd also recommend pairing your meal with their 2003 Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence - it has a lush, floral body that reveals itself in layers and then lingers nicely in the finish. The quality of the food inspired much confidence in me and I'll absolutely be back for their brunch and dinner offerings.
(5)
Noah C.
I had a fantastic lunch here, marred only (and this seemed to be a trend in Boston) by spotty service. Though my food (steak frites and a small chopped salad) was fantastic, those two dishes are relatively easy to get right, if the ingredients are sourced and prepped properly (and they were). They came out relatively quickly, and, as I said, tasted great. The steak was properly rested, the fries crispy on the outside and pleasantly creamy on the inside. The sherry vinaigrette on the salad was flavorful. So my real gripe, then: I sat at the bar, and though the bartender was great (and was generous with his pours of bourbon), one of the managers just rubbed me the wrong way. When he offered me a basket of bread with a side dish of olive oil, I took him up on the offer. This seemed to annoy him. Well...why did you ask, then? He honestly looked like a corporate yuppie villain from any 80s movie - tight fitting suit with the top buttons open, Pat Riley circa 1985 hair slicked back, constant sneer on his face. He semi-slammed the break basket down next to me and walked away in a huff. Dude! Seriously? The bartender, though, as I said, was great. I'd come back here again for lunch or dinner if I ever make my way back to Boston. Hopefully, though, yuppie boy won't be the manager at that point.
(4)
Niko X.
Having never been to Provence I can only speculate on the authenticity here... but everything from the goat cheese and beet salad to the shellfish bouillabaisse was so amazing, it doesn't even matter. Compared with the food, the atmosphere of this restaurant is nearly equally notable. The downstairs is open air with a tapas bar feel, and a slightly different menu. We sat upstairs in the more formal dining area and had the pleasure of sitting in the far corner in the bay window overlooking Boston's public garden at dusk. Get this table if you can! The dining room is large and uncrowded and decorated in a comfortable sophistication I'm not able to quite describe in words. It somehow is equally appropriate for a romantic date night, a family meal (including well behaved children), and a group of old friends reconnecting. (all of these categories were represented the night I visited). Finally, this is one of those rare restaurants where the food is king, all the staff are passionate about it--and then some, and extra special appreciation is shown to those diners who either appear to "get it", or desperately seek to.
(5)
Maria D.
Sat night, excellent customer service, food & wine very good. Bread sticks with rosemary and bread a great start. Yellow fin tuna melted in my mouth as did the rib eye steak & baby brussel sprouts. Bouillabaisse was simply a thing of beauty in terms of presentation and flavor. Chocolate souffle was out of this world ! Overall a great dining experience. Plan to revisit the bar for a glass of red wine & chocolate souffle next time I'm in town craving something sweet!
(5)
Michael R.
Bistro Du Midi has become my wife and my tradition for anniversary dinners and would invariably we'd go more often if not for price. There are basically two parts to the restaurant, the bar area and the upstairs dining room, each with their own charm. This restaurant, unlike some others, actually reads notes posted in OpenTable.com reservations. When I put in that the dinner would be for our 2 year anniversary, they actually brought a card to the table for us. A very nice touch. The bar is a pretty laid-back atmosphere with a handful of tables and its own menu. Of course you can still order from the upstairs menu as well. The bar features a good cocktail list with some unique drinks and the service is impeccable. The upstairs dining room is pretty classic white tablecloth class. It also features a fireplace and I believe a private dining room. We usually start with the barbajuans, which are kind of like croquettes. Make sure you have the goat cheese and honey ones, which are fantastic. Don't miss out on the fried artichokes as well. That said, my personal favorite is the spicy lamb tartare, which comes with a cute little raw quail egg yolk in its shell perched atop a bed of sea salt and comes with toast points. I've never had anything like it. For the main course, the beef daube has a brisket-y texture to it in that it is will fall apart with tenderness. Served in a great sauce it is delicious. Bottom line, if you are looking for a romantic dinner, or just want to impress someone, go to Bistro Du Midi. If you're looking for a place to meet friends and have a little upscale good food in a more relaxed environment, check out the bar. Bon app!
(5)
Aboud Y.
Awfully good and well executed. I'm definitely a fan (their octopus app and duck breast entree are unbelievable). I'll be back.
(4)
Heather R.
Waitstaff is intense and rude. menu was mediocre...food quality was mediocre. Definitely better options out there...
(2)
Jess B.
Very pleased all around. The service from each employee we encountered was top notch. They have a heated coat closet which we certainly appreciated on leaving. The food was excellent. We ordered the five course meal and they were able to accommodate a few special requests. The souffle and the celery soup in particular were both amazing. The atmosphere was very loud. In particular we were near a few large groups that were discourteous to other diners. It would have been nice if the manager had noticed and spoken with them nicely. The view is lovely, overlooking the Boston Commons gardens and the pond. I feel like we got our money's worth and am very satisfied.
(5)
Vivian H.
Really cute place. We'd come by to try the souffle but oops they don't have that before 5pm. So we just had a coffee and hot chocolate. And it was the best hot chocolate I've ever had. Coming back for dinner (and that damn souffle) for sure!
(4)
Ted K.
Well I hate to have to write this but.... Hands down my worst dining experience in Boston. We wanted to go French on a sat eve and we live not far away (North End) so we debated le voile or bistro du midi .... I can say we will not return. We walked in ready to sit at a table or the bar. I knew we had no reservation but didn't know what they had in store for us! The hostess started that she had no seating but we could have a drink at the bar and we said were happy to play it cool. After just ordering our drink she came over and told us she had a seat for us and to settle up..odd delivery but all good and we took her up on it. As I turned I took a sip of my beer and some piece of junk was in my mouth... I looked at my wife..shrugged my shoulders and soldered on. We sat at the table and I can't lie hey have a great decorator and a nice view of the common but..... I looked over after a few more sips of my beer and low and behold seriously dirty glass lipstick and caked junk on the rim... guess that is what I felt.. Waitress was nice and we eat out often so she asked about any questions on the menu and I said I don't tend to do this but.... My glass is a hot mess! She apologized and suggested a new beer I agreed, we continued with menu questions... As we were siting downstairs, I asked what is the difference was between the Bistro menu steak and frites and the steak au poirve?.. same cut same steak I am told by the server. My wife asked a question about the au gratin and decided on that as her side with the monkfish as her main... I ordered a side of ratatouille. Waitress left... She popped back in a few minutes asking if I wanted a new beer ( I thought that was resolved) I said sure and she took the drink with her... My signal I should have walked out.. She delivered a half full beer a draft beer (Kronenbourg1664).. As if I had my wife drink out of it then tried to get a full beer, shameful, but I digress. Anyway, I ordered the bistro steak and frites w/ ratatouille my wife ordered the monkfish and the au gratin... remember that?? Steak posted and it was honestly pretty poor.... Fatty and poorly cooked ( recall I did ask about the steak and I was told they are the "same") but the real shocker were the Sysco fries. Well I figured whatever but to top the night off they delivered a order of ratatouille to my wife (she ordered the au gratin) and my ratatouille to me. Waitress now in a tailspin said something which I cannot recall... But I had to pipe up that she didn't order the ratatouille so clearly servers are not adept at handling issues. In the end food was very underwhelming minus one star... Location gets a star no matter how you slice it The handling of the glass situation another star strike... Place has potential but clearly staff issues plague their operation - In the end if she told me the au poivre was better I would have ordered it .. regardless of price... (hello up sell on your check, server school 101) - As for the beer handling incident, don't make someone feel bad for your dirty dishes.. - Server training needs to occur here. My wife went back once for a work meal... I have yet to...
(2)
Andrew L.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Food, service, drinks, and desserts - all fantastic. The bartenders go out of their way to make creative, delicious cocktails, and food selection and quality are perfect. I have to say that I don't typically eat dessert. I don't have a huge appetite and will gingerly look at the menu to be polite and imagine that dessert was lovely. But the desserts at Bistro du Midi are incredible! I sometimes come here just for dessert. Lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce and made-to-order souffles - yes please!
(5)
Sarah A.
Stopped in here last night to enjoy dinner on the patio. Note that they do not take reservations for the patio seating at the downstairs bar area. I showed up around 5:45 to make sure we were able to get a table and was plesantly surprised when I saw several nice options available. We were seated right next to the edge of the patio and had a nice view partially overlooking the swan boats on the Boston Common. The food was excellent. I had the angus burger, with gruyere. The burger comes with a generous side of spicy fries. My friend had the salmon with a side of fries. I love how they bring a whole tray of condiments with the burger including ketchup, onions and mayo in cute, individual bowls. The brioche roll of my burger was amazing and it was cooked to my specification. I also loved that the fries were served piping hot and fresh. We had perfect weather for patio seating, were not bothered by the sun and even though we were seated close to other patrons, there was enough background nosie so that we weren't overwhelmed by other people's conversations. However, I have a few bones to pick with Bistrot du Midi. Firstly, I was overcharged for my wine. It was $10 on the menu but I was charged $12. I wasn't going to make a big deal, but seriously. Not right. Secondly, after we had finished our meal and were lingering over our coffee, an employee (I am assuming the manager) asked us to move from our table to a high-top closer to the bar so that they could seat a party of 4 on the patio by combining our table with the table of a couple who'd just left. Now, I realize that we were basically done and were just lingering, but I found this rather off-putting. The employee was nice about it and got us new waters for our new location, but it definitely put a damper on the whole experience. Also, I found the service less than stellar. The waiter said he'd get a spoon for my friend's coffee, but never came back with one, so she had to use her cocktail stick to stir her coffee. Also, while other people had breadsticks in their bread baskets, we got only bread. Not sure what was up with that, but I really enjoy the bread basket here and was disappointed not to get the breadsticks. However, I am still keeping a 4 star rating for Bistrot du Midi. Excellent food, great location.
(4)
N W.
I can not say enough good things about this restaurant. Great food, informed waitstaff, helpful sommelier, and fantastic location.
(5)
Micah B.
This was the highlight of my trip! French food can go wrong in so many ways and I was a little worried about wasting a night out on mediocre food. But i had nothing to worry about. The olive and eggplant tapinades were a delicious way to start. The duck breast was cooked perfectly and the gnocchi that came with it were crisply caramelized on the outside and light and creamy on the inside. But the best part was the Grand Marnier souffle. Do not miss it. It was like a huge steaming hot fluffy marshmallow served with a delicious orange sauce. It looked so big I didn't think I'd be able to finish it but it quickly disappeared. This is a beautiful restaurant with a great view, friendly service and great food.
(5)
Yang G.
Took a friend there for a dinner, and it was awesome. The duck breast was amazing... probably the best that I've ever had. The cod was quite good as well, tender and moist. We were seated by the window, and atmosphere, the view outside, along with the glow from the lights in the trees, was all beautiful. I just wish they served creme brulee for desert... :(
(5)
SunnyDay D.
... our go to "date night" place! This is one of the best kept secrets (assuming that b/c you're reading this review you don't know about it)! LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. The food is to DIE for. We talk about this place EVERY TIME we are with friends outside the city and they are all dying to come! Great food, great wine and wine list, great drinks! The service is impeccable as well. Love the open window/patio option--makes you feel as though you aren't even in Boston. We usually share a Cesar salad, and then each have our own meals (on of which usually either the boar, or the lobster) and half way through switch. The pasta is made in house and is absolutely some of the best pasta I've EVER had! (sorry north end, nothing yet, has rivaled this!). There's bread and bread sticks --which are in the coolest, sleekest display!! If you haven't been, you're missing out! Worth every penny--you will savor EVERY BITE!!!
(5)
S. M. S.
Yuck. Travesty of French food style. Great service though :/
(2)
Kathy M.
I have been to both the upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar/cafe a few times and have thought the food and service was fabulous. Today's experience was a disaster. Took a friend who had never been there out to lunch. After we placed our cocktail and food order, we were essentially ignored. The cocktails we didn't come until 25 minutes later, a minute or two AFTER our meal was served. i was disappointed in my Salad Niçoise. For $18, I expected more variety and taste - there were no green beans -- I had to ask for some. And capers and olives would have added a nice Provencal "kick". My friend had the salmon, which was excellent. People who arrived after us had much better service and got their food way before we did. I wonder if they had an "in" with the kitchen and were prioritized. By the time the check came and we were offered free desserts, I was ready to leave. Would have been nice if our drinks had been comped. I can't remember the last time I left less than a 20% tip, but I did so today. There was no excuse for horrible service.
(2)
Emma L.
When my husband and I go on vacation, we always like to choose one nice restaurant to eat at that's unique to the city. We were very pleased with our choice of Bistro du Midi. Andrew was our server and was very attentive and knowledgable of the food. We chose to do the 5 course chef's choice meal. It did not disappoint. We didn't get the exact same thing with a few of the courses so that made the meal interesting. I would highly recommend this option. Their wine selection is phenomenal. Definitely a winner!
(5)
Paul J.
Great food, service and experience.
(5)
Lou P.
It was our first time, and our experience was fabulous. We started with vodka martinis, and shared a 2004 Vino Nobile with dinner. Appetizers were delicious. We ordered 1/2 portions of two different pasta dishes, tried the lamb tartar. They were all outstanding. The entrees were exceptional. We ordered steak au poivre, wild boar, cioppino, and the duck. All were full of flavor and properly prepared. We finished the evening off with coffee, cappuccino, and grand mariner souffles. The location, next to the Four Seasons, across the street from the public gardens, could not be better. We were fortunate to find street-side parking, and didn't use the valet service.
(5)
Katie H.
I made a last minute 5:30 PM reservation for Saturday on Open Table since my sweetie and I couldn't figure out what we wanted to do. I read this place was one of the Top 50 restaurants in Boston Mag so it was already on ma to-do list. I also got food poisoning last weekend and drank chicken broth all week so my taste buds were like DYING for a foodie adventure. We get there and.. well, first impression, no one greets guests at the front desk but the staff are running around like they are choreographing a royal wedding and there are like 5 people in the restaurant so already I am worried Bistro thinks its too cool to be great... 10 minutes later the front desk sends us to the host desk upstairs. Right away we get a window seat, which is a nice view of Boston Common. Things are improving. My sweetie ordered bottled water since he's going in for surgery later and he can't drink wine. I thought the bottled water in an ice bucket was a classy touch until the other servers started dumping extra tap water in there. Weird. Then one of them poured tap water in his glass of bottled water and dumped the rest in our ice bucket. Weirder still. I ordered a cocktail, the Pentaque, which is a lavender and citrus-infused white tequila (ma fav) with triple sec (I substituted Cointreau) and fresh lemon and lime juice. Love, love, LOVE the Pentaque so I had deux!!! :) The waiter mentioned souffle dessert and 20 minutes and I know what I like so I said, "Grand Marnier, please!" My sweetie ordered the chocolate souffle. Now on to appetizers, I wanted the tuna tartare, sweetie wanted the same. Boring! So I let the waiter convince me on the salted cod special ($30). It was not what I nor the waiter expected (comic moment!) as it was a cod puree mixed in buttery mashed potatoes. Why it was served with burnt bread slices was beyond me since I don't think of mashed potatoes as a bread spread like butter or creamy cheeses or olive tapenade. Oh my, please let our entrees be good! For dinner, my sweetie ordered pan roasted cod with chickpeas, pimentos, golden raisins and chorizo. He also ordered a side of pan fried mushrooms. He said the cod was rather bland but he really liked the mushrooms. I ordered coral-infused chitarra pasta with Maine lobster, sea beans and lobster jus. My pasta was delicious but the lobster pieces were skimpy so I added a few pan friend mushrooms on top. That took ma pasta from good to great. Finally, dessert! My Grand Marnier was good but I think the cream sauce that went with the chocolate souffle was better than the Grand Marnier syrup I got. Sadly, my sweetie's chocolate souffle hadn't finished cooking as the center was pure liquid. The server tried to convince him it was molten in the center but it looked more like a dollop of chocolate pudding floating in brown water. He wouldn't eat it and since the server didn't remove it from our bill I asked him if he would. Total bill with 20% tip was $200. Would go back for the Pentaque but that's it. Would try their brunch since I heard it is pretty good.
(3)
Mark W.
Went for lunch, the seating a very tight, but manageable. The food was very good and the service was excellent.
(4)
Dandan L.
This review is for the restaurant week menu only, which should have been done loooong time ago, but I got a little lazy... This is my first 5-star review cuz everything was simply perfect (for restaurant week price). Great ambiance- perfect lighting for a romantic date. I went with two of my girl friends for a dress-up dinner :D All the waiters were nice, funny and knowledgeable. One of them patiently taught us how to pronounce the name of the dishes in French when we showed a little interest in trying. Since there were three of us, we pretty much ordered everything on the restaurant week menu. It was such a long time ago, I'm having a little hard time remembering the name of every single dish. However, one thing for sureee: everything we got was good (yes, everything). For appetizer, I got the mussels. I just love mussels in general, so I have ordered them in a lot of restaurants which are known for this dish. BDM's was the best. The sauce was well seasoned, not too heavy, but rich enough to perfectly complement the taste of this yummy shellfish. My friends ordered lamb and salad. I sampled the lamb which was juicy and tender. For entree, I order the hake-melted in my mouth. One of my friends ordered steak, not the regular one, but the one served in pieces: truly medium rare and high quality meat. The dessert was good too, but not as outstanding as the appetizers or entrees. I ordered the lemon tart, which was a bit too sour for me. However, the strawberry sorbet my friend ordered was amazing and def worth trying! We also got a bottle of wine-as great as our food :) This review looks way too sloppy compared to the actual food quality, but you get the idea ;)
(5)
Jeff M.
Rude pretentious service. However, the food is nice at Bistro du Midi. Bottom line; I'll never come here again because of the service.
(4)
Brian L.
My wife and I love this place. We have been twice and tried different things on the menu and everything is delicious. The souffles are delicious, although my wife and I differ on which one is the best. Pasta entrees are amazing and we love the pork belly and lamb tar-tare appetizers. Our only gripe is the drink prices. Wine and cocktails, although great, are priced very high.
(5)
Kavitha M.
I think the service here is a bit awkward. Although people seem friendly-ish, we were here on a slow sunday night and waited a long time to be seated, after being told to go upstairs because our table was ready. The food is pretty good but not excellent and could use more seasoning. Their complementary bread plate is very good though.
(3)
J T.
I've decided to add one more star to my previous Bistro du Midi review. I really appreciated the general manager's prompt and professional response to my concerns regarding the customer service at Bistro du Midi. I also appreciated his willingness to listen to suggestions.
(4)
Audra H.
Had an enjoyable meal here last week. The prices are quite high, but the food was nice and the service was excellent. My boyfriend and I split the gnocchi, and I'm glad we did because it was very rich and filling. The complimentary bread was so good, and went perfectly with our eggplant/olive spread appetizer. I wanted to try dessert, but was too stuffed!
(4)
Randy H.
This place was fantastic! We were there for Valentine's Day which featured a Prix Fix that had a lot of stuff not on their normal menu, but I am sure is featured in some of their Tasting Menu's. Either way, as we each ordered separate dishes for each course, and essentially switched plates mid way through, so we each got to sample 9 items, which made everything even more enjoyable. The only dish that I felt was fairly ordinary was the Seared Prawns, which were a bit salty and that was the main flavor. However, the Butter Poached Lobster, Beet salad, Bass Crudo, Seared Sea Scallops, Grilled Beef Fillet, Passion Fruit Parfait, and Plum & Apple Crumble were all great, with each supplying a great balance of spicing while keep the focus on the food item itself. The dish of note for me was the Garganelli Pasta with Red Wine Braised Wild Boar Ragu. It was the only dish that I shared with a great reluctance and would absolutely get again rather than sampling different dishes. Our waiter was fantastic, guiding us to dishes he felt were notable, and never steering us wrong. The meal had a great pace to it, nothing rushed, but with always attentive wait staff. We will be going back!
(5)
Jenessa C.
Went here for restaurant week. My friend & I both ordered something different in each of the 3 courses. Each course was so delicious we didn't want to leave a single crumb! The staff was attentive, but let us relax, eat, and truly enjoy the meal, we were there for a little more than 2 hours. The wine list was impressive - I could tell the selections paired well with the plate selections. I however ended up ordering a lavender-infused cocktail which was lovely, but didn't pair well with my meal at all as it was more of a margarita flavor than a subtle lavender flavor. Highly recommend as a special occasion go-to.
(5)
M M.
A five star experience. The octopus, lamb tartare, boar special and pork chop were absolutely incredible. Our server Amy was a true professional, very knowledgeable about the menu and overall a fun time. The sommelier Kate also guided us to selecting a great bottle. Staff was attentive without being overbearing. Server Assistants were also very prompt with crumbing and cleaning while being completely unobtrusive. Only downside was an annoying and LOUD group of five sitting next to us who seemed to be on the more difficult side and perhaps thought they may have owned the restaurant. Cheers to Amy for somehow putting up with them while smiling the whole time. I would of told them to screw. We'll be back!
(5)
Bobby C.
Ambiance. Class. Original works of art on the walls. An extensive wine collection. 2 drunk and screaming hairdressers stuck in the revolving door. What doesn't this place have? LOVE the hostess. The rest of the staff was super nice as well. And their drinks were great. Really nice bar with 2 big tvs to hang out at. Very good mix of different people. Great place to relax and have a drink in a relaxed setting.
(4)
Jeannie H.
ATMOSPHERE - It's unremarkable but pleasant. The definition of a bistro is a small and moderately-priced local restaurant that serves simple, authentic meals. This term has become so grossly distorted over time. I always expect a "bistro" to be rustic, unpretentious, and homey but this place was way too large, commercial and lacks warmth. I don't think there is anything romantic about the atmosphere and it's definitely not a bistro. SERVICE - Our waiter was a little on the chatty, annoying side. I like my wait staff to be informative but a little more restrained and keep their superfluous commentary to themselves. Please don't tell me that you knew what I was going to order and have the ability to read my mind with your superpowers. FOOD - For the price point, I think the food at Sel de la Terre is more interesting and flavourful but Bistro du Midi has better service and a slightly more upscale atmosphere. Barbajuans (Pumpkin and Sage, Goat Cheese and Honey, and Chicken Liver and Foie) - There are 6 per order so we opted for 2 of each flavour. They're essentially fried ravioli. There was a very low filling to dough ratio making these lacking in flavour and texture. This was the worst dish of the evening. Roasted Winter Squash Soup, Crispy Chestnuts, Aged Balsamic, Olive Oil - Underseasoned. Shellfish Bouillabaisse - The soup base had a lot of wonderful flavour and this was definitely one of the better courses of the evening. Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, and Black Olives - The duck was perfectly medium but not particularly tender or flavourful. The gnocchi were awful - rubbery pellets of dough. Overall, this dish was lacking in creativity. Grand Marier Souffle - This was one of the best souffles I have ever had and definitely worth ordering. It was perfectly light and fluffy. At $70 per person after tax and tip, I will not be returning. It's an acceptable but not great dining experience. The location is prime but for French food, there are much better places in town.
(3)
Rachel O.
Fantastic! From the appetizers through to dessert - it was perfect. Great service, new flavors in each course. Perfect for a special occasion. We kept the restaurant open late into a Sunday night and the staff was totally gracious about it. Recommendations: Lamb Tartar Beet Salad Duck Breast Mediterranean Sea Bass Souffle Desserts (Grand Marnier or chocolate)
(5)
Olga Z.
Dined at the cafe while in Boston for business. Beautiful, romantic atmosphere, with tables spilling over onto the sidewalk on the cafe level, friendly and attentive waiters, delicious French food with wonderful presentation. Will be back if in the area.
(5)
Howard G.
The food is excellent and the wine list is extensive. The restaurant is located across from the public garden so the views are amazing. There is a bar and more casual dining downstairs that is open air when the weather is good. The service at the upstairs restaurant can be very slow, which is the only reason I give 4 stars.
(4)
Casey H.
Went with a large group. They gave us a nice table upstairs. I ordered the bouillabaisse which was fantastic. Others seem to enjoy their meals too. I'm tempted to give this place a five star but will try it again sometime to see if the quality stands up. Service was excellent too.
(4)
Me B. M.
I love classic French, so I was very excited that a Le Bernardin-trained chef was coming to Boston. Too bad du Midi is just not up to snuff at all. The service was simply bizarre. There was a food runner, bread/water server, waiter, and head waiter/maitre d'. Yet, somehow, it took us 30 mins to get a bottle of sparkling water and A FULL HOUR to get one glass of wine. This was after asking for them 3 times. Now, mind you, at one hour, we still had not ordered food. And the restaurant was only about half to three-quarters full. To cut to the chase, dinner took 2 hours and 45 minutes, without coffee or dessert. There was no way we could allow the meal to stretch to 3 and a half hours. And this did not seem to be the result of a purposely pleasantly paced meal, but rather because the service was disorganized and amateurish. Staff would disappear, claim to be coming right over, and otherwise attempt to not make eye contact. That said, while they were engaged with our table, they were all polite and upbeat. The food was also not terribly good. The bottom line: Everything was cooked to perfection. Technique was remarkable. But the actual preparation and presentation was never more than the sum of its parts. Everything was literal and boring. And oddly, the food we were served often did not resemble what was on the menu. In one case, aside from the protein choice, it was a totally different dish. The olive and eggplant tapenade was sour and had not a single hint of eggplant. Tasted like something you would get at TGIFs. The green olive one was subtler and somewhat better. Their bread and olive oil were very very good. We ordered the prawns that were supposed to be served with coco bean, tomato and prosciutto. Inexplicably, they instead were prepared with small white beans, basil pesto, and croutons. At this point we were nearly 2 hours into the meal and the last thing I was going to do was send it back. The prawns were cooked to perfection. But, not only did I not order this preparation, it was also boring and seemed like an after thought. "Just throw the prawns on top of some beans and uhmmmm how about a squirt of pesto, and well that might seem too mushy, put on some croutons. They won't notice that it's NOT AT ALL WHAT IS ON THE MENU." I ordered the sea bass. Again, the actual fish was treated with all the care and love I could have hoped for. But, it was supposed to be served with a sauce vierge. Instead, it had a dry rub of herbs and salt that formed a dry, crumby, overpowering, and SALTY SALTY SALTY crust over the fish. It stuck in your teeth and was unpleasantly crunchy. There was nothing "sauce vierge" about it. I scraped most of it off and was left with naked sea bass that I could have cooked myself. The fennel accompaniment was really quite nice, but was way, way, way over-peppered. Again with the scraping to make it more edible. A somewhat more minor point, the rest rooms. I would have expected that with the rehab, they would have been smart enough to put one upstairs. Instead, you have to go downstairs and around the entire bar, wading through a tight, drunk crowd of faux-upscale 20-somethings in heat. Yeah, elegant. Perhaps it was an off night or they were training staff. Maybe I just ordered wrong. But there is no excuse for not preparing what is on the menu and not really caring what is going on in the front of the house.
(2)
Gary S.
Incredible food - best lamb chops I've ever had and beautiful window seats overlooking commons. Great appetizers and wonderful wine selection. Great place
We thought the food was okay. We ordered mussels that had clearly not been properly washed, there was enough sand in the dish that my husband heard me chewing on it from across the table. If I wanted to pay for sand I'd lick it for free at the shore. He ordered duck and I ordered lamb neck. The spinal cord and vertebral column made the experience unpleasant and the souffle was too watery for my taste. The most irritating thing was how attentive the waiter was. He was at our table every 30 seconds and made it feel as if we were being rushed to finish our dinner. He may have well joined our table and helped finish our meal with his frequent visits. Food was ok overall, service was way too attentive bordering on irritating. Even the maitre de visited our table, I'm not sure if they were expecting a chew and screw but I can't have someone looking over my shoulder when I set down to an expensive meal.
(3)
Ang L.
Nice decor and outside view of the gardens. Had the prime sirloin with pepper sauce and it was excellent. Service was a bit slow but I guess that's expected on a Saturday night. Looking forward to returning soon.
(4)
Evie K.
The food at Midi is always superb. Oysters, scallop and tuna tartare were very fresh; gnocchi with ramp pesto, squid ink tagliatelle and hake were delicious. Fortunately for us, the kitchen was on their game. Service was mediocre at best given that bill for three people was over $500 and the restaurant was at 15% capacity. Numerous issues with inattentive and erratic service that were only made more irritating by the Maitre d' appearing at our table, then staring like a zombie and asking if everything is alright (while there are 10 dirty dishes on the table and busboys walk past us empty-handed). Maybe it's better when the restaurant isn't empty.
SO amped to write a review for this place. I had been here twice over the past year: once on a rainy Sunday catching up with friends and once during happy hour for wine with my sister. Both times I was pleased with the service, bar staff, etc. but thought the menu was a touch limited. It was sweltering hot a few weeks back and I wasn't in the mood to get going in the kitchen so I met up with my husband in the city for dinner. Who knew there was a big ole dining room upstairs?! I was completely in the dark and super pleased... it was so comfortable and airy up there I cooled off instantly. On a side note, the upstairs dining room is a bit dressier than downstairs so bear that in mind if you want to dress appropriately. The service was really great. The server was friendly and supremely knowledgable. It was clear that he knew all about the menu and could sell it without being pushy. I never, ever make pasta or steaks at home so I only ever go there when I'm out to eat. With a nod to the July heat I went with the coral infused pasta with lobster and baby spinach. It was rich, but not over the top, with big chunks of lobster meat. The portion size was perfect. My husband had the lamb special... lamb wrapped in pork belly with an I-can't-remember sauce/side... it was complicated, but apparently delicious. I'm a big fan of French food and there are a half dozen things on the menu I'd like to try... fried artichokes, chilled melon soup, marinated beet salad... mais oui! Thanks to the great downtown location and variety of dining options (at the bar, on the patio, or upstairs) this has the potential of an old standby.
(5)
Carolyn C.
My husband and I both decided to order the tasting menu. The food was great. The timing between courses was good. We both got different plates for the same course which was nice as we could share and taste more plates. I especially enjoyed the gnocchi and foie gras. When we first arrived, we were a little shocked to see a casual restaurant, but they eased our worry when they sat us upstairs in their upscale dining room which had a nice ambiance.The one thing that lowered the experiences was the waiter's lack of knowledge when it came to the items we order, he could not explain anything we had ordered in detail. Of course food is king and in that they have surpassed almost all the other restaurants in the Boston area.
(4)
Christopher M.
Du Midi is quickly becoming a favorite after-work spot for me when I'm on newbury. The atmosphere is casual-chic, the view and patio from downstairs is fantastic, the vibe upstairs is perfect, the service can be frighteningly good, and the food is amazing even at a much lower than expected price point. Furthermore, the bartender Mike is not only incredibly talented, but very accommodating as well. When I ordered a periodista he told me he didn't know how to make it but would try if I could give him directions. so I looked it an exact recipe on the all-seeing iPhone, handed it to him and moments later one served the best periodista I think I have ever tasted! If bars and eateries with a sophisticated edge, good menu, and great service are your thing, check out du midi you'll be one very happy camper.
went there for brunch and dinner. Brunch was simple and refreshing. Nothing to heavy. Dinner was delicious~
(4)
Anne F.
This is just a review for the bar/bistro area, but oh was it perfect. After going to the symphony (oh that sounds pretension), I felt like closing night with some good drinks and light food. After looking it up on yelp, the boyfriend and I decided upon Bistro du Midi. Coming in about ten minutes until the kitchen closed, we still received beautifully prepared and tasting French cuisine. I had the monsieur - grilled ham and cheese - that came with a beautiful arugula mix salad; boyfriend had a baked lamb dish. Very hot temperature but very good (at least he says and I trust). For drinks, I had a beautiful robust red that just fulfilled all the requirements of a good red wine: deep, rich but not too much acid. Boyfriend had an infused liquor that he liked better as he drank it. The service was perfect. Bonus round: we are both from the same area of Indiana and could talk about marching bands. I feel a ritual was established that night that I would be more than happy to repeat. Perfect in every way.
(5)
Andy M.
My last two "big dinners" for my wife in Boston were HUGE disappointments -- first at L'Espalier and second at Mistral. So, I needed a Boston restaurant to step up to the plate and deliver -- and Bistro du Midi hit it out of the park. I had a fantastic Octopus appetizer followed by a bouillabaisse that was as good as any I've had in the south of France. The wife went for the beet salad and the monkfish and loved them both. And our waitress was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about everything from the food to the wine to my near-sightedness (she saw me struggling with the menu and brought me reading glasses). I read beforehand that the restaurant really excels at seafood, so we ordered accordingly. I can't speak to the "four legged" meals, but if you like seafood and Provencal food, this place is great.
(5)
Aaron Sing F.
Nice spot.
(4)
Jaime M.
I ate here a few months back closer to the date that it opened. I did not have a good experience. I ordered the salad with apples and balsamic for an app. I almost laughed when I came out-- it was literally a tiny little bowl with a few lettuce leaves and 4 thinly sliced apples. Really..?? REALLY? For my entree I ordered the monkfish with the ratatouille. Monkfish was COLD.. not even luke warm. Sent it back. Upon arrival-- still cold. Sent back yet again. Still cold (by this time my dining companion had FINISHED his entree). At this point I ate it because I was just starving. Monkfish is not exactly the type of fish I enjoy eating cold... ick. They comped us for the entrees but I felt as though our entire dinner was ruined. It's not about the $$ at all, I just feel as though we weren't taken care of properly. I won't be back. Plus side: our server was very friendly-- understandably none of this was his fault. This was something that should have been taken care of by the kitchen and GM.
(1)
Faye Z.
we came here for a simple gathering with a couple friends. The atomsphere is really a French Bistro-modern and relaxing. It's quiet loud in a busy Friday night so you don't have to worry about the people at the next table hearing your conversation. We had a reservation at 730, and we were 15 minutes late, we were seated when most of our party is completed. The service is very good, our server came back to check with us many times to make sure we all get what we needed. 6 of us shared a bottle of white wine, 3 appertizers and 2 deserts, and entrees for each of us. The food was all really good, they all came out in a reasonable time and well prepared. The bill came to around $80 per person, which is a little more than what we expected but it's not too over-priced with such good service and food. I need to come back and try the famous chocolate souffle.
Fantastic! Boston's slightly classier answer to New York's Cipriani Downtown. The ambiance and decor are especially interesting - there is a distinct attention paid to lighting here, creating an atmosphere that is classic but not stuffy. It reminds me a little of a less pompous version of Park Street Winter. Definitely an improvement from it's predecessor, Excelsior (whose stodginess which I was never a huge fan of). And surprisingly versatile as well - could be appropriate for a business dinner, or incredibly romantic for a date. Food is also delicious. Highly recommend the petites bouchees, especially the eggplant and olive dip with crostini (delish). For the mains, the various fish offerings are wonderful.
(5)
Bijou S.
Go. Go! For god's sake, GO! du Midi is amazing! I mostly spend my time enjoying the amazing cocktails that Tommy the bartender makes. This place is not just for the Boston/Beacon Hill elite. If you are looking for a inexpensive but quality meal, eat at the ground level section of the bar menu. The simple snacks and light meals are very tasty and it has the atmosphere of a true Parisian social club.
(5)
Orpha R.
We had our wedding reception at Bistro, it was a small party of only 9 people and they made us feel so comfortable throughout the night. They were always one step ahead of us and were so thoughtful making sure we were taken care of and all our needs met. Thank you so much to the WHOLE Bistro staff, you guys made our night soooo memorable! If you're having a small party I totally recommend Bistro du Midi!!
(5)
Amy R.
I would like to thank Thomas, concierge from Hotel Nine Zero for steering me here and then securing a reservation against all odds. Red and I had some celebrating to do... At first we were going to head to Les Zygomates, but Thomas felt like Cafe du Midi would be a better choice. I have to operate under the assumption that he was correct, as there is nothing better than a 5 star yelp. Against all odds, there we were arriving slightly late for our 8:30 dinner reservation. That's what you get for not minding what T stop your on, and then not paying attention to the girl who DOES know where she's going tries in a desperate attempt to call out and reel you back in.... I digress (ten minute power walk in heels in the dead of winter at night when it's below zero outside... I digress even more...) The host was exceedingly warm and friendly and downright WELCOMING even though I feared we were holding things up a little. She showed concern that we wouldn't make it in a way that somehow made it seem like she would of missed us. Like she was LOOKING FORWARD to serving just US. We immediately felt important. Coat check, then whisked upstairs to the dining room, nice seat by a window... which I'm sure must be pretty in the springtime... or even in daylight. Our server was just as warm and friendly as the host downstairs. Since they knew we were celebrating, they offered us a complimentary glass of sparkling wine (yum!), listed some specials and left us with drinks, food, and dessert to consider. NOTE: I'm glad that my server pointed out that they had souffles on menu for dessert before we actually had the meal in order to pace out our dinner more appropriately. I'm not sure if everyone is as good as he was to offer to put in a souffle as we were eating, but I definitely considered it! We ended up going with something else for dessert. All the wait staff were super friendly and professional. During one point in our meal, I watched the staff re-set a table. Ever watch NASCAR? Me either... but recall those clips of a team descending onto the car as it pulls into the pitt and they have like... 30 seconds to change/refuel EVERYTHING with precision. That's what this was like. Their attention to detail was amazing. I saw the girl refluff napkin three times before she was satisfied. Good for you girl! Ok.. ok.. ok... onto the food! We split the artichoke appetizer... SUPER delicious! Not too greasy (even though it was deep fried) with a nice spicy sauce. Breadsticks were great too... with olive oil infused with... oh drat... something that escapes me now. For entrees I had the wing of skate and ratatouille while Red had gnocchi with pesto. Both dishes came out quick and were DELICIOUS. My skate's texture was just right and was buttery-good... perhaps a smidge too buttery if I were to nitpick. Red's gnocchi was very rich, but balanced by the sauce and the veggies. For dessert we split the lavender beignets. Which... were very light on the lavender... but that's ok. They were still great - crispy, airy, goodness dipped in chocolate sauce. The waiter also brought out a nice treat from the chef... flavored marshmallows!? One of the flavors was olive oil... which was surprisingly scrumptious. I'd be interested to see what else they can do with that. The ambiance was great... low-key and friendly. Soft lighting, not to crowded with tables, fireplace... a great special occasion/big date place. The bar downstairs looked pretty cool, and I'm assured that they have a nice bar scene with good drinks. Weighted pretty heavily in this review is the staff's ability to make you feel important and welcome. All the balance is there, informative but not pushy, friendly but professional, good humored, smiles. Well done. If you forced me to complain about something... The only place where we didn't experience warmth was in the lady's room. IT WAS FRIGID COLD! Seriously, it made me reconsider sitting down. Dear staff, please install a space heater if you must.
(5)
A Y.
Knowing I'd be going to Boston for a business trip, I checked yelp for some restaurants that I had to try. I made a reservation for Friday at this place and could not wait! I had NEVER had French food before, but the photos and menu made it look amazing.... and it was. Ray was our waiter and he took the time to explain a few of the different wines on the menu so that I got my earthy red and my friend got her sweet white. We started with the Tuna Tartare and it was so fresh and clean tasting. I had the duck for dinner and I savored every bite. It was so good that as I write this I am craving it. My friend had a bolognese like pasta that she really enjoyed. Dessert was Grand Marnier souffle ( Do NOT miss out on ordering a souffle, do it as soon as you sit down) and my friend and I devoured... I mean savored it. So warm and light! I also had a glass of sherry per Ray's recommendations and it was a lovely after dinner drink. Very sweet and perfect for sipping. The atmosphere was lovely and we had a window table with a view of Boston Commons. I will definitely be back next time I am in Boston.
(5)
Julie R.
This place needs more yelpers to visit. I was very impressed... I popped in for a mid afternoon snack with my bf. We sat downstairs in the cafe. The atmosphere had a french country farm house vibe. There was a long bar then several marble cafe tables. Parisian art and mirrors covered the walls. The cafe menu had reasonable offerings between $5-$12. We started with a couple glasses of wine. The first pinot grigio on the list and the only rose. I loved the wine. At $7 a glass it was nicely priced. We decided on a charcuterie plate for $12. While we were waiting the bartender gave us some bread and olive oil and invited us to check out the upstairs dining room when we were done. The charcuterie plate arrived with a hefty selection of meat. Speck, serrano ham, prosciutto, cornishons and olives. All the meats had a nice aged flavor. It was a perfect accompaniment to the wine. After we finished up we went upstairs. I was blown away with the dining room up there. It was gorgeous. Part had a bar, then an open kitchen in the corner, view to the garden, a fireplace and just lots of French charm all over. Romantic and classy at the same time. What an upgrade from the Excelsior days. In the middle stood a huge glass wine storage reaching down to the first floor. There were 2 private dining spaces in addition to the large dining room. We encountered the owner, I believe, who talked about the renovation. All the staff we saw along the way were very welcoming. I took a look at the dinner menu which was priced moderately with most entrees in the low to mid $20s. I plan to be back again for more. I highly recommend this place for nice dinner or a drink/light bite downstairs.
(4)
Orlando R.
I was in Boston with my wife and visited on a friend's recommendation. Wow. Great food and memorable drinks too, thanks to Tommy G. Didn't plan on eating so ordered appetizers and then kept ordering 'cause each dish was so good.Will definitely revisit.
(5)
Gerald P.
my party of four had an excellent dining experience on July 22,2011. the food was prepared and presented beautifully, and the service was friendly,efficient, and attentive. I would definitely dine here on my return to Boston. Jerry San Diego
(4)
Beth H.
The wine selection is wonderful and everything we tried was delicious! Fried artichokes were devine and the Daube with the mashed potato was oh so yummy. The best part was the dessert, milk chocolate hazelnut cake with salted caramel ice cream was heavenly. Our sever Amy was great and professional, food came out promplty and our plates were split for us without even requesting it.
(4)
Gizem D.
Upscale restaurant. Definitely need to dress up... There were not many people with jeans. I went for the Boston Restaurants Week. I ended up ordering from their regular dinner menu... I had the roasted monfish. I actually googled monk fish... Damn it is one ugly creature but it is very tasty. :D Highly recommended place. The entrees are are give or take $30/plate for dinner. Service could be a bit better... Oh and if you are living your life without having tried the "hazelnut chocolate cake with caramel ice-cream" you are definitely missing out in a big way for sure.
(5)
Justin C.
Please read my review knowing that I dined here in early December, after the restaurant had been open just 2 weeks, and I'm a bit late in reviewing it so I wouldn't be surprised if it's worth perhaps an extra star by now. Unlike some other reviews though, my complaint was in no way with the service, as my waiter was very good. I thought the food desperately lacked flavor, and from a former chef at Le Bernadin this was a surprising deficiency to me. I really loved the atmosphere ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) of Bistro du Midi, especially where I was dining, just next to the fireplace ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) and with a decent view of the park below at night. I can imagine this is a stunning scene in the summer months when there is still some daylight to be had at dinner hours. My biggest complaint with the layout of the restaurant is that they failed to put a bathroom upstairs, so if you want to go wash your hands you have to go back downstairs and navigate through the bar area and the giant wine tower ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) just to do so. As I noted earlier, service was great for me, but I was somewhat surprised by how little clothing the Sommelier was wearing. It looked almost like lingerie masquerading as a dress. After an interesting presentation of bread ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), I began the meal with the trio of barbajans ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), as I definitely live by the creed that frying things makes them taste better, and the assortment of fillings sounded quite tasty: goats' cheese and honey, lamb and tomato, and pumpkin (which I suppose is the seasonal rotating one). I would say that while none of them really struck me as impressive, that overall they were good, and a relatively inexpensive first taste of the cuisine here. The ingredient list for the pissaladière ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) hooked me right away, even though I had no idea what this strange sounding item was. Apparently it's a type of pizza which is common in Southern France, especially around Nice, and the main ingredient is always anchovies, and traditionally also includes caramelized or sauteed onions and olives, all of which were featured in this version. My biggest complaint here was that the pizza was not cooked all the way through, so the crust was not firm, and considering it's coated with onion paste it caused it to be really flimsy and droopy. Also, the amount of anchovy that was included was so minimal the flavor was hardly there, and that should be the main focus of the dish in my opinion. As a result all the flavors wound up being pretty muted and were horribly imbalanced. The highlight of the night for me was definitely the saffron chitarra & seafood dish, featuring mussels, clams, and calamari. The saffron is actually worked into the chitarra pasta ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) so the flavor abounds with each bite, one of the few times I was able to say that during this meal. The amount of seafood included in the dish was also quite generous, so you got some in basically every bite. Unfortunately I decided to also order a side of ratatouille Provençale ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), just because this should be the hallmark of a good Southern French restaurant, but it was a terrible disappointment. Although the presentation was rather cute, in its own little cast iron skillet, the herbal flavors and melange of robust vegetable flavors were both absent, causing the dish to taste very generic and unimpressive. I see no reason why this restaurant can't become one of the better ones in Boston, the foundation is mostly there, they just really need to work on improving some of the fundamental things that make great restaurants stand out from good ones.
(3)
Kathy B.
Had dinner in the bistro last night and could not have been more pleased. The wait staff is extremely professional and efficient. The menu allows you to order from the more expansive/formal menu upstairs or from the bistro/cafe menu. There are several seating options from tables with a banquette to a few high tops to a rather long bar that has a tv or two quietly available for viewing, but in an elegant setting. The wine list is quite good and the bistro offers the option of a "glass and a half" of wine which is a first that I've seen (but one that I ordered because sometimes you just want a little more wine, but not too much!). Although it was a very hot evening, the bistro was comfortable. In fact, comfortable enough that I tried their delicious sounding smoked asparagus soup and I'm glad I did. It was just the right size for a starter and full of flavor. As an entree, I had a Salad Nicoise with perfectly seared tuna, FRESH anchovies and a lovely vinaigrette. I would certainly return to Bistro du Midi.
(4)
Tamar A.
This place claims to celebrate the simple ingredients and bold flavors of Modern Provençal (note the little beardy thing hanging off the "c") cuisine. And celebrate them it does! Merci, Restaurant Week, for allowing us past the velvet rope into this delightfully snooty cuisine. We came for the last RW in March, and was treated to, by the looks of it, a better menu than is currently advertised. They take the French thing super seriously, so while my pork pate, wee crostinis, and trussed bluefish were mouthwateringly divine--if not a tad overwrought-- I can't exactly commend them for being substantial. Still, though,I felt like I was experiencing something other than the deliciously typical contemporary American cuisine boasted by Bistro's neighbors, and it was an education for the tastebuds, if not filling for the gut. The service was exceptional, and GODDAMN if it's not the most beautiful restaurant interior in Boston, all soft muted tones and strategic uses of white lights and mirrors. It was like dining inside a Pottery Barn throw pillow. In sum, come here for your 25th wedding anniversary, when you're guaranteed to be both rich and worldly enough to appreciate it, and put the saved money from that aborted trip to Paris in your kid's college fund.
(4)
Sean M.
Stopped in for lunch. I loved the Excelsior wine vault but I liked what BdM has done with the space. The quasi open kitchen is a nice touch. The food does not shout French but it was very good. The marinated octopus appetizer was truly sublime. I had the chicken, a Statler breast with a white (rue based) sauce and some sort of reduction. The chicken was good but it didn't rock my world. We split the Provençal Lamb Cannelloni as well, two grown men eating here. It was real winner we were mopping up the sauce with bread. We tried both desserts but the Anis Pot de Crème (Anise Panna Cotta) was the preferred choice. It had that spring against the spoon and just enough Anise flavor without being over powering. * Bistro niche is getting quite crowded, choose this on if you are in this part of town. * Bar Lunch menu is quite reasonable. * I thought the by the glass list was decent * That had 3 different Calvados! * Seems like an ideal spot for that intimate dinner for two.
(4)
Andrew H.
This is a cool place with a contemporary atmosphere. Had drinks at the bar downstairs. Bartender was a touch surly, but then again, so am I many days and the drinks were good. Went upstairs for dinner. Fried artichokes, beef carpaccio, mussels, and stuffed calamari for apps. All of them were delicious, but especially the fried artichokes. I had the duck breast for dinner. It was cooked to perfection. It could have been a touch more flavorful, but was a great meal. Hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert was heavenly. They picked out an absolutely perfect bottle of wine for us - especially given that two of us were having red meat and two of us were having fish. Their wine 'cellar' is unbelievable. Service was impeccable and not overbearing. If I could have given it four and a half stars I would have. The food was great, but missing a tiny little bit of something that I can't put my finger on.
(4)
Peter H.
Outstanding. Impeccable food and service. A proper European restaurant in amoungst the over-done American norms. Service was quite possibly the best we've had in Boston. As I said european, so just aloof enough yet massively good at attention to detail. If your looking for American cheese, by which I mean in style, service and food - you won't find it here. Realize though that the Bistro is upstairs, and the cafe downstairs. This review is for the bistro.
(5)
Insa E.
We went to the Bistro du Midi for our anniversary dinner. The food was lovely, fresh, and subtle with a French flair. But the best part was the service. The entire staff seemed as though they really cared about the comfort and pleasure of their customers, and weren't just "going through the motions". Special kudos to our wonderful waiter Robert and Kate, the sommelier. They both offered their recommendations and knowledge with warmth and a total absence of any snobbery. That might be the best summation of the bistro: French elegance without a side of pretentiousness.
(5)
Carla A.
What a wonderful change from the former Excelsior. When you walk in, the low lights and warmth from the open prep with woodstove oven draw you in and instantly make you feel like you have left Boston. Walk up the stairs to the main dining room and prepare to feel comfort. The bar upstairs is wonderful with a view of the dining room and Boston Common. We ordered just a light bite and several glasses of wine. The barbajans came quickly, and were just the right amount of balanced flavor between lamb, cheese and bread. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to escape the typical Boston decor and step into something a little french. The staff was attentive, polite, and never rushed you. I'm looking forward to a date night there very soon.
(4)
Wayne D.
A solid 3.5. Atmosphere, service were very good - a 4. Wine and presentation were a 4. Food was a 3.5 for me. Other thought better. Bottom line: I'd go again.
(3)
Doris W.
I went here for dinner for the first time with some friends last Friday. I remember driving by this place often when it was Excelsior. It's nestled between the Four Seasons and high-end retail stores. You can miss it if you're not paying attention. The restaurant is on two floors - the first floor is the bar area and upstairs the dining room. We were lucky enough to get our own nook in the dining room. The chairs were comfy and the tables were a beautiful wood. It felt very homey. And a side note - our host and waiter were very attractive. It kind of surprised me. Hah! I started off the meal with a fantastic cocktail. I currently have an addiction to cocktails made with fresh juices and herbs. If you like basil, you'll love the Basilic. It has gin, Pernod, fresh lime juice, and muddled basil. Wow, the flavors were great. It tasted like a basil limeade. My friend thought the basil was too overwhelming, which is why it's great for basil lovers. A good cocktail to me is when the liquor doesn't overpower the drink. If I wanted that, I would just get a shot and call it a day. But this was definitely a good cocktail. Too bad I have a low tolerance - I would have gotten another cocktail. For starters we got goat cheese and honey barbajuans, tuna tartare, seared foie gras, and spicy lamb tartare w/quail egg. You cannot go wrong with foie gras - I'll leave it at that. The tuna tartare was fresh and you can actually taste the fish. The spicy lamb tartare, which we were told was a chef's specialty, was just okay. Maybe it turns out I don't care for meat tartare but each time I've had it, the dijon mustard was always overpowering. If meat tartare is your kind of thing, I think you'd enjoy it. Our waiter suggested the goat cheese and honey barbajuans and they were lovely. It's like a goat cheese filled pastry with honey drizzled on top. For our main courses, I got the Beef Daube with creamy potatoes and a side of ratatouille, my friends got the duck breast, pumpkin ravioli, and the sea bass with a side of polenta. Beef Daube is a braised short rib with a red wine sauce. The beef was very tender and the sauce was rich and flavorful. The potatoes were super creamy and flavorful as well as the ratatouille. The duck breast was awesome! It was cooked a perfect medium rare, juicy, and seasoned with something like cumin. The crust was smoky. The raviolis were also awesome! Each ravioli was topped with pumpkin and lightly drenched with the sauce. Light, delicious but completely satisfying at the same time. The sea bass was cooked on a grill so it had the grill marks and smoky taste. The side of fennel was really good. My friend who's a carnivore really liked the dish. The only con to the meal was the polenta. It was very gummy in texture. I've never had polenta with that texture. For dessert we got the lavender beignets and hazelnut chocolate cake. Both desserts were great, the hazelnut being my favorite. I've never had a beignet but these reminded me of profiteroles because they were filled with custard served with a side of chocolate sauce. They were still tasty! The hazelnut chocolate cake was more like a thin wafer cake served with a scoop of salty caramel ice cream. It was like a Ferrero Rocher served in a fancy way on a pretty plate. I was in hazelnut and chocolate heaven. Along with our dessert, the chef gave us complimentary homemade olive oil and fennel(?) marshmallows. They were wonderful! I don't care for marshmallows but I only enjoy them homemade. Service was great the entire time, even to the staff that bid us a good night as we walked out. It is expensive, but I'm not complaining. I would love to go back for another cocktail and some duck!
(4)
Danny F.
The setting, decor, ambiance, view (!!!), service, servers - all stunning perfection. You could not ask for a chicer environment to dine in. What about the food, you ask? Um...it was good. But in kind of an average way. It could have used a lot more skill. I had a fairly light dinner (for me): entree (monkfish), side (broccoli) and dessert (chocolate souffle). The monkfish entree was very small, but my primary issue was the sauce that was a touch too buttery. With bread, it was okay, but alone with the completely flavorless, it was overpowering in buttery-ness. The broccoli was nothing more than steamed broccoli from a Chinese takeout place. But then again, all is forgiven here, because the menu did not say it would be anything more. Then finally there was the souffle. Yummy, but nothing terribly special, and I pretty much find all souffles yummy. Maybe I am being a little harsh with the 3-stars. For out of towners, I would bring them here for the location. But otherwise, there are better choices in Boston.
(3)
C R.
In a word: excellent. Service was fantastic, food was creative and tasteful and reasonably priced (bear in mind they're in between the Four Seasons and Hermes - don't don't expect it to be cheap) ambiance pleasant. The staff were very attentive, serious but courteous. I wouldn't say formal - but they were very professional with a formal but comfortable air about them. Short and sweet: great ambiance, great food, good prices, good looking people too...LOL!
(4)
Dror B.
Excellent service! Tasty food.
(5)
Kim L.
The ambience is top notch. A definite five star on the atmosphere. My boyfriend took me there for our four year anniversary and the setting was perfect. The Christmas light outside the window framing the restaurant was utterly romantic. Apparently the restaurant was on the second floor so walking up the marble stAir was kinda fun. The food was good. But for the money it is to be expected. We had the steamed mussel for dessert. It was good but it is not like to die for. The drinks for decent. The entree again was decent. The duck could have gone without the black olives which made it too salty. The monk fish felt salty. Overall a good value for the money. Not a must come back. Oh and if you're want a window seat. Make reservation early! Like a month in advance. No kidding.
(4)
Jeremy H.
This place is so beautiful. The look out over Boylston is amazing, and the interior is very elegant. I've been here for brunch and had the softest, fluffiest pancakes I've ever had. The pancakes came with some kind of berry mix. We also had a charcuterie platter that was a lot of fun, and a little side of ratatouille. Another time for dinner I had a beef daube that was well worth the money it cost. The waiter seemed like a veteran and was totally professional, always around when you needed him, and very chill, even though by the time we left it was pretty busy. The busboys are pretty well educated about what they're doing too. They didn't just throw things down with no idea what they were carrying.
(5)
Sue M.
I wish I could give it a 2 1/2 but no way it's a 3. I have been there for both lunch (twice) and dinner (upstairs. Lunch - SUPER SUPER SLOW the food is good but it's definitely a case where it's 3 oz of chicken on a 15 inch bun and 6 out of 10 times they will get your order wrong. Both times I went it was 2 hours for just sandwiches. WAY too long in my opinion. The inside is nice and I love the bistro and bar set up very cool. They just need to work on their kitchen and service. Dinner - We ate upstairs and the food was a 9 really great french cuisine and a great wine list. The atmosphere and room however is a 4 (I didn't like it was it was Excelsior either). It's way too loud, sparce and I hate sitting so closely to another couple (we were on the bench by the windows.) I think if you asked for a centered table or something in the back right it'd be better.
(2)
L P.
While I am a fan, I've been to the bar several times, I've never had dinner here. Decided to try it for restaurant week. My boyfriend ordered from the restaurant week menu and I ordered off the regular menu. Positives: The food was great. Won't bother mentioning his dishes because they are not on the regular menu, which is kind of annoying. I had the duck, which was delicious. Portion was fine, not too big and not too small. Sharing his appetizer and each having dessert made it enough to eat. I won't say we were blown away, but it was very good. Also, the ambiance was lovely. The bar itself is fantastic and I love the decor, however this was my first time in the dining room on the second floor. We had a great table by the window overlooking the garden. It all felt very quaint and European. Place was basically empty as it was only 5pm. The negatives: The service. When the patron at another table complained about the mussels, the manager (I think) came around to check on everyone else who had ordered that appetizer, which was very thoughtful and our water glasses were rarely less than half full. Our complaint was with the waitress and the sommelier. I ordered a cocktail prior to dinner (glad I did), but my boyfriend wanted a bottle of wine. He had a question about the wine list and the waitress offered to send over the sommelier, great! However, it took so long for the sommelier to arrive that she came back 2 times to say he was still coming. When he came, his advice was less than helpful, but we chose a bottle of wine and waited. The bread/butter came and went... we waited. My cocktail was gone... we waited. Our appetizer came and went... we waited. Our entrees came... still waiting. At this point, my boyfriend had been sitting with nothing to drink the entire time, over an hour. We kept looking around expectantly and another waiter noticed and went right over and brought our bottle of wine (not sure how he knew) and said, "Is this what you're looking for?" It was, but by that time, we were halfway through our meal and decided that we weren't going to drink a bottle anymore. Opted for 2 glasses of wine instead. It cost them about $70+ in missed revenue, I guess. Anyway, we enjoyed the wine with dessert... though usually we'll have a coffee or espresso in addition. Oh well. I have to assume this is the exception, as others have commented on the great service. I just was very disappointed with this aspect of the experience and it did leave a bad impression. I expected more from a restaurant of this caliber.
(4)
Chronic C.
Yes, fair readers, on occasion I do find it necessary to cross the bridge from paradise into the land that rains parking tickets (Boston). My visit to Bistro du Midi was one such occasion. Bistro du Midi reinvents the space that was once Excelsior. Spent a few hours in the bar area with some friends and noshed on bar menu food including fried artichokes, burgers and tuna tar tar sandwiches... all very tasty, well presented and reasonably priced. We all ordered a special tequila drink off the menu that was like a diabetic starter kit - SUGAR!! (avoid if you don't want a hangover like I experienced the next day). Stick to the extensive wine list. The service is friendly and attentive. The room is airy with a good ambiance. But please, ditch the faux exposed beams so I don't have to shake off the feeling that I am at the Epcot center's French area. Apparently the formal dining area, found at the top of the elegant spiral staircase, is very pleasant but we never made it that far.
(4)
Jonathan V.
One of the worst dinner experiences I have ever had. The food was good, but was not the best French cuisine I have had in the Boston area. Our waiter was absolutely terrible. With the restaurant not busy were instructed to order our dinner and dessert at the same time, since our entres and dessert would take 25 minutes each. 10 minutes later our entres were out and were shunned for wanting to wait for our dessert order. We wanted to talk our time and enjoy our bottle of wine. The ambiance was nice, but not amazing. Would I go back, no. Would I recommend Bistro Du Midi to a friend, no.
(2)
Adrian M.
Upon arrival, the staff was very inviting. We had a reservation for two, and we were invited to wait at the bar shortly for the table upstairs. There's an extensive wine list, and some inventive cocktails that kept us busy. The downstairs area has a more informal, gastropub feel, but when we were led upstairs to our table - expectations were fulfilled. The atmosphere was formal, and inviting. We had the fried artichokes and courgette flower beignet, the latter being the prized starter. For the entree, we had the Seared Duck Breast and Roasted Monk-fish with Grilled and Roasted Eggplant. Both were cooked perfectly, and the monk-fish dish was well balanced with plenty of rich flavors and textures from the eggplant, tomato, capers and olive oil. Perhaps the only drawback was that we were seated next to a private party room which had some large glass sliding doors that were repeatedly announcing themselves with a thud as servers and guests busily went in and out. Slight damper on the mood, but we got over it. Highly recommend, followed by a walk in the Garden just across the street.
After reading several reviews here for Bistro du Midi, I took a chance and made a reservation for a team celebration without having previously checked out the place before. We're all of the sort who have strong opinions on restaurants and I was looking for the right combo of lively atmosphere, wonderful food though not too priceyand special enough for a celebration - which can be a challenge! But we were all happy with our experience here. Though the bartender mixed some fun cocktails, the bar wasn't that busy and we had a hard time keeping his attention. Empty glasses would go unnoticed for over 5 minutes before we were asked whether we'd like another. We sat down for our reservation over an hour late while we waited for our party to gather, but the hosts didn't blink while we continued to enjoy our drinks at the bar. French country (as others have mentioned) but with a modern edge would describe the decor - one whole wall is decorated with framed mirrors of different size and shapes. Neutral tones lended a warm and laid back vibe. From what I understand about the previous space, this is a huge change - it was very trendy and sleek before. I booked on OpenTable.com and I must point out that it seems the hosts do pay attention to the comments section. I had noted we'd be dining with the CFO of our company and it was a team celebration. We were seated in a semi-private alcove that overlooked the rest of the dining room - perfect! We were out of the direct line of hustle and bustle but still felt we were part of the action. Our server's name was Chris and he was well versed on the menu. He suggested our group of 7 start with some petites bouchees - two orders each of the barbajuans and fried artichokes - both which were quite tasty. Chris also mentioned that the stuffed calamari, tuna tartare tarntine and goat cheese and beet salad were at the top of the list as for the starters. Most of the group stuck with one of these three and we all enjoyed our selections. I had the pan-roasted cod for my entree. Solid and good, but portion size is definitely on the "small food" side. This is the kind of place where you order a starter to complete the meal; we also ordered several sides for the table which we shared. Two others ordered the lamb which looked and smelled delicious and was devoured. One ordered the lobster mac and cheese, which he enjoyed but didn't seem over the moon about. Chris touted the bouillabaisse as one of the featured dishes and it won accolades from my colleague. Great place for a dinner with colleagues or the fam for a celebration. Also a good choice for date night when you want something special but not over pretentious. Good for a catch up session with a small group of friends, but probably wouldn't be my first choice for a birthday celebration with my girlfriends - but we tend to be a more raucous group. All in all a great experience. Will definitely go back!
(4)
Elizabeth O.
We had hoped to enjoy dinner outside on Bistro du Midi's small patio, and the downstairs bistro area was quite crowded, so we decided to sit upstairs instead. The upstairs was lovely, but definitely a bit on the stuffy side with primarily older clientele. I wish we had taken our chances in the bistro. My food was good but not great. The special amuse bouche we ordered was overpriced ($8 for two battered zucchini blossoms - I expected more) and my pasta dish was so-so, though the pasta was homemade and tender. My husband loved his entree special - a pan-seared skate wing (yes, as in a wing of a skate...like a sting ray!) Service was good and courteous. I'd go back to sit outside or in the bistro for a more casual meal, but will likely not return to the dining room.
(3)
Emmanuel S.
We had a birthday party yesterday. It was a pre-negotiated menu, and was absolutely amazing. The Sea Bass was perfect, with amazing wine. A little pricy, but I guess this is what you have to pay to get such a food...
(5)
Jen R.
Food & Drinks were simply awesome. We had the monkfish, seared duck, fried artichokes, oliveoil mashed potatoes, spicy infused margarita (sirocco), lavender lime infused margarita (petanque), hazelnut cake with salted caramel icecream, & a dessert port (quinto infantado). Great service, elegant atmosphere... My new fave spot for a great French bistro. Highly recommend if u don't mind spending some coin on delicious dinner.
(5)
Paul S.
Top notch restaurant all around. The food was superb, the drinks were strong, the presentation was unique, and the service was truly fantastic (our server was extremely personable, knowledgeable about offerings & alternatives, and timely).
(5)
Ellen Z.
I get angry just thinking about our experience here. Service: We had some dreadful encounters with the service. The hostess was INCREDIBLY condescending and rude to us, and sat us at the worst table in the house in front of the restrooms. When we informed her it was our 20th anniversary and we were hoping for a more special table, we waited at the bar for 3 hours for a new table to open up. Then, the restaurant lost my beautiful Italian wool scarf that couldn't be replaced. They never found it. On the bright side, the manager seemed to care about our experience, and sent us an appetizer at the bar and paid for a new scarf. But the rudeness of the hostesses was almost impossible to overcome. The food was not very memorable, it was fine but nothing to write home about. The prices are 'reasonable' for that kind of restaurant. We will not be going back ever again. I give this place another year tops.
great brunch spot - delicious pancakes and french toast. awesome fries. wonderful service. the mimosas and bellinis are a little pricey but the place is just so cute i almost don't mind.
(4)
Kyle N.
Sampled a handful of different items with my wife and enjoyed them all! The crispy pork belly was the best I've ever had! The fried artichokes, soft shell crab, beet salad and black cod were great as well! To finish we followed the suggestion from our great server and embarked on the lavender cream beignets. Wow!
(5)
Lauren F.
What would Eric Ripert say? "Le sigh." Everything about this place is... fine. But for $120 per person, I would like more than fine, please. I would like my foie to come with the things the menu says it's coming with (actually, the fact that this seems to be a trend among reviews is less than fine -- it's really not OK at all). If necessary, I would like to be served a smaller portion and have it cooked perfectly. I would like my dining partner's beef carpaccio to be more than two thin slices of meat on a plate with cracked pepper and what is effectively a bread crumb. I would like my duck breast to come to the table warmer than room temp. And when I send it back and it returns to me just slightly warmer than room temp, I want to be checked back in with before I'm halfway finished. And I would like things generally to not be under-salted. I would like to be presented with a wine list that is less impressive in its size and more so in its contents; if you weren't aware of Bistro du Midi's corporate origins before, the bottle selection gives it away pretty quickly. To put it simply, Bistro du Midi seems like it's still hung up on the old guard of the restaurant scene, when Ripert and Bourdain weren't in everyone's living rooms, Americans didn't know Provence from Progresso and your ability to appreciate a fine dining experience was based on how big the bill was at the end of the meal. It appears as though the MARC restaurant group that owns Bistro du Midi has missed out on the local/artisan/affordable culinary renaissance that's been happening across America over the past 10 years and is still relying on a model that preys upon ignorance and an immature palate. I realize this all may seem a bit vitriolic, but I choose to drop that kind of cash on a meal maybe once every two months. When I do, I don't expect my mind to be blown, but I do expect proper execution and accurate menu descriptions. This time, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that I feel like I've been robbed. Go to Craigie instead.
(2)
Denise M.
Dined at Bistro Du Midi last night with friends. The service was excellent and atmosphere comfortable. The beet salad was delicious however was quite disappointed by the Bouillabaisse. It was quite flavorful but they used a small amount of fish. My husband had the said reaction to it. It was as if they ran out of it and they were trying to make it work. It is a rich sauce, I understand but not sure why they skimped on the fish.
I've made 3 passes through here, twice on the small but scenic outter terrace, where there is good people watching and the occasional passer-by who will stare at your food, or waiter that sneaks up on you from outside the terrace. The other was upstairs in beautifully decorated the formal dining room. Regardless of where you are, you can order from either menu. - Bread - Average. - Pissaladere - Flatbread w/ caramelized onions, anchovies, olives, none of which overpowering, the bread was a little soggy, but the flavors were good. - Marinated Octopus - Yummy! - Melon/Crab soup - Refreshing, light - Steamed Mussels - Light and fragrant, huge portion enough for a meal. One of the better mussels I've had recently. - Bouilliabaisse - Very nice soup base, not heavy. - Burger - Ordinary flavors, but the only restaurant in Boston to actually give me a rare burger cooked rare. - Warm Cherry Clafoutis w/ Vanilla Ice Cream - Like a creamy bread pudding with cherries. Really delicous, huge portion, definitely share this with another person. - 3 Types of Barbajuans - Flaky little bites, the courgettes & basil was the best of the 3. - Short Ribs - Flavorful but not tender enough. - Swordfish - Well cooked but flavor a bit pedestrian, liked the bed of roasted eggplant. - Chocolate Trio - Pretty yummy but not memorable. - Strawberry shortbread cookie/basil sorbet - dry brittle cookie but sorbet was very tasty and not overpowering - Complimentary Duo of Marshmallows - Very subtle EVOO and lavender flavors - Can't say I loved it, but it was fun and interesting to try. Unlike some of the recent reviews, I've had no problems with the service, which is attentive but not all up in your face - our waiters were really pleasant and were fun to chat with, and the food came and went exactly at the right time. By the sound of it, the experience at Bistro du Midi might be best appreciated when it is not busy. I was there once with a friend who is from Paris who said that it felt very much like home. The view of the park, great atmosphere, overall solid food, and friendly service makes this a good dining experience.
(4)
Ian M.
I liked it, not loved it. Lobster Ravioli were quite good. A little stuffy as we sat upstairs and the crowd was a bit older. Downstairs might be the place to be for a more casual engagement. The steak looked amazing, next time...
(3)
ann n.
Warm ambiance and wonderful staff. The first floor is a casual chic cafe and bar. The second floor is a bit more formal and has private dining rooms for larger groups. The lighting and decor is simple and well done. We tried the beet salad (very tasty) and mussels to start. Thereafter, we had the cod, shellfish bouillabaisse (a bit salty), beef daube (amazing). For dessert, the chocolate souffle - definitely worth the wait. A great addition to the Boston's dining options and will back often this summer. Au revoir for now.
(5)
Mike G.
definite stars for space, service, wines and delicious focaccia. food is standard french-new england bistro that mostly meets expectations. recent eats: roast beet salad with chèvre and the most excellent steak au poivre with a side of chili frites. street level bar/dining is casual, upstairs cozy-refined. really cool alternative for any occasion.
Having grown up in Paris, I am pretty picky when it comes to restaurants, especially those that call themselves French. But Bistro du Midi is amazing. Plus: The food is always good, whether you eat brunch or dinner. Dinner is more of a high-end experience, whereas brunch is more laid back. It all depends what kind of meal you are looking for, but in either case you won't be disappointed. I have had salads, fruit plates, soups, fishes, meats, desserts, croque madame etc. and have never had a complaint. Plus: The service is impeccable. Very professional without being pretentious. What I like is also the pace of dinner. It is quick enough that you don't sit there wondering whether you have been forgotten, but not to the extent that you feel rushed. Plus: They have valet parking, which is very convenient. When I left, they had brought my car up front and heated. Since it was freezing outside, I appreciated the extra effort.
it was tasty but expensive and nothing really stood out as really remarkable. We went for brunch and I was just whelmed by the food (not under or over) and I left a little lacking. I might try it again but I am not in a hurry.
(3)
Liz E.
Wonderful spot to people watch and enjoy some strong and delicious cocktails!
(4)
Jessica H.
I hardly ever... wait... scratch that... I never write 5 star reviews. Bistro du Midi deserves 5 stars. This is one place that will go down in my memory banks of amazing restaurant experiences. We started at the downstairs bar where Geoffrey served us a pre-dinner glass of wine. It was early and slow so we started chatting about wine and he was gracious enough to pour us a taste of two amazing bourbons and two gins. It wasn't the tastes that were amazing - it was the service. The hostess was wonderful. She made sure we were seated promptly after asking for our table (for which we had made reservations but then detoured to the bar) and was gracious while I checked my coat. She directed us to a second hostess (who really needs to eat a sandwich and wear flats) upstairs. The upstairs dining room is incredibly tastefully decorated. Sunny, great view, comfortable and elegant. As the sun set the view changed into twinkling lights. Lovely. Understand New England elegance at its finest tempered with studied Provencal inspired French cuisine. Our server was Eric, who was the only dim spot in the evening. And it's not that he was bad mind you, it's just that everyone else was amazing. Eric was helpful and kind - he just didn't have the same fine dining finesse as everyone else. He was a little less knowledgeable and a little more familiar than the evening warranted. He could recite the menu, but he didn't know the menu - n'est pas? The pork terrine was amazing. The foie gras was sinful. The sea bass was probably Chilean - meh. But the fennel it was served with - oh my god the fennel. Cooked sous vide and then seared. The sky opened and harps played as angels wept. That fennel was smack your mama good. It was smack yo' gran'mama good. The cod needed a wee bit more seasoning and I was ever so slightly disappointed that the chorizo wasn't more in the foreground. Also - the chickpeas could have been lightly mashed so they don't roll on the plate. But dessert - order dessert. Order the souffle. Order the Grand Marnier souffle. Angels, choir, harps, yes, yes. (A previous poster mentioned the server asking about dessert too early - however - if a souffle is being made fresh it needs at least 20 minutes. The ticket is going to go in after your entree is served. The server needs to ask early if souffle is one of the specialties - which it is at Bistro du Midi. I ordered mine with my appetizer). The brightest spot in the evening - the sommelier, or self-proclaimed "wine geek" Kelly. I heart Kelly. I will always ask Kelly's opinion when I go to BdM. His pairings were spot on. We savored every moment, every sip, every sniff, every swirl. Bottom line - great food, great service, great atmosphere - without feeling stuffy or pretentious. My new favorite place.
(5)
Lauren D.
I was a bit skeptical going to Bistro du Midi - the former Excelsior location was one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I took the plunge and I'm so happy I did. The food was amazing: scrumptious bread basket with delicious oil, barbajans (fried filled pastas with deliciousness inside) were something I had never tried but I will definitely be having again, a perfect beet & goat cheese salad, melt-in-your-mouth beef daube (much like marinated short rib that's been in a slow cooker for days) with the most buttery mashed potatoes, and one of the best chocolate souffles I've ever had. The wine list was impressive (I agree with another reviewer that the wine by the glass list was short, but the half bottle list a mile long more than made up for it), and the service was prompt, courteous and happy to help explain the menu and choose a wine. An excellent replacement for Excelsior (oh - and I believe it's less expensive as well!)
(5)
Nam T.
I had the pleasure of having a fantastic dinner at Bistro du Midi. First and foremost the service is exceptional!! Our waiter was very helpful by offering a few recommendations for my friend and I. I ended having the monkfish, which was cooked to perfection, and my friend had the foie gras which was equally as perfect. He ended our meal with the souffle. The souffle will take about 25 minutes to make from the time you order it, but believe me when I say it is WORTH it. If the food doesn't make you want to come here, the atmosphere should. If you are a fan of a slightly dim and sophisticated atmosphere, this place is for you. It is sure not to disappoint.
(4)
Don M.
I'm happy to report two things - albeit a little belatedly: 1. Apparently, Bistro Du Midi staff read Yelp - and that's very good news! 2. And, I can only assume that - based on my last update - I finally received my discount parking vouchers and cards for free meals at the Bistro. That happened about a week after the update. We haven't had a chance to go back to Bistro Du Midi since I got the freebies, but when I do I'll post an update. For the moment though, I've restored a star for the good faith effort on their part.
(2)
Anya R.
I come here often and absolutely love this place. In the summer, it's a great way to spend an afternoon: just sitting outside with a bottle of wine and some appetizers. In the winter, it's a very cozy and welcome atmosphere. This is great place to catch up with friends - it is fairly quiet as far as restaurants go and you can linger for as long as you want after your meal is over. Bistro also has a wonderful brunch that is surprisingly not too pricey. My favorites from the menu: the mussels, the octopus, tuna tartar, the artichokes and the gnocchi. Tip: if you sit downstairs, ask for the upstairs menu.
(5)
Thad B.
Excellent. Very nice space, the staff was attentive and devoted to making our meal a great experience. Fluke salad, monk fish, black bass were all delicious and fairly priced. Even though it was restaurant week, the staff never missed a beat and really impressed. This is a special place.
(5)
Max N.
Had a superb dinner here the other night, taking my mother for her birthday. The wine list is great, and we got a superb half-bottle at a reasonable price, which paired very well with our fish dishes (mediterranean sea bass with fennel, really good; monkfish with grilled eggplant; truly excellent). The dessert was pretty good but not as impressive ("rhubarb rose crumble," or something like that; I didn't taste any rose). The service was a little spotty. I saw some neighboring waiters who looked great, but ours seemed a bit clumsy and newish, though friendly enough without being desperate.
(4)
Ryan K.
This is a great place to grab lunch or dinner! Loved it! Great place to eat on the patio and people watch while enjoying great food. This is a must do when in Boston!
(5)
Giuseppe F.
Value for money - 3/5. I was surprised at the pricing. The food was good but a bit more expensive than it was really worth. Ambience - 5/5. We sat at a table right in front of the patio on the ground floor. Looking out into the Public Gardens while drinking Sancere and watching well dressed folk walk down Boylston as cars drove by was, how do you say, Fantastique! Totally reminiscent of an actual French bistro. Service - 4/5 - Maybe it was the fact that our waiter was actually French, but man oh man was he charming. Very on point with everything. We didn't have to ask for a single thing. Food - 4/5 - The food was just about as I expected (very good) but nothing blew me away. Although I don't suppose bistro food is supposed to blow you away.
(3)
Burcin T.
I can't get enough duck! Yes, I had seared foie gras and the duck breast same time. And I could eat another duck dish if they were serving it there. The foie gras was certainly the highlight of the dinner and I am still thinking about how they can make it so well. We had sparkling wine as recommended by their sommelier and it was a very good match. The decor is really magical, shear shiny curtains, mirrors and nice chandeliers with a little summer breeze out...It would be a good choice if you wanted to have a romantic outing. I could only perhaps complain about the distance between the tables, they were a little too close to hear next table's conversation. Well, overall, it was a very good place and I would certainly visit next time I am in Boston.
(5)
Mark M.
Waited (no lie) over 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge our presence after being seated. Then, after waving down a number of the staff our "server" came over and gave us attitude for being upset about the wait. He said something about getting caught up at another table (for 20 minutes, mind you). We actually only went to this restaurant because we read a review in the NY Times recently. Plus, I've been to Le Bernardin twice and have been blown away with the food and service. So, if you want decent but expensive food with sub-par service then by all means run straight to this disappointment. ;(
(3)
Ilana S.
This is the most magical place I've been since I went to Disneyland in third grade. Everything is miraculous and beautiful and immaculate. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday (yesterday), and even while walking to the Bistro, the world seemed perfect. It was a gorgeous night, some Buddhists just walked by us playing music, the trees were in full blossom. The neighborhood was clearly wonderful. We entered the restaurant about a half hour before our reservations, our coats were taken and we were immediately seated upstairs near the window. Everyone was right, the place is NOISY! But not in an uncomfortable way, in a charming engaging way. The lighting was warm, the wood beams on the ceiling added a special touch. The patrons seemed quite lovely as well. Anyway, on to the food... Our waiter was a young man who resembled Screech, a lot. Screech with a beard. We decided to skip appetizers (something I now regret), and immediately went for Entrees. My boyfriend ordered the Steak au Poivre, which he claims was the best steak he has ever had. The waiter came over with the knife for it and said "your weapon sir" when he placed it. It really livened us up, we were nervous being the youngest people there. I ordered the Sea Bass, and let me tell you, I'm not a fish person, but it melted on my tongue and had the most pleasant flavor. We both ordered sides of mashed potatoes per the waiter's suggestion. I had a when Harry Met Sally moment over this. Eyes rolled back and all I could say was "oh my god, oh my god". Boyfriend had a similar reaction. The mashed potatoes actually made my night. We both ordered Chocolate Souffle, which was for us, too rich therefor we didn't finish it -- though it was DELICIOUS. I'm just too happy about this place. I'm coming back. It's AMAZING.
(5)
Christina Y.
I came here last Friday for my birthday dinner and loved it so much that I had to join Yelp and give them a review. I love Bistro du Midi! Everything about them was great. Especially the service. Our waiter was superb and the rest of the staff was just as friendly. The food was really good as well. I will definitely come back to this restaurant!
(5)
Rebecca R.
My husband and I finally made it to Bistro du Midi. Wish I'd dined there earlier, as BdM is now my favorite restaurant in Boston. Less fussy than L'Espalier and much more authentic than Sel de Terre. The shellfish bouillabasse is so delectable I had to restrain myself from licking the bowl clean. Appetizers were simple (salmon sashimi drizzled with lemon, olive oil and herbs; duck tenderloins) and beautifully prepared. Wine suggestions were parfait. Indulge yourself -- have the Gran Marnier souffle -- it is as good as dessert gets.
Best new restaurant in Boston in a LONG time. See my pervious reviews of Excelsior....we ate here 3-4 x a month, and were nervous to see what would replace it. Its different that the old, but great in its own way. The staff is VERY professional and all have very solid previous experience. The wine by the bottle list is very extensive. But the food.....is amazing and at a VERY fair price. Reservations more than a week in advance are needed!
(5)
Bonilee P.
Bistro du Midi is good, but I always find myself more excited by the menu than what appears to me on the table. I have been twice in the last few months. The wine list is excellent. Staff is readily available to provide whatever is needed. I have had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives, which was very good but rich. After eating some of the plate you crave a simpler taste. I have also had the Grilled Pork Chop, Sunchokes, Brussels Sprouts, but it was a little bland. For appetizers I most recently had the Marinated Sea Scallops. I originally was ordering them not realizing the fact that they are raw, and when my waiter pointed that out, I figured I would be adventurous and try it anyway. After trying it I believe it would be even better cooked. I have also tried the Spicy Lamb Tartar appetizer from a friend, it was good. For desserts I have tried the Quince & Apple Crumble, the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Iced Pistachio Parfait, all of which were not extraordinary. My overall impression is that Bistro du Midi has a very nice atmosphere with food that can be hit or miss, but does have great wine. I would say that for the prices, however, I may go to other bistro type restaurants.
(3)
Sara S.
The service was terrible. The waiter brought the white wine out at room temperature and when we asked for it to be chilled, the sommelier came to the table and insisted that room temperature was the European way to drink white wine. The food was average. I won't be returning here.
(2)
Susan P.
We ate outside on a great day. Very nice service- both fast and friendly. Yummy breadsticks. The petanque, a French versin of a margarita flavored with lavender, was phenomenal. Beautiful decor. Simply seasoned cod. My 8- and 10-year old daughters shared the beef en daube, and loved it. Vegetarians beware: the delicious chopped salad comes with bacon and tuna. The cheese plate was overpriced ($24) but otherwise, the prices were very fair for a lovely dinner. This restaurant is probably too fancy for many children, but my girls loved it.
(4)
Molly D.
One of my favorite spots. Pricey but worth it. Sit, relax, enjoy your food and drink with no rush. The restaurant upstairs is lovely but try the bar too, it's great!
(5)
Aditi R.
Excelsior used to be here before. I heard it was a nice place, but Bistro du Midi definitely works as well. Maybe it was the weather, the falling flowers, or perhaps just the company, but I fell for this place. We sat outside for an afternoon wine after a stroll around Copley. The outside seating area was small, though I do know they open up the giant windows when there are more people (and there will be as the weather gets nicer). The waiter was very nice and gave us our time to look through the menus and politely let us know that we can't just have alcohol outside because of Mass laws...which I hate...but we'll have to order something to eat per person. Now I know for a fact that this doesn't hold true at other establishments and this turned me off a little bit (hence the one star off) but we went with it and ordered some fries and vegetables. Both were great. But really you have to take a look at their wine collection - over 200. By the glass of course they are less in number, but impressive regardless. We sat there for almost an hour and half and not once did we feel hurried. We enjoyed our time there overlooking the garden and a good time was had by all. Definitely coming here again!
(4)
Anna R.
I went here for restaurant week in March on a Wednesday night. It was PACKED. The appetizers and desserts were the highlight of our meals and the entrees were just "meh." Would have given it 3 stars if it weren't for the pretentious sommelier. Now I realize sommerliers are pretentious by definition but this guy was such a prick. With the wine menu in hand I asked him to recommend a shiraz. He rudely looks down and says "you're looking in the index page", takes it from my hand and turns to the page with shiraz. Um hello I know how to look at a menu. He didn't end up recommending anything and I ended up ordering something else. Isn't that his job? Ruined my whole experience and I likely won't be back.
(2)
Alex L.
Place is really nice, the food not so much, very average and completely overpriced. Would not revisit. This is based only on the salmon benedict, no go. Other dishes may be be great, I don't know.
(2)
Kelli F.
I went for dinner last Saturday night with a group of girlfriends. Love the location, and first impressions of the downstairs bar area were terrific. The decor was really appealing and well done. Our reservations were for the upstairs bistro area. It is a large area and tastefully decorated, but as the night wore on the noise level became a bit much. Thinking about the decor, the ceilings are high, the drapery is sheer and mixed with hardwood floors. All very nice, but not much help in dulling the noise level. It did become difficult at times for the six of us to hear one another at 'appropriate' voice levels. Maybe it was just the night we were there, but the patrons were a bit on the older side. Drinks were prompt and well made, appetizers were prompt as well. The fried artichokes with aoli are TO DIE FOR! I'd go back just for a plate of those and a glass of wine. I had the barbajuans, which were pretty good as well. The main course was good... Once it arrived. I do think that Bistro Du Midi is still working out some kinks. Whether it is wait staff or the kitchen in unknown, but our dinner took way longer than is really appropriate. From my dish of Saffron Chitarra & Seafood, to the Seabass, Classic Bouillabaisse, Goat Cheese Gnocchi and Monkfish, no one had any complaints. We did skip the after dinner drink to head next door to the Four Seasons for a quieter location. I'd definitely return. The price point was really good! Lower than expected, to be honest. Wait staff was apologetic for the delay. Next time, I'd like to try the bar (downstairs) during the afternoon with a window seat overlooking the Public Garden.
Went to Bistro Du Midi for restaurant week, and winded up ordering off the regular menu, since the prices were pretty comparable! The atmosphere of the restaurant was great. Very cute and intimate. Good date spot! Great view upstairs of Boston Common, and a nice patio outside for seating. Service was very attentive and everyone was friendly. However, the food took FOREVER to come out. I have a feeling this is done on purpose...drawing out the meal, but 3 hours for 1 dinner is a long time in my opinion. The foccacia-like bread was good, pleasantly soft, and my husband enjoyed it very much. It came with dipping olive oil. I thought the bread was good, but a bit bland. For an appetizer, we got the olive and eggplant tappenade. I thought it was ok, I did not really love the flavor of the tappenade, but my husband loved it, and ate the entire thing! We ordered the chicken for two, which was supposed to take 45 mins, but took about 2 hours. They brought it over to us when it was done to show it before they cut it, and then it took them another 30 mins to bring it out to us. The chicken, however, was amazing. It was roasted, and very moist and delicious. It had some sort of chopped garlic mixture underneath the skin. It also came with roasted potatoes and asparagus which were tasty. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate souffle with the salted caramel ice cream on the side, but it was a bit disappointing. The ice cream was delicious, but the souffle was unspectacular. It was almost bland and really needed the ice cream to compliment it. It did come with a white sauce on the side, that you're supposed to pour over the cake, but I didn't like the white sauce..and would have preferred a lot more ice cream. The souffle was very rich, but not very sweet, I think I would have preferred sweeter. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, but don't know if I would go back. I almost wished we had chosen the restaurant week menu, as the steak that people were ordering looked awesome, as did the gianduja palette, which was one of the desserts.
(3)
Steve A.
The service was great, the food was incredible and the set up was unique. We started with the fried artichokes with aioli and the soft shell crab...both were cooked to perfection. For dinner I had the monkfish special which was served over grilled eggplant (first time in my life I've ever liked eggplant) and it was the best tasting dish with monkfish that I've had in my life. My girlfriend had the goat cheese gnocchi with a pesto sauce which was equally as good as the monkfish. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Mr C.
My wife and I came to Boston from Philadelphia on May 4 to visit our good friends and celebrate our 5th anniversary. Our only agenda was to eat at Bistro du Midi and Craigie on Main. In hind-sight we should have eaten both meals at du Midi. I am not going to trash the other restaurant on this review, but the food at du Midi is far, far superior, and much more affordable. The value difference is unmeasurable. Save your money and dine here, you won't be disappointed. The food, the presentation, the service all impeccable. Finally a restaurant that gets it. Serves great food through skill and technique. Here in Philadelphia and apparently in Boston, chefs are trying too hard to be different with off beat ingredients without the proper knowledge of their use. It was refreshing to have an incredible meal executed to perfection. From the greeting at the door until we got our coat check back the experience was the gold standard of how a restaurant should be run. Don't think of not dining here if you are in the area. We would travel back again in an instant. Food A+. Service A+. Ambiance A. The only reason not an A+ was a weird hum that cuts on and off in the Dining room. Air conditioner maybe. Otherwise. Perfection. Can't say enough.
What a great date spot. Valentine's Day is coming up guys. If you want to get lucky, this place is a good booking. No luck? Don't blame the place. It'll meet you half way. Food is good. Portions are decent. Decor is stunning. Younger feel fine dining. Good service. Good location.
(4)
john c.
Had a great night here. Nice atmosphere. Great service. We ate the mussels, then the steak au poivre and the beef daube (short ribs) in an awesome, rich wine sauce. Good value for the price. We ate upstairs in the dining room. Downstairs at the bar, the vibe is very cool and more casual.
(4)
Shantel S.
I went to Bistro du Midi for my wedding anniversary (which is also New Year's Eve) and they treated us like royalty. The entree portions were good-sized and the wine selection is enormous. The chef wrote "happy anniversary" in chocolate sauce on our dessert plate. The waiters were attentive and incredibly nice. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Ivan P.
What a great place to dine! I am writing this review after second time we've been there and impression is still the same. Even coming there on Friday night was good. Staff was courteous and efficient. the food was great and ambiance romantic. What else more you would want??
Great food. Did not realize we can sit upstairs, which is better.
(4)
Dylan M.
I have been here twice. Once downstairs and once upstairs. What a great little place. It is a little pricey but not outrageous. I just love it. I will definitely be going back!
(4)
Jennifer J.
I went with my girls for dinner tonight. The food was really good and I loved the space. The bartender was handsome and so thoughtful. Overall, a first class experience. We will be back...all six of us!!!
(5)
carolyn d.
The space is fantastic. The food was very good. Portions were (very) small. The monkfish gave one of us food poisoning. Will definitely go back, but will probably eat downstairs, and will definitely avoid the monkfish.
(3)
Kiki B.
With this chef, this location, of course amazing - though Excelsior is sorely missed! Really hoping it succeeds!
(4)
Allison K.
I live a couple of blocks away from Bistro du Midi and have frequented the restaurant since its opening. The upstairs dining room is lovely and the bar area is adorable, especially during the summer when they open the French doors. The food is consistently good, but I never had a meal there that blew me away until brunch this morning: best pancakes I have ever eaten! It's hard to describe how delicious they were. The sides were almost crispy, while the center was fluffy and rich at the same time. I will definitely be back for more soon!
(5)
Sara M.
Went for dinner at the bar on a Saturday night. I thought the atmosphere and service were great - trendy decor, dim lighting, and wonderful bartenders who were attentive yet not in-your-face. We got there around 7:45 and were able to grab a seat right away (party of two). We each ordered a glass of wine and entree. The wine prices were reasonable for the setting (about $9/glass). My croque monsieur sandwich was really delicious - not too salty, not greasy at all. The side salad was *extremely* salty, but I think it is meant to be this way. Still, I couldn't eat it for that very reason. My husband's burger and fries were also delicious and he's already planning on returning for another! The burger was large and juicy and cooked just as he ordered (medium). Lots of flavor, and served with three condiments on the side (cooked onions, mayo, ketchup). The fries were light and crisp. For all of this the tab came to $55 including tax and tip. Not cheap, but perfectly reasonable for a Saturday night dinner out. All in all it was a very enjoyable experience!
(4)
Michael P.
As far as Bistros go, this place stands above the pack. Delicious food, outstanding service (good job Anastasia!), and a very hip ambience makes DuMidi a favorite. Order the small plates and share while enjoying an extensive list of French and American wines.
(4)
Laura H.
I did not know that a new restaurant had opened in this spot and walked in Wednesday with a friend. We sat at the bar had a few drinks and a bite to eat. We were surprisingly amazed at the level of service and the food was scrumptous. Matt, our bartender was very attentive and friendly, chatted with us the whole time. He described the main courses which sound delicious, so I can't wait to come back and try more when I have more time. We just had a small bar dish, but from what I can tell this place will be a hit!
(5)
Elena A.
Very classy but not pretentious place with a beautiful decor and great service. Excellent location with gorgeous views of Boston Common! The food is very good overall and prices are surprisingly reasonable. I simply love their cherry clafoutis dessert and sometimes want to go back to have just that dessert. It's a delicious moist cherry pie that they serve with vanilla ice-cream, sooooo good! Souffles are amazing too, I always get impressed with different dessert menus at restaurants - boring molten chocolate cake what? Drinks are very different and memorable as well and not to mention all the tasty food. I loved the lamb ravioli appetizer and shellfish bouillabaisse! The duck breast was good, but not the best I've had - it was a little overcooked for my taste, but still very decent. The decor is very nice -the downstairs area is a swanky bar and there is a large dining room upstairs with a fireplace and open kitchen. My only negative comment is that the service was almost too attentive - throughout the dinner, we had three different people (in addition to our waitress) coming up to the table asking how everything is going. While it was nice, it felt almost too much. But seriously, if the overattentive service is my only complaint about this place, hell yeah I'll take it and be back!
(4)
Susan C.
Bistro looks good did a good job. Very very noisy. Venison was good lamb chops more fat than meat never had been trimmed. Server was good, Goat cheese and beet salad had two little pieces of goat cheese lots of beets. Managers just walked around never looking if anyone needed anything. They don't use their elevator I was told it dones look good so they had it with a curtain covering it so if you need to use the restroom you must do the stairs you almost would feel uncomfortable to ask to use the elevator. The grand marnier souffles were awful they were burned and we sent them back never ever have sent back dessert. General manager said it tasted fine like we didn't know what we were talking about rest assure we do., I would not go back save your money go to many other places in Boston.
(2)
kara o.
Went to Bistro du Midi for the first time today. Great setting, nice space. Unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow. Waited over an hour for our meal and the restaurant was not even nearly full. Once our meals, came one out of the four was the incorrect order. Although they were apologetic, there was no offer to comp the meal that was Incorrectly ordered. Food was fresh, but nothing spectacular.
(2)
Lynda M.
After spending an afternoon at the MFA, my friends and I arrived here for an early dinner. The space is so different than the previous occupant, Excelsior. Nice outside space, although it had just poured from the heavens so we opted for indoor seating. The 1st floor bar area is more central, and the colors more neutral and inviting, giving it a more casual bistro feel. We ordered wine at the bar while waiting for our table. The bartender was friendly, and very helpful. He let us sample a few selections, I love that! Great variety of French and other regions. We dined upstairs by the window, what a beautiful space. There is also a large bar upstairs. We had a lovely view of the Commons, and dined on Sea Bass, Bouillabasse and saffron infused pasta wih squid and mussels, with a side of garlic broccoli. We also split a green apple salad. The bread sticks were also delish!!! Our Gamay, recommended by the sommelier, was excellent. For dessert we shared the trio of sorbets, raspberry, coconut and blood orange, with homemade nougat candies. Our waiter was excellent, service outstanding. Very high end feel, without the high end costs. $60 each, including tip, when it was all said and done. A very nice edition to Boston, and we will be back.
Excellent food. Reason enough to go but there is more. View of the Garden from either upstairs or the tables outside in the summer. Good wine list with reasonable markups. Servers are attentive and knowledgable. Highly recommended. Best bistro around.
(5)
Shahzad S.
Went during lunch. Ambiance would be better in the evening. Comfort food. Preparations well done. Solid overall.
(3)
Rebecca R.
My husband recently took me here for my 30th birthday and it surpassed expectations. It was the middle of the week, a Wednesday night, so you do not expect the top service or chef to be in the kitchen. However, the meal was flawless. They had our reservation from open table and figured out exactly who I was since my husband arrived before me and sent us upstairs promptly to get our table. We ordered a glass of prosecco to start and it was delicious and served promptly. My appetizer, the fried artichokes, was perfect. The batter was light enough not to overpower the artichokes and the aioli was a perfect compliment. My husband's barbajuans were also delicious but I preferred the artichokes. Our server was very attentive and there was always someone right there to bring the next plate or remove the old one. Then came our entrees. My husband had the pork special with a piece of pork presented in an artful way and some pork belly to accompany it. I didn't taste it since I don't eat pork, but he enjoyed it immensely. He particularly liked the pork belly. I had the Beef Daube with Mashed Potatoes and we shared a side of the Broccoli with Garlic. My beef was perfectly cooked, it was fork tender and the mashed potatoes were an excellent pairing with the meat and the sauce. The broccoli was done perfectly and the most delicious broccoli I have tasted. I couldn't stop eating it. I do like my mashed potatoes with a bit more oomph, these were very light and thin and I prefer mine to be more solid. The taste was very good, however. We did not taste the desserts because we had birthday cake waiting at home, but we will be back for another special occasion and before that for the bar menu and to sample the desserts. The decor was very classic with one exception we noticed, the ceramic beehive shapes in many colors above the fireplace in the dining room.
(4)
Mary C.
Had a lovely, relaxing lunch here last week. I had the Nicoise salad with seared tuna (not out of a can!) and it was very good. The wine was delicious. The service was impeccable. It was just as nice in March sitting inside as it was in the summer when we sat in the outdoor terrace.
(5)
Lynne K.
I amend my previous review of this restaurant! The second time we went was fabulous! The food was delicious and the service perfect. We walked in, and the downstairs was about 3/4 full. The hostess sent us upstairs, where the staff was waiting for us. We were seated by the window promptly. Upstairs was about half full. The waiter promptly came over and provided us drink menu's and a warm welcome. We ordered drinks, and warm bread came out. I ordered a drink special with vodka and fresh strawberries, and it was extremely good. It came in a cool carafe with a straw. For appetizers, I ordered the chilled melon soup with crab, and my husband ordered the foie gras. Over appetizers, the manager came over and introduced himself. He was extremely nice, and talked my husband (jokingly) into taking me to Paris so he could compare the foie gras! It was a pleasant conversation. The chilled soup had plenty of crab and had a great twang, something I enjoyed. There was plenty of flavor with a few chunks (not too many) of melon for welcomed bursts of flavor. My husband thought the foie gras was extremely well prepared, with a perfect texture and taste When the waiter heard me debating about wine, he sent over the sommelier to assist with my decision. I decided to forego the wine and instead order dessert - a great decision! For dinner, my husband ordered lamb chops and I ordered the gnocchi with pesto and fresh goat cheese. The gnocchi was TO DIE FOR. Melt in your mouth good! The goat cheese blended nicely with the pesto. The lamb was cooked perfect - I don't usually enjoy lamb, and I enjoyed the taste and texture of this. We also ordered the potatoes dauphine, and they were wonderful - creamy, flavorful and absolutely delicious. For dessert, I ordered the most delicious chocolate souffle, and my husband ordered the cheese plate. He ordered port and an espresso, and I ordered tea. Cheese was fresh, and the toasted bread it came with was enjoyable. The souffle was wonderful - warm and delicious and truly enjoyable. And not overly rich - perfect flavor and texture. One thing I noticed, which was an enormous change from last time we were dined at Bistro du Midi, was that our water glasses were never less than half full. The staff was great and attentive. Staff knew what they doing, and everyone walking around the dining room had a purpose. We weren't being rushed at all, but the food also didn't take forever to come out (which wasn't true the last time). Overall, I would absolutely go back to this restaurant. The price was more expensive than a regular night out, but not so obscene as to make this a once a year place. The entire night (keep in mind, we only had one drink each) was about $120-$140, and that includes appetizers, entree (plus one side) and dessert for both of us. Price was absolutely reasonable for the quality of food and service we received. The service was beyond great, and I would say this restaurant absolutely redeemed itself this time around. I would definitely recommend it, as well as visit again. We've already recommended that my in-laws try Bistro du Midi again!
(5)
Michelle B.
I stopped by and had lunch here last week. Sitting at the patio area with a nice Boston weather was a perfect experience. For the main dish, I had the "Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade"($15) and i love it! All the oily bit from a salmon is cooked away but still tender and juicy. The little layer of fish skin is crisp, not like anything you can make at home. I don't usually eat fish skin because I always feel it's just layer of extremely squashy piece attached with a lot of fat (although fish oil is suppose to be good for you.) But the texture here is totally different and nice. It completes the dish. I'd recommend this dish to all seafood lovers. Then, I had a dessert "Nectarine and Plum Crumble with Sweet Corn Ice Cream" ($9), recommended by the waiter. We had some chat. He's very friendly and attentive, also very knowledgeable about the menu. AND, he has a cute Russian accent!!! LOL! The dessert is a combination of hot - baked fruit slices with crumb on top with cold - a ball of ice cream on the side. Hot too hot and cold too sweet if eaten by themselves. Putting them together gives you a bit warm a bit cold a bit sour and a bit sweet taste. Umm~ so good!! Will definitely come back to try their dinner sometime.
(5)
Cassandra L.
Woo hoo - this place is as good as it gets! The service is excellent! Food is great. I'm visiting beantown and went here yesterday and back again today. Drinks are creative and delicious. Food is superb!
(5)
Richard L.
We had a great dinner at this lovely bistro. The restaurant was busy on a Wednesday evening, but not so noisy that you can't enjoy your conversation. The food was terrific and nicely presented. Sea bass was wonderfully prepared, and the vegetables were fresh and cooked like we had on a recent trip to southern France. We didn't get to the desserts because we ordered and shared different appetizers, but overall an excellent place that we'll return to often.
(5)
Michelle S.
Went in last weekend for a drink at the upstairs bar. I'm glad that there's a new restaurant by the Common that's open late. Jeff, the bartender, was awesome - very funny and friendly. He recommended a great wine and obviously knows the menu well. The barbajans (sp?) with honey and goat cheese were incredible - highly recommended. I can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)
jamie l.
if i could give half-stars i would have given it 2.5 stars. most of the rating is because of the room(s) - the space is lovely. the food however was a bit of a disappointment. i'll admit - it's been a while since i was truly excited to go to a new boston restaurant, and maybe (like a movie) my mistake was that i got my hopes up too high - but the whole experience was a bit of a disappointment. the table we were sat at (upstairs in the middle of the room) was cramped. i had my chair bumped by wait staff regularly throughout the meal. we were told when considering our wine that the sommelier would come over and answer any questions we had - but when the waiter came over for our order we had yet to have our little chat - so we just ordered wines by the glass. the portions were very small. VERY. i'm not a big person and i've never believed in buying by the pound - i'm all quality versus quantity - but i make a shellfish dish just like the one i ordered at BduM and i know that the tiny little portion i ordered and paid nearly $50 was worth a few dollars. i have no problem at all paying $50 for a dish - just give me enough food so i'm not left shaking my head when the food arrives. i'll admit - it's been a few weeks since we at here and i'm just getting to writing the review - so more details aren't present any longer - but i definitely know that the three of us (all foodies, one from manhattan) all agreed when we walked out that we'd never go back again - other than for a drink on the ground floor. again - the space was lovely.
(2)
Melee T.
yes! i am a fan. what a beautiful restaurant. the restaurant feels somewhat like being in someones beautiful home. the service was outstanding and the host was amazingly friendly, charming and accommodating. my girlfriends and i had a great evening there. we enjoyed our meals and our cocktails. definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Boston.
(5)
Priscilla S.
i am definetly returning to these restaurant. the fried artichokes are excellent. the squash ravioli are amazing. my husband got the duck and it was delicious. the hazelnut cake was beyond expectations.
(5)
stephanie s.
Remarkable. What comes out of the kitchen is golden and prepared to perfection. Why only 3 stars? Well, it doesnt feel French at all. This is an high-end American restaurant with a couple of traditional and very well prepared French (more like Mediterranean) dishes. Putting up french posters and having marble bistro tables doesnt suffice to create a French feel (at least not for a french person like me). Where was my baguette bon sang!!!?? (I got Italian Grissini and basil focaccia bread ) Where is my waiter that isn't dictating the menu but describing the food with personal adoration? Where was the French accent? It looks and tastes French but there is no real French vibe in here. The wait staff is perfect, dictates and recommends perfectly, no soul, no connection, a complete lack of "je ne sais quoi" which makes places like Petit Bistro Robert and La voile still on the top of my chart. I would come here again becasue the food was excellent. I wouldn't come here for an authentic French experience.
Came here on Friday with le boy for the first time and we were both really impressed. The food was delicious. I had the lamb tartare to start and seared duck for my main dish. The tartare comes with a cute little quail's egg that you pour over the lamb. So cute and good! The duck was exquisite--perfectly cooked and served with melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi. My boyfriend had the octopus (mmmmmmm) and pork, and both were amazing. I liked the pork even more than my duck dish, but both were great. We split the hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert and holy christ it was tasty. Our cocktails were yummy too, though a bit on the sweet side. Knocked off a star because our waiter was Sir Mumbles and we had to ask him to repeat everything he said. Other than that, the service was great (friendliest maitre d' ever) and the atmosphere very sweet and sophisticated. I would absolutely come back here for a special occasion, I really enjoyed this spot.
This is quite a solid place. Their plates are simpler than other French restaurants I've been to, however they're full of flavor, and that's what matters in my humble opinion. Their wine selection is full of great wines. I tried a tasty Riesling last time I was here and I loved it. As for the plates, I tried what I believe to be Truffle Raviolis that I don't see in their menu anymore. =( They were delicious. With just the right amount of truffle oil for flavor that's not overwhelming. My date's steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. Service was prompt, although a bit detached. All in all a great experience, which is not that common in over-hyped restaurants around this area... Perfect for a great, relaxing date. =)
(4)
dan w.
Service- Extremely friendly and accomodating, but some of the younger waiters needed a bit more polish. Ambience- One of the nicer rooms in Boston with very well spaced tables Food- We take exception to the reviews that say "average". It is above average for the most part, but certainly not great. Lamb tatare very good. Beef Daube ( a braised beef shank in wine sauce) was also very good but could have used some baby carrots or pearl onions. The olive oil mashed potatoes were too good to be served in such a small portion. Duck breast was a perfectly done medium rare and not tough, and more than enough, but again, too unadorned. Wine- Very nice selection, but starts at the low end of about $35-40 with few selections at that range to an average of about $70, with quite a few well into the $100s. So while the food is pretty reasonable, the wine will assure you of an expensive night out. Well versed sommelier to help out with selections.
(4)
Robert M.
The food was probably 3.5 but I'm giving them an upgrade for the perfect walk-side seating with a view of the Public Garden on a stunningly beautiful day. Excellent location, pretty ordinary fare.
While this place used to be one of my favorite places in Boston (had I reviewed it any of my previous visits here I would given it 5 stars), my last visit here dropped it down and I don't think I will be going here again considering there are plenty of other similar options in Boston. Went on a bit late this Monday, was a slow day and were immediately seated. The service was good/great but not over the top considering there were hardly any people there it could have been better Am only going to talk about the things that went wrong; -Wine glasses weren't clean which we noticed only after the wine had been poured (something I didn't expect from a place like this). -Steak (Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre) was no where near what it was the last time I had it (was thoroughly disappointed) -Duck (Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, Black Olives) was pretty good but was a bit undercooked than what I had ordered -Ordered a side of Pan Fried Mushrooms instead got Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes -Usually the desserts are amazing but ordered Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, which could have been a bit better -Made a request on the dessert to write happy birthday (as candles were not allowed), which they forgot Over all was very disappointed considering my previous great dining experiences here. Was not worth it all and am probably never going to try it again.
(1)
Tony S.
I swear I thought I was in London. It had the crisp, clean ambience of high end casual-but-classy eateries in London (for those of you that know Bibendum, you'll feel right at home here). It has an bodacious upstairs dining room, but during the day, if you're lucky, nothing beats the view of the Boston Common and the passersby as you sit at one of the outdoor tables and sip on an iced tea or other daytime cocktail. If you can't score a table, then opt for bar seating, as the view is just as great. Surprisingly good value for the money, considering the uber chicness of the place. 2 caesar salads (one plain, one with chicken), 2 iced teas, and 2 coffees came out to $42, all on prime-dine real-estate. Definately coming back here again. It adds such the breath of fresh air this city needs.
(4)
Randy M.
i think the chef was training for the marathon i will just go for the highlights.. the bread was a day or so old...the Bouillabaisse smelled so bad that you feared getting ill if you ate it....the rare cheeseburger was well done... the service was the cause of alot of this....gawd and on a Saturday might no less..
(1)
C N.
Everything about this place was 5 stars but we all agreed only 4 stars because of the waiter. He was pretentious and seemed to be irritated by our questions. The rest of the staff was very pleasant and helpful. The food was well executed and the decor is beautiful.
(4)
Thomas M.
My wife and I ate here last night. We both thought the food and the cocktails were outstanding (I had the bouillabaisse, she had the tagliatelle with lobster). The menu plays on southern French food in delightful ways. The staff was very nice and also knowledgable, and the atmosphere was upscale yet comfortable and inviting. I definitely recommend Bistro du Midi.
Man, oh man, do I wish every dining experience could be like the one we just had at Bistro du Midi. This place is just simply amazing. In kind of a weird location, between a couple of hotels and upscale shopping locations on Boylston Street, Bistro du Midi is nestled in a difficult-to-notice spot, so difficult, in fact, that in the many years I have been living in Boston, I had never noticed it before. I walk along this stretch of shops many times a week, yet have never stopped in. Such a shame, too, for it is one of the best restaurants in all of Boston. Dog-tired after carrying my best friend's 35 pound two year old all across Boston for Disney Princesses on Ice (so cute, but so tiring!), my fiance had to drag me out to dinner. We couldn't decide where to go, so we figured we would try this place, having just noticed it for the first time. We sat down in Bistro du Midi's bar area, which is first come first serve, for at 7pm on a Saturday, the place was packed upstairs in the main dining room. We immediately grabbed a table by the window, overlooking the gardens, with the twinkling holiday lights outside. Quite romantic for a spur of the moment meal decision. We started with cocktails and yummy oysters. My fiance had a Sazerac which many bartenders do not know how to make, but this one made a killer drink for my man. And the oysters. Oh yes, the oysters. Briny Virginian and Sweet Nova Scotian. Yum. The vinaigrette the chef made was very herbal, and the vinegar was quite thick. A great pairing to the oysters. Next, my fiance had a beet salad with goat cheese and a lemon vinaigrette. Now, many places do a beet salad. I love 'em. But this one is special. Up until now, my favorite had been Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Vegas. Bistro du Midi's is better. The creamy goat cheese, the greens, and the beets are perfectly paired. No single ingredient outweighs another. And, the vinaigrette is tangy, sweet, and simply yummy. I started with the crispy pork belly with ratatouille. So freaking good. The sauce was rich and complemented the pork so nicely. And the veggy ratatouille was amazing. The care in chopping each of the veggy pieces so perfectly and consistently did not fall on blind eyes. The dish just looked beautiful. Next, my fiance had the Beef Daube. Man, oh man, after marinating these hunks of meaty goodness for days upon days in red wine, this was a carnivore's dream. Fall-apart goodness in a bowl of redwine glaze that made you want to lick the bowl clean. Even with my sweet 89-year-old British Nana's voice in my head reminding me of my manners, it was hard not to lick this stuff up. And the mashed potatoes were creamy and garlicy, a perfect pair to the beef. But my main was the real winner (if you can even compare the dishes). I had the Coral Infused Chitarra Pasta with Main Lobster, Sea Beans, and Lobster Jus. I love lobster. But this takes lobster to a whole other level. The pasta is handmade, pink, and delicious. The lobster chunks were plentiful. And the sauce. Oh, the sauce! Thick, creamy lobster sauce that is just incredibly rich and balanced. The sea beans add an extra salty crunch to the dish. Yum. For dessert, my man had the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake with Salted Ice Cream, which he said satisfied all of those cravings-- sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth-- in a single bite. I had the lavender beignets with chocolate sauce. Oh boy, these things were filled with a lavender cream that tasted oh so good. And the chocolate sauce just blew the beignets out of the water. While our meal was exquisite, what sets this place even further over the top is the service. We had two excellent servers, one at the beginning of the night, who gave us excellent app and entree suggestions, and one who took our table over after he and my fiance hit it off talking about cocktails. He ended up pairing every one of our dishes with a different wine, and surprised my fiance with an excellent special after-dinner drink at the end of our meal. He was so knowledgeable, and we were so impressed by his attentiveness. The meal was special to begin with, but the quality of the staff is impeccable. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Kitty L.
SUPERB! Highly impressed. I had out-of-town guests (foodies with very high expectations) and I was tasked with choosing the restaurant for dinner. Had never been, but had heard very good things. Everything was spot-on. From the service (impeccable), to the food (everything was outstanding) to the ambiance - lovely warm french provincial - I loved it all. Standouts were the pork belly appetizer, scallop appetizer, monkfish entree and duck entree. So thrilled to find a spot that seems to do everything exceptionally well. In my line of work, I am always recommending restaurants a/o taking clients out, so it's of tremendous value to find a restaurant that exceeds expectations and one that I would be confidant recommending without hesitation. Grateful to all who made this such a wonderful dining experience. Planning to go back this week.
(5)
Todd C.
After reading a few of Bistro du Midi's stellar reviews, I decided to try it out for a late lunch. Service was excellent, as was the ambiance. I ended up ordering the Pissaladière for an appetizer. It was cooked perfectly, with flaky crust and a generous helping of anchovies. I ordered the Steak Frites, and although the fries were excellent, the steak itself was rather tough. To make matters worse, I had ordered it medium rare, but was served slices of steak that still had a pulse. The steak was also rather tough (due in no small part to the rareness). In fairness, my idea of medium rare might lean more towards medium, and I also did not raise the issue with my waiter (who was excellent), so this shouldn't count against Bistro du Midi too much. My other small gripe was over the price they charge for a Kronenbourg draft. While I have no complaints about the beer itself, Kronenbourg is more of a mass-market beer in Europe (slightly better than a Bud in my opinion). I know restaurants in general add crazy markups to booze in general (and beer and wine in particular), but $9 for a pint of Kronenbourg is pretty high. If they started offering something of a higher quality (anything Belgian like Chimay or Duvel), I would gladly shell out $9 (or more). I plan on checking out Bistro du Midi's dinner offerings in the future, so my review may end up being higher. Until then this place is still a solid choice, but if I had to do it over again I'd probably order the croque madame (which looked excellent).
(3)
Ed M.
This is an excellent French Provincial restaurant. I was nearby alongside the Public Gardens and decided to have a nice lunch. This Bistro has wide open doors onto the sidewalk, very inviting. They were not busy at 1:30 and I got a table by a door. T he staff was very relaxed and welcoming. My gin and tonic was just right. It came in a short but stubby glass. A good beginning. I ordered the fried artichoke to go with lamb cannenoli (picture). Both were very good. The lamb was a generous lunch portion with three rolls in a cheese sauce, well stuffed with lamb chunks. I had a glass of burgandy from the extensive wine list from which you can findanything you may wish.. They have fried beignets so I had to eat that! A completely unplanned and first rate lunch in a marvelous Boston setting. So glad I came here instead of going to the Oak Bar in Copley Square.
(5)
Nicole L.
Went here for Boston Dine out. Really disappointed at the food. Nothing was memorable. My husband had a duck pate for the pate. It was not bad, but we've had better in many other places. I had the sea bass tartar for the first course. We both agreed that it was just okay. Second course, he had the duck bolognese and I had a some kind of white fish steak dish. His dish was pretty flavorful, but.....it's a pasta dish if you know what I mean. I was surprised with the olive sauce/side that came with my fish dish. However, it was pleasant, but I was not amazed. The dessert was again, nothing worth mentioning. I usually think Boston Dine out/ Restaurant is a good way to discover new restaurant. We had some awesome experiences in some places and have been going back during non-restaurant week period. Sadly, this is not the case here. We may wait for another year or two until we want to give this place another try.
(3)
Guillaume G.
The food was exquisite. Among my favorites are: 1- Spanish Octopus - very tender and delicious 2- Assortiment de Charcuterie - A must have (the rillettes de porc rank among the best I have ever had) 3- Magrets de Canard 4- Calvados Soufflet Top this with a Saint Estephe from Bordeaux and you have the perfect setting for a perfect dinner. Voila! Bon appetit Mesdames et Messieurs.
(5)
Mary T.
French food is one of my favorite types of cuisine and I loved this place! I came here during Restaurant Week and tried their appetizers, main course, and dessert. For the appetizer, I had the escargot beignet. This was interesting. I have never had escargot prepared in this method. They put a batter on the escargot and fried it. And they bathed it in this winter squash soup. The sweetness and creaminess of the soup enhanced the flavor of the escargot! I thought the escargot by itself was a little bland though. As for the entree, I had pan roasted hake. First of all, the presentation was really nice. It was more on the rustic side, but yet they it was cohesive to the rest of the menu. I thought the hake was perfectly seared. The skin was crispy and the fish was moist and cooked at the right temperature. The main element of this dish, in my opinion, was the bouillabaisse. Although the consistency of the soup was light, but they somehow infused it with so much flavor. It was very rich and it paired well with the seafood. The dessert was the highlight of my dinner. I ordered the vanilla mousseline. Every component of the dish was a surprise at first bite. The espresso ice-cream was a perfect way to end the meal! It had such a strong espresso flavor and the chocolate-y, coffee flavor balanced well with the vanilla mousseline. Overall, I enjoyed every aspect of the meal.The service was good as well even though it was really busy. I plan to come back again soon!
(4)
Quynh Nhu D.
Had dinner plans with my friends so we just thought hey lets try this place for restaurant week. moi: Escargot Beignet, Roasted Chicken Breast, and Caramelized Bosc Pear Tart Service was fine, no issue. We just sat at a table that made it almost impossible to get in and out so it was a little bit uncomfortable. The escargot came out looking pretty fantastic. I applaud the showmanship. No spoilers ;) But I was surprise that the squash soup was not warm... It wasn't a chill soup though so I was confused. The escargot beignet tasted great, really fun to eat. My main made me sad though. The chicken's seasoning wasn't working for me. The skin was salty but the rest was pretty bland. And they make me feel like I don't like polenta. I hope that if I have chosen something else, it would have tasted much better. My friend's comments that his meal was ok, nothing extravagant. Dessert was my favorite however. The pear tart was nice and warm, leaving a good last impression. Hoping if I ever return, I can maybe bump the stars up a little higher.
Since California banned foie gras, I now have to hunt for it on my travels. Thus, my vacation list usually looks like this: 1. Foie gras. 2. Foie gras. 3. OMG! FOIE GRAS. Bistro Du Midi and her lovely self welcomed me and my sister for dinner. We sat outside on the sidewalk since it was a gorgeous, balmy evening. My eyes automatically zeroed in on the seared foie gras with rhubarb coulis and strawberries, boy, it was perfection. I savored every bite and I'm so glad that my sis isn't into foie so it was all mine! She had the mussels in a basil tomato broth and had crunchy grilled bread to dip with. May I say? do NOT ever skip the bread basket here. Obviously made in house, so it was fresh and very good. The grilled Spanish Octopus with compressed watermelon and frisee salad was appropriately fancy (ink vinaigrette? get out of town!) and can we ever have dinner without snacking on french fries? apparently not! Tipsy off of the Marius cocktail (damn that absinthe rinse is soo good!) my sibling and I finished dinner and walked off the calories at the park across the street. Thinking of about my meal here and THAT foie gras, make me wish, I was back in Boston again.
(4)
Edward W.
Very nice place with 2 floors: upstairs is more classy & usually for reservations, while downstairs is more casual with bar & patio seating. It overlooks the Public Gardens, so you'll have a nice view while eating. Tried 2 appetizers and an entree: - Foie Gras: Since this is banned in Cali, I decided to try some. Very creamy/ buttery with a very rich taste. Came with some pickled vegetables and jelly to pair with, but I honestly preferred eating it with the complementary bread (great bread btw) - Spanish Octopus: Very tender (for octopus) & nicely marinated. Comes with some mussels and veggies. Preferred this over Foie Gras. - Beef Cheek Daube: My favorite dish by far here. Tender to the point of falling apart in your mouth, and juicy. Not too salty or bland, which were the main complaints I saw here. Personally I enjoyed it very much. Came with romanesco broccoli (very weird looking but tastes just like cauliflower) Word of Warning: don't ask the waiter what's good. They'll make everything sound amazing and you'll be more indecisive than ever before.
(4)
Forrest S.
worst service ever Alex, the waitress pretty much forgot our order- no apologies from the manager other than a feeble attempt to throw down an unwanted dessert on our table and run away. go somewhere else
(1)
Yuan J.
I came here on the 3rd day of Restaurant Week Winter 2015. The food was fantastic as was the service! The choices available for Restaurant Week are all really amazing, but I would recommend getting the pan-roasted Hake. It was probably one of the most perfectly cooked and delicious pieces of fish I have ever had in my life. My dessert and salad were fantastic as well. All in all, a great meal and a really good deal. I will definitely be coming back for more!
(5)
J C.
I have lived in Boston for about 3 years and from the begging have heard how great Bistro du Midi is. Some advice don't wait as long as I did to go try Bistro du Midi!!! This place is great! The food was amazing! Such an extensive wine menu but what made my 1st dinning experience so amazing and memorable was our server Sam. He was so fun, friendly, & professional. I can't wait to go back. Ps order the pear tart!
(5)
Mikel A.
BEWARE - *Extremely* Overhyped Food Boyfriend and I were visiting in town and I wanted to find a romantic dinner for two - something nice but not extravagantly expensive. When we first sat down, I inwardly applauded my choice - everything seemed perfect: location, ambience, service... Unfortunately, we soon found out the food left something to be desired (especially for the price). This restaurant is categorized as French, but the menu is definitely seafood-centric. There were only a few dishes that didn't consist of fish, shellfish, etc. I ordered the roast chicken, which ended up costing $50 (when I asked if I could just order a single portion the waiter failed to mention we'd be charged for two people). This, in and of itself, is fine except that the chicken was devoid of flavor; sadly, any rotisserie chicken I've purchased (even Costco or the local supermarket) was more impressive. My side of veggies was smaller than 1/6 cup. Boyfriend said the same - his meal was mediocre if not mundane - certainly not worthy of $$$ - $$$$ pricing. All in all, we spent $200 on a very lackluster, disappointing meal.
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said: the restaurant has good service, terrific bread (one of the few restaurants that also serves their bread with olive oil), quite good food (I wouldn't say it blew my mind) but the star is really the chocolate souffle, which if nothing else makes this place worth coming back to. We had the hamachi tartare for starters which was good (although I think I'd rather recommend the escargot beignets, as they looked much more fun) but nothing special. We then had the hake, which is also a delicious fish but not a stunner. The dine out boston desserts, chocolate mousse and pear tart, were good (especially the chocolate mousse - not so much the pear tart) but not incredible. But then. The Chocolate Souffle. It blew my mind - warm, delicious, dark, rich, thick. Without a doubt the most delicious chocolate souffle in Boston, if not in New England. Order it if you go!
(4)
Sarah V.
I'm utterly disappointed because this used to be my favorite restaurant in Back Bay for a while. The food is still phenomenal but the service is the worst I've ever had. Our server didn't show up for a solid 15mins after we had been seated. Oddly, this establishment has the servers bring you the menus rather than the hosts. Travis, our server left us feeling incredibly awkward. He forgot to put in the order for our charcuterie and it wasn't until he returned to take our entree reservations that he remembered. Thank god the food was amazing as always. Towards the end my mother order an espresso which was served to our table cold. Upset, my mother sent it back and our server returned to the table apologizing and saying he took it off the bill. He then proceeded to explain in a rather rude tone that the machine will not allow him to make it any hotter, but offered to make her another one. When we finally got our bill, we were charged for the remade espresso which was even colder than the first. Bistro-your food is amazing. Please, step up the management and training game with your service. Edge it up a little and stop being so stingy. Don't know if I'll be returning anytime soon.
(2)
Anchisa P.
Really beautiful restaurant and food. Everything tastes good (escargot, monkfish, pear tart) but not amazing. Terrific service.
(4)
Sophie R.
Went during the restaurant week. Service was great - wait staff very attentive and friendly but we were not impressed with any of the food served from appetizer to dessert. Mine was very bland. Probably not coming back.
(3)
Taniusa B.
I have been to this place with my husband for his birthday . The place it is very nice and classy. The service was ok. The food was very good, and the plates are beautiful presented. I would definitely go back !
(5)
Michael M.
Wonderful brunch that was reasonably priced. View of the public garden added to the ambience. Wait staff was friendly prompt and knowledgeable. I got the salmon eggs benedict and really loved it. Look forward to my next visit!
(5)
Debra L.
It's never a good sign when you eat somewhere a second time and wonder why you loved it so much the first time. I brought my parents here and it was just as beautiful and the service was just as lovely as previously, but the food was disappointing to the point where I don't see myself coming back again. We ordered the steamed mussels (again) and they were still delicious in their unique basil cream sauce. But for our main dishes, we were all disappointed. I got the sense that everything kind of tasted the same, and on top of that, everything ran salty. My mom ordered the Pan Seared Tilefish and although the fish itself was different and its description for how it was prepared was different, it tasted just like my Pan Seared Coalfish from my previous visit, which I had described as "not entirely swept off my feet with the flavor--there was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't that memorable or noteworthy." I ordered the Bouillabaisse and enjoyed the variety of seafood in the dish but it also had the same tomato-y, salty flavor to it as the pan seared fish--it was a little uncanny how everything felt like it was on the exact same note. I also had a problem with how salty the Bouillabaisse was. My dad initially ordered the Squid Ink Tagliatelle and asked for it to be softer than al dente but it still came out overly firm (consistent with my previous dining experience) and there wasn't much to it besides tomato sauce and again, a lot of salt! We mentioned it to the staff, who were so accommodating and professional and offered to replace it. He ordered a Bouillabaisse like mine and requested it to be light on the salt but it still came out salty. All in all, not the most satisfying meal. 5 stars for the service and the dining area but honestly, I wouldn't come back again for the food, which doesn't really leave much else to come back for at a restaurant.
(3)
richard K.
I went here for brunch Saturday morning. There was no wait and the hostess was friendly. We both got mimosas, which were decent. The waiter brought some bread and oil which was yummy. I got an omelette with mushrooms, cheese and I think spinach and my date got the croque madame which he enjoyed. My omelette was good but not great. He also got the potato pancakes which were just okay. The food was good but not amazing. I appreciated that it wasn't super greasy or buttery. I would like to go back and try the place for dinner.
(4)
Ray C.
The possible only other great restaurant with a fine view of the Boston Commons is No.9 Park. The dining room has a great atmosphere with the beautiful aforementioned view. The food is delicious as well. I had the seared duck breast, cooked perfectly, and my friend had a delicious bowl of seafood. I think everyone else mentioned the Foie Gras. I really don't have anything wrong to pick with this place.
(4)
Jenn Z.
Always enjoyed dinners here. Beautiful setting, attentive services, and food that has yet to disappoint. The chocolate souffle was definitely worth the wait.
(5)
Margaret N.
Pretty interior and conveniently located across from the public garden, but service was horrible! There were only two other groups that came after my group and I, but I still had to ask them to order. In addition, the waiter/owner asked my friend if she wanted foie gras on her burger and she didn't hear him, so she said, "what"? And he kept on asking her, "you don't know what foie gras is??" Rather than explaining, which is very rude and uncalled for because what if she didn't know what it was?! The menu doesn't have much of a selection... They don't list coffee and cafe drinks, which is weird cause they serve breakfast and brunch and it's a French cuisine cafe... They gave us bread and oil, but bread was burnt and they took the bread away when my friend was still eating from the bowl... My friends and I tried the burger, croque madame and chicken pan bagnet. The burger bun was bland and huge, but the meat was nicely prepared.. Tasted bland though- no flavor! And then the chicken pan bagnet was similar too.. So much bread, not so much meat. The pesto was good, I'll give them that! I had the croque madame and it was nicely prepared, but a tad on the oily side. The salad it came with was fresh and nicely seasoned though. Overall the experience and slim menu selection is the reason why I'm never going back!
(2)
Kendra B.
I've been here twice with my boyfriend, it's been a pleasure on both occasions. Cozy, quiet, modern upstairs with a bar on the lower level.
(5)
Jeff F.
Came in tonight after having been here more than 4 years ago for dessert and being impressed. Bistro du Midi had been on my short list but it took us too long to come back. Bistro du Midi is a great option for higher end French dining in Boston. Service was good, ambiance/setting on the 2nd floor overlooking The Public Garden was excellent and the food was solid. Here's the rundown: - Lamb Tartare (B) - Truffle on top was the best part. Good, but not on the shortlist - Bay Scallop App (A-) Get this - Octopus (A-) Tender, solid dish. Not Craigie Octopus, but worth ordering - Boar Ragout (A-) A little light on the pasta compared the Ragout, but very good - Monkfish (A) very good - Brussels Sprouts side (B+) - Pork Chop (A-) - Chocolate Souffle (B) good, but slightly undercooked and/or off - Cinnamon Beignets (A) perfect Solid 4 star option. Great in the winter. Notes from Follow Up Visit: - Seabass Crudo (B) - good but a miss - Bibb Salad (A) - Red loved it, but need to remember no Blue Cheese - Pan Roasted Codfish (A-) - Solid - Boar Ragout (B+) - great dish but undercooked the pasta - Ribeye (A-)
(4)
Stephanie B.
A MOUSE was running across the floor of this restaurant this evening. I was trying to enjoy a date night, which doesn't happen too often. We had just finished our appetizer when I saw a huge mouse run across the floor. I calmly and quietly brought this to the attention of the staff. They didn't seem as horrified and shocked as I would have expected. They just brought us our bill and that was it. No apology. Nothing taken off the bill. I couldn't get out of there fast enough! Do not eat here if the luxury of having your feet on the ground is important to you.
(1)
Salman I.
Perfect place to enjoy a great meal. The service was friendly and prompt and the menu was really good. Will go back again for sure.
(5)
Tim S.
We dined there the weekend of Independence Day as visitors celebrating our anniversary. The sea bass and chicken were excellent! And the cheese plate! The wine selection included two from our visit to Burgundy (never in Cali) so we ordered one and it was delicious. Thank you for the memories. We ate upstairs which has longer than average tables forcing one to lean in and whisper. They also have dim track lighting above which they turned down just before we ordered and the menu font is both light and small. My spouse insisted that I not use my phone so I had to guess when choosing a bottle as I was unable to retrieve my tasting notes. Luckily, both bottles were Premier Cru. Nonetheless, the situation made the sommelier nervous but he was unfamiliar with the winery and had to pace back n forth under a dim track light to confirm my selection. Next time, plan ahead and call ahead. I would give 5 stars if they didn't force me to read in the dark. I requested 3 business cards and recommended it to traveling work colleagues with the caveat to read the menu before visiting. Although we dressed up for a weekend evening, about half the patrons did not.
(4)
Marco M.
My gf and I came on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm after walking around Boston. We made it in time to have the brunch menu, and we were very happy with what we had ordered. Being able to sit outside on the sidewalk in the shade, it was the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a meal to close out the weekend. We started with a half dozen oysters from the east coast (Boston, Maryland) and they were a bit SALTY for my taste, but nonetheless prepared well. For the entrees, she got the salmon with mussels, chorizo and some mixed greens to compliment which was very GOOD. I ordered the Croque Madame which I was very happy with, an overall RICH and HEARTY portion of ham, cheese and fried eggs. To cap off the meal, we did some espressos which were OK and the Gianduja with salted caramel ice cream that was LIGHT and perfectly satisfying for the sweet tooth finish. The service was attentive, atmosphere was great and the price was very reasonable to what we ordered. If I am ever back in the area and looking for a nice bite next to the park, I wouldn't mind coming back here. Buon appetito.
(4)
M N.
The calamari is the best-- ever (request the aioli on the side). All the waitstaff was very accommodating and didn't rush us. The wait list is long for good reason, be sure to make a reservation ahead of time. Cocktail list was not impressive so I added Pearl Cucumber to the non-alcoholic beverage which was muddled mint with cucumber and lime. The first floor atmosphere was beautiful with a great view of Boston Common , the second floor seating was dark and would be ok in the winter or at night. Go have a cocktail or a glass of wine with some bites. An overall positive experience. Well done.
(5)
Mrs. F.
When I lived in Boston this was our favorite date spot. They make a lavender infused tequila drink called a petanque that is the absolute best cocktail I've ever had. The food is always interesting and tasty. The service is professional and knowledgable, not overly friendly.
Sadly, I have to give this restaurant three stars. The food was absolutely wonderful - my group of five had several of the appetizers, including the tuna tartare, the foie gras, the grilled octopus, and the raw scallops. All of these were absolutely delicious, though fairly small. We also all enjoyed of our entrees - I had the gnocchi and my coworkers all had different types of fish (monkfish and cod, I believe). We all loved the food. In addition, we shared the chocolate mousse, the beignets, and the chocolate and calvados souffles for dessert, and everything was delicious and well-cooked. However, the service at this place was disappointingly awful. First, we had a reservation but arrived late. They told us there would be a wait for seating, which we felt was reasonable given our lateness. However, when we were taken upstairs, we noticed that there were several empty tables, and we hadn't seen anybody leave the restaurant while we waited. I'm not sure if they just were annoyed at us for arriving late, but we had to wait another fifteen minutes to be seated in a mostly empty dining room. The hostess was also fairly rude. After we were seated, a waiter eventually came over and asked about ordering. First, we ordered a very expensive bottle of wine. When they came out with the bottle and began to open it, it was clear that it hadn't been stored properly, as the server crumbled the very cry cork while trying to open the bottle and took about five more minutes to get the cork out. The wine was still very good, but it seems unprofessional to me for a nice restaurant to not store their wine properly, especially for such an expensive bottle. Then, we began ordering food. A member of our party hadn't yet arrived, so we first only wanted to order appetizers and save our entree orders for later. The waiter acted very weird about this and seemed annoyed with us. We ordered about 6 appetizers for the table, and he kept putting up his finger to stop us during our ordering (which felt awkwardly rude to me), and he commented on the fact that it was a lot of food in a sort of disparaging way. He also never brought us bread (which every other table had). The appetizers were fairly small, so it definitely didn't end up being too much food for our party of five. He then took drink orders. One of my colleagues ordered a cocktail, and after waiting for it for about ten minutes checked in with the waiter about its status. The waiter said "it's right on its way!" Then two minutes later, the waiter came back and asked what drink my colleague had ordered, naming a drink that he had not ordered. Clearly the drink hadn't actually been "right on its way". It took a few more minutes then finally came out. The evening continued in an odd manner. The waiter was a bit overly talkative and would jump in on our conversations in an awkward way, always sort of sneaking up behind people without us realizing he was there. I definitely don't mind friendly waiters who occasionally chat with their guests, but this one was honestly a bit weird and awkward. Service was slow, and the waitstaff didn't often check in on us regarding water, ordering the next course, etc., so the meal took a long time. Overall, I am tempted to go back for the food, but I probably won't, because the rude / slow / weird service has turned me off.
(3)
M N.
We had an absolutely beautiful dinner here on New Year's Eve. I enjoyed the food, the service and the ambiance. I was passing by the restaurant the other day and I remembered I owe them a 5-star review.
(5)
Bridget W.
Having dined here before we had high hopes. With relatives in town for a conference we agreed to meet on a Friday evening. The location is beautiful, directly across from the Public Garden, with easy parking under the Common or at the front door if you don't mind paying for valet service. Our reservation was honored promptly and seating was fine. However the food and service were far less impressive than our last visit. Our waiter was on his third day but was friendly and hard working. A senior waiter popped by often; he was very knowledgeable but rather brusque and rigid. Our party of 4 ordered 3 different appetizers. Tea-infused salmon, ordered by 2, was unremarkable. There are 2 salads offered, and the endive/arugula was clearly (and sadly) the standout of the entire evening. The 4th app was the other salad, specifics of which I do not recall. We ordered 2 of the bouillabaisse entree and both diners were a bit surprised to find it served in a roux-based sauce, not a broth. They agreed this preparation didn't work well. Cavatelli Bolognese was pronounced "bland" and was such a meager portion it seemed more suitable for a half order. The beet gnocchi arrived about 8 minutes after the other entrees but had nice texture and flavor. There were many apologies for the confusion (blamed on the kitchen) but it would have been nice to have had the other 3 diners' plates removed and serve all 4 entrees at once. Instead 3 of us had to start eating less our meals get cold while diner 4 waited patiently. No credit on the check for this error either. Desserts were beautifully presented and tasty, but not great. Unfortunately the experience did not warrant the price. Lots of other great spots downtown, time to move on to something else.
(3)
TinoX T.
NIce Place,awesome Staff,delicious Food. Like the Place Specially The Coktails
(4)
Emily L.
Great food! Been here several times. Last time I was here I got the lamb tartare to start, duck breast as my entree, and a scoop of caramel ice cream for dessert. The lamb tartare was delicious and well seasoned. The duck was cooked to a perfect medium rare. The time before we got the hake. It was so deliciously flakey and the vegetables complimented it quite wonderfully. We got the grand Marnier shouffle as dessert. It takes 25 minutes to make but it was worth the wait! Their downstairs is a bar with a lounge area/outdoor patio seating. The second floor holds the dining area and private rooms. Also, I found one of my favorite wines here. Thomas Henry pinot noir.
We had another fantastic meal there last Saturday in celebration of my wife's birthday. We had been debating the tasting menu and when we ordered it they already knew that some items were similar to our last meal and they made sure it would be a little different. We started with an amuse bouche of razor clam which had a great texture and flavor. The first course might have been the best. The coconut and perfectly cured salmon was amazing. It was a perfect spring dish to start the meal. The second course worried me as someone who had never tried octopus before but i shouldnt have been worried. It was cooked to perfection and the accompanying mussel and lobster jus added just the mix of flavors. The third course of foie gras was very thin and went well with the pickled vegetables. It probably couldve used one more crostini but Im nitpicking The fourth course of tilefish with clams in a citronelle emulsion had the most amazing aroma. It was delicious though i will say it probably smelled even better. The fifth course was chitarra pasta with mussels and sea urchin. The flavors came together very well and it was a great pasta course. The sixth course of guinea hen and gizzard guilelette finished out the mains nicely with a solid contrast between the two. The dessert course was perhaps our 2nd favorite with the petit calvados souffle and gianduja beignet the stars of the trio on our plate. Throughout the meal the wines were excellent as well. Another great experience
(5)
Celia C.
Great service, we had to go to another restaurant, the service was awful, so we decided to go to this nice little place instead, we just showed up, no reservations, we told them out bad experience next door, they figured out a way to sneak is in, were glad we chose this place, the food was small portions of heaven, it was the winter menu, apparently they change it every season, we wanted to try everything in the menu, so the server suggested small portions from each plate, we had soup, duck, fish, you name it, it was there! It was very good! Loved it!
(5)
Samantha H.
Roast chicken for 2 well worth the 60 minute wait.( this isn't fast food people). So good!
(5)
Jeff H.
Just drinks..pricey and bartender was inattentive chatting with friends..to many choices to pay for lackluster service
(3)
Ariel Z.
Probably one of my top Restaurant Week experiences in Boston. Started off with the steamed mussels and garlic cream appetizer (a sizeable portion). That garlic cream was so delicious, we were dipping our bread in it constantly to soak up all the goodness. We even started to spoon the rest of it straight up (in the classiest way possible, obviously). Next, I ordered the pork and duck bolognese pasta. Seemed small at first, but true to French cuisine in its richness, texture, and flavor. Yum! The dish quite surprisingly filled me up. Oi, the dessert: apricot clafoutis with buttermilk ice cream. The brown sugar crust and warm, succulent apricots were so comforting. Like a big warm hug from dear old grandma. Love this place (and the experience) so much, I plan to revisit here often. Bonus points for the view of the Common!
(5)
Richard L.
Reservations for a b-day dinner for four were confirmed via Open Table for 7:30 a day in advance. When we arrived on time the next day, the hostess says they have us down for 8:45. Says it's Restaurant Week and the bistro is swamped with patrons. How is any of this our problem? The whole point of a confirmed reservation is precisely for such instances, no? To make this worse, the hostess had a healthy dose of attitude and wasn't too accommodating. I don't appreciate poorly trained staff acting as if they're doing patrons a favor when they're straightening out in-house problems that really have nothing to do with us. Our waiter was average and went through the motions of doing an adequate job. The food, however, was excellent. Nonetheless, without better staff training, I don't see why I would pay for such service again. Too many good places to eat in the area.
(2)
Christine N.
bistro du midi is fantastic. i've dined here a few times before but my most recent visit just reminded me of how much i love it here. i came here last week during their restaurant week/dine in. i met my friends promptly for our 730 reservation and we were seated immediately. i perused the restaurant week special menu and the options were great. i decided to go with the hamachi tartare, the grilled flat iron and the mousseline. we also decided to have a bottle of wine as well. the hamachi tartare was fresh, delightful and tasty. the grilled flat iron was cooked to my liking, a medium rare and i loved the purple potato puree that came with it. the mousseline was delicious. the bottom was a dark chocolate and the top was a thin sheet of i think caramel? either way, it was so good. usually i have a favorite part of my meal but bistro du midi just hit all the right spots on every course. my friend and i had a great time here and our waiter was very nice and attentive. no complaints from me! i'll definitely be back!
So two of my Filipino friends and I went out for a late lunch to Bistro du Midi last Saturday afternoon. The crowd was all-Caucasian, the dress code was a mix of casual and formal. We were in casual clothes. We got in, the place was at nearly full capacity but we were promptly seated. So far so good. And then it got funny. There were about 7 tables inside the restaurant and more outside. The two-seater beside ours was empty. There were 4 servers going back and forth passing by us. All of whom would look at each other, look at us, and totally avoid our table. All this awkward eye shifting went on for about 10 minutes while we were sitting there not being served. Then a server approaches us, tells us he's not really our server but offers us water because he saw we weren't being taken care of. An older Caucasian couple walks in, gets seated at the table next to us and a server promptly appears to assist them. My friends and I look at each other. I'm not really sure what was going on. I can think of a few ideas: 1. The servers just don't like customers of a different skin color? 2. The servers haven't seen Asians before? 3. There was some seating issue going on so the staff was confused on who our real server was supposed to be? I would say there's 15 tables in total, including the ones outside. That's a tough number to manage between 4 servers right? 4. We weren't wearing the right brand of casual clothes? 5. We didn't have the appropriate amount of bling and somebody at the door actually counts? 6. None of us went in brandishing an Am Ex Black card or saying "do you know who I am?" 7. Bistro du Midi is actually a secret society and we didn't say the password or offer the secret handshake at the door? I couldn't figure that one out to be honest. We got served reluctantly, eventually. We stayed anyway, played nice, enjoyed the food (it was really good) and joked about being the undesirables. Look, we went into this place knowing that we'll have to pay for our meal and tip reasonably (which we still did). In return, we expected to be treated the same way as everybody else who go here, not like second-tier customers. Bottom line is, we can afford to pay. It shouldn't have mattered how we looked. Plus, since my crowd can really eat, we racked up two tables' worth of tab. Hopefully, this is not a regular occurrence here. One of the friends who was with me has been here before and actually got good service. But what an uncomfortable experience. Especially in this day and age, and in a city that's supposed to be getting more and more exposed to diversity
(1)
Eric D.
Abandon the restaurant week menu, the restaurant is not too pricey. Foie gras appetizer was melt in your mouth. The beef cheek was so juicy and tender, and the duck was the best my gf has ever had. The service was great, and the bartender knows how to make the perfect Sazerac
(5)
Nicole C.
This was a terrible dining experience. We were seated next to some extremely wasted guys that were friends of our waiter. Our waiter spend most of his time bro'ing down with these characters rather than waiting on us. Our beef cheeks were almost cold. It took 30 mins to get our car from the valet. I could go on, but I have nothing good to say.It was a travesty to pay for our meal and leave a tip.
We had a group of six people and were seated in a semi private room at an awesome homemade looking wood table. The surroundings were very nice and shimmery and pretty. Our waiter was awesome... like really amazing, knew all about all of the food and specials, was a complete natural. I had a very nice salad, but it was just a little lacking in flavor. Then I had the Duck Breast which was nice, but it didn't blow me away. There was a lot of meat, and it was cooked nicely, but there was no sauce, and hardly any other flavor to the dish. The sides were minute, tiny, with not much flavor either. Strangely undersalted. I had to add salt and pepper to my food and I never do that. We had some sides that were pretty good, the bread at the beginning was pretty good. They also give you these homemade salted caramels at the end which are fun and yummy. We got a desert which was pretty good. I think I would have gone with the seafood should I go again. It was very pricey. The wine list is nice, expensive, but I had two glasses of wine which were both excellent, and served in lovely nice glasses. I wish the food had been better, because overall the experience was nice.
(3)
Christie L.
Classy date night kind of place. I came here for Restaurant week and was seated upstairs along the window facing the Commons. I loved the atmosphere and the decor. The staff was very attentive (my water glass never empty!! ) and friendly, but I was a little confused on who was our actually server. There were many people that tended our table. Appetizer: Crudo of Fluke: Tender and fresh raw slices of fish with pistachio, basil and blood orange. Very delicate, light and delicious. Pate: I never had pate before, but it was very tasty!! Just googled what it is.. apparently it is cooked ground meat and fat made into a spread. No wonder! Fat always tastes good.. but yeah it was very smooth and flavorful. It comes with a slice of bread, whole grain mustard and pickled veggies. Very yummy! Second: Pan Seared Coalfish: The fish was very tender. It was a perfect crispiness on top on a bed of greens. The flavoring didn't stand out to me too much , but it still had a very good delicate, smooth texture. Flat Iron Steak: Cooked to perfection and great sauces. The meat was juicy and tender. Third: Gianduju Palette: Delicious smooth hazelnut chocolate mousse cake with a crispy layer on the bottom. SO GOOD Lemon Pistachio Tart: yummy tart which comes with the best sorbet I have ever had. I don't even know how to describe it. It was a strawberry sorbet and had the perfect consistency and taste. I could have just got a cup of that and would have been happy. This place is totally worth it for $38 for Restaurant week. The pate and the desserts were really yummy. View of the commons was a nice plus AND your coats are returned to you warm!!
(4)
Marti M.
We enjoy this Bistro very much. The atmosphere is elegant, but very relaxed at the same time. You can dress up or go casual. The food is reasonably priced for Boston and consistently delicious including desserts. They accommodate food allergies in a way that assures you of their training and also, importantly, provided with a smile. The wait staff is exceptional, always genuine and knowledgeable. Just the right amount of attention. Highly recommend.
(5)
Pronabesh D.
Came across this place while walking around boston commons. Great food, everything we tried deserves 5 stars. My favs the tuna tartare and duck breast.
(5)
George B.
I was there with my wife and friends for brunch and although my wife specifically said that she has a milk allergy and asked that the chef doesn't use butter, when her dish came it was drenched in it. The waiter was totally nonchalant and didn't care about his mistake. He took the dish back and brought the same things with undercooked eggs... Again no apology. She eventually had to order something else. Terrible service and potentially life threatening. Won't eat there ever again. If you have any food allergies, too, you shouldn't eat there either.
(1)
Yupeng G.
Not as good as we thought.
(3)
Dot T.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and a great place for 2 or 3 couples to go for a meal to look forward to. When dining out, I always like to order something that I cannot cook well myself. The duck at Bisto Du Midi is among the best I have ever eaten. Ask for a seat upstairs near the window overlooking the public garden.
(5)
Nikhil P.
Jesus Christ that was good. Final meal in Boston before leaving after a three year journey of too many yelp reviews, and even more restaurants visited. Definitely ranks as one of the best of our entire time here. The food was just so succulent, flavorful, and settle at the same time. The Mme. Croquet was amazing, ham was perfect, not too salty, and the Gruyere cheese just closed it. Topped with the egg and it was amazing. Perfect use of some good, liquidy yolk as a topping. Also had the salmon dish. Cooked to perfection and, lima beans, chorizo, and muscles were the perfect combination. Sauce was amazing. The Bellini was also not too sweet, and nice and sparkly. Awesome meal. French food at its best.
(5)
Felisa F.
I'm usually weary about eating at nice places for brunch, but Bistro Du Midi was incredible. I had a bit of a wait to sit at the bar but the hostess and manager were very attentive in letting me know when a space would be free. It was a very nice day out so the whole restaurant was bathed in natural sunlight. I started off with the Bastille, a kind of sweet basil martini. It was perfect and did not taste like an herb at all. The bartender asked if I wanted the complimentary bread and butter [of course I did] and it was delicious. The crust was hard but the bread itself was soft and was delicious with the salted butter. Salmon Carpaccio [$15]: The salmon was cut a little too thick to really be called carpaccio but nonetheless amazing. The presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Everything was well seasoned. The thinly sliced jalapeno pepper and radish was a welcome texture/flavor contrast to the mild salmon. Quiche [$12]: I loved how the potato crisp was baked into the top of the quiche and not used as a side. The goat cheese wasn't at all over powering and the leeks, tomatoes, and spinach were the perfect combination. I'm a little disappointed by the sad bunch of greens on the side, they weren't necessary. I also would have liked to be offered the dessert menu, but alas....no dessert for me. Next time I'm in town, I would love to come here for dinner. A perfectly light and delicious lunch which did not break the bank.
Pricey, but very good. Skip the apps to leave room for the souffle.
(4)
Nat G.
My Lamb Canneloni at lunch was good, not special, with very mild flavoring, decent pasta. Service was good but with too much hovering.
(3)
Caitlin R.
Thouroughly enjoyed Bistro Du Midi for a friend's bachelorette dinner. We were given a good sized room upstairs with a farm table that sat ~16 people. The room was set back from the other patrons and included dividing curtains and doors for privacy. We enjoyed excellent food and wine. Highly recommeded!
First time here and it was Dine Out Boston. While this event often causes mediocre service and food, everything was great. We were seated although only half our party of 8 had arrived. We were fortunate to have a semi-private room that gave us a more intimate setting and kept us away from the noisier dining area. Breads include those skinny, long stick as well as olive oil and loaf bread. All of the food was delicious and beautifully presented. The winter squash soup with escargot beignets, pate, hamachi tartare were the different starters. All of the steaks came out just right and were tender. The Statler chicken had a crispy skin and was nice and moist. The hake was delicious, too. The desserts included a pear tart that would've been nicer if it was warmed and my ice cream not half melted. The chocolate mousse cake had a delectable dark chocolate flavor. We ordered a chocolate souffle that had a great chocolate flavor and nice crisp crust that we didn't waste. Food portions were just right for all of us and we didn't have any leftovers, which is a good thing. Will be back!
(4)
Patrick C.
Truly an outstanding experience. Staff must have learned from previous negative comments. Service was attentive and helpful. If available, I recommend the special tasting menu. I had hake and my wife had the duck dish. Both flavorful and delicious. Enjoy.
(5)
Dan W.
Awesome!
(5)
Scott M.
Those of you who have read my reviews in the past know that I put a huge amount of emphasis on consistency and customer service - the meal isn't just the meal, it is the entirety of the visit, from the moment you make a booking until the moment you leave the venue. I needed to make a somewhat unusual booking for dinner; despite my wife and I having been married for several years, I've never had the opportunity to meet my brother in law who happens to live in Massachusetts. As I knew I had a business trip to the area, this seemed like a great opportunity to rectify that. So, head to toe, the Bistro du Midi experience: First, I was disappointed that they didn't seem to have an easy email address for booking. I had to put credit on my Skype account and call from Australia during their opening hours to make a booking. I understand OpenTable is a thing in the States, but it isn't anywhere else, so requiring that for online interaction was a bit of a minus. I did get ahold of a human, and after being put on hold for a while, eventually made the booking. Or so I thought. When I showed up at the restaurant last night, the staff couldn't seem to find any record of it. I had even provided my email address so that they could contact me if there were any issues - I never heard from them, so, hoped for the best. Thankfully, this is a customer-service driven business, and they were happy to accommodate me. It was meant to be a booking for three, my brother in law, as well as his partner. It's possible they found my wayward booking, but the initial impression I had was "uh oh, this doesn't bode well..." Once seated at a table, service was friendly, fast, and courteous. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of friendly banter I typically get from waiters around the world; my waiter seemed all business, and didn't really "engage" with us as much as I'd have liked. Some of the other staff did, however, so that's good. My brother in law's partner couldn't make it, as she was feeling ill, so it was just the two of us. Turns out, he's quite the "foodie" and found the menu quite appealing. Better than that, we both found our meals to be superb! He went with the hake, I went with the pan seared tilefish with crispy scales -- WOW. Oh, but, I also started with one of my all time favourites: Foie gras. It was outstanding. An incredibly rich treat, served with a rhubarb coulis and fresh strawberry. Fantastic. Since my dining companion was driving, we had to keep things in moderation for alcohol. I was actually quite eager to order a bottle from Australia that I think he'd have loved, but, it would have been a waste. The wine list looked superb, and had I the chance, I'd REALLY have wanted to do the full chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing. It looked phenomenal, but, it's the sort of meal that you need to do with someone else, or entirely alone, as the 5 or 7 courses would seem odd compared to someone else's standard 1 or 2. For dessert, not something I typically have, I went with the vanilla mouselline. Outstanding. Served with an espresso ice cream; truly wonderful. We both finished off with a glass of something delicious and that was that. All sounds great, right? Well, there was a minus that left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth: During our dessert, as we were still eating, and sipping our dessert wines, the bill arrived. No "would you like anything else?" No "coffee? tea?" Just: Plop. That stung. My sense was that because I had booked for 3, and they sat us at a table for four, and it was just the two of us, that they really wanted the table back for another seating. If that was the case, there was no mention of that when I booked, nor when I arrived. Perhaps they just didn't like the cut of my jib, I don't know...but, it did leave me with a slightly sour note on what was otherwise a spectacular meal and a spectacular Get To Know You with an extended family member. I don't see myself visiting the area again anytime soon, but if I did, I'd definitely want to try out that chef's tasting menu.
(4)
Lily S.
Eating here has inspired the creation of a new Yelp List. Places that make my cooter wet. Yup. Having only eaten here once, I can't speak much for the food, other than that my rib eye was fantastic, but man did the service and decor woo the f-ing crap out of me. If Bistro Du Midi were a man, he would have gotten lucky last night, AND i wouldn't have even made him cuddle afterwards. Plush chairs, fireplace, excellent view of the Commons. Treat yo self girl. Edit: ok, back now that I've had a few meals under my belt (thanks work client dinners!). Here are some pro tips regarding portion control. If you're a hungry hungry hippo like me, stick with the rib eye, lamb neck, or pork chop. Otherwise get a starter; the lobster soup is divine, the tuna tartar also a good choice, and follow it up with a pasta dish or the monkfish (awesome btw!). Then gaze lovingly at the commons or the date that brought you there (or yourself).
(5)
John Mark P.
Made a brunch reservation for 2:30 via Open Table. Great prompt service, drinks, and food. The quiche is up there!
(5)
Jennifer S.
Great atmosphere. Amazing food, especially the beet gnocchi, ribeye and the bouillabaisse. One of my favorite restaurants in Boston for sure.
(5)
Suzette S.
I was fortunate to have a beautiful view of the commons on a snowy night. The dining room is beautiful, the service was wonderful, the food was delicious. This is a great place to meet friends who are in town for conventions, for dinner. It is convenient to lots of hotels and easy to find. AND...the food is really delicious!!!
(4)
Iannis R.
Bistro du Midi is the best Southeastern French food I have had outside of France. Our waiter, Manuel, was helpful, courteous, and friendly, and extra sure to make accommodations for our many food allergies. (Grazie mille, Manuel). The menu was nicely presented with cru, premier plats, entrees, and sides, along with a tasting menu (which we will get someday...), and a separate dessert menu. The upstairs interior is spacious, relaxed, and nicely decorated in the Provencal style. The lavande artificielle outside the window made us giggle. Perhaps one day global warming will allow lavender cultivation in Boston- but today is not that day. We started out with warm roasted garlic fougasse and breadsticks perfect for olive oil dipping. We both had their spring white asparagus soup with new potato. It was light, full of Spring flavors, and well-presented. For our main course, we had a daube de boeuf with persillade and spring parsnip foam. The sauce was rich, irony-umami, and utterly satisfying. The beef cheek was braised to perfection and mouthwateringly tender- no need for knives here. Foam is all the rage in haute cuisine at the moment. I am usually not a fan. However, this spring parsnip foam wasn't just ordinary foam. It had real texture and substance- almost more like a creme than a foam. The aroma of fresh spring root vegetables fills your nose and the back of the palate, and was almost reminiscent of my mother's Passover matzo ball soup. It's light but earthy flavor was the perfect complement to the sticky daube. With no room left for dessert, we finished off the meal with house-made sea salt caramels. The entire experience was warm and satisfying on a rainy late spring day, and brought us back to our honeymoon in Provence. We will be sure to make Bistro du Midi a habit for as long as we are in Boston.
(5)
Anna V.
Perhaps it was the lovely September weather and the opportunity to grab a high table just almost on the outside seating area...it turned into a perfect brunch! Loved, loved the fresh bread that comes in a wooden square "basket" and the olive oil in the tiny boat-shaped bowl. Adored the lemon kebab over my iced tea and the liquid sugar that came along with it. Overwhelmed by the huge portion of the Croque Madame and the eggs cooked to perfection, just tender enough to spill all over the buttery toasted bread. Totally satisfied with the warm concotion of cheese and ham which left my tummy very very yummy. Thrilled about the service, as the waiter made a point to come up every once in while to make sure I had everything I needed. Very much looking forward to coming back here for dinner the next time I'm in town!
Perfect for an Anniversary celebration. Feels homie and classy at the same time well balanced atmosphere and the food was delicious. At the end of the day you will forget all about the price. also our waiter even looks like Thor/Chris Hemsworth lol
(4)
Jack W.
Given the price, I can't say that I would recommend this place. The food was mediocre at best. I've tried a lot of French restaurants and the food doesn't really hold a candle to many of the more affordable/medium priced restaurants.
(3)
P. T. B.
Five of us had a lovely meal at Bistro du Midi tonight. Particular standout dishes included the bay scallop crudo, bouillabaisse, pork chop, and gnocchi. Service was spot on. Loved it!
(4)
Sikki N.
Very good service, food and location. Right in front if a park, you can either eat on their nice terrace or inside. Delicious food, gourmet style. If you are a Foie Gras fan don't miss the on they serve here, same comment on the mussels. Cocktails are good and different from the standard.
(5)
Beginning P.
Food: Was alright. Didn't think it was worth the hype or the money. Ordered seared duck breast and souffles. Good but not great. Would not go back. Service: Excellent. Atmosphere: Older, much older crowd. Lots of white hair. Not a hipster hangout. Made me feel old.
(2)
Ken R.
My husband called 3 weeks in advance, requesting a quiet table to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary. We were seated next to a party of, I don't know-20?- LOUDLY celebrating a big birthday. It's noisy in this restaurant, but this was scream-to-your- dinner-partner noisy. My gnocchi was warm, not hot, and my husband's steak was oily/greasy. We had a nicer time next door ( The Four Seasons) for dessert. Also, the new valet service offered a messaging service that "could not locate" our car ticket number; it took 20 minutes to get the car. Great dinner partner, poor dinner, good for a laugh (how else do you stay married for 39 years?).
I'm not gonna criticize the whole restaurant for the one waiter that is rude. I guess I'm unfortunate to meet a very rude waiter. He's impatient when he's explaining the menu, took my entre without asking if I'm done. Horrible experience. I've been here around 3 times, in general it was alright. But never order steak here. Steak here is dry, hard and horrible. China town cooks better i guarantee.
My new favorite in Boston. We held a 5 hour business dinner here for a party of 6. Nice room on the top floor. Service team spoiled us.
(5)
Eliza W.
This is one of my favorite places in Boston. With a little outdoor seating looking towards the park, it is a wonderful spot to enjoy a spicy tequila and some haricot verts. A french friend first brought me here and as I write this review from Paris i can say the following: it feels like a Paris cafe. (Of course, minus the smoking at your table.)
(5)
Peter W.
We went for the Valentine's weekend, even though the news reports were telling everyone to stay in because of the snow. We had early reservations and were seated on time. The hosts, waiter, and management were great. They were welcoming, efficient, and attentive. The dining space was very nice and the view of the snow through the widows was very pretty. The food was wonderful. We had fois gras, pork belly, and cheese appetizers. I had a Manhattan drink which was well made. Main courses were the pasta, duck, and pork chop. All very good. For dessert, we placed the order in early for the chocolate souffle which was very good as well.
(5)
Ryan L.
Fantastic place! First off, the service is impeccable. The wait staff knows when to pull plates and serve and swap silverware before you can think it. If you haven't been here before, I highly suggest the tasting menu with wine pairing. I am not strong with my French wines. However, I learned a lot with the wines paired with the food. I'm a foie gras junkie. Coming from California, it was banned over a year ago in the CCCP of California. The foie gras was cooked perfectly and paired with a wonderful Muscat. Will I come here again? You bet!
To sum it up: Great location, great mussels, souffle is ok. Got seated by the window overlooking the public gardens, which was really nice. Service and food was good. My only tiff was the souffle, but it's probably because I can't handle too much chocolate. Chocolate-good, chocolate on top of chocolate, smothered in chocolate with a side of chocolate-not my cup of tea. Although the souffle wasn't that, that's how it felt to me. But that was too much complaining. Just come here! Well, save some money and then come here!
(4)
Michelle T.
Brunch bombed. Totally disappointed with my food and didn't think value for money was there at all. The only redeeming factor was the wonderful attentive service, but what waste of money on the eggs benedict I got. I paid $13 for a salmon eggs benedict. Not cheap but not too expensive...until you see what you get. A simple toasted english muffin with a single slice of smoked salmon, not even large in area enough to cover most of the muffin. Then 2 poached eggs that are by ALL standards, completely under-poached. The egg whites were still transparent when they brought it out. NO SIDES. Not even a sprig of green. It just looked like a really sad sad dish. The hollandaise was heavy but tasted good. I had brought an out-of-town guest and was SUPER excited to dine at Bistro Du Midi, but it's safe to say we were both underwhelmed. I definitely won't be back here for brunch again.
(2)
Anna G.
I had never been to Bistro du Midi until yesterday, and then I went for brunch AND dinner, because brunch was JUST THAT AMAZING! I love the casual French bistro feel and, as a lover of the Boston Commons, love the location. The brunch was fantastic! I want to come here every weekend for the goat cheese quiche. The dinner was pretty good - much less bustling (we ate downstairs) but still delicious. The celery root soup with lobster was delic but not enough to want me to come back every weekend (like the quiche definitely did). I am looking forward to trying more of the dinner menu. But really - Go here for brunch, order the quiche, thank me later.
(5)
Rachel B.
This restaurant is fantastic. Hands down the best French restaurant I've been to in Boston....blows Craigie on Main and Number 9 Park out of the water. The space and decor is beautiful and elegant but still comfortable. Likewise the service is spot on - attentive and sophisticated without feeling stifling or condescending. I cannot say enough about the food. Our tuna and salmon appetizers were beautiful, delicate and just delicious. The charcuterie plate was inventive and tasty. Our entrees were perfectly portioned and flavorful. I especially love that the wine list was wide-ranging and affordable! Unlike so many Boston restaurants which are highly touted but slightly disappointing in actuality - this place scores the highest marks in every category.
(5)
Christina H.
I had high hopes for Bistro Du Midi, but was sadly disappointed. For our appetizer, the fried artichokes were heavily battered and doughy; I prefer them lighter and crispier. The slow-cooked crispy pork belly was good, but it was definitely overpriced for the small portion we received. The server recommended the duck for an entree and the chef recommended it cooked med rare, so we tried it. Immediately after the dinner, my boyfriend felt sick. We should have thought twice before thinking it would be a good idea to eat undercooked poultry even if it was a cook's suggestion! The pasta with wild boar ragout was tasty, but a little too salty. My boyfriend had made reservations for our anniversary and like a previous reviewer there was nothing in store for a special evening.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was not disappointed. We were seated in front of the window on the second floor and had a lovely view of the Common. So right off the bat we knew that this was going be a good night. The service was excellent and highly attentive without being overbearing. But now onto the food... In one word: delicious. I ordered the crudo of fluke which was tender and fresh, but could have used some more citrus. The flat iron steak was superbly cooked. I'm very picky when it comes to steak, and this was definitely a dish that I would recommend to any steak lover. For dessert I chose a chocolate mousse with bergamot ice cream. Light yet decadent, and wonderfully paired. Overall, this was a great dining experience. Whether you're looking for a romantic atmosphere, a locale for a special occasion, or even just a very nice dinner, this is a fantastic choice. It is fine dining without the pomp. Elegance without the pretentiousness. I look forward to returning to Bistro du Midi in the near future.
(4)
Ed T.
This is simply one fine dining experience. There were four of us, one a very successful wine retailer in the UK. All of us rated this as among the best restaurants we've ever visited. The food was creative and extremely well prepared. The wine staff very knowledgeable.The waiter was engaging without hovering. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's a don't-miss location. Well done.
(5)
Rachel C.
I had my anniversary dinner here. The ambience was perfect for the occasion. Right next to the park. It was actually snowing quite a bit that night and the lighting decorations outside our window made the evening seem even more romantic for the occasion. We ordered cocktail drinks that were strong but delicious and got us very excited for our meals. (I apologize I'm writing this from memory so I don't remember the names) I got the lamb and he got the duck. My meal was heavy and the portion was gigantic! Clearly my bf and I ordered the wrong dish for one another so we ended up stealing bites off of each others plates. The lamb was so soft the meat literally just fell off the bone and the duck....oh my...I couldn't stop stealing the duck. The ambience was something worth noting. The restaurant was large but felt intimate. The service was great! Overall I made the right choice for the evening :)
(4)
Proteus D.
Came here for a private work function. The food was superb and I have some very strict dietary requirements that they catered to fantastically. Can't recall what I ate but it was a fish dish. Would come again if in the vicinity.
When my company's board of directors announced they were coming to town, they had a clear idea of the type of place they wanted to go to for dinner. Must have great food, an amazing wine list, a quiet private room and NO CHAINS! I was the lucky guy who's job it was to pick the restaurant. No pressure or anything! I spent literally the best part of a week researching Boston's finest and Bistro du Midi came highly recommended and met all the criteria. I worked with Sam, who was great! I paid my deposit and breathed a big sigh of relief. Fast forward to a couple of days before arrival and the CEO's admin called to check that all the arrangements had been made, I confirmed that they had. She then said that the CEO knew about a restaurant in the North End and that was where he wanted to go instead! The NE restaurant (which shall remain nameless) does not have great food, the wine list is pedestrian, has no private rooms and is loud as hell. The complete opposite of what they had previously wanted, but hey, the CEO is the CEO, so I made reservations there. Unfortunately I had already paid a decent sized deposit to BdM and had to find a creative way to get my money's worth. As luck would have it, at about the same time I got news that I had been promoted and would be moving to Phoenix, Arizona. So where should I have my going-away lunch? hmmmmmmm :) Both Sam and Randy, the GM were amazingly cordial and accommodating. They took great care of our party of ten with a special lunch/dinner hybrid menu. The service was amazing and the wine, a 2009 Cote Roannaise, Clos du Puy by Domaine de Pothiers was probably the best Gamay I had ever had. So thank you board of directors for paying for (most) of our meal.. Best going away present ever!
(5)
Melody N.
My husband and I came here to eat the specialty croque sandwiches. We decided to go all 'croque' out and got their specialty croque sandwich for the day, the 'skinny croque'(or vegetarian), and croque madame(ham and cheese sandwich with a fried eggs). The specialty croques only come as one sandwich with a small salad and the croque madame comes as two sandwiches and salad or fries. I never had croque sandwiches before and we decided that the croque madame was tasty but it was a glorified ham and cheese sandwich. I liked their specialty sandwich(it had pork and goat cheese), but my husband thought it was just 'ok'. The vegetarian sandwich tasted good but wasn't anything too special. I think portion for the $5 sandwich would not be enough(maybe use as an appetizer and then get another entree). We got a couple of drinks to go with our sandwich. I got the En Thyme, which was a delicious blueberry concoction with thyme in it. I loved the scent of thyme in the drink. The ambiance is very romantic yet feels casual This place was a little out of our price range(especially for a sandwich). The mixed drinks were on the high side, about $13 for my drink. We might come here for a more special occasion to try other items.
(3)
Chryssandra B.
My boyfriend and I went here for a late Sunday night dinner and I can't rave enough about it! Our server, Travis, was pleasant, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. The place is absolutely beautiful, the wine list is extensive, and the food is some of the best I've had in a while. We got the octopus in eggplant, the lamb tartar, the bouillabaisse, and the seared duck. All were fantastic! Will definitely be going back!
(5)
Bangie D.
I went here for valentines day with my boyfriend, and I absolutely loved this place. The moment you walk in, you are greeted right away by a very friendly hostess who will check your coats. We actually arrived a half hour early for our reservation and we were seated right away, very accommodating. The service is excellent. Our server was spot on all night. From the beginning he was explaining the menu to us. He answered our questions, and seemed very knowledgeable of the menu; which is so impressive considering he must have just learned the menu for valentines day. He suggested a great wine, that paired perfectly with the meal. He checked on us all night and was very attentive. The entire staff was very well trained. The food was so amazing. My favorite dish of the night was the wild boar ragout, I really wasn't expecting it to be my favorite. I have to say the dessert wasn't my favorite. It was a little heavy to end a five course meal. Overall though everything was delicious. Plus they gave us chocolates to go, what a great idea.
(5)
Simon L.
A party of ten - no problem, we have a room perfect for you. Up the hard marble spiral staircase we go. Atop the stairs, a majestic room full of plush white tablecloths swim in between upholstered high backed chairs, shiny silver ware, crystal and expansive views of Boston Common. Following our host, we are led to a large back room and seated around a giant wooden table, a French farmhouse style table likely found au normande minus the bench seating. The view is stunning - a portal style window in the wall looks out over the duck pond. The sun is shimmering on the water, green leaves of trees sway gently, hiding the sun just enough. The rays shining in and sparkling on the water make one feel as if one is sitting on top of Boston Common - spectacular. Crispy pork belly, fatty and crispy and tender. A ratatouille stewed a little too long with a bit too much oil but tasty nonetheless. Steak au poivre, a juicy flavorful piece of strip. Cut like butter as some might propose. Duck was tender according to one member. Roasted chicken had by a pair was excellent. I believe (*read* I know) there was some sampling of starters steamed mussels, tuna tartar and beet salad. An excellent restaurant - if not slightly stuffy. Polite service, comfortable environs, great food without being too expensive.
(4)
d s.
horrible food , slow service , great location
(1)
Joern T.
Well prepared small plates--even the fried artichokes were interesting enough to have a second serving while sitting at the bar having a business meeting. Eclectic, thoughtfully chosen wines by the glass complement the food nicely. Add a great atmosphere and knowledgeable staff and you have a recipe for me to want to return.
(5)
Jesse J.
Great location, great atmosphere and excellent dinning. A wonderful place to have a late lunch or early dinner on a sleepy summer afternoon.
(5)
Joanna C.
While traveling for work, I was tasked with finding a dinner spot that was very close to our hotel since it was so cold outside. After checking Yelp, I decided to take the team to Bistro Du Midi. We chose to sit upstairs, which has a stiffer, quieter, more French ambiance than the bar area downstairs. We were quickly seated and brought menus. After consulting the very very extensive wine menu, we settled on a couple bottles of wine and then turned to the food. I ordered the Grilled Spanish Octopus, Baked Hake, and the scoops of White Peach and Coconut sorbet. The staff first brought out some bread, which was good, and then the appetizers. My octopus was delicious! I loved the consistency and the eggplant sauce that was on it. The presentation was lovely and I could've eaten way more of it. Before getting the entrees, one coworker had to take a phone call. To be super polite, the restaurant staff wanted to wait for him to come back before serving the entire table. However, he took a while so they ended up serving ours first. When he got back, they made him an entirely new entree since they wanted it to be very fresh. Unnecessary, but really nice. I enjoyed my Hake, which was well-seasoned by the lobster consomme and perfectly cooked. The massive prawn was also fantastic. Although we were pretty full, we ended up ordering dessert. I had a scoop of white peach and coconut sorbet. The white peach sorbet tasted more like regular peach and the servings were very small, but I needed a little something that was cold and sweet so it worked perfectly. All in all, BIstro Du Midi is a solid spot for dinner with fantastic service and lots of wine options. I'll definitely keep it in mind for future Boston visits.
(4)
Kristen D.
2.5 stars. I was taken out to lunch here by my boss. It was a very nice space, but the food was just OK. I'm not compelled to go back if I'm the one paying! The bread was not warm and did not taste fresh. pass. I ordered the chopped salad and added chicken for a $7 up charge. The menu was really tiny and had no description, so while I figured it was your typical chopped salad w bacon, egg, avocado, cheese, I thought I would add the chicken for it. I didn't need to add the chicken. The salad came out and it was a big portion and there were 4 or 5 huge pieces of chicken breast on it. I took half the chicken off before I even started eating it, as it was way too much. Tasted like there was goat cheese rather than the typical bleu cheese, which was good. Again, nothing mind blowing and not somewhere I would need to go back to for lunch, Maybe I should check it out for dinner?
(3)
Vanessa A.
We went for restaurant week. Service: Courteous and prompt Food: I had the flat iron steak. The texture and flavor were fantastic. The desserts were great too. Location: We were early, so we went for a walk in the Boston Public Garden. We saw the beautiful weeping willows, swans and ducks. For two people with beer and 1 bottle of wine: $130 (with tip)
(5)
Julie L.
Bistro du Midi is fast becoming my go-to restaurant for fine dining and special occasions. It hasn't disppointed me yet! The first time I came was for restaurant week in March 2012 and all 3 of us highly enjoyed our meal. What I loved is how Bistro du Midi offered a meal that was up to par with their regular menu. There's nothing more disappointing than going to a reputable restaurant during restaurant week and being met with a sub-par menu that looks much less appetizing than their regular menu. All of us started with the mussels. It was a generous portion and the amazing bread basket helped us soak up the wonderful broth. For the entree, we got to taste both - the lamb neck ravioli and the hake. The raviolis were wonderful, especially with presentation in the cast iron pan, but the winner was definitely the pan-seared hake. Wow - the fish had this beautiful, but delicate crust and broth was excellent. For dessert, we had the gianduja palette w/ hazelnut ice cream and the blueberry clafoutis. Everyone enjoyed their desserts. The next visit was for my birthday and once again, nothing disappointed. From the excellent service to the bread sticks, everything was as wonderful as I remembered. We started with the barbajuans - delicious! For $6, it was a great started and highly recommended. Next was the lamb tartare and fluke crudo. I love lamb and I love tartare. However, I felt the lamb taste wasn't quite there. Although it didn't taste quite like steak tartare, it also didn't scream lamb to me. The fluke crudo was excellent with lots of flavors (even the foam) and the rice puff added great texture. For our entrees, we had the sea bass and pork chop. The pork chop was the hands down winner. So juicy, tender, and perfectly brined. So stuffed, no room for dessert this time. Bistro du Midi, I will be back!
(5)
J B.
Love the location of this place, and the service was outstanding, but the food was pretty lacking. Started w/ Tuna Tartare, which was good - a little under seasoned if we are being picky. I had the ribeye for my entree, which was cooked properly - but overpowered by the bordelaise on it. I think that was a ploy to cover up the fact that this ribeye was not prime, as advertised, but rather a choice cut. My wife said the bolognese wasn't memorable at all. And the pan roasted mushrooms tasted canned, to boot. Wine list was very approachable, so probably better off getting a drink here and eating elsewhere.
This review originally started off at 5 stars, and stayed that way through 4 visits. That says a lot about the food and service. It did lose a star recently, and I'll explain why later. But first, the good stuff: This night, we were originally a party of 6, which I changed to 4 once I got to the restaurant. After we sat down and got our drinks, I asked if we could add room for one more, and they were very quick to accommodate. The staff is very helpful and very friendly. Our server was AWESOME! Funny, energetic, and on top of his game. Knew everything on the menu, had very good suggestions. Onto the food! Appetizers: We started off with the Steamed Mussels Marinière au Pastis and Lamb Tartare. The mussels are by far some of the best prepared mussels I've ever had. The broth is delicious, and you'll want extra bread to enjoy it all! The Lamb tartare is also delicious with that quail egg on top. Entrees: Pan Roasted Hake - was done perfectly! They do seafood really well here. Highly recommend this dish. We've also had the Roasted Statler Chicken and Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre and both have been done really well. Dessert: The Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse & Caramel Almond Tart are both really good! --------------------------------------------------Â- Here is where that star was lost: My wife threw me a surprise birthday dinner here, since she knew how much I enjoyed this restaurant. We had a private room on the 2nd floor, which worked out great for the surprise, because it's tucked away in the corner. There were about 28 of us and the room was a good size to accommodate us. My wife had set up a Prix Fixe menu with the general manager, and had specifically said that she did not want to pre-select any wines, and would rather each guest order their preferred cocktail or wine. This is where things went wrong. A red & white wine (about $60 bottles each) were chosen by the restaurant, and served to the guests before we got there and throughout the night. Not only that, but it seemed as if they were trying to finish as many bottles as possible, because before someone was halfway through a glass, the server would just top it off without asking if the person would like more. $60 per bottle * X bottles pretty much doubled the bill. I highly recommend the restaurant for a small dinner with your significant other, or some friends... as for having an event here, I have my reservations.
(4)
Jon S.
I have been hear a few times and oddly enough it is not because I think this is the best french restaurant in town, but because their Steak Frites happens to be the best steak i've tried in boston (over capital grille and abe & louis'). The service is always excellent and I consider this place a rare gem on Newbury St (which is known for overpriced mediocre restaurants).
What happened to this place? I am starting to wonder if they've rotated the chefs or if the management has changed. The restaurant is beautifully appointed across from the public garden, but the quality of their entrees / service has changed drastically. Went there last night as a plan b to Teatro being closed for renovations. Ordered the pork belly despite the disappointment from our last two visits with the fat ratio being way too high on the belly. However, we received a lean piece last night with a thin layer of fat which made it enjoyable. The Scottish salmon however, left something to be desired. For entrees, we both ordered the duck breast, which was thinly sliced with a nice jus from prior visits. We were surprised when presented with two thick rubbery cubes of duck breast on each plate. The olive sauce paired well with the duck breast but the lavender was lost in the bitterness of the sauce. I also did not understand the fig and chickpea croquette as these ingredients seemed disjointed from the rest of the plate.
(2)
Patricia M.
The restaurant was nearly deserted--still, the waitress was impatient for us to order and could barely be persuaded to part with bread and breadsticks (the breadsticks were great--and we each got one). The entrees came out at different times. There were shells in the fish soup, and one of the main courses came out cold. Dinner for four with appetizers and wine but no dessert: almost $300 before the tip.
(1)
David C.
Judging my meal at Bistro du Midi as a singular experience, I'd have to give it three (maybe even 2.5) stars. On a group level, however, the experience probably ranks closer to a four. The dishes I ordered, save from the deliciously gamey lamb tartare I had to start, were pretty underwhelming. My duck entree was comprised of maybe five or six thin strips of duck breast drenched in a lavender jus--tasty to be sure, but not remotely filling. The caramel almond tart was a complete misnomer, as it barely contained either of those ingredients. Instead, what I received was a chocolate tart with caramelized sugar crystals jutting out and a sprinkle of almond dust on the side. Not satisfying. To top it off, the yogurt sorbet that accompanied it was rather bland and far too icy for my liking. As I said, the experience I had as part of a group was much better. I went with Andrea B. and her family to celebrate her birthday, and the restaurant was wonderfully accommodating, seating us in a large private room overlooking Boylston and the Public Gardens. (You would never expect Bistro du Midi to be as big and beautiful as it is looking at it from the outside.) Service remained exemplary throughout the night. My dining companions all seemed to enjoy their food more than I did, but nothing I tried of theirs really wowed me either. Highlights included the grilled pork chop and pan roasted cod. I would have preferred either of those dishes over mine. And the much talked about souffle, while more satisfying than my tart, was simply too dense. If you're looking for a truly wonderful version, head to the Patisserie at Troquet up the street.
(3)
Heather G.
Bistro Du Midi is a beautiful space - I'll start there. You walk in off Boylston, into this little restaurant nestled between the high-end shops, and it looks small and bustling. The bar is full, people are milling about in their suits, it's obviously an after-work space. However, when you ascend the staircase to the upstairs dining room, the space opens up and becomes vastly larger and more formal. The bar upstairs is never quite as full, and I presume it's more for early-arrivals waiting for their parties to arrive, parties who will be dining with a full menu in the elegant upstairs room. The bar downstairs, then, seems to be more the after-work-drink spot. Important distinction, lest you go to the wrong bar! The upstairs certainly has class - the large windows overlook the public garden, and at night, the dining area is dimly lit so that the diners can fully appreciate the lights in the trees and the lampposts decorating the Garden and the swanky neighborhood around it. Bistro has a private dining room in the back corner of the upstairs area, and nearly every night, private parties with bankers, lawyers, and the like can be seen imbibing on the free-flowing wine and good food. If you are thinking about a classy company event, this place is your spot. you can't go wrong here - you aren't footing the (expensive) bill, and you've come more for the elegance and the ease with which you can host many people in one small spot while still offering a private, intimate experience. However, if you're just a regular couple off the street looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, i'd say this place may not be for you. While elegant, the price-to-value construct seems to be on the unfavorable end of the spectrum, as the prices are steep and the food is not bad, but certainly not as stellar as the price or the room's ambiance would suggest. I have been on many occasions, and have left feeling this way about the food. The tuna tartare, while delicious, is a meager offering, on a lone crostini. One bite and the tuna chunks tumble off, the crostini left crumbling in your hand. Similarly, the sauteed squid appetizer was certainly tasty, but very oily and, thus, sat heavy after a few moments post-consumption. While one would think an entree of grilled veggies and small medallions of beef would be light yet filling, this dish is flavor- and composition-wise boring, and also sits very heavily in the stomach, which is the last thing someone on an anniversary date in a pretty outfit would want...that is, if that someone wants to have post-anniversary romantic activities afterwards. On another trip, I tried my hand at the chicken for two, but it came out undercooked (raw-poultry near the bone) and greasy, the skin a lukewarm, slimy consistency. It seems that someone hastily pulled the dish when the others at the table were ready to be served. Though a dish for two, the cast iron dish of bird was served with 4 fingerling potatoes, halved. The potatoes were delicious, but certainly not a portion for two people. Desserts, while tasty, are forgettable. The apple crisp is always solid here, but I wouldn't make this the reason for the destination. Wine, as always, is stellar and flawless, and the service is much of the same. For a corporate dinner, this is a great choice. For a personal, special occasion dinner, I'd pass on this and go elsewhere.
(2)
Tammy W.
Full disclosure: I was here for a private event, and we rented out the entire restaurant, first for a cocktail hour and then a sitdown dinner. I had a fabulous time and came away very impressed. For starters, the space is gorgeous. I'm not well-versed in either design or architecture, but I appreciate both and like to think I have a good eye. The bar area downstairs opens onto the street and features an eclectic collection of dozens of small mirrors. The dining area upstairs mixes rich benches and sofas with plush dining chairs. The entire space is romantically lit and feels warm, rich, and yet somehow cozy and inviting. The food was delicious. We had a limited fixed menu for the event. I started with a tuna tartare, moved on to a pan-roasted hake, and ended with a trio of sorbets. The tuna tartare featured tiny bits of Barlett pear and a pine nut foam, both of which I really enjoyed and hadn't ever tasted before. The pear really lightened up the dish and gave it a very interesting texture. The hake, served over a bed of vegetables, including asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and trumpet royales, was incredibly delicious. The hake itself was perfectly cooked-- melt-in-your-mouth tender, and I found myself craving more of the vegetables (especially the trumpet royales, a type of mushroom), too, once I'd polished off the entire dish. I've had better sorbet elsewhere, although one of the flavors had this interesting tea flavor to it that I found very refreshing. Most of my friends ordered the gianduja palette, a type of hazelnut mousse cake, with salted caramel ice cream, though, and I noticed that they all licked their plates clean. (I admit to having a little dessert envy and regretting my decision to "be healthy"-- don't make the same mistake I did and go with your gut instincts to indulge instead.) I don't think a decent meal here would break the bank (a five-course tasting menu is $85, and you can come in very much under that if you do three courses a la carte), but I do hail from Manhattan, and my sensibilities may be dull. But I think it's worth it for a special occasion, and, if I lived in Boston, this would be my favorite impress-the-parents/hope-my-date-wants-to-impress-Âme restaurant.
(5)
Julie N.
You know, I really wanted to give Bistro Du Midi the full five stars... I had been so excited to eat here for oh so long, but it wasn't the best the of best. Breakdown: The space is gorgeous. The server was 80% on his game. The mussels appetizer was actually extremely bland and generic. Fresh definitely, but not anything special. The chicken dish was perfectly done, but Hamersley's always gets the fifth star. Wine is always good. Desserts were actually amazing. Overall: definitely four stars. I need to come back again... but I probably won't for awhile.
(4)
Dana T.
Sadly, I must post a very mixed review. The service was attentive and competent. The view from the windows overlooking the Common is lovely. The cinnamon beignets were delicious. Unfortunately, the accolades stop there. The room is very, very loud. My entree (duck breast) arrived cold and while they replaced it without question, my husband's food sat there getting cold while we waited for mine to reappear. Very awkward and uncomfortable. At this price point, everything should be perfect. I feel insulted. And the valet service was remarkably slow.
Excellent all around experience. The duck is among the best I have had. Yellow fin tuna app was delicious. Decent wine list. Lower level bar is always enjoyable. Great location.
(5)
K D.
Our family of 6 dined at Bistro Du Midi on Friday night. Restaurant was like a big beautiful dining room. The table we sat at was really big so we felt really spread out and because it was really loud it was hard to hear from one end of the table to the other. That was difficult as the purpose of our dinner was to connect with our children and catch up. Food was wonderful. I had the duck and was a little surprised to be presented with two duck breasts and that was it. Fortunately, I ordered some peas as a side because the waitress said the plate was on the small side and she was not kidding! We shared 3 souffles for dessert and that was one too many.
(3)
Philip G.
Six of us had a reasonably good dinner here for $75 per person, including tip and a few glasses of wine. Service was very good. The lobster pasta was excellent, with handmade pasta and a reasonable amount of lobster meat (maybe $1.50 worth at wholesale at today's prices). The dessert souffles were good as well as the beignets. A beet salad appetizer was also good. The fried artichokes were about 90% breading and oil, 10% artichoke. Go to the Giant Artichoke in Castroville, California if you want deep fried artichokes that are ridiculously better for about 1/5th the price. My ribeye steak, ordered medium rare, arrived "rare". I sent it back for a little more cooking and they kept it for 10 minutes. As you'd expect, it return to the table "well done". Longhorn Steakhouse can hit medium rare every time, why can't a fancy restaurant do it? Our waiter didn't tell me that the steak wouldn't come with anything, so I neglected to order any sides. In retrospect I think it would have been smarter to order off the bar menu where they have steak frites, croque monsieur, and other stuff that is easier for everyone to understand.
(3)
George S.
Had a great dinner here last night. We sat upstairs overlooking Boston Common which was very nice. Our server Julia was fantastic and gave us the right amount of attention. The food was excellent and unique. We started with some small plates along with olive and eggplant spread with crostini. Perfect. I had the squid ink pasta and braised squid which was great. My wife had gnocchi which were perfect and the portions were very good size for a high end restaurant.
Disclaimer: I LOVE Boston's casual and slightly-more-than-casual food scene, but I find the high-end restaurants underwhelming. The value just doesn't justify the quality or quantity. Bistro Du Midi is the perfect example. I had the oysters to start with, which were okay, but nothing to write home about. I sampled a few appetizers, none of which stand out in my mind. For the main I had the coral-infused tagliatelle, which was disappointing: the calamari and mussels were chewy, and the pasta stuck together, and it was $26. I sampled my friend's garganelli, which was much more delicious. Also had the brussels sprouts appetizer, which was good, but there were only about ten sprouts, and it cost $7. The desserts were actually quite good, and the only part of the meal that I really enjoyed. I'd give Bistro Du Midi four stars if I had ordered the garganelli and the entrees were say, $7 less. Or if I were rich. I was here for a work event, otherwise I would have been more upset with the meal.
(3)
Kara C.
Warning - this was a dining experience for a group of 14 and we had a private room. + great location + beautiful restaurant - candle light chandelier and gorgeous (looked like reclaimed wood) table + service was pretty solid - drinks came around a bit slow, but the food came out all at the same time and was delicious + for starters, i would HIGHLY recommend the marinated spanish octopus. Just the right amount of citrus and the crispy artichokes are a major win. The octopus was tender, not chewy and overall a great dish + for entre, I would recommend the seared duck breast. It was cooked perfectly medium rare, which is definitely the perfect temperature.
(4)
Tara A.
Traveling to Boston last weekend for a long weekend getaway (that we had planned months in advance) certainly ended up with a different flavour in the air than we had expected, however, when we ventured out for food from our hotel, I quickly popped open my yelp app (totally worth the roaming charges!) and stumbled upon this place. We arrive to a packed house but the sommelier and the hostess were quick to set us up with a glass of wine and seated us as quick as they could. We enjoyed great conversation over great Oysters and a hamburger. The guys behind the bar serving were helpful but weren't in your face. I found the mood of this place to be such a cozy, warm, inviting atmosphere, I will be recommending this place to any and all future tourists heading to Boston.
(5)
S S.
The food was fit for a foodie with an expansive wine list and staff willing to help make our dinner a wonderful experience.
(5)
Jean-Marie M.
An old friend took me here last night for a Birthday eve dinner. From the minute we walked in we were treated like royalty. I felt like the entire staff knew it was my birthday and took special care to treat it as such. We got the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Each dish was phenominal. I even got to experience things I've never had before, monkfish and foie gras. I can honestly say now when I am watching Iron Chef that when the judges talk about foie gras, I understand what it is all about. It was salty and it melted in my mouth. I strongly recommend this place for special occasions or an intimate dinner. I can't say enough good things!
(5)
Teresa T.
Easy to make reservations for two on a Monday night during Restaurant Week via Open Table. Ordered off of the Restaurant Week menu: Wagyu Beef Tartare (while our waitress was good overall there was no instruction on whether we eat the quail egg with the tartare or separately...) Pan Seared Coalfish Lemon Pistachio Tart The right amount of food. Plus the wine and bread basket was delish! Atmosphere is cozy and dim plus it was quiet enough where my friend and I could have a pleasant conversation.
(4)
Mike O.
There's no getting around the fact that the food at Bistro du Midi is great, not orgasmic, but great. Is it worth the pretty penny you'll splurge, enduring everything else that's wrong with the place? Doubtful. Like most, I had heard many great things about the kitchen: this could possibly be the best French restaurant in the city.... It's not. And the reality that anything besides the food has caused my humble opinion to be brought down to this level speaks clearly to something that is glaringly wrong in the way BDM conducts its operation. We set a reservation for 8:30pm on a Saturday night, and while I was surprised that they had availability on short notice, it did not seem all that alarming and no red flags were raised. After all, our first and second choices were booked, so this was a good opportunity to check out a new spot for us that had a table open. Arriving promptly at 8:30pm, we spent the next half hour waiting to be seated. Not so much as a greeting in that duration, as I watched hosts fumble about their station, somewhat frantically, and through the dining area. Note, that there were only two parties (including ours) waiting. A lot of spinning wheels over a seemingly manageable sized crowd. Once we were seated, my date and I took in the restaurant's ambiance. I noted that the decor was impeccable; I couldn't have possibly dreamed up a more fantastic and smartly designed dining room if I tried. The space was full with families, older 40-50 something couples, and seemingly Boston's shi-shi elite. The pretentiousness aside, we remained somewhat optimistic despite the really sour note that had already set the tone on what would be a not-so-great idea. As we were talked through some of the menu items and specials, I couldn't help but notice the heavily perspiring server reading from a card. I thought that to be quite out of the ordinary for such an esteemed dining establishment and more questions throughout dinner were left unanswered without the slightest intent on finding out answers. Nonetheless, our order came as followed: - We started with a nice Châteauneuf-du-Pape at about $85 (maybe a $20 markup); it opened up quickly and held a nice earthy texture throughout dinner. It seemed a little tannic, but this could have just been my over-thinking it. - Sweet Corn Soup, Ricotta Gnocchi, Chanterelles, Thyme $11- Nice, soft and delicate; could hardly tell chanterelles were in this dish though - Spicy Lamb Tartare, Quail Egg $11 - big, hearty flavor, absolutely mouth watering! - Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass, Slow-Cooked Fennel, Sauce Vierge $28 - not even close to worth the price, forgettable flavor profile - Classic Bouillabaisse $29 - great flavor, no saffron (seemingly) and the fish was cooked perfectly. I know John Dori isn't all that common in this town, but I struggled with the price on this one too. Still, and excellent stew. - Lavender Beignets, Chocolate Sauce $9 - a dessert I'd rather forget. Just seemed too much like eating donuts. I've never had beignets like this; just seemed very pedestrian as was the chocolate. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience at over $250 for two people. I could say that it was worth another shot, maybe at the bar, but really at this price; why? You've got one chance to make it in a sea of excellent restaurants, and if you take people's money without regard for a FULL dining experience then what does that say? It's sloppy and rude. Your food may be really good, but I don't want to feel like I'm 19 again, waiting in line on Lansdowne Street to get into Avalon. I'm over the pretension and not only can I find a comparable meal with better service elsewhere; I can find it in my own kitchen! Best of luck.
(2)
Debra L.
We were seated promptly and the host was very good at his job. Friendly and efficient and gracious. Our waiter on the other hand was really young and not all that great at describing menu items or offering any guidance at all. When I'm somewhere for the first time and there are things on the menu I'm not familiar with, I like a knowledgeable waiter. We started with the Barbajuan's and the Carpaccio of Scottish Salmon. We had no idea what a Barbajuan was and when we asked the waiter, he pointed to the table next to us and said "There they are over there. Those fried ravioli looking things". Not quite the description I was hoping for but we ordered 2 of each type at the waiter's suggestion: Courgette (Zucchini) & Basil, Goats Cheese & Honey and Chicken Liver & Foie Gras. We would have never ordered the Chicken Liver and Foie Grad had we known we were ordering it. They are pretty tiny so although six sounds like a lot, it's not. As for flavor, they were ok, but the Goat Cheese & Honey were the best of the three. The Scottish Salmon Carpaccio was incredibly delicious, but the dehydrated watermelon on top didn't really add anything. For entrees, my husband had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives and I had the Steak au Poivre with a side of Ratatouille. His duck was really delicious and my steak was good though it wasn't exactly spectacular. I had considered a fish dish and they all sounded amazing but I was already enjoying my red wine and wanted to stick with it. I don't remember what wine it was but it was from the Bordeaux region and it was delicious. I will say, the steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce was not too peppery and did not overpower the meat. The Ratatouille was ok but I was a little disappointed. For dessert, we were torn because the sweet desserts sounded incredible but we also wanted the cheese plate - which won out. We chose correctly, I think. We had the 3 cheeses available that evening: an herbed Chevre, a bleu cheese and a semi-soft cheese I never knew the name of, despite asking the waiter who mumbled something inaudible. These cheeses came with delicious, crispy bread with cranberries and walnuts in it and a side of fig jam. The amount of cheese was extremely generous. We couldn't finish all of it. Overall, it was a really nice meal and the restaurant is beautiful but I'm not sure it's the kind of place I'm dying to go back to.
(3)
Jacqueline C.
Food and Service were excellent! We went to Bistro Du Midi on a Friday night at around 7:15. Because we made a reservation online, we were seated right after we entered, - The wine sauce of the Steamed Mussels appetizer was great. - The Octopus appetizer was decent - The mussel pasta for entree was DELICIOUS, - My friend ordered the fish and sprout and she love them too. - For dessert, we ordered the beignent but I highly recommend the souffle. FIVE STARS!
(5)
Ted A.
If you like Bourbon, the "Refashioned" is the best take on an Old Fashioned in Boston. Oh yeah, the food is exquisite.
(5)
Molly K.
One of the few restaurants that manages to always get it right: Bistro du Midi. The marinated octopus was the highlight of the meal, along with the lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce. Their wine cellar is impressive, and they have one of the longest wine lists I have seen in a restaurant. Pictures and more on -- ----
(5)
Kevin M.
The atmosphere is great for a special evening. Upstairs more elegant dining and downstairs bar with more casual dining. The wait staff is impeccable without being overly solicitous. The menu offers a nice array of delicious options, and the food comes prepared exactly to order. My guest and I both ordered the steak, but hers was medium well-done and mine was medium-rare. Both perfect! This is a European style cuisine, so portions are measured and not overly generous like most American restaurants today. It is also a la carte, so be prepared to order vegetables as side dishes. Consequently, the total cost of the meal is more than anticipated, which is a shame, and the reason I rated this place 4 instead of 5 stars. Be sure to order the chocolate souffle when you first sit down at the table. It is to die for.
(4)
Elise K.
Good restaurant. Good fancy restaurant. Rather expensive. I came here for a special work dinner. We each had a drink, a starter, main, shared side, and desert. It was around $85 a person. (We got the side free from our foursquare check in). I had the beet salad. It was one of the better beet salads I've had, yet it needed some more citrus zing that I found it lacked. I had a dish with lobster and fresh pasta. Good flavor, but a meager amount of lobster and a lot of pasta as a filler. The shared side was ratatouille. I've made better myself. For desert we ordered two souffles - a Grand Marnier and a chocolate. Both were to die for and the BEST part of the meal. We had coffee as well. They serve Illy coffee - nothing special. Attendance was good for a Tuesday night and the food was good overall. Service was phenomenal.
(4)
Kristin W.
My husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary here which just so happens to fall over the summer restaurant week in Boston. We were so excited about the restaurant week menu because while we love splurging on a good meal, we are just like most newly married 20-somethings and not exactly rolling in it. The food was excellent but honestly, the whole experience felt a little bit condescending. Our waiter seemed less than impressed when we wouldn't order the $175 bottle of champagne and from the drink order on, we were pretty much neglected. You could tell that the staff was annoyed by restaurant week and partaking in some serious profiling. Next time I'm looking to spend my money, I'm pretty sure I can find someplace equally delicious with a bit more class.
(2)
Adam W.
Enjoyed my brunch experience here. When I go out for brunch I'm usually aiming more toward the lunch end of the spectrum, and Bistro Du Midi was able to hit that craving head on. Service was friendly, the burger was quite good, and the bloody mary was fantastic. I'm not convinced of the value proposition for the breakfast items, as everything is a la carte. That's just a theoretical complaint for me, but there you go. Also note that reservations are not accepted for brunch. I advise you have a second bloody mary, they really are that good.
(4)
Mattijs N.
Very good French style dinner, American sizes and high speed service
(4)
Rich T.
I went to Bistro du Midi recently to sample their Restaurant Week fare. The meal hit a couple of high points and was overall quite satisfying. The bread basket to start was surprisingly greasy. It's interesting that the restaurant chose to serve it with olive oil instead of good butter, though I have to admit that the olive oil was spectacular. I'm still waiting to find a French place that's adventurous enough to make its own compound butter to go with their bread. The escargots appetizer was delightful! It was not done in the cliched Bourguignonne style--with an herb-garlic butter that tends to drown out the inherent flavor of the snails. Here they were simply roasted and left to shine atop toasted farro and a scrumptious chorizo emulsion. It wasn't the lightest first course, but it made me excited for the next. Which was where things went wrong. The grilled loup de mer with confit fennel was possibly the most uninspired seafood dish I've had in a while. I have to confess that I'm not a fan of grilling--I don't think the hallowed "grill marks" add anything but a burnt and bitter taste to food, as it did to the fish skin in this dish. The garnish and sauce ought to have compensated, but the fennel was bland (almost completely robbed of its vibrant aniseed flavor) and there was no sauce that I could see. There were bits of some kind of citrus on the plate but that was so incredibly sour it threw everything off balance. Granted, the fish was nicely (though simply) seasoned and stayed moist, but that was about the only positive thing going for the dish. Thankfully the side that I ordered--advertised as roasted Brussels sprouts by the waiter but was actually mixed cauliflower/sprouts with parmesan and pancetta--was flavorful enough to make up for the entree. Dessert was a chocolate-hazelnut mousse with salted caramel ice cream--and this really made the meal for me, though I'm a sucker for anything hazelnut. The mousse was melt-in-the-mouth light and nicely complemented by the saltiness of the ice-cream. I did wish that the hazelnuts sprinkled on top were toasted though. Overall, 3.5 stars for unpretentious food executed well (save for the fish dish misstep), and I'm bumping it to 4 for good service. I'm definitely returning to try out their regular menu.
(4)
David B.
We ushered in 2012 in this wonderful restaurant. Having spent our honeymoon in Paris, we have a special place in our heart for a good bistro. Although this didn't exactly bring visions to Paris in our eyes and palette, we enjoyed our last meal of 2011. We found the wait staff friendly and helpful. Our waiter had an excellent grasp of both the menu and wine offerings. We sampled items from their regular menu. All was good. Started with a scallop carpaccio with cauliflower. The scallops were sliced thin, were impeccably fresh, and rested in a succulent vinaigrette. The cauliflower added a nice touch of color (purple) but overpowered the delicacy of the scallops. I had a stew for my entree, braised short ribs in a wonderful wine sauce. The short ribs were beautifully braised and rich in flavor. My hubbie started with the beet and goat cheese salad (for a man that grew up hating vegetables he sure loves beets) and a pumpkin ravioli for his entree. Both, he declared were superb. We went all the way and had dessert, too. A chocolate hazelnut cake that was divine! It was an expensive splurge but a great way to end a busy year. We look forward to returning for other celebrations.
(5)
Marissa P.
FOOD: Very, very good. The stars of the night were the steak and the tuna tartare. Can't forget the hazelnut cake dessert. In my opinion, the best thing I tasted was the hazelnut cake and that salty caramel ice cream -truly divine! We also had the fried artichokes and nobody in our party cared for them really. All we tasted was fried - no artichoke. I had the duck for my main and it was good, but definitely not great. The lamb tartare was ok. And the eggplant olive dip was disappointing. Plus, the most delicious bread served with a quality olive oil. YUMMY! AMBIANCE: A+... this place has it down. It is just such a beautiful atmosphere here with the amazing bar on the first floor, the mirrors on the walls, and the vintage French prints. Upstairs is more of a formal dining room that is also just as stunning as the first floor. I found the bar area on the first floor more inviting, evocative of a Parisian bistro in the 30s. SERVICE: Great!!! Prompt and attentive. DRINKS: Extensive wine list. Strong, creative cocktails. I'd love to come back here, sit at the bar enjoying the atmosphere with a cocktail and sample some more things on the menu!
(4)
Sandy V.
Bistro du Midi truly feels like a French bistro. It was the perfect spot for brunch. The service was prompt, and the food was fresh and perfectly prepared. I enjoyed the fruit plate which was full of fresh berries and melon, the charcuterie, and the quiche. The french fries were also very good! Dress at Brunch: Casual
Only an average experience and was hoping for more. The smoked salmon Benedict was decent, nothing spectacular. Steak and eggs, very well prepared. I was disappointed with watching the orange juice being poured out of a container; you'd think a place like this would serve fresh squeezed juice. Service was just so-so.
(3)
Rene Q.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for our wedding anniversary. We arrived about 45 minutes early and they were able to sit us. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgable. Great ambiance; had a view of the Common and were in a quiet corner. The service is a bit slow - we arrived at 6:45 and left around 9:30ish, so don't plan on a quick exit. I won't give you the blow-by-blow for our meal, but everything was above average. I particularly enjoyed the octopus and duck breast. We had both types of souffles (chocolate and Grand Marnier) - the chocolate was a bit overwhelming; you can't eat it by yourself but is good to split with a fellow choc-a-holic. The Marnier souffle was good, but nothing I would rave about or even repeat. The service and quality of the food are what would be bring me back. The meal was very well-priced (2 drinks, 2 petit bouchees, 2 appetizers, 2 main courses, 2 deserts for 150 dls), and we left satisfied. It's great for a special night out. The service is fantastic; eating French food can be intimidating and our waiter was helpful and explained everything to us (no snobbery here). Our three choices for our anniversary were between Bistro du Midi, Deuxave, and Erbaluce. We're happy with our choice!
(4)
FABIANA T.
Simply my favorite place on earth! The staff is attentive , the food to die for! Strongly recommend and I wish I could live there...
(5)
Bill C.
Frankly, some of the less-than-5 star reviews are pretty puzzling. Full disclosure, we did go all-out with the chef's table and the 7 course tasting menu for my wife's birthday. On the other hand, having been able to try so many of their phenomenal dishes, I may actually be in a better place to judge. Everything was terrific - my favorites being the lamb tartare, grilled marinated octopus, and wild boar tagliatelle. Seeing how well the kitchen is run was an added treat. Probably my new favorite in town, between the phenomenal food and the great service & staff.
(5)
Michael C.
Ahhh...those fried artichokes are calling me back to Bistro du Midi even as I write this review. Perfectly fried with aioli on the side this dish is a garlic lovers delight. Combine the artichokes with the green and black olive tapenade appetizer and you have enough garlic to ward off an army of vampires. Great stuff! My only complaint was the pissaladiere which arrived with a slightly burnt crust and caramelized onions that also had a slightly off taste to them. No awful just not in the same league as the rest of the food. We only sat at the bar since this is my favorite spot in most restaurants. Service was excellent and the martinis cold and clear. From the bar area you can watch the world pass by while sipping on your drink. The atmosphere is comfortable and unhurried.
(4)
Priscilla T.
I can't say enough good things about this place!!! I organized a pre-masquerade-ball dinner for 16 here and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we had a perfect evening. I wanted to book the private room but I actually think the table they gave us (upstairs, overlooking the park) was the best option for us in the end. Service was amazing, food was spot on (lamb tartare? I die), and the drinks were great (Moscow mule! And a wine list as long as you can imagine). The ambiance is also a perfect blend of elegant and casual. LOVE. THIS. PLACE.* *I don't even like French food that much! That's how great this place is.
(5)
Laurel B.
Fantastic! The squash soup was heaven. Everything about my meal was incredible!!! Great service, atmosphere and menu. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Craig Z.
I just went in for a cocktail, but it was very well done, I liked the place, the service and the look of the menu. Will try to return soon and write a more legit review.
(4)
Jeff G.
Came here last weekend and the dining experience was simply phenomenal. Our server mike was friendly, greeted us and was passionate about the items on the menu. We didn't know where to start but he suggested the beet salad and octopus which were simply fantastic. For the main course I ordered the duck which was flavorful and juicy. Wine pairings were fantastic and mike helped us navigate through the crazy amount of options. To end the meal we ordered the chocolate souflee and it was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal. We will certainly be back
(4)
Apollo C.
I went on a date with the lady last night here, and it was amazing! I called ahead the morning before and reserved a table for 2. Here's my thorough review: Cocktails I had two cocktails. I started the meal with a basil infused one that tasted like an herb infused lemonade. At the end of the meal I had the classic "Bistro du Midi" cocktail, with gin and champagne. Both masterfully made by the sadly departing bartender Eric. Great stuff! Wine The wine list has changed in the past year to be sectioned out more based on the grape varietal instead of the region. This makes it more accessible to American wine drinkers. I drink French wine regularly so I already had a sense of what I wanted. The meal was mostly seafood based, so I chatted with the sommelier Todd for a moment to narrow it down. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and described the wine in very accessible terms. I settled on a bottle of Vin de Pays du Val de Loire (country wine of Loire Valley) by Domaine Fournier, made with Sav Blanc. It paired amazingly. Dinner The meal starts out with fresh baked bread, grissini breadsticks, and olive oil. I was doing my own thing for dinner, got 2 premier plates (appetizers basically) for my meal. One was the special of pigs cheek, which is amazing. Think boar meat, dark beef, or any other kind of hearty meat. The other was the octopus, which had just the right amount of herbs and zest. My gf got the bouillabaisse, which had amazing fish, fresh mussels, and a very large shrimp. The wine paired perfectly with all of it. Portion sizes are smaller then most other restaurants, it's done intentionally with the anticipation that you'll be having a 4 course meal. I prefer it that way. Desert I called ahead and mentioned that I'd be getting a Grand Marnier souffle. It takes about 20 mins to cook, so either expect the wait, or indicate well ahead of time to the wait staff that you want one. This is one of the few places in Boston you can even get a fresh souffle, let alone one of this quality. It was amazing! My gf wanted to get the chocolate, which is also great, but I insisted on the orange zest of Grand Marnier, and we were both very glad for it. It paired well with the meal, given the citrus. Service I've never been serviced so well in my entire life! Staff was curteous, attentive, professional, and fun. I was greeted by the hostess (Jeanne), seated by one of the managers(John), served some great cocktails (Eric), had a chat with the sommelier(Todd), my waitress (Amy) was very attentive, the table was promptly cleared and decrumbed (Dan / Caroline). You will literally never find such great service any where else in the city. I know, I look for it every weekend. Ambiance The restaurant is immaculate and beautifully decorated. The upstairs is wide open, but has a few tables that are tucked way for a more private experience, and also offers a few banquet tables as well for larger groups. The white linen table clothes, Riedel glassware, white porcelain flatware, flowers on the window sills, and wooden tables give you a very modern feel with a slight rustic touch. Overall modern, upscale, with a hint of European Old World. Overall I've been to various top-end Italian restaurants, and a few French restaurants around Boston, and this is the BEST! What you get here is the best French-styled seafood and other dishes in the city, top level service, amazing wine, deserts, cocktails, etc. for a reasonable price. It does cost more, but you're buying quality, and it's a very fair trade off. This is the perfect place to have a celebration meal, date night, or to explore and find unique, high quality, and flavorfully complex food. I'm a foodie, cooking things like Thai frog legs, and this place blows me away. Check it out.
(5)
Andrea B.
My parents treated my best friend, David C and I to dinner here for my birthday this weekend. And while the restaurant was beautiful, the view out the window of the Public Gardens was pretty, and service was friendly and attentive, I still have to knock Bistro du Midi for the food. Portion sizes were small, and many of the dishes I tried were utterly average. The slow-cooked pork belly that I had as a starter was good but forgettable. I tried a bit of the marinated beet salad (with goat cheese!) that my sister ordered, and it was tasty, but if you know me at all, you know that I find all beet salads to be fantastic. I was originally going to get the duck for my entree, but David ended up getting it instead. When I tried some of it, I found myself glad that I didn't order it. The lavender jus that it was flavored with was overpowering. And the dish consisted of a measly 5 or so strips of meat! I don't eat much, but I think I can manage more than that. Instead, I opted for the goat cheese gnocchi, which was good, but again, not good enough that I'll remember it 6 months from now. The dish came topped with cauliflower, pine nuts, and a tasty spring pea sauce. However, if I could do this meal over again, I'd order the grilled pork chop, which was hands-down the best entree I tried. For dessert, I of course had to get the chocolate souffle. This was my first-ever souffle, and I enjoyed it immensely. Decadent, rich, and ridiculously filling, how can you go wrong? But I am told that it was a bit more dense than souffles typically should be. I can't emphasize enough how beautiful and spacious the restaurant itself is. We were seated in a particularly nice semi-private area with a great view, so 5 stars for that. I had a couple cocktails in me and was too buzzed to realize it at the time (yes, I'm a lightweight), but the food had left me a little underwhelmed. For that, I regrettably must take away 2 stars.
(3)
Tracy K.
Just had a fantastic Sunday brunch here. Highly recommend the Croque Monsieur: toasted to buttery crispness on the outside, oozing with gruyere on the inside. Service was superb. To give an example, I asked for a mocha, which wasn't on the menu. They actually specially concocted a coffee mixed with chocolate. Since they weren't sure exactly how much chocolate I'd need, they included an extra pitcher of chocolate on the side. Now thats service. Come for the classy ambiance and delicious food & beverages!
(4)
Clara L.
What a great place. The drinks are good, and the bartenders very friendly. I would highly recommend sitting at the bar, as the conversations with the bartenders and other guests are great. The food is quite good, all of the recommendations from the staff were on par. I had frites, a charcuterie plate, and pasta. All of it was delicious, although I was slightly disappointed with the charcuterie plate. There were just a few types of ham/salami selections, and nothing slightly more adventurous. I'd definitely be back to try some of the other items!
(4)
Stacey D.
I was excited to try this place, and have to say I was disappointed. First off, FANTASTIC service, they make you feel welcome, special and wanted. I had an odd situation where I ordered a non-alcoholic drink (don't judge) and there was alcohol in it. They assured me there wasn't any alcohol in the drink! Frankly, I was surprised that I would have to defend my taste buds. I can taste the alcohol AND I am breaking out in hives, and no I am not allergic to water or sugar. I am much more inclined to trust my taste buds than their insistence. However, to be fair, despite their denial, I felt like they handled the situation well, they did replaced my drink (and nope, no alcohol the second time around). The restaurant itself is full of grace, the view is lovely. But rest assured, the service and the view is what you are paying for. The food was utterly mediocre and not particularly French. Just saying.. and no, I am not drunk.
Their burger and fries is what got me in the door. Their prosecco is what kept me on the bar stool for a leisurely lunch. I had about 3 glasses of this delicious bubbly prosecco and made love to my burger and fries. The service could have been a little more on the ball, but the bartender was pretty nice, just really busy. There was a very odd smell in the bar area, we sat at one end of the bar and moved to the other end and it didn't smell...but about an hour later it did. Kinda smelled like dirty dishwater, but I am not sure. Either way, their burger/fries/prosecco = great lunch. It was not the cheapest meal in the world but you get what you pay for and it was very good. I'd go back, you can't beat the view of the Common.
(4)
Kit D.
Enjoyed an incredible tasting menu with wine pairing on a cold Saturday night. While we did not have a window table overlooking the Public Garden, the expanse of windows allow nearly all patrons a decent view. For over 3 hours, we indulged on a variety of plates from the chef's tasting menu. Nothing disappointed: the wine pairings were spot on and each dish was better than the last. Our table of four could not agree on what was the best as we had so many favorites (but dishes with the white truffles were a big treat). Our servers were full of detail about each course and readily answered our questions, taking their time with us. Service, food, and atmosphere were top notch! We did note that the downstairs bar area was freezing (frigid November night) and had a less cheerful vibe. Bistro du Midi will be a place we return to when we want to treat ourselves to something special. Worth the cost!!
(5)
Anya P.
Amazing place!!! One of the best meals I've had this year so far. The restaurant has two floors and the bottom floor seems to be a bit cheaper and more laid back. We dined in the upstairs section. The entire experience was a complete pleasure. Starting with very friendly and attentive hostess, to very knowledgable bar tender, efficient waiter, and amazing food. Everything on the menu looked just amazing and all the dishes we ordered (black bass tartar, fried artichokes, pasta with octopus, grilled monkfish and the chocolate dessert) were to die for. The ambiance of the dining room is very cozy, yet chic and classy. If you can ask for the table by the window. I wish I lived inBoston- I'd become a regular here. Definitely coming back whenever I'm back here to visit.
(5)
Sarah P.
Loved. Every. Minute. I hate being told what to do or what to get... I know what I like and what I don't. HOWEVER, my waiter told me exactly what I wanted to order, and I loved him for it. He started with "You want the Octopus or Beet Salad"... we went with octopus and he was exactly right. My friend was between two options for dinner, so the waiter made a strong case for the braised beef tips which were by far the best thing on our table. And now I have to devote an entire paragraph to the heaven that was the lavender beignets. Delicate flavor of lavender filling surrounded by a light flaky pastry, dusted with sugar and topped with chocolate drizzle. Kill me now and let me die happy. They were little bite size bits of beauty. I dare you to disagree!
(4)
Teri M.
Lobster tagliatelle was undercooked. Clafoutis was dense, dry and cold and served in burning hot ramekin. Beautiful location overlooking Boston Garden.
(2)
Jerry V.
My son and daughter-in-law had a dinner here for around 30 of their close friends and family after a beautiful wedding ceremony in the Boston Public Garden this past Sunday. We sat in a semi-private room in the upstairs section. From the moment we arrived, the staff were courteous, professional and genuinely friendly. As an example, my wife baked a fantastic wedding cake which we brought over early to finish decorating. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating of the process which is not always the case when you bring something in from the outside like that. The service overall was outstanding. The menu was explained in exquisite detail and the food arrived promptly and was delicious. Before we sat down to eat, we gathered at the upstairs bar and the staff were helpful and poured great drinks. Their demeanor was playful and just right for the occasion. The seating was a little tight in the room but they worked around it with no problems. I can't say enough about what a great experience we had at Bistro du Midi. I've eaten there before and enjoyed it. It is a very professionally run operation and I'll be back. Kudos to all concerned
(5)
Adam W.
My fiancee and I were both sick but trying to make the best of a turbulent Boston vacation when we stumbled into Bistro du Midi. You can enter through the rotating doors (very odd) or just step through the building itself (true bistro style, with nothing to separate indoor and outdoor dining). I really loved the location and set up of the restaurant. It feels like you're dining in Paris, so I give them credit. Being sick, we thought it best to get our food to go. I ordered a caesar with chicken, and it cost around $17. Pretty pricey, especially considering the fact that they forgot to include any dressing. So I ended up eating dry lettuce for lunch. Service was uninspired. It's possible we just caught Bistro du Midi on a bad midi, and the location is worth at least one star on its own. But you get less than you pay for here.
The service was prompt and the coffee flavourful. Had a lavender infused scotch which was yum. Tender beef was succulent and delicately flavoured in my brunch-time order of steak. Yes, I'm a glutton at times. :) Charming medium brown woods and a decor that reminds of a modern adaptation of a more traditional spare french aesthetic is pleasing to the eye, yet undistracting from the true centers of any dining experience - the food and the company.
(4)
Mark W.
Went for lunch, the seating a very tight, but manageable. The food was very good and the service was excellent.
(4)
Dandan L.
This review is for the restaurant week menu only, which should have been done loooong time ago, but I got a little lazy... This is my first 5-star review cuz everything was simply perfect (for restaurant week price). Great ambiance- perfect lighting for a romantic date. I went with two of my girl friends for a dress-up dinner :D All the waiters were nice, funny and knowledgeable. One of them patiently taught us how to pronounce the name of the dishes in French when we showed a little interest in trying. Since there were three of us, we pretty much ordered everything on the restaurant week menu. It was such a long time ago, I'm having a little hard time remembering the name of every single dish. However, one thing for sureee: everything we got was good (yes, everything). For appetizer, I got the mussels. I just love mussels in general, so I have ordered them in a lot of restaurants which are known for this dish. BDM's was the best. The sauce was well seasoned, not too heavy, but rich enough to perfectly complement the taste of this yummy shellfish. My friends ordered lamb and salad. I sampled the lamb which was juicy and tender. For entree, I order the hake-melted in my mouth. One of my friends ordered steak, not the regular one, but the one served in pieces: truly medium rare and high quality meat. The dessert was good too, but not as outstanding as the appetizers or entrees. I ordered the lemon tart, which was a bit too sour for me. However, the strawberry sorbet my friend ordered was amazing and def worth trying! We also got a bottle of wine-as great as our food :) This review looks way too sloppy compared to the actual food quality, but you get the idea ;)
(5)
Jeff M.
Rude pretentious service. However, the food is nice at Bistro du Midi. Bottom line; I'll never come here again because of the service.
(4)
Brian L.
My wife and I love this place. We have been twice and tried different things on the menu and everything is delicious. The souffles are delicious, although my wife and I differ on which one is the best. Pasta entrees are amazing and we love the pork belly and lamb tar-tare appetizers. Our only gripe is the drink prices. Wine and cocktails, although great, are priced very high.
(5)
Kavitha M.
I think the service here is a bit awkward. Although people seem friendly-ish, we were here on a slow sunday night and waited a long time to be seated, after being told to go upstairs because our table was ready. The food is pretty good but not excellent and could use more seasoning. Their complementary bread plate is very good though.
(3)
J T.
I've decided to add one more star to my previous Bistro du Midi review. I really appreciated the general manager's prompt and professional response to my concerns regarding the customer service at Bistro du Midi. I also appreciated his willingness to listen to suggestions.
(4)
Audra H.
Had an enjoyable meal here last week. The prices are quite high, but the food was nice and the service was excellent. My boyfriend and I split the gnocchi, and I'm glad we did because it was very rich and filling. The complimentary bread was so good, and went perfectly with our eggplant/olive spread appetizer. I wanted to try dessert, but was too stuffed!
(4)
Randy H.
This place was fantastic! We were there for Valentine's Day which featured a Prix Fix that had a lot of stuff not on their normal menu, but I am sure is featured in some of their Tasting Menu's. Either way, as we each ordered separate dishes for each course, and essentially switched plates mid way through, so we each got to sample 9 items, which made everything even more enjoyable. The only dish that I felt was fairly ordinary was the Seared Prawns, which were a bit salty and that was the main flavor. However, the Butter Poached Lobster, Beet salad, Bass Crudo, Seared Sea Scallops, Grilled Beef Fillet, Passion Fruit Parfait, and Plum & Apple Crumble were all great, with each supplying a great balance of spicing while keep the focus on the food item itself. The dish of note for me was the Garganelli Pasta with Red Wine Braised Wild Boar Ragu. It was the only dish that I shared with a great reluctance and would absolutely get again rather than sampling different dishes. Our waiter was fantastic, guiding us to dishes he felt were notable, and never steering us wrong. The meal had a great pace to it, nothing rushed, but with always attentive wait staff. We will be going back!
(5)
Jenessa C.
Went here for restaurant week. My friend & I both ordered something different in each of the 3 courses. Each course was so delicious we didn't want to leave a single crumb! The staff was attentive, but let us relax, eat, and truly enjoy the meal, we were there for a little more than 2 hours. The wine list was impressive - I could tell the selections paired well with the plate selections. I however ended up ordering a lavender-infused cocktail which was lovely, but didn't pair well with my meal at all as it was more of a margarita flavor than a subtle lavender flavor. Highly recommend as a special occasion go-to.
(5)
M M.
A five star experience. The octopus, lamb tartare, boar special and pork chop were absolutely incredible. Our server Amy was a true professional, very knowledgeable about the menu and overall a fun time. The sommelier Kate also guided us to selecting a great bottle. Staff was attentive without being overbearing. Server Assistants were also very prompt with crumbing and cleaning while being completely unobtrusive. Only downside was an annoying and LOUD group of five sitting next to us who seemed to be on the more difficult side and perhaps thought they may have owned the restaurant. Cheers to Amy for somehow putting up with them while smiling the whole time. I would of told them to screw. We'll be back!
(5)
Bobby C.
Ambiance. Class. Original works of art on the walls. An extensive wine collection. 2 drunk and screaming hairdressers stuck in the revolving door. What doesn't this place have? LOVE the hostess. The rest of the staff was super nice as well. And their drinks were great. Really nice bar with 2 big tvs to hang out at. Very good mix of different people. Great place to relax and have a drink in a relaxed setting.
(4)
Jeannie H.
ATMOSPHERE - It's unremarkable but pleasant. The definition of a bistro is a small and moderately-priced local restaurant that serves simple, authentic meals. This term has become so grossly distorted over time. I always expect a "bistro" to be rustic, unpretentious, and homey but this place was way too large, commercial and lacks warmth. I don't think there is anything romantic about the atmosphere and it's definitely not a bistro. SERVICE - Our waiter was a little on the chatty, annoying side. I like my wait staff to be informative but a little more restrained and keep their superfluous commentary to themselves. Please don't tell me that you knew what I was going to order and have the ability to read my mind with your superpowers. FOOD - For the price point, I think the food at Sel de la Terre is more interesting and flavourful but Bistro du Midi has better service and a slightly more upscale atmosphere. Barbajuans (Pumpkin and Sage, Goat Cheese and Honey, and Chicken Liver and Foie) - There are 6 per order so we opted for 2 of each flavour. They're essentially fried ravioli. There was a very low filling to dough ratio making these lacking in flavour and texture. This was the worst dish of the evening. Roasted Winter Squash Soup, Crispy Chestnuts, Aged Balsamic, Olive Oil - Underseasoned. Shellfish Bouillabaisse - The soup base had a lot of wonderful flavour and this was definitely one of the better courses of the evening. Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, and Black Olives - The duck was perfectly medium but not particularly tender or flavourful. The gnocchi were awful - rubbery pellets of dough. Overall, this dish was lacking in creativity. Grand Marier Souffle - This was one of the best souffles I have ever had and definitely worth ordering. It was perfectly light and fluffy. At $70 per person after tax and tip, I will not be returning. It's an acceptable but not great dining experience. The location is prime but for French food, there are much better places in town.
(3)
Rachel O.
Fantastic! From the appetizers through to dessert - it was perfect. Great service, new flavors in each course. Perfect for a special occasion. We kept the restaurant open late into a Sunday night and the staff was totally gracious about it. Recommendations: Lamb Tartar Beet Salad Duck Breast Mediterranean Sea Bass Souffle Desserts (Grand Marnier or chocolate)
(5)
Olga Z.
Dined at the cafe while in Boston for business. Beautiful, romantic atmosphere, with tables spilling over onto the sidewalk on the cafe level, friendly and attentive waiters, delicious French food with wonderful presentation. Will be back if in the area.
(5)
Howard G.
The food is excellent and the wine list is extensive. The restaurant is located across from the public garden so the views are amazing. There is a bar and more casual dining downstairs that is open air when the weather is good. The service at the upstairs restaurant can be very slow, which is the only reason I give 4 stars.
(4)
Casey H.
Went with a large group. They gave us a nice table upstairs. I ordered the bouillabaisse which was fantastic. Others seem to enjoy their meals too. I'm tempted to give this place a five star but will try it again sometime to see if the quality stands up. Service was excellent too.
(4)
Me B. M.
I love classic French, so I was very excited that a Le Bernardin-trained chef was coming to Boston. Too bad du Midi is just not up to snuff at all. The service was simply bizarre. There was a food runner, bread/water server, waiter, and head waiter/maitre d'. Yet, somehow, it took us 30 mins to get a bottle of sparkling water and A FULL HOUR to get one glass of wine. This was after asking for them 3 times. Now, mind you, at one hour, we still had not ordered food. And the restaurant was only about half to three-quarters full. To cut to the chase, dinner took 2 hours and 45 minutes, without coffee or dessert. There was no way we could allow the meal to stretch to 3 and a half hours. And this did not seem to be the result of a purposely pleasantly paced meal, but rather because the service was disorganized and amateurish. Staff would disappear, claim to be coming right over, and otherwise attempt to not make eye contact. That said, while they were engaged with our table, they were all polite and upbeat. The food was also not terribly good. The bottom line: Everything was cooked to perfection. Technique was remarkable. But the actual preparation and presentation was never more than the sum of its parts. Everything was literal and boring. And oddly, the food we were served often did not resemble what was on the menu. In one case, aside from the protein choice, it was a totally different dish. The olive and eggplant tapenade was sour and had not a single hint of eggplant. Tasted like something you would get at TGIFs. The green olive one was subtler and somewhat better. Their bread and olive oil were very very good. We ordered the prawns that were supposed to be served with coco bean, tomato and prosciutto. Inexplicably, they instead were prepared with small white beans, basil pesto, and croutons. At this point we were nearly 2 hours into the meal and the last thing I was going to do was send it back. The prawns were cooked to perfection. But, not only did I not order this preparation, it was also boring and seemed like an after thought. "Just throw the prawns on top of some beans and uhmmmm how about a squirt of pesto, and well that might seem too mushy, put on some croutons. They won't notice that it's NOT AT ALL WHAT IS ON THE MENU." I ordered the sea bass. Again, the actual fish was treated with all the care and love I could have hoped for. But, it was supposed to be served with a sauce vierge. Instead, it had a dry rub of herbs and salt that formed a dry, crumby, overpowering, and SALTY SALTY SALTY crust over the fish. It stuck in your teeth and was unpleasantly crunchy. There was nothing "sauce vierge" about it. I scraped most of it off and was left with naked sea bass that I could have cooked myself. The fennel accompaniment was really quite nice, but was way, way, way over-peppered. Again with the scraping to make it more edible. A somewhat more minor point, the rest rooms. I would have expected that with the rehab, they would have been smart enough to put one upstairs. Instead, you have to go downstairs and around the entire bar, wading through a tight, drunk crowd of faux-upscale 20-somethings in heat. Yeah, elegant. Perhaps it was an off night or they were training staff. Maybe I just ordered wrong. But there is no excuse for not preparing what is on the menu and not really caring what is going on in the front of the house.
(2)
Gary S.
Incredible food - best lamb chops I've ever had and beautiful window seats overlooking commons. Great appetizers and wonderful wine selection. Great place
We thought the food was okay. We ordered mussels that had clearly not been properly washed, there was enough sand in the dish that my husband heard me chewing on it from across the table. If I wanted to pay for sand I'd lick it for free at the shore. He ordered duck and I ordered lamb neck. The spinal cord and vertebral column made the experience unpleasant and the souffle was too watery for my taste. The most irritating thing was how attentive the waiter was. He was at our table every 30 seconds and made it feel as if we were being rushed to finish our dinner. He may have well joined our table and helped finish our meal with his frequent visits. Food was ok overall, service was way too attentive bordering on irritating. Even the maitre de visited our table, I'm not sure if they were expecting a chew and screw but I can't have someone looking over my shoulder when I set down to an expensive meal.
(3)
Ang L.
Nice decor and outside view of the gardens. Had the prime sirloin with pepper sauce and it was excellent. Service was a bit slow but I guess that's expected on a Saturday night. Looking forward to returning soon.
(4)
Evie K.
The food at Midi is always superb. Oysters, scallop and tuna tartare were very fresh; gnocchi with ramp pesto, squid ink tagliatelle and hake were delicious. Fortunately for us, the kitchen was on their game. Service was mediocre at best given that bill for three people was over $500 and the restaurant was at 15% capacity. Numerous issues with inattentive and erratic service that were only made more irritating by the Maitre d' appearing at our table, then staring like a zombie and asking if everything is alright (while there are 10 dirty dishes on the table and busboys walk past us empty-handed). Maybe it's better when the restaurant isn't empty.
SO amped to write a review for this place. I had been here twice over the past year: once on a rainy Sunday catching up with friends and once during happy hour for wine with my sister. Both times I was pleased with the service, bar staff, etc. but thought the menu was a touch limited. It was sweltering hot a few weeks back and I wasn't in the mood to get going in the kitchen so I met up with my husband in the city for dinner. Who knew there was a big ole dining room upstairs?! I was completely in the dark and super pleased... it was so comfortable and airy up there I cooled off instantly. On a side note, the upstairs dining room is a bit dressier than downstairs so bear that in mind if you want to dress appropriately. The service was really great. The server was friendly and supremely knowledgable. It was clear that he knew all about the menu and could sell it without being pushy. I never, ever make pasta or steaks at home so I only ever go there when I'm out to eat. With a nod to the July heat I went with the coral infused pasta with lobster and baby spinach. It was rich, but not over the top, with big chunks of lobster meat. The portion size was perfect. My husband had the lamb special... lamb wrapped in pork belly with an I-can't-remember sauce/side... it was complicated, but apparently delicious. I'm a big fan of French food and there are a half dozen things on the menu I'd like to try... fried artichokes, chilled melon soup, marinated beet salad... mais oui! Thanks to the great downtown location and variety of dining options (at the bar, on the patio, or upstairs) this has the potential of an old standby.
(5)
Carolyn C.
My husband and I both decided to order the tasting menu. The food was great. The timing between courses was good. We both got different plates for the same course which was nice as we could share and taste more plates. I especially enjoyed the gnocchi and foie gras. When we first arrived, we were a little shocked to see a casual restaurant, but they eased our worry when they sat us upstairs in their upscale dining room which had a nice ambiance.The one thing that lowered the experiences was the waiter's lack of knowledge when it came to the items we order, he could not explain anything we had ordered in detail. Of course food is king and in that they have surpassed almost all the other restaurants in the Boston area.
(4)
Christopher M.
Du Midi is quickly becoming a favorite after-work spot for me when I'm on newbury. The atmosphere is casual-chic, the view and patio from downstairs is fantastic, the vibe upstairs is perfect, the service can be frighteningly good, and the food is amazing even at a much lower than expected price point. Furthermore, the bartender Mike is not only incredibly talented, but very accommodating as well. When I ordered a periodista he told me he didn't know how to make it but would try if I could give him directions. so I looked it an exact recipe on the all-seeing iPhone, handed it to him and moments later one served the best periodista I think I have ever tasted! If bars and eateries with a sophisticated edge, good menu, and great service are your thing, check out du midi you'll be one very happy camper.
went there for brunch and dinner. Brunch was simple and refreshing. Nothing to heavy. Dinner was delicious~
(4)
Anne F.
This is just a review for the bar/bistro area, but oh was it perfect. After going to the symphony (oh that sounds pretension), I felt like closing night with some good drinks and light food. After looking it up on yelp, the boyfriend and I decided upon Bistro du Midi. Coming in about ten minutes until the kitchen closed, we still received beautifully prepared and tasting French cuisine. I had the monsieur - grilled ham and cheese - that came with a beautiful arugula mix salad; boyfriend had a baked lamb dish. Very hot temperature but very good (at least he says and I trust). For drinks, I had a beautiful robust red that just fulfilled all the requirements of a good red wine: deep, rich but not too much acid. Boyfriend had an infused liquor that he liked better as he drank it. The service was perfect. Bonus round: we are both from the same area of Indiana and could talk about marching bands. I feel a ritual was established that night that I would be more than happy to repeat. Perfect in every way.
(5)
Julie R.
This place needs more yelpers to visit. I was very impressed... I popped in for a mid afternoon snack with my bf. We sat downstairs in the cafe. The atmosphere had a french country farm house vibe. There was a long bar then several marble cafe tables. Parisian art and mirrors covered the walls. The cafe menu had reasonable offerings between $5-$12. We started with a couple glasses of wine. The first pinot grigio on the list and the only rose. I loved the wine. At $7 a glass it was nicely priced. We decided on a charcuterie plate for $12. While we were waiting the bartender gave us some bread and olive oil and invited us to check out the upstairs dining room when we were done. The charcuterie plate arrived with a hefty selection of meat. Speck, serrano ham, prosciutto, cornishons and olives. All the meats had a nice aged flavor. It was a perfect accompaniment to the wine. After we finished up we went upstairs. I was blown away with the dining room up there. It was gorgeous. Part had a bar, then an open kitchen in the corner, view to the garden, a fireplace and just lots of French charm all over. Romantic and classy at the same time. What an upgrade from the Excelsior days. In the middle stood a huge glass wine storage reaching down to the first floor. There were 2 private dining spaces in addition to the large dining room. We encountered the owner, I believe, who talked about the renovation. All the staff we saw along the way were very welcoming. I took a look at the dinner menu which was priced moderately with most entrees in the low to mid $20s. I plan to be back again for more. I highly recommend this place for nice dinner or a drink/light bite downstairs.
(4)
Orlando R.
I was in Boston with my wife and visited on a friend's recommendation. Wow. Great food and memorable drinks too, thanks to Tommy G. Didn't plan on eating so ordered appetizers and then kept ordering 'cause each dish was so good.Will definitely revisit.
(5)
Gerald P.
my party of four had an excellent dining experience on July 22,2011. the food was prepared and presented beautifully, and the service was friendly,efficient, and attentive. I would definitely dine here on my return to Boston. Jerry San Diego
(4)
Beth H.
The wine selection is wonderful and everything we tried was delicious! Fried artichokes were devine and the Daube with the mashed potato was oh so yummy. The best part was the dessert, milk chocolate hazelnut cake with salted caramel ice cream was heavenly. Our sever Amy was great and professional, food came out promplty and our plates were split for us without even requesting it.
(4)
Gizem D.
Upscale restaurant. Definitely need to dress up... There were not many people with jeans. I went for the Boston Restaurants Week. I ended up ordering from their regular dinner menu... I had the roasted monfish. I actually googled monk fish... Damn it is one ugly creature but it is very tasty. :D Highly recommended place. The entrees are are give or take $30/plate for dinner. Service could be a bit better... Oh and if you are living your life without having tried the "hazelnut chocolate cake with caramel ice-cream" you are definitely missing out in a big way for sure.
Great food. Did not realize we can sit upstairs, which is better.
(4)
Dylan M.
I have been here twice. Once downstairs and once upstairs. What a great little place. It is a little pricey but not outrageous. I just love it. I will definitely be going back!
(4)
Jennifer J.
I went with my girls for dinner tonight. The food was really good and I loved the space. The bartender was handsome and so thoughtful. Overall, a first class experience. We will be back...all six of us!!!
(5)
carolyn d.
The space is fantastic. The food was very good. Portions were (very) small. The monkfish gave one of us food poisoning. Will definitely go back, but will probably eat downstairs, and will definitely avoid the monkfish.
(3)
Kiki B.
With this chef, this location, of course amazing - though Excelsior is sorely missed! Really hoping it succeeds!
(4)
Allison K.
I live a couple of blocks away from Bistro du Midi and have frequented the restaurant since its opening. The upstairs dining room is lovely and the bar area is adorable, especially during the summer when they open the French doors. The food is consistently good, but I never had a meal there that blew me away until brunch this morning: best pancakes I have ever eaten! It's hard to describe how delicious they were. The sides were almost crispy, while the center was fluffy and rich at the same time. I will definitely be back for more soon!
(5)
Sara M.
Went for dinner at the bar on a Saturday night. I thought the atmosphere and service were great - trendy decor, dim lighting, and wonderful bartenders who were attentive yet not in-your-face. We got there around 7:45 and were able to grab a seat right away (party of two). We each ordered a glass of wine and entree. The wine prices were reasonable for the setting (about $9/glass). My croque monsieur sandwich was really delicious - not too salty, not greasy at all. The side salad was *extremely* salty, but I think it is meant to be this way. Still, I couldn't eat it for that very reason. My husband's burger and fries were also delicious and he's already planning on returning for another! The burger was large and juicy and cooked just as he ordered (medium). Lots of flavor, and served with three condiments on the side (cooked onions, mayo, ketchup). The fries were light and crisp. For all of this the tab came to $55 including tax and tip. Not cheap, but perfectly reasonable for a Saturday night dinner out. All in all it was a very enjoyable experience!
(4)
Michael P.
As far as Bistros go, this place stands above the pack. Delicious food, outstanding service (good job Anastasia!), and a very hip ambience makes DuMidi a favorite. Order the small plates and share while enjoying an extensive list of French and American wines.
(4)
Laura H.
I did not know that a new restaurant had opened in this spot and walked in Wednesday with a friend. We sat at the bar had a few drinks and a bite to eat. We were surprisingly amazed at the level of service and the food was scrumptous. Matt, our bartender was very attentive and friendly, chatted with us the whole time. He described the main courses which sound delicious, so I can't wait to come back and try more when I have more time. We just had a small bar dish, but from what I can tell this place will be a hit!
(5)
Elena A.
Very classy but not pretentious place with a beautiful decor and great service. Excellent location with gorgeous views of Boston Common! The food is very good overall and prices are surprisingly reasonable. I simply love their cherry clafoutis dessert and sometimes want to go back to have just that dessert. It's a delicious moist cherry pie that they serve with vanilla ice-cream, sooooo good! Souffles are amazing too, I always get impressed with different dessert menus at restaurants - boring molten chocolate cake what? Drinks are very different and memorable as well and not to mention all the tasty food. I loved the lamb ravioli appetizer and shellfish bouillabaisse! The duck breast was good, but not the best I've had - it was a little overcooked for my taste, but still very decent. The decor is very nice -the downstairs area is a swanky bar and there is a large dining room upstairs with a fireplace and open kitchen. My only negative comment is that the service was almost too attentive - throughout the dinner, we had three different people (in addition to our waitress) coming up to the table asking how everything is going. While it was nice, it felt almost too much. But seriously, if the overattentive service is my only complaint about this place, hell yeah I'll take it and be back!
(4)
Susan C.
Bistro looks good did a good job. Very very noisy. Venison was good lamb chops more fat than meat never had been trimmed. Server was good, Goat cheese and beet salad had two little pieces of goat cheese lots of beets. Managers just walked around never looking if anyone needed anything. They don't use their elevator I was told it dones look good so they had it with a curtain covering it so if you need to use the restroom you must do the stairs you almost would feel uncomfortable to ask to use the elevator. The grand marnier souffles were awful they were burned and we sent them back never ever have sent back dessert. General manager said it tasted fine like we didn't know what we were talking about rest assure we do., I would not go back save your money go to many other places in Boston.
(2)
kara o.
Went to Bistro du Midi for the first time today. Great setting, nice space. Unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow. Waited over an hour for our meal and the restaurant was not even nearly full. Once our meals, came one out of the four was the incorrect order. Although they were apologetic, there was no offer to comp the meal that was Incorrectly ordered. Food was fresh, but nothing spectacular.
(2)
Lynda M.
After spending an afternoon at the MFA, my friends and I arrived here for an early dinner. The space is so different than the previous occupant, Excelsior. Nice outside space, although it had just poured from the heavens so we opted for indoor seating. The 1st floor bar area is more central, and the colors more neutral and inviting, giving it a more casual bistro feel. We ordered wine at the bar while waiting for our table. The bartender was friendly, and very helpful. He let us sample a few selections, I love that! Great variety of French and other regions. We dined upstairs by the window, what a beautiful space. There is also a large bar upstairs. We had a lovely view of the Commons, and dined on Sea Bass, Bouillabasse and saffron infused pasta wih squid and mussels, with a side of garlic broccoli. We also split a green apple salad. The bread sticks were also delish!!! Our Gamay, recommended by the sommelier, was excellent. For dessert we shared the trio of sorbets, raspberry, coconut and blood orange, with homemade nougat candies. Our waiter was excellent, service outstanding. Very high end feel, without the high end costs. $60 each, including tip, when it was all said and done. A very nice edition to Boston, and we will be back.
Excellent food. Reason enough to go but there is more. View of the Garden from either upstairs or the tables outside in the summer. Good wine list with reasonable markups. Servers are attentive and knowledgable. Highly recommended. Best bistro around.
(5)
Shahzad S.
Went during lunch. Ambiance would be better in the evening. Comfort food. Preparations well done. Solid overall.
(3)
Rebecca R.
My husband recently took me here for my 30th birthday and it surpassed expectations. It was the middle of the week, a Wednesday night, so you do not expect the top service or chef to be in the kitchen. However, the meal was flawless. They had our reservation from open table and figured out exactly who I was since my husband arrived before me and sent us upstairs promptly to get our table. We ordered a glass of prosecco to start and it was delicious and served promptly. My appetizer, the fried artichokes, was perfect. The batter was light enough not to overpower the artichokes and the aioli was a perfect compliment. My husband's barbajuans were also delicious but I preferred the artichokes. Our server was very attentive and there was always someone right there to bring the next plate or remove the old one. Then came our entrees. My husband had the pork special with a piece of pork presented in an artful way and some pork belly to accompany it. I didn't taste it since I don't eat pork, but he enjoyed it immensely. He particularly liked the pork belly. I had the Beef Daube with Mashed Potatoes and we shared a side of the Broccoli with Garlic. My beef was perfectly cooked, it was fork tender and the mashed potatoes were an excellent pairing with the meat and the sauce. The broccoli was done perfectly and the most delicious broccoli I have tasted. I couldn't stop eating it. I do like my mashed potatoes with a bit more oomph, these were very light and thin and I prefer mine to be more solid. The taste was very good, however. We did not taste the desserts because we had birthday cake waiting at home, but we will be back for another special occasion and before that for the bar menu and to sample the desserts. The decor was very classic with one exception we noticed, the ceramic beehive shapes in many colors above the fireplace in the dining room.
(4)
Mary C.
Had a lovely, relaxing lunch here last week. I had the Nicoise salad with seared tuna (not out of a can!) and it was very good. The wine was delicious. The service was impeccable. It was just as nice in March sitting inside as it was in the summer when we sat in the outdoor terrace.
(5)
Mike G.
definite stars for space, service, wines and delicious focaccia. food is standard french-new england bistro that mostly meets expectations. recent eats: roast beet salad with chèvre and the most excellent steak au poivre with a side of chili frites. street level bar/dining is casual, upstairs cozy-refined. really cool alternative for any occasion.
(3)
Kyle N.
Sampled a handful of different items with my wife and enjoyed them all! The crispy pork belly was the best I've ever had! The fried artichokes, soft shell crab, beet salad and black cod were great as well! To finish we followed the suggestion from our great server and embarked on the lavender cream beignets. Wow!
Please read my review knowing that I dined here in early December, after the restaurant had been open just 2 weeks, and I'm a bit late in reviewing it so I wouldn't be surprised if it's worth perhaps an extra star by now. Unlike some other reviews though, my complaint was in no way with the service, as my waiter was very good. I thought the food desperately lacked flavor, and from a former chef at Le Bernadin this was a surprising deficiency to me. I really loved the atmosphere ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) of Bistro du Midi, especially where I was dining, just next to the fireplace ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) and with a decent view of the park below at night. I can imagine this is a stunning scene in the summer months when there is still some daylight to be had at dinner hours. My biggest complaint with the layout of the restaurant is that they failed to put a bathroom upstairs, so if you want to go wash your hands you have to go back downstairs and navigate through the bar area and the giant wine tower ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) just to do so. As I noted earlier, service was great for me, but I was somewhat surprised by how little clothing the Sommelier was wearing. It looked almost like lingerie masquerading as a dress. After an interesting presentation of bread ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), I began the meal with the trio of barbajans ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), as I definitely live by the creed that frying things makes them taste better, and the assortment of fillings sounded quite tasty: goats' cheese and honey, lamb and tomato, and pumpkin (which I suppose is the seasonal rotating one). I would say that while none of them really struck me as impressive, that overall they were good, and a relatively inexpensive first taste of the cuisine here. The ingredient list for the pissaladière ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) hooked me right away, even though I had no idea what this strange sounding item was. Apparently it's a type of pizza which is common in Southern France, especially around Nice, and the main ingredient is always anchovies, and traditionally also includes caramelized or sauteed onions and olives, all of which were featured in this version. My biggest complaint here was that the pizza was not cooked all the way through, so the crust was not firm, and considering it's coated with onion paste it caused it to be really flimsy and droopy. Also, the amount of anchovy that was included was so minimal the flavor was hardly there, and that should be the main focus of the dish in my opinion. As a result all the flavors wound up being pretty muted and were horribly imbalanced. The highlight of the night for me was definitely the saffron chitarra & seafood dish, featuring mussels, clams, and calamari. The saffron is actually worked into the chitarra pasta ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) so the flavor abounds with each bite, one of the few times I was able to say that during this meal. The amount of seafood included in the dish was also quite generous, so you got some in basically every bite. Unfortunately I decided to also order a side of ratatouille Provençale ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), just because this should be the hallmark of a good Southern French restaurant, but it was a terrible disappointment. Although the presentation was rather cute, in its own little cast iron skillet, the herbal flavors and melange of robust vegetable flavors were both absent, causing the dish to taste very generic and unimpressive. I see no reason why this restaurant can't become one of the better ones in Boston, the foundation is mostly there, they just really need to work on improving some of the fundamental things that make great restaurants stand out from good ones.
(3)
Kathy B.
Had dinner in the bistro last night and could not have been more pleased. The wait staff is extremely professional and efficient. The menu allows you to order from the more expansive/formal menu upstairs or from the bistro/cafe menu. There are several seating options from tables with a banquette to a few high tops to a rather long bar that has a tv or two quietly available for viewing, but in an elegant setting. The wine list is quite good and the bistro offers the option of a "glass and a half" of wine which is a first that I've seen (but one that I ordered because sometimes you just want a little more wine, but not too much!). Although it was a very hot evening, the bistro was comfortable. In fact, comfortable enough that I tried their delicious sounding smoked asparagus soup and I'm glad I did. It was just the right size for a starter and full of flavor. As an entree, I had a Salad Nicoise with perfectly seared tuna, FRESH anchovies and a lovely vinaigrette. I would certainly return to Bistro du Midi.
(4)
Tamar A.
This place claims to celebrate the simple ingredients and bold flavors of Modern Provençal (note the little beardy thing hanging off the "c") cuisine. And celebrate them it does! Merci, Restaurant Week, for allowing us past the velvet rope into this delightfully snooty cuisine. We came for the last RW in March, and was treated to, by the looks of it, a better menu than is currently advertised. They take the French thing super seriously, so while my pork pate, wee crostinis, and trussed bluefish were mouthwateringly divine--if not a tad overwrought-- I can't exactly commend them for being substantial. Still, though,I felt like I was experiencing something other than the deliciously typical contemporary American cuisine boasted by Bistro's neighbors, and it was an education for the tastebuds, if not filling for the gut. The service was exceptional, and GODDAMN if it's not the most beautiful restaurant interior in Boston, all soft muted tones and strategic uses of white lights and mirrors. It was like dining inside a Pottery Barn throw pillow. In sum, come here for your 25th wedding anniversary, when you're guaranteed to be both rich and worldly enough to appreciate it, and put the saved money from that aborted trip to Paris in your kid's college fund.
(4)
Sean M.
Stopped in for lunch. I loved the Excelsior wine vault but I liked what BdM has done with the space. The quasi open kitchen is a nice touch. The food does not shout French but it was very good. The marinated octopus appetizer was truly sublime. I had the chicken, a Statler breast with a white (rue based) sauce and some sort of reduction. The chicken was good but it didn't rock my world. We split the Provençal Lamb Cannelloni as well, two grown men eating here. It was real winner we were mopping up the sauce with bread. We tried both desserts but the Anis Pot de Crème (Anise Panna Cotta) was the preferred choice. It had that spring against the spoon and just enough Anise flavor without being over powering. * Bistro niche is getting quite crowded, choose this on if you are in this part of town. * Bar Lunch menu is quite reasonable. * I thought the by the glass list was decent * That had 3 different Calvados! * Seems like an ideal spot for that intimate dinner for two.
(4)
Andrew H.
This is a cool place with a contemporary atmosphere. Had drinks at the bar downstairs. Bartender was a touch surly, but then again, so am I many days and the drinks were good. Went upstairs for dinner. Fried artichokes, beef carpaccio, mussels, and stuffed calamari for apps. All of them were delicious, but especially the fried artichokes. I had the duck breast for dinner. It was cooked to perfection. It could have been a touch more flavorful, but was a great meal. Hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert was heavenly. They picked out an absolutely perfect bottle of wine for us - especially given that two of us were having red meat and two of us were having fish. Their wine 'cellar' is unbelievable. Service was impeccable and not overbearing. If I could have given it four and a half stars I would have. The food was great, but missing a tiny little bit of something that I can't put my finger on.
(4)
Peter H.
Outstanding. Impeccable food and service. A proper European restaurant in amoungst the over-done American norms. Service was quite possibly the best we've had in Boston. As I said european, so just aloof enough yet massively good at attention to detail. If your looking for American cheese, by which I mean in style, service and food - you won't find it here. Realize though that the Bistro is upstairs, and the cafe downstairs. This review is for the bistro.
(5)
Insa E.
We went to the Bistro du Midi for our anniversary dinner. The food was lovely, fresh, and subtle with a French flair. But the best part was the service. The entire staff seemed as though they really cared about the comfort and pleasure of their customers, and weren't just "going through the motions". Special kudos to our wonderful waiter Robert and Kate, the sommelier. They both offered their recommendations and knowledge with warmth and a total absence of any snobbery. That might be the best summation of the bistro: French elegance without a side of pretentiousness.
(5)
Carla A.
What a wonderful change from the former Excelsior. When you walk in, the low lights and warmth from the open prep with woodstove oven draw you in and instantly make you feel like you have left Boston. Walk up the stairs to the main dining room and prepare to feel comfort. The bar upstairs is wonderful with a view of the dining room and Boston Common. We ordered just a light bite and several glasses of wine. The barbajans came quickly, and were just the right amount of balanced flavor between lamb, cheese and bread. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to escape the typical Boston decor and step into something a little french. The staff was attentive, polite, and never rushed you. I'm looking forward to a date night there very soon.
(4)
Wayne D.
A solid 3.5. Atmosphere, service were very good - a 4. Wine and presentation were a 4. Food was a 3.5 for me. Other thought better. Bottom line: I'd go again.
(3)
Doris W.
I went here for dinner for the first time with some friends last Friday. I remember driving by this place often when it was Excelsior. It's nestled between the Four Seasons and high-end retail stores. You can miss it if you're not paying attention. The restaurant is on two floors - the first floor is the bar area and upstairs the dining room. We were lucky enough to get our own nook in the dining room. The chairs were comfy and the tables were a beautiful wood. It felt very homey. And a side note - our host and waiter were very attractive. It kind of surprised me. Hah! I started off the meal with a fantastic cocktail. I currently have an addiction to cocktails made with fresh juices and herbs. If you like basil, you'll love the Basilic. It has gin, Pernod, fresh lime juice, and muddled basil. Wow, the flavors were great. It tasted like a basil limeade. My friend thought the basil was too overwhelming, which is why it's great for basil lovers. A good cocktail to me is when the liquor doesn't overpower the drink. If I wanted that, I would just get a shot and call it a day. But this was definitely a good cocktail. Too bad I have a low tolerance - I would have gotten another cocktail. For starters we got goat cheese and honey barbajuans, tuna tartare, seared foie gras, and spicy lamb tartare w/quail egg. You cannot go wrong with foie gras - I'll leave it at that. The tuna tartare was fresh and you can actually taste the fish. The spicy lamb tartare, which we were told was a chef's specialty, was just okay. Maybe it turns out I don't care for meat tartare but each time I've had it, the dijon mustard was always overpowering. If meat tartare is your kind of thing, I think you'd enjoy it. Our waiter suggested the goat cheese and honey barbajuans and they were lovely. It's like a goat cheese filled pastry with honey drizzled on top. For our main courses, I got the Beef Daube with creamy potatoes and a side of ratatouille, my friends got the duck breast, pumpkin ravioli, and the sea bass with a side of polenta. Beef Daube is a braised short rib with a red wine sauce. The beef was very tender and the sauce was rich and flavorful. The potatoes were super creamy and flavorful as well as the ratatouille. The duck breast was awesome! It was cooked a perfect medium rare, juicy, and seasoned with something like cumin. The crust was smoky. The raviolis were also awesome! Each ravioli was topped with pumpkin and lightly drenched with the sauce. Light, delicious but completely satisfying at the same time. The sea bass was cooked on a grill so it had the grill marks and smoky taste. The side of fennel was really good. My friend who's a carnivore really liked the dish. The only con to the meal was the polenta. It was very gummy in texture. I've never had polenta with that texture. For dessert we got the lavender beignets and hazelnut chocolate cake. Both desserts were great, the hazelnut being my favorite. I've never had a beignet but these reminded me of profiteroles because they were filled with custard served with a side of chocolate sauce. They were still tasty! The hazelnut chocolate cake was more like a thin wafer cake served with a scoop of salty caramel ice cream. It was like a Ferrero Rocher served in a fancy way on a pretty plate. I was in hazelnut and chocolate heaven. Along with our dessert, the chef gave us complimentary homemade olive oil and fennel(?) marshmallows. They were wonderful! I don't care for marshmallows but I only enjoy them homemade. Service was great the entire time, even to the staff that bid us a good night as we walked out. It is expensive, but I'm not complaining. I would love to go back for another cocktail and some duck!
(4)
Danny F.
The setting, decor, ambiance, view (!!!), service, servers - all stunning perfection. You could not ask for a chicer environment to dine in. What about the food, you ask? Um...it was good. But in kind of an average way. It could have used a lot more skill. I had a fairly light dinner (for me): entree (monkfish), side (broccoli) and dessert (chocolate souffle). The monkfish entree was very small, but my primary issue was the sauce that was a touch too buttery. With bread, it was okay, but alone with the completely flavorless, it was overpowering in buttery-ness. The broccoli was nothing more than steamed broccoli from a Chinese takeout place. But then again, all is forgiven here, because the menu did not say it would be anything more. Then finally there was the souffle. Yummy, but nothing terribly special, and I pretty much find all souffles yummy. Maybe I am being a little harsh with the 3-stars. For out of towners, I would bring them here for the location. But otherwise, there are better choices in Boston.
(3)
C R.
In a word: excellent. Service was fantastic, food was creative and tasteful and reasonably priced (bear in mind they're in between the Four Seasons and Hermes - don't don't expect it to be cheap) ambiance pleasant. The staff were very attentive, serious but courteous. I wouldn't say formal - but they were very professional with a formal but comfortable air about them. Short and sweet: great ambiance, great food, good prices, good looking people too...LOL!
(4)
Dror B.
Excellent service! Tasty food.
(5)
Kim L.
The ambience is top notch. A definite five star on the atmosphere. My boyfriend took me there for our four year anniversary and the setting was perfect. The Christmas light outside the window framing the restaurant was utterly romantic. Apparently the restaurant was on the second floor so walking up the marble stAir was kinda fun. The food was good. But for the money it is to be expected. We had the steamed mussel for dessert. It was good but it is not like to die for. The drinks for decent. The entree again was decent. The duck could have gone without the black olives which made it too salty. The monk fish felt salty. Overall a good value for the money. Not a must come back. Oh and if you're want a window seat. Make reservation early! Like a month in advance. No kidding.
(4)
Jeremy H.
This place is so beautiful. The look out over Boylston is amazing, and the interior is very elegant. I've been here for brunch and had the softest, fluffiest pancakes I've ever had. The pancakes came with some kind of berry mix. We also had a charcuterie platter that was a lot of fun, and a little side of ratatouille. Another time for dinner I had a beef daube that was well worth the money it cost. The waiter seemed like a veteran and was totally professional, always around when you needed him, and very chill, even though by the time we left it was pretty busy. The busboys are pretty well educated about what they're doing too. They didn't just throw things down with no idea what they were carrying.
(5)
Sue M.
I wish I could give it a 2 1/2 but no way it's a 3. I have been there for both lunch (twice) and dinner (upstairs. Lunch - SUPER SUPER SLOW the food is good but it's definitely a case where it's 3 oz of chicken on a 15 inch bun and 6 out of 10 times they will get your order wrong. Both times I went it was 2 hours for just sandwiches. WAY too long in my opinion. The inside is nice and I love the bistro and bar set up very cool. They just need to work on their kitchen and service. Dinner - We ate upstairs and the food was a 9 really great french cuisine and a great wine list. The atmosphere and room however is a 4 (I didn't like it was it was Excelsior either). It's way too loud, sparce and I hate sitting so closely to another couple (we were on the bench by the windows.) I think if you asked for a centered table or something in the back right it'd be better.
(2)
L P.
While I am a fan, I've been to the bar several times, I've never had dinner here. Decided to try it for restaurant week. My boyfriend ordered from the restaurant week menu and I ordered off the regular menu. Positives: The food was great. Won't bother mentioning his dishes because they are not on the regular menu, which is kind of annoying. I had the duck, which was delicious. Portion was fine, not too big and not too small. Sharing his appetizer and each having dessert made it enough to eat. I won't say we were blown away, but it was very good. Also, the ambiance was lovely. The bar itself is fantastic and I love the decor, however this was my first time in the dining room on the second floor. We had a great table by the window overlooking the garden. It all felt very quaint and European. Place was basically empty as it was only 5pm. The negatives: The service. When the patron at another table complained about the mussels, the manager (I think) came around to check on everyone else who had ordered that appetizer, which was very thoughtful and our water glasses were rarely less than half full. Our complaint was with the waitress and the sommelier. I ordered a cocktail prior to dinner (glad I did), but my boyfriend wanted a bottle of wine. He had a question about the wine list and the waitress offered to send over the sommelier, great! However, it took so long for the sommelier to arrive that she came back 2 times to say he was still coming. When he came, his advice was less than helpful, but we chose a bottle of wine and waited. The bread/butter came and went... we waited. My cocktail was gone... we waited. Our appetizer came and went... we waited. Our entrees came... still waiting. At this point, my boyfriend had been sitting with nothing to drink the entire time, over an hour. We kept looking around expectantly and another waiter noticed and went right over and brought our bottle of wine (not sure how he knew) and said, "Is this what you're looking for?" It was, but by that time, we were halfway through our meal and decided that we weren't going to drink a bottle anymore. Opted for 2 glasses of wine instead. It cost them about $70+ in missed revenue, I guess. Anyway, we enjoyed the wine with dessert... though usually we'll have a coffee or espresso in addition. Oh well. I have to assume this is the exception, as others have commented on the great service. I just was very disappointed with this aspect of the experience and it did leave a bad impression. I expected more from a restaurant of this caliber.
(4)
Lisa I.
I came here for a big group event, and was NOT impressed. The service was awful. We had 1 waiter for a party of 20+, which wasn't sufficient. They were extremely slow to take our orders, bring our drinks, etc. I actually asked the manager to see if they could get some additional help for our party (given our size), but things didn't improve. Service was very slow throughout the evening. The food itself was very mediocre, which was disappointing, considering the menu looked awesome. Will not be back.
(2)
Julianna G.
I go out for nice dinners every one to two months and this place is the best! We went for Valentines day and we still say it is the best meal we have ever had in Boston. Service is awesome, little up tight but the staff is watched closely by the managers (which is fine). Just wish they could make it a little bit more personable. I will still give them 5 stars. The wine was fantastic and so were the drinks we had downstairs before dinner. We are going for restaurant week next week bc its just that good.
(5)
Chronic C.
Yes, fair readers, on occasion I do find it necessary to cross the bridge from paradise into the land that rains parking tickets (Boston). My visit to Bistro du Midi was one such occasion. Bistro du Midi reinvents the space that was once Excelsior. Spent a few hours in the bar area with some friends and noshed on bar menu food including fried artichokes, burgers and tuna tar tar sandwiches... all very tasty, well presented and reasonably priced. We all ordered a special tequila drink off the menu that was like a diabetic starter kit - SUGAR!! (avoid if you don't want a hangover like I experienced the next day). Stick to the extensive wine list. The service is friendly and attentive. The room is airy with a good ambiance. But please, ditch the faux exposed beams so I don't have to shake off the feeling that I am at the Epcot center's French area. Apparently the formal dining area, found at the top of the elegant spiral staircase, is very pleasant but we never made it that far.
(4)
Jonathan V.
One of the worst dinner experiences I have ever had. The food was good, but was not the best French cuisine I have had in the Boston area. Our waiter was absolutely terrible. With the restaurant not busy were instructed to order our dinner and dessert at the same time, since our entres and dessert would take 25 minutes each. 10 minutes later our entres were out and were shunned for wanting to wait for our dessert order. We wanted to talk our time and enjoy our bottle of wine. The ambiance was nice, but not amazing. Would I go back, no. Would I recommend Bistro Du Midi to a friend, no.
great brunch spot - delicious pancakes and french toast. awesome fries. wonderful service. the mimosas and bellinis are a little pricey but the place is just so cute i almost don't mind.
(4)
Adrian M.
Upon arrival, the staff was very inviting. We had a reservation for two, and we were invited to wait at the bar shortly for the table upstairs. There's an extensive wine list, and some inventive cocktails that kept us busy. The downstairs area has a more informal, gastropub feel, but when we were led upstairs to our table - expectations were fulfilled. The atmosphere was formal, and inviting. We had the fried artichokes and courgette flower beignet, the latter being the prized starter. For the entree, we had the Seared Duck Breast and Roasted Monk-fish with Grilled and Roasted Eggplant. Both were cooked perfectly, and the monk-fish dish was well balanced with plenty of rich flavors and textures from the eggplant, tomato, capers and olive oil. Perhaps the only drawback was that we were seated next to a private party room which had some large glass sliding doors that were repeatedly announcing themselves with a thud as servers and guests busily went in and out. Slight damper on the mood, but we got over it. Highly recommend, followed by a walk in the Garden just across the street.
We had a birthday party yesterday. It was a pre-negotiated menu, and was absolutely amazing. The Sea Bass was perfect, with amazing wine. A little pricy, but I guess this is what you have to pay to get such a food...
(5)
Jen R.
Food & Drinks were simply awesome. We had the monkfish, seared duck, fried artichokes, oliveoil mashed potatoes, spicy infused margarita (sirocco), lavender lime infused margarita (petanque), hazelnut cake with salted caramel icecream, & a dessert port (quinto infantado). Great service, elegant atmosphere... My new fave spot for a great French bistro. Highly recommend if u don't mind spending some coin on delicious dinner.
(5)
Paul S.
Top notch restaurant all around. The food was superb, the drinks were strong, the presentation was unique, and the service was truly fantastic (our server was extremely personable, knowledgeable about offerings & alternatives, and timely).
(5)
Ellen Z.
I get angry just thinking about our experience here. Service: We had some dreadful encounters with the service. The hostess was INCREDIBLY condescending and rude to us, and sat us at the worst table in the house in front of the restrooms. When we informed her it was our 20th anniversary and we were hoping for a more special table, we waited at the bar for 3 hours for a new table to open up. Then, the restaurant lost my beautiful Italian wool scarf that couldn't be replaced. They never found it. On the bright side, the manager seemed to care about our experience, and sent us an appetizer at the bar and paid for a new scarf. But the rudeness of the hostesses was almost impossible to overcome. The food was not very memorable, it was fine but nothing to write home about. The prices are 'reasonable' for that kind of restaurant. We will not be going back ever again. I give this place another year tops.
(1)
Kate C.
After reading several reviews here for Bistro du Midi, I took a chance and made a reservation for a team celebration without having previously checked out the place before. We're all of the sort who have strong opinions on restaurants and I was looking for the right combo of lively atmosphere, wonderful food though not too priceyand special enough for a celebration - which can be a challenge! But we were all happy with our experience here. Though the bartender mixed some fun cocktails, the bar wasn't that busy and we had a hard time keeping his attention. Empty glasses would go unnoticed for over 5 minutes before we were asked whether we'd like another. We sat down for our reservation over an hour late while we waited for our party to gather, but the hosts didn't blink while we continued to enjoy our drinks at the bar. French country (as others have mentioned) but with a modern edge would describe the decor - one whole wall is decorated with framed mirrors of different size and shapes. Neutral tones lended a warm and laid back vibe. From what I understand about the previous space, this is a huge change - it was very trendy and sleek before. I booked on OpenTable.com and I must point out that it seems the hosts do pay attention to the comments section. I had noted we'd be dining with the CFO of our company and it was a team celebration. We were seated in a semi-private alcove that overlooked the rest of the dining room - perfect! We were out of the direct line of hustle and bustle but still felt we were part of the action. Our server's name was Chris and he was well versed on the menu. He suggested our group of 7 start with some petites bouchees - two orders each of the barbajuans and fried artichokes - both which were quite tasty. Chris also mentioned that the stuffed calamari, tuna tartare tarntine and goat cheese and beet salad were at the top of the list as for the starters. Most of the group stuck with one of these three and we all enjoyed our selections. I had the pan-roasted cod for my entree. Solid and good, but portion size is definitely on the "small food" side. This is the kind of place where you order a starter to complete the meal; we also ordered several sides for the table which we shared. Two others ordered the lamb which looked and smelled delicious and was devoured. One ordered the lobster mac and cheese, which he enjoyed but didn't seem over the moon about. Chris touted the bouillabaisse as one of the featured dishes and it won accolades from my colleague. Great place for a dinner with colleagues or the fam for a celebration. Also a good choice for date night when you want something special but not over pretentious. Good for a catch up session with a small group of friends, but probably wouldn't be my first choice for a birthday celebration with my girlfriends - but we tend to be a more raucous group. All in all a great experience. Will definitely go back!
(4)
Elizabeth O.
We had hoped to enjoy dinner outside on Bistro du Midi's small patio, and the downstairs bistro area was quite crowded, so we decided to sit upstairs instead. The upstairs was lovely, but definitely a bit on the stuffy side with primarily older clientele. I wish we had taken our chances in the bistro. My food was good but not great. The special amuse bouche we ordered was overpriced ($8 for two battered zucchini blossoms - I expected more) and my pasta dish was so-so, though the pasta was homemade and tender. My husband loved his entree special - a pan-seared skate wing (yes, as in a wing of a skate...like a sting ray!) Service was good and courteous. I'd go back to sit outside or in the bistro for a more casual meal, but will likely not return to the dining room.
(3)
Lauren F.
What would Eric Ripert say? "Le sigh." Everything about this place is... fine. But for $120 per person, I would like more than fine, please. I would like my foie to come with the things the menu says it's coming with (actually, the fact that this seems to be a trend among reviews is less than fine -- it's really not OK at all). If necessary, I would like to be served a smaller portion and have it cooked perfectly. I would like my dining partner's beef carpaccio to be more than two thin slices of meat on a plate with cracked pepper and what is effectively a bread crumb. I would like my duck breast to come to the table warmer than room temp. And when I send it back and it returns to me just slightly warmer than room temp, I want to be checked back in with before I'm halfway finished. And I would like things generally to not be under-salted. I would like to be presented with a wine list that is less impressive in its size and more so in its contents; if you weren't aware of Bistro du Midi's corporate origins before, the bottle selection gives it away pretty quickly. To put it simply, Bistro du Midi seems like it's still hung up on the old guard of the restaurant scene, when Ripert and Bourdain weren't in everyone's living rooms, Americans didn't know Provence from Progresso and your ability to appreciate a fine dining experience was based on how big the bill was at the end of the meal. It appears as though the MARC restaurant group that owns Bistro du Midi has missed out on the local/artisan/affordable culinary renaissance that's been happening across America over the past 10 years and is still relying on a model that preys upon ignorance and an immature palate. I realize this all may seem a bit vitriolic, but I choose to drop that kind of cash on a meal maybe once every two months. When I do, I don't expect my mind to be blown, but I do expect proper execution and accurate menu descriptions. This time, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that I feel like I've been robbed. Go to Craigie instead.
(2)
Denise M.
Dined at Bistro Du Midi last night with friends. The service was excellent and atmosphere comfortable. The beet salad was delicious however was quite disappointed by the Bouillabaisse. It was quite flavorful but they used a small amount of fish. My husband had the said reaction to it. It was as if they ran out of it and they were trying to make it work. It is a rich sauce, I understand but not sure why they skimped on the fish.
(3)
Nam T.
I had the pleasure of having a fantastic dinner at Bistro du Midi. First and foremost the service is exceptional!! Our waiter was very helpful by offering a few recommendations for my friend and I. I ended having the monkfish, which was cooked to perfection, and my friend had the foie gras which was equally as perfect. He ended our meal with the souffle. The souffle will take about 25 minutes to make from the time you order it, but believe me when I say it is WORTH it. If the food doesn't make you want to come here, the atmosphere should. If you are a fan of a slightly dim and sophisticated atmosphere, this place is for you. It is sure not to disappoint.
(4)
Snuffles B.
I've made 3 passes through here, twice on the small but scenic outter terrace, where there is good people watching and the occasional passer-by who will stare at your food, or waiter that sneaks up on you from outside the terrace. The other was upstairs in beautifully decorated the formal dining room. Regardless of where you are, you can order from either menu. - Bread - Average. - Pissaladere - Flatbread w/ caramelized onions, anchovies, olives, none of which overpowering, the bread was a little soggy, but the flavors were good. - Marinated Octopus - Yummy! - Melon/Crab soup - Refreshing, light - Steamed Mussels - Light and fragrant, huge portion enough for a meal. One of the better mussels I've had recently. - Bouilliabaisse - Very nice soup base, not heavy. - Burger - Ordinary flavors, but the only restaurant in Boston to actually give me a rare burger cooked rare. - Warm Cherry Clafoutis w/ Vanilla Ice Cream - Like a creamy bread pudding with cherries. Really delicous, huge portion, definitely share this with another person. - 3 Types of Barbajuans - Flaky little bites, the courgettes & basil was the best of the 3. - Short Ribs - Flavorful but not tender enough. - Swordfish - Well cooked but flavor a bit pedestrian, liked the bed of roasted eggplant. - Chocolate Trio - Pretty yummy but not memorable. - Strawberry shortbread cookie/basil sorbet - dry brittle cookie but sorbet was very tasty and not overpowering - Complimentary Duo of Marshmallows - Very subtle EVOO and lavender flavors - Can't say I loved it, but it was fun and interesting to try. Unlike some of the recent reviews, I've had no problems with the service, which is attentive but not all up in your face - our waiters were really pleasant and were fun to chat with, and the food came and went exactly at the right time. By the sound of it, the experience at Bistro du Midi might be best appreciated when it is not busy. I was there once with a friend who is from Paris who said that it felt very much like home. The view of the park, great atmosphere, overall solid food, and friendly service makes this a good dining experience.
(4)
Ian M.
I liked it, not loved it. Lobster Ravioli were quite good. A little stuffy as we sat upstairs and the crowd was a bit older. Downstairs might be the place to be for a more casual engagement. The steak looked amazing, next time...
(3)
ann n.
Warm ambiance and wonderful staff. The first floor is a casual chic cafe and bar. The second floor is a bit more formal and has private dining rooms for larger groups. The lighting and decor is simple and well done. We tried the beet salad (very tasty) and mussels to start. Thereafter, we had the cod, shellfish bouillabaisse (a bit salty), beef daube (amazing). For dessert, the chocolate souffle - definitely worth the wait. A great addition to the Boston's dining options and will back often this summer. Au revoir for now.
(5)
Andy M.
My last two "big dinners" for my wife in Boston were HUGE disappointments -- first at L'Espalier and second at Mistral. So, I needed a Boston restaurant to step up to the plate and deliver -- and Bistro du Midi hit it out of the park. I had a fantastic Octopus appetizer followed by a bouillabaisse that was as good as any I've had in the south of France. The wife went for the beet salad and the monkfish and loved them both. And our waitress was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about everything from the food to the wine to my near-sightedness (she saw me struggling with the menu and brought me reading glasses). I read beforehand that the restaurant really excels at seafood, so we ordered accordingly. I can't speak to the "four legged" meals, but if you like seafood and Provencal food, this place is great.
(5)
Aaron Sing F.
Nice spot.
(4)
Jaime M.
I ate here a few months back closer to the date that it opened. I did not have a good experience. I ordered the salad with apples and balsamic for an app. I almost laughed when I came out-- it was literally a tiny little bowl with a few lettuce leaves and 4 thinly sliced apples. Really..?? REALLY? For my entree I ordered the monkfish with the ratatouille. Monkfish was COLD.. not even luke warm. Sent it back. Upon arrival-- still cold. Sent back yet again. Still cold (by this time my dining companion had FINISHED his entree). At this point I ate it because I was just starving. Monkfish is not exactly the type of fish I enjoy eating cold... ick. They comped us for the entrees but I felt as though our entire dinner was ruined. It's not about the $$ at all, I just feel as though we weren't taken care of properly. I won't be back. Plus side: our server was very friendly-- understandably none of this was his fault. This was something that should have been taken care of by the kitchen and GM.
(1)
Faye Z.
we came here for a simple gathering with a couple friends. The atomsphere is really a French Bistro-modern and relaxing. It's quiet loud in a busy Friday night so you don't have to worry about the people at the next table hearing your conversation. We had a reservation at 730, and we were 15 minutes late, we were seated when most of our party is completed. The service is very good, our server came back to check with us many times to make sure we all get what we needed. 6 of us shared a bottle of white wine, 3 appertizers and 2 deserts, and entrees for each of us. The food was all really good, they all came out in a reasonable time and well prepared. The bill came to around $80 per person, which is a little more than what we expected but it's not too over-priced with such good service and food. I need to come back and try the famous chocolate souffle.
Fantastic! Boston's slightly classier answer to New York's Cipriani Downtown. The ambiance and decor are especially interesting - there is a distinct attention paid to lighting here, creating an atmosphere that is classic but not stuffy. It reminds me a little of a less pompous version of Park Street Winter. Definitely an improvement from it's predecessor, Excelsior (whose stodginess which I was never a huge fan of). And surprisingly versatile as well - could be appropriate for a business dinner, or incredibly romantic for a date. Food is also delicious. Highly recommend the petites bouchees, especially the eggplant and olive dip with crostini (delish). For the mains, the various fish offerings are wonderful.
(5)
Bijou S.
Go. Go! For god's sake, GO! du Midi is amazing! I mostly spend my time enjoying the amazing cocktails that Tommy the bartender makes. This place is not just for the Boston/Beacon Hill elite. If you are looking for a inexpensive but quality meal, eat at the ground level section of the bar menu. The simple snacks and light meals are very tasty and it has the atmosphere of a true Parisian social club.
(5)
Orpha R.
We had our wedding reception at Bistro, it was a small party of only 9 people and they made us feel so comfortable throughout the night. They were always one step ahead of us and were so thoughtful making sure we were taken care of and all our needs met. Thank you so much to the WHOLE Bistro staff, you guys made our night soooo memorable! If you're having a small party I totally recommend Bistro du Midi!!
(5)
Amy R.
I would like to thank Thomas, concierge from Hotel Nine Zero for steering me here and then securing a reservation against all odds. Red and I had some celebrating to do... At first we were going to head to Les Zygomates, but Thomas felt like Cafe du Midi would be a better choice. I have to operate under the assumption that he was correct, as there is nothing better than a 5 star yelp. Against all odds, there we were arriving slightly late for our 8:30 dinner reservation. That's what you get for not minding what T stop your on, and then not paying attention to the girl who DOES know where she's going tries in a desperate attempt to call out and reel you back in.... I digress (ten minute power walk in heels in the dead of winter at night when it's below zero outside... I digress even more...) The host was exceedingly warm and friendly and downright WELCOMING even though I feared we were holding things up a little. She showed concern that we wouldn't make it in a way that somehow made it seem like she would of missed us. Like she was LOOKING FORWARD to serving just US. We immediately felt important. Coat check, then whisked upstairs to the dining room, nice seat by a window... which I'm sure must be pretty in the springtime... or even in daylight. Our server was just as warm and friendly as the host downstairs. Since they knew we were celebrating, they offered us a complimentary glass of sparkling wine (yum!), listed some specials and left us with drinks, food, and dessert to consider. NOTE: I'm glad that my server pointed out that they had souffles on menu for dessert before we actually had the meal in order to pace out our dinner more appropriately. I'm not sure if everyone is as good as he was to offer to put in a souffle as we were eating, but I definitely considered it! We ended up going with something else for dessert. All the wait staff were super friendly and professional. During one point in our meal, I watched the staff re-set a table. Ever watch NASCAR? Me either... but recall those clips of a team descending onto the car as it pulls into the pitt and they have like... 30 seconds to change/refuel EVERYTHING with precision. That's what this was like. Their attention to detail was amazing. I saw the girl refluff napkin three times before she was satisfied. Good for you girl! Ok.. ok.. ok... onto the food! We split the artichoke appetizer... SUPER delicious! Not too greasy (even though it was deep fried) with a nice spicy sauce. Breadsticks were great too... with olive oil infused with... oh drat... something that escapes me now. For entrees I had the wing of skate and ratatouille while Red had gnocchi with pesto. Both dishes came out quick and were DELICIOUS. My skate's texture was just right and was buttery-good... perhaps a smidge too buttery if I were to nitpick. Red's gnocchi was very rich, but balanced by the sauce and the veggies. For dessert we split the lavender beignets. Which... were very light on the lavender... but that's ok. They were still great - crispy, airy, goodness dipped in chocolate sauce. The waiter also brought out a nice treat from the chef... flavored marshmallows!? One of the flavors was olive oil... which was surprisingly scrumptious. I'd be interested to see what else they can do with that. The ambiance was great... low-key and friendly. Soft lighting, not to crowded with tables, fireplace... a great special occasion/big date place. The bar downstairs looked pretty cool, and I'm assured that they have a nice bar scene with good drinks. Weighted pretty heavily in this review is the staff's ability to make you feel important and welcome. All the balance is there, informative but not pushy, friendly but professional, good humored, smiles. Well done. If you forced me to complain about something... The only place where we didn't experience warmth was in the lady's room. IT WAS FRIGID COLD! Seriously, it made me reconsider sitting down. Dear staff, please install a space heater if you must.
(5)
A Y.
Knowing I'd be going to Boston for a business trip, I checked yelp for some restaurants that I had to try. I made a reservation for Friday at this place and could not wait! I had NEVER had French food before, but the photos and menu made it look amazing.... and it was. Ray was our waiter and he took the time to explain a few of the different wines on the menu so that I got my earthy red and my friend got her sweet white. We started with the Tuna Tartare and it was so fresh and clean tasting. I had the duck for dinner and I savored every bite. It was so good that as I write this I am craving it. My friend had a bolognese like pasta that she really enjoyed. Dessert was Grand Marnier souffle ( Do NOT miss out on ordering a souffle, do it as soon as you sit down) and my friend and I devoured... I mean savored it. So warm and light! I also had a glass of sherry per Ray's recommendations and it was a lovely after dinner drink. Very sweet and perfect for sipping. The atmosphere was lovely and we had a window table with a view of Boston Commons. I will definitely be back next time I am in Boston.
(5)
Don M.
I'm happy to report two things - albeit a little belatedly: 1. Apparently, Bistro Du Midi staff read Yelp - and that's very good news! 2. And, I can only assume that - based on my last update - I finally received my discount parking vouchers and cards for free meals at the Bistro. That happened about a week after the update. We haven't had a chance to go back to Bistro Du Midi since I got the freebies, but when I do I'll post an update. For the moment though, I've restored a star for the good faith effort on their part.
(2)
Anya R.
I come here often and absolutely love this place. In the summer, it's a great way to spend an afternoon: just sitting outside with a bottle of wine and some appetizers. In the winter, it's a very cozy and welcome atmosphere. This is great place to catch up with friends - it is fairly quiet as far as restaurants go and you can linger for as long as you want after your meal is over. Bistro also has a wonderful brunch that is surprisingly not too pricey. My favorites from the menu: the mussels, the octopus, tuna tartar, the artichokes and the gnocchi. Tip: if you sit downstairs, ask for the upstairs menu.
(5)
Thad B.
Excellent. Very nice space, the staff was attentive and devoted to making our meal a great experience. Fluke salad, monk fish, black bass were all delicious and fairly priced. Even though it was restaurant week, the staff never missed a beat and really impressed. This is a special place.
(5)
Max N.
Had a superb dinner here the other night, taking my mother for her birthday. The wine list is great, and we got a superb half-bottle at a reasonable price, which paired very well with our fish dishes (mediterranean sea bass with fennel, really good; monkfish with grilled eggplant; truly excellent). The dessert was pretty good but not as impressive ("rhubarb rose crumble," or something like that; I didn't taste any rose). The service was a little spotty. I saw some neighboring waiters who looked great, but ours seemed a bit clumsy and newish, though friendly enough without being desperate.
(4)
Ryan K.
This is a great place to grab lunch or dinner! Loved it! Great place to eat on the patio and people watch while enjoying great food. This is a must do when in Boston!
(5)
Giuseppe F.
Value for money - 3/5. I was surprised at the pricing. The food was good but a bit more expensive than it was really worth. Ambience - 5/5. We sat at a table right in front of the patio on the ground floor. Looking out into the Public Gardens while drinking Sancere and watching well dressed folk walk down Boylston as cars drove by was, how do you say, Fantastique! Totally reminiscent of an actual French bistro. Service - 4/5 - Maybe it was the fact that our waiter was actually French, but man oh man was he charming. Very on point with everything. We didn't have to ask for a single thing. Food - 4/5 - The food was just about as I expected (very good) but nothing blew me away. Although I don't suppose bistro food is supposed to blow you away.
(3)
Burcin T.
I can't get enough duck! Yes, I had seared foie gras and the duck breast same time. And I could eat another duck dish if they were serving it there. The foie gras was certainly the highlight of the dinner and I am still thinking about how they can make it so well. We had sparkling wine as recommended by their sommelier and it was a very good match. The decor is really magical, shear shiny curtains, mirrors and nice chandeliers with a little summer breeze out...It would be a good choice if you wanted to have a romantic outing. I could only perhaps complain about the distance between the tables, they were a little too close to hear next table's conversation. Well, overall, it was a very good place and I would certainly visit next time I am in Boston.
(5)
Mark M.
Waited (no lie) over 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge our presence after being seated. Then, after waving down a number of the staff our "server" came over and gave us attitude for being upset about the wait. He said something about getting caught up at another table (for 20 minutes, mind you). We actually only went to this restaurant because we read a review in the NY Times recently. Plus, I've been to Le Bernardin twice and have been blown away with the food and service. So, if you want decent but expensive food with sub-par service then by all means run straight to this disappointment. ;(
(3)
Ilana S.
This is the most magical place I've been since I went to Disneyland in third grade. Everything is miraculous and beautiful and immaculate. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday (yesterday), and even while walking to the Bistro, the world seemed perfect. It was a gorgeous night, some Buddhists just walked by us playing music, the trees were in full blossom. The neighborhood was clearly wonderful. We entered the restaurant about a half hour before our reservations, our coats were taken and we were immediately seated upstairs near the window. Everyone was right, the place is NOISY! But not in an uncomfortable way, in a charming engaging way. The lighting was warm, the wood beams on the ceiling added a special touch. The patrons seemed quite lovely as well. Anyway, on to the food... Our waiter was a young man who resembled Screech, a lot. Screech with a beard. We decided to skip appetizers (something I now regret), and immediately went for Entrees. My boyfriend ordered the Steak au Poivre, which he claims was the best steak he has ever had. The waiter came over with the knife for it and said "your weapon sir" when he placed it. It really livened us up, we were nervous being the youngest people there. I ordered the Sea Bass, and let me tell you, I'm not a fish person, but it melted on my tongue and had the most pleasant flavor. We both ordered sides of mashed potatoes per the waiter's suggestion. I had a when Harry Met Sally moment over this. Eyes rolled back and all I could say was "oh my god, oh my god". Boyfriend had a similar reaction. The mashed potatoes actually made my night. We both ordered Chocolate Souffle, which was for us, too rich therefor we didn't finish it -- though it was DELICIOUS. I'm just too happy about this place. I'm coming back. It's AMAZING.
(5)
Christina Y.
I came here last Friday for my birthday dinner and loved it so much that I had to join Yelp and give them a review. I love Bistro du Midi! Everything about them was great. Especially the service. Our waiter was superb and the rest of the staff was just as friendly. The food was really good as well. I will definitely come back to this restaurant!
(5)
Rebecca R.
My husband and I finally made it to Bistro du Midi. Wish I'd dined there earlier, as BdM is now my favorite restaurant in Boston. Less fussy than L'Espalier and much more authentic than Sel de Terre. The shellfish bouillabasse is so delectable I had to restrain myself from licking the bowl clean. Appetizers were simple (salmon sashimi drizzled with lemon, olive oil and herbs; duck tenderloins) and beautifully prepared. Wine suggestions were parfait. Indulge yourself -- have the Gran Marnier souffle -- it is as good as dessert gets.
Best new restaurant in Boston in a LONG time. See my pervious reviews of Excelsior....we ate here 3-4 x a month, and were nervous to see what would replace it. Its different that the old, but great in its own way. The staff is VERY professional and all have very solid previous experience. The wine by the bottle list is very extensive. But the food.....is amazing and at a VERY fair price. Reservations more than a week in advance are needed!
(5)
Bonilee P.
Bistro du Midi is good, but I always find myself more excited by the menu than what appears to me on the table. I have been twice in the last few months. The wine list is excellent. Staff is readily available to provide whatever is needed. I have had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives, which was very good but rich. After eating some of the plate you crave a simpler taste. I have also had the Grilled Pork Chop, Sunchokes, Brussels Sprouts, but it was a little bland. For appetizers I most recently had the Marinated Sea Scallops. I originally was ordering them not realizing the fact that they are raw, and when my waiter pointed that out, I figured I would be adventurous and try it anyway. After trying it I believe it would be even better cooked. I have also tried the Spicy Lamb Tartar appetizer from a friend, it was good. For desserts I have tried the Quince & Apple Crumble, the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Iced Pistachio Parfait, all of which were not extraordinary. My overall impression is that Bistro du Midi has a very nice atmosphere with food that can be hit or miss, but does have great wine. I would say that for the prices, however, I may go to other bistro type restaurants.
(3)
Sara S.
The service was terrible. The waiter brought the white wine out at room temperature and when we asked for it to be chilled, the sommelier came to the table and insisted that room temperature was the European way to drink white wine. The food was average. I won't be returning here.
(2)
Susan P.
We ate outside on a great day. Very nice service- both fast and friendly. Yummy breadsticks. The petanque, a French versin of a margarita flavored with lavender, was phenomenal. Beautiful decor. Simply seasoned cod. My 8- and 10-year old daughters shared the beef en daube, and loved it. Vegetarians beware: the delicious chopped salad comes with bacon and tuna. The cheese plate was overpriced ($24) but otherwise, the prices were very fair for a lovely dinner. This restaurant is probably too fancy for many children, but my girls loved it.
(4)
Aditi R.
Excelsior used to be here before. I heard it was a nice place, but Bistro du Midi definitely works as well. Maybe it was the weather, the falling flowers, or perhaps just the company, but I fell for this place. We sat outside for an afternoon wine after a stroll around Copley. The outside seating area was small, though I do know they open up the giant windows when there are more people (and there will be as the weather gets nicer). The waiter was very nice and gave us our time to look through the menus and politely let us know that we can't just have alcohol outside because of Mass laws...which I hate...but we'll have to order something to eat per person. Now I know for a fact that this doesn't hold true at other establishments and this turned me off a little bit (hence the one star off) but we went with it and ordered some fries and vegetables. Both were great. But really you have to take a look at their wine collection - over 200. By the glass of course they are less in number, but impressive regardless. We sat there for almost an hour and half and not once did we feel hurried. We enjoyed our time there overlooking the garden and a good time was had by all. Definitely coming here again!
(4)
Anna R.
I went here for restaurant week in March on a Wednesday night. It was PACKED. The appetizers and desserts were the highlight of our meals and the entrees were just "meh." Would have given it 3 stars if it weren't for the pretentious sommelier. Now I realize sommerliers are pretentious by definition but this guy was such a prick. With the wine menu in hand I asked him to recommend a shiraz. He rudely looks down and says "you're looking in the index page", takes it from my hand and turns to the page with shiraz. Um hello I know how to look at a menu. He didn't end up recommending anything and I ended up ordering something else. Isn't that his job? Ruined my whole experience and I likely won't be back.
(2)
Alex L.
Place is really nice, the food not so much, very average and completely overpriced. Would not revisit. This is based only on the salmon benedict, no go. Other dishes may be be great, I don't know.
(2)
Kelli F.
I went for dinner last Saturday night with a group of girlfriends. Love the location, and first impressions of the downstairs bar area were terrific. The decor was really appealing and well done. Our reservations were for the upstairs bistro area. It is a large area and tastefully decorated, but as the night wore on the noise level became a bit much. Thinking about the decor, the ceilings are high, the drapery is sheer and mixed with hardwood floors. All very nice, but not much help in dulling the noise level. It did become difficult at times for the six of us to hear one another at 'appropriate' voice levels. Maybe it was just the night we were there, but the patrons were a bit on the older side. Drinks were prompt and well made, appetizers were prompt as well. The fried artichokes with aoli are TO DIE FOR! I'd go back just for a plate of those and a glass of wine. I had the barbajuans, which were pretty good as well. The main course was good... Once it arrived. I do think that Bistro Du Midi is still working out some kinks. Whether it is wait staff or the kitchen in unknown, but our dinner took way longer than is really appropriate. From my dish of Saffron Chitarra & Seafood, to the Seabass, Classic Bouillabaisse, Goat Cheese Gnocchi and Monkfish, no one had any complaints. We did skip the after dinner drink to head next door to the Four Seasons for a quieter location. I'd definitely return. The price point was really good! Lower than expected, to be honest. Wait staff was apologetic for the delay. Next time, I'd like to try the bar (downstairs) during the afternoon with a window seat overlooking the Public Garden.
One of my favorite spots. Pricey but worth it. Sit, relax, enjoy your food and drink with no rush. The restaurant upstairs is lovely but try the bar too, it's great!
it was tasty but expensive and nothing really stood out as really remarkable. We went for brunch and I was just whelmed by the food (not under or over) and I left a little lacking. I might try it again but I am not in a hurry.
(3)
Liz E.
Wonderful spot to people watch and enjoy some strong and delicious cocktails!
(4)
Christalina W.
Went to Bistro Du Midi for restaurant week, and winded up ordering off the regular menu, since the prices were pretty comparable! The atmosphere of the restaurant was great. Very cute and intimate. Good date spot! Great view upstairs of Boston Common, and a nice patio outside for seating. Service was very attentive and everyone was friendly. However, the food took FOREVER to come out. I have a feeling this is done on purpose...drawing out the meal, but 3 hours for 1 dinner is a long time in my opinion. The foccacia-like bread was good, pleasantly soft, and my husband enjoyed it very much. It came with dipping olive oil. I thought the bread was good, but a bit bland. For an appetizer, we got the olive and eggplant tappenade. I thought it was ok, I did not really love the flavor of the tappenade, but my husband loved it, and ate the entire thing! We ordered the chicken for two, which was supposed to take 45 mins, but took about 2 hours. They brought it over to us when it was done to show it before they cut it, and then it took them another 30 mins to bring it out to us. The chicken, however, was amazing. It was roasted, and very moist and delicious. It had some sort of chopped garlic mixture underneath the skin. It also came with roasted potatoes and asparagus which were tasty. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate souffle with the salted caramel ice cream on the side, but it was a bit disappointing. The ice cream was delicious, but the souffle was unspectacular. It was almost bland and really needed the ice cream to compliment it. It did come with a white sauce on the side, that you're supposed to pour over the cake, but I didn't like the white sauce..and would have preferred a lot more ice cream. The souffle was very rich, but not very sweet, I think I would have preferred sweeter. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, but don't know if I would go back. I almost wished we had chosen the restaurant week menu, as the steak that people were ordering looked awesome, as did the gianduja palette, which was one of the desserts.
(3)
Steve A.
The service was great, the food was incredible and the set up was unique. We started with the fried artichokes with aioli and the soft shell crab...both were cooked to perfection. For dinner I had the monkfish special which was served over grilled eggplant (first time in my life I've ever liked eggplant) and it was the best tasting dish with monkfish that I've had in my life. My girlfriend had the goat cheese gnocchi with a pesto sauce which was equally as good as the monkfish. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Mr C.
My wife and I came to Boston from Philadelphia on May 4 to visit our good friends and celebrate our 5th anniversary. Our only agenda was to eat at Bistro du Midi and Craigie on Main. In hind-sight we should have eaten both meals at du Midi. I am not going to trash the other restaurant on this review, but the food at du Midi is far, far superior, and much more affordable. The value difference is unmeasurable. Save your money and dine here, you won't be disappointed. The food, the presentation, the service all impeccable. Finally a restaurant that gets it. Serves great food through skill and technique. Here in Philadelphia and apparently in Boston, chefs are trying too hard to be different with off beat ingredients without the proper knowledge of their use. It was refreshing to have an incredible meal executed to perfection. From the greeting at the door until we got our coat check back the experience was the gold standard of how a restaurant should be run. Don't think of not dining here if you are in the area. We would travel back again in an instant. Food A+. Service A+. Ambiance A. The only reason not an A+ was a weird hum that cuts on and off in the Dining room. Air conditioner maybe. Otherwise. Perfection. Can't say enough.
What a great date spot. Valentine's Day is coming up guys. If you want to get lucky, this place is a good booking. No luck? Don't blame the place. It'll meet you half way. Food is good. Portions are decent. Decor is stunning. Younger feel fine dining. Good service. Good location.
(4)
john c.
Had a great night here. Nice atmosphere. Great service. We ate the mussels, then the steak au poivre and the beef daube (short ribs) in an awesome, rich wine sauce. Good value for the price. We ate upstairs in the dining room. Downstairs at the bar, the vibe is very cool and more casual.
(4)
Shantel S.
I went to Bistro du Midi for my wedding anniversary (which is also New Year's Eve) and they treated us like royalty. The entree portions were good-sized and the wine selection is enormous. The chef wrote "happy anniversary" in chocolate sauce on our dessert plate. The waiters were attentive and incredibly nice. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Ivan P.
What a great place to dine! I am writing this review after second time we've been there and impression is still the same. Even coming there on Friday night was good. Staff was courteous and efficient. the food was great and ambiance romantic. What else more you would want??
Having grown up in Paris, I am pretty picky when it comes to restaurants, especially those that call themselves French. But Bistro du Midi is amazing. Plus: The food is always good, whether you eat brunch or dinner. Dinner is more of a high-end experience, whereas brunch is more laid back. It all depends what kind of meal you are looking for, but in either case you won't be disappointed. I have had salads, fruit plates, soups, fishes, meats, desserts, croque madame etc. and have never had a complaint. Plus: The service is impeccable. Very professional without being pretentious. What I like is also the pace of dinner. It is quick enough that you don't sit there wondering whether you have been forgotten, but not to the extent that you feel rushed. Plus: They have valet parking, which is very convenient. When I left, they had brought my car up front and heated. Since it was freezing outside, I appreciated the extra effort.
(5)
Jessica H.
I hardly ever... wait... scratch that... I never write 5 star reviews. Bistro du Midi deserves 5 stars. This is one place that will go down in my memory banks of amazing restaurant experiences. We started at the downstairs bar where Geoffrey served us a pre-dinner glass of wine. It was early and slow so we started chatting about wine and he was gracious enough to pour us a taste of two amazing bourbons and two gins. It wasn't the tastes that were amazing - it was the service. The hostess was wonderful. She made sure we were seated promptly after asking for our table (for which we had made reservations but then detoured to the bar) and was gracious while I checked my coat. She directed us to a second hostess (who really needs to eat a sandwich and wear flats) upstairs. The upstairs dining room is incredibly tastefully decorated. Sunny, great view, comfortable and elegant. As the sun set the view changed into twinkling lights. Lovely. Understand New England elegance at its finest tempered with studied Provencal inspired French cuisine. Our server was Eric, who was the only dim spot in the evening. And it's not that he was bad mind you, it's just that everyone else was amazing. Eric was helpful and kind - he just didn't have the same fine dining finesse as everyone else. He was a little less knowledgeable and a little more familiar than the evening warranted. He could recite the menu, but he didn't know the menu - n'est pas? The pork terrine was amazing. The foie gras was sinful. The sea bass was probably Chilean - meh. But the fennel it was served with - oh my god the fennel. Cooked sous vide and then seared. The sky opened and harps played as angels wept. That fennel was smack your mama good. It was smack yo' gran'mama good. The cod needed a wee bit more seasoning and I was ever so slightly disappointed that the chorizo wasn't more in the foreground. Also - the chickpeas could have been lightly mashed so they don't roll on the plate. But dessert - order dessert. Order the souffle. Order the Grand Marnier souffle. Angels, choir, harps, yes, yes. (A previous poster mentioned the server asking about dessert too early - however - if a souffle is being made fresh it needs at least 20 minutes. The ticket is going to go in after your entree is served. The server needs to ask early if souffle is one of the specialties - which it is at Bistro du Midi. I ordered mine with my appetizer). The brightest spot in the evening - the sommelier, or self-proclaimed "wine geek" Kelly. I heart Kelly. I will always ask Kelly's opinion when I go to BdM. His pairings were spot on. We savored every moment, every sip, every sniff, every swirl. Bottom line - great food, great service, great atmosphere - without feeling stuffy or pretentious. My new favorite place.
(5)
Lauren D.
I was a bit skeptical going to Bistro du Midi - the former Excelsior location was one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I took the plunge and I'm so happy I did. The food was amazing: scrumptious bread basket with delicious oil, barbajans (fried filled pastas with deliciousness inside) were something I had never tried but I will definitely be having again, a perfect beet & goat cheese salad, melt-in-your-mouth beef daube (much like marinated short rib that's been in a slow cooker for days) with the most buttery mashed potatoes, and one of the best chocolate souffles I've ever had. The wine list was impressive (I agree with another reviewer that the wine by the glass list was short, but the half bottle list a mile long more than made up for it), and the service was prompt, courteous and happy to help explain the menu and choose a wine. An excellent replacement for Excelsior (oh - and I believe it's less expensive as well!)
(5)
Lynne K.
I amend my previous review of this restaurant! The second time we went was fabulous! The food was delicious and the service perfect. We walked in, and the downstairs was about 3/4 full. The hostess sent us upstairs, where the staff was waiting for us. We were seated by the window promptly. Upstairs was about half full. The waiter promptly came over and provided us drink menu's and a warm welcome. We ordered drinks, and warm bread came out. I ordered a drink special with vodka and fresh strawberries, and it was extremely good. It came in a cool carafe with a straw. For appetizers, I ordered the chilled melon soup with crab, and my husband ordered the foie gras. Over appetizers, the manager came over and introduced himself. He was extremely nice, and talked my husband (jokingly) into taking me to Paris so he could compare the foie gras! It was a pleasant conversation. The chilled soup had plenty of crab and had a great twang, something I enjoyed. There was plenty of flavor with a few chunks (not too many) of melon for welcomed bursts of flavor. My husband thought the foie gras was extremely well prepared, with a perfect texture and taste When the waiter heard me debating about wine, he sent over the sommelier to assist with my decision. I decided to forego the wine and instead order dessert - a great decision! For dinner, my husband ordered lamb chops and I ordered the gnocchi with pesto and fresh goat cheese. The gnocchi was TO DIE FOR. Melt in your mouth good! The goat cheese blended nicely with the pesto. The lamb was cooked perfect - I don't usually enjoy lamb, and I enjoyed the taste and texture of this. We also ordered the potatoes dauphine, and they were wonderful - creamy, flavorful and absolutely delicious. For dessert, I ordered the most delicious chocolate souffle, and my husband ordered the cheese plate. He ordered port and an espresso, and I ordered tea. Cheese was fresh, and the toasted bread it came with was enjoyable. The souffle was wonderful - warm and delicious and truly enjoyable. And not overly rich - perfect flavor and texture. One thing I noticed, which was an enormous change from last time we were dined at Bistro du Midi, was that our water glasses were never less than half full. The staff was great and attentive. Staff knew what they doing, and everyone walking around the dining room had a purpose. We weren't being rushed at all, but the food also didn't take forever to come out (which wasn't true the last time). Overall, I would absolutely go back to this restaurant. The price was more expensive than a regular night out, but not so obscene as to make this a once a year place. The entire night (keep in mind, we only had one drink each) was about $120-$140, and that includes appetizers, entree (plus one side) and dessert for both of us. Price was absolutely reasonable for the quality of food and service we received. The service was beyond great, and I would say this restaurant absolutely redeemed itself this time around. I would definitely recommend it, as well as visit again. We've already recommended that my in-laws try Bistro du Midi again!
(5)
Michelle B.
I stopped by and had lunch here last week. Sitting at the patio area with a nice Boston weather was a perfect experience. For the main dish, I had the "Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade"($15) and i love it! All the oily bit from a salmon is cooked away but still tender and juicy. The little layer of fish skin is crisp, not like anything you can make at home. I don't usually eat fish skin because I always feel it's just layer of extremely squashy piece attached with a lot of fat (although fish oil is suppose to be good for you.) But the texture here is totally different and nice. It completes the dish. I'd recommend this dish to all seafood lovers. Then, I had a dessert "Nectarine and Plum Crumble with Sweet Corn Ice Cream" ($9), recommended by the waiter. We had some chat. He's very friendly and attentive, also very knowledgeable about the menu. AND, he has a cute Russian accent!!! LOL! The dessert is a combination of hot - baked fruit slices with crumb on top with cold - a ball of ice cream on the side. Hot too hot and cold too sweet if eaten by themselves. Putting them together gives you a bit warm a bit cold a bit sour and a bit sweet taste. Umm~ so good!! Will definitely come back to try their dinner sometime.
(5)
Cassandra L.
Woo hoo - this place is as good as it gets! The service is excellent! Food is great. I'm visiting beantown and went here yesterday and back again today. Drinks are creative and delicious. Food is superb!
(5)
Richard L.
We had a great dinner at this lovely bistro. The restaurant was busy on a Wednesday evening, but not so noisy that you can't enjoy your conversation. The food was terrific and nicely presented. Sea bass was wonderfully prepared, and the vegetables were fresh and cooked like we had on a recent trip to southern France. We didn't get to the desserts because we ordered and shared different appetizers, but overall an excellent place that we'll return to often.
(5)
Michelle S.
Went in last weekend for a drink at the upstairs bar. I'm glad that there's a new restaurant by the Common that's open late. Jeff, the bartender, was awesome - very funny and friendly. He recommended a great wine and obviously knows the menu well. The barbajans (sp?) with honey and goat cheese were incredible - highly recommended. I can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)
Brad R.
Excellent location for outdoor people-watching. Solid wine list which is about 20 pages deep. Food presentation and ambiance with music is perfect for a quaint little lunch. Beer list is pretty wimpy with only 5 beers available. One local microbrew and the rest lager imports. The croquet mosieur is amazing. Great during summer, overlooking the park sitting in the shade with a cool breeze.
(4)
jamie l.
if i could give half-stars i would have given it 2.5 stars. most of the rating is because of the room(s) - the space is lovely. the food however was a bit of a disappointment. i'll admit - it's been a while since i was truly excited to go to a new boston restaurant, and maybe (like a movie) my mistake was that i got my hopes up too high - but the whole experience was a bit of a disappointment. the table we were sat at (upstairs in the middle of the room) was cramped. i had my chair bumped by wait staff regularly throughout the meal. we were told when considering our wine that the sommelier would come over and answer any questions we had - but when the waiter came over for our order we had yet to have our little chat - so we just ordered wines by the glass. the portions were very small. VERY. i'm not a big person and i've never believed in buying by the pound - i'm all quality versus quantity - but i make a shellfish dish just like the one i ordered at BduM and i know that the tiny little portion i ordered and paid nearly $50 was worth a few dollars. i have no problem at all paying $50 for a dish - just give me enough food so i'm not left shaking my head when the food arrives. i'll admit - it's been a few weeks since we at here and i'm just getting to writing the review - so more details aren't present any longer - but i definitely know that the three of us (all foodies, one from manhattan) all agreed when we walked out that we'd never go back again - other than for a drink on the ground floor. again - the space was lovely.
(2)
Melee T.
yes! i am a fan. what a beautiful restaurant. the restaurant feels somewhat like being in someones beautiful home. the service was outstanding and the host was amazingly friendly, charming and accommodating. my girlfriends and i had a great evening there. we enjoyed our meals and our cocktails. definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Boston.
(5)
Priscilla S.
i am definetly returning to these restaurant. the fried artichokes are excellent. the squash ravioli are amazing. my husband got the duck and it was delicious. the hazelnut cake was beyond expectations.
(5)
stephanie s.
Remarkable. What comes out of the kitchen is golden and prepared to perfection. Why only 3 stars? Well, it doesnt feel French at all. This is an high-end American restaurant with a couple of traditional and very well prepared French (more like Mediterranean) dishes. Putting up french posters and having marble bistro tables doesnt suffice to create a French feel (at least not for a french person like me). Where was my baguette bon sang!!!?? (I got Italian Grissini and basil focaccia bread ) Where is my waiter that isn't dictating the menu but describing the food with personal adoration? Where was the French accent? It looks and tastes French but there is no real French vibe in here. The wait staff is perfect, dictates and recommends perfectly, no soul, no connection, a complete lack of "je ne sais quoi" which makes places like Petit Bistro Robert and La voile still on the top of my chart. I would come here again becasue the food was excellent. I wouldn't come here for an authentic French experience.
(3)
Marion M.
Favorite restaurant. Ever. Good for pretty much everything: drinks, brunch with friends, delicious upscale dinner, etc. Beautiful location overlooking the Public Garden (which is great since there's outdoor seating late spring-early fall), easy to get to as well. Have the goat cheese/honey barbajuans (puff pastry pillows) and the tuna tartare. I usually hate fish and seafood in general but that tuna tartare was absurdly good. Can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes - most are made from scratch and hand rolled in house. If you're seated by the giant window into the kitchen, you can watch them make it. For dessert, get the chocolate souffle. Make sure you order it with your meal since it takes 25 minutes to prepare and bake fresh for you. They have a wine cellar two stories tall and the most experienced and charming waitstaff I've ever encountered. Really, I can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)
Lala I.
we went to bistro du midi for restaurant week tonight. i wasnt impressed by the food, but the service was great. the waiter was super attentive and polite. my water/wine was never less than half full. we lost track of time at the end of meal cuz we were too drawn into our convo and it was already mid-night; nobody ever told us to leave or made us feel uncomfortable of staying. the ambience is supposed to be romantic and classy, but i felt really comfortable and cozy. we started off with a bottle of riesling and followed by steamed mussels, hake, and ginaduja palette. my dessert, the best thing ive had all night and probably one of the best desserts iv had in a restaurant recently: ginaduja palette, hazelnut ice cream oh la la it was so good. super creamy and rich hazelnut flavor!!! loved it!
(3)
Sam T.
Bistro du Midi was an unexpected treat, after an afternoon of walking and sight seeing around the Boston Common area. We came upon this spot towards dinner time and decided to grab something to eat. After a short wait, the maitre d' informed us, that we could be seated right away, but we had to finish, in about 90 minutes, due to a reservation. We were okay with that, so we were brought up to the second floor, corner table, with a great view, of the street and the Boston Common Park. The service was good and my seared duck breast with swiss chard, black olives, and gnocci was exquisite. The duck was succulent and flavorful. The sauce was delicious and went well with the chard and gnocci. We were not rushed at all, even when we went overtime a bit. Overall the best surprise on the trip to Boston.
(5)
AD S.
Also went here for restaurant week--take that for what you will, but we had an appetizer (pate), flat-iron steak, and desert cake for $38. The food was quite good, though in relatively modest portions. Due to high cost (I think $10-14), I skipped the cocktails, though I sipped my friends' and they were quite good as well. The space is nice, and well located in the city. Service was attentive, though I felt the server and even the host would not take seriously four people coming in just for the restaurant week sample (particularly after one of my friends butchered some French words on the menu). The latter point is not that big of a deal, but it just serves my point--this is not my kind of place. I like good food, but not to the tune of $30+ and leaving only moderately full. Further, one can't have more than one drink without adding substantially to the bill (again, not my style). It would be a nice place to take a date--cocktails and desert would be nice, though probably in excess of $60.
(3)
Lindsey E.
Went for restaurant week. Food was ok but nothing special. Near the end of my meal I asked for a glass of red wine. The waiter immediately suggested a pinot noir. He brought the wine over in the bottle and gave me a generous pour and even some to my date to finish the bottle. The wine was above room temperature (very warm) and actually gritty. I'm sure the bottle had been sitting open at the bar for days. It was by far the worst glass of wine I have ever had. Then the check comes and it was $15. You think a restaurant that has a table of contents for its wine menu would have a little more respect for the wine they serve. Clearly, they have no trouble pawning bad product off onto customers and charging an insane amount.
To sum it up: Great location, great mussels, souffle is ok. Got seated by the window overlooking the public gardens, which was really nice. Service and food was good. My only tiff was the souffle, but it's probably because I can't handle too much chocolate. Chocolate-good, chocolate on top of chocolate, smothered in chocolate with a side of chocolate-not my cup of tea. Although the souffle wasn't that, that's how it felt to me. But that was too much complaining. Just come here! Well, save some money and then come here!
(4)
Michelle T.
Brunch bombed. Totally disappointed with my food and didn't think value for money was there at all. The only redeeming factor was the wonderful attentive service, but what waste of money on the eggs benedict I got. I paid $13 for a salmon eggs benedict. Not cheap but not too expensive...until you see what you get. A simple toasted english muffin with a single slice of smoked salmon, not even large in area enough to cover most of the muffin. Then 2 poached eggs that are by ALL standards, completely under-poached. The egg whites were still transparent when they brought it out. NO SIDES. Not even a sprig of green. It just looked like a really sad sad dish. The hollandaise was heavy but tasted good. I had brought an out-of-town guest and was SUPER excited to dine at Bistro Du Midi, but it's safe to say we were both underwhelmed. I definitely won't be back here for brunch again.
(2)
Anna G.
I had never been to Bistro du Midi until yesterday, and then I went for brunch AND dinner, because brunch was JUST THAT AMAZING! I love the casual French bistro feel and, as a lover of the Boston Commons, love the location. The brunch was fantastic! I want to come here every weekend for the goat cheese quiche. The dinner was pretty good - much less bustling (we ate downstairs) but still delicious. The celery root soup with lobster was delic but not enough to want me to come back every weekend (like the quiche definitely did). I am looking forward to trying more of the dinner menu. But really - Go here for brunch, order the quiche, thank me later.
(5)
Rachel B.
This restaurant is fantastic. Hands down the best French restaurant I've been to in Boston....blows Craigie on Main and Number 9 Park out of the water. The space and decor is beautiful and elegant but still comfortable. Likewise the service is spot on - attentive and sophisticated without feeling stifling or condescending. I cannot say enough about the food. Our tuna and salmon appetizers were beautiful, delicate and just delicious. The charcuterie plate was inventive and tasty. Our entrees were perfectly portioned and flavorful. I especially love that the wine list was wide-ranging and affordable! Unlike so many Boston restaurants which are highly touted but slightly disappointing in actuality - this place scores the highest marks in every category.
(5)
Christina H.
I had high hopes for Bistro Du Midi, but was sadly disappointed. For our appetizer, the fried artichokes were heavily battered and doughy; I prefer them lighter and crispier. The slow-cooked crispy pork belly was good, but it was definitely overpriced for the small portion we received. The server recommended the duck for an entree and the chef recommended it cooked med rare, so we tried it. Immediately after the dinner, my boyfriend felt sick. We should have thought twice before thinking it would be a good idea to eat undercooked poultry even if it was a cook's suggestion! The pasta with wild boar ragout was tasty, but a little too salty. My boyfriend had made reservations for our anniversary and like a previous reviewer there was nothing in store for a special evening.
(2)
Roberto H.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was not disappointed. We were seated in front of the window on the second floor and had a lovely view of the Common. So right off the bat we knew that this was going be a good night. The service was excellent and highly attentive without being overbearing. But now onto the food... In one word: delicious. I ordered the crudo of fluke which was tender and fresh, but could have used some more citrus. The flat iron steak was superbly cooked. I'm very picky when it comes to steak, and this was definitely a dish that I would recommend to any steak lover. For dessert I chose a chocolate mousse with bergamot ice cream. Light yet decadent, and wonderfully paired. Overall, this was a great dining experience. Whether you're looking for a romantic atmosphere, a locale for a special occasion, or even just a very nice dinner, this is a fantastic choice. It is fine dining without the pomp. Elegance without the pretentiousness. I look forward to returning to Bistro du Midi in the near future.
(4)
Ed T.
This is simply one fine dining experience. There were four of us, one a very successful wine retailer in the UK. All of us rated this as among the best restaurants we've ever visited. The food was creative and extremely well prepared. The wine staff very knowledgeable.The waiter was engaging without hovering. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's a don't-miss location. Well done.
(5)
Rachel C.
I had my anniversary dinner here. The ambience was perfect for the occasion. Right next to the park. It was actually snowing quite a bit that night and the lighting decorations outside our window made the evening seem even more romantic for the occasion. We ordered cocktail drinks that were strong but delicious and got us very excited for our meals. (I apologize I'm writing this from memory so I don't remember the names) I got the lamb and he got the duck. My meal was heavy and the portion was gigantic! Clearly my bf and I ordered the wrong dish for one another so we ended up stealing bites off of each others plates. The lamb was so soft the meat literally just fell off the bone and the duck....oh my...I couldn't stop stealing the duck. The ambience was something worth noting. The restaurant was large but felt intimate. The service was great! Overall I made the right choice for the evening :)
(4)
Proteus D.
Came here for a private work function. The food was superb and I have some very strict dietary requirements that they catered to fantastically. Can't recall what I ate but it was a fish dish. Would come again if in the vicinity.
(4)
Jon S.
I have been hear a few times and oddly enough it is not because I think this is the best french restaurant in town, but because their Steak Frites happens to be the best steak i've tried in boston (over capital grille and abe & louis'). The service is always excellent and I consider this place a rare gem on Newbury St (which is known for overpriced mediocre restaurants).
When my company's board of directors announced they were coming to town, they had a clear idea of the type of place they wanted to go to for dinner. Must have great food, an amazing wine list, a quiet private room and NO CHAINS! I was the lucky guy who's job it was to pick the restaurant. No pressure or anything! I spent literally the best part of a week researching Boston's finest and Bistro du Midi came highly recommended and met all the criteria. I worked with Sam, who was great! I paid my deposit and breathed a big sigh of relief. Fast forward to a couple of days before arrival and the CEO's admin called to check that all the arrangements had been made, I confirmed that they had. She then said that the CEO knew about a restaurant in the North End and that was where he wanted to go instead! The NE restaurant (which shall remain nameless) does not have great food, the wine list is pedestrian, has no private rooms and is loud as hell. The complete opposite of what they had previously wanted, but hey, the CEO is the CEO, so I made reservations there. Unfortunately I had already paid a decent sized deposit to BdM and had to find a creative way to get my money's worth. As luck would have it, at about the same time I got news that I had been promoted and would be moving to Phoenix, Arizona. So where should I have my going-away lunch? hmmmmmmm :) Both Sam and Randy, the GM were amazingly cordial and accommodating. They took great care of our party of ten with a special lunch/dinner hybrid menu. The service was amazing and the wine, a 2009 Cote Roannaise, Clos du Puy by Domaine de Pothiers was probably the best Gamay I had ever had. So thank you board of directors for paying for (most) of our meal.. Best going away present ever!
(5)
Melody N.
My husband and I came here to eat the specialty croque sandwiches. We decided to go all 'croque' out and got their specialty croque sandwich for the day, the 'skinny croque'(or vegetarian), and croque madame(ham and cheese sandwich with a fried eggs). The specialty croques only come as one sandwich with a small salad and the croque madame comes as two sandwiches and salad or fries. I never had croque sandwiches before and we decided that the croque madame was tasty but it was a glorified ham and cheese sandwich. I liked their specialty sandwich(it had pork and goat cheese), but my husband thought it was just 'ok'. The vegetarian sandwich tasted good but wasn't anything too special. I think portion for the $5 sandwich would not be enough(maybe use as an appetizer and then get another entree). We got a couple of drinks to go with our sandwich. I got the En Thyme, which was a delicious blueberry concoction with thyme in it. I loved the scent of thyme in the drink. The ambiance is very romantic yet feels casual This place was a little out of our price range(especially for a sandwich). The mixed drinks were on the high side, about $13 for my drink. We might come here for a more special occasion to try other items.
(3)
Vanessa A.
We went for restaurant week. Service: Courteous and prompt Food: I had the flat iron steak. The texture and flavor were fantastic. The desserts were great too. Location: We were early, so we went for a walk in the Boston Public Garden. We saw the beautiful weeping willows, swans and ducks. For two people with beer and 1 bottle of wine: $130 (with tip)
(5)
Bangie D.
I went here for valentines day with my boyfriend, and I absolutely loved this place. The moment you walk in, you are greeted right away by a very friendly hostess who will check your coats. We actually arrived a half hour early for our reservation and we were seated right away, very accommodating. The service is excellent. Our server was spot on all night. From the beginning he was explaining the menu to us. He answered our questions, and seemed very knowledgeable of the menu; which is so impressive considering he must have just learned the menu for valentines day. He suggested a great wine, that paired perfectly with the meal. He checked on us all night and was very attentive. The entire staff was very well trained. The food was so amazing. My favorite dish of the night was the wild boar ragout, I really wasn't expecting it to be my favorite. I have to say the dessert wasn't my favorite. It was a little heavy to end a five course meal. Overall though everything was delicious. Plus they gave us chocolates to go, what a great idea.
(5)
Simon L.
A party of ten - no problem, we have a room perfect for you. Up the hard marble spiral staircase we go. Atop the stairs, a majestic room full of plush white tablecloths swim in between upholstered high backed chairs, shiny silver ware, crystal and expansive views of Boston Common. Following our host, we are led to a large back room and seated around a giant wooden table, a French farmhouse style table likely found au normande minus the bench seating. The view is stunning - a portal style window in the wall looks out over the duck pond. The sun is shimmering on the water, green leaves of trees sway gently, hiding the sun just enough. The rays shining in and sparkling on the water make one feel as if one is sitting on top of Boston Common - spectacular. Crispy pork belly, fatty and crispy and tender. A ratatouille stewed a little too long with a bit too much oil but tasty nonetheless. Steak au poivre, a juicy flavorful piece of strip. Cut like butter as some might propose. Duck was tender according to one member. Roasted chicken had by a pair was excellent. I believe (*read* I know) there was some sampling of starters steamed mussels, tuna tartar and beet salad. An excellent restaurant - if not slightly stuffy. Polite service, comfortable environs, great food without being too expensive.
(4)
d s.
horrible food , slow service , great location
(1)
Joern T.
Well prepared small plates--even the fried artichokes were interesting enough to have a second serving while sitting at the bar having a business meeting. Eclectic, thoughtfully chosen wines by the glass complement the food nicely. Add a great atmosphere and knowledgeable staff and you have a recipe for me to want to return.
(5)
Jesse J.
Great location, great atmosphere and excellent dinning. A wonderful place to have a late lunch or early dinner on a sleepy summer afternoon.
(5)
Joanna C.
While traveling for work, I was tasked with finding a dinner spot that was very close to our hotel since it was so cold outside. After checking Yelp, I decided to take the team to Bistro Du Midi. We chose to sit upstairs, which has a stiffer, quieter, more French ambiance than the bar area downstairs. We were quickly seated and brought menus. After consulting the very very extensive wine menu, we settled on a couple bottles of wine and then turned to the food. I ordered the Grilled Spanish Octopus, Baked Hake, and the scoops of White Peach and Coconut sorbet. The staff first brought out some bread, which was good, and then the appetizers. My octopus was delicious! I loved the consistency and the eggplant sauce that was on it. The presentation was lovely and I could've eaten way more of it. Before getting the entrees, one coworker had to take a phone call. To be super polite, the restaurant staff wanted to wait for him to come back before serving the entire table. However, he took a while so they ended up serving ours first. When he got back, they made him an entirely new entree since they wanted it to be very fresh. Unnecessary, but really nice. I enjoyed my Hake, which was well-seasoned by the lobster consomme and perfectly cooked. The massive prawn was also fantastic. Although we were pretty full, we ended up ordering dessert. I had a scoop of white peach and coconut sorbet. The white peach sorbet tasted more like regular peach and the servings were very small, but I needed a little something that was cold and sweet so it worked perfectly. All in all, BIstro Du Midi is a solid spot for dinner with fantastic service and lots of wine options. I'll definitely keep it in mind for future Boston visits.
(4)
Kristen D.
2.5 stars. I was taken out to lunch here by my boss. It was a very nice space, but the food was just OK. I'm not compelled to go back if I'm the one paying! The bread was not warm and did not taste fresh. pass. I ordered the chopped salad and added chicken for a $7 up charge. The menu was really tiny and had no description, so while I figured it was your typical chopped salad w bacon, egg, avocado, cheese, I thought I would add the chicken for it. I didn't need to add the chicken. The salad came out and it was a big portion and there were 4 or 5 huge pieces of chicken breast on it. I took half the chicken off before I even started eating it, as it was way too much. Tasted like there was goat cheese rather than the typical bleu cheese, which was good. Again, nothing mind blowing and not somewhere I would need to go back to for lunch, Maybe I should check it out for dinner?
(3)
Eric D.
Abandon the restaurant week menu, the restaurant is not too pricey. Foie gras appetizer was melt in your mouth. The beef cheek was so juicy and tender, and the duck was the best my gf has ever had. The service was great, and the bartender knows how to make the perfect Sazerac
(5)
Nicole C.
This was a terrible dining experience. We were seated next to some extremely wasted guys that were friends of our waiter. Our waiter spend most of his time bro'ing down with these characters rather than waiting on us. Our beef cheeks were almost cold. It took 30 mins to get our car from the valet. I could go on, but I have nothing good to say.It was a travesty to pay for our meal and leave a tip.
(1)
Julie L.
Bistro du Midi is fast becoming my go-to restaurant for fine dining and special occasions. It hasn't disppointed me yet! The first time I came was for restaurant week in March 2012 and all 3 of us highly enjoyed our meal. What I loved is how Bistro du Midi offered a meal that was up to par with their regular menu. There's nothing more disappointing than going to a reputable restaurant during restaurant week and being met with a sub-par menu that looks much less appetizing than their regular menu. All of us started with the mussels. It was a generous portion and the amazing bread basket helped us soak up the wonderful broth. For the entree, we got to taste both - the lamb neck ravioli and the hake. The raviolis were wonderful, especially with presentation in the cast iron pan, but the winner was definitely the pan-seared hake. Wow - the fish had this beautiful, but delicate crust and broth was excellent. For dessert, we had the gianduja palette w/ hazelnut ice cream and the blueberry clafoutis. Everyone enjoyed their desserts. The next visit was for my birthday and once again, nothing disappointed. From the excellent service to the bread sticks, everything was as wonderful as I remembered. We started with the barbajuans - delicious! For $6, it was a great started and highly recommended. Next was the lamb tartare and fluke crudo. I love lamb and I love tartare. However, I felt the lamb taste wasn't quite there. Although it didn't taste quite like steak tartare, it also didn't scream lamb to me. The fluke crudo was excellent with lots of flavors (even the foam) and the rice puff added great texture. For our entrees, we had the sea bass and pork chop. The pork chop was the hands down winner. So juicy, tender, and perfectly brined. So stuffed, no room for dessert this time. Bistro du Midi, I will be back!
(5)
J B.
Love the location of this place, and the service was outstanding, but the food was pretty lacking. Started w/ Tuna Tartare, which was good - a little under seasoned if we are being picky. I had the ribeye for my entree, which was cooked properly - but overpowered by the bordelaise on it. I think that was a ploy to cover up the fact that this ribeye was not prime, as advertised, but rather a choice cut. My wife said the bolognese wasn't memorable at all. And the pan roasted mushrooms tasted canned, to boot. Wine list was very approachable, so probably better off getting a drink here and eating elsewhere.
This review originally started off at 5 stars, and stayed that way through 4 visits. That says a lot about the food and service. It did lose a star recently, and I'll explain why later. But first, the good stuff: This night, we were originally a party of 6, which I changed to 4 once I got to the restaurant. After we sat down and got our drinks, I asked if we could add room for one more, and they were very quick to accommodate. The staff is very helpful and very friendly. Our server was AWESOME! Funny, energetic, and on top of his game. Knew everything on the menu, had very good suggestions. Onto the food! Appetizers: We started off with the Steamed Mussels Marinière au Pastis and Lamb Tartare. The mussels are by far some of the best prepared mussels I've ever had. The broth is delicious, and you'll want extra bread to enjoy it all! The Lamb tartare is also delicious with that quail egg on top. Entrees: Pan Roasted Hake - was done perfectly! They do seafood really well here. Highly recommend this dish. We've also had the Roasted Statler Chicken and Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre and both have been done really well. Dessert: The Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse & Caramel Almond Tart are both really good! --------------------------------------------------Â- Here is where that star was lost: My wife threw me a surprise birthday dinner here, since she knew how much I enjoyed this restaurant. We had a private room on the 2nd floor, which worked out great for the surprise, because it's tucked away in the corner. There were about 28 of us and the room was a good size to accommodate us. My wife had set up a Prix Fixe menu with the general manager, and had specifically said that she did not want to pre-select any wines, and would rather each guest order their preferred cocktail or wine. This is where things went wrong. A red & white wine (about $60 bottles each) were chosen by the restaurant, and served to the guests before we got there and throughout the night. Not only that, but it seemed as if they were trying to finish as many bottles as possible, because before someone was halfway through a glass, the server would just top it off without asking if the person would like more. $60 per bottle * X bottles pretty much doubled the bill. I highly recommend the restaurant for a small dinner with your significant other, or some friends... as for having an event here, I have my reservations.
(4)
Patrick C.
Truly an outstanding experience. Staff must have learned from previous negative comments. Service was attentive and helpful. If available, I recommend the special tasting menu. I had hake and my wife had the duck dish. Both flavorful and delicious. Enjoy.
(5)
Dan W.
Awesome!
(5)
Scott M.
Those of you who have read my reviews in the past know that I put a huge amount of emphasis on consistency and customer service - the meal isn't just the meal, it is the entirety of the visit, from the moment you make a booking until the moment you leave the venue. I needed to make a somewhat unusual booking for dinner; despite my wife and I having been married for several years, I've never had the opportunity to meet my brother in law who happens to live in Massachusetts. As I knew I had a business trip to the area, this seemed like a great opportunity to rectify that. So, head to toe, the Bistro du Midi experience: First, I was disappointed that they didn't seem to have an easy email address for booking. I had to put credit on my Skype account and call from Australia during their opening hours to make a booking. I understand OpenTable is a thing in the States, but it isn't anywhere else, so requiring that for online interaction was a bit of a minus. I did get ahold of a human, and after being put on hold for a while, eventually made the booking. Or so I thought. When I showed up at the restaurant last night, the staff couldn't seem to find any record of it. I had even provided my email address so that they could contact me if there were any issues - I never heard from them, so, hoped for the best. Thankfully, this is a customer-service driven business, and they were happy to accommodate me. It was meant to be a booking for three, my brother in law, as well as his partner. It's possible they found my wayward booking, but the initial impression I had was "uh oh, this doesn't bode well..." Once seated at a table, service was friendly, fast, and courteous. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of friendly banter I typically get from waiters around the world; my waiter seemed all business, and didn't really "engage" with us as much as I'd have liked. Some of the other staff did, however, so that's good. My brother in law's partner couldn't make it, as she was feeling ill, so it was just the two of us. Turns out, he's quite the "foodie" and found the menu quite appealing. Better than that, we both found our meals to be superb! He went with the hake, I went with the pan seared tilefish with crispy scales -- WOW. Oh, but, I also started with one of my all time favourites: Foie gras. It was outstanding. An incredibly rich treat, served with a rhubarb coulis and fresh strawberry. Fantastic. Since my dining companion was driving, we had to keep things in moderation for alcohol. I was actually quite eager to order a bottle from Australia that I think he'd have loved, but, it would have been a waste. The wine list looked superb, and had I the chance, I'd REALLY have wanted to do the full chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing. It looked phenomenal, but, it's the sort of meal that you need to do with someone else, or entirely alone, as the 5 or 7 courses would seem odd compared to someone else's standard 1 or 2. For dessert, not something I typically have, I went with the vanilla mouselline. Outstanding. Served with an espresso ice cream; truly wonderful. We both finished off with a glass of something delicious and that was that. All sounds great, right? Well, there was a minus that left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth: During our dessert, as we were still eating, and sipping our dessert wines, the bill arrived. No "would you like anything else?" No "coffee? tea?" Just: Plop. That stung. My sense was that because I had booked for 3, and they sat us at a table for four, and it was just the two of us, that they really wanted the table back for another seating. If that was the case, there was no mention of that when I booked, nor when I arrived. Perhaps they just didn't like the cut of my jib, I don't know...but, it did leave me with a slightly sour note on what was otherwise a spectacular meal and a spectacular Get To Know You with an extended family member. I don't see myself visiting the area again anytime soon, but if I did, I'd definitely want to try out that chef's tasting menu.
(4)
Stephanie B.
A MOUSE was running across the floor of this restaurant this evening. I was trying to enjoy a date night, which doesn't happen too often. We had just finished our appetizer when I saw a huge mouse run across the floor. I calmly and quietly brought this to the attention of the staff. They didn't seem as horrified and shocked as I would have expected. They just brought us our bill and that was it. No apology. Nothing taken off the bill. I couldn't get out of there fast enough! Do not eat here if the luxury of having your feet on the ground is important to you.
(1)
Salman I.
Perfect place to enjoy a great meal. The service was friendly and prompt and the menu was really good. Will go back again for sure.
(5)
Anchisa P.
Really beautiful restaurant and food. Everything tastes good (escargot, monkfish, pear tart) but not amazing. Terrific service.
(4)
Ed M.
This is an excellent French Provincial restaurant. I was nearby alongside the Public Gardens and decided to have a nice lunch. This Bistro has wide open doors onto the sidewalk, very inviting. They were not busy at 1:30 and I got a table by a door. T he staff was very relaxed and welcoming. My gin and tonic was just right. It came in a short but stubby glass. A good beginning. I ordered the fried artichoke to go with lamb cannenoli (picture). Both were very good. The lamb was a generous lunch portion with three rolls in a cheese sauce, well stuffed with lamb chunks. I had a glass of burgandy from the extensive wine list from which you can findanything you may wish.. They have fried beignets so I had to eat that! A completely unplanned and first rate lunch in a marvelous Boston setting. So glad I came here instead of going to the Oak Bar in Copley Square.
(5)
Nicole L.
Went here for Boston Dine out. Really disappointed at the food. Nothing was memorable. My husband had a duck pate for the pate. It was not bad, but we've had better in many other places. I had the sea bass tartar for the first course. We both agreed that it was just okay. Second course, he had the duck bolognese and I had a some kind of white fish steak dish. His dish was pretty flavorful, but.....it's a pasta dish if you know what I mean. I was surprised with the olive sauce/side that came with my fish dish. However, it was pleasant, but I was not amazed. The dessert was again, nothing worth mentioning. I usually think Boston Dine out/ Restaurant is a good way to discover new restaurant. We had some awesome experiences in some places and have been going back during non-restaurant week period. Sadly, this is not the case here. We may wait for another year or two until we want to give this place another try.
(3)
Guillaume G.
The food was exquisite. Among my favorites are: 1- Spanish Octopus - very tender and delicious 2- Assortiment de Charcuterie - A must have (the rillettes de porc rank among the best I have ever had) 3- Magrets de Canard 4- Calvados Soufflet Top this with a Saint Estephe from Bordeaux and you have the perfect setting for a perfect dinner. Voila! Bon appetit Mesdames et Messieurs.
(5)
Vlad A.
Excellent food and service. The scallop appetizer and the halibut were extremely fresh, not heavy and delicious!
(5)
Jasmine C.
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said: the restaurant has good service, terrific bread (one of the few restaurants that also serves their bread with olive oil), quite good food (I wouldn't say it blew my mind) but the star is really the chocolate souffle, which if nothing else makes this place worth coming back to. We had the hamachi tartare for starters which was good (although I think I'd rather recommend the escargot beignets, as they looked much more fun) but nothing special. We then had the hake, which is also a delicious fish but not a stunner. The dine out boston desserts, chocolate mousse and pear tart, were good (especially the chocolate mousse - not so much the pear tart) but not incredible. But then. The Chocolate Souffle. It blew my mind - warm, delicious, dark, rich, thick. Without a doubt the most delicious chocolate souffle in Boston, if not in New England. Order it if you go!
(4)
Sarah V.
I'm utterly disappointed because this used to be my favorite restaurant in Back Bay for a while. The food is still phenomenal but the service is the worst I've ever had. Our server didn't show up for a solid 15mins after we had been seated. Oddly, this establishment has the servers bring you the menus rather than the hosts. Travis, our server left us feeling incredibly awkward. He forgot to put in the order for our charcuterie and it wasn't until he returned to take our entree reservations that he remembered. Thank god the food was amazing as always. Towards the end my mother order an espresso which was served to our table cold. Upset, my mother sent it back and our server returned to the table apologizing and saying he took it off the bill. He then proceeded to explain in a rather rude tone that the machine will not allow him to make it any hotter, but offered to make her another one. When we finally got our bill, we were charged for the remade espresso which was even colder than the first. Bistro-your food is amazing. Please, step up the management and training game with your service. Edge it up a little and stop being so stingy. Don't know if I'll be returning anytime soon.
(2)
Debra L.
It's never a good sign when you eat somewhere a second time and wonder why you loved it so much the first time. I brought my parents here and it was just as beautiful and the service was just as lovely as previously, but the food was disappointing to the point where I don't see myself coming back again. We ordered the steamed mussels (again) and they were still delicious in their unique basil cream sauce. But for our main dishes, we were all disappointed. I got the sense that everything kind of tasted the same, and on top of that, everything ran salty. My mom ordered the Pan Seared Tilefish and although the fish itself was different and its description for how it was prepared was different, it tasted just like my Pan Seared Coalfish from my previous visit, which I had described as "not entirely swept off my feet with the flavor--there was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't that memorable or noteworthy." I ordered the Bouillabaisse and enjoyed the variety of seafood in the dish but it also had the same tomato-y, salty flavor to it as the pan seared fish--it was a little uncanny how everything felt like it was on the exact same note. I also had a problem with how salty the Bouillabaisse was. My dad initially ordered the Squid Ink Tagliatelle and asked for it to be softer than al dente but it still came out overly firm (consistent with my previous dining experience) and there wasn't much to it besides tomato sauce and again, a lot of salt! We mentioned it to the staff, who were so accommodating and professional and offered to replace it. He ordered a Bouillabaisse like mine and requested it to be light on the salt but it still came out salty. All in all, not the most satisfying meal. 5 stars for the service and the dining area but honestly, I wouldn't come back again for the food, which doesn't really leave much else to come back for at a restaurant.
(3)
richard K.
I went here for brunch Saturday morning. There was no wait and the hostess was friendly. We both got mimosas, which were decent. The waiter brought some bread and oil which was yummy. I got an omelette with mushrooms, cheese and I think spinach and my date got the croque madame which he enjoyed. My omelette was good but not great. He also got the potato pancakes which were just okay. The food was good but not amazing. I appreciated that it wasn't super greasy or buttery. I would like to go back and try the place for dinner.
(4)
Margaret N.
Pretty interior and conveniently located across from the public garden, but service was horrible! There were only two other groups that came after my group and I, but I still had to ask them to order. In addition, the waiter/owner asked my friend if she wanted foie gras on her burger and she didn't hear him, so she said, "what"? And he kept on asking her, "you don't know what foie gras is??" Rather than explaining, which is very rude and uncalled for because what if she didn't know what it was?! The menu doesn't have much of a selection... They don't list coffee and cafe drinks, which is weird cause they serve breakfast and brunch and it's a French cuisine cafe... They gave us bread and oil, but bread was burnt and they took the bread away when my friend was still eating from the bowl... My friends and I tried the burger, croque madame and chicken pan bagnet. The burger bun was bland and huge, but the meat was nicely prepared.. Tasted bland though- no flavor! And then the chicken pan bagnet was similar too.. So much bread, not so much meat. The pesto was good, I'll give them that! I had the croque madame and it was nicely prepared, but a tad on the oily side. The salad it came with was fresh and nicely seasoned though. Overall the experience and slim menu selection is the reason why I'm never going back!
(2)
Kendra B.
I've been here twice with my boyfriend, it's been a pleasure on both occasions. Cozy, quiet, modern upstairs with a bar on the lower level.
(5)
Jeff F.
Came in tonight after having been here more than 4 years ago for dessert and being impressed. Bistro du Midi had been on my short list but it took us too long to come back. Bistro du Midi is a great option for higher end French dining in Boston. Service was good, ambiance/setting on the 2nd floor overlooking The Public Garden was excellent and the food was solid. Here's the rundown: - Lamb Tartare (B) - Truffle on top was the best part. Good, but not on the shortlist - Bay Scallop App (A-) Get this - Octopus (A-) Tender, solid dish. Not Craigie Octopus, but worth ordering - Boar Ragout (A-) A little light on the pasta compared the Ragout, but very good - Monkfish (A) very good - Brussels Sprouts side (B+) - Pork Chop (A-) - Chocolate Souffle (B) good, but slightly undercooked and/or off - Cinnamon Beignets (A) perfect Solid 4 star option. Great in the winter. Notes from Follow Up Visit: - Seabass Crudo (B) - good but a miss - Bibb Salad (A) - Red loved it, but need to remember no Blue Cheese - Pan Roasted Codfish (A-) - Solid - Boar Ragout (B+) - great dish but undercooked the pasta - Ribeye (A-)
(4)
Ray C.
The possible only other great restaurant with a fine view of the Boston Commons is No.9 Park. The dining room has a great atmosphere with the beautiful aforementioned view. The food is delicious as well. I had the seared duck breast, cooked perfectly, and my friend had a delicious bowl of seafood. I think everyone else mentioned the Foie Gras. I really don't have anything wrong to pick with this place.
(4)
Jenn Z.
Always enjoyed dinners here. Beautiful setting, attentive services, and food that has yet to disappoint. The chocolate souffle was definitely worth the wait.
(5)
Tim S.
We dined there the weekend of Independence Day as visitors celebrating our anniversary. The sea bass and chicken were excellent! And the cheese plate! The wine selection included two from our visit to Burgundy (never in Cali) so we ordered one and it was delicious. Thank you for the memories. We ate upstairs which has longer than average tables forcing one to lean in and whisper. They also have dim track lighting above which they turned down just before we ordered and the menu font is both light and small. My spouse insisted that I not use my phone so I had to guess when choosing a bottle as I was unable to retrieve my tasting notes. Luckily, both bottles were Premier Cru. Nonetheless, the situation made the sommelier nervous but he was unfamiliar with the winery and had to pace back n forth under a dim track light to confirm my selection. Next time, plan ahead and call ahead. I would give 5 stars if they didn't force me to read in the dark. I requested 3 business cards and recommended it to traveling work colleagues with the caveat to read the menu before visiting. Although we dressed up for a weekend evening, about half the patrons did not.
(4)
Marco M.
My gf and I came on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm after walking around Boston. We made it in time to have the brunch menu, and we were very happy with what we had ordered. Being able to sit outside on the sidewalk in the shade, it was the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a meal to close out the weekend. We started with a half dozen oysters from the east coast (Boston, Maryland) and they were a bit SALTY for my taste, but nonetheless prepared well. For the entrees, she got the salmon with mussels, chorizo and some mixed greens to compliment which was very GOOD. I ordered the Croque Madame which I was very happy with, an overall RICH and HEARTY portion of ham, cheese and fried eggs. To cap off the meal, we did some espressos which were OK and the Gianduja with salted caramel ice cream that was LIGHT and perfectly satisfying for the sweet tooth finish. The service was attentive, atmosphere was great and the price was very reasonable to what we ordered. If I am ever back in the area and looking for a nice bite next to the park, I wouldn't mind coming back here. Buon appetito.
(4)
M N.
The calamari is the best-- ever (request the aioli on the side). All the waitstaff was very accommodating and didn't rush us. The wait list is long for good reason, be sure to make a reservation ahead of time. Cocktail list was not impressive so I added Pearl Cucumber to the non-alcoholic beverage which was muddled mint with cucumber and lime. The first floor atmosphere was beautiful with a great view of Boston Common , the second floor seating was dark and would be ok in the winter or at night. Go have a cocktail or a glass of wine with some bites. An overall positive experience. Well done.
(5)
Mrs. F.
When I lived in Boston this was our favorite date spot. They make a lavender infused tequila drink called a petanque that is the absolute best cocktail I've ever had. The food is always interesting and tasty. The service is professional and knowledgable, not overly friendly.
Sadly, I have to give this restaurant three stars. The food was absolutely wonderful - my group of five had several of the appetizers, including the tuna tartare, the foie gras, the grilled octopus, and the raw scallops. All of these were absolutely delicious, though fairly small. We also all enjoyed of our entrees - I had the gnocchi and my coworkers all had different types of fish (monkfish and cod, I believe). We all loved the food. In addition, we shared the chocolate mousse, the beignets, and the chocolate and calvados souffles for dessert, and everything was delicious and well-cooked. However, the service at this place was disappointingly awful. First, we had a reservation but arrived late. They told us there would be a wait for seating, which we felt was reasonable given our lateness. However, when we were taken upstairs, we noticed that there were several empty tables, and we hadn't seen anybody leave the restaurant while we waited. I'm not sure if they just were annoyed at us for arriving late, but we had to wait another fifteen minutes to be seated in a mostly empty dining room. The hostess was also fairly rude. After we were seated, a waiter eventually came over and asked about ordering. First, we ordered a very expensive bottle of wine. When they came out with the bottle and began to open it, it was clear that it hadn't been stored properly, as the server crumbled the very cry cork while trying to open the bottle and took about five more minutes to get the cork out. The wine was still very good, but it seems unprofessional to me for a nice restaurant to not store their wine properly, especially for such an expensive bottle. Then, we began ordering food. A member of our party hadn't yet arrived, so we first only wanted to order appetizers and save our entree orders for later. The waiter acted very weird about this and seemed annoyed with us. We ordered about 6 appetizers for the table, and he kept putting up his finger to stop us during our ordering (which felt awkwardly rude to me), and he commented on the fact that it was a lot of food in a sort of disparaging way. He also never brought us bread (which every other table had). The appetizers were fairly small, so it definitely didn't end up being too much food for our party of five. He then took drink orders. One of my colleagues ordered a cocktail, and after waiting for it for about ten minutes checked in with the waiter about its status. The waiter said "it's right on its way!" Then two minutes later, the waiter came back and asked what drink my colleague had ordered, naming a drink that he had not ordered. Clearly the drink hadn't actually been "right on its way". It took a few more minutes then finally came out. The evening continued in an odd manner. The waiter was a bit overly talkative and would jump in on our conversations in an awkward way, always sort of sneaking up behind people without us realizing he was there. I definitely don't mind friendly waiters who occasionally chat with their guests, but this one was honestly a bit weird and awkward. Service was slow, and the waitstaff didn't often check in on us regarding water, ordering the next course, etc., so the meal took a long time. Overall, I am tempted to go back for the food, but I probably won't, because the rude / slow / weird service has turned me off.
(3)
M N.
We had an absolutely beautiful dinner here on New Year's Eve. I enjoyed the food, the service and the ambiance. I was passing by the restaurant the other day and I remembered I owe them a 5-star review.
(5)
Sophie R.
Went during the restaurant week. Service was great - wait staff very attentive and friendly but we were not impressed with any of the food served from appetizer to dessert. Mine was very bland. Probably not coming back.
(3)
Bridget W.
Having dined here before we had high hopes. With relatives in town for a conference we agreed to meet on a Friday evening. The location is beautiful, directly across from the Public Garden, with easy parking under the Common or at the front door if you don't mind paying for valet service. Our reservation was honored promptly and seating was fine. However the food and service were far less impressive than our last visit. Our waiter was on his third day but was friendly and hard working. A senior waiter popped by often; he was very knowledgeable but rather brusque and rigid. Our party of 4 ordered 3 different appetizers. Tea-infused salmon, ordered by 2, was unremarkable. There are 2 salads offered, and the endive/arugula was clearly (and sadly) the standout of the entire evening. The 4th app was the other salad, specifics of which I do not recall. We ordered 2 of the bouillabaisse entree and both diners were a bit surprised to find it served in a roux-based sauce, not a broth. They agreed this preparation didn't work well. Cavatelli Bolognese was pronounced "bland" and was such a meager portion it seemed more suitable for a half order. The beet gnocchi arrived about 8 minutes after the other entrees but had nice texture and flavor. There were many apologies for the confusion (blamed on the kitchen) but it would have been nice to have had the other 3 diners' plates removed and serve all 4 entrees at once. Instead 3 of us had to start eating less our meals get cold while diner 4 waited patiently. No credit on the check for this error either. Desserts were beautifully presented and tasty, but not great. Unfortunately the experience did not warrant the price. Lots of other great spots downtown, time to move on to something else.
(3)
TinoX T.
NIce Place,awesome Staff,delicious Food. Like the Place Specially The Coktails
(4)
Emily L.
Great food! Been here several times. Last time I was here I got the lamb tartare to start, duck breast as my entree, and a scoop of caramel ice cream for dessert. The lamb tartare was delicious and well seasoned. The duck was cooked to a perfect medium rare. The time before we got the hake. It was so deliciously flakey and the vegetables complimented it quite wonderfully. We got the grand Marnier shouffle as dessert. It takes 25 minutes to make but it was worth the wait! Their downstairs is a bar with a lounge area/outdoor patio seating. The second floor holds the dining area and private rooms. Also, I found one of my favorite wines here. Thomas Henry pinot noir.
(5)
Samantha H.
Roast chicken for 2 well worth the 60 minute wait.( this isn't fast food people). So good!
(5)
Jeff H.
Just drinks..pricey and bartender was inattentive chatting with friends..to many choices to pay for lackluster service
I have been to this place with my husband for his birthday . The place it is very nice and classy. The service was ok. The food was very good, and the plates are beautiful presented. I would definitely go back !
(5)
Michael M.
Wonderful brunch that was reasonably priced. View of the public garden added to the ambience. Wait staff was friendly prompt and knowledgeable. I got the salmon eggs benedict and really loved it. Look forward to my next visit!
(5)
Jonathan D.
We had another fantastic meal there last Saturday in celebration of my wife's birthday. We had been debating the tasting menu and when we ordered it they already knew that some items were similar to our last meal and they made sure it would be a little different. We started with an amuse bouche of razor clam which had a great texture and flavor. The first course might have been the best. The coconut and perfectly cured salmon was amazing. It was a perfect spring dish to start the meal. The second course worried me as someone who had never tried octopus before but i shouldnt have been worried. It was cooked to perfection and the accompanying mussel and lobster jus added just the mix of flavors. The third course of foie gras was very thin and went well with the pickled vegetables. It probably couldve used one more crostini but Im nitpicking The fourth course of tilefish with clams in a citronelle emulsion had the most amazing aroma. It was delicious though i will say it probably smelled even better. The fifth course was chitarra pasta with mussels and sea urchin. The flavors came together very well and it was a great pasta course. The sixth course of guinea hen and gizzard guilelette finished out the mains nicely with a solid contrast between the two. The dessert course was perhaps our 2nd favorite with the petit calvados souffle and gianduja beignet the stars of the trio on our plate. Throughout the meal the wines were excellent as well. Another great experience
(5)
Celia C.
Great service, we had to go to another restaurant, the service was awful, so we decided to go to this nice little place instead, we just showed up, no reservations, we told them out bad experience next door, they figured out a way to sneak is in, were glad we chose this place, the food was small portions of heaven, it was the winter menu, apparently they change it every season, we wanted to try everything in the menu, so the server suggested small portions from each plate, we had soup, duck, fish, you name it, it was there! It was very good! Loved it!
(5)
Ariel Z.
Probably one of my top Restaurant Week experiences in Boston. Started off with the steamed mussels and garlic cream appetizer (a sizeable portion). That garlic cream was so delicious, we were dipping our bread in it constantly to soak up all the goodness. We even started to spoon the rest of it straight up (in the classiest way possible, obviously). Next, I ordered the pork and duck bolognese pasta. Seemed small at first, but true to French cuisine in its richness, texture, and flavor. Yum! The dish quite surprisingly filled me up. Oi, the dessert: apricot clafoutis with buttermilk ice cream. The brown sugar crust and warm, succulent apricots were so comforting. Like a big warm hug from dear old grandma. Love this place (and the experience) so much, I plan to revisit here often. Bonus points for the view of the Common!
(5)
J C.
I have lived in Boston for about 3 years and from the begging have heard how great Bistro du Midi is. Some advice don't wait as long as I did to go try Bistro du Midi!!! This place is great! The food was amazing! Such an extensive wine menu but what made my 1st dinning experience so amazing and memorable was our server Sam. He was so fun, friendly, & professional. I can't wait to go back. Ps order the pear tart!
(5)
Mikel A.
BEWARE - *Extremely* Overhyped Food Boyfriend and I were visiting in town and I wanted to find a romantic dinner for two - something nice but not extravagantly expensive. When we first sat down, I inwardly applauded my choice - everything seemed perfect: location, ambience, service... Unfortunately, we soon found out the food left something to be desired (especially for the price). This restaurant is categorized as French, but the menu is definitely seafood-centric. There were only a few dishes that didn't consist of fish, shellfish, etc. I ordered the roast chicken, which ended up costing $50 (when I asked if I could just order a single portion the waiter failed to mention we'd be charged for two people). This, in and of itself, is fine except that the chicken was devoid of flavor; sadly, any rotisserie chicken I've purchased (even Costco or the local supermarket) was more impressive. My side of veggies was smaller than 1/6 cup. Boyfriend said the same - his meal was mediocre if not mundane - certainly not worthy of $$$ - $$$$ pricing. All in all, we spent $200 on a very lackluster, disappointing meal.
(2)
Richard L.
Reservations for a b-day dinner for four were confirmed via Open Table for 7:30 a day in advance. When we arrived on time the next day, the hostess says they have us down for 8:45. Says it's Restaurant Week and the bistro is swamped with patrons. How is any of this our problem? The whole point of a confirmed reservation is precisely for such instances, no? To make this worse, the hostess had a healthy dose of attitude and wasn't too accommodating. I don't appreciate poorly trained staff acting as if they're doing patrons a favor when they're straightening out in-house problems that really have nothing to do with us. Our waiter was average and went through the motions of doing an adequate job. The food, however, was excellent. Nonetheless, without better staff training, I don't see why I would pay for such service again. Too many good places to eat in the area.
(2)
Christine N.
bistro du midi is fantastic. i've dined here a few times before but my most recent visit just reminded me of how much i love it here. i came here last week during their restaurant week/dine in. i met my friends promptly for our 730 reservation and we were seated immediately. i perused the restaurant week special menu and the options were great. i decided to go with the hamachi tartare, the grilled flat iron and the mousseline. we also decided to have a bottle of wine as well. the hamachi tartare was fresh, delightful and tasty. the grilled flat iron was cooked to my liking, a medium rare and i loved the purple potato puree that came with it. the mousseline was delicious. the bottom was a dark chocolate and the top was a thin sheet of i think caramel? either way, it was so good. usually i have a favorite part of my meal but bistro du midi just hit all the right spots on every course. my friend and i had a great time here and our waiter was very nice and attentive. no complaints from me! i'll definitely be back!
My new favorite in Boston. We held a 5 hour business dinner here for a party of 6. Nice room on the top floor. Service team spoiled us.
(5)
Eliza W.
This is one of my favorite places in Boston. With a little outdoor seating looking towards the park, it is a wonderful spot to enjoy a spicy tequila and some haricot verts. A french friend first brought me here and as I write this review from Paris i can say the following: it feels like a Paris cafe. (Of course, minus the smoking at your table.)
(5)
Peter W.
We went for the Valentine's weekend, even though the news reports were telling everyone to stay in because of the snow. We had early reservations and were seated on time. The hosts, waiter, and management were great. They were welcoming, efficient, and attentive. The dining space was very nice and the view of the snow through the widows was very pretty. The food was wonderful. We had fois gras, pork belly, and cheese appetizers. I had a Manhattan drink which was well made. Main courses were the pasta, duck, and pork chop. All very good. For dessert, we placed the order in early for the chocolate souffle which was very good as well.
(5)
Dianne B.
So two of my Filipino friends and I went out for a late lunch to Bistro du Midi last Saturday afternoon. The crowd was all-Caucasian, the dress code was a mix of casual and formal. We were in casual clothes. We got in, the place was at nearly full capacity but we were promptly seated. So far so good. And then it got funny. There were about 7 tables inside the restaurant and more outside. The two-seater beside ours was empty. There were 4 servers going back and forth passing by us. All of whom would look at each other, look at us, and totally avoid our table. All this awkward eye shifting went on for about 10 minutes while we were sitting there not being served. Then a server approaches us, tells us he's not really our server but offers us water because he saw we weren't being taken care of. An older Caucasian couple walks in, gets seated at the table next to us and a server promptly appears to assist them. My friends and I look at each other. I'm not really sure what was going on. I can think of a few ideas: 1. The servers just don't like customers of a different skin color? 2. The servers haven't seen Asians before? 3. There was some seating issue going on so the staff was confused on who our real server was supposed to be? I would say there's 15 tables in total, including the ones outside. That's a tough number to manage between 4 servers right? 4. We weren't wearing the right brand of casual clothes? 5. We didn't have the appropriate amount of bling and somebody at the door actually counts? 6. None of us went in brandishing an Am Ex Black card or saying "do you know who I am?" 7. Bistro du Midi is actually a secret society and we didn't say the password or offer the secret handshake at the door? I couldn't figure that one out to be honest. We got served reluctantly, eventually. We stayed anyway, played nice, enjoyed the food (it was really good) and joked about being the undesirables. Look, we went into this place knowing that we'll have to pay for our meal and tip reasonably (which we still did). In return, we expected to be treated the same way as everybody else who go here, not like second-tier customers. Bottom line is, we can afford to pay. It shouldn't have mattered how we looked. Plus, since my crowd can really eat, we racked up two tables' worth of tab. Hopefully, this is not a regular occurrence here. One of the friends who was with me has been here before and actually got good service. But what an uncomfortable experience. Especially in this day and age, and in a city that's supposed to be getting more and more exposed to diversity
(1)
Ken R.
My husband called 3 weeks in advance, requesting a quiet table to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary. We were seated next to a party of, I don't know-20?- LOUDLY celebrating a big birthday. It's noisy in this restaurant, but this was scream-to-your- dinner-partner noisy. My gnocchi was warm, not hot, and my husband's steak was oily/greasy. We had a nicer time next door ( The Four Seasons) for dessert. Also, the new valet service offered a messaging service that "could not locate" our car ticket number; it took 20 minutes to get the car. Great dinner partner, poor dinner, good for a laugh (how else do you stay married for 39 years?).
We had a group of six people and were seated in a semi private room at an awesome homemade looking wood table. The surroundings were very nice and shimmery and pretty. Our waiter was awesome... like really amazing, knew all about all of the food and specials, was a complete natural. I had a very nice salad, but it was just a little lacking in flavor. Then I had the Duck Breast which was nice, but it didn't blow me away. There was a lot of meat, and it was cooked nicely, but there was no sauce, and hardly any other flavor to the dish. The sides were minute, tiny, with not much flavor either. Strangely undersalted. I had to add salt and pepper to my food and I never do that. We had some sides that were pretty good, the bread at the beginning was pretty good. They also give you these homemade salted caramels at the end which are fun and yummy. We got a desert which was pretty good. I think I would have gone with the seafood should I go again. It was very pricey. The wine list is nice, expensive, but I had two glasses of wine which were both excellent, and served in lovely nice glasses. I wish the food had been better, because overall the experience was nice.
(3)
Christie L.
Classy date night kind of place. I came here for Restaurant week and was seated upstairs along the window facing the Commons. I loved the atmosphere and the decor. The staff was very attentive (my water glass never empty!! ) and friendly, but I was a little confused on who was our actually server. There were many people that tended our table. Appetizer: Crudo of Fluke: Tender and fresh raw slices of fish with pistachio, basil and blood orange. Very delicate, light and delicious. Pate: I never had pate before, but it was very tasty!! Just googled what it is.. apparently it is cooked ground meat and fat made into a spread. No wonder! Fat always tastes good.. but yeah it was very smooth and flavorful. It comes with a slice of bread, whole grain mustard and pickled veggies. Very yummy! Second: Pan Seared Coalfish: The fish was very tender. It was a perfect crispiness on top on a bed of greens. The flavoring didn't stand out to me too much , but it still had a very good delicate, smooth texture. Flat Iron Steak: Cooked to perfection and great sauces. The meat was juicy and tender. Third: Gianduju Palette: Delicious smooth hazelnut chocolate mousse cake with a crispy layer on the bottom. SO GOOD Lemon Pistachio Tart: yummy tart which comes with the best sorbet I have ever had. I don't even know how to describe it. It was a strawberry sorbet and had the perfect consistency and taste. I could have just got a cup of that and would have been happy. This place is totally worth it for $38 for Restaurant week. The pate and the desserts were really yummy. View of the commons was a nice plus AND your coats are returned to you warm!!
(4)
Marti M.
We enjoy this Bistro very much. The atmosphere is elegant, but very relaxed at the same time. You can dress up or go casual. The food is reasonably priced for Boston and consistently delicious including desserts. They accommodate food allergies in a way that assures you of their training and also, importantly, provided with a smile. The wait staff is exceptional, always genuine and knowledgeable. Just the right amount of attention. Highly recommend.
(5)
Pronabesh D.
Came across this place while walking around boston commons. Great food, everything we tried deserves 5 stars. My favs the tuna tartare and duck breast.
(5)
George B.
I was there with my wife and friends for brunch and although my wife specifically said that she has a milk allergy and asked that the chef doesn't use butter, when her dish came it was drenched in it. The waiter was totally nonchalant and didn't care about his mistake. He took the dish back and brought the same things with undercooked eggs... Again no apology. She eventually had to order something else. Terrible service and potentially life threatening. Won't eat there ever again. If you have any food allergies, too, you shouldn't eat there either.
(1)
Yupeng G.
Not as good as we thought.
(3)
Dot T.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and a great place for 2 or 3 couples to go for a meal to look forward to. When dining out, I always like to order something that I cannot cook well myself. The duck at Bisto Du Midi is among the best I have ever eaten. Ask for a seat upstairs near the window overlooking the public garden.
(5)
Nikhil P.
Jesus Christ that was good. Final meal in Boston before leaving after a three year journey of too many yelp reviews, and even more restaurants visited. Definitely ranks as one of the best of our entire time here. The food was just so succulent, flavorful, and settle at the same time. The Mme. Croquet was amazing, ham was perfect, not too salty, and the Gruyere cheese just closed it. Topped with the egg and it was amazing. Perfect use of some good, liquidy yolk as a topping. Also had the salmon dish. Cooked to perfection and, lima beans, chorizo, and muscles were the perfect combination. Sauce was amazing. The Bellini was also not too sweet, and nice and sparkly. Awesome meal. French food at its best.
(5)
Felisa F.
I'm usually weary about eating at nice places for brunch, but Bistro Du Midi was incredible. I had a bit of a wait to sit at the bar but the hostess and manager were very attentive in letting me know when a space would be free. It was a very nice day out so the whole restaurant was bathed in natural sunlight. I started off with the Bastille, a kind of sweet basil martini. It was perfect and did not taste like an herb at all. The bartender asked if I wanted the complimentary bread and butter [of course I did] and it was delicious. The crust was hard but the bread itself was soft and was delicious with the salted butter. Salmon Carpaccio [$15]: The salmon was cut a little too thick to really be called carpaccio but nonetheless amazing. The presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Everything was well seasoned. The thinly sliced jalapeno pepper and radish was a welcome texture/flavor contrast to the mild salmon. Quiche [$12]: I loved how the potato crisp was baked into the top of the quiche and not used as a side. The goat cheese wasn't at all over powering and the leeks, tomatoes, and spinach were the perfect combination. I'm a little disappointed by the sad bunch of greens on the side, they weren't necessary. I also would have liked to be offered the dessert menu, but alas....no dessert for me. Next time I'm in town, I would love to come here for dinner. A perfectly light and delicious lunch which did not break the bank.
(5)
Ryan L.
Fantastic place! First off, the service is impeccable. The wait staff knows when to pull plates and serve and swap silverware before you can think it. If you haven't been here before, I highly suggest the tasting menu with wine pairing. I am not strong with my French wines. However, I learned a lot with the wines paired with the food. I'm a foie gras junkie. Coming from California, it was banned over a year ago in the CCCP of California. The foie gras was cooked perfectly and paired with a wonderful Muscat. Will I come here again? You bet!
First time here and it was Dine Out Boston. While this event often causes mediocre service and food, everything was great. We were seated although only half our party of 8 had arrived. We were fortunate to have a semi-private room that gave us a more intimate setting and kept us away from the noisier dining area. Breads include those skinny, long stick as well as olive oil and loaf bread. All of the food was delicious and beautifully presented. The winter squash soup with escargot beignets, pate, hamachi tartare were the different starters. All of the steaks came out just right and were tender. The Statler chicken had a crispy skin and was nice and moist. The hake was delicious, too. The desserts included a pear tart that would've been nicer if it was warmed and my ice cream not half melted. The chocolate mousse cake had a delectable dark chocolate flavor. We ordered a chocolate souffle that had a great chocolate flavor and nice crisp crust that we didn't waste. Food portions were just right for all of us and we didn't have any leftovers, which is a good thing. Will be back!
(4)
Caitlin R.
Thouroughly enjoyed Bistro Du Midi for a friend's bachelorette dinner. We were given a good sized room upstairs with a farm table that sat ~16 people. The room was set back from the other patrons and included dividing curtains and doors for privacy. We enjoyed excellent food and wine. Highly recommeded!
(5)
Mary T.
French food is one of my favorite types of cuisine and I loved this place! I came here during Restaurant Week and tried their appetizers, main course, and dessert. For the appetizer, I had the escargot beignet. This was interesting. I have never had escargot prepared in this method. They put a batter on the escargot and fried it. And they bathed it in this winter squash soup. The sweetness and creaminess of the soup enhanced the flavor of the escargot! I thought the escargot by itself was a little bland though. As for the entree, I had pan roasted hake. First of all, the presentation was really nice. It was more on the rustic side, but yet they it was cohesive to the rest of the menu. I thought the hake was perfectly seared. The skin was crispy and the fish was moist and cooked at the right temperature. The main element of this dish, in my opinion, was the bouillabaisse. Although the consistency of the soup was light, but they somehow infused it with so much flavor. It was very rich and it paired well with the seafood. The dessert was the highlight of my dinner. I ordered the vanilla mousseline. Every component of the dish was a surprise at first bite. The espresso ice-cream was a perfect way to end the meal! It had such a strong espresso flavor and the chocolate-y, coffee flavor balanced well with the vanilla mousseline. Overall, I enjoyed every aspect of the meal.The service was good as well even though it was really busy. I plan to come back again soon!
(4)
Quynh Nhu D.
Had dinner plans with my friends so we just thought hey lets try this place for restaurant week. moi: Escargot Beignet, Roasted Chicken Breast, and Caramelized Bosc Pear Tart Service was fine, no issue. We just sat at a table that made it almost impossible to get in and out so it was a little bit uncomfortable. The escargot came out looking pretty fantastic. I applaud the showmanship. No spoilers ;) But I was surprise that the squash soup was not warm... It wasn't a chill soup though so I was confused. The escargot beignet tasted great, really fun to eat. My main made me sad though. The chicken's seasoning wasn't working for me. The skin was salty but the rest was pretty bland. And they make me feel like I don't like polenta. I hope that if I have chosen something else, it would have tasted much better. My friend's comments that his meal was ok, nothing extravagant. Dessert was my favorite however. The pear tart was nice and warm, leaving a good last impression. Hoping if I ever return, I can maybe bump the stars up a little higher.
(3)
George S.
Had a great dinner here last night. We sat upstairs overlooking Boston Common which was very nice. Our server Julia was fantastic and gave us the right amount of attention. The food was excellent and unique. We started with some small plates along with olive and eggplant spread with crostini. Perfect. I had the squid ink pasta and braised squid which was great. My wife had gnocchi which were perfect and the portions were very good size for a high end restaurant.
Since California banned foie gras, I now have to hunt for it on my travels. Thus, my vacation list usually looks like this: 1. Foie gras. 2. Foie gras. 3. OMG! FOIE GRAS. Bistro Du Midi and her lovely self welcomed me and my sister for dinner. We sat outside on the sidewalk since it was a gorgeous, balmy evening. My eyes automatically zeroed in on the seared foie gras with rhubarb coulis and strawberries, boy, it was perfection. I savored every bite and I'm so glad that my sis isn't into foie so it was all mine! She had the mussels in a basil tomato broth and had crunchy grilled bread to dip with. May I say? do NOT ever skip the bread basket here. Obviously made in house, so it was fresh and very good. The grilled Spanish Octopus with compressed watermelon and frisee salad was appropriately fancy (ink vinaigrette? get out of town!) and can we ever have dinner without snacking on french fries? apparently not! Tipsy off of the Marius cocktail (damn that absinthe rinse is soo good!) my sibling and I finished dinner and walked off the calories at the park across the street. Thinking of about my meal here and THAT foie gras, make me wish, I was back in Boston again.
(4)
Edward W.
Very nice place with 2 floors: upstairs is more classy & usually for reservations, while downstairs is more casual with bar & patio seating. It overlooks the Public Gardens, so you'll have a nice view while eating. Tried 2 appetizers and an entree: - Foie Gras: Since this is banned in Cali, I decided to try some. Very creamy/ buttery with a very rich taste. Came with some pickled vegetables and jelly to pair with, but I honestly preferred eating it with the complementary bread (great bread btw) - Spanish Octopus: Very tender (for octopus) & nicely marinated. Comes with some mussels and veggies. Preferred this over Foie Gras. - Beef Cheek Daube: My favorite dish by far here. Tender to the point of falling apart in your mouth, and juicy. Not too salty or bland, which were the main complaints I saw here. Personally I enjoyed it very much. Came with romanesco broccoli (very weird looking but tastes just like cauliflower) Word of Warning: don't ask the waiter what's good. They'll make everything sound amazing and you'll be more indecisive than ever before.
(4)
Forrest S.
worst service ever Alex, the waitress pretty much forgot our order- no apologies from the manager other than a feeble attempt to throw down an unwanted dessert on our table and run away. go somewhere else
(1)
Yuan J.
I came here on the 3rd day of Restaurant Week Winter 2015. The food was fantastic as was the service! The choices available for Restaurant Week are all really amazing, but I would recommend getting the pan-roasted Hake. It was probably one of the most perfectly cooked and delicious pieces of fish I have ever had in my life. My dessert and salad were fantastic as well. All in all, a great meal and a really good deal. I will definitely be coming back for more!
Perhaps it was the lovely September weather and the opportunity to grab a high table just almost on the outside seating area...it turned into a perfect brunch! Loved, loved the fresh bread that comes in a wooden square "basket" and the olive oil in the tiny boat-shaped bowl. Adored the lemon kebab over my iced tea and the liquid sugar that came along with it. Overwhelmed by the huge portion of the Croque Madame and the eggs cooked to perfection, just tender enough to spill all over the buttery toasted bread. Totally satisfied with the warm concotion of cheese and ham which left my tummy very very yummy. Thrilled about the service, as the waiter made a point to come up every once in while to make sure I had everything I needed. Very much looking forward to coming back here for dinner the next time I'm in town!
Perfect for an Anniversary celebration. Feels homie and classy at the same time well balanced atmosphere and the food was delicious. At the end of the day you will forget all about the price. also our waiter even looks like Thor/Chris Hemsworth lol
(4)
Jack W.
Given the price, I can't say that I would recommend this place. The food was mediocre at best. I've tried a lot of French restaurants and the food doesn't really hold a candle to many of the more affordable/medium priced restaurants.
(3)
P. T. B.
Five of us had a lovely meal at Bistro du Midi tonight. Particular standout dishes included the bay scallop crudo, bouillabaisse, pork chop, and gnocchi. Service was spot on. Loved it!
(4)
Sikki N.
Very good service, food and location. Right in front if a park, you can either eat on their nice terrace or inside. Delicious food, gourmet style. If you are a Foie Gras fan don't miss the on they serve here, same comment on the mussels. Cocktails are good and different from the standard.
(5)
Beginning P.
Food: Was alright. Didn't think it was worth the hype or the money. Ordered seared duck breast and souffles. Good but not great. Would not go back. Service: Excellent. Atmosphere: Older, much older crowd. Lots of white hair. Not a hipster hangout. Made me feel old.
I'm not gonna criticize the whole restaurant for the one waiter that is rude. I guess I'm unfortunate to meet a very rude waiter. He's impatient when he's explaining the menu, took my entre without asking if I'm done. Horrible experience. I've been here around 3 times, in general it was alright. But never order steak here. Steak here is dry, hard and horrible. China town cooks better i guarantee.
My boyfriend and I went here for a late Sunday night dinner and I can't rave enough about it! Our server, Travis, was pleasant, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. The place is absolutely beautiful, the wine list is extensive, and the food is some of the best I've had in a while. We got the octopus in eggplant, the lamb tartar, the bouillabaisse, and the seared duck. All were fantastic! Will definitely be going back!
(5)
Lily S.
Eating here has inspired the creation of a new Yelp List. Places that make my cooter wet. Yup. Having only eaten here once, I can't speak much for the food, other than that my rib eye was fantastic, but man did the service and decor woo the f-ing crap out of me. If Bistro Du Midi were a man, he would have gotten lucky last night, AND i wouldn't have even made him cuddle afterwards. Plush chairs, fireplace, excellent view of the Commons. Treat yo self girl. Edit: ok, back now that I've had a few meals under my belt (thanks work client dinners!). Here are some pro tips regarding portion control. If you're a hungry hungry hippo like me, stick with the rib eye, lamb neck, or pork chop. Otherwise get a starter; the lobster soup is divine, the tuna tartar also a good choice, and follow it up with a pasta dish or the monkfish (awesome btw!). Then gaze lovingly at the commons or the date that brought you there (or yourself).
(5)
John Mark P.
Made a brunch reservation for 2:30 via Open Table. Great prompt service, drinks, and food. The quiche is up there!
(5)
Jennifer S.
Great atmosphere. Amazing food, especially the beet gnocchi, ribeye and the bouillabaisse. One of my favorite restaurants in Boston for sure.
(5)
Suzette S.
I was fortunate to have a beautiful view of the commons on a snowy night. The dining room is beautiful, the service was wonderful, the food was delicious. This is a great place to meet friends who are in town for conventions, for dinner. It is convenient to lots of hotels and easy to find. AND...the food is really delicious!!!
(4)
Iannis R.
Bistro du Midi is the best Southeastern French food I have had outside of France. Our waiter, Manuel, was helpful, courteous, and friendly, and extra sure to make accommodations for our many food allergies. (Grazie mille, Manuel). The menu was nicely presented with cru, premier plats, entrees, and sides, along with a tasting menu (which we will get someday...), and a separate dessert menu. The upstairs interior is spacious, relaxed, and nicely decorated in the Provencal style. The lavande artificielle outside the window made us giggle. Perhaps one day global warming will allow lavender cultivation in Boston- but today is not that day. We started out with warm roasted garlic fougasse and breadsticks perfect for olive oil dipping. We both had their spring white asparagus soup with new potato. It was light, full of Spring flavors, and well-presented. For our main course, we had a daube de boeuf with persillade and spring parsnip foam. The sauce was rich, irony-umami, and utterly satisfying. The beef cheek was braised to perfection and mouthwateringly tender- no need for knives here. Foam is all the rage in haute cuisine at the moment. I am usually not a fan. However, this spring parsnip foam wasn't just ordinary foam. It had real texture and substance- almost more like a creme than a foam. The aroma of fresh spring root vegetables fills your nose and the back of the palate, and was almost reminiscent of my mother's Passover matzo ball soup. It's light but earthy flavor was the perfect complement to the sticky daube. With no room left for dessert, we finished off the meal with house-made sea salt caramels. The entire experience was warm and satisfying on a rainy late spring day, and brought us back to our honeymoon in Provence. We will be sure to make Bistro du Midi a habit for as long as we are in Boston.
(5)
Stephanie F.
What happened to this place? I am starting to wonder if they've rotated the chefs or if the management has changed. The restaurant is beautifully appointed across from the public garden, but the quality of their entrees / service has changed drastically. Went there last night as a plan b to Teatro being closed for renovations. Ordered the pork belly despite the disappointment from our last two visits with the fat ratio being way too high on the belly. However, we received a lean piece last night with a thin layer of fat which made it enjoyable. The Scottish salmon however, left something to be desired. For entrees, we both ordered the duck breast, which was thinly sliced with a nice jus from prior visits. We were surprised when presented with two thick rubbery cubes of duck breast on each plate. The olive sauce paired well with the duck breast but the lavender was lost in the bitterness of the sauce. I also did not understand the fig and chickpea croquette as these ingredients seemed disjointed from the rest of the plate.
(2)
Patricia M.
The restaurant was nearly deserted--still, the waitress was impatient for us to order and could barely be persuaded to part with bread and breadsticks (the breadsticks were great--and we each got one). The entrees came out at different times. There were shells in the fish soup, and one of the main courses came out cold. Dinner for four with appetizers and wine but no dessert: almost $300 before the tip.
(1)
David C.
Judging my meal at Bistro du Midi as a singular experience, I'd have to give it three (maybe even 2.5) stars. On a group level, however, the experience probably ranks closer to a four. The dishes I ordered, save from the deliciously gamey lamb tartare I had to start, were pretty underwhelming. My duck entree was comprised of maybe five or six thin strips of duck breast drenched in a lavender jus--tasty to be sure, but not remotely filling. The caramel almond tart was a complete misnomer, as it barely contained either of those ingredients. Instead, what I received was a chocolate tart with caramelized sugar crystals jutting out and a sprinkle of almond dust on the side. Not satisfying. To top it off, the yogurt sorbet that accompanied it was rather bland and far too icy for my liking. As I said, the experience I had as part of a group was much better. I went with Andrea B. and her family to celebrate her birthday, and the restaurant was wonderfully accommodating, seating us in a large private room overlooking Boylston and the Public Gardens. (You would never expect Bistro du Midi to be as big and beautiful as it is looking at it from the outside.) Service remained exemplary throughout the night. My dining companions all seemed to enjoy their food more than I did, but nothing I tried of theirs really wowed me either. Highlights included the grilled pork chop and pan roasted cod. I would have preferred either of those dishes over mine. And the much talked about souffle, while more satisfying than my tart, was simply too dense. If you're looking for a truly wonderful version, head to the Patisserie at Troquet up the street.
(3)
Heather G.
Bistro Du Midi is a beautiful space - I'll start there. You walk in off Boylston, into this little restaurant nestled between the high-end shops, and it looks small and bustling. The bar is full, people are milling about in their suits, it's obviously an after-work space. However, when you ascend the staircase to the upstairs dining room, the space opens up and becomes vastly larger and more formal. The bar upstairs is never quite as full, and I presume it's more for early-arrivals waiting for their parties to arrive, parties who will be dining with a full menu in the elegant upstairs room. The bar downstairs, then, seems to be more the after-work-drink spot. Important distinction, lest you go to the wrong bar! The upstairs certainly has class - the large windows overlook the public garden, and at night, the dining area is dimly lit so that the diners can fully appreciate the lights in the trees and the lampposts decorating the Garden and the swanky neighborhood around it. Bistro has a private dining room in the back corner of the upstairs area, and nearly every night, private parties with bankers, lawyers, and the like can be seen imbibing on the free-flowing wine and good food. If you are thinking about a classy company event, this place is your spot. you can't go wrong here - you aren't footing the (expensive) bill, and you've come more for the elegance and the ease with which you can host many people in one small spot while still offering a private, intimate experience. However, if you're just a regular couple off the street looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, i'd say this place may not be for you. While elegant, the price-to-value construct seems to be on the unfavorable end of the spectrum, as the prices are steep and the food is not bad, but certainly not as stellar as the price or the room's ambiance would suggest. I have been on many occasions, and have left feeling this way about the food. The tuna tartare, while delicious, is a meager offering, on a lone crostini. One bite and the tuna chunks tumble off, the crostini left crumbling in your hand. Similarly, the sauteed squid appetizer was certainly tasty, but very oily and, thus, sat heavy after a few moments post-consumption. While one would think an entree of grilled veggies and small medallions of beef would be light yet filling, this dish is flavor- and composition-wise boring, and also sits very heavily in the stomach, which is the last thing someone on an anniversary date in a pretty outfit would want...that is, if that someone wants to have post-anniversary romantic activities afterwards. On another trip, I tried my hand at the chicken for two, but it came out undercooked (raw-poultry near the bone) and greasy, the skin a lukewarm, slimy consistency. It seems that someone hastily pulled the dish when the others at the table were ready to be served. Though a dish for two, the cast iron dish of bird was served with 4 fingerling potatoes, halved. The potatoes were delicious, but certainly not a portion for two people. Desserts, while tasty, are forgettable. The apple crisp is always solid here, but I wouldn't make this the reason for the destination. Wine, as always, is stellar and flawless, and the service is much of the same. For a corporate dinner, this is a great choice. For a personal, special occasion dinner, I'd pass on this and go elsewhere.
(2)
Tammy W.
Full disclosure: I was here for a private event, and we rented out the entire restaurant, first for a cocktail hour and then a sitdown dinner. I had a fabulous time and came away very impressed. For starters, the space is gorgeous. I'm not well-versed in either design or architecture, but I appreciate both and like to think I have a good eye. The bar area downstairs opens onto the street and features an eclectic collection of dozens of small mirrors. The dining area upstairs mixes rich benches and sofas with plush dining chairs. The entire space is romantically lit and feels warm, rich, and yet somehow cozy and inviting. The food was delicious. We had a limited fixed menu for the event. I started with a tuna tartare, moved on to a pan-roasted hake, and ended with a trio of sorbets. The tuna tartare featured tiny bits of Barlett pear and a pine nut foam, both of which I really enjoyed and hadn't ever tasted before. The pear really lightened up the dish and gave it a very interesting texture. The hake, served over a bed of vegetables, including asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and trumpet royales, was incredibly delicious. The hake itself was perfectly cooked-- melt-in-your-mouth tender, and I found myself craving more of the vegetables (especially the trumpet royales, a type of mushroom), too, once I'd polished off the entire dish. I've had better sorbet elsewhere, although one of the flavors had this interesting tea flavor to it that I found very refreshing. Most of my friends ordered the gianduja palette, a type of hazelnut mousse cake, with salted caramel ice cream, though, and I noticed that they all licked their plates clean. (I admit to having a little dessert envy and regretting my decision to "be healthy"-- don't make the same mistake I did and go with your gut instincts to indulge instead.) I don't think a decent meal here would break the bank (a five-course tasting menu is $85, and you can come in very much under that if you do three courses a la carte), but I do hail from Manhattan, and my sensibilities may be dull. But I think it's worth it for a special occasion, and, if I lived in Boston, this would be my favorite impress-the-parents/hope-my-date-wants-to-impress-Âme restaurant.
(5)
Julie N.
You know, I really wanted to give Bistro Du Midi the full five stars... I had been so excited to eat here for oh so long, but it wasn't the best the of best. Breakdown: The space is gorgeous. The server was 80% on his game. The mussels appetizer was actually extremely bland and generic. Fresh definitely, but not anything special. The chicken dish was perfectly done, but Hamersley's always gets the fifth star. Wine is always good. Desserts were actually amazing. Overall: definitely four stars. I need to come back again... but I probably won't for awhile.
(4)
Dana T.
Sadly, I must post a very mixed review. The service was attentive and competent. The view from the windows overlooking the Common is lovely. The cinnamon beignets were delicious. Unfortunately, the accolades stop there. The room is very, very loud. My entree (duck breast) arrived cold and while they replaced it without question, my husband's food sat there getting cold while we waited for mine to reappear. Very awkward and uncomfortable. At this price point, everything should be perfect. I feel insulted. And the valet service was remarkably slow.
Excellent all around experience. The duck is among the best I have had. Yellow fin tuna app was delicious. Decent wine list. Lower level bar is always enjoyable. Great location.
(5)
K D.
Our family of 6 dined at Bistro Du Midi on Friday night. Restaurant was like a big beautiful dining room. The table we sat at was really big so we felt really spread out and because it was really loud it was hard to hear from one end of the table to the other. That was difficult as the purpose of our dinner was to connect with our children and catch up. Food was wonderful. I had the duck and was a little surprised to be presented with two duck breasts and that was it. Fortunately, I ordered some peas as a side because the waitress said the plate was on the small side and she was not kidding! We shared 3 souffles for dessert and that was one too many.
(3)
Philip G.
Six of us had a reasonably good dinner here for $75 per person, including tip and a few glasses of wine. Service was very good. The lobster pasta was excellent, with handmade pasta and a reasonable amount of lobster meat (maybe $1.50 worth at wholesale at today's prices). The dessert souffles were good as well as the beignets. A beet salad appetizer was also good. The fried artichokes were about 90% breading and oil, 10% artichoke. Go to the Giant Artichoke in Castroville, California if you want deep fried artichokes that are ridiculously better for about 1/5th the price. My ribeye steak, ordered medium rare, arrived "rare". I sent it back for a little more cooking and they kept it for 10 minutes. As you'd expect, it return to the table "well done". Longhorn Steakhouse can hit medium rare every time, why can't a fancy restaurant do it? Our waiter didn't tell me that the steak wouldn't come with anything, so I neglected to order any sides. In retrospect I think it would have been smarter to order off the bar menu where they have steak frites, croque monsieur, and other stuff that is easier for everyone to understand.
Disclaimer: I LOVE Boston's casual and slightly-more-than-casual food scene, but I find the high-end restaurants underwhelming. The value just doesn't justify the quality or quantity. Bistro Du Midi is the perfect example. I had the oysters to start with, which were okay, but nothing to write home about. I sampled a few appetizers, none of which stand out in my mind. For the main I had the coral-infused tagliatelle, which was disappointing: the calamari and mussels were chewy, and the pasta stuck together, and it was $26. I sampled my friend's garganelli, which was much more delicious. Also had the brussels sprouts appetizer, which was good, but there were only about ten sprouts, and it cost $7. The desserts were actually quite good, and the only part of the meal that I really enjoyed. I'd give Bistro Du Midi four stars if I had ordered the garganelli and the entrees were say, $7 less. Or if I were rich. I was here for a work event, otherwise I would have been more upset with the meal.
(3)
Kara C.
Warning - this was a dining experience for a group of 14 and we had a private room. + great location + beautiful restaurant - candle light chandelier and gorgeous (looked like reclaimed wood) table + service was pretty solid - drinks came around a bit slow, but the food came out all at the same time and was delicious + for starters, i would HIGHLY recommend the marinated spanish octopus. Just the right amount of citrus and the crispy artichokes are a major win. The octopus was tender, not chewy and overall a great dish + for entre, I would recommend the seared duck breast. It was cooked perfectly medium rare, which is definitely the perfect temperature.
(4)
Tara A.
Traveling to Boston last weekend for a long weekend getaway (that we had planned months in advance) certainly ended up with a different flavour in the air than we had expected, however, when we ventured out for food from our hotel, I quickly popped open my yelp app (totally worth the roaming charges!) and stumbled upon this place. We arrive to a packed house but the sommelier and the hostess were quick to set us up with a glass of wine and seated us as quick as they could. We enjoyed great conversation over great Oysters and a hamburger. The guys behind the bar serving were helpful but weren't in your face. I found the mood of this place to be such a cozy, warm, inviting atmosphere, I will be recommending this place to any and all future tourists heading to Boston.
(5)
S S.
The food was fit for a foodie with an expansive wine list and staff willing to help make our dinner a wonderful experience.
(5)
Jean-Marie M.
An old friend took me here last night for a Birthday eve dinner. From the minute we walked in we were treated like royalty. I felt like the entire staff knew it was my birthday and took special care to treat it as such. We got the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Each dish was phenominal. I even got to experience things I've never had before, monkfish and foie gras. I can honestly say now when I am watching Iron Chef that when the judges talk about foie gras, I understand what it is all about. It was salty and it melted in my mouth. I strongly recommend this place for special occasions or an intimate dinner. I can't say enough good things!
(5)
Teresa T.
Easy to make reservations for two on a Monday night during Restaurant Week via Open Table. Ordered off of the Restaurant Week menu: Wagyu Beef Tartare (while our waitress was good overall there was no instruction on whether we eat the quail egg with the tartare or separately...) Pan Seared Coalfish Lemon Pistachio Tart The right amount of food. Plus the wine and bread basket was delish! Atmosphere is cozy and dim plus it was quiet enough where my friend and I could have a pleasant conversation.
(4)
Adam W.
Enjoyed my brunch experience here. When I go out for brunch I'm usually aiming more toward the lunch end of the spectrum, and Bistro Du Midi was able to hit that craving head on. Service was friendly, the burger was quite good, and the bloody mary was fantastic. I'm not convinced of the value proposition for the breakfast items, as everything is a la carte. That's just a theoretical complaint for me, but there you go. Also note that reservations are not accepted for brunch. I advise you have a second bloody mary, they really are that good.
(4)
Mattijs N.
Very good French style dinner, American sizes and high speed service
(4)
Mike O.
There's no getting around the fact that the food at Bistro du Midi is great, not orgasmic, but great. Is it worth the pretty penny you'll splurge, enduring everything else that's wrong with the place? Doubtful. Like most, I had heard many great things about the kitchen: this could possibly be the best French restaurant in the city.... It's not. And the reality that anything besides the food has caused my humble opinion to be brought down to this level speaks clearly to something that is glaringly wrong in the way BDM conducts its operation. We set a reservation for 8:30pm on a Saturday night, and while I was surprised that they had availability on short notice, it did not seem all that alarming and no red flags were raised. After all, our first and second choices were booked, so this was a good opportunity to check out a new spot for us that had a table open. Arriving promptly at 8:30pm, we spent the next half hour waiting to be seated. Not so much as a greeting in that duration, as I watched hosts fumble about their station, somewhat frantically, and through the dining area. Note, that there were only two parties (including ours) waiting. A lot of spinning wheels over a seemingly manageable sized crowd. Once we were seated, my date and I took in the restaurant's ambiance. I noted that the decor was impeccable; I couldn't have possibly dreamed up a more fantastic and smartly designed dining room if I tried. The space was full with families, older 40-50 something couples, and seemingly Boston's shi-shi elite. The pretentiousness aside, we remained somewhat optimistic despite the really sour note that had already set the tone on what would be a not-so-great idea. As we were talked through some of the menu items and specials, I couldn't help but notice the heavily perspiring server reading from a card. I thought that to be quite out of the ordinary for such an esteemed dining establishment and more questions throughout dinner were left unanswered without the slightest intent on finding out answers. Nonetheless, our order came as followed: - We started with a nice Châteauneuf-du-Pape at about $85 (maybe a $20 markup); it opened up quickly and held a nice earthy texture throughout dinner. It seemed a little tannic, but this could have just been my over-thinking it. - Sweet Corn Soup, Ricotta Gnocchi, Chanterelles, Thyme $11- Nice, soft and delicate; could hardly tell chanterelles were in this dish though - Spicy Lamb Tartare, Quail Egg $11 - big, hearty flavor, absolutely mouth watering! - Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass, Slow-Cooked Fennel, Sauce Vierge $28 - not even close to worth the price, forgettable flavor profile - Classic Bouillabaisse $29 - great flavor, no saffron (seemingly) and the fish was cooked perfectly. I know John Dori isn't all that common in this town, but I struggled with the price on this one too. Still, and excellent stew. - Lavender Beignets, Chocolate Sauce $9 - a dessert I'd rather forget. Just seemed too much like eating donuts. I've never had beignets like this; just seemed very pedestrian as was the chocolate. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience at over $250 for two people. I could say that it was worth another shot, maybe at the bar, but really at this price; why? You've got one chance to make it in a sea of excellent restaurants, and if you take people's money without regard for a FULL dining experience then what does that say? It's sloppy and rude. Your food may be really good, but I don't want to feel like I'm 19 again, waiting in line on Lansdowne Street to get into Avalon. I'm over the pretension and not only can I find a comparable meal with better service elsewhere; I can find it in my own kitchen! Best of luck.
(2)
Debra L.
We were seated promptly and the host was very good at his job. Friendly and efficient and gracious. Our waiter on the other hand was really young and not all that great at describing menu items or offering any guidance at all. When I'm somewhere for the first time and there are things on the menu I'm not familiar with, I like a knowledgeable waiter. We started with the Barbajuan's and the Carpaccio of Scottish Salmon. We had no idea what a Barbajuan was and when we asked the waiter, he pointed to the table next to us and said "There they are over there. Those fried ravioli looking things". Not quite the description I was hoping for but we ordered 2 of each type at the waiter's suggestion: Courgette (Zucchini) & Basil, Goats Cheese & Honey and Chicken Liver & Foie Gras. We would have never ordered the Chicken Liver and Foie Grad had we known we were ordering it. They are pretty tiny so although six sounds like a lot, it's not. As for flavor, they were ok, but the Goat Cheese & Honey were the best of the three. The Scottish Salmon Carpaccio was incredibly delicious, but the dehydrated watermelon on top didn't really add anything. For entrees, my husband had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives and I had the Steak au Poivre with a side of Ratatouille. His duck was really delicious and my steak was good though it wasn't exactly spectacular. I had considered a fish dish and they all sounded amazing but I was already enjoying my red wine and wanted to stick with it. I don't remember what wine it was but it was from the Bordeaux region and it was delicious. I will say, the steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce was not too peppery and did not overpower the meat. The Ratatouille was ok but I was a little disappointed. For dessert, we were torn because the sweet desserts sounded incredible but we also wanted the cheese plate - which won out. We chose correctly, I think. We had the 3 cheeses available that evening: an herbed Chevre, a bleu cheese and a semi-soft cheese I never knew the name of, despite asking the waiter who mumbled something inaudible. These cheeses came with delicious, crispy bread with cranberries and walnuts in it and a side of fig jam. The amount of cheese was extremely generous. We couldn't finish all of it. Overall, it was a really nice meal and the restaurant is beautiful but I'm not sure it's the kind of place I'm dying to go back to.
(3)
Jacqueline C.
Food and Service were excellent! We went to Bistro Du Midi on a Friday night at around 7:15. Because we made a reservation online, we were seated right after we entered, - The wine sauce of the Steamed Mussels appetizer was great. - The Octopus appetizer was decent - The mussel pasta for entree was DELICIOUS, - My friend ordered the fish and sprout and she love them too. - For dessert, we ordered the beignent but I highly recommend the souffle. FIVE STARS!
(5)
Ted A.
If you like Bourbon, the "Refashioned" is the best take on an Old Fashioned in Boston. Oh yeah, the food is exquisite.
(5)
Molly K.
One of the few restaurants that manages to always get it right: Bistro du Midi. The marinated octopus was the highlight of the meal, along with the lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce. Their wine cellar is impressive, and they have one of the longest wine lists I have seen in a restaurant. Pictures and more on -- ----
(5)
Kevin M.
The atmosphere is great for a special evening. Upstairs more elegant dining and downstairs bar with more casual dining. The wait staff is impeccable without being overly solicitous. The menu offers a nice array of delicious options, and the food comes prepared exactly to order. My guest and I both ordered the steak, but hers was medium well-done and mine was medium-rare. Both perfect! This is a European style cuisine, so portions are measured and not overly generous like most American restaurants today. It is also a la carte, so be prepared to order vegetables as side dishes. Consequently, the total cost of the meal is more than anticipated, which is a shame, and the reason I rated this place 4 instead of 5 stars. Be sure to order the chocolate souffle when you first sit down at the table. It is to die for.
(4)
Elise K.
Good restaurant. Good fancy restaurant. Rather expensive. I came here for a special work dinner. We each had a drink, a starter, main, shared side, and desert. It was around $85 a person. (We got the side free from our foursquare check in). I had the beet salad. It was one of the better beet salads I've had, yet it needed some more citrus zing that I found it lacked. I had a dish with lobster and fresh pasta. Good flavor, but a meager amount of lobster and a lot of pasta as a filler. The shared side was ratatouille. I've made better myself. For desert we ordered two souffles - a Grand Marnier and a chocolate. Both were to die for and the BEST part of the meal. We had coffee as well. They serve Illy coffee - nothing special. Attendance was good for a Tuesday night and the food was good overall. Service was phenomenal.
(4)
Kristin W.
My husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary here which just so happens to fall over the summer restaurant week in Boston. We were so excited about the restaurant week menu because while we love splurging on a good meal, we are just like most newly married 20-somethings and not exactly rolling in it. The food was excellent but honestly, the whole experience felt a little bit condescending. Our waiter seemed less than impressed when we wouldn't order the $175 bottle of champagne and from the drink order on, we were pretty much neglected. You could tell that the staff was annoyed by restaurant week and partaking in some serious profiling. Next time I'm looking to spend my money, I'm pretty sure I can find someplace equally delicious with a bit more class.
(2)
FABIANA T.
Simply my favorite place on earth! The staff is attentive , the food to die for! Strongly recommend and I wish I could live there...
(5)
Bill C.
Frankly, some of the less-than-5 star reviews are pretty puzzling. Full disclosure, we did go all-out with the chef's table and the 7 course tasting menu for my wife's birthday. On the other hand, having been able to try so many of their phenomenal dishes, I may actually be in a better place to judge. Everything was terrific - my favorites being the lamb tartare, grilled marinated octopus, and wild boar tagliatelle. Seeing how well the kitchen is run was an added treat. Probably my new favorite in town, between the phenomenal food and the great service & staff.
(5)
Rich T.
I went to Bistro du Midi recently to sample their Restaurant Week fare. The meal hit a couple of high points and was overall quite satisfying. The bread basket to start was surprisingly greasy. It's interesting that the restaurant chose to serve it with olive oil instead of good butter, though I have to admit that the olive oil was spectacular. I'm still waiting to find a French place that's adventurous enough to make its own compound butter to go with their bread. The escargots appetizer was delightful! It was not done in the cliched Bourguignonne style--with an herb-garlic butter that tends to drown out the inherent flavor of the snails. Here they were simply roasted and left to shine atop toasted farro and a scrumptious chorizo emulsion. It wasn't the lightest first course, but it made me excited for the next. Which was where things went wrong. The grilled loup de mer with confit fennel was possibly the most uninspired seafood dish I've had in a while. I have to confess that I'm not a fan of grilling--I don't think the hallowed "grill marks" add anything but a burnt and bitter taste to food, as it did to the fish skin in this dish. The garnish and sauce ought to have compensated, but the fennel was bland (almost completely robbed of its vibrant aniseed flavor) and there was no sauce that I could see. There were bits of some kind of citrus on the plate but that was so incredibly sour it threw everything off balance. Granted, the fish was nicely (though simply) seasoned and stayed moist, but that was about the only positive thing going for the dish. Thankfully the side that I ordered--advertised as roasted Brussels sprouts by the waiter but was actually mixed cauliflower/sprouts with parmesan and pancetta--was flavorful enough to make up for the entree. Dessert was a chocolate-hazelnut mousse with salted caramel ice cream--and this really made the meal for me, though I'm a sucker for anything hazelnut. The mousse was melt-in-the-mouth light and nicely complemented by the saltiness of the ice-cream. I did wish that the hazelnuts sprinkled on top were toasted though. Overall, 3.5 stars for unpretentious food executed well (save for the fish dish misstep), and I'm bumping it to 4 for good service. I'm definitely returning to try out their regular menu.
(4)
David B.
We ushered in 2012 in this wonderful restaurant. Having spent our honeymoon in Paris, we have a special place in our heart for a good bistro. Although this didn't exactly bring visions to Paris in our eyes and palette, we enjoyed our last meal of 2011. We found the wait staff friendly and helpful. Our waiter had an excellent grasp of both the menu and wine offerings. We sampled items from their regular menu. All was good. Started with a scallop carpaccio with cauliflower. The scallops were sliced thin, were impeccably fresh, and rested in a succulent vinaigrette. The cauliflower added a nice touch of color (purple) but overpowered the delicacy of the scallops. I had a stew for my entree, braised short ribs in a wonderful wine sauce. The short ribs were beautifully braised and rich in flavor. My hubbie started with the beet and goat cheese salad (for a man that grew up hating vegetables he sure loves beets) and a pumpkin ravioli for his entree. Both, he declared were superb. We went all the way and had dessert, too. A chocolate hazelnut cake that was divine! It was an expensive splurge but a great way to end a busy year. We look forward to returning for other celebrations.
(5)
Marissa P.
FOOD: Very, very good. The stars of the night were the steak and the tuna tartare. Can't forget the hazelnut cake dessert. In my opinion, the best thing I tasted was the hazelnut cake and that salty caramel ice cream -truly divine! We also had the fried artichokes and nobody in our party cared for them really. All we tasted was fried - no artichoke. I had the duck for my main and it was good, but definitely not great. The lamb tartare was ok. And the eggplant olive dip was disappointing. Plus, the most delicious bread served with a quality olive oil. YUMMY! AMBIANCE: A+... this place has it down. It is just such a beautiful atmosphere here with the amazing bar on the first floor, the mirrors on the walls, and the vintage French prints. Upstairs is more of a formal dining room that is also just as stunning as the first floor. I found the bar area on the first floor more inviting, evocative of a Parisian bistro in the 30s. SERVICE: Great!!! Prompt and attentive. DRINKS: Extensive wine list. Strong, creative cocktails. I'd love to come back here, sit at the bar enjoying the atmosphere with a cocktail and sample some more things on the menu!
(4)
Sandy V.
Bistro du Midi truly feels like a French bistro. It was the perfect spot for brunch. The service was prompt, and the food was fresh and perfectly prepared. I enjoyed the fruit plate which was full of fresh berries and melon, the charcuterie, and the quiche. The french fries were also very good! Dress at Brunch: Casual
Only an average experience and was hoping for more. The smoked salmon Benedict was decent, nothing spectacular. Steak and eggs, very well prepared. I was disappointed with watching the orange juice being poured out of a container; you'd think a place like this would serve fresh squeezed juice. Service was just so-so.
(3)
Rene Q.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for our wedding anniversary. We arrived about 45 minutes early and they were able to sit us. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgable. Great ambiance; had a view of the Common and were in a quiet corner. The service is a bit slow - we arrived at 6:45 and left around 9:30ish, so don't plan on a quick exit. I won't give you the blow-by-blow for our meal, but everything was above average. I particularly enjoyed the octopus and duck breast. We had both types of souffles (chocolate and Grand Marnier) - the chocolate was a bit overwhelming; you can't eat it by yourself but is good to split with a fellow choc-a-holic. The Marnier souffle was good, but nothing I would rave about or even repeat. The service and quality of the food are what would be bring me back. The meal was very well-priced (2 drinks, 2 petit bouchees, 2 appetizers, 2 main courses, 2 deserts for 150 dls), and we left satisfied. It's great for a special night out. The service is fantastic; eating French food can be intimidating and our waiter was helpful and explained everything to us (no snobbery here). Our three choices for our anniversary were between Bistro du Midi, Deuxave, and Erbaluce. We're happy with our choice!
(4)
Apollo C.
I went on a date with the lady last night here, and it was amazing! I called ahead the morning before and reserved a table for 2. Here's my thorough review: Cocktails I had two cocktails. I started the meal with a basil infused one that tasted like an herb infused lemonade. At the end of the meal I had the classic "Bistro du Midi" cocktail, with gin and champagne. Both masterfully made by the sadly departing bartender Eric. Great stuff! Wine The wine list has changed in the past year to be sectioned out more based on the grape varietal instead of the region. This makes it more accessible to American wine drinkers. I drink French wine regularly so I already had a sense of what I wanted. The meal was mostly seafood based, so I chatted with the sommelier Todd for a moment to narrow it down. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and described the wine in very accessible terms. I settled on a bottle of Vin de Pays du Val de Loire (country wine of Loire Valley) by Domaine Fournier, made with Sav Blanc. It paired amazingly. Dinner The meal starts out with fresh baked bread, grissini breadsticks, and olive oil. I was doing my own thing for dinner, got 2 premier plates (appetizers basically) for my meal. One was the special of pigs cheek, which is amazing. Think boar meat, dark beef, or any other kind of hearty meat. The other was the octopus, which had just the right amount of herbs and zest. My gf got the bouillabaisse, which had amazing fish, fresh mussels, and a very large shrimp. The wine paired perfectly with all of it. Portion sizes are smaller then most other restaurants, it's done intentionally with the anticipation that you'll be having a 4 course meal. I prefer it that way. Desert I called ahead and mentioned that I'd be getting a Grand Marnier souffle. It takes about 20 mins to cook, so either expect the wait, or indicate well ahead of time to the wait staff that you want one. This is one of the few places in Boston you can even get a fresh souffle, let alone one of this quality. It was amazing! My gf wanted to get the chocolate, which is also great, but I insisted on the orange zest of Grand Marnier, and we were both very glad for it. It paired well with the meal, given the citrus. Service I've never been serviced so well in my entire life! Staff was curteous, attentive, professional, and fun. I was greeted by the hostess (Jeanne), seated by one of the managers(John), served some great cocktails (Eric), had a chat with the sommelier(Todd), my waitress (Amy) was very attentive, the table was promptly cleared and decrumbed (Dan / Caroline). You will literally never find such great service any where else in the city. I know, I look for it every weekend. Ambiance The restaurant is immaculate and beautifully decorated. The upstairs is wide open, but has a few tables that are tucked way for a more private experience, and also offers a few banquet tables as well for larger groups. The white linen table clothes, Riedel glassware, white porcelain flatware, flowers on the window sills, and wooden tables give you a very modern feel with a slight rustic touch. Overall modern, upscale, with a hint of European Old World. Overall I've been to various top-end Italian restaurants, and a few French restaurants around Boston, and this is the BEST! What you get here is the best French-styled seafood and other dishes in the city, top level service, amazing wine, deserts, cocktails, etc. for a reasonable price. It does cost more, but you're buying quality, and it's a very fair trade off. This is the perfect place to have a celebration meal, date night, or to explore and find unique, high quality, and flavorfully complex food. I'm a foodie, cooking things like Thai frog legs, and this place blows me away. Check it out.
(5)
Michael C.
Ahhh...those fried artichokes are calling me back to Bistro du Midi even as I write this review. Perfectly fried with aioli on the side this dish is a garlic lovers delight. Combine the artichokes with the green and black olive tapenade appetizer and you have enough garlic to ward off an army of vampires. Great stuff! My only complaint was the pissaladiere which arrived with a slightly burnt crust and caramelized onions that also had a slightly off taste to them. No awful just not in the same league as the rest of the food. We only sat at the bar since this is my favorite spot in most restaurants. Service was excellent and the martinis cold and clear. From the bar area you can watch the world pass by while sipping on your drink. The atmosphere is comfortable and unhurried.
(4)
Priscilla T.
I can't say enough good things about this place!!! I organized a pre-masquerade-ball dinner for 16 here and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we had a perfect evening. I wanted to book the private room but I actually think the table they gave us (upstairs, overlooking the park) was the best option for us in the end. Service was amazing, food was spot on (lamb tartare? I die), and the drinks were great (Moscow mule! And a wine list as long as you can imagine). The ambiance is also a perfect blend of elegant and casual. LOVE. THIS. PLACE.* *I don't even like French food that much! That's how great this place is.
(5)
Andrea B.
My parents treated my best friend, David C and I to dinner here for my birthday this weekend. And while the restaurant was beautiful, the view out the window of the Public Gardens was pretty, and service was friendly and attentive, I still have to knock Bistro du Midi for the food. Portion sizes were small, and many of the dishes I tried were utterly average. The slow-cooked pork belly that I had as a starter was good but forgettable. I tried a bit of the marinated beet salad (with goat cheese!) that my sister ordered, and it was tasty, but if you know me at all, you know that I find all beet salads to be fantastic. I was originally going to get the duck for my entree, but David ended up getting it instead. When I tried some of it, I found myself glad that I didn't order it. The lavender jus that it was flavored with was overpowering. And the dish consisted of a measly 5 or so strips of meat! I don't eat much, but I think I can manage more than that. Instead, I opted for the goat cheese gnocchi, which was good, but again, not good enough that I'll remember it 6 months from now. The dish came topped with cauliflower, pine nuts, and a tasty spring pea sauce. However, if I could do this meal over again, I'd order the grilled pork chop, which was hands-down the best entree I tried. For dessert, I of course had to get the chocolate souffle. This was my first-ever souffle, and I enjoyed it immensely. Decadent, rich, and ridiculously filling, how can you go wrong? But I am told that it was a bit more dense than souffles typically should be. I can't emphasize enough how beautiful and spacious the restaurant itself is. We were seated in a particularly nice semi-private area with a great view, so 5 stars for that. I had a couple cocktails in me and was too buzzed to realize it at the time (yes, I'm a lightweight), but the food had left me a little underwhelmed. For that, I regrettably must take away 2 stars.
(3)
Tracy K.
Just had a fantastic Sunday brunch here. Highly recommend the Croque Monsieur: toasted to buttery crispness on the outside, oozing with gruyere on the inside. Service was superb. To give an example, I asked for a mocha, which wasn't on the menu. They actually specially concocted a coffee mixed with chocolate. Since they weren't sure exactly how much chocolate I'd need, they included an extra pitcher of chocolate on the side. Now thats service. Come for the classy ambiance and delicious food & beverages!
(4)
Clara L.
What a great place. The drinks are good, and the bartenders very friendly. I would highly recommend sitting at the bar, as the conversations with the bartenders and other guests are great. The food is quite good, all of the recommendations from the staff were on par. I had frites, a charcuterie plate, and pasta. All of it was delicious, although I was slightly disappointed with the charcuterie plate. There were just a few types of ham/salami selections, and nothing slightly more adventurous. I'd definitely be back to try some of the other items!
(4)
Stacey D.
I was excited to try this place, and have to say I was disappointed. First off, FANTASTIC service, they make you feel welcome, special and wanted. I had an odd situation where I ordered a non-alcoholic drink (don't judge) and there was alcohol in it. They assured me there wasn't any alcohol in the drink! Frankly, I was surprised that I would have to defend my taste buds. I can taste the alcohol AND I am breaking out in hives, and no I am not allergic to water or sugar. I am much more inclined to trust my taste buds than their insistence. However, to be fair, despite their denial, I felt like they handled the situation well, they did replaced my drink (and nope, no alcohol the second time around). The restaurant itself is full of grace, the view is lovely. But rest assured, the service and the view is what you are paying for. The food was utterly mediocre and not particularly French. Just saying.. and no, I am not drunk.
I just went in for a cocktail, but it was very well done, I liked the place, the service and the look of the menu. Will try to return soon and write a more legit review.
Their burger and fries is what got me in the door. Their prosecco is what kept me on the bar stool for a leisurely lunch. I had about 3 glasses of this delicious bubbly prosecco and made love to my burger and fries. The service could have been a little more on the ball, but the bartender was pretty nice, just really busy. There was a very odd smell in the bar area, we sat at one end of the bar and moved to the other end and it didn't smell...but about an hour later it did. Kinda smelled like dirty dishwater, but I am not sure. Either way, their burger/fries/prosecco = great lunch. It was not the cheapest meal in the world but you get what you pay for and it was very good. I'd go back, you can't beat the view of the Common.
(4)
Kit D.
Enjoyed an incredible tasting menu with wine pairing on a cold Saturday night. While we did not have a window table overlooking the Public Garden, the expanse of windows allow nearly all patrons a decent view. For over 3 hours, we indulged on a variety of plates from the chef's tasting menu. Nothing disappointed: the wine pairings were spot on and each dish was better than the last. Our table of four could not agree on what was the best as we had so many favorites (but dishes with the white truffles were a big treat). Our servers were full of detail about each course and readily answered our questions, taking their time with us. Service, food, and atmosphere were top notch! We did note that the downstairs bar area was freezing (frigid November night) and had a less cheerful vibe. Bistro du Midi will be a place we return to when we want to treat ourselves to something special. Worth the cost!!
(5)
Anya P.
Amazing place!!! One of the best meals I've had this year so far. The restaurant has two floors and the bottom floor seems to be a bit cheaper and more laid back. We dined in the upstairs section. The entire experience was a complete pleasure. Starting with very friendly and attentive hostess, to very knowledgable bar tender, efficient waiter, and amazing food. Everything on the menu looked just amazing and all the dishes we ordered (black bass tartar, fried artichokes, pasta with octopus, grilled monkfish and the chocolate dessert) were to die for. The ambiance of the dining room is very cozy, yet chic and classy. If you can ask for the table by the window. I wish I lived inBoston- I'd become a regular here. Definitely coming back whenever I'm back here to visit.
(5)
Sarah P.
Loved. Every. Minute. I hate being told what to do or what to get... I know what I like and what I don't. HOWEVER, my waiter told me exactly what I wanted to order, and I loved him for it. He started with "You want the Octopus or Beet Salad"... we went with octopus and he was exactly right. My friend was between two options for dinner, so the waiter made a strong case for the braised beef tips which were by far the best thing on our table. And now I have to devote an entire paragraph to the heaven that was the lavender beignets. Delicate flavor of lavender filling surrounded by a light flaky pastry, dusted with sugar and topped with chocolate drizzle. Kill me now and let me die happy. They were little bite size bits of beauty. I dare you to disagree!
(4)
Teri M.
Lobster tagliatelle was undercooked. Clafoutis was dense, dry and cold and served in burning hot ramekin. Beautiful location overlooking Boston Garden.
(2)
Laurel B.
Fantastic! The squash soup was heaven. Everything about my meal was incredible!!! Great service, atmosphere and menu. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Jerry V.
My son and daughter-in-law had a dinner here for around 30 of their close friends and family after a beautiful wedding ceremony in the Boston Public Garden this past Sunday. We sat in a semi-private room in the upstairs section. From the moment we arrived, the staff were courteous, professional and genuinely friendly. As an example, my wife baked a fantastic wedding cake which we brought over early to finish decorating. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating of the process which is not always the case when you bring something in from the outside like that. The service overall was outstanding. The menu was explained in exquisite detail and the food arrived promptly and was delicious. Before we sat down to eat, we gathered at the upstairs bar and the staff were helpful and poured great drinks. Their demeanor was playful and just right for the occasion. The seating was a little tight in the room but they worked around it with no problems. I can't say enough about what a great experience we had at Bistro du Midi. I've eaten there before and enjoyed it. It is a very professionally run operation and I'll be back. Kudos to all concerned
My fiancee and I were both sick but trying to make the best of a turbulent Boston vacation when we stumbled into Bistro du Midi. You can enter through the rotating doors (very odd) or just step through the building itself (true bistro style, with nothing to separate indoor and outdoor dining). I really loved the location and set up of the restaurant. It feels like you're dining in Paris, so I give them credit. Being sick, we thought it best to get our food to go. I ordered a caesar with chicken, and it cost around $17. Pretty pricey, especially considering the fact that they forgot to include any dressing. So I ended up eating dry lettuce for lunch. Service was uninspired. It's possible we just caught Bistro du Midi on a bad midi, and the location is worth at least one star on its own. But you get less than you pay for here.
The service was prompt and the coffee flavourful. Had a lavender infused scotch which was yum. Tender beef was succulent and delicately flavoured in my brunch-time order of steak. Yes, I'm a glutton at times. :) Charming medium brown woods and a decor that reminds of a modern adaptation of a more traditional spare french aesthetic is pleasing to the eye, yet undistracting from the true centers of any dining experience - the food and the company.
(4)
Rosemary H.
Came here on Friday with le boy for the first time and we were both really impressed. The food was delicious. I had the lamb tartare to start and seared duck for my main dish. The tartare comes with a cute little quail's egg that you pour over the lamb. So cute and good! The duck was exquisite--perfectly cooked and served with melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi. My boyfriend had the octopus (mmmmmmm) and pork, and both were amazing. I liked the pork even more than my duck dish, but both were great. We split the hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert and holy christ it was tasty. Our cocktails were yummy too, though a bit on the sweet side. Knocked off a star because our waiter was Sir Mumbles and we had to ask him to repeat everything he said. Other than that, the service was great (friendliest maitre d' ever) and the atmosphere very sweet and sophisticated. I would absolutely come back here for a special occasion, I really enjoyed this spot.
This is quite a solid place. Their plates are simpler than other French restaurants I've been to, however they're full of flavor, and that's what matters in my humble opinion. Their wine selection is full of great wines. I tried a tasty Riesling last time I was here and I loved it. As for the plates, I tried what I believe to be Truffle Raviolis that I don't see in their menu anymore. =( They were delicious. With just the right amount of truffle oil for flavor that's not overwhelming. My date's steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. Service was prompt, although a bit detached. All in all a great experience, which is not that common in over-hyped restaurants around this area... Perfect for a great, relaxing date. =)
(4)
dan w.
Service- Extremely friendly and accomodating, but some of the younger waiters needed a bit more polish. Ambience- One of the nicer rooms in Boston with very well spaced tables Food- We take exception to the reviews that say "average". It is above average for the most part, but certainly not great. Lamb tatare very good. Beef Daube ( a braised beef shank in wine sauce) was also very good but could have used some baby carrots or pearl onions. The olive oil mashed potatoes were too good to be served in such a small portion. Duck breast was a perfectly done medium rare and not tough, and more than enough, but again, too unadorned. Wine- Very nice selection, but starts at the low end of about $35-40 with few selections at that range to an average of about $70, with quite a few well into the $100s. So while the food is pretty reasonable, the wine will assure you of an expensive night out. Well versed sommelier to help out with selections.
(4)
Robert M.
The food was probably 3.5 but I'm giving them an upgrade for the perfect walk-side seating with a view of the Public Garden on a stunningly beautiful day. Excellent location, pretty ordinary fare.
Man, oh man, do I wish every dining experience could be like the one we just had at Bistro du Midi. This place is just simply amazing. In kind of a weird location, between a couple of hotels and upscale shopping locations on Boylston Street, Bistro du Midi is nestled in a difficult-to-notice spot, so difficult, in fact, that in the many years I have been living in Boston, I had never noticed it before. I walk along this stretch of shops many times a week, yet have never stopped in. Such a shame, too, for it is one of the best restaurants in all of Boston. Dog-tired after carrying my best friend's 35 pound two year old all across Boston for Disney Princesses on Ice (so cute, but so tiring!), my fiance had to drag me out to dinner. We couldn't decide where to go, so we figured we would try this place, having just noticed it for the first time. We sat down in Bistro du Midi's bar area, which is first come first serve, for at 7pm on a Saturday, the place was packed upstairs in the main dining room. We immediately grabbed a table by the window, overlooking the gardens, with the twinkling holiday lights outside. Quite romantic for a spur of the moment meal decision. We started with cocktails and yummy oysters. My fiance had a Sazerac which many bartenders do not know how to make, but this one made a killer drink for my man. And the oysters. Oh yes, the oysters. Briny Virginian and Sweet Nova Scotian. Yum. The vinaigrette the chef made was very herbal, and the vinegar was quite thick. A great pairing to the oysters. Next, my fiance had a beet salad with goat cheese and a lemon vinaigrette. Now, many places do a beet salad. I love 'em. But this one is special. Up until now, my favorite had been Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Vegas. Bistro du Midi's is better. The creamy goat cheese, the greens, and the beets are perfectly paired. No single ingredient outweighs another. And, the vinaigrette is tangy, sweet, and simply yummy. I started with the crispy pork belly with ratatouille. So freaking good. The sauce was rich and complemented the pork so nicely. And the veggy ratatouille was amazing. The care in chopping each of the veggy pieces so perfectly and consistently did not fall on blind eyes. The dish just looked beautiful. Next, my fiance had the Beef Daube. Man, oh man, after marinating these hunks of meaty goodness for days upon days in red wine, this was a carnivore's dream. Fall-apart goodness in a bowl of redwine glaze that made you want to lick the bowl clean. Even with my sweet 89-year-old British Nana's voice in my head reminding me of my manners, it was hard not to lick this stuff up. And the mashed potatoes were creamy and garlicy, a perfect pair to the beef. But my main was the real winner (if you can even compare the dishes). I had the Coral Infused Chitarra Pasta with Main Lobster, Sea Beans, and Lobster Jus. I love lobster. But this takes lobster to a whole other level. The pasta is handmade, pink, and delicious. The lobster chunks were plentiful. And the sauce. Oh, the sauce! Thick, creamy lobster sauce that is just incredibly rich and balanced. The sea beans add an extra salty crunch to the dish. Yum. For dessert, my man had the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake with Salted Ice Cream, which he said satisfied all of those cravings-- sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth-- in a single bite. I had the lavender beignets with chocolate sauce. Oh boy, these things were filled with a lavender cream that tasted oh so good. And the chocolate sauce just blew the beignets out of the water. While our meal was exquisite, what sets this place even further over the top is the service. We had two excellent servers, one at the beginning of the night, who gave us excellent app and entree suggestions, and one who took our table over after he and my fiance hit it off talking about cocktails. He ended up pairing every one of our dishes with a different wine, and surprised my fiance with an excellent special after-dinner drink at the end of our meal. He was so knowledgeable, and we were so impressed by his attentiveness. The meal was special to begin with, but the quality of the staff is impeccable. I can't wait to go back again!
Came here last weekend and the dining experience was simply phenomenal. Our server mike was friendly, greeted us and was passionate about the items on the menu. We didn't know where to start but he suggested the beet salad and octopus which were simply fantastic. For the main course I ordered the duck which was flavorful and juicy. Wine pairings were fantastic and mike helped us navigate through the crazy amount of options. To end the meal we ordered the chocolate souflee and it was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal. We will certainly be back
(4)
Qasim R.
While this place used to be one of my favorite places in Boston (had I reviewed it any of my previous visits here I would given it 5 stars), my last visit here dropped it down and I don't think I will be going here again considering there are plenty of other similar options in Boston. Went on a bit late this Monday, was a slow day and were immediately seated. The service was good/great but not over the top considering there were hardly any people there it could have been better Am only going to talk about the things that went wrong; -Wine glasses weren't clean which we noticed only after the wine had been poured (something I didn't expect from a place like this). -Steak (Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre) was no where near what it was the last time I had it (was thoroughly disappointed) -Duck (Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, Black Olives) was pretty good but was a bit undercooked than what I had ordered -Ordered a side of Pan Fried Mushrooms instead got Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes -Usually the desserts are amazing but ordered Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, which could have been a bit better -Made a request on the dessert to write happy birthday (as candles were not allowed), which they forgot Over all was very disappointed considering my previous great dining experiences here. Was not worth it all and am probably never going to try it again.
(1)
Tony S.
I swear I thought I was in London. It had the crisp, clean ambience of high end casual-but-classy eateries in London (for those of you that know Bibendum, you'll feel right at home here). It has an bodacious upstairs dining room, but during the day, if you're lucky, nothing beats the view of the Boston Common and the passersby as you sit at one of the outdoor tables and sip on an iced tea or other daytime cocktail. If you can't score a table, then opt for bar seating, as the view is just as great. Surprisingly good value for the money, considering the uber chicness of the place. 2 caesar salads (one plain, one with chicken), 2 iced teas, and 2 coffees came out to $42, all on prime-dine real-estate. Definately coming back here again. It adds such the breath of fresh air this city needs.
(4)
Randy M.
i think the chef was training for the marathon i will just go for the highlights.. the bread was a day or so old...the Bouillabaisse smelled so bad that you feared getting ill if you ate it....the rare cheeseburger was well done... the service was the cause of alot of this....gawd and on a Saturday might no less..
(1)
C N.
Everything about this place was 5 stars but we all agreed only 4 stars because of the waiter. He was pretentious and seemed to be irritated by our questions. The rest of the staff was very pleasant and helpful. The food was well executed and the decor is beautiful.
(4)
Thomas M.
My wife and I ate here last night. We both thought the food and the cocktails were outstanding (I had the bouillabaisse, she had the tagliatelle with lobster). The menu plays on southern French food in delightful ways. The staff was very nice and also knowledgable, and the atmosphere was upscale yet comfortable and inviting. I definitely recommend Bistro du Midi.
(5)
Kitty L.
SUPERB! Highly impressed. I had out-of-town guests (foodies with very high expectations) and I was tasked with choosing the restaurant for dinner. Had never been, but had heard very good things. Everything was spot-on. From the service (impeccable), to the food (everything was outstanding) to the ambiance - lovely warm french provincial - I loved it all. Standouts were the pork belly appetizer, scallop appetizer, monkfish entree and duck entree. So thrilled to find a spot that seems to do everything exceptionally well. In my line of work, I am always recommending restaurants a/o taking clients out, so it's of tremendous value to find a restaurant that exceeds expectations and one that I would be confidant recommending without hesitation. Grateful to all who made this such a wonderful dining experience. Planning to go back this week.
(5)
Todd C.
After reading a few of Bistro du Midi's stellar reviews, I decided to try it out for a late lunch. Service was excellent, as was the ambiance. I ended up ordering the Pissaladière for an appetizer. It was cooked perfectly, with flaky crust and a generous helping of anchovies. I ordered the Steak Frites, and although the fries were excellent, the steak itself was rather tough. To make matters worse, I had ordered it medium rare, but was served slices of steak that still had a pulse. The steak was also rather tough (due in no small part to the rareness). In fairness, my idea of medium rare might lean more towards medium, and I also did not raise the issue with my waiter (who was excellent), so this shouldn't count against Bistro du Midi too much. My other small gripe was over the price they charge for a Kronenbourg draft. While I have no complaints about the beer itself, Kronenbourg is more of a mass-market beer in Europe (slightly better than a Bud in my opinion). I know restaurants in general add crazy markups to booze in general (and beer and wine in particular), but $9 for a pint of Kronenbourg is pretty high. If they started offering something of a higher quality (anything Belgian like Chimay or Duvel), I would gladly shell out $9 (or more). I plan on checking out Bistro du Midi's dinner offerings in the future, so my review may end up being higher. Until then this place is still a solid choice, but if I had to do it over again I'd probably order the croque madame (which looked excellent).
(3)
Sarah P.
What a perfect place to grab a late lunch! Bistro du Midi is located right on the Public Garden and next to a La Perla boutique (ooo la la). Yesterday afternoon I was looking for something a little special and this hit the mark. The bartender,. Jenna, was absolutely lovely, and she helped me navigate the menu as well as conversing amicably throughout the meal ~ I enjoyed meeting her as much as my meal! I had a roasted squash soup, rich and flavorful, which was made even more special with the addition of chestnuts and a few fresh cranberries cooked into the soup that provided a wonderfully sour, contrasting pop to all that richness. I also enjoyed a cheese plate, beautifully prepared and generously presented with apricot, strawberries, pear and toasts. The provence rose was a perfect accompaniment to this array. I was actually quite full when I left but in a very happy, satisfied way, and I went on my merry way through the public gardens. I would go there again in a second. Highly recommended!
(5)
Evelyn S.
Excellent food and wine.
(4)
Richard C.
An easy burger to peg, plagued by many of the same issues of wannabe burgers from the past, the Bistro du Midi burger is merely ordinary. Too bad, this $15, "Black Angus Burger" sounds fine, available at the bar only, in what is a well respected establishment. But, as is often the case with well respected establishments and their burgers, not much thought is put into it, yet the price tag is advanced based on location and reputation of adjoining dishes on the menu. Everyone wants to serve a burger, I get it, but where's the love? We all want to join the Boston burger party but no one wants to be prepared. Maybe I'm taking this a bit too seriously, but then again, that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me or this blog. I'm serious about my burgers, maybe I should learn to lighten up. Then again maybe I'll lighten up for the next one. It's not a bad burger by any stretch, but a cliched example of the price killing any glimmer of respectability. You're paying for ambiance in a lovely restaurant, and location. What ever happened to paying for the product? It's more or less a $9 burger overcharged by about $6. Tasting like a pretty standard beef blend (chuck or sirloin most likely) it has modest seasoning and minimal beef flavor. The requested medium-rare is mostly honored, over-cooked around the edges but a rosy pink on the interior, it's neither overly juicy or completely dry. The fries, promised to be seasoned with Espelette Pepper, a common spice used by many pretentious chefs (kidding of course, it's wonderful) does nothing to live up to its mild heat and aroma teaser. Pale and less than optimal in the crunch factor, they are bland and devoid of pairing with most burgers, let alone a $15 one. Goat Cheese is an uncommon option to top a burger and one we couldn't pass up. It would have worked better had the beef flavor been more predominant, but instead it's all cheese and no beef. Ideally, the sharpness of the goat cheese would have paired beautifully with the salty and rich beef. Maybe in my perfect burger world, but this isn't it. The bun, in the much maligned Brioche neighborhood, is too large to work with the burger, and the addition of iceberg lettuce and raw red onion give it a Pub style feel I had hoped they'd want to avoid. Again, it's not an offensive burger, it's simply too plain Jane for the price tag that goes with it, surely a great setting to try something else on their extensive menu, but it's hard to recommend this burger.
(2)
Amanda B.
Went for a glass of wine pre-movie and wasn't that impressed. The wine was good (except for the good tablespoon of sediment at the bottom of my glass) and the server was very nice. The place was cute, but kind of seemed like a Disneyland French restaurant...it had all the right things, it just didn't feel right.
(2)
Alexandra H.
We had an elegant meal in a beautiful restaurant in Boston overlooking the Public Garden. Bistro Du Midi has exquisite food in a lovely setting with courtly service. Everything was fine. The appetizers are exceptional. My only comment to the slightly negative was my fellow guests ordered pork chops and there was basically nothing else on the plate except a bit of greenery and the chop. But all in all a superb meal celebrating the hopeful return of Boston to peaceful tranquility.
(4)
Marshall M.
I've been a few times and the food is always very good, the dining room (especially during the holiday season), lovely. Most recently we celebrated a friend's graduation. We were all enjoying a bottle of champagne when (their wine manager?) brought out the bottle of red I ordered. I politely asked him if he could maybe open it up to let it breathe and then pour it later after we were finished with our champagne. He very smugly replied that that doesn't do anything and it's best to get get it in the glass and proceeded to pour. I found this extremely pushy, inconsiderate, and rude. Honestly, we're guests at your restaurant. I don't think I would have been out of bounds if I asked him to shake the bottle up and serve it over ice, we're paying for it. I understand that it was a busy night in the holiday season and they had more physical tables in there than they have normally (all of them full), but this is no excuse. I think it was just because they were just so busy that night, but I could also have taken it that they were just trying to push more wine on us. In fact now that I think about it, at the time I still had an unfinished glass of red in front of me from the bar. I think part of being a good sommelier/wine director/buyer/etc. is being helpful without isolating or belittling your guests with an assumed lack of knowledge/appreciation. How about offering to decant it instead? I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't want to take away from the celebration in any way and I'm sure the grad didn't even notice. The rest of the night was fantastic though and our server was friendly and attentive.
(3)
AB H.
This place deserves its stars. We just had a best dinner of white asparagus soup with a two hour poached egg, the pea gnocchi with goat cheese (half portion), and the duck breast. All were perfectly cooked and delicious. We finished the meal with the chocolate ganache tart with coconut gelato - also amazingly good. We split all that, and I'm pretty full. I loved my 2nd floor view of the park. Wait staff was also very good, though our waiter forgot a drink at one point (really not OK at a fancy place like this). The did comp us the drink when they finally brought it.
(4)
Eric F.
Fantastic lunch spot with ample outdoor seating, top notch food, and excellent service! I tried the Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade and it was cooked perfectly - crispy edges with a flavorful, tender center. My friend had the Provencal Lamb Canneloni and he had nothing but praise for the dish. The soft bread and olive oil were also great starters and our waitress was very prompt with refills on both that and our waters. I'd also recommend pairing your meal with their 2003 Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence - it has a lush, floral body that reveals itself in layers and then lingers nicely in the finish. The quality of the food inspired much confidence in me and I'll absolutely be back for their brunch and dinner offerings.
(5)
Noah C.
I had a fantastic lunch here, marred only (and this seemed to be a trend in Boston) by spotty service. Though my food (steak frites and a small chopped salad) was fantastic, those two dishes are relatively easy to get right, if the ingredients are sourced and prepped properly (and they were). They came out relatively quickly, and, as I said, tasted great. The steak was properly rested, the fries crispy on the outside and pleasantly creamy on the inside. The sherry vinaigrette on the salad was flavorful. So my real gripe, then: I sat at the bar, and though the bartender was great (and was generous with his pours of bourbon), one of the managers just rubbed me the wrong way. When he offered me a basket of bread with a side dish of olive oil, I took him up on the offer. This seemed to annoy him. Well...why did you ask, then? He honestly looked like a corporate yuppie villain from any 80s movie - tight fitting suit with the top buttons open, Pat Riley circa 1985 hair slicked back, constant sneer on his face. He semi-slammed the break basket down next to me and walked away in a huff. Dude! Seriously? The bartender, though, as I said, was great. I'd come back here again for lunch or dinner if I ever make my way back to Boston. Hopefully, though, yuppie boy won't be the manager at that point.
(4)
Niko X.
Having never been to Provence I can only speculate on the authenticity here... but everything from the goat cheese and beet salad to the shellfish bouillabaisse was so amazing, it doesn't even matter. Compared with the food, the atmosphere of this restaurant is nearly equally notable. The downstairs is open air with a tapas bar feel, and a slightly different menu. We sat upstairs in the more formal dining area and had the pleasure of sitting in the far corner in the bay window overlooking Boston's public garden at dusk. Get this table if you can! The dining room is large and uncrowded and decorated in a comfortable sophistication I'm not able to quite describe in words. It somehow is equally appropriate for a romantic date night, a family meal (including well behaved children), and a group of old friends reconnecting. (all of these categories were represented the night I visited). Finally, this is one of those rare restaurants where the food is king, all the staff are passionate about it--and then some, and extra special appreciation is shown to those diners who either appear to "get it", or desperately seek to.
(5)
Maria D.
Sat night, excellent customer service, food & wine very good. Bread sticks with rosemary and bread a great start. Yellow fin tuna melted in my mouth as did the rib eye steak & baby brussel sprouts. Bouillabaisse was simply a thing of beauty in terms of presentation and flavor. Chocolate souffle was out of this world ! Overall a great dining experience. Plan to revisit the bar for a glass of red wine & chocolate souffle next time I'm in town craving something sweet!
(5)
Michael R.
Bistro Du Midi has become my wife and my tradition for anniversary dinners and would invariably we'd go more often if not for price. There are basically two parts to the restaurant, the bar area and the upstairs dining room, each with their own charm. This restaurant, unlike some others, actually reads notes posted in OpenTable.com reservations. When I put in that the dinner would be for our 2 year anniversary, they actually brought a card to the table for us. A very nice touch. The bar is a pretty laid-back atmosphere with a handful of tables and its own menu. Of course you can still order from the upstairs menu as well. The bar features a good cocktail list with some unique drinks and the service is impeccable. The upstairs dining room is pretty classic white tablecloth class. It also features a fireplace and I believe a private dining room. We usually start with the barbajuans, which are kind of like croquettes. Make sure you have the goat cheese and honey ones, which are fantastic. Don't miss out on the fried artichokes as well. That said, my personal favorite is the spicy lamb tartare, which comes with a cute little raw quail egg yolk in its shell perched atop a bed of sea salt and comes with toast points. I've never had anything like it. For the main course, the beef daube has a brisket-y texture to it in that it is will fall apart with tenderness. Served in a great sauce it is delicious. Bottom line, if you are looking for a romantic dinner, or just want to impress someone, go to Bistro Du Midi. If you're looking for a place to meet friends and have a little upscale good food in a more relaxed environment, check out the bar. Bon app!
(5)
Aboud Y.
Awfully good and well executed. I'm definitely a fan (their octopus app and duck breast entree are unbelievable). I'll be back.
(4)
Heather R.
Waitstaff is intense and rude. menu was mediocre...food quality was mediocre. Definitely better options out there...
(2)
Jess B.
Very pleased all around. The service from each employee we encountered was top notch. They have a heated coat closet which we certainly appreciated on leaving. The food was excellent. We ordered the five course meal and they were able to accommodate a few special requests. The souffle and the celery soup in particular were both amazing. The atmosphere was very loud. In particular we were near a few large groups that were discourteous to other diners. It would have been nice if the manager had noticed and spoken with them nicely. The view is lovely, overlooking the Boston Commons gardens and the pond. I feel like we got our money's worth and am very satisfied.
(5)
Vivian H.
Really cute place. We'd come by to try the souffle but oops they don't have that before 5pm. So we just had a coffee and hot chocolate. And it was the best hot chocolate I've ever had. Coming back for dinner (and that damn souffle) for sure!
(4)
Ted K.
Well I hate to have to write this but.... Hands down my worst dining experience in Boston. We wanted to go French on a sat eve and we live not far away (North End) so we debated le voile or bistro du midi .... I can say we will not return. We walked in ready to sit at a table or the bar. I knew we had no reservation but didn't know what they had in store for us! The hostess started that she had no seating but we could have a drink at the bar and we said were happy to play it cool. After just ordering our drink she came over and told us she had a seat for us and to settle up..odd delivery but all good and we took her up on it. As I turned I took a sip of my beer and some piece of junk was in my mouth... I looked at my wife..shrugged my shoulders and soldered on. We sat at the table and I can't lie hey have a great decorator and a nice view of the common but..... I looked over after a few more sips of my beer and low and behold seriously dirty glass lipstick and caked junk on the rim... guess that is what I felt.. Waitress was nice and we eat out often so she asked about any questions on the menu and I said I don't tend to do this but.... My glass is a hot mess! She apologized and suggested a new beer I agreed, we continued with menu questions... As we were siting downstairs, I asked what is the difference was between the Bistro menu steak and frites and the steak au poirve?.. same cut same steak I am told by the server. My wife asked a question about the au gratin and decided on that as her side with the monkfish as her main... I ordered a side of ratatouille. Waitress left... She popped back in a few minutes asking if I wanted a new beer ( I thought that was resolved) I said sure and she took the drink with her... My signal I should have walked out.. She delivered a half full beer a draft beer (Kronenbourg1664).. As if I had my wife drink out of it then tried to get a full beer, shameful, but I digress. Anyway, I ordered the bistro steak and frites w/ ratatouille my wife ordered the monkfish and the au gratin... remember that?? Steak posted and it was honestly pretty poor.... Fatty and poorly cooked ( recall I did ask about the steak and I was told they are the "same") but the real shocker were the Sysco fries. Well I figured whatever but to top the night off they delivered a order of ratatouille to my wife (she ordered the au gratin) and my ratatouille to me. Waitress now in a tailspin said something which I cannot recall... But I had to pipe up that she didn't order the ratatouille so clearly servers are not adept at handling issues. In the end food was very underwhelming minus one star... Location gets a star no matter how you slice it The handling of the glass situation another star strike... Place has potential but clearly staff issues plague their operation - In the end if she told me the au poivre was better I would have ordered it .. regardless of price... (hello up sell on your check, server school 101) - As for the beer handling incident, don't make someone feel bad for your dirty dishes.. - Server training needs to occur here. My wife went back once for a work meal... I have yet to...
(2)
Andrew L.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Food, service, drinks, and desserts - all fantastic. The bartenders go out of their way to make creative, delicious cocktails, and food selection and quality are perfect. I have to say that I don't typically eat dessert. I don't have a huge appetite and will gingerly look at the menu to be polite and imagine that dessert was lovely. But the desserts at Bistro du Midi are incredible! I sometimes come here just for dessert. Lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce and made-to-order souffles - yes please!
(5)
Sarah A.
Stopped in here last night to enjoy dinner on the patio. Note that they do not take reservations for the patio seating at the downstairs bar area. I showed up around 5:45 to make sure we were able to get a table and was plesantly surprised when I saw several nice options available. We were seated right next to the edge of the patio and had a nice view partially overlooking the swan boats on the Boston Common. The food was excellent. I had the angus burger, with gruyere. The burger comes with a generous side of spicy fries. My friend had the salmon with a side of fries. I love how they bring a whole tray of condiments with the burger including ketchup, onions and mayo in cute, individual bowls. The brioche roll of my burger was amazing and it was cooked to my specification. I also loved that the fries were served piping hot and fresh. We had perfect weather for patio seating, were not bothered by the sun and even though we were seated close to other patrons, there was enough background nosie so that we weren't overwhelmed by other people's conversations. However, I have a few bones to pick with Bistrot du Midi. Firstly, I was overcharged for my wine. It was $10 on the menu but I was charged $12. I wasn't going to make a big deal, but seriously. Not right. Secondly, after we had finished our meal and were lingering over our coffee, an employee (I am assuming the manager) asked us to move from our table to a high-top closer to the bar so that they could seat a party of 4 on the patio by combining our table with the table of a couple who'd just left. Now, I realize that we were basically done and were just lingering, but I found this rather off-putting. The employee was nice about it and got us new waters for our new location, but it definitely put a damper on the whole experience. Also, I found the service less than stellar. The waiter said he'd get a spoon for my friend's coffee, but never came back with one, so she had to use her cocktail stick to stir her coffee. Also, while other people had breadsticks in their bread baskets, we got only bread. Not sure what was up with that, but I really enjoy the bread basket here and was disappointed not to get the breadsticks. However, I am still keeping a 4 star rating for Bistrot du Midi. Excellent food, great location.
(4)
N W.
I can not say enough good things about this restaurant. Great food, informed waitstaff, helpful sommelier, and fantastic location.
(5)
Micah B.
This was the highlight of my trip! French food can go wrong in so many ways and I was a little worried about wasting a night out on mediocre food. But i had nothing to worry about. The olive and eggplant tapinades were a delicious way to start. The duck breast was cooked perfectly and the gnocchi that came with it were crisply caramelized on the outside and light and creamy on the inside. But the best part was the Grand Marnier souffle. Do not miss it. It was like a huge steaming hot fluffy marshmallow served with a delicious orange sauce. It looked so big I didn't think I'd be able to finish it but it quickly disappeared. This is a beautiful restaurant with a great view, friendly service and great food.
(5)
Yang G.
Took a friend there for a dinner, and it was awesome. The duck breast was amazing... probably the best that I've ever had. The cod was quite good as well, tender and moist. We were seated by the window, and atmosphere, the view outside, along with the glow from the lights in the trees, was all beautiful. I just wish they served creme brulee for desert... :(
(5)
SunnyDay D.
... our go to "date night" place! This is one of the best kept secrets (assuming that b/c you're reading this review you don't know about it)! LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. The food is to DIE for. We talk about this place EVERY TIME we are with friends outside the city and they are all dying to come! Great food, great wine and wine list, great drinks! The service is impeccable as well. Love the open window/patio option--makes you feel as though you aren't even in Boston. We usually share a Cesar salad, and then each have our own meals (on of which usually either the boar, or the lobster) and half way through switch. The pasta is made in house and is absolutely some of the best pasta I've EVER had! (sorry north end, nothing yet, has rivaled this!). There's bread and bread sticks --which are in the coolest, sleekest display!! If you haven't been, you're missing out! Worth every penny--you will savor EVERY BITE!!!
(5)
S. M. S.
Yuck. Travesty of French food style. Great service though :/
(2)
Kathy M.
I have been to both the upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar/cafe a few times and have thought the food and service was fabulous. Today's experience was a disaster. Took a friend who had never been there out to lunch. After we placed our cocktail and food order, we were essentially ignored. The cocktails we didn't come until 25 minutes later, a minute or two AFTER our meal was served. i was disappointed in my Salad Niçoise. For $18, I expected more variety and taste - there were no green beans -- I had to ask for some. And capers and olives would have added a nice Provencal "kick". My friend had the salmon, which was excellent. People who arrived after us had much better service and got their food way before we did. I wonder if they had an "in" with the kitchen and were prioritized. By the time the check came and we were offered free desserts, I was ready to leave. Would have been nice if our drinks had been comped. I can't remember the last time I left less than a 20% tip, but I did so today. There was no excuse for horrible service.
(2)
Emma L.
When my husband and I go on vacation, we always like to choose one nice restaurant to eat at that's unique to the city. We were very pleased with our choice of Bistro du Midi. Andrew was our server and was very attentive and knowledgable of the food. We chose to do the 5 course chef's choice meal. It did not disappoint. We didn't get the exact same thing with a few of the courses so that made the meal interesting. I would highly recommend this option. Their wine selection is phenomenal. Definitely a winner!
(5)
Paul J.
Great food, service and experience.
(5)
Lou P.
It was our first time, and our experience was fabulous. We started with vodka martinis, and shared a 2004 Vino Nobile with dinner. Appetizers were delicious. We ordered 1/2 portions of two different pasta dishes, tried the lamb tartar. They were all outstanding. The entrees were exceptional. We ordered steak au poivre, wild boar, cioppino, and the duck. All were full of flavor and properly prepared. We finished the evening off with coffee, cappuccino, and grand mariner souffles. The location, next to the Four Seasons, across the street from the public gardens, could not be better. We were fortunate to find street-side parking, and didn't use the valet service.
(5)
Katie H.
I made a last minute 5:30 PM reservation for Saturday on Open Table since my sweetie and I couldn't figure out what we wanted to do. I read this place was one of the Top 50 restaurants in Boston Mag so it was already on ma to-do list. I also got food poisoning last weekend and drank chicken broth all week so my taste buds were like DYING for a foodie adventure. We get there and.. well, first impression, no one greets guests at the front desk but the staff are running around like they are choreographing a royal wedding and there are like 5 people in the restaurant so already I am worried Bistro thinks its too cool to be great... 10 minutes later the front desk sends us to the host desk upstairs. Right away we get a window seat, which is a nice view of Boston Common. Things are improving. My sweetie ordered bottled water since he's going in for surgery later and he can't drink wine. I thought the bottled water in an ice bucket was a classy touch until the other servers started dumping extra tap water in there. Weird. Then one of them poured tap water in his glass of bottled water and dumped the rest in our ice bucket. Weirder still. I ordered a cocktail, the Pentaque, which is a lavender and citrus-infused white tequila (ma fav) with triple sec (I substituted Cointreau) and fresh lemon and lime juice. Love, love, LOVE the Pentaque so I had deux!!! :) The waiter mentioned souffle dessert and 20 minutes and I know what I like so I said, "Grand Marnier, please!" My sweetie ordered the chocolate souffle. Now on to appetizers, I wanted the tuna tartare, sweetie wanted the same. Boring! So I let the waiter convince me on the salted cod special ($30). It was not what I nor the waiter expected (comic moment!) as it was a cod puree mixed in buttery mashed potatoes. Why it was served with burnt bread slices was beyond me since I don't think of mashed potatoes as a bread spread like butter or creamy cheeses or olive tapenade. Oh my, please let our entrees be good! For dinner, my sweetie ordered pan roasted cod with chickpeas, pimentos, golden raisins and chorizo. He also ordered a side of pan fried mushrooms. He said the cod was rather bland but he really liked the mushrooms. I ordered coral-infused chitarra pasta with Maine lobster, sea beans and lobster jus. My pasta was delicious but the lobster pieces were skimpy so I added a few pan friend mushrooms on top. That took ma pasta from good to great. Finally, dessert! My Grand Marnier was good but I think the cream sauce that went with the chocolate souffle was better than the Grand Marnier syrup I got. Sadly, my sweetie's chocolate souffle hadn't finished cooking as the center was pure liquid. The server tried to convince him it was molten in the center but it looked more like a dollop of chocolate pudding floating in brown water. He wouldn't eat it and since the server didn't remove it from our bill I asked him if he would. Total bill with 20% tip was $200. Would go back for the Pentaque but that's it. Would try their brunch since I heard it is pretty good.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Sarah P.
What a perfect place to grab a late lunch! Bistro du Midi is located right on the Public Garden and next to a La Perla boutique (ooo la la). Yesterday afternoon I was looking for something a little special and this hit the mark. The bartender,. Jenna, was absolutely lovely, and she helped me navigate the menu as well as conversing amicably throughout the meal ~ I enjoyed meeting her as much as my meal! I had a roasted squash soup, rich and flavorful, which was made even more special with the addition of chestnuts and a few fresh cranberries cooked into the soup that provided a wonderfully sour, contrasting pop to all that richness. I also enjoyed a cheese plate, beautifully prepared and generously presented with apricot, strawberries, pear and toasts. The provence rose was a perfect accompaniment to this array. I was actually quite full when I left but in a very happy, satisfied way, and I went on my merry way through the public gardens. I would go there again in a second. Highly recommended!
(5)Brad R.
Excellent location for outdoor people-watching. Solid wine list which is about 20 pages deep. Food presentation and ambiance with music is perfect for a quaint little lunch. Beer list is pretty wimpy with only 5 beers available. One local microbrew and the rest lager imports. The croquet mosieur is amazing. Great during summer, overlooking the park sitting in the shade with a cool breeze.
(4)Marion M.
Favorite restaurant. Ever. Good for pretty much everything: drinks, brunch with friends, delicious upscale dinner, etc. Beautiful location overlooking the Public Garden (which is great since there's outdoor seating late spring-early fall), easy to get to as well. Have the goat cheese/honey barbajuans (puff pastry pillows) and the tuna tartare. I usually hate fish and seafood in general but that tuna tartare was absurdly good. Can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes - most are made from scratch and hand rolled in house. If you're seated by the giant window into the kitchen, you can watch them make it. For dessert, get the chocolate souffle. Make sure you order it with your meal since it takes 25 minutes to prepare and bake fresh for you. They have a wine cellar two stories tall and the most experienced and charming waitstaff I've ever encountered. Really, I can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)Lala I.
we went to bistro du midi for restaurant week tonight. i wasnt impressed by the food, but the service was great. the waiter was super attentive and polite. my water/wine was never less than half full. we lost track of time at the end of meal cuz we were too drawn into our convo and it was already mid-night; nobody ever told us to leave or made us feel uncomfortable of staying. the ambience is supposed to be romantic and classy, but i felt really comfortable and cozy. we started off with a bottle of riesling and followed by steamed mussels, hake, and ginaduja palette. my dessert, the best thing ive had all night and probably one of the best desserts iv had in a restaurant recently: ginaduja palette, hazelnut ice cream oh la la it was so good. super creamy and rich hazelnut flavor!!! loved it!
(3)Sam T.
Bistro du Midi was an unexpected treat, after an afternoon of walking and sight seeing around the Boston Common area. We came upon this spot towards dinner time and decided to grab something to eat. After a short wait, the maitre d' informed us, that we could be seated right away, but we had to finish, in about 90 minutes, due to a reservation. We were okay with that, so we were brought up to the second floor, corner table, with a great view, of the street and the Boston Common Park. The service was good and my seared duck breast with swiss chard, black olives, and gnocci was exquisite. The duck was succulent and flavorful. The sauce was delicious and went well with the chard and gnocci. We were not rushed at all, even when we went overtime a bit. Overall the best surprise on the trip to Boston.
(5)AD S.
Also went here for restaurant week--take that for what you will, but we had an appetizer (pate), flat-iron steak, and desert cake for $38. The food was quite good, though in relatively modest portions. Due to high cost (I think $10-14), I skipped the cocktails, though I sipped my friends' and they were quite good as well. The space is nice, and well located in the city. Service was attentive, though I felt the server and even the host would not take seriously four people coming in just for the restaurant week sample (particularly after one of my friends butchered some French words on the menu). The latter point is not that big of a deal, but it just serves my point--this is not my kind of place. I like good food, but not to the tune of $30+ and leaving only moderately full. Further, one can't have more than one drink without adding substantially to the bill (again, not my style). It would be a nice place to take a date--cocktails and desert would be nice, though probably in excess of $60.
(3)Lindsey E.
Went for restaurant week. Food was ok but nothing special. Near the end of my meal I asked for a glass of red wine. The waiter immediately suggested a pinot noir. He brought the wine over in the bottle and gave me a generous pour and even some to my date to finish the bottle. The wine was above room temperature (very warm) and actually gritty. I'm sure the bottle had been sitting open at the bar for days. It was by far the worst glass of wine I have ever had. Then the check comes and it was $15. You think a restaurant that has a table of contents for its wine menu would have a little more respect for the wine they serve. Clearly, they have no trouble pawning bad product off onto customers and charging an insane amount.
(2)Ashley P.
While the restaurant on a whole is quite good, the chocolate soufflé was really something to write home about. Rich, decadent chocolate formed a creamy pudding at the base of a perfectly fluffy plume of soufflé. The creme anglaise finished it off perfectly. If you go to Bistro du Midi, do be sure to save room for this delicious dessert.
(4)rachel c.
Excellent Foie Gras- much appreciated from a CA girl where it is no longer alllowed. Glad to see part of the US still has some liberty!
(5)Ryan V.
Ou la la c'est cher!! I was referred from my coworker who produces TV Diner shows to check this French restaurant. She mentioned that this was a great place to go that won't 'break-the-bank' in terms of French cuisine. Lucky for me she mentioned that the time frame I was going on happened to be "restaurant-week' meaning there was a pre-fixed menu which was a great deal. I ordered from the pre-fixed menu which was a three-course meal. For starters you had a choice of soup so I order the French Onion of course. The soup met my expectations but didn't blow me away. I couldn't remember what the name was for the main course but it consisted of linguine pasta with seafood and a spicy sauce. I was disappointed with it since the pasta was slightly under cooked from being al-dente and the seafood was so tiny you weren't sure what you were eating. For dessert, I got the Tarte Tropézienne which was decent. My entire meal cost only $33 but could've been more if it wasn't "Restaurant week". My fiance ordered the "Seared Foie Gras, Green Apples, Grapes, Ginger Bread" and the "Goat Cheese Gnocchi, Haricots Verts, Pistou". Both meals was decent but not mind-blowing. The overall atmosphere matched my expectations. The first floor was a trendy bar type of environment and if you wanted to dine with a little bit of class the second floor catered to that. They have a full service bar and would make anything you want that's not on the drink menu. Parking was a pain-in-the a$$. Street parking was none to be found and the only available parking was in the hotel garage which was 3 blocks away from the restaurant. It loses a star in terms of parking. If it wasn't for "Restaurant Week" this place could've been expensive. ~Fin~
(3)Tony L.
Great wine list, excellent tuna tartar and a pretty impressive angus burger.
(5)Evelyn S.
Excellent food and wine.
(4)Lisa I.
I came here for a big group event, and was NOT impressed. The service was awful. We had 1 waiter for a party of 20+, which wasn't sufficient. They were extremely slow to take our orders, bring our drinks, etc. I actually asked the manager to see if they could get some additional help for our party (given our size), but things didn't improve. Service was very slow throughout the evening. The food itself was very mediocre, which was disappointing, considering the menu looked awesome. Will not be back.
(2)Julianna G.
I go out for nice dinners every one to two months and this place is the best! We went for Valentines day and we still say it is the best meal we have ever had in Boston. Service is awesome, little up tight but the staff is watched closely by the managers (which is fine). Just wish they could make it a little bit more personable. I will still give them 5 stars. The wine was fantastic and so were the drinks we had downstairs before dinner. We are going for restaurant week next week bc its just that good.
(5)Richard C.
An easy burger to peg, plagued by many of the same issues of wannabe burgers from the past, the Bistro du Midi burger is merely ordinary. Too bad, this $15, "Black Angus Burger" sounds fine, available at the bar only, in what is a well respected establishment. But, as is often the case with well respected establishments and their burgers, not much thought is put into it, yet the price tag is advanced based on location and reputation of adjoining dishes on the menu. Everyone wants to serve a burger, I get it, but where's the love? We all want to join the Boston burger party but no one wants to be prepared. Maybe I'm taking this a bit too seriously, but then again, that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me or this blog. I'm serious about my burgers, maybe I should learn to lighten up. Then again maybe I'll lighten up for the next one. It's not a bad burger by any stretch, but a cliched example of the price killing any glimmer of respectability. You're paying for ambiance in a lovely restaurant, and location. What ever happened to paying for the product? It's more or less a $9 burger overcharged by about $6. Tasting like a pretty standard beef blend (chuck or sirloin most likely) it has modest seasoning and minimal beef flavor. The requested medium-rare is mostly honored, over-cooked around the edges but a rosy pink on the interior, it's neither overly juicy or completely dry. The fries, promised to be seasoned with Espelette Pepper, a common spice used by many pretentious chefs (kidding of course, it's wonderful) does nothing to live up to its mild heat and aroma teaser. Pale and less than optimal in the crunch factor, they are bland and devoid of pairing with most burgers, let alone a $15 one. Goat Cheese is an uncommon option to top a burger and one we couldn't pass up. It would have worked better had the beef flavor been more predominant, but instead it's all cheese and no beef. Ideally, the sharpness of the goat cheese would have paired beautifully with the salty and rich beef. Maybe in my perfect burger world, but this isn't it. The bun, in the much maligned Brioche neighborhood, is too large to work with the burger, and the addition of iceberg lettuce and raw red onion give it a Pub style feel I had hoped they'd want to avoid. Again, it's not an offensive burger, it's simply too plain Jane for the price tag that goes with it, surely a great setting to try something else on their extensive menu, but it's hard to recommend this burger.
(2)Amanda B.
Went for a glass of wine pre-movie and wasn't that impressed. The wine was good (except for the good tablespoon of sediment at the bottom of my glass) and the server was very nice. The place was cute, but kind of seemed like a Disneyland French restaurant...it had all the right things, it just didn't feel right.
(2)Alexandra H.
We had an elegant meal in a beautiful restaurant in Boston overlooking the Public Garden. Bistro Du Midi has exquisite food in a lovely setting with courtly service. Everything was fine. The appetizers are exceptional. My only comment to the slightly negative was my fellow guests ordered pork chops and there was basically nothing else on the plate except a bit of greenery and the chop. But all in all a superb meal celebrating the hopeful return of Boston to peaceful tranquility.
(4)Marshall M.
I've been a few times and the food is always very good, the dining room (especially during the holiday season), lovely. Most recently we celebrated a friend's graduation. We were all enjoying a bottle of champagne when (their wine manager?) brought out the bottle of red I ordered. I politely asked him if he could maybe open it up to let it breathe and then pour it later after we were finished with our champagne. He very smugly replied that that doesn't do anything and it's best to get get it in the glass and proceeded to pour. I found this extremely pushy, inconsiderate, and rude. Honestly, we're guests at your restaurant. I don't think I would have been out of bounds if I asked him to shake the bottle up and serve it over ice, we're paying for it. I understand that it was a busy night in the holiday season and they had more physical tables in there than they have normally (all of them full), but this is no excuse. I think it was just because they were just so busy that night, but I could also have taken it that they were just trying to push more wine on us. In fact now that I think about it, at the time I still had an unfinished glass of red in front of me from the bar. I think part of being a good sommelier/wine director/buyer/etc. is being helpful without isolating or belittling your guests with an assumed lack of knowledge/appreciation. How about offering to decant it instead? I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't want to take away from the celebration in any way and I'm sure the grad didn't even notice. The rest of the night was fantastic though and our server was friendly and attentive.
(3)AB H.
This place deserves its stars. We just had a best dinner of white asparagus soup with a two hour poached egg, the pea gnocchi with goat cheese (half portion), and the duck breast. All were perfectly cooked and delicious. We finished the meal with the chocolate ganache tart with coconut gelato - also amazingly good. We split all that, and I'm pretty full. I loved my 2nd floor view of the park. Wait staff was also very good, though our waiter forgot a drink at one point (really not OK at a fancy place like this). The did comp us the drink when they finally brought it.
(4)Eric F.
Fantastic lunch spot with ample outdoor seating, top notch food, and excellent service! I tried the Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade and it was cooked perfectly - crispy edges with a flavorful, tender center. My friend had the Provencal Lamb Canneloni and he had nothing but praise for the dish. The soft bread and olive oil were also great starters and our waitress was very prompt with refills on both that and our waters. I'd also recommend pairing your meal with their 2003 Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence - it has a lush, floral body that reveals itself in layers and then lingers nicely in the finish. The quality of the food inspired much confidence in me and I'll absolutely be back for their brunch and dinner offerings.
(5)Noah C.
I had a fantastic lunch here, marred only (and this seemed to be a trend in Boston) by spotty service. Though my food (steak frites and a small chopped salad) was fantastic, those two dishes are relatively easy to get right, if the ingredients are sourced and prepped properly (and they were). They came out relatively quickly, and, as I said, tasted great. The steak was properly rested, the fries crispy on the outside and pleasantly creamy on the inside. The sherry vinaigrette on the salad was flavorful. So my real gripe, then: I sat at the bar, and though the bartender was great (and was generous with his pours of bourbon), one of the managers just rubbed me the wrong way. When he offered me a basket of bread with a side dish of olive oil, I took him up on the offer. This seemed to annoy him. Well...why did you ask, then? He honestly looked like a corporate yuppie villain from any 80s movie - tight fitting suit with the top buttons open, Pat Riley circa 1985 hair slicked back, constant sneer on his face. He semi-slammed the break basket down next to me and walked away in a huff. Dude! Seriously? The bartender, though, as I said, was great. I'd come back here again for lunch or dinner if I ever make my way back to Boston. Hopefully, though, yuppie boy won't be the manager at that point.
(4)Niko X.
Having never been to Provence I can only speculate on the authenticity here... but everything from the goat cheese and beet salad to the shellfish bouillabaisse was so amazing, it doesn't even matter. Compared with the food, the atmosphere of this restaurant is nearly equally notable. The downstairs is open air with a tapas bar feel, and a slightly different menu. We sat upstairs in the more formal dining area and had the pleasure of sitting in the far corner in the bay window overlooking Boston's public garden at dusk. Get this table if you can! The dining room is large and uncrowded and decorated in a comfortable sophistication I'm not able to quite describe in words. It somehow is equally appropriate for a romantic date night, a family meal (including well behaved children), and a group of old friends reconnecting. (all of these categories were represented the night I visited). Finally, this is one of those rare restaurants where the food is king, all the staff are passionate about it--and then some, and extra special appreciation is shown to those diners who either appear to "get it", or desperately seek to.
(5)Maria D.
Sat night, excellent customer service, food & wine very good. Bread sticks with rosemary and bread a great start. Yellow fin tuna melted in my mouth as did the rib eye steak & baby brussel sprouts. Bouillabaisse was simply a thing of beauty in terms of presentation and flavor. Chocolate souffle was out of this world ! Overall a great dining experience. Plan to revisit the bar for a glass of red wine & chocolate souffle next time I'm in town craving something sweet!
(5)Michael R.
Bistro Du Midi has become my wife and my tradition for anniversary dinners and would invariably we'd go more often if not for price. There are basically two parts to the restaurant, the bar area and the upstairs dining room, each with their own charm. This restaurant, unlike some others, actually reads notes posted in OpenTable.com reservations. When I put in that the dinner would be for our 2 year anniversary, they actually brought a card to the table for us. A very nice touch. The bar is a pretty laid-back atmosphere with a handful of tables and its own menu. Of course you can still order from the upstairs menu as well. The bar features a good cocktail list with some unique drinks and the service is impeccable. The upstairs dining room is pretty classic white tablecloth class. It also features a fireplace and I believe a private dining room. We usually start with the barbajuans, which are kind of like croquettes. Make sure you have the goat cheese and honey ones, which are fantastic. Don't miss out on the fried artichokes as well. That said, my personal favorite is the spicy lamb tartare, which comes with a cute little raw quail egg yolk in its shell perched atop a bed of sea salt and comes with toast points. I've never had anything like it. For the main course, the beef daube has a brisket-y texture to it in that it is will fall apart with tenderness. Served in a great sauce it is delicious. Bottom line, if you are looking for a romantic dinner, or just want to impress someone, go to Bistro Du Midi. If you're looking for a place to meet friends and have a little upscale good food in a more relaxed environment, check out the bar. Bon app!
(5)Aboud Y.
Awfully good and well executed. I'm definitely a fan (their octopus app and duck breast entree are unbelievable). I'll be back.
(4)Heather R.
Waitstaff is intense and rude. menu was mediocre...food quality was mediocre. Definitely better options out there...
(2)Jess B.
Very pleased all around. The service from each employee we encountered was top notch. They have a heated coat closet which we certainly appreciated on leaving. The food was excellent. We ordered the five course meal and they were able to accommodate a few special requests. The souffle and the celery soup in particular were both amazing. The atmosphere was very loud. In particular we were near a few large groups that were discourteous to other diners. It would have been nice if the manager had noticed and spoken with them nicely. The view is lovely, overlooking the Boston Commons gardens and the pond. I feel like we got our money's worth and am very satisfied.
(5)Vivian H.
Really cute place. We'd come by to try the souffle but oops they don't have that before 5pm. So we just had a coffee and hot chocolate. And it was the best hot chocolate I've ever had. Coming back for dinner (and that damn souffle) for sure!
(4)Ted K.
Well I hate to have to write this but.... Hands down my worst dining experience in Boston. We wanted to go French on a sat eve and we live not far away (North End) so we debated le voile or bistro du midi .... I can say we will not return. We walked in ready to sit at a table or the bar. I knew we had no reservation but didn't know what they had in store for us! The hostess started that she had no seating but we could have a drink at the bar and we said were happy to play it cool. After just ordering our drink she came over and told us she had a seat for us and to settle up..odd delivery but all good and we took her up on it. As I turned I took a sip of my beer and some piece of junk was in my mouth... I looked at my wife..shrugged my shoulders and soldered on. We sat at the table and I can't lie hey have a great decorator and a nice view of the common but..... I looked over after a few more sips of my beer and low and behold seriously dirty glass lipstick and caked junk on the rim... guess that is what I felt.. Waitress was nice and we eat out often so she asked about any questions on the menu and I said I don't tend to do this but.... My glass is a hot mess! She apologized and suggested a new beer I agreed, we continued with menu questions... As we were siting downstairs, I asked what is the difference was between the Bistro menu steak and frites and the steak au poirve?.. same cut same steak I am told by the server. My wife asked a question about the au gratin and decided on that as her side with the monkfish as her main... I ordered a side of ratatouille. Waitress left... She popped back in a few minutes asking if I wanted a new beer ( I thought that was resolved) I said sure and she took the drink with her... My signal I should have walked out.. She delivered a half full beer a draft beer (Kronenbourg1664).. As if I had my wife drink out of it then tried to get a full beer, shameful, but I digress. Anyway, I ordered the bistro steak and frites w/ ratatouille my wife ordered the monkfish and the au gratin... remember that?? Steak posted and it was honestly pretty poor.... Fatty and poorly cooked ( recall I did ask about the steak and I was told they are the "same") but the real shocker were the Sysco fries. Well I figured whatever but to top the night off they delivered a order of ratatouille to my wife (she ordered the au gratin) and my ratatouille to me. Waitress now in a tailspin said something which I cannot recall... But I had to pipe up that she didn't order the ratatouille so clearly servers are not adept at handling issues. In the end food was very underwhelming minus one star... Location gets a star no matter how you slice it The handling of the glass situation another star strike... Place has potential but clearly staff issues plague their operation - In the end if she told me the au poivre was better I would have ordered it .. regardless of price... (hello up sell on your check, server school 101) - As for the beer handling incident, don't make someone feel bad for your dirty dishes.. - Server training needs to occur here. My wife went back once for a work meal... I have yet to...
(2)Andrew L.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Food, service, drinks, and desserts - all fantastic. The bartenders go out of their way to make creative, delicious cocktails, and food selection and quality are perfect. I have to say that I don't typically eat dessert. I don't have a huge appetite and will gingerly look at the menu to be polite and imagine that dessert was lovely. But the desserts at Bistro du Midi are incredible! I sometimes come here just for dessert. Lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce and made-to-order souffles - yes please!
(5)Sarah A.
Stopped in here last night to enjoy dinner on the patio. Note that they do not take reservations for the patio seating at the downstairs bar area. I showed up around 5:45 to make sure we were able to get a table and was plesantly surprised when I saw several nice options available. We were seated right next to the edge of the patio and had a nice view partially overlooking the swan boats on the Boston Common. The food was excellent. I had the angus burger, with gruyere. The burger comes with a generous side of spicy fries. My friend had the salmon with a side of fries. I love how they bring a whole tray of condiments with the burger including ketchup, onions and mayo in cute, individual bowls. The brioche roll of my burger was amazing and it was cooked to my specification. I also loved that the fries were served piping hot and fresh. We had perfect weather for patio seating, were not bothered by the sun and even though we were seated close to other patrons, there was enough background nosie so that we weren't overwhelmed by other people's conversations. However, I have a few bones to pick with Bistrot du Midi. Firstly, I was overcharged for my wine. It was $10 on the menu but I was charged $12. I wasn't going to make a big deal, but seriously. Not right. Secondly, after we had finished our meal and were lingering over our coffee, an employee (I am assuming the manager) asked us to move from our table to a high-top closer to the bar so that they could seat a party of 4 on the patio by combining our table with the table of a couple who'd just left. Now, I realize that we were basically done and were just lingering, but I found this rather off-putting. The employee was nice about it and got us new waters for our new location, but it definitely put a damper on the whole experience. Also, I found the service less than stellar. The waiter said he'd get a spoon for my friend's coffee, but never came back with one, so she had to use her cocktail stick to stir her coffee. Also, while other people had breadsticks in their bread baskets, we got only bread. Not sure what was up with that, but I really enjoy the bread basket here and was disappointed not to get the breadsticks. However, I am still keeping a 4 star rating for Bistrot du Midi. Excellent food, great location.
(4)N W.
I can not say enough good things about this restaurant. Great food, informed waitstaff, helpful sommelier, and fantastic location.
(5)Micah B.
This was the highlight of my trip! French food can go wrong in so many ways and I was a little worried about wasting a night out on mediocre food. But i had nothing to worry about. The olive and eggplant tapinades were a delicious way to start. The duck breast was cooked perfectly and the gnocchi that came with it were crisply caramelized on the outside and light and creamy on the inside. But the best part was the Grand Marnier souffle. Do not miss it. It was like a huge steaming hot fluffy marshmallow served with a delicious orange sauce. It looked so big I didn't think I'd be able to finish it but it quickly disappeared. This is a beautiful restaurant with a great view, friendly service and great food.
(5)Yang G.
Took a friend there for a dinner, and it was awesome. The duck breast was amazing... probably the best that I've ever had. The cod was quite good as well, tender and moist. We were seated by the window, and atmosphere, the view outside, along with the glow from the lights in the trees, was all beautiful. I just wish they served creme brulee for desert... :(
(5)SunnyDay D.
... our go to "date night" place! This is one of the best kept secrets (assuming that b/c you're reading this review you don't know about it)! LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. The food is to DIE for. We talk about this place EVERY TIME we are with friends outside the city and they are all dying to come! Great food, great wine and wine list, great drinks! The service is impeccable as well. Love the open window/patio option--makes you feel as though you aren't even in Boston. We usually share a Cesar salad, and then each have our own meals (on of which usually either the boar, or the lobster) and half way through switch. The pasta is made in house and is absolutely some of the best pasta I've EVER had! (sorry north end, nothing yet, has rivaled this!). There's bread and bread sticks --which are in the coolest, sleekest display!! If you haven't been, you're missing out! Worth every penny--you will savor EVERY BITE!!!
(5)S. M. S.
Yuck. Travesty of French food style. Great service though :/
(2)Kathy M.
I have been to both the upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar/cafe a few times and have thought the food and service was fabulous. Today's experience was a disaster. Took a friend who had never been there out to lunch. After we placed our cocktail and food order, we were essentially ignored. The cocktails we didn't come until 25 minutes later, a minute or two AFTER our meal was served. i was disappointed in my Salad Niçoise. For $18, I expected more variety and taste - there were no green beans -- I had to ask for some. And capers and olives would have added a nice Provencal "kick". My friend had the salmon, which was excellent. People who arrived after us had much better service and got their food way before we did. I wonder if they had an "in" with the kitchen and were prioritized. By the time the check came and we were offered free desserts, I was ready to leave. Would have been nice if our drinks had been comped. I can't remember the last time I left less than a 20% tip, but I did so today. There was no excuse for horrible service.
(2)Emma L.
When my husband and I go on vacation, we always like to choose one nice restaurant to eat at that's unique to the city. We were very pleased with our choice of Bistro du Midi. Andrew was our server and was very attentive and knowledgable of the food. We chose to do the 5 course chef's choice meal. It did not disappoint. We didn't get the exact same thing with a few of the courses so that made the meal interesting. I would highly recommend this option. Their wine selection is phenomenal. Definitely a winner!
(5)Paul J.
Great food, service and experience.
(5)Lou P.
It was our first time, and our experience was fabulous. We started with vodka martinis, and shared a 2004 Vino Nobile with dinner. Appetizers were delicious. We ordered 1/2 portions of two different pasta dishes, tried the lamb tartar. They were all outstanding. The entrees were exceptional. We ordered steak au poivre, wild boar, cioppino, and the duck. All were full of flavor and properly prepared. We finished the evening off with coffee, cappuccino, and grand mariner souffles. The location, next to the Four Seasons, across the street from the public gardens, could not be better. We were fortunate to find street-side parking, and didn't use the valet service.
(5)Katie H.
I made a last minute 5:30 PM reservation for Saturday on Open Table since my sweetie and I couldn't figure out what we wanted to do. I read this place was one of the Top 50 restaurants in Boston Mag so it was already on ma to-do list. I also got food poisoning last weekend and drank chicken broth all week so my taste buds were like DYING for a foodie adventure. We get there and.. well, first impression, no one greets guests at the front desk but the staff are running around like they are choreographing a royal wedding and there are like 5 people in the restaurant so already I am worried Bistro thinks its too cool to be great... 10 minutes later the front desk sends us to the host desk upstairs. Right away we get a window seat, which is a nice view of Boston Common. Things are improving. My sweetie ordered bottled water since he's going in for surgery later and he can't drink wine. I thought the bottled water in an ice bucket was a classy touch until the other servers started dumping extra tap water in there. Weird. Then one of them poured tap water in his glass of bottled water and dumped the rest in our ice bucket. Weirder still. I ordered a cocktail, the Pentaque, which is a lavender and citrus-infused white tequila (ma fav) with triple sec (I substituted Cointreau) and fresh lemon and lime juice. Love, love, LOVE the Pentaque so I had deux!!! :) The waiter mentioned souffle dessert and 20 minutes and I know what I like so I said, "Grand Marnier, please!" My sweetie ordered the chocolate souffle. Now on to appetizers, I wanted the tuna tartare, sweetie wanted the same. Boring! So I let the waiter convince me on the salted cod special ($30). It was not what I nor the waiter expected (comic moment!) as it was a cod puree mixed in buttery mashed potatoes. Why it was served with burnt bread slices was beyond me since I don't think of mashed potatoes as a bread spread like butter or creamy cheeses or olive tapenade. Oh my, please let our entrees be good! For dinner, my sweetie ordered pan roasted cod with chickpeas, pimentos, golden raisins and chorizo. He also ordered a side of pan fried mushrooms. He said the cod was rather bland but he really liked the mushrooms. I ordered coral-infused chitarra pasta with Maine lobster, sea beans and lobster jus. My pasta was delicious but the lobster pieces were skimpy so I added a few pan friend mushrooms on top. That took ma pasta from good to great. Finally, dessert! My Grand Marnier was good but I think the cream sauce that went with the chocolate souffle was better than the Grand Marnier syrup I got. Sadly, my sweetie's chocolate souffle hadn't finished cooking as the center was pure liquid. The server tried to convince him it was molten in the center but it looked more like a dollop of chocolate pudding floating in brown water. He wouldn't eat it and since the server didn't remove it from our bill I asked him if he would. Total bill with 20% tip was $200. Would go back for the Pentaque but that's it. Would try their brunch since I heard it is pretty good.
(3)Mark W.
Went for lunch, the seating a very tight, but manageable. The food was very good and the service was excellent.
(4)Dandan L.
This review is for the restaurant week menu only, which should have been done loooong time ago, but I got a little lazy... This is my first 5-star review cuz everything was simply perfect (for restaurant week price). Great ambiance- perfect lighting for a romantic date. I went with two of my girl friends for a dress-up dinner :D All the waiters were nice, funny and knowledgeable. One of them patiently taught us how to pronounce the name of the dishes in French when we showed a little interest in trying. Since there were three of us, we pretty much ordered everything on the restaurant week menu. It was such a long time ago, I'm having a little hard time remembering the name of every single dish. However, one thing for sureee: everything we got was good (yes, everything). For appetizer, I got the mussels. I just love mussels in general, so I have ordered them in a lot of restaurants which are known for this dish. BDM's was the best. The sauce was well seasoned, not too heavy, but rich enough to perfectly complement the taste of this yummy shellfish. My friends ordered lamb and salad. I sampled the lamb which was juicy and tender. For entree, I order the hake-melted in my mouth. One of my friends ordered steak, not the regular one, but the one served in pieces: truly medium rare and high quality meat. The dessert was good too, but not as outstanding as the appetizers or entrees. I ordered the lemon tart, which was a bit too sour for me. However, the strawberry sorbet my friend ordered was amazing and def worth trying! We also got a bottle of wine-as great as our food :) This review looks way too sloppy compared to the actual food quality, but you get the idea ;)
(5)Jeff M.
Rude pretentious service. However, the food is nice at Bistro du Midi. Bottom line; I'll never come here again because of the service.
(4)Brian L.
My wife and I love this place. We have been twice and tried different things on the menu and everything is delicious. The souffles are delicious, although my wife and I differ on which one is the best. Pasta entrees are amazing and we love the pork belly and lamb tar-tare appetizers. Our only gripe is the drink prices. Wine and cocktails, although great, are priced very high.
(5)Kavitha M.
I think the service here is a bit awkward. Although people seem friendly-ish, we were here on a slow sunday night and waited a long time to be seated, after being told to go upstairs because our table was ready. The food is pretty good but not excellent and could use more seasoning. Their complementary bread plate is very good though.
(3)J T.
I've decided to add one more star to my previous Bistro du Midi review. I really appreciated the general manager's prompt and professional response to my concerns regarding the customer service at Bistro du Midi. I also appreciated his willingness to listen to suggestions.
(4)Audra H.
Had an enjoyable meal here last week. The prices are quite high, but the food was nice and the service was excellent. My boyfriend and I split the gnocchi, and I'm glad we did because it was very rich and filling. The complimentary bread was so good, and went perfectly with our eggplant/olive spread appetizer. I wanted to try dessert, but was too stuffed!
(4)Randy H.
This place was fantastic! We were there for Valentine's Day which featured a Prix Fix that had a lot of stuff not on their normal menu, but I am sure is featured in some of their Tasting Menu's. Either way, as we each ordered separate dishes for each course, and essentially switched plates mid way through, so we each got to sample 9 items, which made everything even more enjoyable. The only dish that I felt was fairly ordinary was the Seared Prawns, which were a bit salty and that was the main flavor. However, the Butter Poached Lobster, Beet salad, Bass Crudo, Seared Sea Scallops, Grilled Beef Fillet, Passion Fruit Parfait, and Plum & Apple Crumble were all great, with each supplying a great balance of spicing while keep the focus on the food item itself. The dish of note for me was the Garganelli Pasta with Red Wine Braised Wild Boar Ragu. It was the only dish that I shared with a great reluctance and would absolutely get again rather than sampling different dishes. Our waiter was fantastic, guiding us to dishes he felt were notable, and never steering us wrong. The meal had a great pace to it, nothing rushed, but with always attentive wait staff. We will be going back!
(5)Jenessa C.
Went here for restaurant week. My friend & I both ordered something different in each of the 3 courses. Each course was so delicious we didn't want to leave a single crumb! The staff was attentive, but let us relax, eat, and truly enjoy the meal, we were there for a little more than 2 hours. The wine list was impressive - I could tell the selections paired well with the plate selections. I however ended up ordering a lavender-infused cocktail which was lovely, but didn't pair well with my meal at all as it was more of a margarita flavor than a subtle lavender flavor. Highly recommend as a special occasion go-to.
(5)M M.
A five star experience. The octopus, lamb tartare, boar special and pork chop were absolutely incredible. Our server Amy was a true professional, very knowledgeable about the menu and overall a fun time. The sommelier Kate also guided us to selecting a great bottle. Staff was attentive without being overbearing. Server Assistants were also very prompt with crumbing and cleaning while being completely unobtrusive. Only downside was an annoying and LOUD group of five sitting next to us who seemed to be on the more difficult side and perhaps thought they may have owned the restaurant. Cheers to Amy for somehow putting up with them while smiling the whole time. I would of told them to screw. We'll be back!
(5)Bobby C.
Ambiance. Class. Original works of art on the walls. An extensive wine collection. 2 drunk and screaming hairdressers stuck in the revolving door. What doesn't this place have? LOVE the hostess. The rest of the staff was super nice as well. And their drinks were great. Really nice bar with 2 big tvs to hang out at. Very good mix of different people. Great place to relax and have a drink in a relaxed setting.
(4)Jeannie H.
ATMOSPHERE - It's unremarkable but pleasant. The definition of a bistro is a small and moderately-priced local restaurant that serves simple, authentic meals. This term has become so grossly distorted over time. I always expect a "bistro" to be rustic, unpretentious, and homey but this place was way too large, commercial and lacks warmth. I don't think there is anything romantic about the atmosphere and it's definitely not a bistro. SERVICE - Our waiter was a little on the chatty, annoying side. I like my wait staff to be informative but a little more restrained and keep their superfluous commentary to themselves. Please don't tell me that you knew what I was going to order and have the ability to read my mind with your superpowers. FOOD - For the price point, I think the food at Sel de la Terre is more interesting and flavourful but Bistro du Midi has better service and a slightly more upscale atmosphere. Barbajuans (Pumpkin and Sage, Goat Cheese and Honey, and Chicken Liver and Foie) - There are 6 per order so we opted for 2 of each flavour. They're essentially fried ravioli. There was a very low filling to dough ratio making these lacking in flavour and texture. This was the worst dish of the evening. Roasted Winter Squash Soup, Crispy Chestnuts, Aged Balsamic, Olive Oil - Underseasoned. Shellfish Bouillabaisse - The soup base had a lot of wonderful flavour and this was definitely one of the better courses of the evening. Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, and Black Olives - The duck was perfectly medium but not particularly tender or flavourful. The gnocchi were awful - rubbery pellets of dough. Overall, this dish was lacking in creativity. Grand Marier Souffle - This was one of the best souffles I have ever had and definitely worth ordering. It was perfectly light and fluffy. At $70 per person after tax and tip, I will not be returning. It's an acceptable but not great dining experience. The location is prime but for French food, there are much better places in town.
(3)Rachel O.
Fantastic! From the appetizers through to dessert - it was perfect. Great service, new flavors in each course. Perfect for a special occasion. We kept the restaurant open late into a Sunday night and the staff was totally gracious about it. Recommendations: Lamb Tartar Beet Salad Duck Breast Mediterranean Sea Bass Souffle Desserts (Grand Marnier or chocolate)
(5)Olga Z.
Dined at the cafe while in Boston for business. Beautiful, romantic atmosphere, with tables spilling over onto the sidewalk on the cafe level, friendly and attentive waiters, delicious French food with wonderful presentation. Will be back if in the area.
(5)Howard G.
The food is excellent and the wine list is extensive. The restaurant is located across from the public garden so the views are amazing. There is a bar and more casual dining downstairs that is open air when the weather is good. The service at the upstairs restaurant can be very slow, which is the only reason I give 4 stars.
(4)Casey H.
Went with a large group. They gave us a nice table upstairs. I ordered the bouillabaisse which was fantastic. Others seem to enjoy their meals too. I'm tempted to give this place a five star but will try it again sometime to see if the quality stands up. Service was excellent too.
(4)Me B. M.
I love classic French, so I was very excited that a Le Bernardin-trained chef was coming to Boston. Too bad du Midi is just not up to snuff at all. The service was simply bizarre. There was a food runner, bread/water server, waiter, and head waiter/maitre d'. Yet, somehow, it took us 30 mins to get a bottle of sparkling water and A FULL HOUR to get one glass of wine. This was after asking for them 3 times. Now, mind you, at one hour, we still had not ordered food. And the restaurant was only about half to three-quarters full. To cut to the chase, dinner took 2 hours and 45 minutes, without coffee or dessert. There was no way we could allow the meal to stretch to 3 and a half hours. And this did not seem to be the result of a purposely pleasantly paced meal, but rather because the service was disorganized and amateurish. Staff would disappear, claim to be coming right over, and otherwise attempt to not make eye contact. That said, while they were engaged with our table, they were all polite and upbeat. The food was also not terribly good. The bottom line: Everything was cooked to perfection. Technique was remarkable. But the actual preparation and presentation was never more than the sum of its parts. Everything was literal and boring. And oddly, the food we were served often did not resemble what was on the menu. In one case, aside from the protein choice, it was a totally different dish. The olive and eggplant tapenade was sour and had not a single hint of eggplant. Tasted like something you would get at TGIFs. The green olive one was subtler and somewhat better. Their bread and olive oil were very very good. We ordered the prawns that were supposed to be served with coco bean, tomato and prosciutto. Inexplicably, they instead were prepared with small white beans, basil pesto, and croutons. At this point we were nearly 2 hours into the meal and the last thing I was going to do was send it back. The prawns were cooked to perfection. But, not only did I not order this preparation, it was also boring and seemed like an after thought. "Just throw the prawns on top of some beans and uhmmmm how about a squirt of pesto, and well that might seem too mushy, put on some croutons. They won't notice that it's NOT AT ALL WHAT IS ON THE MENU." I ordered the sea bass. Again, the actual fish was treated with all the care and love I could have hoped for. But, it was supposed to be served with a sauce vierge. Instead, it had a dry rub of herbs and salt that formed a dry, crumby, overpowering, and SALTY SALTY SALTY crust over the fish. It stuck in your teeth and was unpleasantly crunchy. There was nothing "sauce vierge" about it. I scraped most of it off and was left with naked sea bass that I could have cooked myself. The fennel accompaniment was really quite nice, but was way, way, way over-peppered. Again with the scraping to make it more edible. A somewhat more minor point, the rest rooms. I would have expected that with the rehab, they would have been smart enough to put one upstairs. Instead, you have to go downstairs and around the entire bar, wading through a tight, drunk crowd of faux-upscale 20-somethings in heat. Yeah, elegant. Perhaps it was an off night or they were training staff. Maybe I just ordered wrong. But there is no excuse for not preparing what is on the menu and not really caring what is going on in the front of the house.
(2)Gary S.
Incredible food - best lamb chops I've ever had and beautiful window seats overlooking commons. Great appetizers and wonderful wine selection. Great place
(5)I Y.
My friends and I came here for dinner after seeing the Holiday Pops. It was a restaurant that was on my list of to-tries. The prices on the menu didn't looked too bad. The final price per person with a bottle of wine and gratuity came out to $90. That was a little high I thought for the food. The service was excellent though. We got a lot of attention from the wait staff. Bread service: Breadsticks and some kind of herb bread with dipping olive oil. This was pretty good. First course: - Stuffed Calamari, Lobster Jus - Beef Carpaccio, Ginger Bread Crouton & Cashew Nuts - Market Greens, Seasonal Vegetables, Balsamic Dressing - Vermont Goats Cheese, Marinated Beet Salad Main course: - Poached Maine Lobster, Chitarra Pasta, Baby Spinach, Peppercorn Lobster Jus - Steak au Poivre - Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, Black Olives Dessert: - Quince and Grape Crumble with Crème Fraîche Ice Cream - Baked Apple stuffed with Walnuts and Dried Cherries, Brown Butter Ice Cream - Lemon Soufflé - Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Ice Cream Overall, I thought the food was good but nothing really stood out. The Bordeaux was good, and the desserts were okay as well. I think I will try other restaurants the next time I'm looking for a place to eat after an event in the Back Bay or the Theater District area.
(3)Ann C.
We thought the food was okay. We ordered mussels that had clearly not been properly washed, there was enough sand in the dish that my husband heard me chewing on it from across the table. If I wanted to pay for sand I'd lick it for free at the shore. He ordered duck and I ordered lamb neck. The spinal cord and vertebral column made the experience unpleasant and the souffle was too watery for my taste. The most irritating thing was how attentive the waiter was. He was at our table every 30 seconds and made it feel as if we were being rushed to finish our dinner. He may have well joined our table and helped finish our meal with his frequent visits. Food was ok overall, service was way too attentive bordering on irritating. Even the maitre de visited our table, I'm not sure if they were expecting a chew and screw but I can't have someone looking over my shoulder when I set down to an expensive meal.
(3)Ang L.
Nice decor and outside view of the gardens. Had the prime sirloin with pepper sauce and it was excellent. Service was a bit slow but I guess that's expected on a Saturday night. Looking forward to returning soon.
(4)Evie K.
The food at Midi is always superb. Oysters, scallop and tuna tartare were very fresh; gnocchi with ramp pesto, squid ink tagliatelle and hake were delicious. Fortunately for us, the kitchen was on their game. Service was mediocre at best given that bill for three people was over $500 and the restaurant was at 15% capacity. Numerous issues with inattentive and erratic service that were only made more irritating by the Maitre d' appearing at our table, then staring like a zombie and asking if everything is alright (while there are 10 dirty dishes on the table and busboys walk past us empty-handed). Maybe it's better when the restaurant isn't empty.
(2)Michael G.
I've learned that this is the place to come for dessert after eating the duck at La Voile. Chocolate Soufflé are the only two words you need to know. Do it. I SAID DO IT!
(4)Jillian P.
SO amped to write a review for this place. I had been here twice over the past year: once on a rainy Sunday catching up with friends and once during happy hour for wine with my sister. Both times I was pleased with the service, bar staff, etc. but thought the menu was a touch limited. It was sweltering hot a few weeks back and I wasn't in the mood to get going in the kitchen so I met up with my husband in the city for dinner. Who knew there was a big ole dining room upstairs?! I was completely in the dark and super pleased... it was so comfortable and airy up there I cooled off instantly. On a side note, the upstairs dining room is a bit dressier than downstairs so bear that in mind if you want to dress appropriately. The service was really great. The server was friendly and supremely knowledgable. It was clear that he knew all about the menu and could sell it without being pushy. I never, ever make pasta or steaks at home so I only ever go there when I'm out to eat. With a nod to the July heat I went with the coral infused pasta with lobster and baby spinach. It was rich, but not over the top, with big chunks of lobster meat. The portion size was perfect. My husband had the lamb special... lamb wrapped in pork belly with an I-can't-remember sauce/side... it was complicated, but apparently delicious. I'm a big fan of French food and there are a half dozen things on the menu I'd like to try... fried artichokes, chilled melon soup, marinated beet salad... mais oui! Thanks to the great downtown location and variety of dining options (at the bar, on the patio, or upstairs) this has the potential of an old standby.
(5)Carolyn C.
My husband and I both decided to order the tasting menu. The food was great. The timing between courses was good. We both got different plates for the same course which was nice as we could share and taste more plates. I especially enjoyed the gnocchi and foie gras. When we first arrived, we were a little shocked to see a casual restaurant, but they eased our worry when they sat us upstairs in their upscale dining room which had a nice ambiance.The one thing that lowered the experiences was the waiter's lack of knowledge when it came to the items we order, he could not explain anything we had ordered in detail. Of course food is king and in that they have surpassed almost all the other restaurants in the Boston area.
(4)Christopher M.
Du Midi is quickly becoming a favorite after-work spot for me when I'm on newbury. The atmosphere is casual-chic, the view and patio from downstairs is fantastic, the vibe upstairs is perfect, the service can be frighteningly good, and the food is amazing even at a much lower than expected price point. Furthermore, the bartender Mike is not only incredibly talented, but very accommodating as well. When I ordered a periodista he told me he didn't know how to make it but would try if I could give him directions. so I looked it an exact recipe on the all-seeing iPhone, handed it to him and moments later one served the best periodista I think I have ever tasted! If bars and eateries with a sophisticated edge, good menu, and great service are your thing, check out du midi you'll be one very happy camper.
(5)Baking M.
Bistro du Midi is in the former Excelsior location. The large wine selection is still prevalent in the new restaurant. Located right near the Four Seasons and the Boston Common, a walk prior to or after in the Boston Garden's is a great kick off or wind down of the evening. I have had a cocktail and sat at the bar for an appetizer (fried artichokes and aioli $7), however for a friend's birthday, we were dining at BDM for Restaurant Week. Bistro du Midi's downstairs has open doors for alfresco dining and the decor is cozy with hint so of French flair. After walking up the stairwell to the main dining room, while we were waiting for our host to gather our location, I spotted the kitchen in action. We sat near the main wine area, displaying the extensive selection of wines. I had a glass of the Merlot, Château Roche-Lalande, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, for $13, which lasted a majority of the meal. This beautiful view from our seats and purple flowers in the window sill was very Provincial and romantic. The main dining hall was clean, sleek with the white leather chairs and the restaurant had a demographic of established couples and well heeled dates.The bread box, olive oil and my friend's cucumber and mint non-alcoholic cocktail. The thinly sliced, marinated scallops, melon, chives, watermelon radish was light, fresh and a great start. My friends all had a bountiful mixed green salad, vegetables, sherry vinaigrette. The grilled rosefish, gratin of courgette (zucchini), salsa verde was very visually appealing, a bit heavy handed on the salt, but still very tender and enjoyable. We all finished the plate clean. The seared petit iron steak ordered medium, potato purée, beef jus, but came out borderline rare/medium rare, however was very tender and seasoned well. I had the gianduja palette, hazelnut ice cream. The vanilla scoop was speckled throughout with chopped hazelnuts and the cake had a smooth, decadent cream. The chilled watermelon soup with cherries, baby basil and watermelon sorbet was cooling and had a lightly sweet watermelon flavor. I think the best of the desserts was the blueberry clafoutis and lemon curd ice cream. The berries were fresh and tasted fantastic with the flan-like custard and refreshing ice cream.
(5)linda c.
went there for brunch and dinner. Brunch was simple and refreshing. Nothing to heavy. Dinner was delicious~
(4)Anne F.
This is just a review for the bar/bistro area, but oh was it perfect. After going to the symphony (oh that sounds pretension), I felt like closing night with some good drinks and light food. After looking it up on yelp, the boyfriend and I decided upon Bistro du Midi. Coming in about ten minutes until the kitchen closed, we still received beautifully prepared and tasting French cuisine. I had the monsieur - grilled ham and cheese - that came with a beautiful arugula mix salad; boyfriend had a baked lamb dish. Very hot temperature but very good (at least he says and I trust). For drinks, I had a beautiful robust red that just fulfilled all the requirements of a good red wine: deep, rich but not too much acid. Boyfriend had an infused liquor that he liked better as he drank it. The service was perfect. Bonus round: we are both from the same area of Indiana and could talk about marching bands. I feel a ritual was established that night that I would be more than happy to repeat. Perfect in every way.
(5)Andy M.
My last two "big dinners" for my wife in Boston were HUGE disappointments -- first at L'Espalier and second at Mistral. So, I needed a Boston restaurant to step up to the plate and deliver -- and Bistro du Midi hit it out of the park. I had a fantastic Octopus appetizer followed by a bouillabaisse that was as good as any I've had in the south of France. The wife went for the beet salad and the monkfish and loved them both. And our waitress was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about everything from the food to the wine to my near-sightedness (she saw me struggling with the menu and brought me reading glasses). I read beforehand that the restaurant really excels at seafood, so we ordered accordingly. I can't speak to the "four legged" meals, but if you like seafood and Provencal food, this place is great.
(5)Aaron Sing F.
Nice spot.
(4)Jaime M.
I ate here a few months back closer to the date that it opened. I did not have a good experience. I ordered the salad with apples and balsamic for an app. I almost laughed when I came out-- it was literally a tiny little bowl with a few lettuce leaves and 4 thinly sliced apples. Really..?? REALLY? For my entree I ordered the monkfish with the ratatouille. Monkfish was COLD.. not even luke warm. Sent it back. Upon arrival-- still cold. Sent back yet again. Still cold (by this time my dining companion had FINISHED his entree). At this point I ate it because I was just starving. Monkfish is not exactly the type of fish I enjoy eating cold... ick. They comped us for the entrees but I felt as though our entire dinner was ruined. It's not about the $$ at all, I just feel as though we weren't taken care of properly. I won't be back. Plus side: our server was very friendly-- understandably none of this was his fault. This was something that should have been taken care of by the kitchen and GM.
(1)Faye Z.
we came here for a simple gathering with a couple friends. The atomsphere is really a French Bistro-modern and relaxing. It's quiet loud in a busy Friday night so you don't have to worry about the people at the next table hearing your conversation. We had a reservation at 730, and we were 15 minutes late, we were seated when most of our party is completed. The service is very good, our server came back to check with us many times to make sure we all get what we needed. 6 of us shared a bottle of white wine, 3 appertizers and 2 deserts, and entrees for each of us. The food was all really good, they all came out in a reasonable time and well prepared. The bill came to around $80 per person, which is a little more than what we expected but it's not too over-priced with such good service and food. I need to come back and try the famous chocolate souffle.
(4)David L.
Location, location, location! This is a great place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon watching rich people pass by. Solid bistrot (I'm keeping the final "t") whose strongest point is probably the wine list. My wife and I had a croque Madame and a croque Monsieur, respectively, both of which had a couple of classy touches (crust was removed, sauce béchamel) that you don't always find, even in Paris. So overall very nice, just so long as you're willing to accept the fact that a good part of your bill is helping to pay the rent.
(3)Sayaka T.
Fantastic! Boston's slightly classier answer to New York's Cipriani Downtown. The ambiance and decor are especially interesting - there is a distinct attention paid to lighting here, creating an atmosphere that is classic but not stuffy. It reminds me a little of a less pompous version of Park Street Winter. Definitely an improvement from it's predecessor, Excelsior (whose stodginess which I was never a huge fan of). And surprisingly versatile as well - could be appropriate for a business dinner, or incredibly romantic for a date. Food is also delicious. Highly recommend the petites bouchees, especially the eggplant and olive dip with crostini (delish). For the mains, the various fish offerings are wonderful.
(5)Bijou S.
Go. Go! For god's sake, GO! du Midi is amazing! I mostly spend my time enjoying the amazing cocktails that Tommy the bartender makes. This place is not just for the Boston/Beacon Hill elite. If you are looking for a inexpensive but quality meal, eat at the ground level section of the bar menu. The simple snacks and light meals are very tasty and it has the atmosphere of a true Parisian social club.
(5)Orpha R.
We had our wedding reception at Bistro, it was a small party of only 9 people and they made us feel so comfortable throughout the night. They were always one step ahead of us and were so thoughtful making sure we were taken care of and all our needs met. Thank you so much to the WHOLE Bistro staff, you guys made our night soooo memorable! If you're having a small party I totally recommend Bistro du Midi!!
(5)Amy R.
I would like to thank Thomas, concierge from Hotel Nine Zero for steering me here and then securing a reservation against all odds. Red and I had some celebrating to do... At first we were going to head to Les Zygomates, but Thomas felt like Cafe du Midi would be a better choice. I have to operate under the assumption that he was correct, as there is nothing better than a 5 star yelp. Against all odds, there we were arriving slightly late for our 8:30 dinner reservation. That's what you get for not minding what T stop your on, and then not paying attention to the girl who DOES know where she's going tries in a desperate attempt to call out and reel you back in.... I digress (ten minute power walk in heels in the dead of winter at night when it's below zero outside... I digress even more...) The host was exceedingly warm and friendly and downright WELCOMING even though I feared we were holding things up a little. She showed concern that we wouldn't make it in a way that somehow made it seem like she would of missed us. Like she was LOOKING FORWARD to serving just US. We immediately felt important. Coat check, then whisked upstairs to the dining room, nice seat by a window... which I'm sure must be pretty in the springtime... or even in daylight. Our server was just as warm and friendly as the host downstairs. Since they knew we were celebrating, they offered us a complimentary glass of sparkling wine (yum!), listed some specials and left us with drinks, food, and dessert to consider. NOTE: I'm glad that my server pointed out that they had souffles on menu for dessert before we actually had the meal in order to pace out our dinner more appropriately. I'm not sure if everyone is as good as he was to offer to put in a souffle as we were eating, but I definitely considered it! We ended up going with something else for dessert. All the wait staff were super friendly and professional. During one point in our meal, I watched the staff re-set a table. Ever watch NASCAR? Me either... but recall those clips of a team descending onto the car as it pulls into the pitt and they have like... 30 seconds to change/refuel EVERYTHING with precision. That's what this was like. Their attention to detail was amazing. I saw the girl refluff napkin three times before she was satisfied. Good for you girl! Ok.. ok.. ok... onto the food! We split the artichoke appetizer... SUPER delicious! Not too greasy (even though it was deep fried) with a nice spicy sauce. Breadsticks were great too... with olive oil infused with... oh drat... something that escapes me now. For entrees I had the wing of skate and ratatouille while Red had gnocchi with pesto. Both dishes came out quick and were DELICIOUS. My skate's texture was just right and was buttery-good... perhaps a smidge too buttery if I were to nitpick. Red's gnocchi was very rich, but balanced by the sauce and the veggies. For dessert we split the lavender beignets. Which... were very light on the lavender... but that's ok. They were still great - crispy, airy, goodness dipped in chocolate sauce. The waiter also brought out a nice treat from the chef... flavored marshmallows!? One of the flavors was olive oil... which was surprisingly scrumptious. I'd be interested to see what else they can do with that. The ambiance was great... low-key and friendly. Soft lighting, not to crowded with tables, fireplace... a great special occasion/big date place. The bar downstairs looked pretty cool, and I'm assured that they have a nice bar scene with good drinks. Weighted pretty heavily in this review is the staff's ability to make you feel important and welcome. All the balance is there, informative but not pushy, friendly but professional, good humored, smiles. Well done. If you forced me to complain about something... The only place where we didn't experience warmth was in the lady's room. IT WAS FRIGID COLD! Seriously, it made me reconsider sitting down. Dear staff, please install a space heater if you must.
(5)A Y.
Knowing I'd be going to Boston for a business trip, I checked yelp for some restaurants that I had to try. I made a reservation for Friday at this place and could not wait! I had NEVER had French food before, but the photos and menu made it look amazing.... and it was. Ray was our waiter and he took the time to explain a few of the different wines on the menu so that I got my earthy red and my friend got her sweet white. We started with the Tuna Tartare and it was so fresh and clean tasting. I had the duck for dinner and I savored every bite. It was so good that as I write this I am craving it. My friend had a bolognese like pasta that she really enjoyed. Dessert was Grand Marnier souffle ( Do NOT miss out on ordering a souffle, do it as soon as you sit down) and my friend and I devoured... I mean savored it. So warm and light! I also had a glass of sherry per Ray's recommendations and it was a lovely after dinner drink. Very sweet and perfect for sipping. The atmosphere was lovely and we had a window table with a view of Boston Commons. I will definitely be back next time I am in Boston.
(5)Julie R.
This place needs more yelpers to visit. I was very impressed... I popped in for a mid afternoon snack with my bf. We sat downstairs in the cafe. The atmosphere had a french country farm house vibe. There was a long bar then several marble cafe tables. Parisian art and mirrors covered the walls. The cafe menu had reasonable offerings between $5-$12. We started with a couple glasses of wine. The first pinot grigio on the list and the only rose. I loved the wine. At $7 a glass it was nicely priced. We decided on a charcuterie plate for $12. While we were waiting the bartender gave us some bread and olive oil and invited us to check out the upstairs dining room when we were done. The charcuterie plate arrived with a hefty selection of meat. Speck, serrano ham, prosciutto, cornishons and olives. All the meats had a nice aged flavor. It was a perfect accompaniment to the wine. After we finished up we went upstairs. I was blown away with the dining room up there. It was gorgeous. Part had a bar, then an open kitchen in the corner, view to the garden, a fireplace and just lots of French charm all over. Romantic and classy at the same time. What an upgrade from the Excelsior days. In the middle stood a huge glass wine storage reaching down to the first floor. There were 2 private dining spaces in addition to the large dining room. We encountered the owner, I believe, who talked about the renovation. All the staff we saw along the way were very welcoming. I took a look at the dinner menu which was priced moderately with most entrees in the low to mid $20s. I plan to be back again for more. I highly recommend this place for nice dinner or a drink/light bite downstairs.
(4)Orlando R.
I was in Boston with my wife and visited on a friend's recommendation. Wow. Great food and memorable drinks too, thanks to Tommy G. Didn't plan on eating so ordered appetizers and then kept ordering 'cause each dish was so good.Will definitely revisit.
(5)Gerald P.
my party of four had an excellent dining experience on July 22,2011. the food was prepared and presented beautifully, and the service was friendly,efficient, and attentive. I would definitely dine here on my return to Boston. Jerry San Diego
(4)Beth H.
The wine selection is wonderful and everything we tried was delicious! Fried artichokes were devine and the Daube with the mashed potato was oh so yummy. The best part was the dessert, milk chocolate hazelnut cake with salted caramel ice cream was heavenly. Our sever Amy was great and professional, food came out promplty and our plates were split for us without even requesting it.
(4)Gizem D.
Upscale restaurant. Definitely need to dress up... There were not many people with jeans. I went for the Boston Restaurants Week. I ended up ordering from their regular dinner menu... I had the roasted monfish. I actually googled monk fish... Damn it is one ugly creature but it is very tasty. :D Highly recommended place. The entrees are are give or take $30/plate for dinner. Service could be a bit better... Oh and if you are living your life without having tried the "hazelnut chocolate cake with caramel ice-cream" you are definitely missing out in a big way for sure.
(5)Justin C.
Please read my review knowing that I dined here in early December, after the restaurant had been open just 2 weeks, and I'm a bit late in reviewing it so I wouldn't be surprised if it's worth perhaps an extra star by now. Unlike some other reviews though, my complaint was in no way with the service, as my waiter was very good. I thought the food desperately lacked flavor, and from a former chef at Le Bernadin this was a surprising deficiency to me. I really loved the atmosphere ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) of Bistro du Midi, especially where I was dining, just next to the fireplace ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) and with a decent view of the park below at night. I can imagine this is a stunning scene in the summer months when there is still some daylight to be had at dinner hours. My biggest complaint with the layout of the restaurant is that they failed to put a bathroom upstairs, so if you want to go wash your hands you have to go back downstairs and navigate through the bar area and the giant wine tower ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) just to do so. As I noted earlier, service was great for me, but I was somewhat surprised by how little clothing the Sommelier was wearing. It looked almost like lingerie masquerading as a dress. After an interesting presentation of bread ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), I began the meal with the trio of barbajans ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), as I definitely live by the creed that frying things makes them taste better, and the assortment of fillings sounded quite tasty: goats' cheese and honey, lamb and tomato, and pumpkin (which I suppose is the seasonal rotating one). I would say that while none of them really struck me as impressive, that overall they were good, and a relatively inexpensive first taste of the cuisine here. The ingredient list for the pissaladière ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) hooked me right away, even though I had no idea what this strange sounding item was. Apparently it's a type of pizza which is common in Southern France, especially around Nice, and the main ingredient is always anchovies, and traditionally also includes caramelized or sauteed onions and olives, all of which were featured in this version. My biggest complaint here was that the pizza was not cooked all the way through, so the crust was not firm, and considering it's coated with onion paste it caused it to be really flimsy and droopy. Also, the amount of anchovy that was included was so minimal the flavor was hardly there, and that should be the main focus of the dish in my opinion. As a result all the flavors wound up being pretty muted and were horribly imbalanced. The highlight of the night for me was definitely the saffron chitarra & seafood dish, featuring mussels, clams, and calamari. The saffron is actually worked into the chitarra pasta ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) so the flavor abounds with each bite, one of the few times I was able to say that during this meal. The amount of seafood included in the dish was also quite generous, so you got some in basically every bite. Unfortunately I decided to also order a side of ratatouille Provençale ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), just because this should be the hallmark of a good Southern French restaurant, but it was a terrible disappointment. Although the presentation was rather cute, in its own little cast iron skillet, the herbal flavors and melange of robust vegetable flavors were both absent, causing the dish to taste very generic and unimpressive. I see no reason why this restaurant can't become one of the better ones in Boston, the foundation is mostly there, they just really need to work on improving some of the fundamental things that make great restaurants stand out from good ones.
(3)Kathy B.
Had dinner in the bistro last night and could not have been more pleased. The wait staff is extremely professional and efficient. The menu allows you to order from the more expansive/formal menu upstairs or from the bistro/cafe menu. There are several seating options from tables with a banquette to a few high tops to a rather long bar that has a tv or two quietly available for viewing, but in an elegant setting. The wine list is quite good and the bistro offers the option of a "glass and a half" of wine which is a first that I've seen (but one that I ordered because sometimes you just want a little more wine, but not too much!). Although it was a very hot evening, the bistro was comfortable. In fact, comfortable enough that I tried their delicious sounding smoked asparagus soup and I'm glad I did. It was just the right size for a starter and full of flavor. As an entree, I had a Salad Nicoise with perfectly seared tuna, FRESH anchovies and a lovely vinaigrette. I would certainly return to Bistro du Midi.
(4)Tamar A.
This place claims to celebrate the simple ingredients and bold flavors of Modern Provençal (note the little beardy thing hanging off the "c") cuisine. And celebrate them it does! Merci, Restaurant Week, for allowing us past the velvet rope into this delightfully snooty cuisine. We came for the last RW in March, and was treated to, by the looks of it, a better menu than is currently advertised. They take the French thing super seriously, so while my pork pate, wee crostinis, and trussed bluefish were mouthwateringly divine--if not a tad overwrought-- I can't exactly commend them for being substantial. Still, though,I felt like I was experiencing something other than the deliciously typical contemporary American cuisine boasted by Bistro's neighbors, and it was an education for the tastebuds, if not filling for the gut. The service was exceptional, and GODDAMN if it's not the most beautiful restaurant interior in Boston, all soft muted tones and strategic uses of white lights and mirrors. It was like dining inside a Pottery Barn throw pillow. In sum, come here for your 25th wedding anniversary, when you're guaranteed to be both rich and worldly enough to appreciate it, and put the saved money from that aborted trip to Paris in your kid's college fund.
(4)Sean M.
Stopped in for lunch. I loved the Excelsior wine vault but I liked what BdM has done with the space. The quasi open kitchen is a nice touch. The food does not shout French but it was very good. The marinated octopus appetizer was truly sublime. I had the chicken, a Statler breast with a white (rue based) sauce and some sort of reduction. The chicken was good but it didn't rock my world. We split the Provençal Lamb Cannelloni as well, two grown men eating here. It was real winner we were mopping up the sauce with bread. We tried both desserts but the Anis Pot de Crème (Anise Panna Cotta) was the preferred choice. It had that spring against the spoon and just enough Anise flavor without being over powering. * Bistro niche is getting quite crowded, choose this on if you are in this part of town. * Bar Lunch menu is quite reasonable. * I thought the by the glass list was decent * That had 3 different Calvados! * Seems like an ideal spot for that intimate dinner for two.
(4)Andrew H.
This is a cool place with a contemporary atmosphere. Had drinks at the bar downstairs. Bartender was a touch surly, but then again, so am I many days and the drinks were good. Went upstairs for dinner. Fried artichokes, beef carpaccio, mussels, and stuffed calamari for apps. All of them were delicious, but especially the fried artichokes. I had the duck breast for dinner. It was cooked to perfection. It could have been a touch more flavorful, but was a great meal. Hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert was heavenly. They picked out an absolutely perfect bottle of wine for us - especially given that two of us were having red meat and two of us were having fish. Their wine 'cellar' is unbelievable. Service was impeccable and not overbearing. If I could have given it four and a half stars I would have. The food was great, but missing a tiny little bit of something that I can't put my finger on.
(4)Peter H.
Outstanding. Impeccable food and service. A proper European restaurant in amoungst the over-done American norms. Service was quite possibly the best we've had in Boston. As I said european, so just aloof enough yet massively good at attention to detail. If your looking for American cheese, by which I mean in style, service and food - you won't find it here. Realize though that the Bistro is upstairs, and the cafe downstairs. This review is for the bistro.
(5)Insa E.
We went to the Bistro du Midi for our anniversary dinner. The food was lovely, fresh, and subtle with a French flair. But the best part was the service. The entire staff seemed as though they really cared about the comfort and pleasure of their customers, and weren't just "going through the motions". Special kudos to our wonderful waiter Robert and Kate, the sommelier. They both offered their recommendations and knowledge with warmth and a total absence of any snobbery. That might be the best summation of the bistro: French elegance without a side of pretentiousness.
(5)Carla A.
What a wonderful change from the former Excelsior. When you walk in, the low lights and warmth from the open prep with woodstove oven draw you in and instantly make you feel like you have left Boston. Walk up the stairs to the main dining room and prepare to feel comfort. The bar upstairs is wonderful with a view of the dining room and Boston Common. We ordered just a light bite and several glasses of wine. The barbajans came quickly, and were just the right amount of balanced flavor between lamb, cheese and bread. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to escape the typical Boston decor and step into something a little french. The staff was attentive, polite, and never rushed you. I'm looking forward to a date night there very soon.
(4)Wayne D.
A solid 3.5. Atmosphere, service were very good - a 4. Wine and presentation were a 4. Food was a 3.5 for me. Other thought better. Bottom line: I'd go again.
(3)Doris W.
I went here for dinner for the first time with some friends last Friday. I remember driving by this place often when it was Excelsior. It's nestled between the Four Seasons and high-end retail stores. You can miss it if you're not paying attention. The restaurant is on two floors - the first floor is the bar area and upstairs the dining room. We were lucky enough to get our own nook in the dining room. The chairs were comfy and the tables were a beautiful wood. It felt very homey. And a side note - our host and waiter were very attractive. It kind of surprised me. Hah! I started off the meal with a fantastic cocktail. I currently have an addiction to cocktails made with fresh juices and herbs. If you like basil, you'll love the Basilic. It has gin, Pernod, fresh lime juice, and muddled basil. Wow, the flavors were great. It tasted like a basil limeade. My friend thought the basil was too overwhelming, which is why it's great for basil lovers. A good cocktail to me is when the liquor doesn't overpower the drink. If I wanted that, I would just get a shot and call it a day. But this was definitely a good cocktail. Too bad I have a low tolerance - I would have gotten another cocktail. For starters we got goat cheese and honey barbajuans, tuna tartare, seared foie gras, and spicy lamb tartare w/quail egg. You cannot go wrong with foie gras - I'll leave it at that. The tuna tartare was fresh and you can actually taste the fish. The spicy lamb tartare, which we were told was a chef's specialty, was just okay. Maybe it turns out I don't care for meat tartare but each time I've had it, the dijon mustard was always overpowering. If meat tartare is your kind of thing, I think you'd enjoy it. Our waiter suggested the goat cheese and honey barbajuans and they were lovely. It's like a goat cheese filled pastry with honey drizzled on top. For our main courses, I got the Beef Daube with creamy potatoes and a side of ratatouille, my friends got the duck breast, pumpkin ravioli, and the sea bass with a side of polenta. Beef Daube is a braised short rib with a red wine sauce. The beef was very tender and the sauce was rich and flavorful. The potatoes were super creamy and flavorful as well as the ratatouille. The duck breast was awesome! It was cooked a perfect medium rare, juicy, and seasoned with something like cumin. The crust was smoky. The raviolis were also awesome! Each ravioli was topped with pumpkin and lightly drenched with the sauce. Light, delicious but completely satisfying at the same time. The sea bass was cooked on a grill so it had the grill marks and smoky taste. The side of fennel was really good. My friend who's a carnivore really liked the dish. The only con to the meal was the polenta. It was very gummy in texture. I've never had polenta with that texture. For dessert we got the lavender beignets and hazelnut chocolate cake. Both desserts were great, the hazelnut being my favorite. I've never had a beignet but these reminded me of profiteroles because they were filled with custard served with a side of chocolate sauce. They were still tasty! The hazelnut chocolate cake was more like a thin wafer cake served with a scoop of salty caramel ice cream. It was like a Ferrero Rocher served in a fancy way on a pretty plate. I was in hazelnut and chocolate heaven. Along with our dessert, the chef gave us complimentary homemade olive oil and fennel(?) marshmallows. They were wonderful! I don't care for marshmallows but I only enjoy them homemade. Service was great the entire time, even to the staff that bid us a good night as we walked out. It is expensive, but I'm not complaining. I would love to go back for another cocktail and some duck!
(4)Danny F.
The setting, decor, ambiance, view (!!!), service, servers - all stunning perfection. You could not ask for a chicer environment to dine in. What about the food, you ask? Um...it was good. But in kind of an average way. It could have used a lot more skill. I had a fairly light dinner (for me): entree (monkfish), side (broccoli) and dessert (chocolate souffle). The monkfish entree was very small, but my primary issue was the sauce that was a touch too buttery. With bread, it was okay, but alone with the completely flavorless, it was overpowering in buttery-ness. The broccoli was nothing more than steamed broccoli from a Chinese takeout place. But then again, all is forgiven here, because the menu did not say it would be anything more. Then finally there was the souffle. Yummy, but nothing terribly special, and I pretty much find all souffles yummy. Maybe I am being a little harsh with the 3-stars. For out of towners, I would bring them here for the location. But otherwise, there are better choices in Boston.
(3)C R.
In a word: excellent. Service was fantastic, food was creative and tasteful and reasonably priced (bear in mind they're in between the Four Seasons and Hermes - don't don't expect it to be cheap) ambiance pleasant. The staff were very attentive, serious but courteous. I wouldn't say formal - but they were very professional with a formal but comfortable air about them. Short and sweet: great ambiance, great food, good prices, good looking people too...LOL!
(4)Dror B.
Excellent service! Tasty food.
(5)Kim L.
The ambience is top notch. A definite five star on the atmosphere. My boyfriend took me there for our four year anniversary and the setting was perfect. The Christmas light outside the window framing the restaurant was utterly romantic. Apparently the restaurant was on the second floor so walking up the marble stAir was kinda fun. The food was good. But for the money it is to be expected. We had the steamed mussel for dessert. It was good but it is not like to die for. The drinks for decent. The entree again was decent. The duck could have gone without the black olives which made it too salty. The monk fish felt salty. Overall a good value for the money. Not a must come back. Oh and if you're want a window seat. Make reservation early! Like a month in advance. No kidding.
(4)Jeremy H.
This place is so beautiful. The look out over Boylston is amazing, and the interior is very elegant. I've been here for brunch and had the softest, fluffiest pancakes I've ever had. The pancakes came with some kind of berry mix. We also had a charcuterie platter that was a lot of fun, and a little side of ratatouille. Another time for dinner I had a beef daube that was well worth the money it cost. The waiter seemed like a veteran and was totally professional, always around when you needed him, and very chill, even though by the time we left it was pretty busy. The busboys are pretty well educated about what they're doing too. They didn't just throw things down with no idea what they were carrying.
(5)Sue M.
I wish I could give it a 2 1/2 but no way it's a 3. I have been there for both lunch (twice) and dinner (upstairs. Lunch - SUPER SUPER SLOW the food is good but it's definitely a case where it's 3 oz of chicken on a 15 inch bun and 6 out of 10 times they will get your order wrong. Both times I went it was 2 hours for just sandwiches. WAY too long in my opinion. The inside is nice and I love the bistro and bar set up very cool. They just need to work on their kitchen and service. Dinner - We ate upstairs and the food was a 9 really great french cuisine and a great wine list. The atmosphere and room however is a 4 (I didn't like it was it was Excelsior either). It's way too loud, sparce and I hate sitting so closely to another couple (we were on the bench by the windows.) I think if you asked for a centered table or something in the back right it'd be better.
(2)L P.
While I am a fan, I've been to the bar several times, I've never had dinner here. Decided to try it for restaurant week. My boyfriend ordered from the restaurant week menu and I ordered off the regular menu. Positives: The food was great. Won't bother mentioning his dishes because they are not on the regular menu, which is kind of annoying. I had the duck, which was delicious. Portion was fine, not too big and not too small. Sharing his appetizer and each having dessert made it enough to eat. I won't say we were blown away, but it was very good. Also, the ambiance was lovely. The bar itself is fantastic and I love the decor, however this was my first time in the dining room on the second floor. We had a great table by the window overlooking the garden. It all felt very quaint and European. Place was basically empty as it was only 5pm. The negatives: The service. When the patron at another table complained about the mussels, the manager (I think) came around to check on everyone else who had ordered that appetizer, which was very thoughtful and our water glasses were rarely less than half full. Our complaint was with the waitress and the sommelier. I ordered a cocktail prior to dinner (glad I did), but my boyfriend wanted a bottle of wine. He had a question about the wine list and the waitress offered to send over the sommelier, great! However, it took so long for the sommelier to arrive that she came back 2 times to say he was still coming. When he came, his advice was less than helpful, but we chose a bottle of wine and waited. The bread/butter came and went... we waited. My cocktail was gone... we waited. Our appetizer came and went... we waited. Our entrees came... still waiting. At this point, my boyfriend had been sitting with nothing to drink the entire time, over an hour. We kept looking around expectantly and another waiter noticed and went right over and brought our bottle of wine (not sure how he knew) and said, "Is this what you're looking for?" It was, but by that time, we were halfway through our meal and decided that we weren't going to drink a bottle anymore. Opted for 2 glasses of wine instead. It cost them about $70+ in missed revenue, I guess. Anyway, we enjoyed the wine with dessert... though usually we'll have a coffee or espresso in addition. Oh well. I have to assume this is the exception, as others have commented on the great service. I just was very disappointed with this aspect of the experience and it did leave a bad impression. I expected more from a restaurant of this caliber.
(4)Chronic C.
Yes, fair readers, on occasion I do find it necessary to cross the bridge from paradise into the land that rains parking tickets (Boston). My visit to Bistro du Midi was one such occasion. Bistro du Midi reinvents the space that was once Excelsior. Spent a few hours in the bar area with some friends and noshed on bar menu food including fried artichokes, burgers and tuna tar tar sandwiches... all very tasty, well presented and reasonably priced. We all ordered a special tequila drink off the menu that was like a diabetic starter kit - SUGAR!! (avoid if you don't want a hangover like I experienced the next day). Stick to the extensive wine list. The service is friendly and attentive. The room is airy with a good ambiance. But please, ditch the faux exposed beams so I don't have to shake off the feeling that I am at the Epcot center's French area. Apparently the formal dining area, found at the top of the elegant spiral staircase, is very pleasant but we never made it that far.
(4)Jonathan V.
One of the worst dinner experiences I have ever had. The food was good, but was not the best French cuisine I have had in the Boston area. Our waiter was absolutely terrible. With the restaurant not busy were instructed to order our dinner and dessert at the same time, since our entres and dessert would take 25 minutes each. 10 minutes later our entres were out and were shunned for wanting to wait for our dessert order. We wanted to talk our time and enjoy our bottle of wine. The ambiance was nice, but not amazing. Would I go back, no. Would I recommend Bistro Du Midi to a friend, no.
(2)Adrian M.
Upon arrival, the staff was very inviting. We had a reservation for two, and we were invited to wait at the bar shortly for the table upstairs. There's an extensive wine list, and some inventive cocktails that kept us busy. The downstairs area has a more informal, gastropub feel, but when we were led upstairs to our table - expectations were fulfilled. The atmosphere was formal, and inviting. We had the fried artichokes and courgette flower beignet, the latter being the prized starter. For the entree, we had the Seared Duck Breast and Roasted Monk-fish with Grilled and Roasted Eggplant. Both were cooked perfectly, and the monk-fish dish was well balanced with plenty of rich flavors and textures from the eggplant, tomato, capers and olive oil. Perhaps the only drawback was that we were seated next to a private party room which had some large glass sliding doors that were repeatedly announcing themselves with a thud as servers and guests busily went in and out. Slight damper on the mood, but we got over it. Highly recommend, followed by a walk in the Garden just across the street.
(4)Dan S.
Outstanding. Our waiter Robert was great. This is a really nice place with excellent food. Get the soufflé, no less than one per two people.
(5)Kate C.
After reading several reviews here for Bistro du Midi, I took a chance and made a reservation for a team celebration without having previously checked out the place before. We're all of the sort who have strong opinions on restaurants and I was looking for the right combo of lively atmosphere, wonderful food though not too priceyand special enough for a celebration - which can be a challenge! But we were all happy with our experience here. Though the bartender mixed some fun cocktails, the bar wasn't that busy and we had a hard time keeping his attention. Empty glasses would go unnoticed for over 5 minutes before we were asked whether we'd like another. We sat down for our reservation over an hour late while we waited for our party to gather, but the hosts didn't blink while we continued to enjoy our drinks at the bar. French country (as others have mentioned) but with a modern edge would describe the decor - one whole wall is decorated with framed mirrors of different size and shapes. Neutral tones lended a warm and laid back vibe. From what I understand about the previous space, this is a huge change - it was very trendy and sleek before. I booked on OpenTable.com and I must point out that it seems the hosts do pay attention to the comments section. I had noted we'd be dining with the CFO of our company and it was a team celebration. We were seated in a semi-private alcove that overlooked the rest of the dining room - perfect! We were out of the direct line of hustle and bustle but still felt we were part of the action. Our server's name was Chris and he was well versed on the menu. He suggested our group of 7 start with some petites bouchees - two orders each of the barbajuans and fried artichokes - both which were quite tasty. Chris also mentioned that the stuffed calamari, tuna tartare tarntine and goat cheese and beet salad were at the top of the list as for the starters. Most of the group stuck with one of these three and we all enjoyed our selections. I had the pan-roasted cod for my entree. Solid and good, but portion size is definitely on the "small food" side. This is the kind of place where you order a starter to complete the meal; we also ordered several sides for the table which we shared. Two others ordered the lamb which looked and smelled delicious and was devoured. One ordered the lobster mac and cheese, which he enjoyed but didn't seem over the moon about. Chris touted the bouillabaisse as one of the featured dishes and it won accolades from my colleague. Great place for a dinner with colleagues or the fam for a celebration. Also a good choice for date night when you want something special but not over pretentious. Good for a catch up session with a small group of friends, but probably wouldn't be my first choice for a birthday celebration with my girlfriends - but we tend to be a more raucous group. All in all a great experience. Will definitely go back!
(4)Elizabeth O.
We had hoped to enjoy dinner outside on Bistro du Midi's small patio, and the downstairs bistro area was quite crowded, so we decided to sit upstairs instead. The upstairs was lovely, but definitely a bit on the stuffy side with primarily older clientele. I wish we had taken our chances in the bistro. My food was good but not great. The special amuse bouche we ordered was overpriced ($8 for two battered zucchini blossoms - I expected more) and my pasta dish was so-so, though the pasta was homemade and tender. My husband loved his entree special - a pan-seared skate wing (yes, as in a wing of a skate...like a sting ray!) Service was good and courteous. I'd go back to sit outside or in the bistro for a more casual meal, but will likely not return to the dining room.
(3)Emmanuel S.
We had a birthday party yesterday. It was a pre-negotiated menu, and was absolutely amazing. The Sea Bass was perfect, with amazing wine. A little pricy, but I guess this is what you have to pay to get such a food...
(5)Jen R.
Food & Drinks were simply awesome. We had the monkfish, seared duck, fried artichokes, oliveoil mashed potatoes, spicy infused margarita (sirocco), lavender lime infused margarita (petanque), hazelnut cake with salted caramel icecream, & a dessert port (quinto infantado). Great service, elegant atmosphere... My new fave spot for a great French bistro. Highly recommend if u don't mind spending some coin on delicious dinner.
(5)Paul S.
Top notch restaurant all around. The food was superb, the drinks were strong, the presentation was unique, and the service was truly fantastic (our server was extremely personable, knowledgeable about offerings & alternatives, and timely).
(5)Ellen Z.
I get angry just thinking about our experience here. Service: We had some dreadful encounters with the service. The hostess was INCREDIBLY condescending and rude to us, and sat us at the worst table in the house in front of the restrooms. When we informed her it was our 20th anniversary and we were hoping for a more special table, we waited at the bar for 3 hours for a new table to open up. Then, the restaurant lost my beautiful Italian wool scarf that couldn't be replaced. They never found it. On the bright side, the manager seemed to care about our experience, and sent us an appetizer at the bar and paid for a new scarf. But the rudeness of the hostesses was almost impossible to overcome. The food was not very memorable, it was fine but nothing to write home about. The prices are 'reasonable' for that kind of restaurant. We will not be going back ever again. I give this place another year tops.
(1)Boston I.
Great ambiance, excellent service, very romantic. I celebrated my wifes 35th birthday. We had the oysters and salad for starters with some reasonably priced Bordeaux. Both of us had the steak au poivre...yum!!! We had ordered the soufflé it was unbelievable....everything was perfect.
(5)Nicole M.
great brunch spot - delicious pancakes and french toast. awesome fries. wonderful service. the mimosas and bellinis are a little pricey but the place is just so cute i almost don't mind.
(4)Kyle N.
Sampled a handful of different items with my wife and enjoyed them all! The crispy pork belly was the best I've ever had! The fried artichokes, soft shell crab, beet salad and black cod were great as well! To finish we followed the suggestion from our great server and embarked on the lavender cream beignets. Wow!
(5)Lauren F.
What would Eric Ripert say? "Le sigh." Everything about this place is... fine. But for $120 per person, I would like more than fine, please. I would like my foie to come with the things the menu says it's coming with (actually, the fact that this seems to be a trend among reviews is less than fine -- it's really not OK at all). If necessary, I would like to be served a smaller portion and have it cooked perfectly. I would like my dining partner's beef carpaccio to be more than two thin slices of meat on a plate with cracked pepper and what is effectively a bread crumb. I would like my duck breast to come to the table warmer than room temp. And when I send it back and it returns to me just slightly warmer than room temp, I want to be checked back in with before I'm halfway finished. And I would like things generally to not be under-salted. I would like to be presented with a wine list that is less impressive in its size and more so in its contents; if you weren't aware of Bistro du Midi's corporate origins before, the bottle selection gives it away pretty quickly. To put it simply, Bistro du Midi seems like it's still hung up on the old guard of the restaurant scene, when Ripert and Bourdain weren't in everyone's living rooms, Americans didn't know Provence from Progresso and your ability to appreciate a fine dining experience was based on how big the bill was at the end of the meal. It appears as though the MARC restaurant group that owns Bistro du Midi has missed out on the local/artisan/affordable culinary renaissance that's been happening across America over the past 10 years and is still relying on a model that preys upon ignorance and an immature palate. I realize this all may seem a bit vitriolic, but I choose to drop that kind of cash on a meal maybe once every two months. When I do, I don't expect my mind to be blown, but I do expect proper execution and accurate menu descriptions. This time, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that I feel like I've been robbed. Go to Craigie instead.
(2)Denise M.
Dined at Bistro Du Midi last night with friends. The service was excellent and atmosphere comfortable. The beet salad was delicious however was quite disappointed by the Bouillabaisse. It was quite flavorful but they used a small amount of fish. My husband had the said reaction to it. It was as if they ran out of it and they were trying to make it work. It is a rich sauce, I understand but not sure why they skimped on the fish.
(3)Beth B.
We went to BDM for our annual Christmas dinner with friends. What a lovely space. We went upstairs to a lovely room and were seated at a spacious table in the back of the room near the kitchen. The charcuterie platter was a delight as well as the Spanish mackerel crudo. The hubs and I both got the duck which was perfection. Our friends got the beef daube and the succulent pork chop. All were fantastic. The soufflé's were light and heavenly. All paired with fantastic service and a lovely Bordeaux. Just go & enjoy.
(5)Snuffles B.
I've made 3 passes through here, twice on the small but scenic outter terrace, where there is good people watching and the occasional passer-by who will stare at your food, or waiter that sneaks up on you from outside the terrace. The other was upstairs in beautifully decorated the formal dining room. Regardless of where you are, you can order from either menu. - Bread - Average. - Pissaladere - Flatbread w/ caramelized onions, anchovies, olives, none of which overpowering, the bread was a little soggy, but the flavors were good. - Marinated Octopus - Yummy! - Melon/Crab soup - Refreshing, light - Steamed Mussels - Light and fragrant, huge portion enough for a meal. One of the better mussels I've had recently. - Bouilliabaisse - Very nice soup base, not heavy. - Burger - Ordinary flavors, but the only restaurant in Boston to actually give me a rare burger cooked rare. - Warm Cherry Clafoutis w/ Vanilla Ice Cream - Like a creamy bread pudding with cherries. Really delicous, huge portion, definitely share this with another person. - 3 Types of Barbajuans - Flaky little bites, the courgettes & basil was the best of the 3. - Short Ribs - Flavorful but not tender enough. - Swordfish - Well cooked but flavor a bit pedestrian, liked the bed of roasted eggplant. - Chocolate Trio - Pretty yummy but not memorable. - Strawberry shortbread cookie/basil sorbet - dry brittle cookie but sorbet was very tasty and not overpowering - Complimentary Duo of Marshmallows - Very subtle EVOO and lavender flavors - Can't say I loved it, but it was fun and interesting to try. Unlike some of the recent reviews, I've had no problems with the service, which is attentive but not all up in your face - our waiters were really pleasant and were fun to chat with, and the food came and went exactly at the right time. By the sound of it, the experience at Bistro du Midi might be best appreciated when it is not busy. I was there once with a friend who is from Paris who said that it felt very much like home. The view of the park, great atmosphere, overall solid food, and friendly service makes this a good dining experience.
(4)Ian M.
I liked it, not loved it. Lobster Ravioli were quite good. A little stuffy as we sat upstairs and the crowd was a bit older. Downstairs might be the place to be for a more casual engagement. The steak looked amazing, next time...
(3)ann n.
Warm ambiance and wonderful staff. The first floor is a casual chic cafe and bar. The second floor is a bit more formal and has private dining rooms for larger groups. The lighting and decor is simple and well done. We tried the beet salad (very tasty) and mussels to start. Thereafter, we had the cod, shellfish bouillabaisse (a bit salty), beef daube (amazing). For dessert, the chocolate souffle - definitely worth the wait. A great addition to the Boston's dining options and will back often this summer. Au revoir for now.
(5)Mike G.
definite stars for space, service, wines and delicious focaccia. food is standard french-new england bistro that mostly meets expectations. recent eats: roast beet salad with chèvre and the most excellent steak au poivre with a side of chili frites. street level bar/dining is casual, upstairs cozy-refined. really cool alternative for any occasion.
(3)isa g.
We had high hopes for this restaurant based on all the rave reviews on Yelp and high recommendations from a good friend but we were all extremely disappointed with poor service and lousy main courses last Saturday night. We were seated upstairs in the main dining room. Granted it was a humid evening for September but the dining room was extremely warm. We could not feel any AC in the middle of the room where we were seated but the entire dining room seemed hot since a lady sitting 2 tables over from us was fanning herself with a giant paper fan. The evening started out great with interesting cocktails. There were 4 of us so we each ordered different drinks and they were all good. The appetizers (grilled octopus, tuna tartar, grilled foie gras) were also very good. Then the rest of the meal went straight downhill from there. Our entrees (Mediterranean Sea bass, roasted chicken for 2, and mussels w/fries) took forever to come out. We knew the chicken took 45 min and that was fine but when our chicken was done it was brought out to our table to be shown then taken back to the kitchen to be carved up and this took another 30 min. When we finally got our meal, our fish was cold and everything else was luke warm with the exception of the French fries (only hot item). It seemed like the rest of our entrees were sitting around until our side order was being prepared. Oh and the roasted chicken was undercooked as it was pink when we cut into the thigh meat. The fish was just awful so when we complained to our waitress about the cold fish and luke warm entrees, etc. she gave us an attitude and said "what do you want me to do about it". All of us were just stunned by her complete lack of concern but at least she had the common sense to speak with the manager. Anyway John (I think that was his name) came over and tried to make it up to us by not charging for the fish and giving us complimentary dessert sampler on top of the chocolate soufflé we had ordered at the beginning. Overall our dinner for 4 of us cost around $340 and took 3 hrs. and by the end of the evening all of us just wanted to get out of there. We should have just gone to Mistral as their service and food is always spot on. Anyway we will probably avoid this place for dinner but who know we may consider giving it another try for brunch as their brunch menu looked really good.
(2)Anna L.
Having grown up in Paris, I am pretty picky when it comes to restaurants, especially those that call themselves French. But Bistro du Midi is amazing. Plus: The food is always good, whether you eat brunch or dinner. Dinner is more of a high-end experience, whereas brunch is more laid back. It all depends what kind of meal you are looking for, but in either case you won't be disappointed. I have had salads, fruit plates, soups, fishes, meats, desserts, croque madame etc. and have never had a complaint. Plus: The service is impeccable. Very professional without being pretentious. What I like is also the pace of dinner. It is quick enough that you don't sit there wondering whether you have been forgotten, but not to the extent that you feel rushed. Plus: They have valet parking, which is very convenient. When I left, they had brought my car up front and heated. Since it was freezing outside, I appreciated the extra effort.
(5)Gelsey B.
I went there with a group of friends in restaurant week for the first time, and I will definitely go there again sometime. The food was great, I got Seared Petit Iron Steak, Potato Purée, Beef Jus which was delicious although a bit cold. I loved the Blueberry Clafoutis, Lemon Curd Ice Cream that I got for the dessert. The service was also professional and friendly.
(5)Renee B.
it was tasty but expensive and nothing really stood out as really remarkable. We went for brunch and I was just whelmed by the food (not under or over) and I left a little lacking. I might try it again but I am not in a hurry.
(3)Liz E.
Wonderful spot to people watch and enjoy some strong and delicious cocktails!
(4)Jessica H.
I hardly ever... wait... scratch that... I never write 5 star reviews. Bistro du Midi deserves 5 stars. This is one place that will go down in my memory banks of amazing restaurant experiences. We started at the downstairs bar where Geoffrey served us a pre-dinner glass of wine. It was early and slow so we started chatting about wine and he was gracious enough to pour us a taste of two amazing bourbons and two gins. It wasn't the tastes that were amazing - it was the service. The hostess was wonderful. She made sure we were seated promptly after asking for our table (for which we had made reservations but then detoured to the bar) and was gracious while I checked my coat. She directed us to a second hostess (who really needs to eat a sandwich and wear flats) upstairs. The upstairs dining room is incredibly tastefully decorated. Sunny, great view, comfortable and elegant. As the sun set the view changed into twinkling lights. Lovely. Understand New England elegance at its finest tempered with studied Provencal inspired French cuisine. Our server was Eric, who was the only dim spot in the evening. And it's not that he was bad mind you, it's just that everyone else was amazing. Eric was helpful and kind - he just didn't have the same fine dining finesse as everyone else. He was a little less knowledgeable and a little more familiar than the evening warranted. He could recite the menu, but he didn't know the menu - n'est pas? The pork terrine was amazing. The foie gras was sinful. The sea bass was probably Chilean - meh. But the fennel it was served with - oh my god the fennel. Cooked sous vide and then seared. The sky opened and harps played as angels wept. That fennel was smack your mama good. It was smack yo' gran'mama good. The cod needed a wee bit more seasoning and I was ever so slightly disappointed that the chorizo wasn't more in the foreground. Also - the chickpeas could have been lightly mashed so they don't roll on the plate. But dessert - order dessert. Order the souffle. Order the Grand Marnier souffle. Angels, choir, harps, yes, yes. (A previous poster mentioned the server asking about dessert too early - however - if a souffle is being made fresh it needs at least 20 minutes. The ticket is going to go in after your entree is served. The server needs to ask early if souffle is one of the specialties - which it is at Bistro du Midi. I ordered mine with my appetizer). The brightest spot in the evening - the sommelier, or self-proclaimed "wine geek" Kelly. I heart Kelly. I will always ask Kelly's opinion when I go to BdM. His pairings were spot on. We savored every moment, every sip, every sniff, every swirl. Bottom line - great food, great service, great atmosphere - without feeling stuffy or pretentious. My new favorite place.
(5)Lauren D.
I was a bit skeptical going to Bistro du Midi - the former Excelsior location was one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I took the plunge and I'm so happy I did. The food was amazing: scrumptious bread basket with delicious oil, barbajans (fried filled pastas with deliciousness inside) were something I had never tried but I will definitely be having again, a perfect beet & goat cheese salad, melt-in-your-mouth beef daube (much like marinated short rib that's been in a slow cooker for days) with the most buttery mashed potatoes, and one of the best chocolate souffles I've ever had. The wine list was impressive (I agree with another reviewer that the wine by the glass list was short, but the half bottle list a mile long more than made up for it), and the service was prompt, courteous and happy to help explain the menu and choose a wine. An excellent replacement for Excelsior (oh - and I believe it's less expensive as well!)
(5)Nam T.
I had the pleasure of having a fantastic dinner at Bistro du Midi. First and foremost the service is exceptional!! Our waiter was very helpful by offering a few recommendations for my friend and I. I ended having the monkfish, which was cooked to perfection, and my friend had the foie gras which was equally as perfect. He ended our meal with the souffle. The souffle will take about 25 minutes to make from the time you order it, but believe me when I say it is WORTH it. If the food doesn't make you want to come here, the atmosphere should. If you are a fan of a slightly dim and sophisticated atmosphere, this place is for you. It is sure not to disappoint.
(4)Don M.
I'm happy to report two things - albeit a little belatedly: 1. Apparently, Bistro Du Midi staff read Yelp - and that's very good news! 2. And, I can only assume that - based on my last update - I finally received my discount parking vouchers and cards for free meals at the Bistro. That happened about a week after the update. We haven't had a chance to go back to Bistro Du Midi since I got the freebies, but when I do I'll post an update. For the moment though, I've restored a star for the good faith effort on their part.
(2)Anya R.
I come here often and absolutely love this place. In the summer, it's a great way to spend an afternoon: just sitting outside with a bottle of wine and some appetizers. In the winter, it's a very cozy and welcome atmosphere. This is great place to catch up with friends - it is fairly quiet as far as restaurants go and you can linger for as long as you want after your meal is over. Bistro also has a wonderful brunch that is surprisingly not too pricey. My favorites from the menu: the mussels, the octopus, tuna tartar, the artichokes and the gnocchi. Tip: if you sit downstairs, ask for the upstairs menu.
(5)Thad B.
Excellent. Very nice space, the staff was attentive and devoted to making our meal a great experience. Fluke salad, monk fish, black bass were all delicious and fairly priced. Even though it was restaurant week, the staff never missed a beat and really impressed. This is a special place.
(5)Max N.
Had a superb dinner here the other night, taking my mother for her birthday. The wine list is great, and we got a superb half-bottle at a reasonable price, which paired very well with our fish dishes (mediterranean sea bass with fennel, really good; monkfish with grilled eggplant; truly excellent). The dessert was pretty good but not as impressive ("rhubarb rose crumble," or something like that; I didn't taste any rose). The service was a little spotty. I saw some neighboring waiters who looked great, but ours seemed a bit clumsy and newish, though friendly enough without being desperate.
(4)Ryan K.
This is a great place to grab lunch or dinner! Loved it! Great place to eat on the patio and people watch while enjoying great food. This is a must do when in Boston!
(5)Giuseppe F.
Value for money - 3/5. I was surprised at the pricing. The food was good but a bit more expensive than it was really worth. Ambience - 5/5. We sat at a table right in front of the patio on the ground floor. Looking out into the Public Gardens while drinking Sancere and watching well dressed folk walk down Boylston as cars drove by was, how do you say, Fantastique! Totally reminiscent of an actual French bistro. Service - 4/5 - Maybe it was the fact that our waiter was actually French, but man oh man was he charming. Very on point with everything. We didn't have to ask for a single thing. Food - 4/5 - The food was just about as I expected (very good) but nothing blew me away. Although I don't suppose bistro food is supposed to blow you away.
(3)Burcin T.
I can't get enough duck! Yes, I had seared foie gras and the duck breast same time. And I could eat another duck dish if they were serving it there. The foie gras was certainly the highlight of the dinner and I am still thinking about how they can make it so well. We had sparkling wine as recommended by their sommelier and it was a very good match. The decor is really magical, shear shiny curtains, mirrors and nice chandeliers with a little summer breeze out...It would be a good choice if you wanted to have a romantic outing. I could only perhaps complain about the distance between the tables, they were a little too close to hear next table's conversation. Well, overall, it was a very good place and I would certainly visit next time I am in Boston.
(5)Mark M.
Waited (no lie) over 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge our presence after being seated. Then, after waving down a number of the staff our "server" came over and gave us attitude for being upset about the wait. He said something about getting caught up at another table (for 20 minutes, mind you). We actually only went to this restaurant because we read a review in the NY Times recently. Plus, I've been to Le Bernardin twice and have been blown away with the food and service. So, if you want decent but expensive food with sub-par service then by all means run straight to this disappointment. ;(
(3)Ilana S.
This is the most magical place I've been since I went to Disneyland in third grade. Everything is miraculous and beautiful and immaculate. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday (yesterday), and even while walking to the Bistro, the world seemed perfect. It was a gorgeous night, some Buddhists just walked by us playing music, the trees were in full blossom. The neighborhood was clearly wonderful. We entered the restaurant about a half hour before our reservations, our coats were taken and we were immediately seated upstairs near the window. Everyone was right, the place is NOISY! But not in an uncomfortable way, in a charming engaging way. The lighting was warm, the wood beams on the ceiling added a special touch. The patrons seemed quite lovely as well. Anyway, on to the food... Our waiter was a young man who resembled Screech, a lot. Screech with a beard. We decided to skip appetizers (something I now regret), and immediately went for Entrees. My boyfriend ordered the Steak au Poivre, which he claims was the best steak he has ever had. The waiter came over with the knife for it and said "your weapon sir" when he placed it. It really livened us up, we were nervous being the youngest people there. I ordered the Sea Bass, and let me tell you, I'm not a fish person, but it melted on my tongue and had the most pleasant flavor. We both ordered sides of mashed potatoes per the waiter's suggestion. I had a when Harry Met Sally moment over this. Eyes rolled back and all I could say was "oh my god, oh my god". Boyfriend had a similar reaction. The mashed potatoes actually made my night. We both ordered Chocolate Souffle, which was for us, too rich therefor we didn't finish it -- though it was DELICIOUS. I'm just too happy about this place. I'm coming back. It's AMAZING.
(5)Christina Y.
I came here last Friday for my birthday dinner and loved it so much that I had to join Yelp and give them a review. I love Bistro du Midi! Everything about them was great. Especially the service. Our waiter was superb and the rest of the staff was just as friendly. The food was really good as well. I will definitely come back to this restaurant!
(5)Rebecca R.
My husband and I finally made it to Bistro du Midi. Wish I'd dined there earlier, as BdM is now my favorite restaurant in Boston. Less fussy than L'Espalier and much more authentic than Sel de Terre. The shellfish bouillabasse is so delectable I had to restrain myself from licking the bowl clean. Appetizers were simple (salmon sashimi drizzled with lemon, olive oil and herbs; duck tenderloins) and beautifully prepared. Wine suggestions were parfait. Indulge yourself -- have the Gran Marnier souffle -- it is as good as dessert gets.
(5)M B.
Bistro du Midi is fantastic. I ordered the steak au poivre, which was a bit on the larger size, but was amazing. I also had the olive and eggplant tapenade with crostini, gratin dauphinois, and the Grand Marnier soufflé. The staff was very helpful and we had great seating by the window which had a wonderful view of the park. Great ambience, food, and friendly service.
(5)Kevin S.
Best new restaurant in Boston in a LONG time. See my pervious reviews of Excelsior....we ate here 3-4 x a month, and were nervous to see what would replace it. Its different that the old, but great in its own way. The staff is VERY professional and all have very solid previous experience. The wine by the bottle list is very extensive. But the food.....is amazing and at a VERY fair price. Reservations more than a week in advance are needed!
(5)Bonilee P.
Bistro du Midi is good, but I always find myself more excited by the menu than what appears to me on the table. I have been twice in the last few months. The wine list is excellent. Staff is readily available to provide whatever is needed. I have had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives, which was very good but rich. After eating some of the plate you crave a simpler taste. I have also had the Grilled Pork Chop, Sunchokes, Brussels Sprouts, but it was a little bland. For appetizers I most recently had the Marinated Sea Scallops. I originally was ordering them not realizing the fact that they are raw, and when my waiter pointed that out, I figured I would be adventurous and try it anyway. After trying it I believe it would be even better cooked. I have also tried the Spicy Lamb Tartar appetizer from a friend, it was good. For desserts I have tried the Quince & Apple Crumble, the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Iced Pistachio Parfait, all of which were not extraordinary. My overall impression is that Bistro du Midi has a very nice atmosphere with food that can be hit or miss, but does have great wine. I would say that for the prices, however, I may go to other bistro type restaurants.
(3)Sara S.
The service was terrible. The waiter brought the white wine out at room temperature and when we asked for it to be chilled, the sommelier came to the table and insisted that room temperature was the European way to drink white wine. The food was average. I won't be returning here.
(2)Susan P.
We ate outside on a great day. Very nice service- both fast and friendly. Yummy breadsticks. The petanque, a French versin of a margarita flavored with lavender, was phenomenal. Beautiful decor. Simply seasoned cod. My 8- and 10-year old daughters shared the beef en daube, and loved it. Vegetarians beware: the delicious chopped salad comes with bacon and tuna. The cheese plate was overpriced ($24) but otherwise, the prices were very fair for a lovely dinner. This restaurant is probably too fancy for many children, but my girls loved it.
(4)Molly D.
One of my favorite spots. Pricey but worth it. Sit, relax, enjoy your food and drink with no rush. The restaurant upstairs is lovely but try the bar too, it's great!
(5)Aditi R.
Excelsior used to be here before. I heard it was a nice place, but Bistro du Midi definitely works as well. Maybe it was the weather, the falling flowers, or perhaps just the company, but I fell for this place. We sat outside for an afternoon wine after a stroll around Copley. The outside seating area was small, though I do know they open up the giant windows when there are more people (and there will be as the weather gets nicer). The waiter was very nice and gave us our time to look through the menus and politely let us know that we can't just have alcohol outside because of Mass laws...which I hate...but we'll have to order something to eat per person. Now I know for a fact that this doesn't hold true at other establishments and this turned me off a little bit (hence the one star off) but we went with it and ordered some fries and vegetables. Both were great. But really you have to take a look at their wine collection - over 200. By the glass of course they are less in number, but impressive regardless. We sat there for almost an hour and half and not once did we feel hurried. We enjoyed our time there overlooking the garden and a good time was had by all. Definitely coming here again!
(4)Anna R.
I went here for restaurant week in March on a Wednesday night. It was PACKED. The appetizers and desserts were the highlight of our meals and the entrees were just "meh." Would have given it 3 stars if it weren't for the pretentious sommelier. Now I realize sommerliers are pretentious by definition but this guy was such a prick. With the wine menu in hand I asked him to recommend a shiraz. He rudely looks down and says "you're looking in the index page", takes it from my hand and turns to the page with shiraz. Um hello I know how to look at a menu. He didn't end up recommending anything and I ended up ordering something else. Isn't that his job? Ruined my whole experience and I likely won't be back.
(2)Alex L.
Place is really nice, the food not so much, very average and completely overpriced. Would not revisit. This is based only on the salmon benedict, no go. Other dishes may be be great, I don't know.
(2)Kelli F.
I went for dinner last Saturday night with a group of girlfriends. Love the location, and first impressions of the downstairs bar area were terrific. The decor was really appealing and well done. Our reservations were for the upstairs bistro area. It is a large area and tastefully decorated, but as the night wore on the noise level became a bit much. Thinking about the decor, the ceilings are high, the drapery is sheer and mixed with hardwood floors. All very nice, but not much help in dulling the noise level. It did become difficult at times for the six of us to hear one another at 'appropriate' voice levels. Maybe it was just the night we were there, but the patrons were a bit on the older side. Drinks were prompt and well made, appetizers were prompt as well. The fried artichokes with aoli are TO DIE FOR! I'd go back just for a plate of those and a glass of wine. I had the barbajuans, which were pretty good as well. The main course was good... Once it arrived. I do think that Bistro Du Midi is still working out some kinks. Whether it is wait staff or the kitchen in unknown, but our dinner took way longer than is really appropriate. From my dish of Saffron Chitarra & Seafood, to the Seabass, Classic Bouillabaisse, Goat Cheese Gnocchi and Monkfish, no one had any complaints. We did skip the after dinner drink to head next door to the Four Seasons for a quieter location. I'd definitely return. The price point was really good! Lower than expected, to be honest. Wait staff was apologetic for the delay. Next time, I'd like to try the bar (downstairs) during the afternoon with a window seat overlooking the Public Garden.
(3)Yoko M.
Meh is a good way to describe my meal and experience. 1. We had a reservation and had to wait about 15 minutes to sit. 2. I had the tuna tartare which was good but not spectacular 3. I had the garganelli pasta with the wild boar ragout. It was good except for the CHUNKS of plastic that I discovered halfway through the dish. I think I even accidentally swallowed a piece.. 4. We ordered soufles for dessert which were delicious except for the fact that we had to wait a while for silverware to eat it (that was torture). Also, my fiancée's mother found a plastic bristle in hers... All in all I would not go back. I hope that others don't experience the plastic pieces in their food.
(2)Christalina W.
Went to Bistro Du Midi for restaurant week, and winded up ordering off the regular menu, since the prices were pretty comparable! The atmosphere of the restaurant was great. Very cute and intimate. Good date spot! Great view upstairs of Boston Common, and a nice patio outside for seating. Service was very attentive and everyone was friendly. However, the food took FOREVER to come out. I have a feeling this is done on purpose...drawing out the meal, but 3 hours for 1 dinner is a long time in my opinion. The foccacia-like bread was good, pleasantly soft, and my husband enjoyed it very much. It came with dipping olive oil. I thought the bread was good, but a bit bland. For an appetizer, we got the olive and eggplant tappenade. I thought it was ok, I did not really love the flavor of the tappenade, but my husband loved it, and ate the entire thing! We ordered the chicken for two, which was supposed to take 45 mins, but took about 2 hours. They brought it over to us when it was done to show it before they cut it, and then it took them another 30 mins to bring it out to us. The chicken, however, was amazing. It was roasted, and very moist and delicious. It had some sort of chopped garlic mixture underneath the skin. It also came with roasted potatoes and asparagus which were tasty. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate souffle with the salted caramel ice cream on the side, but it was a bit disappointing. The ice cream was delicious, but the souffle was unspectacular. It was almost bland and really needed the ice cream to compliment it. It did come with a white sauce on the side, that you're supposed to pour over the cake, but I didn't like the white sauce..and would have preferred a lot more ice cream. The souffle was very rich, but not very sweet, I think I would have preferred sweeter. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, but don't know if I would go back. I almost wished we had chosen the restaurant week menu, as the steak that people were ordering looked awesome, as did the gianduja palette, which was one of the desserts.
(3)Steve A.
The service was great, the food was incredible and the set up was unique. We started with the fried artichokes with aioli and the soft shell crab...both were cooked to perfection. For dinner I had the monkfish special which was served over grilled eggplant (first time in my life I've ever liked eggplant) and it was the best tasting dish with monkfish that I've had in my life. My girlfriend had the goat cheese gnocchi with a pesto sauce which was equally as good as the monkfish. Highly recommended!!!
(5)Mr C.
My wife and I came to Boston from Philadelphia on May 4 to visit our good friends and celebrate our 5th anniversary. Our only agenda was to eat at Bistro du Midi and Craigie on Main. In hind-sight we should have eaten both meals at du Midi. I am not going to trash the other restaurant on this review, but the food at du Midi is far, far superior, and much more affordable. The value difference is unmeasurable. Save your money and dine here, you won't be disappointed. The food, the presentation, the service all impeccable. Finally a restaurant that gets it. Serves great food through skill and technique. Here in Philadelphia and apparently in Boston, chefs are trying too hard to be different with off beat ingredients without the proper knowledge of their use. It was refreshing to have an incredible meal executed to perfection. From the greeting at the door until we got our coat check back the experience was the gold standard of how a restaurant should be run. Don't think of not dining here if you are in the area. We would travel back again in an instant. Food A+. Service A+. Ambiance A. The only reason not an A+ was a weird hum that cuts on and off in the Dining room. Air conditioner maybe. Otherwise. Perfection. Can't say enough.
(5)Jay B.
We decided on Bistro du Midi for my wife's birthday dinner, and we're glad we did. The downstairs bar and upstairs dining rooms are both well designed (we never went when it was the Excelsior), and our reservations via Open Table worked out perfect for Friday at 730pm. The wait staff is amazing - and the selection of french fair - solid. The appetizers including foie gras, charcuterie, and oysters - awesome. Entres were also tasty with the filet de beuf having a rich onion meets sauce of salty wonder taste that paired perfectly. The sommelier was also spot on with picks for wine - and we ordered ahead two chocolate soufflés for dessert - both excellent. We think this is a perfect place for groups up to 6-8 people - but our table of 5 was also a good size. We'll have to go here again later in the year.
(4)R W.
What a great date spot. Valentine's Day is coming up guys. If you want to get lucky, this place is a good booking. No luck? Don't blame the place. It'll meet you half way. Food is good. Portions are decent. Decor is stunning. Younger feel fine dining. Good service. Good location.
(4)john c.
Had a great night here. Nice atmosphere. Great service. We ate the mussels, then the steak au poivre and the beef daube (short ribs) in an awesome, rich wine sauce. Good value for the price. We ate upstairs in the dining room. Downstairs at the bar, the vibe is very cool and more casual.
(4)Shantel S.
I went to Bistro du Midi for my wedding anniversary (which is also New Year's Eve) and they treated us like royalty. The entree portions were good-sized and the wine selection is enormous. The chef wrote "happy anniversary" in chocolate sauce on our dessert plate. The waiters were attentive and incredibly nice. I will definitely be back!
(5)Ivan P.
What a great place to dine! I am writing this review after second time we've been there and impression is still the same. Even coming there on Friday night was good. Staff was courteous and efficient. the food was great and ambiance romantic. What else more you would want??
(5)Matthew P.
Food was incredible from start to finish. We were a group of 7 and from the little bites, to the appetizers, entrees and desserts (the soufflés were sublime!) the food neared perfection. The kitchen staff should know that they are acing it. However the service was downright embarrassing for such a nice establishment. It bordered on Romper Room. The waitress was extremely nice as were the people that greeted, the sommelier, bus folks etc but the orchestration of the meal was completely off. It started with the length of time to get our first drink. Then we ordered wine and food. The food every step came WAY before the wine. We ordered red wine with before our entrees came and the food came and we waited about 15 minutes before the wine arrived. We were told I'd we wanted soufflés that the needed to be ordered in advance - so we did. They came immediately after the entrees were cleared before they brought the dessert menus so that for 7 of us we got 2 peoples desserts and waited 20 minutes for the other 5. The bartenders brought 2 cocktails that were not the right liquor, flat water was poured on top of sparkling etc. None of these issues alone would have mattered, but all in one meal?? For a dinner that cost about $1000 -- I would have expected smoother service. And the temperature in the room was high 70s in the dead of winter -- even the servers were sweating..... In summary - talented chef, great food, bad service.
(2)Erdan L.
Great food. Did not realize we can sit upstairs, which is better.
(4)Dylan M.
I have been here twice. Once downstairs and once upstairs. What a great little place. It is a little pricey but not outrageous. I just love it. I will definitely be going back!
(4)Jennifer J.
I went with my girls for dinner tonight. The food was really good and I loved the space. The bartender was handsome and so thoughtful. Overall, a first class experience. We will be back...all six of us!!!
(5)carolyn d.
The space is fantastic. The food was very good. Portions were (very) small. The monkfish gave one of us food poisoning. Will definitely go back, but will probably eat downstairs, and will definitely avoid the monkfish.
(3)Kiki B.
With this chef, this location, of course amazing - though Excelsior is sorely missed! Really hoping it succeeds!
(4)Allison K.
I live a couple of blocks away from Bistro du Midi and have frequented the restaurant since its opening. The upstairs dining room is lovely and the bar area is adorable, especially during the summer when they open the French doors. The food is consistently good, but I never had a meal there that blew me away until brunch this morning: best pancakes I have ever eaten! It's hard to describe how delicious they were. The sides were almost crispy, while the center was fluffy and rich at the same time. I will definitely be back for more soon!
(5)Sara M.
Went for dinner at the bar on a Saturday night. I thought the atmosphere and service were great - trendy decor, dim lighting, and wonderful bartenders who were attentive yet not in-your-face. We got there around 7:45 and were able to grab a seat right away (party of two). We each ordered a glass of wine and entree. The wine prices were reasonable for the setting (about $9/glass). My croque monsieur sandwich was really delicious - not too salty, not greasy at all. The side salad was *extremely* salty, but I think it is meant to be this way. Still, I couldn't eat it for that very reason. My husband's burger and fries were also delicious and he's already planning on returning for another! The burger was large and juicy and cooked just as he ordered (medium). Lots of flavor, and served with three condiments on the side (cooked onions, mayo, ketchup). The fries were light and crisp. For all of this the tab came to $55 including tax and tip. Not cheap, but perfectly reasonable for a Saturday night dinner out. All in all it was a very enjoyable experience!
(4)Michael P.
As far as Bistros go, this place stands above the pack. Delicious food, outstanding service (good job Anastasia!), and a very hip ambience makes DuMidi a favorite. Order the small plates and share while enjoying an extensive list of French and American wines.
(4)Laura H.
I did not know that a new restaurant had opened in this spot and walked in Wednesday with a friend. We sat at the bar had a few drinks and a bite to eat. We were surprisingly amazed at the level of service and the food was scrumptous. Matt, our bartender was very attentive and friendly, chatted with us the whole time. He described the main courses which sound delicious, so I can't wait to come back and try more when I have more time. We just had a small bar dish, but from what I can tell this place will be a hit!
(5)Elena A.
Very classy but not pretentious place with a beautiful decor and great service. Excellent location with gorgeous views of Boston Common! The food is very good overall and prices are surprisingly reasonable. I simply love their cherry clafoutis dessert and sometimes want to go back to have just that dessert. It's a delicious moist cherry pie that they serve with vanilla ice-cream, sooooo good! Souffles are amazing too, I always get impressed with different dessert menus at restaurants - boring molten chocolate cake what? Drinks are very different and memorable as well and not to mention all the tasty food. I loved the lamb ravioli appetizer and shellfish bouillabaisse! The duck breast was good, but not the best I've had - it was a little overcooked for my taste, but still very decent. The decor is very nice -the downstairs area is a swanky bar and there is a large dining room upstairs with a fireplace and open kitchen. My only negative comment is that the service was almost too attentive - throughout the dinner, we had three different people (in addition to our waitress) coming up to the table asking how everything is going. While it was nice, it felt almost too much. But seriously, if the overattentive service is my only complaint about this place, hell yeah I'll take it and be back!
(4)Susan C.
Bistro looks good did a good job. Very very noisy. Venison was good lamb chops more fat than meat never had been trimmed. Server was good, Goat cheese and beet salad had two little pieces of goat cheese lots of beets. Managers just walked around never looking if anyone needed anything. They don't use their elevator I was told it dones look good so they had it with a curtain covering it so if you need to use the restroom you must do the stairs you almost would feel uncomfortable to ask to use the elevator. The grand marnier souffles were awful they were burned and we sent them back never ever have sent back dessert. General manager said it tasted fine like we didn't know what we were talking about rest assure we do., I would not go back save your money go to many other places in Boston.
(2)kara o.
Went to Bistro du Midi for the first time today. Great setting, nice space. Unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow. Waited over an hour for our meal and the restaurant was not even nearly full. Once our meals, came one out of the four was the incorrect order. Although they were apologetic, there was no offer to comp the meal that was Incorrectly ordered. Food was fresh, but nothing spectacular.
(2)Lynda M.
After spending an afternoon at the MFA, my friends and I arrived here for an early dinner. The space is so different than the previous occupant, Excelsior. Nice outside space, although it had just poured from the heavens so we opted for indoor seating. The 1st floor bar area is more central, and the colors more neutral and inviting, giving it a more casual bistro feel. We ordered wine at the bar while waiting for our table. The bartender was friendly, and very helpful. He let us sample a few selections, I love that! Great variety of French and other regions. We dined upstairs by the window, what a beautiful space. There is also a large bar upstairs. We had a lovely view of the Commons, and dined on Sea Bass, Bouillabasse and saffron infused pasta wih squid and mussels, with a side of garlic broccoli. We also split a green apple salad. The bread sticks were also delish!!! Our Gamay, recommended by the sommelier, was excellent. For dessert we shared the trio of sorbets, raspberry, coconut and blood orange, with homemade nougat candies. Our waiter was excellent, service outstanding. Very high end feel, without the high end costs. $60 each, including tip, when it was all said and done. A very nice edition to Boston, and we will be back.
(5)Mo S.
Food was excellent. I ordered the the Beef Daube with Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes. The meal just melts in your mouth. The polenta was smooth and creamy. Their drinks were unique and yummy. The service was great. The soufflés were amazing and definitely something to try here.
(5)Jerry H.
Excellent food. Reason enough to go but there is more. View of the Garden from either upstairs or the tables outside in the summer. Good wine list with reasonable markups. Servers are attentive and knowledgable. Highly recommended. Best bistro around.
(5)Shahzad S.
Went during lunch. Ambiance would be better in the evening. Comfort food. Preparations well done. Solid overall.
(3)Rebecca R.
My husband recently took me here for my 30th birthday and it surpassed expectations. It was the middle of the week, a Wednesday night, so you do not expect the top service or chef to be in the kitchen. However, the meal was flawless. They had our reservation from open table and figured out exactly who I was since my husband arrived before me and sent us upstairs promptly to get our table. We ordered a glass of prosecco to start and it was delicious and served promptly. My appetizer, the fried artichokes, was perfect. The batter was light enough not to overpower the artichokes and the aioli was a perfect compliment. My husband's barbajuans were also delicious but I preferred the artichokes. Our server was very attentive and there was always someone right there to bring the next plate or remove the old one. Then came our entrees. My husband had the pork special with a piece of pork presented in an artful way and some pork belly to accompany it. I didn't taste it since I don't eat pork, but he enjoyed it immensely. He particularly liked the pork belly. I had the Beef Daube with Mashed Potatoes and we shared a side of the Broccoli with Garlic. My beef was perfectly cooked, it was fork tender and the mashed potatoes were an excellent pairing with the meat and the sauce. The broccoli was done perfectly and the most delicious broccoli I have tasted. I couldn't stop eating it. I do like my mashed potatoes with a bit more oomph, these were very light and thin and I prefer mine to be more solid. The taste was very good, however. We did not taste the desserts because we had birthday cake waiting at home, but we will be back for another special occasion and before that for the bar menu and to sample the desserts. The decor was very classic with one exception we noticed, the ceramic beehive shapes in many colors above the fireplace in the dining room.
(4)Mary C.
Had a lovely, relaxing lunch here last week. I had the Nicoise salad with seared tuna (not out of a can!) and it was very good. The wine was delicious. The service was impeccable. It was just as nice in March sitting inside as it was in the summer when we sat in the outdoor terrace.
(5)Lynne K.
I amend my previous review of this restaurant! The second time we went was fabulous! The food was delicious and the service perfect. We walked in, and the downstairs was about 3/4 full. The hostess sent us upstairs, where the staff was waiting for us. We were seated by the window promptly. Upstairs was about half full. The waiter promptly came over and provided us drink menu's and a warm welcome. We ordered drinks, and warm bread came out. I ordered a drink special with vodka and fresh strawberries, and it was extremely good. It came in a cool carafe with a straw. For appetizers, I ordered the chilled melon soup with crab, and my husband ordered the foie gras. Over appetizers, the manager came over and introduced himself. He was extremely nice, and talked my husband (jokingly) into taking me to Paris so he could compare the foie gras! It was a pleasant conversation. The chilled soup had plenty of crab and had a great twang, something I enjoyed. There was plenty of flavor with a few chunks (not too many) of melon for welcomed bursts of flavor. My husband thought the foie gras was extremely well prepared, with a perfect texture and taste When the waiter heard me debating about wine, he sent over the sommelier to assist with my decision. I decided to forego the wine and instead order dessert - a great decision! For dinner, my husband ordered lamb chops and I ordered the gnocchi with pesto and fresh goat cheese. The gnocchi was TO DIE FOR. Melt in your mouth good! The goat cheese blended nicely with the pesto. The lamb was cooked perfect - I don't usually enjoy lamb, and I enjoyed the taste and texture of this. We also ordered the potatoes dauphine, and they were wonderful - creamy, flavorful and absolutely delicious. For dessert, I ordered the most delicious chocolate souffle, and my husband ordered the cheese plate. He ordered port and an espresso, and I ordered tea. Cheese was fresh, and the toasted bread it came with was enjoyable. The souffle was wonderful - warm and delicious and truly enjoyable. And not overly rich - perfect flavor and texture. One thing I noticed, which was an enormous change from last time we were dined at Bistro du Midi, was that our water glasses were never less than half full. The staff was great and attentive. Staff knew what they doing, and everyone walking around the dining room had a purpose. We weren't being rushed at all, but the food also didn't take forever to come out (which wasn't true the last time). Overall, I would absolutely go back to this restaurant. The price was more expensive than a regular night out, but not so obscene as to make this a once a year place. The entire night (keep in mind, we only had one drink each) was about $120-$140, and that includes appetizers, entree (plus one side) and dessert for both of us. Price was absolutely reasonable for the quality of food and service we received. The service was beyond great, and I would say this restaurant absolutely redeemed itself this time around. I would definitely recommend it, as well as visit again. We've already recommended that my in-laws try Bistro du Midi again!
(5)Michelle B.
I stopped by and had lunch here last week. Sitting at the patio area with a nice Boston weather was a perfect experience. For the main dish, I had the "Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade"($15) and i love it! All the oily bit from a salmon is cooked away but still tender and juicy. The little layer of fish skin is crisp, not like anything you can make at home. I don't usually eat fish skin because I always feel it's just layer of extremely squashy piece attached with a lot of fat (although fish oil is suppose to be good for you.) But the texture here is totally different and nice. It completes the dish. I'd recommend this dish to all seafood lovers. Then, I had a dessert "Nectarine and Plum Crumble with Sweet Corn Ice Cream" ($9), recommended by the waiter. We had some chat. He's very friendly and attentive, also very knowledgeable about the menu. AND, he has a cute Russian accent!!! LOL! The dessert is a combination of hot - baked fruit slices with crumb on top with cold - a ball of ice cream on the side. Hot too hot and cold too sweet if eaten by themselves. Putting them together gives you a bit warm a bit cold a bit sour and a bit sweet taste. Umm~ so good!! Will definitely come back to try their dinner sometime.
(5)Cassandra L.
Woo hoo - this place is as good as it gets! The service is excellent! Food is great. I'm visiting beantown and went here yesterday and back again today. Drinks are creative and delicious. Food is superb!
(5)Richard L.
We had a great dinner at this lovely bistro. The restaurant was busy on a Wednesday evening, but not so noisy that you can't enjoy your conversation. The food was terrific and nicely presented. Sea bass was wonderfully prepared, and the vegetables were fresh and cooked like we had on a recent trip to southern France. We didn't get to the desserts because we ordered and shared different appetizers, but overall an excellent place that we'll return to often.
(5)Michelle S.
Went in last weekend for a drink at the upstairs bar. I'm glad that there's a new restaurant by the Common that's open late. Jeff, the bartender, was awesome - very funny and friendly. He recommended a great wine and obviously knows the menu well. The barbajans (sp?) with honey and goat cheese were incredible - highly recommended. I can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)jamie l.
if i could give half-stars i would have given it 2.5 stars. most of the rating is because of the room(s) - the space is lovely. the food however was a bit of a disappointment. i'll admit - it's been a while since i was truly excited to go to a new boston restaurant, and maybe (like a movie) my mistake was that i got my hopes up too high - but the whole experience was a bit of a disappointment. the table we were sat at (upstairs in the middle of the room) was cramped. i had my chair bumped by wait staff regularly throughout the meal. we were told when considering our wine that the sommelier would come over and answer any questions we had - but when the waiter came over for our order we had yet to have our little chat - so we just ordered wines by the glass. the portions were very small. VERY. i'm not a big person and i've never believed in buying by the pound - i'm all quality versus quantity - but i make a shellfish dish just like the one i ordered at BduM and i know that the tiny little portion i ordered and paid nearly $50 was worth a few dollars. i have no problem at all paying $50 for a dish - just give me enough food so i'm not left shaking my head when the food arrives. i'll admit - it's been a few weeks since we at here and i'm just getting to writing the review - so more details aren't present any longer - but i definitely know that the three of us (all foodies, one from manhattan) all agreed when we walked out that we'd never go back again - other than for a drink on the ground floor. again - the space was lovely.
(2)Melee T.
yes! i am a fan. what a beautiful restaurant. the restaurant feels somewhat like being in someones beautiful home. the service was outstanding and the host was amazingly friendly, charming and accommodating. my girlfriends and i had a great evening there. we enjoyed our meals and our cocktails. definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Boston.
(5)Priscilla S.
i am definetly returning to these restaurant. the fried artichokes are excellent. the squash ravioli are amazing. my husband got the duck and it was delicious. the hazelnut cake was beyond expectations.
(5)stephanie s.
Remarkable. What comes out of the kitchen is golden and prepared to perfection. Why only 3 stars? Well, it doesnt feel French at all. This is an high-end American restaurant with a couple of traditional and very well prepared French (more like Mediterranean) dishes. Putting up french posters and having marble bistro tables doesnt suffice to create a French feel (at least not for a french person like me). Where was my baguette bon sang!!!?? (I got Italian Grissini and basil focaccia bread ) Where is my waiter that isn't dictating the menu but describing the food with personal adoration? Where was the French accent? It looks and tastes French but there is no real French vibe in here. The wait staff is perfect, dictates and recommends perfectly, no soul, no connection, a complete lack of "je ne sais quoi" which makes places like Petit Bistro Robert and La voile still on the top of my chart. I would come here again becasue the food was excellent. I wouldn't come here for an authentic French experience.
(3)AnnaTrilly L.
VISIT: First Timer (It will take a very long time to reconsider on a 2nd chance). SERVICES: MAIN WAITER: Not that he has a french accent and we're not in France but if it was an impression of a french waiter persona, this guy failed BIG TIME! He was a loud obnoxious server. I felt like my ears were going to pop being that every word that came out from his mouth was 3x as loud! No joke! But he was prompt with our services. Yet, I was still annoyed with his personality service just because he wasn't as friendly and calm. I thought it was a bit too harsh. (I'm sure he stands out from the rest of the other waiters.) (FAILED) FOOD: 1. Coral Infused Tagliatelle, Poached Maine Lobster, Chanterelles, Grapefruit, Vanilla Lobster Emulsion $ 31 (BAD) The presentation and taste for this pasta dish wasn't appetizing or fancy enough to be priced over $30! And the dish wasn't as clearly descriptive by menu or by waiter. It is common to assume that most pasta comes out soft unless says otherwise, it came out to be 'al dente' ('Italian' term for firm pasta) but it wasn't tasting right as if it was still too raw and the taste was a bit bland. Oh, and very little lobster bits. (They need to revise the presentation and details of this particular dish.) (FAILED) 2. Grand Marnier Soufflé please allow 25 minutes for preparation, available after 5:00 $ 10 (GOOD) Soft and Sweet. MY THOUGHT: It's a French Restaurant not Italian! I'm not much of a pasta snob but logically most pasta dish comes to be soft. So, if it isn't meant to be soft then it should be explained to the guest before serving. It's important to mention in details when it comes to the texture of pastas! MORE CONCERNED COMPLAINTS: So I addressed the waiter about my dish and he clearly said OUT LOUD (and heard by the entire table) that he will have the chef make me a "new dish". I was going to stick with the dish unhappily (cause I was being nice) but he insisted so I let him. When the pasta came back out, my bowl of pasta looked even worse than when it was brought out the first time. It just looked reheated and so the pasta shrunk and look unappetizing, watered down too. It didn't looked newly made. I literally lost my appetite. I felt ripped off and fooled. Also, halfway the stay at this restaurant while poking at my unappetizing pasta dish the manager came to concern with my unsatisfying meal. I asked him if this dish was just reheated or newly made. He answered it was new. I was already under the impression it was reheated and didn't think he wanted to get busted so he said new. Of course the courtesy, he removed my dish off the bill but he also took away the dish instantly. Ugh! I was curious to why would the manager still came out when the problem was semi fixed when I had answered to the waiter that I'll accept the dish. I then realized that there was a surveillance camera on the ceiling. Assuming, we were being watched as we're eating! Creepy? (UGH!) MANAGEMENT: MANAGER: Very persistent on correcting my unhappy meal error. I will give credit for the right way to compensate. (THUMBS) ATMOSPHERE: Sophisticated. Ideal for romance. (THUMBS) SUGGESTION: 1. May be best to just stay around the bar area or at the least the first floor. (the restroom is on the first floor anyway. =p) 2. May be best for drinks and appetizer if you want to be on the safer side for having a good time (at night). If anyone has any Qs or comments to share with me, like the different experience or concerns please feel free to send me a message! I'd like to hear from you! I'm only being honest and as generous as I can be. Thank you for reading!
(2)Rosemary H.
Came here on Friday with le boy for the first time and we were both really impressed. The food was delicious. I had the lamb tartare to start and seared duck for my main dish. The tartare comes with a cute little quail's egg that you pour over the lamb. So cute and good! The duck was exquisite--perfectly cooked and served with melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi. My boyfriend had the octopus (mmmmmmm) and pork, and both were amazing. I liked the pork even more than my duck dish, but both were great. We split the hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert and holy christ it was tasty. Our cocktails were yummy too, though a bit on the sweet side. Knocked off a star because our waiter was Sir Mumbles and we had to ask him to repeat everything he said. Other than that, the service was great (friendliest maitre d' ever) and the atmosphere very sweet and sophisticated. I would absolutely come back here for a special occasion, I really enjoyed this spot.
(4)Alexandra G.
YESSSS!!! Finally a place for my heart! Having lived in Europe for over 10 years I finally found my little home away from home. Special thanks go out to Daniel S. who was the most educated, charming, and gracious waiter we have ever had! Bon appétit!
(5)Betsy A.
This is quite a solid place. Their plates are simpler than other French restaurants I've been to, however they're full of flavor, and that's what matters in my humble opinion. Their wine selection is full of great wines. I tried a tasty Riesling last time I was here and I loved it. As for the plates, I tried what I believe to be Truffle Raviolis that I don't see in their menu anymore. =( They were delicious. With just the right amount of truffle oil for flavor that's not overwhelming. My date's steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. Service was prompt, although a bit detached. All in all a great experience, which is not that common in over-hyped restaurants around this area... Perfect for a great, relaxing date. =)
(4)dan w.
Service- Extremely friendly and accomodating, but some of the younger waiters needed a bit more polish. Ambience- One of the nicer rooms in Boston with very well spaced tables Food- We take exception to the reviews that say "average". It is above average for the most part, but certainly not great. Lamb tatare very good. Beef Daube ( a braised beef shank in wine sauce) was also very good but could have used some baby carrots or pearl onions. The olive oil mashed potatoes were too good to be served in such a small portion. Duck breast was a perfectly done medium rare and not tough, and more than enough, but again, too unadorned. Wine- Very nice selection, but starts at the low end of about $35-40 with few selections at that range to an average of about $70, with quite a few well into the $100s. So while the food is pretty reasonable, the wine will assure you of an expensive night out. Well versed sommelier to help out with selections.
(4)Robert M.
The food was probably 3.5 but I'm giving them an upgrade for the perfect walk-side seating with a view of the Public Garden on a stunningly beautiful day. Excellent location, pretty ordinary fare.
(4)Josephine L.
Imagine another boring middle-of-the-week Wednesday. It's 3:30 in the afternoon , you've got no plans for the evening and you spontaneously decide to have a drink after work at a place you've never been to. The drink's great, the place is great, and while at the bar, you hit it off with an extremely attractive stranger. Chemistry, sizzle and...the possibility of fireworks? Why not? You're on a spontaneous kick tonight. You give in and have one of the best nights of your life. But wait! There's more! The stranger is not only good but also seems to genuinely want to see you again. Can you say jackpot? Not bad for a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment decision from your usual humdrum routine. Well, my experience at Bistro du Midi was the culinary equivalent of this scenario. Enduring another hump of the week, I decided to liven things up by going to this gorgeous French restaurant on the spur of the moment. It turned out to be one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The restaurant is beautiful in a simple, "less is more" décor kind of way. The servers and wait staff are all attentive without being obtrusive, friendly without being "Hi, my name is Derek, this is my life story including why I want to be an actor and how I wound up being a waiter instead"-type friendly. And the food! Oh, the food! (The food is the sex part of the above analogy, in case you weren't sure.) The prawn appetizer came with the biggest, juiciest, most tender prawns ever, in a dried tomato and basil sauce so good, you WILL lick it up like a dog. I had the seared duck breast, which was perfectly cooked, accompanied by the lightest, fluffiest little gnocchi. My boyfriend had fall-off-the-bone tender lamb. Both entrees reached those physical heights--several times. Then dessert. If the appetizer was foreplay, the entrees were sex, dessert was the post-coital whatever-you-dos (cuddle, smoke) that make the whole experience complete. And boy did these complete. The frozen orange and almond cake was cold, refreshing, sweet, moist and flavorful. I think my boyfriend saw God when he had his first bite of the chocolate fondant--warm, gooey, perfectly textured. Finally, cocktails are under $15 (in the Back Bay? Inconceivable!) and I highly recommend the Péquante if you like citrus. Ask to be seated by the window if you're going anytime soon. The view of the Public Gardens is always breathtaking, but right now, if they put you near the private room, you'll be surrounded by springtime dogwood blossoms lit up by subtly placed twinkling lights. Gorgeous. Oh, and the part about wanting to see you again? The big homemade nougat pieces to take home--compliments of the chef. Damn right I'm coming back!
(5)Beneta P.
I consider my self lucky that had a chance to come here and eat. I would fly from LA to Boston on any given day to have some Thyme Infused Garganelli Pasta, Wild Boar Ragoût, Manchego Cheese and Chocolate Soufflé. Service was excellent we went there two days in row since we only had limited time at Boston so sad :(, but we requested to have Mike one of the servers on the second day because he was so great on the first visit every restaurant need a server like Mike. I recommend this place 100 percent. We need one in LA.
(5)Qasim R.
While this place used to be one of my favorite places in Boston (had I reviewed it any of my previous visits here I would given it 5 stars), my last visit here dropped it down and I don't think I will be going here again considering there are plenty of other similar options in Boston. Went on a bit late this Monday, was a slow day and were immediately seated. The service was good/great but not over the top considering there were hardly any people there it could have been better Am only going to talk about the things that went wrong; -Wine glasses weren't clean which we noticed only after the wine had been poured (something I didn't expect from a place like this). -Steak (Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre) was no where near what it was the last time I had it (was thoroughly disappointed) -Duck (Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, Black Olives) was pretty good but was a bit undercooked than what I had ordered -Ordered a side of Pan Fried Mushrooms instead got Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes -Usually the desserts are amazing but ordered Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, which could have been a bit better -Made a request on the dessert to write happy birthday (as candles were not allowed), which they forgot Over all was very disappointed considering my previous great dining experiences here. Was not worth it all and am probably never going to try it again.
(1)Tony S.
I swear I thought I was in London. It had the crisp, clean ambience of high end casual-but-classy eateries in London (for those of you that know Bibendum, you'll feel right at home here). It has an bodacious upstairs dining room, but during the day, if you're lucky, nothing beats the view of the Boston Common and the passersby as you sit at one of the outdoor tables and sip on an iced tea or other daytime cocktail. If you can't score a table, then opt for bar seating, as the view is just as great. Surprisingly good value for the money, considering the uber chicness of the place. 2 caesar salads (one plain, one with chicken), 2 iced teas, and 2 coffees came out to $42, all on prime-dine real-estate. Definately coming back here again. It adds such the breath of fresh air this city needs.
(4)Randy M.
i think the chef was training for the marathon i will just go for the highlights.. the bread was a day or so old...the Bouillabaisse smelled so bad that you feared getting ill if you ate it....the rare cheeseburger was well done... the service was the cause of alot of this....gawd and on a Saturday might no less..
(1)C N.
Everything about this place was 5 stars but we all agreed only 4 stars because of the waiter. He was pretentious and seemed to be irritated by our questions. The rest of the staff was very pleasant and helpful. The food was well executed and the decor is beautiful.
(4)Thomas M.
My wife and I ate here last night. We both thought the food and the cocktails were outstanding (I had the bouillabaisse, she had the tagliatelle with lobster). The menu plays on southern French food in delightful ways. The staff was very nice and also knowledgable, and the atmosphere was upscale yet comfortable and inviting. I definitely recommend Bistro du Midi.
(5)Bryan R.
Dinner was 5 stars. Amazing waiter who didn't short change us on attention just because he had a whale of a tip coming on another table. Steered me towards a great entree, offered his personal tastes and what he liked and, almost more importantly, didn't like. I'm a big fan of cocktails and I LOVE the Pétanque. Works just as well at brunch on the patio which coincidentally was also five stars. The croque madame hit it out of the park.
(5)Meagan F.
Man, oh man, do I wish every dining experience could be like the one we just had at Bistro du Midi. This place is just simply amazing. In kind of a weird location, between a couple of hotels and upscale shopping locations on Boylston Street, Bistro du Midi is nestled in a difficult-to-notice spot, so difficult, in fact, that in the many years I have been living in Boston, I had never noticed it before. I walk along this stretch of shops many times a week, yet have never stopped in. Such a shame, too, for it is one of the best restaurants in all of Boston. Dog-tired after carrying my best friend's 35 pound two year old all across Boston for Disney Princesses on Ice (so cute, but so tiring!), my fiance had to drag me out to dinner. We couldn't decide where to go, so we figured we would try this place, having just noticed it for the first time. We sat down in Bistro du Midi's bar area, which is first come first serve, for at 7pm on a Saturday, the place was packed upstairs in the main dining room. We immediately grabbed a table by the window, overlooking the gardens, with the twinkling holiday lights outside. Quite romantic for a spur of the moment meal decision. We started with cocktails and yummy oysters. My fiance had a Sazerac which many bartenders do not know how to make, but this one made a killer drink for my man. And the oysters. Oh yes, the oysters. Briny Virginian and Sweet Nova Scotian. Yum. The vinaigrette the chef made was very herbal, and the vinegar was quite thick. A great pairing to the oysters. Next, my fiance had a beet salad with goat cheese and a lemon vinaigrette. Now, many places do a beet salad. I love 'em. But this one is special. Up until now, my favorite had been Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Vegas. Bistro du Midi's is better. The creamy goat cheese, the greens, and the beets are perfectly paired. No single ingredient outweighs another. And, the vinaigrette is tangy, sweet, and simply yummy. I started with the crispy pork belly with ratatouille. So freaking good. The sauce was rich and complemented the pork so nicely. And the veggy ratatouille was amazing. The care in chopping each of the veggy pieces so perfectly and consistently did not fall on blind eyes. The dish just looked beautiful. Next, my fiance had the Beef Daube. Man, oh man, after marinating these hunks of meaty goodness for days upon days in red wine, this was a carnivore's dream. Fall-apart goodness in a bowl of redwine glaze that made you want to lick the bowl clean. Even with my sweet 89-year-old British Nana's voice in my head reminding me of my manners, it was hard not to lick this stuff up. And the mashed potatoes were creamy and garlicy, a perfect pair to the beef. But my main was the real winner (if you can even compare the dishes). I had the Coral Infused Chitarra Pasta with Main Lobster, Sea Beans, and Lobster Jus. I love lobster. But this takes lobster to a whole other level. The pasta is handmade, pink, and delicious. The lobster chunks were plentiful. And the sauce. Oh, the sauce! Thick, creamy lobster sauce that is just incredibly rich and balanced. The sea beans add an extra salty crunch to the dish. Yum. For dessert, my man had the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake with Salted Ice Cream, which he said satisfied all of those cravings-- sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth-- in a single bite. I had the lavender beignets with chocolate sauce. Oh boy, these things were filled with a lavender cream that tasted oh so good. And the chocolate sauce just blew the beignets out of the water. While our meal was exquisite, what sets this place even further over the top is the service. We had two excellent servers, one at the beginning of the night, who gave us excellent app and entree suggestions, and one who took our table over after he and my fiance hit it off talking about cocktails. He ended up pairing every one of our dishes with a different wine, and surprised my fiance with an excellent special after-dinner drink at the end of our meal. He was so knowledgeable, and we were so impressed by his attentiveness. The meal was special to begin with, but the quality of the staff is impeccable. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Kitty L.
SUPERB! Highly impressed. I had out-of-town guests (foodies with very high expectations) and I was tasked with choosing the restaurant for dinner. Had never been, but had heard very good things. Everything was spot-on. From the service (impeccable), to the food (everything was outstanding) to the ambiance - lovely warm french provincial - I loved it all. Standouts were the pork belly appetizer, scallop appetizer, monkfish entree and duck entree. So thrilled to find a spot that seems to do everything exceptionally well. In my line of work, I am always recommending restaurants a/o taking clients out, so it's of tremendous value to find a restaurant that exceeds expectations and one that I would be confidant recommending without hesitation. Grateful to all who made this such a wonderful dining experience. Planning to go back this week.
(5)Todd C.
After reading a few of Bistro du Midi's stellar reviews, I decided to try it out for a late lunch. Service was excellent, as was the ambiance. I ended up ordering the Pissaladière for an appetizer. It was cooked perfectly, with flaky crust and a generous helping of anchovies. I ordered the Steak Frites, and although the fries were excellent, the steak itself was rather tough. To make matters worse, I had ordered it medium rare, but was served slices of steak that still had a pulse. The steak was also rather tough (due in no small part to the rareness). In fairness, my idea of medium rare might lean more towards medium, and I also did not raise the issue with my waiter (who was excellent), so this shouldn't count against Bistro du Midi too much. My other small gripe was over the price they charge for a Kronenbourg draft. While I have no complaints about the beer itself, Kronenbourg is more of a mass-market beer in Europe (slightly better than a Bud in my opinion). I know restaurants in general add crazy markups to booze in general (and beer and wine in particular), but $9 for a pint of Kronenbourg is pretty high. If they started offering something of a higher quality (anything Belgian like Chimay or Duvel), I would gladly shell out $9 (or more). I plan on checking out Bistro du Midi's dinner offerings in the future, so my review may end up being higher. Until then this place is still a solid choice, but if I had to do it over again I'd probably order the croque madame (which looked excellent).
(3)Ed M.
This is an excellent French Provincial restaurant. I was nearby alongside the Public Gardens and decided to have a nice lunch. This Bistro has wide open doors onto the sidewalk, very inviting. They were not busy at 1:30 and I got a table by a door. T he staff was very relaxed and welcoming. My gin and tonic was just right. It came in a short but stubby glass. A good beginning. I ordered the fried artichoke to go with lamb cannenoli (picture). Both were very good. The lamb was a generous lunch portion with three rolls in a cheese sauce, well stuffed with lamb chunks. I had a glass of burgandy from the extensive wine list from which you can findanything you may wish.. They have fried beignets so I had to eat that! A completely unplanned and first rate lunch in a marvelous Boston setting. So glad I came here instead of going to the Oak Bar in Copley Square.
(5)Nicole L.
Went here for Boston Dine out. Really disappointed at the food. Nothing was memorable. My husband had a duck pate for the pate. It was not bad, but we've had better in many other places. I had the sea bass tartar for the first course. We both agreed that it was just okay. Second course, he had the duck bolognese and I had a some kind of white fish steak dish. His dish was pretty flavorful, but.....it's a pasta dish if you know what I mean. I was surprised with the olive sauce/side that came with my fish dish. However, it was pleasant, but I was not amazed. The dessert was again, nothing worth mentioning. I usually think Boston Dine out/ Restaurant is a good way to discover new restaurant. We had some awesome experiences in some places and have been going back during non-restaurant week period. Sadly, this is not the case here. We may wait for another year or two until we want to give this place another try.
(3)Guillaume G.
The food was exquisite. Among my favorites are: 1- Spanish Octopus - very tender and delicious 2- Assortiment de Charcuterie - A must have (the rillettes de porc rank among the best I have ever had) 3- Magrets de Canard 4- Calvados Soufflet Top this with a Saint Estephe from Bordeaux and you have the perfect setting for a perfect dinner. Voila! Bon appetit Mesdames et Messieurs.
(5)Mary T.
French food is one of my favorite types of cuisine and I loved this place! I came here during Restaurant Week and tried their appetizers, main course, and dessert. For the appetizer, I had the escargot beignet. This was interesting. I have never had escargot prepared in this method. They put a batter on the escargot and fried it. And they bathed it in this winter squash soup. The sweetness and creaminess of the soup enhanced the flavor of the escargot! I thought the escargot by itself was a little bland though. As for the entree, I had pan roasted hake. First of all, the presentation was really nice. It was more on the rustic side, but yet they it was cohesive to the rest of the menu. I thought the hake was perfectly seared. The skin was crispy and the fish was moist and cooked at the right temperature. The main element of this dish, in my opinion, was the bouillabaisse. Although the consistency of the soup was light, but they somehow infused it with so much flavor. It was very rich and it paired well with the seafood. The dessert was the highlight of my dinner. I ordered the vanilla mousseline. Every component of the dish was a surprise at first bite. The espresso ice-cream was a perfect way to end the meal! It had such a strong espresso flavor and the chocolate-y, coffee flavor balanced well with the vanilla mousseline. Overall, I enjoyed every aspect of the meal.The service was good as well even though it was really busy. I plan to come back again soon!
(4)Quynh Nhu D.
Had dinner plans with my friends so we just thought hey lets try this place for restaurant week. moi: Escargot Beignet, Roasted Chicken Breast, and Caramelized Bosc Pear Tart Service was fine, no issue. We just sat at a table that made it almost impossible to get in and out so it was a little bit uncomfortable. The escargot came out looking pretty fantastic. I applaud the showmanship. No spoilers ;) But I was surprise that the squash soup was not warm... It wasn't a chill soup though so I was confused. The escargot beignet tasted great, really fun to eat. My main made me sad though. The chicken's seasoning wasn't working for me. The skin was salty but the rest was pretty bland. And they make me feel like I don't like polenta. I hope that if I have chosen something else, it would have tasted much better. My friend's comments that his meal was ok, nothing extravagant. Dessert was my favorite however. The pear tart was nice and warm, leaving a good last impression. Hoping if I ever return, I can maybe bump the stars up a little higher.
(3)Nisha P.
Phenomenal restaurant week dinner! I can be skeptical of Rweek cause they tend to leave key entrees off the menu or skimp on portions. But these guys delivered! For $38, I got pate with bread, mustard, pickles; steak with potato purée; and a chocolate mousse dessert. Everything was cooked perfectly. My steak was a perfect medium rare. The desserts were out of this world. My friend and I also split a carafe of wine so our total meal was only $50/person. What a wonderful experience overall. Johnny was a particularly kind and attentive server!
(5)Vlad A.
Excellent food and service. The scallop appetizer and the halibut were extremely fresh, not heavy and delicious!
(5)Rachel P.
Celebrated round 2 of my birthday at Bistro Du Midi last Saturday night. It was a wonderful evening! The restaurant is beautiful and overlooks the park. The menu is amazing. There are so many options for meat, seafood, and pasta. Everyone at my table had an extremely tough decision to make. Luckily, our waiter was extremely helpful in describing each dish, making recommendations, and helping guide the decision making process. We all started with the Bibb Lettuce Salad. The honey crisp apples and blue cheese was the perfect pairing. It's a wonderful salad. Our table then shared the sausage appetizer and tuna tartar- both were perfect to share for 4 people. I thought the tartar could have used a crispy garnish of some kind, but the flavor and texture was perfect. And the sausage was filled with savory flavors balanced perfectly by the raisins. A very innovative dish. I decided on the Chitarra pasta for my main. I can never turn down a good seafood pasta and this did not disappoint. The pasta itself was infused with black pepper, and it was served with mussels (no shells), calamari, and sea urchin. Perfect balance of seafood flavor but not overly done. I tasted my dad's duck as well and was blown away. He said it was the best duck he ever had, and I can understand why. We all shared one chocolate soufflé for dessert. Usually I find chocolate soufflé to be too rich but maybe I haven't had it done right before, because this was phenomenal. Fluffy and perfect. They also brought a cheese plate with dessert for my birthday which went perfectly with the wine and soufflé. It's a very open room and the acoustics aren't great, so it is very loud in there. But that's the only complaint all evening (and it's more from my parents). I've also sat downstairs for brunch and have never been disappointed. It's a great Parisian vibe.
(5)Janice C.
Since California banned foie gras, I now have to hunt for it on my travels. Thus, my vacation list usually looks like this: 1. Foie gras. 2. Foie gras. 3. OMG! FOIE GRAS. Bistro Du Midi and her lovely self welcomed me and my sister for dinner. We sat outside on the sidewalk since it was a gorgeous, balmy evening. My eyes automatically zeroed in on the seared foie gras with rhubarb coulis and strawberries, boy, it was perfection. I savored every bite and I'm so glad that my sis isn't into foie so it was all mine! She had the mussels in a basil tomato broth and had crunchy grilled bread to dip with. May I say? do NOT ever skip the bread basket here. Obviously made in house, so it was fresh and very good. The grilled Spanish Octopus with compressed watermelon and frisee salad was appropriately fancy (ink vinaigrette? get out of town!) and can we ever have dinner without snacking on french fries? apparently not! Tipsy off of the Marius cocktail (damn that absinthe rinse is soo good!) my sibling and I finished dinner and walked off the calories at the park across the street. Thinking of about my meal here and THAT foie gras, make me wish, I was back in Boston again.
(4)Edward W.
Very nice place with 2 floors: upstairs is more classy & usually for reservations, while downstairs is more casual with bar & patio seating. It overlooks the Public Gardens, so you'll have a nice view while eating. Tried 2 appetizers and an entree: - Foie Gras: Since this is banned in Cali, I decided to try some. Very creamy/ buttery with a very rich taste. Came with some pickled vegetables and jelly to pair with, but I honestly preferred eating it with the complementary bread (great bread btw) - Spanish Octopus: Very tender (for octopus) & nicely marinated. Comes with some mussels and veggies. Preferred this over Foie Gras. - Beef Cheek Daube: My favorite dish by far here. Tender to the point of falling apart in your mouth, and juicy. Not too salty or bland, which were the main complaints I saw here. Personally I enjoyed it very much. Came with romanesco broccoli (very weird looking but tastes just like cauliflower) Word of Warning: don't ask the waiter what's good. They'll make everything sound amazing and you'll be more indecisive than ever before.
(4)Forrest S.
worst service ever Alex, the waitress pretty much forgot our order- no apologies from the manager other than a feeble attempt to throw down an unwanted dessert on our table and run away. go somewhere else
(1)Yuan J.
I came here on the 3rd day of Restaurant Week Winter 2015. The food was fantastic as was the service! The choices available for Restaurant Week are all really amazing, but I would recommend getting the pan-roasted Hake. It was probably one of the most perfectly cooked and delicious pieces of fish I have ever had in my life. My dessert and salad were fantastic as well. All in all, a great meal and a really good deal. I will definitely be coming back for more!
(5)J C.
I have lived in Boston for about 3 years and from the begging have heard how great Bistro du Midi is. Some advice don't wait as long as I did to go try Bistro du Midi!!! This place is great! The food was amazing! Such an extensive wine menu but what made my 1st dinning experience so amazing and memorable was our server Sam. He was so fun, friendly, & professional. I can't wait to go back. Ps order the pear tart!
(5)Mikel A.
BEWARE - *Extremely* Overhyped Food Boyfriend and I were visiting in town and I wanted to find a romantic dinner for two - something nice but not extravagantly expensive. When we first sat down, I inwardly applauded my choice - everything seemed perfect: location, ambience, service... Unfortunately, we soon found out the food left something to be desired (especially for the price). This restaurant is categorized as French, but the menu is definitely seafood-centric. There were only a few dishes that didn't consist of fish, shellfish, etc. I ordered the roast chicken, which ended up costing $50 (when I asked if I could just order a single portion the waiter failed to mention we'd be charged for two people). This, in and of itself, is fine except that the chicken was devoid of flavor; sadly, any rotisserie chicken I've purchased (even Costco or the local supermarket) was more impressive. My side of veggies was smaller than 1/6 cup. Boyfriend said the same - his meal was mediocre if not mundane - certainly not worthy of $$$ - $$$$ pricing. All in all, we spent $200 on a very lackluster, disappointing meal.
(2)Jay G.
While looking for a restaurant for dinner last second late at night, my girlfriend and I decided to go to Bistro Du Midi. The restaurant was within walking distance from our hotel and offered French cuisine which seemed to be popular in Boston, MA. We arrived thirty minutes before the restaurant's final serving time and they allowed us to be seated upstairs and order our whole meal before the kitchen closed that night. At the restaurant, there were two floors to eat on with different vibes. The first floor had indoor and outdoor seating as well as a bar with a very European vibe. The second floor felt more dressy and romantic as the room was quieter and the windows provided an overlook of Boston Common. To start off, we ordered cocktails from the menu. My girlfriend had a sweet cocktail while I went with the La Truffe Noire which was a $33 black truffle and bourbon cocktail. I fell in love with this drink instantly as I have always treasured the flavor of black truffles and bourbon once they entered my life. The combination provided a delicious cocktail and led me to purchase a second as I have not seen anything like this anywhere else. I definitely recommend trying this cocktail if you come here, it is well worth the $33. From the cru section of the dinner menu, we had the tuna tartare and the lamb tartare. The tuna tartare was very good and fresh. The lamb tartare was also very good and provided a nice difference from the usual steak tartare. I personally love most types of tartare if it involves raw meat or seafood and the lamb was definitely worth trying and I would eat it again. This was the first time I ever had lamb tartare. From the premiers plats, I ordered the seared foie gras which was very good. I also love foie gras and they definitely made it properly compared to some places I have eaten it at in the past year. We also had the crispy pork belly which was a nice rectangular cut and packed a nice amount of flavor. For mer & terre, my girlfriend had the cavatelli pasta and I had the braised lamb neck. The cavatelli pasta was pretty good and the rabbit sausage in it was good. The braised lamb neck was very good and the meat was so tender it fell right off of the bone. It was a delicious dish but due to all of the previous food I was unable to finish it and truly enjoy it to the max. For dessert, we shared the chocolate soufflé which was extremely good and should definitely be ordered if you dine here. Make sure you order the dessert ahead of time as it takes time to prepare in the kitchen. Overall, I would definitely go back to Bistro Du Midi and highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious French cuisine in Boston, MA.
(5)Lindsay S.
YUM YUM YUM. What an experience. I'm still salivating at the seared foie gras we gobbled up (not politely consumed, but gobbled). While the first floor contains a large bar with several seating options, the second floor (the main dining room) is a chic, cozy space with waiters bustling along and pouring copious amounts of champagne. We sat down, eagerly looking at our menus for what delicious options would await us. The regular menu at plethora of options, from foie gras to charcuterie to venison and tile fish. Then we discovered the tasting: seven courses with wine pairings, an unparalleled gastronomic summit of Old World and New World cuisines. We sipped and savored our way through seared foie gras, venison with pork belly, black truffle gnocchi, tile fish, and homemade chocolate soufflé. By the end, we had achieved that rare state of culinary bliss that can only be associated with a five-star menu. Well worth the high price of admission (approx. $200 with wine pairings). (My husband loved this restaurant so much that he wrote this review)
(5)Jasmine C.
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said: the restaurant has good service, terrific bread (one of the few restaurants that also serves their bread with olive oil), quite good food (I wouldn't say it blew my mind) but the star is really the chocolate souffle, which if nothing else makes this place worth coming back to. We had the hamachi tartare for starters which was good (although I think I'd rather recommend the escargot beignets, as they looked much more fun) but nothing special. We then had the hake, which is also a delicious fish but not a stunner. The dine out boston desserts, chocolate mousse and pear tart, were good (especially the chocolate mousse - not so much the pear tart) but not incredible. But then. The Chocolate Souffle. It blew my mind - warm, delicious, dark, rich, thick. Without a doubt the most delicious chocolate souffle in Boston, if not in New England. Order it if you go!
(4)Sarah V.
I'm utterly disappointed because this used to be my favorite restaurant in Back Bay for a while. The food is still phenomenal but the service is the worst I've ever had. Our server didn't show up for a solid 15mins after we had been seated. Oddly, this establishment has the servers bring you the menus rather than the hosts. Travis, our server left us feeling incredibly awkward. He forgot to put in the order for our charcuterie and it wasn't until he returned to take our entree reservations that he remembered. Thank god the food was amazing as always. Towards the end my mother order an espresso which was served to our table cold. Upset, my mother sent it back and our server returned to the table apologizing and saying he took it off the bill. He then proceeded to explain in a rather rude tone that the machine will not allow him to make it any hotter, but offered to make her another one. When we finally got our bill, we were charged for the remade espresso which was even colder than the first. Bistro-your food is amazing. Please, step up the management and training game with your service. Edge it up a little and stop being so stingy. Don't know if I'll be returning anytime soon.
(2)Anchisa P.
Really beautiful restaurant and food. Everything tastes good (escargot, monkfish, pear tart) but not amazing. Terrific service.
(4)Sophie R.
Went during the restaurant week. Service was great - wait staff very attentive and friendly but we were not impressed with any of the food served from appetizer to dessert. Mine was very bland. Probably not coming back.
(3)Taniusa B.
I have been to this place with my husband for his birthday . The place it is very nice and classy. The service was ok. The food was very good, and the plates are beautiful presented. I would definitely go back !
(5)Michael M.
Wonderful brunch that was reasonably priced. View of the public garden added to the ambience. Wait staff was friendly prompt and knowledgeable. I got the salmon eggs benedict and really loved it. Look forward to my next visit!
(5)Debra L.
It's never a good sign when you eat somewhere a second time and wonder why you loved it so much the first time. I brought my parents here and it was just as beautiful and the service was just as lovely as previously, but the food was disappointing to the point where I don't see myself coming back again. We ordered the steamed mussels (again) and they were still delicious in their unique basil cream sauce. But for our main dishes, we were all disappointed. I got the sense that everything kind of tasted the same, and on top of that, everything ran salty. My mom ordered the Pan Seared Tilefish and although the fish itself was different and its description for how it was prepared was different, it tasted just like my Pan Seared Coalfish from my previous visit, which I had described as "not entirely swept off my feet with the flavor--there was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't that memorable or noteworthy." I ordered the Bouillabaisse and enjoyed the variety of seafood in the dish but it also had the same tomato-y, salty flavor to it as the pan seared fish--it was a little uncanny how everything felt like it was on the exact same note. I also had a problem with how salty the Bouillabaisse was. My dad initially ordered the Squid Ink Tagliatelle and asked for it to be softer than al dente but it still came out overly firm (consistent with my previous dining experience) and there wasn't much to it besides tomato sauce and again, a lot of salt! We mentioned it to the staff, who were so accommodating and professional and offered to replace it. He ordered a Bouillabaisse like mine and requested it to be light on the salt but it still came out salty. All in all, not the most satisfying meal. 5 stars for the service and the dining area but honestly, I wouldn't come back again for the food, which doesn't really leave much else to come back for at a restaurant.
(3)richard K.
I went here for brunch Saturday morning. There was no wait and the hostess was friendly. We both got mimosas, which were decent. The waiter brought some bread and oil which was yummy. I got an omelette with mushrooms, cheese and I think spinach and my date got the croque madame which he enjoyed. My omelette was good but not great. He also got the potato pancakes which were just okay. The food was good but not amazing. I appreciated that it wasn't super greasy or buttery. I would like to go back and try the place for dinner.
(4)Ray C.
The possible only other great restaurant with a fine view of the Boston Commons is No.9 Park. The dining room has a great atmosphere with the beautiful aforementioned view. The food is delicious as well. I had the seared duck breast, cooked perfectly, and my friend had a delicious bowl of seafood. I think everyone else mentioned the Foie Gras. I really don't have anything wrong to pick with this place.
(4)Jenn Z.
Always enjoyed dinners here. Beautiful setting, attentive services, and food that has yet to disappoint. The chocolate souffle was definitely worth the wait.
(5)Margaret N.
Pretty interior and conveniently located across from the public garden, but service was horrible! There were only two other groups that came after my group and I, but I still had to ask them to order. In addition, the waiter/owner asked my friend if she wanted foie gras on her burger and she didn't hear him, so she said, "what"? And he kept on asking her, "you don't know what foie gras is??" Rather than explaining, which is very rude and uncalled for because what if she didn't know what it was?! The menu doesn't have much of a selection... They don't list coffee and cafe drinks, which is weird cause they serve breakfast and brunch and it's a French cuisine cafe... They gave us bread and oil, but bread was burnt and they took the bread away when my friend was still eating from the bowl... My friends and I tried the burger, croque madame and chicken pan bagnet. The burger bun was bland and huge, but the meat was nicely prepared.. Tasted bland though- no flavor! And then the chicken pan bagnet was similar too.. So much bread, not so much meat. The pesto was good, I'll give them that! I had the croque madame and it was nicely prepared, but a tad on the oily side. The salad it came with was fresh and nicely seasoned though. Overall the experience and slim menu selection is the reason why I'm never going back!
(2)Kendra B.
I've been here twice with my boyfriend, it's been a pleasure on both occasions. Cozy, quiet, modern upstairs with a bar on the lower level.
(5)Jeff F.
Came in tonight after having been here more than 4 years ago for dessert and being impressed. Bistro du Midi had been on my short list but it took us too long to come back. Bistro du Midi is a great option for higher end French dining in Boston. Service was good, ambiance/setting on the 2nd floor overlooking The Public Garden was excellent and the food was solid. Here's the rundown: - Lamb Tartare (B) - Truffle on top was the best part. Good, but not on the shortlist - Bay Scallop App (A-) Get this - Octopus (A-) Tender, solid dish. Not Craigie Octopus, but worth ordering - Boar Ragout (A-) A little light on the pasta compared the Ragout, but very good - Monkfish (A) very good - Brussels Sprouts side (B+) - Pork Chop (A-) - Chocolate Souffle (B) good, but slightly undercooked and/or off - Cinnamon Beignets (A) perfect Solid 4 star option. Great in the winter. Notes from Follow Up Visit: - Seabass Crudo (B) - good but a miss - Bibb Salad (A) - Red loved it, but need to remember no Blue Cheese - Pan Roasted Codfish (A-) - Solid - Boar Ragout (B+) - great dish but undercooked the pasta - Ribeye (A-)
(4)Stephanie B.
A MOUSE was running across the floor of this restaurant this evening. I was trying to enjoy a date night, which doesn't happen too often. We had just finished our appetizer when I saw a huge mouse run across the floor. I calmly and quietly brought this to the attention of the staff. They didn't seem as horrified and shocked as I would have expected. They just brought us our bill and that was it. No apology. Nothing taken off the bill. I couldn't get out of there fast enough! Do not eat here if the luxury of having your feet on the ground is important to you.
(1)Salman I.
Perfect place to enjoy a great meal. The service was friendly and prompt and the menu was really good. Will go back again for sure.
(5)Tim S.
We dined there the weekend of Independence Day as visitors celebrating our anniversary. The sea bass and chicken were excellent! And the cheese plate! The wine selection included two from our visit to Burgundy (never in Cali) so we ordered one and it was delicious. Thank you for the memories. We ate upstairs which has longer than average tables forcing one to lean in and whisper. They also have dim track lighting above which they turned down just before we ordered and the menu font is both light and small. My spouse insisted that I not use my phone so I had to guess when choosing a bottle as I was unable to retrieve my tasting notes. Luckily, both bottles were Premier Cru. Nonetheless, the situation made the sommelier nervous but he was unfamiliar with the winery and had to pace back n forth under a dim track light to confirm my selection. Next time, plan ahead and call ahead. I would give 5 stars if they didn't force me to read in the dark. I requested 3 business cards and recommended it to traveling work colleagues with the caveat to read the menu before visiting. Although we dressed up for a weekend evening, about half the patrons did not.
(4)Marco M.
My gf and I came on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm after walking around Boston. We made it in time to have the brunch menu, and we were very happy with what we had ordered. Being able to sit outside on the sidewalk in the shade, it was the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a meal to close out the weekend. We started with a half dozen oysters from the east coast (Boston, Maryland) and they were a bit SALTY for my taste, but nonetheless prepared well. For the entrees, she got the salmon with mussels, chorizo and some mixed greens to compliment which was very GOOD. I ordered the Croque Madame which I was very happy with, an overall RICH and HEARTY portion of ham, cheese and fried eggs. To cap off the meal, we did some espressos which were OK and the Gianduja with salted caramel ice cream that was LIGHT and perfectly satisfying for the sweet tooth finish. The service was attentive, atmosphere was great and the price was very reasonable to what we ordered. If I am ever back in the area and looking for a nice bite next to the park, I wouldn't mind coming back here. Buon appetito.
(4)M N.
The calamari is the best-- ever (request the aioli on the side). All the waitstaff was very accommodating and didn't rush us. The wait list is long for good reason, be sure to make a reservation ahead of time. Cocktail list was not impressive so I added Pearl Cucumber to the non-alcoholic beverage which was muddled mint with cucumber and lime. The first floor atmosphere was beautiful with a great view of Boston Common , the second floor seating was dark and would be ok in the winter or at night. Go have a cocktail or a glass of wine with some bites. An overall positive experience. Well done.
(5)Mrs. F.
When I lived in Boston this was our favorite date spot. They make a lavender infused tequila drink called a petanque that is the absolute best cocktail I've ever had. The food is always interesting and tasty. The service is professional and knowledgable, not overly friendly.
(5)Lotus R.
Excellent fine food. Bread was excellent. We had Citrus cured salmon, codfish, bouillabaisse (with excellent sauce) and a side of mushrooms. Dessert was excellent - strawberry parfait, calvados soufflé. Nice presentation.
(4)Keren R.
Sadly, I have to give this restaurant three stars. The food was absolutely wonderful - my group of five had several of the appetizers, including the tuna tartare, the foie gras, the grilled octopus, and the raw scallops. All of these were absolutely delicious, though fairly small. We also all enjoyed of our entrees - I had the gnocchi and my coworkers all had different types of fish (monkfish and cod, I believe). We all loved the food. In addition, we shared the chocolate mousse, the beignets, and the chocolate and calvados souffles for dessert, and everything was delicious and well-cooked. However, the service at this place was disappointingly awful. First, we had a reservation but arrived late. They told us there would be a wait for seating, which we felt was reasonable given our lateness. However, when we were taken upstairs, we noticed that there were several empty tables, and we hadn't seen anybody leave the restaurant while we waited. I'm not sure if they just were annoyed at us for arriving late, but we had to wait another fifteen minutes to be seated in a mostly empty dining room. The hostess was also fairly rude. After we were seated, a waiter eventually came over and asked about ordering. First, we ordered a very expensive bottle of wine. When they came out with the bottle and began to open it, it was clear that it hadn't been stored properly, as the server crumbled the very cry cork while trying to open the bottle and took about five more minutes to get the cork out. The wine was still very good, but it seems unprofessional to me for a nice restaurant to not store their wine properly, especially for such an expensive bottle. Then, we began ordering food. A member of our party hadn't yet arrived, so we first only wanted to order appetizers and save our entree orders for later. The waiter acted very weird about this and seemed annoyed with us. We ordered about 6 appetizers for the table, and he kept putting up his finger to stop us during our ordering (which felt awkwardly rude to me), and he commented on the fact that it was a lot of food in a sort of disparaging way. He also never brought us bread (which every other table had). The appetizers were fairly small, so it definitely didn't end up being too much food for our party of five. He then took drink orders. One of my colleagues ordered a cocktail, and after waiting for it for about ten minutes checked in with the waiter about its status. The waiter said "it's right on its way!" Then two minutes later, the waiter came back and asked what drink my colleague had ordered, naming a drink that he had not ordered. Clearly the drink hadn't actually been "right on its way". It took a few more minutes then finally came out. The evening continued in an odd manner. The waiter was a bit overly talkative and would jump in on our conversations in an awkward way, always sort of sneaking up behind people without us realizing he was there. I definitely don't mind friendly waiters who occasionally chat with their guests, but this one was honestly a bit weird and awkward. Service was slow, and the waitstaff didn't often check in on us regarding water, ordering the next course, etc., so the meal took a long time. Overall, I am tempted to go back for the food, but I probably won't, because the rude / slow / weird service has turned me off.
(3)M N.
We had an absolutely beautiful dinner here on New Year's Eve. I enjoyed the food, the service and the ambiance. I was passing by the restaurant the other day and I remembered I owe them a 5-star review.
(5)Bridget W.
Having dined here before we had high hopes. With relatives in town for a conference we agreed to meet on a Friday evening. The location is beautiful, directly across from the Public Garden, with easy parking under the Common or at the front door if you don't mind paying for valet service. Our reservation was honored promptly and seating was fine. However the food and service were far less impressive than our last visit. Our waiter was on his third day but was friendly and hard working. A senior waiter popped by often; he was very knowledgeable but rather brusque and rigid. Our party of 4 ordered 3 different appetizers. Tea-infused salmon, ordered by 2, was unremarkable. There are 2 salads offered, and the endive/arugula was clearly (and sadly) the standout of the entire evening. The 4th app was the other salad, specifics of which I do not recall. We ordered 2 of the bouillabaisse entree and both diners were a bit surprised to find it served in a roux-based sauce, not a broth. They agreed this preparation didn't work well. Cavatelli Bolognese was pronounced "bland" and was such a meager portion it seemed more suitable for a half order. The beet gnocchi arrived about 8 minutes after the other entrees but had nice texture and flavor. There were many apologies for the confusion (blamed on the kitchen) but it would have been nice to have had the other 3 diners' plates removed and serve all 4 entrees at once. Instead 3 of us had to start eating less our meals get cold while diner 4 waited patiently. No credit on the check for this error either. Desserts were beautifully presented and tasty, but not great. Unfortunately the experience did not warrant the price. Lots of other great spots downtown, time to move on to something else.
(3)TinoX T.
NIce Place,awesome Staff,delicious Food. Like the Place Specially The Coktails
(4)Emily L.
Great food! Been here several times. Last time I was here I got the lamb tartare to start, duck breast as my entree, and a scoop of caramel ice cream for dessert. The lamb tartare was delicious and well seasoned. The duck was cooked to a perfect medium rare. The time before we got the hake. It was so deliciously flakey and the vegetables complimented it quite wonderfully. We got the grand Marnier shouffle as dessert. It takes 25 minutes to make but it was worth the wait! Their downstairs is a bar with a lounge area/outdoor patio seating. The second floor holds the dining area and private rooms. Also, I found one of my favorite wines here. Thomas Henry pinot noir.
(5)Eddie W.
TL:DR version: There's one word to describe the food: SALT The service was great, so +1 star. The appetizer was great (lamb tartare) but that's the end of it. I had the duck breast and my girlfriend had the beef cheek. The texture of the beef was okay, but the meat was far far far too salty. The duck breast was also cooked to an appropriate medium rare level, but the skin wasn't seared adequately and had a hefty layer of fat. Oh and did I mention that the skin, which is usually the best part of duck, tasted like the the salt mines of Moria... The desert we had was the soufflé which was fine and fresh. Maybe if I mentioned that we don't have the palette of a 95 year old hypertensive he food would have been better, but I really don't want to have to do that everywhere I go.
(2)Jonathan D.
We had another fantastic meal there last Saturday in celebration of my wife's birthday. We had been debating the tasting menu and when we ordered it they already knew that some items were similar to our last meal and they made sure it would be a little different. We started with an amuse bouche of razor clam which had a great texture and flavor. The first course might have been the best. The coconut and perfectly cured salmon was amazing. It was a perfect spring dish to start the meal. The second course worried me as someone who had never tried octopus before but i shouldnt have been worried. It was cooked to perfection and the accompanying mussel and lobster jus added just the mix of flavors. The third course of foie gras was very thin and went well with the pickled vegetables. It probably couldve used one more crostini but Im nitpicking The fourth course of tilefish with clams in a citronelle emulsion had the most amazing aroma. It was delicious though i will say it probably smelled even better. The fifth course was chitarra pasta with mussels and sea urchin. The flavors came together very well and it was a great pasta course. The sixth course of guinea hen and gizzard guilelette finished out the mains nicely with a solid contrast between the two. The dessert course was perhaps our 2nd favorite with the petit calvados souffle and gianduja beignet the stars of the trio on our plate. Throughout the meal the wines were excellent as well. Another great experience
(5)Celia C.
Great service, we had to go to another restaurant, the service was awful, so we decided to go to this nice little place instead, we just showed up, no reservations, we told them out bad experience next door, they figured out a way to sneak is in, were glad we chose this place, the food was small portions of heaven, it was the winter menu, apparently they change it every season, we wanted to try everything in the menu, so the server suggested small portions from each plate, we had soup, duck, fish, you name it, it was there! It was very good! Loved it!
(5)Samantha H.
Roast chicken for 2 well worth the 60 minute wait.( this isn't fast food people). So good!
(5)Jeff H.
Just drinks..pricey and bartender was inattentive chatting with friends..to many choices to pay for lackluster service
(3)Ariel Z.
Probably one of my top Restaurant Week experiences in Boston. Started off with the steamed mussels and garlic cream appetizer (a sizeable portion). That garlic cream was so delicious, we were dipping our bread in it constantly to soak up all the goodness. We even started to spoon the rest of it straight up (in the classiest way possible, obviously). Next, I ordered the pork and duck bolognese pasta. Seemed small at first, but true to French cuisine in its richness, texture, and flavor. Yum! The dish quite surprisingly filled me up. Oi, the dessert: apricot clafoutis with buttermilk ice cream. The brown sugar crust and warm, succulent apricots were so comforting. Like a big warm hug from dear old grandma. Love this place (and the experience) so much, I plan to revisit here often. Bonus points for the view of the Common!
(5)Richard L.
Reservations for a b-day dinner for four were confirmed via Open Table for 7:30 a day in advance. When we arrived on time the next day, the hostess says they have us down for 8:45. Says it's Restaurant Week and the bistro is swamped with patrons. How is any of this our problem? The whole point of a confirmed reservation is precisely for such instances, no? To make this worse, the hostess had a healthy dose of attitude and wasn't too accommodating. I don't appreciate poorly trained staff acting as if they're doing patrons a favor when they're straightening out in-house problems that really have nothing to do with us. Our waiter was average and went through the motions of doing an adequate job. The food, however, was excellent. Nonetheless, without better staff training, I don't see why I would pay for such service again. Too many good places to eat in the area.
(2)Christine N.
bistro du midi is fantastic. i've dined here a few times before but my most recent visit just reminded me of how much i love it here. i came here last week during their restaurant week/dine in. i met my friends promptly for our 730 reservation and we were seated immediately. i perused the restaurant week special menu and the options were great. i decided to go with the hamachi tartare, the grilled flat iron and the mousseline. we also decided to have a bottle of wine as well. the hamachi tartare was fresh, delightful and tasty. the grilled flat iron was cooked to my liking, a medium rare and i loved the purple potato puree that came with it. the mousseline was delicious. the bottom was a dark chocolate and the top was a thin sheet of i think caramel? either way, it was so good. usually i have a favorite part of my meal but bistro du midi just hit all the right spots on every course. my friend and i had a great time here and our waiter was very nice and attentive. no complaints from me! i'll definitely be back!
(5)Kevin S.
Delicieux... Fine dining at its best. We had dinner at Bistro Du Midi on our first night in Boston and loved it. It's not a surprise really. I mean, being the winner of Improper Bostonian's Best of Boston Best French 2013; they mean business there. They have seating downstairs and upstairs as well. You can also choose to sit at the bar if you prefer. The atmosphere is very intimate and romantic.. perfect for a second date or a couple's evening out. The starters of bread and olive oil was really good. I had the Pan Seared Striped Bass, Sweet Corn, Heirloom Tomato, Fregola Sarda, Chorizo Emulsion, which was delicious and it didn't take long either. For dessert I went for the Grand Marnier Soufflé and, guys seriously, it was sooooo gooooood! Oh I'm still thinking about it now and, being a dessert person; it's killing me! Now make sure you order it at the same time as your main if you want it because it takes about half an hour to make so you want to put your order in early.. This was hands down the best fine dining experience that we had in the US. Alright, I'll give you that.. It's pricey but you owe it to yourself to splurge once in a while and it's totally worth it!
(5)Dianne B.
So two of my Filipino friends and I went out for a late lunch to Bistro du Midi last Saturday afternoon. The crowd was all-Caucasian, the dress code was a mix of casual and formal. We were in casual clothes. We got in, the place was at nearly full capacity but we were promptly seated. So far so good. And then it got funny. There were about 7 tables inside the restaurant and more outside. The two-seater beside ours was empty. There were 4 servers going back and forth passing by us. All of whom would look at each other, look at us, and totally avoid our table. All this awkward eye shifting went on for about 10 minutes while we were sitting there not being served. Then a server approaches us, tells us he's not really our server but offers us water because he saw we weren't being taken care of. An older Caucasian couple walks in, gets seated at the table next to us and a server promptly appears to assist them. My friends and I look at each other. I'm not really sure what was going on. I can think of a few ideas: 1. The servers just don't like customers of a different skin color? 2. The servers haven't seen Asians before? 3. There was some seating issue going on so the staff was confused on who our real server was supposed to be? I would say there's 15 tables in total, including the ones outside. That's a tough number to manage between 4 servers right? 4. We weren't wearing the right brand of casual clothes? 5. We didn't have the appropriate amount of bling and somebody at the door actually counts? 6. None of us went in brandishing an Am Ex Black card or saying "do you know who I am?" 7. Bistro du Midi is actually a secret society and we didn't say the password or offer the secret handshake at the door? I couldn't figure that one out to be honest. We got served reluctantly, eventually. We stayed anyway, played nice, enjoyed the food (it was really good) and joked about being the undesirables. Look, we went into this place knowing that we'll have to pay for our meal and tip reasonably (which we still did). In return, we expected to be treated the same way as everybody else who go here, not like second-tier customers. Bottom line is, we can afford to pay. It shouldn't have mattered how we looked. Plus, since my crowd can really eat, we racked up two tables' worth of tab. Hopefully, this is not a regular occurrence here. One of the friends who was with me has been here before and actually got good service. But what an uncomfortable experience. Especially in this day and age, and in a city that's supposed to be getting more and more exposed to diversity
(1)Eric D.
Abandon the restaurant week menu, the restaurant is not too pricey. Foie gras appetizer was melt in your mouth. The beef cheek was so juicy and tender, and the duck was the best my gf has ever had. The service was great, and the bartender knows how to make the perfect Sazerac
(5)Nicole C.
This was a terrible dining experience. We were seated next to some extremely wasted guys that were friends of our waiter. Our waiter spend most of his time bro'ing down with these characters rather than waiting on us. Our beef cheeks were almost cold. It took 30 mins to get our car from the valet. I could go on, but I have nothing good to say.It was a travesty to pay for our meal and leave a tip.
(1)Jamin L.
My cousin and I came to Bistro Du Midi for Dine Out Boston and the food, as well as the service, was simply astonishing. I had made a reservation for 6PM and since I was already running a little behind schedule, I hadn't had the time to change into my dressy outfit. The woman behind the podium was not only very accommodating about the fact that I was running late, but also immediately asked if I wanted to check coat. She was very gracious throughout our whole interaction, never once pointing out the fact that I was severely underdressed. The first floor had a bar with some seating options, but I was dining on the second floor, the main dining room. This room was beautiful: the ambiance was romantic and cozy, with a lovely view towards the public gardens. Our server, and I can't believe I forgot his name because he was just wonderful throughout the evening, immediately got us water and asked if we wanted anything to drink. He was gracious throughout even though my cousin and I (we haven't seen each other in a while) were giggling like little girls while we talked all throughout our meal. From the Dine Out Boston menu, my cousin and I got: Appetisers: Hamachi Tartare - Heirloom Radish, Chicory Root, Plankton Escargot Beignet - Purple Potato, Winter Squash Soup Entree: Pan Roasted Hake - Calamari, Mussels, Fregola Sarda, Bouillabaisse Broth Grilled Flat Iron - Black Truffle Potato Purée, Arugula, Sauce Au Poivre Dessert: Vanilla Mousseline - Goats Milk Caramel, Espresso Ice Cream Chocolate Mousse Cake - Smoked Sea Salt, Citrus Gel, Caramelia Ice Cream Out server, hearing that my cousin and I were planning on sharing, immediately got us both the required utensils for each dish. Additionally, he offered us more bread between our appetiser and entree without being prompted. All the food were beautifully prepared, though I definitely had my preferences: the Grilled Flat Iron and the Vanilla Mousseline. The Maitre D' came by to check on us a couple of times throughout the night and never once made us feel out of place in spite of our attire. Finally, to end the evening, on our way out, no less than five staff members bid us a good night. Honestly, my expectations weren't very high because it was Restaurant Week and quality of places tended to lower from their regular standards, this was not the case with Bistro Du Midi. The food was amazing, and the service simply left me speechless. This place has one of the best service, even when I was probably the most poorly dressed as I have ever been to a nice restaurant.
(5)Christine G.
We had a group of six people and were seated in a semi private room at an awesome homemade looking wood table. The surroundings were very nice and shimmery and pretty. Our waiter was awesome... like really amazing, knew all about all of the food and specials, was a complete natural. I had a very nice salad, but it was just a little lacking in flavor. Then I had the Duck Breast which was nice, but it didn't blow me away. There was a lot of meat, and it was cooked nicely, but there was no sauce, and hardly any other flavor to the dish. The sides were minute, tiny, with not much flavor either. Strangely undersalted. I had to add salt and pepper to my food and I never do that. We had some sides that were pretty good, the bread at the beginning was pretty good. They also give you these homemade salted caramels at the end which are fun and yummy. We got a desert which was pretty good. I think I would have gone with the seafood should I go again. It was very pricey. The wine list is nice, expensive, but I had two glasses of wine which were both excellent, and served in lovely nice glasses. I wish the food had been better, because overall the experience was nice.
(3)Christie L.
Classy date night kind of place. I came here for Restaurant week and was seated upstairs along the window facing the Commons. I loved the atmosphere and the decor. The staff was very attentive (my water glass never empty!! ) and friendly, but I was a little confused on who was our actually server. There were many people that tended our table. Appetizer: Crudo of Fluke: Tender and fresh raw slices of fish with pistachio, basil and blood orange. Very delicate, light and delicious. Pate: I never had pate before, but it was very tasty!! Just googled what it is.. apparently it is cooked ground meat and fat made into a spread. No wonder! Fat always tastes good.. but yeah it was very smooth and flavorful. It comes with a slice of bread, whole grain mustard and pickled veggies. Very yummy! Second: Pan Seared Coalfish: The fish was very tender. It was a perfect crispiness on top on a bed of greens. The flavoring didn't stand out to me too much , but it still had a very good delicate, smooth texture. Flat Iron Steak: Cooked to perfection and great sauces. The meat was juicy and tender. Third: Gianduju Palette: Delicious smooth hazelnut chocolate mousse cake with a crispy layer on the bottom. SO GOOD Lemon Pistachio Tart: yummy tart which comes with the best sorbet I have ever had. I don't even know how to describe it. It was a strawberry sorbet and had the perfect consistency and taste. I could have just got a cup of that and would have been happy. This place is totally worth it for $38 for Restaurant week. The pate and the desserts were really yummy. View of the commons was a nice plus AND your coats are returned to you warm!!
(4)Marti M.
We enjoy this Bistro very much. The atmosphere is elegant, but very relaxed at the same time. You can dress up or go casual. The food is reasonably priced for Boston and consistently delicious including desserts. They accommodate food allergies in a way that assures you of their training and also, importantly, provided with a smile. The wait staff is exceptional, always genuine and knowledgeable. Just the right amount of attention. Highly recommend.
(5)Pronabesh D.
Came across this place while walking around boston commons. Great food, everything we tried deserves 5 stars. My favs the tuna tartare and duck breast.
(5)George B.
I was there with my wife and friends for brunch and although my wife specifically said that she has a milk allergy and asked that the chef doesn't use butter, when her dish came it was drenched in it. The waiter was totally nonchalant and didn't care about his mistake. He took the dish back and brought the same things with undercooked eggs... Again no apology. She eventually had to order something else. Terrible service and potentially life threatening. Won't eat there ever again. If you have any food allergies, too, you shouldn't eat there either.
(1)Yupeng G.
Not as good as we thought.
(3)Dot T.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and a great place for 2 or 3 couples to go for a meal to look forward to. When dining out, I always like to order something that I cannot cook well myself. The duck at Bisto Du Midi is among the best I have ever eaten. Ask for a seat upstairs near the window overlooking the public garden.
(5)Nikhil P.
Jesus Christ that was good. Final meal in Boston before leaving after a three year journey of too many yelp reviews, and even more restaurants visited. Definitely ranks as one of the best of our entire time here. The food was just so succulent, flavorful, and settle at the same time. The Mme. Croquet was amazing, ham was perfect, not too salty, and the Gruyere cheese just closed it. Topped with the egg and it was amazing. Perfect use of some good, liquidy yolk as a topping. Also had the salmon dish. Cooked to perfection and, lima beans, chorizo, and muscles were the perfect combination. Sauce was amazing. The Bellini was also not too sweet, and nice and sparkly. Awesome meal. French food at its best.
(5)Felisa F.
I'm usually weary about eating at nice places for brunch, but Bistro Du Midi was incredible. I had a bit of a wait to sit at the bar but the hostess and manager were very attentive in letting me know when a space would be free. It was a very nice day out so the whole restaurant was bathed in natural sunlight. I started off with the Bastille, a kind of sweet basil martini. It was perfect and did not taste like an herb at all. The bartender asked if I wanted the complimentary bread and butter [of course I did] and it was delicious. The crust was hard but the bread itself was soft and was delicious with the salted butter. Salmon Carpaccio [$15]: The salmon was cut a little too thick to really be called carpaccio but nonetheless amazing. The presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Everything was well seasoned. The thinly sliced jalapeno pepper and radish was a welcome texture/flavor contrast to the mild salmon. Quiche [$12]: I loved how the potato crisp was baked into the top of the quiche and not used as a side. The goat cheese wasn't at all over powering and the leeks, tomatoes, and spinach were the perfect combination. I'm a little disappointed by the sad bunch of greens on the side, they weren't necessary. I also would have liked to be offered the dessert menu, but alas....no dessert for me. Next time I'm in town, I would love to come here for dinner. A perfectly light and delicious lunch which did not break the bank.
(5)Alias L.
Service pretty bad, though they are trying. None of the meat dish was cooked the same, while we requested medium rare for all of us. The chocolate soufflé looks and taste exactly like a chocolate lava cake. Tasting menu wasn't even that good. The rabbit sauce pasta wasn't that good either. Second floor was so slippery and loud. Def a nice location and a nice grab on the way if you are hungry walking around there. But doesn't worth to go for anything else.
(3)Gordon G.
Pricey, but very good. Skip the apps to leave room for the souffle.
(4)Nat G.
My Lamb Canneloni at lunch was good, not special, with very mild flavoring, decent pasta. Service was good but with too much hovering.
(3)Caitlin R.
Thouroughly enjoyed Bistro Du Midi for a friend's bachelorette dinner. We were given a good sized room upstairs with a farm table that sat ~16 people. The room was set back from the other patrons and included dividing curtains and doors for privacy. We enjoyed excellent food and wine. Highly recommeded!
(5)Kiki P.
Bistro Du Midi is a nice restaurant in the Boston Commons. The upstairs dining room has a beautiful view of the commons, especially if you sit by the window. The dining room can get noisy during dinner time so it is a bit difficult to have conversations. The menu has several unique selections. I tried the roasted monkfish served with parsnips and brussels sprouts. This dish is topped with squid ink on one side and octopus emulsion on the other side. Very interesting combination and delightful dish. I also tried the loup de mer which is served hearth bread, seared prawn, fennel, and sea beans topped with lobster emulsion. This emulsion has a nice foamy finish. The fish itself is fresh and tasteful however the sides are okay. For dessert, you MUST TRY the chocolate soufflé. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare so remember to order it when you order your entree. This is absolutely scrumptious. It is definitely a dish to share because it is so rich. Perfect for two...or three! Service: I was not a huge fan of the service. Our server was not very nice and was a bit snooty. We decided to not order appetizers because we wanted to save calories for dessert and he kept pressuring use to order appetizers or side dishes. He stated several times that the portion sizes are extremely small and he did not want us to go home "hungry." He may as well just shouted at the top of his lungs "Order more food because I want more money!" Overall, I found the food to be pretty good, but nothing special. I certainly did not appreciate the service. I do not plan on returning to the restaurant but I may stop in downstairs at the bar to grab a bite of that chocolate soufflé.
(3)Denise L.
First time here and it was Dine Out Boston. While this event often causes mediocre service and food, everything was great. We were seated although only half our party of 8 had arrived. We were fortunate to have a semi-private room that gave us a more intimate setting and kept us away from the noisier dining area. Breads include those skinny, long stick as well as olive oil and loaf bread. All of the food was delicious and beautifully presented. The winter squash soup with escargot beignets, pate, hamachi tartare were the different starters. All of the steaks came out just right and were tender. The Statler chicken had a crispy skin and was nice and moist. The hake was delicious, too. The desserts included a pear tart that would've been nicer if it was warmed and my ice cream not half melted. The chocolate mousse cake had a delectable dark chocolate flavor. We ordered a chocolate souffle that had a great chocolate flavor and nice crisp crust that we didn't waste. Food portions were just right for all of us and we didn't have any leftovers, which is a good thing. Will be back!
(4)Patrick C.
Truly an outstanding experience. Staff must have learned from previous negative comments. Service was attentive and helpful. If available, I recommend the special tasting menu. I had hake and my wife had the duck dish. Both flavorful and delicious. Enjoy.
(5)Dan W.
Awesome!
(5)Scott M.
Those of you who have read my reviews in the past know that I put a huge amount of emphasis on consistency and customer service - the meal isn't just the meal, it is the entirety of the visit, from the moment you make a booking until the moment you leave the venue. I needed to make a somewhat unusual booking for dinner; despite my wife and I having been married for several years, I've never had the opportunity to meet my brother in law who happens to live in Massachusetts. As I knew I had a business trip to the area, this seemed like a great opportunity to rectify that. So, head to toe, the Bistro du Midi experience: First, I was disappointed that they didn't seem to have an easy email address for booking. I had to put credit on my Skype account and call from Australia during their opening hours to make a booking. I understand OpenTable is a thing in the States, but it isn't anywhere else, so requiring that for online interaction was a bit of a minus. I did get ahold of a human, and after being put on hold for a while, eventually made the booking. Or so I thought. When I showed up at the restaurant last night, the staff couldn't seem to find any record of it. I had even provided my email address so that they could contact me if there were any issues - I never heard from them, so, hoped for the best. Thankfully, this is a customer-service driven business, and they were happy to accommodate me. It was meant to be a booking for three, my brother in law, as well as his partner. It's possible they found my wayward booking, but the initial impression I had was "uh oh, this doesn't bode well..." Once seated at a table, service was friendly, fast, and courteous. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of friendly banter I typically get from waiters around the world; my waiter seemed all business, and didn't really "engage" with us as much as I'd have liked. Some of the other staff did, however, so that's good. My brother in law's partner couldn't make it, as she was feeling ill, so it was just the two of us. Turns out, he's quite the "foodie" and found the menu quite appealing. Better than that, we both found our meals to be superb! He went with the hake, I went with the pan seared tilefish with crispy scales -- WOW. Oh, but, I also started with one of my all time favourites: Foie gras. It was outstanding. An incredibly rich treat, served with a rhubarb coulis and fresh strawberry. Fantastic. Since my dining companion was driving, we had to keep things in moderation for alcohol. I was actually quite eager to order a bottle from Australia that I think he'd have loved, but, it would have been a waste. The wine list looked superb, and had I the chance, I'd REALLY have wanted to do the full chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing. It looked phenomenal, but, it's the sort of meal that you need to do with someone else, or entirely alone, as the 5 or 7 courses would seem odd compared to someone else's standard 1 or 2. For dessert, not something I typically have, I went with the vanilla mouselline. Outstanding. Served with an espresso ice cream; truly wonderful. We both finished off with a glass of something delicious and that was that. All sounds great, right? Well, there was a minus that left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth: During our dessert, as we were still eating, and sipping our dessert wines, the bill arrived. No "would you like anything else?" No "coffee? tea?" Just: Plop. That stung. My sense was that because I had booked for 3, and they sat us at a table for four, and it was just the two of us, that they really wanted the table back for another seating. If that was the case, there was no mention of that when I booked, nor when I arrived. Perhaps they just didn't like the cut of my jib, I don't know...but, it did leave me with a slightly sour note on what was otherwise a spectacular meal and a spectacular Get To Know You with an extended family member. I don't see myself visiting the area again anytime soon, but if I did, I'd definitely want to try out that chef's tasting menu.
(4)Lily S.
Eating here has inspired the creation of a new Yelp List. Places that make my cooter wet. Yup. Having only eaten here once, I can't speak much for the food, other than that my rib eye was fantastic, but man did the service and decor woo the f-ing crap out of me. If Bistro Du Midi were a man, he would have gotten lucky last night, AND i wouldn't have even made him cuddle afterwards. Plush chairs, fireplace, excellent view of the Commons. Treat yo self girl. Edit: ok, back now that I've had a few meals under my belt (thanks work client dinners!). Here are some pro tips regarding portion control. If you're a hungry hungry hippo like me, stick with the rib eye, lamb neck, or pork chop. Otherwise get a starter; the lobster soup is divine, the tuna tartar also a good choice, and follow it up with a pasta dish or the monkfish (awesome btw!). Then gaze lovingly at the commons or the date that brought you there (or yourself).
(5)John Mark P.
Made a brunch reservation for 2:30 via Open Table. Great prompt service, drinks, and food. The quiche is up there!
(5)Jennifer S.
Great atmosphere. Amazing food, especially the beet gnocchi, ribeye and the bouillabaisse. One of my favorite restaurants in Boston for sure.
(5)Suzette S.
I was fortunate to have a beautiful view of the commons on a snowy night. The dining room is beautiful, the service was wonderful, the food was delicious. This is a great place to meet friends who are in town for conventions, for dinner. It is convenient to lots of hotels and easy to find. AND...the food is really delicious!!!
(4)Iannis R.
Bistro du Midi is the best Southeastern French food I have had outside of France. Our waiter, Manuel, was helpful, courteous, and friendly, and extra sure to make accommodations for our many food allergies. (Grazie mille, Manuel). The menu was nicely presented with cru, premier plats, entrees, and sides, along with a tasting menu (which we will get someday...), and a separate dessert menu. The upstairs interior is spacious, relaxed, and nicely decorated in the Provencal style. The lavande artificielle outside the window made us giggle. Perhaps one day global warming will allow lavender cultivation in Boston- but today is not that day. We started out with warm roasted garlic fougasse and breadsticks perfect for olive oil dipping. We both had their spring white asparagus soup with new potato. It was light, full of Spring flavors, and well-presented. For our main course, we had a daube de boeuf with persillade and spring parsnip foam. The sauce was rich, irony-umami, and utterly satisfying. The beef cheek was braised to perfection and mouthwateringly tender- no need for knives here. Foam is all the rage in haute cuisine at the moment. I am usually not a fan. However, this spring parsnip foam wasn't just ordinary foam. It had real texture and substance- almost more like a creme than a foam. The aroma of fresh spring root vegetables fills your nose and the back of the palate, and was almost reminiscent of my mother's Passover matzo ball soup. It's light but earthy flavor was the perfect complement to the sticky daube. With no room left for dessert, we finished off the meal with house-made sea salt caramels. The entire experience was warm and satisfying on a rainy late spring day, and brought us back to our honeymoon in Provence. We will be sure to make Bistro du Midi a habit for as long as we are in Boston.
(5)Anna V.
Perhaps it was the lovely September weather and the opportunity to grab a high table just almost on the outside seating area...it turned into a perfect brunch! Loved, loved the fresh bread that comes in a wooden square "basket" and the olive oil in the tiny boat-shaped bowl. Adored the lemon kebab over my iced tea and the liquid sugar that came along with it. Overwhelmed by the huge portion of the Croque Madame and the eggs cooked to perfection, just tender enough to spill all over the buttery toasted bread. Totally satisfied with the warm concotion of cheese and ham which left my tummy very very yummy. Thrilled about the service, as the waiter made a point to come up every once in while to make sure I had everything I needed. Very much looking forward to coming back here for dinner the next time I'm in town!
(4)Kathryn R.
Fantastic Place - Everytime I come here I always feel very special. This past Sunday, I sat at the bar in the downstairs cafe. The windows were open and you could clearly see the park. The atmosphere was beautiful. We drank the VdP de Méditerranée, Cape Bleue, Jean-Luc Colombo (rose) which was one of their specials because they were "out" of the Whispering Angel (my all time favorite rose). We split the tuna tartar to start and the steak frites and Belgian Endive & Arugula Salad for our entree. All of the flavors were perfect together. At the end when we signed our check, the bartender brought out the last of their last Whispering Angel bottle and gave us both a half glass. Such a nice touch to end the night and a delicious dessert. I have also been here on other occasions upstairs (best in the winter because of the fireplace and very cozy) and all of the pastas are amazing. This place is also good for groups as I have been to birthday dinners and business dinners.
(5)Timothy T.
Perfect for an Anniversary celebration. Feels homie and classy at the same time well balanced atmosphere and the food was delicious. At the end of the day you will forget all about the price. also our waiter even looks like Thor/Chris Hemsworth lol
(4)Jack W.
Given the price, I can't say that I would recommend this place. The food was mediocre at best. I've tried a lot of French restaurants and the food doesn't really hold a candle to many of the more affordable/medium priced restaurants.
(3)P. T. B.
Five of us had a lovely meal at Bistro du Midi tonight. Particular standout dishes included the bay scallop crudo, bouillabaisse, pork chop, and gnocchi. Service was spot on. Loved it!
(4)Sikki N.
Very good service, food and location. Right in front if a park, you can either eat on their nice terrace or inside. Delicious food, gourmet style. If you are a Foie Gras fan don't miss the on they serve here, same comment on the mussels. Cocktails are good and different from the standard.
(5)Beginning P.
Food: Was alright. Didn't think it was worth the hype or the money. Ordered seared duck breast and souffles. Good but not great. Would not go back. Service: Excellent. Atmosphere: Older, much older crowd. Lots of white hair. Not a hipster hangout. Made me feel old.
(2)Ken R.
My husband called 3 weeks in advance, requesting a quiet table to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary. We were seated next to a party of, I don't know-20?- LOUDLY celebrating a big birthday. It's noisy in this restaurant, but this was scream-to-your- dinner-partner noisy. My gnocchi was warm, not hot, and my husband's steak was oily/greasy. We had a nicer time next door ( The Four Seasons) for dessert. Also, the new valet service offered a messaging service that "could not locate" our car ticket number; it took 20 minutes to get the car. Great dinner partner, poor dinner, good for a laugh (how else do you stay married for 39 years?).
(2)Jo T.
The Chef's tasting at the Chef's Table for our wedding anniversary. All I can say to Chef Sisca is this: thank you! We ordered the five-course tasting with the wine pairings. Extraordinary. Delicious corn soup to start. Duck, lamb, sausage, handmade cavatelli with Bolognese and a magical trip of desserts, which included soufflé. Wow! Great food. Excellent service. Not an overly stuffy vibe. So grateful....
(5)Jon S.
This was the WORST "fine" dining experience I have ever had. It started with waiting twenty minutes for our table to be ready. Once we seated I ordered a bottle of flat water and a bottle of champagne. We got the water quickly the bottle of champagne took just about thirty minutes! So from the time of our reservation at 8:30 and us getting our first drink was 50 minutes. I got the celery root soup and my date got the Spanish octopus to start. The soup was the best thing I ate in the duration of the meal. We both had both drank all our champagne which was being held in the back. When our waitress, a tall brunette girl with thick rimmed glasses, finally returned to fill our glasses I ordered another bottle of flat water. A runner brought out our main courses next. My duck was so tough I had to literally saw through it with a steak knife. My date's beef cheek was bland to say the least. Mean while we once again were out of champagne and water. The bottle of flat twenty five minutes prior was no where to be found. When our waitress finally returned to clear the plates she realized that she had forgotten our water. She made some excuse under her breath about a runner forgetting. No apology however. A runner brought out the "after dinner" water and refilled our champagne glasses. I had flag down a manager to ask for our check which was just under $300. The waitress finally came back to our table with the check, again speaking under her breath and giving no apologies. The only redeeming quality to the restaurant is the décor. The bathroom literally could not be further from the dinning room. The food was mediocre at best. The service was the worst I have experienced at any restaurant. Do yourself a favor and skip Bistro Du Midi!
(1)Lucas Y.
I'm not gonna criticize the whole restaurant for the one waiter that is rude. I guess I'm unfortunate to meet a very rude waiter. He's impatient when he's explaining the menu, took my entre without asking if I'm done. Horrible experience. I've been here around 3 times, in general it was alright. But never order steak here. Steak here is dry, hard and horrible. China town cooks better i guarantee.
(2)Linh V.
I recently went here for restaurant week and was certainly impressed! We were seated on the second dining floor, which has a sleek and modern vibe. Very chic and sophistiqué. If you want a fine-dining sorta feel, definitely ask for the second floor while those who want a more relaxed, friendly atmosphere, should opt for the first floor, or the patio!! For app, I had Roasted Escargot, Toasted Farro, Bing Cherry, Chorizo Emulsion. Personally, I have never heard of the escargot and farro combination, but it worked!! They have vastly different textures but they work together quite well and I love the bing cherry flavor in the dish! Overall, the dish doesn't feel so "sinful" like the typical Escargots à la Bourguignonne. On the contrary, it feels quite refreshing! For entree, I opted for Grilled Bavette Steak, Sweet Corn, Summer Squash, Arugula, Sauce au Poivre. The steak was very well-seasoned, great flavors. BUT, the steaks could have been more tender. I am not sure whether because the steaks should have been marinated for a longer period of time, or they weren't cut across the grain properly, but there is room for improvement! We still enjoy the dish overall but I think steak addicts might have one or two things to say about it. For the desserts, TWO THUMBS UP, I cannot find any faults with them! For more pictures and detailed review, feel free to check out my blog post! underthebostonsky.wordpr…
(4)Aaron B.
My new favorite in Boston. We held a 5 hour business dinner here for a party of 6. Nice room on the top floor. Service team spoiled us.
(5)Eliza W.
This is one of my favorite places in Boston. With a little outdoor seating looking towards the park, it is a wonderful spot to enjoy a spicy tequila and some haricot verts. A french friend first brought me here and as I write this review from Paris i can say the following: it feels like a Paris cafe. (Of course, minus the smoking at your table.)
(5)Peter W.
We went for the Valentine's weekend, even though the news reports were telling everyone to stay in because of the snow. We had early reservations and were seated on time. The hosts, waiter, and management were great. They were welcoming, efficient, and attentive. The dining space was very nice and the view of the snow through the widows was very pretty. The food was wonderful. We had fois gras, pork belly, and cheese appetizers. I had a Manhattan drink which was well made. Main courses were the pasta, duck, and pork chop. All very good. For dessert, we placed the order in early for the chocolate souffle which was very good as well.
(5)Ryan L.
Fantastic place! First off, the service is impeccable. The wait staff knows when to pull plates and serve and swap silverware before you can think it. If you haven't been here before, I highly suggest the tasting menu with wine pairing. I am not strong with my French wines. However, I learned a lot with the wines paired with the food. I'm a foie gras junkie. Coming from California, it was banned over a year ago in the CCCP of California. The foie gras was cooked perfectly and paired with a wonderful Muscat. Will I come here again? You bet!
(5)Vivian C.
3.5 stars, but I rounded down because portions were a bit lacking, and service became more inconsistent as the dining room filled up as the evening progressed. In fact, it took us a half hour to obtain and pay our bill... guess they wanted to keep us there a bit longer... As we were directed towards seafood by the server, for our two apps, we selected the special appetizer of the day - Soft Shell Crab in a lobster consomme $17, and the Marinated Spanish Octopus, Navel Orange, Castelvetrano Olives, Crispy Artichokes $14 off the regular menu. While the presentation was nice with the lobster consomme poured into the plate at the table, my half of the crab was missing a few legs, which, given the price, is unacceptable. In terms of taste, of the two apps, I preferred the tender coins and a single leg of the octopus, which would have been easily improved with a more generous scattering of the bits of citrus than the 2 bits we enjoyed. For entrees, we left the sea, and headed off in the direction of air and land with the Seared Duck Breast, Potato Gnocchi, Baby Spinach, Almonds, Tangerines, Lavender Duck Jus* $31 and the Grilled Pork Chop, Lardons, Sweet Corn, Fava Beans, Haricots Verts, Applewood Smoked Jus* $27. The pork arrived as a generous portion in the form of a thick cut chop sliced on the diagonal. The meat was tender, the beans crisp. The duck dish, however, was 8 thin slices of tender dark meat, served with a scant scattering of veggies. For $31, it was tasty, but too little of a good thing for the price. If the meat portion must be limited, veggies are cheap, so it would have been nice if they could have served a legit serving or two of vegetables to help me to make it to the 3-5 servings recommended a day. Due to the head's up provided at the beginning of the meal that souffles take 25 minutes to make, we ordered our sweet endings at the same time as everything else. The Lavender Beignets, Chocolate Sauce $9 was unfortunately not appreciated as much since we ate the souffle first. By then our tongues were sweetened and the beignets had cooled. So, they were only eh. The Grand Marnier Soufflé $10 (please allow 25 minutes for preparation, available after 5:00pm) was my first real dessert souffle! Yes, past molten chocolate cakes masquerading as chocolate souffles in name did not count. This was an airy meringuey experience. The restaurant itself was a bit chilly at times, as the air conditioning would sometimes blow at me from the vents above. The courtesy olive oil and raspberry marshmallows were quite soft and fresh, but it is strange that two diners would only receive one small piece of each - so to try both flavors, I had to cut them each in half. I really liked the raspberry. To give you an idea of the portion size, this was the first time in quite a while where we enjoyed three courses apiece, and left without any semblance of a doggie bag. While the dining room is set upstairs, the bathrooms are located on the first level, behind the bar. An elevator is hidden behind a curtain. Valet parking is available.
(3)Thuy P.
To sum it up: Great location, great mussels, souffle is ok. Got seated by the window overlooking the public gardens, which was really nice. Service and food was good. My only tiff was the souffle, but it's probably because I can't handle too much chocolate. Chocolate-good, chocolate on top of chocolate, smothered in chocolate with a side of chocolate-not my cup of tea. Although the souffle wasn't that, that's how it felt to me. But that was too much complaining. Just come here! Well, save some money and then come here!
(4)Michelle T.
Brunch bombed. Totally disappointed with my food and didn't think value for money was there at all. The only redeeming factor was the wonderful attentive service, but what waste of money on the eggs benedict I got. I paid $13 for a salmon eggs benedict. Not cheap but not too expensive...until you see what you get. A simple toasted english muffin with a single slice of smoked salmon, not even large in area enough to cover most of the muffin. Then 2 poached eggs that are by ALL standards, completely under-poached. The egg whites were still transparent when they brought it out. NO SIDES. Not even a sprig of green. It just looked like a really sad sad dish. The hollandaise was heavy but tasted good. I had brought an out-of-town guest and was SUPER excited to dine at Bistro Du Midi, but it's safe to say we were both underwhelmed. I definitely won't be back here for brunch again.
(2)Anna G.
I had never been to Bistro du Midi until yesterday, and then I went for brunch AND dinner, because brunch was JUST THAT AMAZING! I love the casual French bistro feel and, as a lover of the Boston Commons, love the location. The brunch was fantastic! I want to come here every weekend for the goat cheese quiche. The dinner was pretty good - much less bustling (we ate downstairs) but still delicious. The celery root soup with lobster was delic but not enough to want me to come back every weekend (like the quiche definitely did). I am looking forward to trying more of the dinner menu. But really - Go here for brunch, order the quiche, thank me later.
(5)Rachel B.
This restaurant is fantastic. Hands down the best French restaurant I've been to in Boston....blows Craigie on Main and Number 9 Park out of the water. The space and decor is beautiful and elegant but still comfortable. Likewise the service is spot on - attentive and sophisticated without feeling stifling or condescending. I cannot say enough about the food. Our tuna and salmon appetizers were beautiful, delicate and just delicious. The charcuterie plate was inventive and tasty. Our entrees were perfectly portioned and flavorful. I especially love that the wine list was wide-ranging and affordable! Unlike so many Boston restaurants which are highly touted but slightly disappointing in actuality - this place scores the highest marks in every category.
(5)Christina H.
I had high hopes for Bistro Du Midi, but was sadly disappointed. For our appetizer, the fried artichokes were heavily battered and doughy; I prefer them lighter and crispier. The slow-cooked crispy pork belly was good, but it was definitely overpriced for the small portion we received. The server recommended the duck for an entree and the chef recommended it cooked med rare, so we tried it. Immediately after the dinner, my boyfriend felt sick. We should have thought twice before thinking it would be a good idea to eat undercooked poultry even if it was a cook's suggestion! The pasta with wild boar ragout was tasty, but a little too salty. My boyfriend had made reservations for our anniversary and like a previous reviewer there was nothing in store for a special evening.
(2)Tina C.
Went there on a snowy night with my daughter. We were able to get a table right away. The service was impeccable but I found the food to be not as good as it looks. My yellowfin paillard lacked flavor and the herring topping made it slightly fishy. My roasted monkfish was good but not spectacular. My daughter's foie gras was excellent but the squid ink was just alright- also lacking a distinctive flavor. We ordered the calvados soufflé ahead of time and it tasted more vanilla than calvados. Unfortunately, I don't think we would go back.
(3)Roberto H.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was not disappointed. We were seated in front of the window on the second floor and had a lovely view of the Common. So right off the bat we knew that this was going be a good night. The service was excellent and highly attentive without being overbearing. But now onto the food... In one word: delicious. I ordered the crudo of fluke which was tender and fresh, but could have used some more citrus. The flat iron steak was superbly cooked. I'm very picky when it comes to steak, and this was definitely a dish that I would recommend to any steak lover. For dessert I chose a chocolate mousse with bergamot ice cream. Light yet decadent, and wonderfully paired. Overall, this was a great dining experience. Whether you're looking for a romantic atmosphere, a locale for a special occasion, or even just a very nice dinner, this is a fantastic choice. It is fine dining without the pomp. Elegance without the pretentiousness. I look forward to returning to Bistro du Midi in the near future.
(4)Ed T.
This is simply one fine dining experience. There were four of us, one a very successful wine retailer in the UK. All of us rated this as among the best restaurants we've ever visited. The food was creative and extremely well prepared. The wine staff very knowledgeable.The waiter was engaging without hovering. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's a don't-miss location. Well done.
(5)Rachel C.
I had my anniversary dinner here. The ambience was perfect for the occasion. Right next to the park. It was actually snowing quite a bit that night and the lighting decorations outside our window made the evening seem even more romantic for the occasion. We ordered cocktail drinks that were strong but delicious and got us very excited for our meals. (I apologize I'm writing this from memory so I don't remember the names) I got the lamb and he got the duck. My meal was heavy and the portion was gigantic! Clearly my bf and I ordered the wrong dish for one another so we ended up stealing bites off of each others plates. The lamb was so soft the meat literally just fell off the bone and the duck....oh my...I couldn't stop stealing the duck. The ambience was something worth noting. The restaurant was large but felt intimate. The service was great! Overall I made the right choice for the evening :)
(4)Proteus D.
Came here for a private work function. The food was superb and I have some very strict dietary requirements that they catered to fantastically. Can't recall what I ate but it was a fish dish. Would come again if in the vicinity.
(4)Lieu T.
There aren't many restaurants I would come back to, but this is definitely one of the exceptions. Not only is this restaurant beautiful, elegant and romantic, there are plenty of seating options if you want an intimate dinner, private group dining or outside dining. I've recently gotten into chefs tasting menus, the other two being Ten Tables and Craigie on the Main. Bistro du Midi is my favorite. Every course was amazingly flavorful. With each course, I found myself closing my eyes to savor all the subtle and decadent flavors. The 5 course summer chef tasting menu is $85pp and with wine tasting it is an extra $70. I didn't partake of the wine pairing, but my dining companion raved about the amazing selections of wine that came with each course and how they really enhanced the meal. We started with an amouche bouche that contained salmon with roe and some sort of mousse. The first course was black bass sashimi with fig. The second course was a tender and well marinated octopus tentacle that was so well cooked. The best preparation I've ever had. The third course was tail fish with chorizo emulsion and English peas. The fourth course was a delectable lamb chop that had my eyes rolling backwards. The fifth course was a dessert selection consisting of pistachio and vanilla ice cream, calvados soufflé and raspberry beignet. The desserts were all very sweet and sugary, perhaps the only real flaw to an otherwise epic meal. The night ended with complementary house made granola and some French almond candies that I do not know the name of. I can't wait to come back and see what else this place has to offer. It truly is fine dining and it makes me want more!
(5)Claire L.
I loved Bistro Du Midi, and more importantly, there were two French friends in the party who loved it too. As it was our last work night in Boston, we decided to head out for a nice meal. After failing to be wowed by Shakespeare in the Park, we passed the menu and were lured in. The open front is lovely on a summers night and our little gang was happy to sit and enjoy the last of the warmth as the sun was setting. The wine list is extensive. For Europeans, wine in the US seems expensive so we opted to pay around $5 more for a gorgeous bottle of Pouilly Fume, rather than a Californian wine. We had mains and dessert. We all wanted to have the duck and fish. Friends who had the fish said it was lovely and fresh and cooked perfectly. As I'm gluten free, I didn't have the accompanying gnocchi with the duck and it wasn't substituted which left my plate looking a bit bare (hence 4*'s). The duck however was served pink and was absolutely fantastic. The highlight of the meal was the soufflé! OMG - having seen it being delivered to another table, there was simultaneous drooling at ours. Once informed it was gluten free, I didn't hesitate to order dessert and was as happy as a pig in the merde :-) The soufflé was huge - the chocolate soufflé was cooked to perfection, hadn't collapsed on being brought out and was light but gorgeously gooey in the middle. Staff were friendly and attentive. We were probably quite a normal group but I think this place attracts those with a bit of money who like to let everyone know they are ordering another bottle of champagne. Don't let it put you off - free entertainment! I would definitely return to Bistro Du Midi. Don't come expecting to speak French to the staff as it didn't go down well, but the food is v good, the soufflés to die for and a great wine list so it is well worth a visit!
(4)Pete J.
When my company's board of directors announced they were coming to town, they had a clear idea of the type of place they wanted to go to for dinner. Must have great food, an amazing wine list, a quiet private room and NO CHAINS! I was the lucky guy who's job it was to pick the restaurant. No pressure or anything! I spent literally the best part of a week researching Boston's finest and Bistro du Midi came highly recommended and met all the criteria. I worked with Sam, who was great! I paid my deposit and breathed a big sigh of relief. Fast forward to a couple of days before arrival and the CEO's admin called to check that all the arrangements had been made, I confirmed that they had. She then said that the CEO knew about a restaurant in the North End and that was where he wanted to go instead! The NE restaurant (which shall remain nameless) does not have great food, the wine list is pedestrian, has no private rooms and is loud as hell. The complete opposite of what they had previously wanted, but hey, the CEO is the CEO, so I made reservations there. Unfortunately I had already paid a decent sized deposit to BdM and had to find a creative way to get my money's worth. As luck would have it, at about the same time I got news that I had been promoted and would be moving to Phoenix, Arizona. So where should I have my going-away lunch? hmmmmmmm :) Both Sam and Randy, the GM were amazingly cordial and accommodating. They took great care of our party of ten with a special lunch/dinner hybrid menu. The service was amazing and the wine, a 2009 Cote Roannaise, Clos du Puy by Domaine de Pothiers was probably the best Gamay I had ever had. So thank you board of directors for paying for (most) of our meal.. Best going away present ever!
(5)Melody N.
My husband and I came here to eat the specialty croque sandwiches. We decided to go all 'croque' out and got their specialty croque sandwich for the day, the 'skinny croque'(or vegetarian), and croque madame(ham and cheese sandwich with a fried eggs). The specialty croques only come as one sandwich with a small salad and the croque madame comes as two sandwiches and salad or fries. I never had croque sandwiches before and we decided that the croque madame was tasty but it was a glorified ham and cheese sandwich. I liked their specialty sandwich(it had pork and goat cheese), but my husband thought it was just 'ok'. The vegetarian sandwich tasted good but wasn't anything too special. I think portion for the $5 sandwich would not be enough(maybe use as an appetizer and then get another entree). We got a couple of drinks to go with our sandwich. I got the En Thyme, which was a delicious blueberry concoction with thyme in it. I loved the scent of thyme in the drink. The ambiance is very romantic yet feels casual This place was a little out of our price range(especially for a sandwich). The mixed drinks were on the high side, about $13 for my drink. We might come here for a more special occasion to try other items.
(3)Chryssandra B.
My boyfriend and I went here for a late Sunday night dinner and I can't rave enough about it! Our server, Travis, was pleasant, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. The place is absolutely beautiful, the wine list is extensive, and the food is some of the best I've had in a while. We got the octopus in eggplant, the lamb tartar, the bouillabaisse, and the seared duck. All were fantastic! Will definitely be going back!
(5)Bangie D.
I went here for valentines day with my boyfriend, and I absolutely loved this place. The moment you walk in, you are greeted right away by a very friendly hostess who will check your coats. We actually arrived a half hour early for our reservation and we were seated right away, very accommodating. The service is excellent. Our server was spot on all night. From the beginning he was explaining the menu to us. He answered our questions, and seemed very knowledgeable of the menu; which is so impressive considering he must have just learned the menu for valentines day. He suggested a great wine, that paired perfectly with the meal. He checked on us all night and was very attentive. The entire staff was very well trained. The food was so amazing. My favorite dish of the night was the wild boar ragout, I really wasn't expecting it to be my favorite. I have to say the dessert wasn't my favorite. It was a little heavy to end a five course meal. Overall though everything was delicious. Plus they gave us chocolates to go, what a great idea.
(5)Simon L.
A party of ten - no problem, we have a room perfect for you. Up the hard marble spiral staircase we go. Atop the stairs, a majestic room full of plush white tablecloths swim in between upholstered high backed chairs, shiny silver ware, crystal and expansive views of Boston Common. Following our host, we are led to a large back room and seated around a giant wooden table, a French farmhouse style table likely found au normande minus the bench seating. The view is stunning - a portal style window in the wall looks out over the duck pond. The sun is shimmering on the water, green leaves of trees sway gently, hiding the sun just enough. The rays shining in and sparkling on the water make one feel as if one is sitting on top of Boston Common - spectacular. Crispy pork belly, fatty and crispy and tender. A ratatouille stewed a little too long with a bit too much oil but tasty nonetheless. Steak au poivre, a juicy flavorful piece of strip. Cut like butter as some might propose. Duck was tender according to one member. Roasted chicken had by a pair was excellent. I believe (*read* I know) there was some sampling of starters steamed mussels, tuna tartar and beet salad. An excellent restaurant - if not slightly stuffy. Polite service, comfortable environs, great food without being too expensive.
(4)d s.
horrible food , slow service , great location
(1)Joern T.
Well prepared small plates--even the fried artichokes were interesting enough to have a second serving while sitting at the bar having a business meeting. Eclectic, thoughtfully chosen wines by the glass complement the food nicely. Add a great atmosphere and knowledgeable staff and you have a recipe for me to want to return.
(5)Jesse J.
Great location, great atmosphere and excellent dinning. A wonderful place to have a late lunch or early dinner on a sleepy summer afternoon.
(5)Joanna C.
While traveling for work, I was tasked with finding a dinner spot that was very close to our hotel since it was so cold outside. After checking Yelp, I decided to take the team to Bistro Du Midi. We chose to sit upstairs, which has a stiffer, quieter, more French ambiance than the bar area downstairs. We were quickly seated and brought menus. After consulting the very very extensive wine menu, we settled on a couple bottles of wine and then turned to the food. I ordered the Grilled Spanish Octopus, Baked Hake, and the scoops of White Peach and Coconut sorbet. The staff first brought out some bread, which was good, and then the appetizers. My octopus was delicious! I loved the consistency and the eggplant sauce that was on it. The presentation was lovely and I could've eaten way more of it. Before getting the entrees, one coworker had to take a phone call. To be super polite, the restaurant staff wanted to wait for him to come back before serving the entire table. However, he took a while so they ended up serving ours first. When he got back, they made him an entirely new entree since they wanted it to be very fresh. Unnecessary, but really nice. I enjoyed my Hake, which was well-seasoned by the lobster consomme and perfectly cooked. The massive prawn was also fantastic. Although we were pretty full, we ended up ordering dessert. I had a scoop of white peach and coconut sorbet. The white peach sorbet tasted more like regular peach and the servings were very small, but I needed a little something that was cold and sweet so it worked perfectly. All in all, BIstro Du Midi is a solid spot for dinner with fantastic service and lots of wine options. I'll definitely keep it in mind for future Boston visits.
(4)Kristen D.
2.5 stars. I was taken out to lunch here by my boss. It was a very nice space, but the food was just OK. I'm not compelled to go back if I'm the one paying! The bread was not warm and did not taste fresh. pass. I ordered the chopped salad and added chicken for a $7 up charge. The menu was really tiny and had no description, so while I figured it was your typical chopped salad w bacon, egg, avocado, cheese, I thought I would add the chicken for it. I didn't need to add the chicken. The salad came out and it was a big portion and there were 4 or 5 huge pieces of chicken breast on it. I took half the chicken off before I even started eating it, as it was way too much. Tasted like there was goat cheese rather than the typical bleu cheese, which was good. Again, nothing mind blowing and not somewhere I would need to go back to for lunch, Maybe I should check it out for dinner?
(3)Vanessa A.
We went for restaurant week. Service: Courteous and prompt Food: I had the flat iron steak. The texture and flavor were fantastic. The desserts were great too. Location: We were early, so we went for a walk in the Boston Public Garden. We saw the beautiful weeping willows, swans and ducks. For two people with beer and 1 bottle of wine: $130 (with tip)
(5)Julie L.
Bistro du Midi is fast becoming my go-to restaurant for fine dining and special occasions. It hasn't disppointed me yet! The first time I came was for restaurant week in March 2012 and all 3 of us highly enjoyed our meal. What I loved is how Bistro du Midi offered a meal that was up to par with their regular menu. There's nothing more disappointing than going to a reputable restaurant during restaurant week and being met with a sub-par menu that looks much less appetizing than their regular menu. All of us started with the mussels. It was a generous portion and the amazing bread basket helped us soak up the wonderful broth. For the entree, we got to taste both - the lamb neck ravioli and the hake. The raviolis were wonderful, especially with presentation in the cast iron pan, but the winner was definitely the pan-seared hake. Wow - the fish had this beautiful, but delicate crust and broth was excellent. For dessert, we had the gianduja palette w/ hazelnut ice cream and the blueberry clafoutis. Everyone enjoyed their desserts. The next visit was for my birthday and once again, nothing disappointed. From the excellent service to the bread sticks, everything was as wonderful as I remembered. We started with the barbajuans - delicious! For $6, it was a great started and highly recommended. Next was the lamb tartare and fluke crudo. I love lamb and I love tartare. However, I felt the lamb taste wasn't quite there. Although it didn't taste quite like steak tartare, it also didn't scream lamb to me. The fluke crudo was excellent with lots of flavors (even the foam) and the rice puff added great texture. For our entrees, we had the sea bass and pork chop. The pork chop was the hands down winner. So juicy, tender, and perfectly brined. So stuffed, no room for dessert this time. Bistro du Midi, I will be back!
(5)J B.
Love the location of this place, and the service was outstanding, but the food was pretty lacking. Started w/ Tuna Tartare, which was good - a little under seasoned if we are being picky. I had the ribeye for my entree, which was cooked properly - but overpowered by the bordelaise on it. I think that was a ploy to cover up the fact that this ribeye was not prime, as advertised, but rather a choice cut. My wife said the bolognese wasn't memorable at all. And the pan roasted mushrooms tasted canned, to boot. Wine list was very approachable, so probably better off getting a drink here and eating elsewhere.
(2)Giovanni B.
We came here for dinner and had salad, a few appetizers, dessert and cocktails. The food was very good and the service was great although a little formal. We particularly liked the pan seared foie gras: it was the winner of the evening, totally worth the slightly higher price. Close seconds were the octopus with watermelon and the lamb tartare. We also had the halibut which was good although the anchovies overpowered the flavor. The bib lettuce salad was great and quite large. We had a chocolate soufflé and the raspberry and orange beignet, both very good. The special cocktail was great and the refashioned was pretty good too. Very good bread sticks and focaccia.
(4)David S.
The chocolate soufflé alone is makes the trip to Midi worth it. On the down side, said soufflé has ruined all other similar desserts for me.
(5)Mike M.
This review originally started off at 5 stars, and stayed that way through 4 visits. That says a lot about the food and service. It did lose a star recently, and I'll explain why later. But first, the good stuff: This night, we were originally a party of 6, which I changed to 4 once I got to the restaurant. After we sat down and got our drinks, I asked if we could add room for one more, and they were very quick to accommodate. The staff is very helpful and very friendly. Our server was AWESOME! Funny, energetic, and on top of his game. Knew everything on the menu, had very good suggestions. Onto the food! Appetizers: We started off with the Steamed Mussels Marinière au Pastis and Lamb Tartare. The mussels are by far some of the best prepared mussels I've ever had. The broth is delicious, and you'll want extra bread to enjoy it all! The Lamb tartare is also delicious with that quail egg on top. Entrees: Pan Roasted Hake - was done perfectly! They do seafood really well here. Highly recommend this dish. We've also had the Roasted Statler Chicken and Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre and both have been done really well. Dessert: The Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse & Caramel Almond Tart are both really good! --------------------------------------------------Â- Here is where that star was lost: My wife threw me a surprise birthday dinner here, since she knew how much I enjoyed this restaurant. We had a private room on the 2nd floor, which worked out great for the surprise, because it's tucked away in the corner. There were about 28 of us and the room was a good size to accommodate us. My wife had set up a Prix Fixe menu with the general manager, and had specifically said that she did not want to pre-select any wines, and would rather each guest order their preferred cocktail or wine. This is where things went wrong. A red & white wine (about $60 bottles each) were chosen by the restaurant, and served to the guests before we got there and throughout the night. Not only that, but it seemed as if they were trying to finish as many bottles as possible, because before someone was halfway through a glass, the server would just top it off without asking if the person would like more. $60 per bottle * X bottles pretty much doubled the bill. I highly recommend the restaurant for a small dinner with your significant other, or some friends... as for having an event here, I have my reservations.
(4)Jon S.
I have been hear a few times and oddly enough it is not because I think this is the best french restaurant in town, but because their Steak Frites happens to be the best steak i've tried in boston (over capital grille and abe & louis'). The service is always excellent and I consider this place a rare gem on Newbury St (which is known for overpriced mediocre restaurants).
(4)Letitia J.
I went to this restaurant for the soufflés and they were so good! They were pretty rich, so we winded up ordering two soufflés for three people and that was plenty. My friend got one of the salad plates with fish, and it looked really good. Another friend tried their scotch and that was really good as well. The soufflés are definitely a must try!
(4)Stephanie F.
What happened to this place? I am starting to wonder if they've rotated the chefs or if the management has changed. The restaurant is beautifully appointed across from the public garden, but the quality of their entrees / service has changed drastically. Went there last night as a plan b to Teatro being closed for renovations. Ordered the pork belly despite the disappointment from our last two visits with the fat ratio being way too high on the belly. However, we received a lean piece last night with a thin layer of fat which made it enjoyable. The Scottish salmon however, left something to be desired. For entrees, we both ordered the duck breast, which was thinly sliced with a nice jus from prior visits. We were surprised when presented with two thick rubbery cubes of duck breast on each plate. The olive sauce paired well with the duck breast but the lavender was lost in the bitterness of the sauce. I also did not understand the fig and chickpea croquette as these ingredients seemed disjointed from the rest of the plate.
(2)Patricia M.
The restaurant was nearly deserted--still, the waitress was impatient for us to order and could barely be persuaded to part with bread and breadsticks (the breadsticks were great--and we each got one). The entrees came out at different times. There were shells in the fish soup, and one of the main courses came out cold. Dinner for four with appetizers and wine but no dessert: almost $300 before the tip.
(1)David C.
Judging my meal at Bistro du Midi as a singular experience, I'd have to give it three (maybe even 2.5) stars. On a group level, however, the experience probably ranks closer to a four. The dishes I ordered, save from the deliciously gamey lamb tartare I had to start, were pretty underwhelming. My duck entree was comprised of maybe five or six thin strips of duck breast drenched in a lavender jus--tasty to be sure, but not remotely filling. The caramel almond tart was a complete misnomer, as it barely contained either of those ingredients. Instead, what I received was a chocolate tart with caramelized sugar crystals jutting out and a sprinkle of almond dust on the side. Not satisfying. To top it off, the yogurt sorbet that accompanied it was rather bland and far too icy for my liking. As I said, the experience I had as part of a group was much better. I went with Andrea B. and her family to celebrate her birthday, and the restaurant was wonderfully accommodating, seating us in a large private room overlooking Boylston and the Public Gardens. (You would never expect Bistro du Midi to be as big and beautiful as it is looking at it from the outside.) Service remained exemplary throughout the night. My dining companions all seemed to enjoy their food more than I did, but nothing I tried of theirs really wowed me either. Highlights included the grilled pork chop and pan roasted cod. I would have preferred either of those dishes over mine. And the much talked about souffle, while more satisfying than my tart, was simply too dense. If you're looking for a truly wonderful version, head to the Patisserie at Troquet up the street.
(3)Heather G.
Bistro Du Midi is a beautiful space - I'll start there. You walk in off Boylston, into this little restaurant nestled between the high-end shops, and it looks small and bustling. The bar is full, people are milling about in their suits, it's obviously an after-work space. However, when you ascend the staircase to the upstairs dining room, the space opens up and becomes vastly larger and more formal. The bar upstairs is never quite as full, and I presume it's more for early-arrivals waiting for their parties to arrive, parties who will be dining with a full menu in the elegant upstairs room. The bar downstairs, then, seems to be more the after-work-drink spot. Important distinction, lest you go to the wrong bar! The upstairs certainly has class - the large windows overlook the public garden, and at night, the dining area is dimly lit so that the diners can fully appreciate the lights in the trees and the lampposts decorating the Garden and the swanky neighborhood around it. Bistro has a private dining room in the back corner of the upstairs area, and nearly every night, private parties with bankers, lawyers, and the like can be seen imbibing on the free-flowing wine and good food. If you are thinking about a classy company event, this place is your spot. you can't go wrong here - you aren't footing the (expensive) bill, and you've come more for the elegance and the ease with which you can host many people in one small spot while still offering a private, intimate experience. However, if you're just a regular couple off the street looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, i'd say this place may not be for you. While elegant, the price-to-value construct seems to be on the unfavorable end of the spectrum, as the prices are steep and the food is not bad, but certainly not as stellar as the price or the room's ambiance would suggest. I have been on many occasions, and have left feeling this way about the food. The tuna tartare, while delicious, is a meager offering, on a lone crostini. One bite and the tuna chunks tumble off, the crostini left crumbling in your hand. Similarly, the sauteed squid appetizer was certainly tasty, but very oily and, thus, sat heavy after a few moments post-consumption. While one would think an entree of grilled veggies and small medallions of beef would be light yet filling, this dish is flavor- and composition-wise boring, and also sits very heavily in the stomach, which is the last thing someone on an anniversary date in a pretty outfit would want...that is, if that someone wants to have post-anniversary romantic activities afterwards. On another trip, I tried my hand at the chicken for two, but it came out undercooked (raw-poultry near the bone) and greasy, the skin a lukewarm, slimy consistency. It seems that someone hastily pulled the dish when the others at the table were ready to be served. Though a dish for two, the cast iron dish of bird was served with 4 fingerling potatoes, halved. The potatoes were delicious, but certainly not a portion for two people. Desserts, while tasty, are forgettable. The apple crisp is always solid here, but I wouldn't make this the reason for the destination. Wine, as always, is stellar and flawless, and the service is much of the same. For a corporate dinner, this is a great choice. For a personal, special occasion dinner, I'd pass on this and go elsewhere.
(2)Tammy W.
Full disclosure: I was here for a private event, and we rented out the entire restaurant, first for a cocktail hour and then a sitdown dinner. I had a fabulous time and came away very impressed. For starters, the space is gorgeous. I'm not well-versed in either design or architecture, but I appreciate both and like to think I have a good eye. The bar area downstairs opens onto the street and features an eclectic collection of dozens of small mirrors. The dining area upstairs mixes rich benches and sofas with plush dining chairs. The entire space is romantically lit and feels warm, rich, and yet somehow cozy and inviting. The food was delicious. We had a limited fixed menu for the event. I started with a tuna tartare, moved on to a pan-roasted hake, and ended with a trio of sorbets. The tuna tartare featured tiny bits of Barlett pear and a pine nut foam, both of which I really enjoyed and hadn't ever tasted before. The pear really lightened up the dish and gave it a very interesting texture. The hake, served over a bed of vegetables, including asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and trumpet royales, was incredibly delicious. The hake itself was perfectly cooked-- melt-in-your-mouth tender, and I found myself craving more of the vegetables (especially the trumpet royales, a type of mushroom), too, once I'd polished off the entire dish. I've had better sorbet elsewhere, although one of the flavors had this interesting tea flavor to it that I found very refreshing. Most of my friends ordered the gianduja palette, a type of hazelnut mousse cake, with salted caramel ice cream, though, and I noticed that they all licked their plates clean. (I admit to having a little dessert envy and regretting my decision to "be healthy"-- don't make the same mistake I did and go with your gut instincts to indulge instead.) I don't think a decent meal here would break the bank (a five-course tasting menu is $85, and you can come in very much under that if you do three courses a la carte), but I do hail from Manhattan, and my sensibilities may be dull. But I think it's worth it for a special occasion, and, if I lived in Boston, this would be my favorite impress-the-parents/hope-my-date-wants-to-impress-Âme restaurant.
(5)Julie N.
You know, I really wanted to give Bistro Du Midi the full five stars... I had been so excited to eat here for oh so long, but it wasn't the best the of best. Breakdown: The space is gorgeous. The server was 80% on his game. The mussels appetizer was actually extremely bland and generic. Fresh definitely, but not anything special. The chicken dish was perfectly done, but Hamersley's always gets the fifth star. Wine is always good. Desserts were actually amazing. Overall: definitely four stars. I need to come back again... but I probably won't for awhile.
(4)Dana T.
Sadly, I must post a very mixed review. The service was attentive and competent. The view from the windows overlooking the Common is lovely. The cinnamon beignets were delicious. Unfortunately, the accolades stop there. The room is very, very loud. My entree (duck breast) arrived cold and while they replaced it without question, my husband's food sat there getting cold while we waited for mine to reappear. Very awkward and uncomfortable. At this price point, everything should be perfect. I feel insulted. And the valet service was remarkably slow.
(3)Debra S.
This was our second meal experience at this restaurant - fantastic meal/service from soup to nuts. The 1st meal was impromptu w/ friends - no reservations. Sat at the bar & received great service, wonderful meal with an awesome bottle of wine. (Mid-week event so it was a quick in/out but they welcomed us w/ a fantastic food experience.) Tonight's meal was w/ reservations for a birthday get together. We had a meal to write home about! Our server, Kim, was top notch (one of the best servers we've ever experienced) providing information on menu selections and had perfect service timing - never interrupting conversations but being there for us when we needed. We had aps, entrees (fish & meat) & sides, wine & desserts (best chocolate soufflé ever). We all raved about every aspect of our meals & the service. It is by far not the cheapest meal in town but OMG it is absolutely delicious AND best of all, they're not pretentious for a high end cuisine. If you have a little extra change & want to splurge on a fantastic food experience, eat here (reservations or not)! Pricey but superb performance.
(5)JONATHAN S.
Excellent all around experience. The duck is among the best I have had. Yellow fin tuna app was delicious. Decent wine list. Lower level bar is always enjoyable. Great location.
(5)K D.
Our family of 6 dined at Bistro Du Midi on Friday night. Restaurant was like a big beautiful dining room. The table we sat at was really big so we felt really spread out and because it was really loud it was hard to hear from one end of the table to the other. That was difficult as the purpose of our dinner was to connect with our children and catch up. Food was wonderful. I had the duck and was a little surprised to be presented with two duck breasts and that was it. Fortunately, I ordered some peas as a side because the waitress said the plate was on the small side and she was not kidding! We shared 3 souffles for dessert and that was one too many.
(3)Philip G.
Six of us had a reasonably good dinner here for $75 per person, including tip and a few glasses of wine. Service was very good. The lobster pasta was excellent, with handmade pasta and a reasonable amount of lobster meat (maybe $1.50 worth at wholesale at today's prices). The dessert souffles were good as well as the beignets. A beet salad appetizer was also good. The fried artichokes were about 90% breading and oil, 10% artichoke. Go to the Giant Artichoke in Castroville, California if you want deep fried artichokes that are ridiculously better for about 1/5th the price. My ribeye steak, ordered medium rare, arrived "rare". I sent it back for a little more cooking and they kept it for 10 minutes. As you'd expect, it return to the table "well done". Longhorn Steakhouse can hit medium rare every time, why can't a fancy restaurant do it? Our waiter didn't tell me that the steak wouldn't come with anything, so I neglected to order any sides. In retrospect I think it would have been smarter to order off the bar menu where they have steak frites, croque monsieur, and other stuff that is easier for everyone to understand.
(3)George S.
Had a great dinner here last night. We sat upstairs overlooking Boston Common which was very nice. Our server Julia was fantastic and gave us the right amount of attention. The food was excellent and unique. We started with some small plates along with olive and eggplant spread with crostini. Perfect. I had the squid ink pasta and braised squid which was great. My wife had gnocchi which were perfect and the portions were very good size for a high end restaurant.
(5)Cindy K.
I've been here twice. Once I dined here for my Husband's birthday. We sat upstairs we had the lobster pasta and a seared fish of some sort. Both were delicious. Service was great and I like how the view was overlooking the commons but with the trees in front of their building, lit up (this was April). The thing that sold us here is having the dessert soufflé. I am a sucker for a good soufflé. This place did it right. They served it with Grand Manier. The second time I was here (7/9/13), my husband and I just sat downstairs. It was totally a change of pace compared to upstairs. Its very casual and they had all their windows opened facing the commons. It was nice. We just sat at the bar and of course we only came here for the soufflé. It was delish. I have and would come back here just for dessert and sit at the bar.
(4)Craig S.
Went in for restaurant week but the regular menu looked so good we could not resist going off the prix fix. We were all glad we did as every dish of every course everyone ordered was amazing. I probably ordered the worst and still had a very good meal - Lamb Tartar with a raw quail egg. Cool that it was different and interactive (halved pourable egg) but could not compete with the Prawn Cuscus or Tuna Tartar. Oysters were pretty good a little small for my taste but the Mignonette made up for that. Muscles, lobster pasta, and duck were all exceptional - especially the duck - but my winner goes to the perfectly braised pulled wild boar pasta dish - Awesome! Oh and then Chocolate soufflé that's all I need to say. Ambiance right on the park with the open air - felt very much like Paris. The staff was more then competent - I love when one look and nod can get attention. Great service from Servers, Runners, and Managers Great experience I will be back
(5)Deborah H.
Disclaimer: I LOVE Boston's casual and slightly-more-than-casual food scene, but I find the high-end restaurants underwhelming. The value just doesn't justify the quality or quantity. Bistro Du Midi is the perfect example. I had the oysters to start with, which were okay, but nothing to write home about. I sampled a few appetizers, none of which stand out in my mind. For the main I had the coral-infused tagliatelle, which was disappointing: the calamari and mussels were chewy, and the pasta stuck together, and it was $26. I sampled my friend's garganelli, which was much more delicious. Also had the brussels sprouts appetizer, which was good, but there were only about ten sprouts, and it cost $7. The desserts were actually quite good, and the only part of the meal that I really enjoyed. I'd give Bistro Du Midi four stars if I had ordered the garganelli and the entrees were say, $7 less. Or if I were rich. I was here for a work event, otherwise I would have been more upset with the meal.
(3)Kara C.
Warning - this was a dining experience for a group of 14 and we had a private room. + great location + beautiful restaurant - candle light chandelier and gorgeous (looked like reclaimed wood) table + service was pretty solid - drinks came around a bit slow, but the food came out all at the same time and was delicious + for starters, i would HIGHLY recommend the marinated spanish octopus. Just the right amount of citrus and the crispy artichokes are a major win. The octopus was tender, not chewy and overall a great dish + for entre, I would recommend the seared duck breast. It was cooked perfectly medium rare, which is definitely the perfect temperature.
(4)Tara A.
Traveling to Boston last weekend for a long weekend getaway (that we had planned months in advance) certainly ended up with a different flavour in the air than we had expected, however, when we ventured out for food from our hotel, I quickly popped open my yelp app (totally worth the roaming charges!) and stumbled upon this place. We arrive to a packed house but the sommelier and the hostess were quick to set us up with a glass of wine and seated us as quick as they could. We enjoyed great conversation over great Oysters and a hamburger. The guys behind the bar serving were helpful but weren't in your face. I found the mood of this place to be such a cozy, warm, inviting atmosphere, I will be recommending this place to any and all future tourists heading to Boston.
(5)S S.
The food was fit for a foodie with an expansive wine list and staff willing to help make our dinner a wonderful experience.
(5)Jean-Marie M.
An old friend took me here last night for a Birthday eve dinner. From the minute we walked in we were treated like royalty. I felt like the entire staff knew it was my birthday and took special care to treat it as such. We got the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Each dish was phenominal. I even got to experience things I've never had before, monkfish and foie gras. I can honestly say now when I am watching Iron Chef that when the judges talk about foie gras, I understand what it is all about. It was salty and it melted in my mouth. I strongly recommend this place for special occasions or an intimate dinner. I can't say enough good things!
(5)Teresa T.
Easy to make reservations for two on a Monday night during Restaurant Week via Open Table. Ordered off of the Restaurant Week menu: Wagyu Beef Tartare (while our waitress was good overall there was no instruction on whether we eat the quail egg with the tartare or separately...) Pan Seared Coalfish Lemon Pistachio Tart The right amount of food. Plus the wine and bread basket was delish! Atmosphere is cozy and dim plus it was quiet enough where my friend and I could have a pleasant conversation.
(4)Mike O.
There's no getting around the fact that the food at Bistro du Midi is great, not orgasmic, but great. Is it worth the pretty penny you'll splurge, enduring everything else that's wrong with the place? Doubtful. Like most, I had heard many great things about the kitchen: this could possibly be the best French restaurant in the city.... It's not. And the reality that anything besides the food has caused my humble opinion to be brought down to this level speaks clearly to something that is glaringly wrong in the way BDM conducts its operation. We set a reservation for 8:30pm on a Saturday night, and while I was surprised that they had availability on short notice, it did not seem all that alarming and no red flags were raised. After all, our first and second choices were booked, so this was a good opportunity to check out a new spot for us that had a table open. Arriving promptly at 8:30pm, we spent the next half hour waiting to be seated. Not so much as a greeting in that duration, as I watched hosts fumble about their station, somewhat frantically, and through the dining area. Note, that there were only two parties (including ours) waiting. A lot of spinning wheels over a seemingly manageable sized crowd. Once we were seated, my date and I took in the restaurant's ambiance. I noted that the decor was impeccable; I couldn't have possibly dreamed up a more fantastic and smartly designed dining room if I tried. The space was full with families, older 40-50 something couples, and seemingly Boston's shi-shi elite. The pretentiousness aside, we remained somewhat optimistic despite the really sour note that had already set the tone on what would be a not-so-great idea. As we were talked through some of the menu items and specials, I couldn't help but notice the heavily perspiring server reading from a card. I thought that to be quite out of the ordinary for such an esteemed dining establishment and more questions throughout dinner were left unanswered without the slightest intent on finding out answers. Nonetheless, our order came as followed: - We started with a nice Châteauneuf-du-Pape at about $85 (maybe a $20 markup); it opened up quickly and held a nice earthy texture throughout dinner. It seemed a little tannic, but this could have just been my over-thinking it. - Sweet Corn Soup, Ricotta Gnocchi, Chanterelles, Thyme $11- Nice, soft and delicate; could hardly tell chanterelles were in this dish though - Spicy Lamb Tartare, Quail Egg $11 - big, hearty flavor, absolutely mouth watering! - Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass, Slow-Cooked Fennel, Sauce Vierge $28 - not even close to worth the price, forgettable flavor profile - Classic Bouillabaisse $29 - great flavor, no saffron (seemingly) and the fish was cooked perfectly. I know John Dori isn't all that common in this town, but I struggled with the price on this one too. Still, and excellent stew. - Lavender Beignets, Chocolate Sauce $9 - a dessert I'd rather forget. Just seemed too much like eating donuts. I've never had beignets like this; just seemed very pedestrian as was the chocolate. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience at over $250 for two people. I could say that it was worth another shot, maybe at the bar, but really at this price; why? You've got one chance to make it in a sea of excellent restaurants, and if you take people's money without regard for a FULL dining experience then what does that say? It's sloppy and rude. Your food may be really good, but I don't want to feel like I'm 19 again, waiting in line on Lansdowne Street to get into Avalon. I'm over the pretension and not only can I find a comparable meal with better service elsewhere; I can find it in my own kitchen! Best of luck.
(2)Debra L.
We were seated promptly and the host was very good at his job. Friendly and efficient and gracious. Our waiter on the other hand was really young and not all that great at describing menu items or offering any guidance at all. When I'm somewhere for the first time and there are things on the menu I'm not familiar with, I like a knowledgeable waiter. We started with the Barbajuan's and the Carpaccio of Scottish Salmon. We had no idea what a Barbajuan was and when we asked the waiter, he pointed to the table next to us and said "There they are over there. Those fried ravioli looking things". Not quite the description I was hoping for but we ordered 2 of each type at the waiter's suggestion: Courgette (Zucchini) & Basil, Goats Cheese & Honey and Chicken Liver & Foie Gras. We would have never ordered the Chicken Liver and Foie Grad had we known we were ordering it. They are pretty tiny so although six sounds like a lot, it's not. As for flavor, they were ok, but the Goat Cheese & Honey were the best of the three. The Scottish Salmon Carpaccio was incredibly delicious, but the dehydrated watermelon on top didn't really add anything. For entrees, my husband had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives and I had the Steak au Poivre with a side of Ratatouille. His duck was really delicious and my steak was good though it wasn't exactly spectacular. I had considered a fish dish and they all sounded amazing but I was already enjoying my red wine and wanted to stick with it. I don't remember what wine it was but it was from the Bordeaux region and it was delicious. I will say, the steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce was not too peppery and did not overpower the meat. The Ratatouille was ok but I was a little disappointed. For dessert, we were torn because the sweet desserts sounded incredible but we also wanted the cheese plate - which won out. We chose correctly, I think. We had the 3 cheeses available that evening: an herbed Chevre, a bleu cheese and a semi-soft cheese I never knew the name of, despite asking the waiter who mumbled something inaudible. These cheeses came with delicious, crispy bread with cranberries and walnuts in it and a side of fig jam. The amount of cheese was extremely generous. We couldn't finish all of it. Overall, it was a really nice meal and the restaurant is beautiful but I'm not sure it's the kind of place I'm dying to go back to.
(3)Jacqueline C.
Food and Service were excellent! We went to Bistro Du Midi on a Friday night at around 7:15. Because we made a reservation online, we were seated right after we entered, - The wine sauce of the Steamed Mussels appetizer was great. - The Octopus appetizer was decent - The mussel pasta for entree was DELICIOUS, - My friend ordered the fish and sprout and she love them too. - For dessert, we ordered the beignent but I highly recommend the souffle. FIVE STARS!
(5)Ted A.
If you like Bourbon, the "Refashioned" is the best take on an Old Fashioned in Boston. Oh yeah, the food is exquisite.
(5)Molly K.
One of the few restaurants that manages to always get it right: Bistro du Midi. The marinated octopus was the highlight of the meal, along with the lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce. Their wine cellar is impressive, and they have one of the longest wine lists I have seen in a restaurant. Pictures and more on -- ----
(5)Kevin M.
The atmosphere is great for a special evening. Upstairs more elegant dining and downstairs bar with more casual dining. The wait staff is impeccable without being overly solicitous. The menu offers a nice array of delicious options, and the food comes prepared exactly to order. My guest and I both ordered the steak, but hers was medium well-done and mine was medium-rare. Both perfect! This is a European style cuisine, so portions are measured and not overly generous like most American restaurants today. It is also a la carte, so be prepared to order vegetables as side dishes. Consequently, the total cost of the meal is more than anticipated, which is a shame, and the reason I rated this place 4 instead of 5 stars. Be sure to order the chocolate souffle when you first sit down at the table. It is to die for.
(4)Elise K.
Good restaurant. Good fancy restaurant. Rather expensive. I came here for a special work dinner. We each had a drink, a starter, main, shared side, and desert. It was around $85 a person. (We got the side free from our foursquare check in). I had the beet salad. It was one of the better beet salads I've had, yet it needed some more citrus zing that I found it lacked. I had a dish with lobster and fresh pasta. Good flavor, but a meager amount of lobster and a lot of pasta as a filler. The shared side was ratatouille. I've made better myself. For desert we ordered two souffles - a Grand Marnier and a chocolate. Both were to die for and the BEST part of the meal. We had coffee as well. They serve Illy coffee - nothing special. Attendance was good for a Tuesday night and the food was good overall. Service was phenomenal.
(4)Kristin W.
My husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary here which just so happens to fall over the summer restaurant week in Boston. We were so excited about the restaurant week menu because while we love splurging on a good meal, we are just like most newly married 20-somethings and not exactly rolling in it. The food was excellent but honestly, the whole experience felt a little bit condescending. Our waiter seemed less than impressed when we wouldn't order the $175 bottle of champagne and from the drink order on, we were pretty much neglected. You could tell that the staff was annoyed by restaurant week and partaking in some serious profiling. Next time I'm looking to spend my money, I'm pretty sure I can find someplace equally delicious with a bit more class.
(2)Adam W.
Enjoyed my brunch experience here. When I go out for brunch I'm usually aiming more toward the lunch end of the spectrum, and Bistro Du Midi was able to hit that craving head on. Service was friendly, the burger was quite good, and the bloody mary was fantastic. I'm not convinced of the value proposition for the breakfast items, as everything is a la carte. That's just a theoretical complaint for me, but there you go. Also note that reservations are not accepted for brunch. I advise you have a second bloody mary, they really are that good.
(4)Mattijs N.
Very good French style dinner, American sizes and high speed service
(4)Rich T.
I went to Bistro du Midi recently to sample their Restaurant Week fare. The meal hit a couple of high points and was overall quite satisfying. The bread basket to start was surprisingly greasy. It's interesting that the restaurant chose to serve it with olive oil instead of good butter, though I have to admit that the olive oil was spectacular. I'm still waiting to find a French place that's adventurous enough to make its own compound butter to go with their bread. The escargots appetizer was delightful! It was not done in the cliched Bourguignonne style--with an herb-garlic butter that tends to drown out the inherent flavor of the snails. Here they were simply roasted and left to shine atop toasted farro and a scrumptious chorizo emulsion. It wasn't the lightest first course, but it made me excited for the next. Which was where things went wrong. The grilled loup de mer with confit fennel was possibly the most uninspired seafood dish I've had in a while. I have to confess that I'm not a fan of grilling--I don't think the hallowed "grill marks" add anything but a burnt and bitter taste to food, as it did to the fish skin in this dish. The garnish and sauce ought to have compensated, but the fennel was bland (almost completely robbed of its vibrant aniseed flavor) and there was no sauce that I could see. There were bits of some kind of citrus on the plate but that was so incredibly sour it threw everything off balance. Granted, the fish was nicely (though simply) seasoned and stayed moist, but that was about the only positive thing going for the dish. Thankfully the side that I ordered--advertised as roasted Brussels sprouts by the waiter but was actually mixed cauliflower/sprouts with parmesan and pancetta--was flavorful enough to make up for the entree. Dessert was a chocolate-hazelnut mousse with salted caramel ice cream--and this really made the meal for me, though I'm a sucker for anything hazelnut. The mousse was melt-in-the-mouth light and nicely complemented by the saltiness of the ice-cream. I did wish that the hazelnuts sprinkled on top were toasted though. Overall, 3.5 stars for unpretentious food executed well (save for the fish dish misstep), and I'm bumping it to 4 for good service. I'm definitely returning to try out their regular menu.
(4)David B.
We ushered in 2012 in this wonderful restaurant. Having spent our honeymoon in Paris, we have a special place in our heart for a good bistro. Although this didn't exactly bring visions to Paris in our eyes and palette, we enjoyed our last meal of 2011. We found the wait staff friendly and helpful. Our waiter had an excellent grasp of both the menu and wine offerings. We sampled items from their regular menu. All was good. Started with a scallop carpaccio with cauliflower. The scallops were sliced thin, were impeccably fresh, and rested in a succulent vinaigrette. The cauliflower added a nice touch of color (purple) but overpowered the delicacy of the scallops. I had a stew for my entree, braised short ribs in a wonderful wine sauce. The short ribs were beautifully braised and rich in flavor. My hubbie started with the beet and goat cheese salad (for a man that grew up hating vegetables he sure loves beets) and a pumpkin ravioli for his entree. Both, he declared were superb. We went all the way and had dessert, too. A chocolate hazelnut cake that was divine! It was an expensive splurge but a great way to end a busy year. We look forward to returning for other celebrations.
(5)Marissa P.
FOOD: Very, very good. The stars of the night were the steak and the tuna tartare. Can't forget the hazelnut cake dessert. In my opinion, the best thing I tasted was the hazelnut cake and that salty caramel ice cream -truly divine! We also had the fried artichokes and nobody in our party cared for them really. All we tasted was fried - no artichoke. I had the duck for my main and it was good, but definitely not great. The lamb tartare was ok. And the eggplant olive dip was disappointing. Plus, the most delicious bread served with a quality olive oil. YUMMY! AMBIANCE: A+... this place has it down. It is just such a beautiful atmosphere here with the amazing bar on the first floor, the mirrors on the walls, and the vintage French prints. Upstairs is more of a formal dining room that is also just as stunning as the first floor. I found the bar area on the first floor more inviting, evocative of a Parisian bistro in the 30s. SERVICE: Great!!! Prompt and attentive. DRINKS: Extensive wine list. Strong, creative cocktails. I'd love to come back here, sit at the bar enjoying the atmosphere with a cocktail and sample some more things on the menu!
(4)Sandy V.
Bistro du Midi truly feels like a French bistro. It was the perfect spot for brunch. The service was prompt, and the food was fresh and perfectly prepared. I enjoyed the fruit plate which was full of fresh berries and melon, the charcuterie, and the quiche. The french fries were also very good! Dress at Brunch: Casual
(5)Betsy S.
Amazing food and excellent service. Everything from the foie gras to the duck breast and soufflé were perfect. I will definitely recommend this place and return when next in Boston.
(5)Kevin R.
Only an average experience and was hoping for more. The smoked salmon Benedict was decent, nothing spectacular. Steak and eggs, very well prepared. I was disappointed with watching the orange juice being poured out of a container; you'd think a place like this would serve fresh squeezed juice. Service was just so-so.
(3)Rene Q.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for our wedding anniversary. We arrived about 45 minutes early and they were able to sit us. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgable. Great ambiance; had a view of the Common and were in a quiet corner. The service is a bit slow - we arrived at 6:45 and left around 9:30ish, so don't plan on a quick exit. I won't give you the blow-by-blow for our meal, but everything was above average. I particularly enjoyed the octopus and duck breast. We had both types of souffles (chocolate and Grand Marnier) - the chocolate was a bit overwhelming; you can't eat it by yourself but is good to split with a fellow choc-a-holic. The Marnier souffle was good, but nothing I would rave about or even repeat. The service and quality of the food are what would be bring me back. The meal was very well-priced (2 drinks, 2 petit bouchees, 2 appetizers, 2 main courses, 2 deserts for 150 dls), and we left satisfied. It's great for a special night out. The service is fantastic; eating French food can be intimidating and our waiter was helpful and explained everything to us (no snobbery here). Our three choices for our anniversary were between Bistro du Midi, Deuxave, and Erbaluce. We're happy with our choice!
(4)FABIANA T.
Simply my favorite place on earth! The staff is attentive , the food to die for! Strongly recommend and I wish I could live there...
(5)Bill C.
Frankly, some of the less-than-5 star reviews are pretty puzzling. Full disclosure, we did go all-out with the chef's table and the 7 course tasting menu for my wife's birthday. On the other hand, having been able to try so many of their phenomenal dishes, I may actually be in a better place to judge. Everything was terrific - my favorites being the lamb tartare, grilled marinated octopus, and wild boar tagliatelle. Seeing how well the kitchen is run was an added treat. Probably my new favorite in town, between the phenomenal food and the great service & staff.
(5)Michael C.
Ahhh...those fried artichokes are calling me back to Bistro du Midi even as I write this review. Perfectly fried with aioli on the side this dish is a garlic lovers delight. Combine the artichokes with the green and black olive tapenade appetizer and you have enough garlic to ward off an army of vampires. Great stuff! My only complaint was the pissaladiere which arrived with a slightly burnt crust and caramelized onions that also had a slightly off taste to them. No awful just not in the same league as the rest of the food. We only sat at the bar since this is my favorite spot in most restaurants. Service was excellent and the martinis cold and clear. From the bar area you can watch the world pass by while sipping on your drink. The atmosphere is comfortable and unhurried.
(4)Priscilla T.
I can't say enough good things about this place!!! I organized a pre-masquerade-ball dinner for 16 here and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we had a perfect evening. I wanted to book the private room but I actually think the table they gave us (upstairs, overlooking the park) was the best option for us in the end. Service was amazing, food was spot on (lamb tartare? I die), and the drinks were great (Moscow mule! And a wine list as long as you can imagine). The ambiance is also a perfect blend of elegant and casual. LOVE. THIS. PLACE.* *I don't even like French food that much! That's how great this place is.
(5)Laurel B.
Fantastic! The squash soup was heaven. Everything about my meal was incredible!!! Great service, atmosphere and menu. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Craig Z.
I just went in for a cocktail, but it was very well done, I liked the place, the service and the look of the menu. Will try to return soon and write a more legit review.
(4)Jeff G.
Came here last weekend and the dining experience was simply phenomenal. Our server mike was friendly, greeted us and was passionate about the items on the menu. We didn't know where to start but he suggested the beet salad and octopus which were simply fantastic. For the main course I ordered the duck which was flavorful and juicy. Wine pairings were fantastic and mike helped us navigate through the crazy amount of options. To end the meal we ordered the chocolate souflee and it was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal. We will certainly be back
(4)Apollo C.
I went on a date with the lady last night here, and it was amazing! I called ahead the morning before and reserved a table for 2. Here's my thorough review: Cocktails I had two cocktails. I started the meal with a basil infused one that tasted like an herb infused lemonade. At the end of the meal I had the classic "Bistro du Midi" cocktail, with gin and champagne. Both masterfully made by the sadly departing bartender Eric. Great stuff! Wine The wine list has changed in the past year to be sectioned out more based on the grape varietal instead of the region. This makes it more accessible to American wine drinkers. I drink French wine regularly so I already had a sense of what I wanted. The meal was mostly seafood based, so I chatted with the sommelier Todd for a moment to narrow it down. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and described the wine in very accessible terms. I settled on a bottle of Vin de Pays du Val de Loire (country wine of Loire Valley) by Domaine Fournier, made with Sav Blanc. It paired amazingly. Dinner The meal starts out with fresh baked bread, grissini breadsticks, and olive oil. I was doing my own thing for dinner, got 2 premier plates (appetizers basically) for my meal. One was the special of pigs cheek, which is amazing. Think boar meat, dark beef, or any other kind of hearty meat. The other was the octopus, which had just the right amount of herbs and zest. My gf got the bouillabaisse, which had amazing fish, fresh mussels, and a very large shrimp. The wine paired perfectly with all of it. Portion sizes are smaller then most other restaurants, it's done intentionally with the anticipation that you'll be having a 4 course meal. I prefer it that way. Desert I called ahead and mentioned that I'd be getting a Grand Marnier souffle. It takes about 20 mins to cook, so either expect the wait, or indicate well ahead of time to the wait staff that you want one. This is one of the few places in Boston you can even get a fresh souffle, let alone one of this quality. It was amazing! My gf wanted to get the chocolate, which is also great, but I insisted on the orange zest of Grand Marnier, and we were both very glad for it. It paired well with the meal, given the citrus. Service I've never been serviced so well in my entire life! Staff was curteous, attentive, professional, and fun. I was greeted by the hostess (Jeanne), seated by one of the managers(John), served some great cocktails (Eric), had a chat with the sommelier(Todd), my waitress (Amy) was very attentive, the table was promptly cleared and decrumbed (Dan / Caroline). You will literally never find such great service any where else in the city. I know, I look for it every weekend. Ambiance The restaurant is immaculate and beautifully decorated. The upstairs is wide open, but has a few tables that are tucked way for a more private experience, and also offers a few banquet tables as well for larger groups. The white linen table clothes, Riedel glassware, white porcelain flatware, flowers on the window sills, and wooden tables give you a very modern feel with a slight rustic touch. Overall modern, upscale, with a hint of European Old World. Overall I've been to various top-end Italian restaurants, and a few French restaurants around Boston, and this is the BEST! What you get here is the best French-styled seafood and other dishes in the city, top level service, amazing wine, deserts, cocktails, etc. for a reasonable price. It does cost more, but you're buying quality, and it's a very fair trade off. This is the perfect place to have a celebration meal, date night, or to explore and find unique, high quality, and flavorfully complex food. I'm a foodie, cooking things like Thai frog legs, and this place blows me away. Check it out.
(5)Andrea B.
My parents treated my best friend, David C and I to dinner here for my birthday this weekend. And while the restaurant was beautiful, the view out the window of the Public Gardens was pretty, and service was friendly and attentive, I still have to knock Bistro du Midi for the food. Portion sizes were small, and many of the dishes I tried were utterly average. The slow-cooked pork belly that I had as a starter was good but forgettable. I tried a bit of the marinated beet salad (with goat cheese!) that my sister ordered, and it was tasty, but if you know me at all, you know that I find all beet salads to be fantastic. I was originally going to get the duck for my entree, but David ended up getting it instead. When I tried some of it, I found myself glad that I didn't order it. The lavender jus that it was flavored with was overpowering. And the dish consisted of a measly 5 or so strips of meat! I don't eat much, but I think I can manage more than that. Instead, I opted for the goat cheese gnocchi, which was good, but again, not good enough that I'll remember it 6 months from now. The dish came topped with cauliflower, pine nuts, and a tasty spring pea sauce. However, if I could do this meal over again, I'd order the grilled pork chop, which was hands-down the best entree I tried. For dessert, I of course had to get the chocolate souffle. This was my first-ever souffle, and I enjoyed it immensely. Decadent, rich, and ridiculously filling, how can you go wrong? But I am told that it was a bit more dense than souffles typically should be. I can't emphasize enough how beautiful and spacious the restaurant itself is. We were seated in a particularly nice semi-private area with a great view, so 5 stars for that. I had a couple cocktails in me and was too buzzed to realize it at the time (yes, I'm a lightweight), but the food had left me a little underwhelmed. For that, I regrettably must take away 2 stars.
(3)Tracy K.
Just had a fantastic Sunday brunch here. Highly recommend the Croque Monsieur: toasted to buttery crispness on the outside, oozing with gruyere on the inside. Service was superb. To give an example, I asked for a mocha, which wasn't on the menu. They actually specially concocted a coffee mixed with chocolate. Since they weren't sure exactly how much chocolate I'd need, they included an extra pitcher of chocolate on the side. Now thats service. Come for the classy ambiance and delicious food & beverages!
(4)Clara L.
What a great place. The drinks are good, and the bartenders very friendly. I would highly recommend sitting at the bar, as the conversations with the bartenders and other guests are great. The food is quite good, all of the recommendations from the staff were on par. I had frites, a charcuterie plate, and pasta. All of it was delicious, although I was slightly disappointed with the charcuterie plate. There were just a few types of ham/salami selections, and nothing slightly more adventurous. I'd definitely be back to try some of the other items!
(4)Stacey D.
I was excited to try this place, and have to say I was disappointed. First off, FANTASTIC service, they make you feel welcome, special and wanted. I had an odd situation where I ordered a non-alcoholic drink (don't judge) and there was alcohol in it. They assured me there wasn't any alcohol in the drink! Frankly, I was surprised that I would have to defend my taste buds. I can taste the alcohol AND I am breaking out in hives, and no I am not allergic to water or sugar. I am much more inclined to trust my taste buds than their insistence. However, to be fair, despite their denial, I felt like they handled the situation well, they did replaced my drink (and nope, no alcohol the second time around). The restaurant itself is full of grace, the view is lovely. But rest assured, the service and the view is what you are paying for. The food was utterly mediocre and not particularly French. Just saying.. and no, I am not drunk.
(3)sasha h.
I really like this place, mainly due to the consistency factor - no matter what I order, there is a certain quality and taste and I can expect, it's always good. The place itself is really cute and it's situated on the commons which is nice (sit outside if you can). It's nice for dinner with the family, a date or just a nice meal with friends. I don't know that I have a favorite dish, frankly everything I've eaten has been quite good, but overall the fish and sides are great. The chocolate soufflé is yummy, make sure to order it at the beginning though so you don't have to wait 20 minutes on the back end.
(4)Hungry C.
My wife and I came here for our 2 year anniversary. We got there early and sat at the upstairs bar before our meal. Nice small bar and the bartender ( Tommy G.) was great. He gets 5 stars very personable and funny guy. We were seated right on time and with nice view of the Boston Common. Here's what we ordered. Apps. Lamb Tartare- amazing! I'm a huge fan of steak tartare and this was just as good. Cod special(purée like spread)- very good and served hot! Mains Monkfish-nice portion not fishy. Would order again. Porkchop- huge portion served with Brussels sprouts very tasty. Nothing to creative but hard to go wrong with a nicely cooked piece of pork. Sides Creamy Polenta- this was only ok very small portion a little under seasoned def would not order again Potatoe Gratin- this was great! Piping hot and is a very creamy cheese bomb. Get it! Dessert Lavender Beignets- these were good but they came with a chocolate dipping sauce which did not seem to really go with the lavender. Hazelnut chocolate cake- this was average nothing I would order again Grand Marnier Souffle- nice and light but really not a home run. Overall we really liked Bistro Du Midi we found the desserts to be a pretty big disappointment and the was a huge timing problem with our apps. The place was half empty and took a very very long time to serve them to us. We really did like it here but There's lots of other places in Boston we will try before going back.
(3)Melissa M.
Their burger and fries is what got me in the door. Their prosecco is what kept me on the bar stool for a leisurely lunch. I had about 3 glasses of this delicious bubbly prosecco and made love to my burger and fries. The service could have been a little more on the ball, but the bartender was pretty nice, just really busy. There was a very odd smell in the bar area, we sat at one end of the bar and moved to the other end and it didn't smell...but about an hour later it did. Kinda smelled like dirty dishwater, but I am not sure. Either way, their burger/fries/prosecco = great lunch. It was not the cheapest meal in the world but you get what you pay for and it was very good. I'd go back, you can't beat the view of the Common.
(4)Kit D.
Enjoyed an incredible tasting menu with wine pairing on a cold Saturday night. While we did not have a window table overlooking the Public Garden, the expanse of windows allow nearly all patrons a decent view. For over 3 hours, we indulged on a variety of plates from the chef's tasting menu. Nothing disappointed: the wine pairings were spot on and each dish was better than the last. Our table of four could not agree on what was the best as we had so many favorites (but dishes with the white truffles were a big treat). Our servers were full of detail about each course and readily answered our questions, taking their time with us. Service, food, and atmosphere were top notch! We did note that the downstairs bar area was freezing (frigid November night) and had a less cheerful vibe. Bistro du Midi will be a place we return to when we want to treat ourselves to something special. Worth the cost!!
(5)Anya P.
Amazing place!!! One of the best meals I've had this year so far. The restaurant has two floors and the bottom floor seems to be a bit cheaper and more laid back. We dined in the upstairs section. The entire experience was a complete pleasure. Starting with very friendly and attentive hostess, to very knowledgable bar tender, efficient waiter, and amazing food. Everything on the menu looked just amazing and all the dishes we ordered (black bass tartar, fried artichokes, pasta with octopus, grilled monkfish and the chocolate dessert) were to die for. The ambiance of the dining room is very cozy, yet chic and classy. If you can ask for the table by the window. I wish I lived inBoston- I'd become a regular here. Definitely coming back whenever I'm back here to visit.
(5)Sarah P.
Loved. Every. Minute. I hate being told what to do or what to get... I know what I like and what I don't. HOWEVER, my waiter told me exactly what I wanted to order, and I loved him for it. He started with "You want the Octopus or Beet Salad"... we went with octopus and he was exactly right. My friend was between two options for dinner, so the waiter made a strong case for the braised beef tips which were by far the best thing on our table. And now I have to devote an entire paragraph to the heaven that was the lavender beignets. Delicate flavor of lavender filling surrounded by a light flaky pastry, dusted with sugar and topped with chocolate drizzle. Kill me now and let me die happy. They were little bite size bits of beauty. I dare you to disagree!
(4)Teri M.
Lobster tagliatelle was undercooked. Clafoutis was dense, dry and cold and served in burning hot ramekin. Beautiful location overlooking Boston Garden.
(2)Jerry V.
My son and daughter-in-law had a dinner here for around 30 of their close friends and family after a beautiful wedding ceremony in the Boston Public Garden this past Sunday. We sat in a semi-private room in the upstairs section. From the moment we arrived, the staff were courteous, professional and genuinely friendly. As an example, my wife baked a fantastic wedding cake which we brought over early to finish decorating. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating of the process which is not always the case when you bring something in from the outside like that. The service overall was outstanding. The menu was explained in exquisite detail and the food arrived promptly and was delicious. Before we sat down to eat, we gathered at the upstairs bar and the staff were helpful and poured great drinks. Their demeanor was playful and just right for the occasion. The seating was a little tight in the room but they worked around it with no problems. I can't say enough about what a great experience we had at Bistro du Midi. I've eaten there before and enjoyed it. It is a very professionally run operation and I'll be back. Kudos to all concerned
(5)Adam W.
My fiancee and I were both sick but trying to make the best of a turbulent Boston vacation when we stumbled into Bistro du Midi. You can enter through the rotating doors (very odd) or just step through the building itself (true bistro style, with nothing to separate indoor and outdoor dining). I really loved the location and set up of the restaurant. It feels like you're dining in Paris, so I give them credit. Being sick, we thought it best to get our food to go. I ordered a caesar with chicken, and it cost around $17. Pretty pricey, especially considering the fact that they forgot to include any dressing. So I ended up eating dry lettuce for lunch. Service was uninspired. It's possible we just caught Bistro du Midi on a bad midi, and the location is worth at least one star on its own. But you get less than you pay for here.
(2)Meaghan C.
My husband and I dined at Bistro du Midi on Thursday evening and had an amazing time while there. Our waitress, Amy, was phenomenal and really took her time with us, as we had a lot of questions. She was also great when we were indecisive about our wine choices and let us taste two different wines. Highlights of dinner included the amazing Bolognese and the tuna tartare. We ended dinner with the soufflé and incredible parfait. We will definitely be back and hope to have Amy again!!
(5)Camila N.
Lamb tartare. Duck. And foie gras.
(4)Ferdinand H.
The service was prompt and the coffee flavourful. Had a lavender infused scotch which was yum. Tender beef was succulent and delicately flavoured in my brunch-time order of steak. Yes, I'm a glutton at times. :) Charming medium brown woods and a decor that reminds of a modern adaptation of a more traditional spare french aesthetic is pleasing to the eye, yet undistracting from the true centers of any dining experience - the food and the company.
(4)Mark W.
Went for lunch, the seating a very tight, but manageable. The food was very good and the service was excellent.
(4)Dandan L.
This review is for the restaurant week menu only, which should have been done loooong time ago, but I got a little lazy... This is my first 5-star review cuz everything was simply perfect (for restaurant week price). Great ambiance- perfect lighting for a romantic date. I went with two of my girl friends for a dress-up dinner :D All the waiters were nice, funny and knowledgeable. One of them patiently taught us how to pronounce the name of the dishes in French when we showed a little interest in trying. Since there were three of us, we pretty much ordered everything on the restaurant week menu. It was such a long time ago, I'm having a little hard time remembering the name of every single dish. However, one thing for sureee: everything we got was good (yes, everything). For appetizer, I got the mussels. I just love mussels in general, so I have ordered them in a lot of restaurants which are known for this dish. BDM's was the best. The sauce was well seasoned, not too heavy, but rich enough to perfectly complement the taste of this yummy shellfish. My friends ordered lamb and salad. I sampled the lamb which was juicy and tender. For entree, I order the hake-melted in my mouth. One of my friends ordered steak, not the regular one, but the one served in pieces: truly medium rare and high quality meat. The dessert was good too, but not as outstanding as the appetizers or entrees. I ordered the lemon tart, which was a bit too sour for me. However, the strawberry sorbet my friend ordered was amazing and def worth trying! We also got a bottle of wine-as great as our food :) This review looks way too sloppy compared to the actual food quality, but you get the idea ;)
(5)Jeff M.
Rude pretentious service. However, the food is nice at Bistro du Midi. Bottom line; I'll never come here again because of the service.
(4)Brian L.
My wife and I love this place. We have been twice and tried different things on the menu and everything is delicious. The souffles are delicious, although my wife and I differ on which one is the best. Pasta entrees are amazing and we love the pork belly and lamb tar-tare appetizers. Our only gripe is the drink prices. Wine and cocktails, although great, are priced very high.
(5)Kavitha M.
I think the service here is a bit awkward. Although people seem friendly-ish, we were here on a slow sunday night and waited a long time to be seated, after being told to go upstairs because our table was ready. The food is pretty good but not excellent and could use more seasoning. Their complementary bread plate is very good though.
(3)J T.
I've decided to add one more star to my previous Bistro du Midi review. I really appreciated the general manager's prompt and professional response to my concerns regarding the customer service at Bistro du Midi. I also appreciated his willingness to listen to suggestions.
(4)Audra H.
Had an enjoyable meal here last week. The prices are quite high, but the food was nice and the service was excellent. My boyfriend and I split the gnocchi, and I'm glad we did because it was very rich and filling. The complimentary bread was so good, and went perfectly with our eggplant/olive spread appetizer. I wanted to try dessert, but was too stuffed!
(4)Randy H.
This place was fantastic! We were there for Valentine's Day which featured a Prix Fix that had a lot of stuff not on their normal menu, but I am sure is featured in some of their Tasting Menu's. Either way, as we each ordered separate dishes for each course, and essentially switched plates mid way through, so we each got to sample 9 items, which made everything even more enjoyable. The only dish that I felt was fairly ordinary was the Seared Prawns, which were a bit salty and that was the main flavor. However, the Butter Poached Lobster, Beet salad, Bass Crudo, Seared Sea Scallops, Grilled Beef Fillet, Passion Fruit Parfait, and Plum & Apple Crumble were all great, with each supplying a great balance of spicing while keep the focus on the food item itself. The dish of note for me was the Garganelli Pasta with Red Wine Braised Wild Boar Ragu. It was the only dish that I shared with a great reluctance and would absolutely get again rather than sampling different dishes. Our waiter was fantastic, guiding us to dishes he felt were notable, and never steering us wrong. The meal had a great pace to it, nothing rushed, but with always attentive wait staff. We will be going back!
(5)Jenessa C.
Went here for restaurant week. My friend & I both ordered something different in each of the 3 courses. Each course was so delicious we didn't want to leave a single crumb! The staff was attentive, but let us relax, eat, and truly enjoy the meal, we were there for a little more than 2 hours. The wine list was impressive - I could tell the selections paired well with the plate selections. I however ended up ordering a lavender-infused cocktail which was lovely, but didn't pair well with my meal at all as it was more of a margarita flavor than a subtle lavender flavor. Highly recommend as a special occasion go-to.
(5)M M.
A five star experience. The octopus, lamb tartare, boar special and pork chop were absolutely incredible. Our server Amy was a true professional, very knowledgeable about the menu and overall a fun time. The sommelier Kate also guided us to selecting a great bottle. Staff was attentive without being overbearing. Server Assistants were also very prompt with crumbing and cleaning while being completely unobtrusive. Only downside was an annoying and LOUD group of five sitting next to us who seemed to be on the more difficult side and perhaps thought they may have owned the restaurant. Cheers to Amy for somehow putting up with them while smiling the whole time. I would of told them to screw. We'll be back!
(5)Bobby C.
Ambiance. Class. Original works of art on the walls. An extensive wine collection. 2 drunk and screaming hairdressers stuck in the revolving door. What doesn't this place have? LOVE the hostess. The rest of the staff was super nice as well. And their drinks were great. Really nice bar with 2 big tvs to hang out at. Very good mix of different people. Great place to relax and have a drink in a relaxed setting.
(4)Jeannie H.
ATMOSPHERE - It's unremarkable but pleasant. The definition of a bistro is a small and moderately-priced local restaurant that serves simple, authentic meals. This term has become so grossly distorted over time. I always expect a "bistro" to be rustic, unpretentious, and homey but this place was way too large, commercial and lacks warmth. I don't think there is anything romantic about the atmosphere and it's definitely not a bistro. SERVICE - Our waiter was a little on the chatty, annoying side. I like my wait staff to be informative but a little more restrained and keep their superfluous commentary to themselves. Please don't tell me that you knew what I was going to order and have the ability to read my mind with your superpowers. FOOD - For the price point, I think the food at Sel de la Terre is more interesting and flavourful but Bistro du Midi has better service and a slightly more upscale atmosphere. Barbajuans (Pumpkin and Sage, Goat Cheese and Honey, and Chicken Liver and Foie) - There are 6 per order so we opted for 2 of each flavour. They're essentially fried ravioli. There was a very low filling to dough ratio making these lacking in flavour and texture. This was the worst dish of the evening. Roasted Winter Squash Soup, Crispy Chestnuts, Aged Balsamic, Olive Oil - Underseasoned. Shellfish Bouillabaisse - The soup base had a lot of wonderful flavour and this was definitely one of the better courses of the evening. Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, and Black Olives - The duck was perfectly medium but not particularly tender or flavourful. The gnocchi were awful - rubbery pellets of dough. Overall, this dish was lacking in creativity. Grand Marier Souffle - This was one of the best souffles I have ever had and definitely worth ordering. It was perfectly light and fluffy. At $70 per person after tax and tip, I will not be returning. It's an acceptable but not great dining experience. The location is prime but for French food, there are much better places in town.
(3)Rachel O.
Fantastic! From the appetizers through to dessert - it was perfect. Great service, new flavors in each course. Perfect for a special occasion. We kept the restaurant open late into a Sunday night and the staff was totally gracious about it. Recommendations: Lamb Tartar Beet Salad Duck Breast Mediterranean Sea Bass Souffle Desserts (Grand Marnier or chocolate)
(5)Olga Z.
Dined at the cafe while in Boston for business. Beautiful, romantic atmosphere, with tables spilling over onto the sidewalk on the cafe level, friendly and attentive waiters, delicious French food with wonderful presentation. Will be back if in the area.
(5)Howard G.
The food is excellent and the wine list is extensive. The restaurant is located across from the public garden so the views are amazing. There is a bar and more casual dining downstairs that is open air when the weather is good. The service at the upstairs restaurant can be very slow, which is the only reason I give 4 stars.
(4)Casey H.
Went with a large group. They gave us a nice table upstairs. I ordered the bouillabaisse which was fantastic. Others seem to enjoy their meals too. I'm tempted to give this place a five star but will try it again sometime to see if the quality stands up. Service was excellent too.
(4)Me B. M.
I love classic French, so I was very excited that a Le Bernardin-trained chef was coming to Boston. Too bad du Midi is just not up to snuff at all. The service was simply bizarre. There was a food runner, bread/water server, waiter, and head waiter/maitre d'. Yet, somehow, it took us 30 mins to get a bottle of sparkling water and A FULL HOUR to get one glass of wine. This was after asking for them 3 times. Now, mind you, at one hour, we still had not ordered food. And the restaurant was only about half to three-quarters full. To cut to the chase, dinner took 2 hours and 45 minutes, without coffee or dessert. There was no way we could allow the meal to stretch to 3 and a half hours. And this did not seem to be the result of a purposely pleasantly paced meal, but rather because the service was disorganized and amateurish. Staff would disappear, claim to be coming right over, and otherwise attempt to not make eye contact. That said, while they were engaged with our table, they were all polite and upbeat. The food was also not terribly good. The bottom line: Everything was cooked to perfection. Technique was remarkable. But the actual preparation and presentation was never more than the sum of its parts. Everything was literal and boring. And oddly, the food we were served often did not resemble what was on the menu. In one case, aside from the protein choice, it was a totally different dish. The olive and eggplant tapenade was sour and had not a single hint of eggplant. Tasted like something you would get at TGIFs. The green olive one was subtler and somewhat better. Their bread and olive oil were very very good. We ordered the prawns that were supposed to be served with coco bean, tomato and prosciutto. Inexplicably, they instead were prepared with small white beans, basil pesto, and croutons. At this point we were nearly 2 hours into the meal and the last thing I was going to do was send it back. The prawns were cooked to perfection. But, not only did I not order this preparation, it was also boring and seemed like an after thought. "Just throw the prawns on top of some beans and uhmmmm how about a squirt of pesto, and well that might seem too mushy, put on some croutons. They won't notice that it's NOT AT ALL WHAT IS ON THE MENU." I ordered the sea bass. Again, the actual fish was treated with all the care and love I could have hoped for. But, it was supposed to be served with a sauce vierge. Instead, it had a dry rub of herbs and salt that formed a dry, crumby, overpowering, and SALTY SALTY SALTY crust over the fish. It stuck in your teeth and was unpleasantly crunchy. There was nothing "sauce vierge" about it. I scraped most of it off and was left with naked sea bass that I could have cooked myself. The fennel accompaniment was really quite nice, but was way, way, way over-peppered. Again with the scraping to make it more edible. A somewhat more minor point, the rest rooms. I would have expected that with the rehab, they would have been smart enough to put one upstairs. Instead, you have to go downstairs and around the entire bar, wading through a tight, drunk crowd of faux-upscale 20-somethings in heat. Yeah, elegant. Perhaps it was an off night or they were training staff. Maybe I just ordered wrong. But there is no excuse for not preparing what is on the menu and not really caring what is going on in the front of the house.
(2)Gary S.
Incredible food - best lamb chops I've ever had and beautiful window seats overlooking commons. Great appetizers and wonderful wine selection. Great place
(5)I Y.
My friends and I came here for dinner after seeing the Holiday Pops. It was a restaurant that was on my list of to-tries. The prices on the menu didn't looked too bad. The final price per person with a bottle of wine and gratuity came out to $90. That was a little high I thought for the food. The service was excellent though. We got a lot of attention from the wait staff. Bread service: Breadsticks and some kind of herb bread with dipping olive oil. This was pretty good. First course: - Stuffed Calamari, Lobster Jus - Beef Carpaccio, Ginger Bread Crouton & Cashew Nuts - Market Greens, Seasonal Vegetables, Balsamic Dressing - Vermont Goats Cheese, Marinated Beet Salad Main course: - Poached Maine Lobster, Chitarra Pasta, Baby Spinach, Peppercorn Lobster Jus - Steak au Poivre - Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, Black Olives Dessert: - Quince and Grape Crumble with Crème Fraîche Ice Cream - Baked Apple stuffed with Walnuts and Dried Cherries, Brown Butter Ice Cream - Lemon Soufflé - Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Ice Cream Overall, I thought the food was good but nothing really stood out. The Bordeaux was good, and the desserts were okay as well. I think I will try other restaurants the next time I'm looking for a place to eat after an event in the Back Bay or the Theater District area.
(3)Ann C.
We thought the food was okay. We ordered mussels that had clearly not been properly washed, there was enough sand in the dish that my husband heard me chewing on it from across the table. If I wanted to pay for sand I'd lick it for free at the shore. He ordered duck and I ordered lamb neck. The spinal cord and vertebral column made the experience unpleasant and the souffle was too watery for my taste. The most irritating thing was how attentive the waiter was. He was at our table every 30 seconds and made it feel as if we were being rushed to finish our dinner. He may have well joined our table and helped finish our meal with his frequent visits. Food was ok overall, service was way too attentive bordering on irritating. Even the maitre de visited our table, I'm not sure if they were expecting a chew and screw but I can't have someone looking over my shoulder when I set down to an expensive meal.
(3)Ang L.
Nice decor and outside view of the gardens. Had the prime sirloin with pepper sauce and it was excellent. Service was a bit slow but I guess that's expected on a Saturday night. Looking forward to returning soon.
(4)Evie K.
The food at Midi is always superb. Oysters, scallop and tuna tartare were very fresh; gnocchi with ramp pesto, squid ink tagliatelle and hake were delicious. Fortunately for us, the kitchen was on their game. Service was mediocre at best given that bill for three people was over $500 and the restaurant was at 15% capacity. Numerous issues with inattentive and erratic service that were only made more irritating by the Maitre d' appearing at our table, then staring like a zombie and asking if everything is alright (while there are 10 dirty dishes on the table and busboys walk past us empty-handed). Maybe it's better when the restaurant isn't empty.
(2)Michael G.
I've learned that this is the place to come for dessert after eating the duck at La Voile. Chocolate Soufflé are the only two words you need to know. Do it. I SAID DO IT!
(4)Jillian P.
SO amped to write a review for this place. I had been here twice over the past year: once on a rainy Sunday catching up with friends and once during happy hour for wine with my sister. Both times I was pleased with the service, bar staff, etc. but thought the menu was a touch limited. It was sweltering hot a few weeks back and I wasn't in the mood to get going in the kitchen so I met up with my husband in the city for dinner. Who knew there was a big ole dining room upstairs?! I was completely in the dark and super pleased... it was so comfortable and airy up there I cooled off instantly. On a side note, the upstairs dining room is a bit dressier than downstairs so bear that in mind if you want to dress appropriately. The service was really great. The server was friendly and supremely knowledgable. It was clear that he knew all about the menu and could sell it without being pushy. I never, ever make pasta or steaks at home so I only ever go there when I'm out to eat. With a nod to the July heat I went with the coral infused pasta with lobster and baby spinach. It was rich, but not over the top, with big chunks of lobster meat. The portion size was perfect. My husband had the lamb special... lamb wrapped in pork belly with an I-can't-remember sauce/side... it was complicated, but apparently delicious. I'm a big fan of French food and there are a half dozen things on the menu I'd like to try... fried artichokes, chilled melon soup, marinated beet salad... mais oui! Thanks to the great downtown location and variety of dining options (at the bar, on the patio, or upstairs) this has the potential of an old standby.
(5)Carolyn C.
My husband and I both decided to order the tasting menu. The food was great. The timing between courses was good. We both got different plates for the same course which was nice as we could share and taste more plates. I especially enjoyed the gnocchi and foie gras. When we first arrived, we were a little shocked to see a casual restaurant, but they eased our worry when they sat us upstairs in their upscale dining room which had a nice ambiance.The one thing that lowered the experiences was the waiter's lack of knowledge when it came to the items we order, he could not explain anything we had ordered in detail. Of course food is king and in that they have surpassed almost all the other restaurants in the Boston area.
(4)Christopher M.
Du Midi is quickly becoming a favorite after-work spot for me when I'm on newbury. The atmosphere is casual-chic, the view and patio from downstairs is fantastic, the vibe upstairs is perfect, the service can be frighteningly good, and the food is amazing even at a much lower than expected price point. Furthermore, the bartender Mike is not only incredibly talented, but very accommodating as well. When I ordered a periodista he told me he didn't know how to make it but would try if I could give him directions. so I looked it an exact recipe on the all-seeing iPhone, handed it to him and moments later one served the best periodista I think I have ever tasted! If bars and eateries with a sophisticated edge, good menu, and great service are your thing, check out du midi you'll be one very happy camper.
(5)Baking M.
Bistro du Midi is in the former Excelsior location. The large wine selection is still prevalent in the new restaurant. Located right near the Four Seasons and the Boston Common, a walk prior to or after in the Boston Garden's is a great kick off or wind down of the evening. I have had a cocktail and sat at the bar for an appetizer (fried artichokes and aioli $7), however for a friend's birthday, we were dining at BDM for Restaurant Week. Bistro du Midi's downstairs has open doors for alfresco dining and the decor is cozy with hint so of French flair. After walking up the stairwell to the main dining room, while we were waiting for our host to gather our location, I spotted the kitchen in action. We sat near the main wine area, displaying the extensive selection of wines. I had a glass of the Merlot, Château Roche-Lalande, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, for $13, which lasted a majority of the meal. This beautiful view from our seats and purple flowers in the window sill was very Provincial and romantic. The main dining hall was clean, sleek with the white leather chairs and the restaurant had a demographic of established couples and well heeled dates.The bread box, olive oil and my friend's cucumber and mint non-alcoholic cocktail. The thinly sliced, marinated scallops, melon, chives, watermelon radish was light, fresh and a great start. My friends all had a bountiful mixed green salad, vegetables, sherry vinaigrette. The grilled rosefish, gratin of courgette (zucchini), salsa verde was very visually appealing, a bit heavy handed on the salt, but still very tender and enjoyable. We all finished the plate clean. The seared petit iron steak ordered medium, potato purée, beef jus, but came out borderline rare/medium rare, however was very tender and seasoned well. I had the gianduja palette, hazelnut ice cream. The vanilla scoop was speckled throughout with chopped hazelnuts and the cake had a smooth, decadent cream. The chilled watermelon soup with cherries, baby basil and watermelon sorbet was cooling and had a lightly sweet watermelon flavor. I think the best of the desserts was the blueberry clafoutis and lemon curd ice cream. The berries were fresh and tasted fantastic with the flan-like custard and refreshing ice cream.
(5)linda c.
went there for brunch and dinner. Brunch was simple and refreshing. Nothing to heavy. Dinner was delicious~
(4)Anne F.
This is just a review for the bar/bistro area, but oh was it perfect. After going to the symphony (oh that sounds pretension), I felt like closing night with some good drinks and light food. After looking it up on yelp, the boyfriend and I decided upon Bistro du Midi. Coming in about ten minutes until the kitchen closed, we still received beautifully prepared and tasting French cuisine. I had the monsieur - grilled ham and cheese - that came with a beautiful arugula mix salad; boyfriend had a baked lamb dish. Very hot temperature but very good (at least he says and I trust). For drinks, I had a beautiful robust red that just fulfilled all the requirements of a good red wine: deep, rich but not too much acid. Boyfriend had an infused liquor that he liked better as he drank it. The service was perfect. Bonus round: we are both from the same area of Indiana and could talk about marching bands. I feel a ritual was established that night that I would be more than happy to repeat. Perfect in every way.
(5)Julie R.
This place needs more yelpers to visit. I was very impressed... I popped in for a mid afternoon snack with my bf. We sat downstairs in the cafe. The atmosphere had a french country farm house vibe. There was a long bar then several marble cafe tables. Parisian art and mirrors covered the walls. The cafe menu had reasonable offerings between $5-$12. We started with a couple glasses of wine. The first pinot grigio on the list and the only rose. I loved the wine. At $7 a glass it was nicely priced. We decided on a charcuterie plate for $12. While we were waiting the bartender gave us some bread and olive oil and invited us to check out the upstairs dining room when we were done. The charcuterie plate arrived with a hefty selection of meat. Speck, serrano ham, prosciutto, cornishons and olives. All the meats had a nice aged flavor. It was a perfect accompaniment to the wine. After we finished up we went upstairs. I was blown away with the dining room up there. It was gorgeous. Part had a bar, then an open kitchen in the corner, view to the garden, a fireplace and just lots of French charm all over. Romantic and classy at the same time. What an upgrade from the Excelsior days. In the middle stood a huge glass wine storage reaching down to the first floor. There were 2 private dining spaces in addition to the large dining room. We encountered the owner, I believe, who talked about the renovation. All the staff we saw along the way were very welcoming. I took a look at the dinner menu which was priced moderately with most entrees in the low to mid $20s. I plan to be back again for more. I highly recommend this place for nice dinner or a drink/light bite downstairs.
(4)Orlando R.
I was in Boston with my wife and visited on a friend's recommendation. Wow. Great food and memorable drinks too, thanks to Tommy G. Didn't plan on eating so ordered appetizers and then kept ordering 'cause each dish was so good.Will definitely revisit.
(5)Gerald P.
my party of four had an excellent dining experience on July 22,2011. the food was prepared and presented beautifully, and the service was friendly,efficient, and attentive. I would definitely dine here on my return to Boston. Jerry San Diego
(4)Beth H.
The wine selection is wonderful and everything we tried was delicious! Fried artichokes were devine and the Daube with the mashed potato was oh so yummy. The best part was the dessert, milk chocolate hazelnut cake with salted caramel ice cream was heavenly. Our sever Amy was great and professional, food came out promplty and our plates were split for us without even requesting it.
(4)Gizem D.
Upscale restaurant. Definitely need to dress up... There were not many people with jeans. I went for the Boston Restaurants Week. I ended up ordering from their regular dinner menu... I had the roasted monfish. I actually googled monk fish... Damn it is one ugly creature but it is very tasty. :D Highly recommended place. The entrees are are give or take $30/plate for dinner. Service could be a bit better... Oh and if you are living your life without having tried the "hazelnut chocolate cake with caramel ice-cream" you are definitely missing out in a big way for sure.
(5)Matthew P.
Food was incredible from start to finish. We were a group of 7 and from the little bites, to the appetizers, entrees and desserts (the soufflés were sublime!) the food neared perfection. The kitchen staff should know that they are acing it. However the service was downright embarrassing for such a nice establishment. It bordered on Romper Room. The waitress was extremely nice as were the people that greeted, the sommelier, bus folks etc but the orchestration of the meal was completely off. It started with the length of time to get our first drink. Then we ordered wine and food. The food every step came WAY before the wine. We ordered red wine with before our entrees came and the food came and we waited about 15 minutes before the wine arrived. We were told I'd we wanted soufflés that the needed to be ordered in advance - so we did. They came immediately after the entrees were cleared before they brought the dessert menus so that for 7 of us we got 2 peoples desserts and waited 20 minutes for the other 5. The bartenders brought 2 cocktails that were not the right liquor, flat water was poured on top of sparkling etc. None of these issues alone would have mattered, but all in one meal?? For a dinner that cost about $1000 -- I would have expected smoother service. And the temperature in the room was high 70s in the dead of winter -- even the servers were sweating..... In summary - talented chef, great food, bad service.
(2)Erdan L.
Great food. Did not realize we can sit upstairs, which is better.
(4)Dylan M.
I have been here twice. Once downstairs and once upstairs. What a great little place. It is a little pricey but not outrageous. I just love it. I will definitely be going back!
(4)Jennifer J.
I went with my girls for dinner tonight. The food was really good and I loved the space. The bartender was handsome and so thoughtful. Overall, a first class experience. We will be back...all six of us!!!
(5)carolyn d.
The space is fantastic. The food was very good. Portions were (very) small. The monkfish gave one of us food poisoning. Will definitely go back, but will probably eat downstairs, and will definitely avoid the monkfish.
(3)Kiki B.
With this chef, this location, of course amazing - though Excelsior is sorely missed! Really hoping it succeeds!
(4)Allison K.
I live a couple of blocks away from Bistro du Midi and have frequented the restaurant since its opening. The upstairs dining room is lovely and the bar area is adorable, especially during the summer when they open the French doors. The food is consistently good, but I never had a meal there that blew me away until brunch this morning: best pancakes I have ever eaten! It's hard to describe how delicious they were. The sides were almost crispy, while the center was fluffy and rich at the same time. I will definitely be back for more soon!
(5)Sara M.
Went for dinner at the bar on a Saturday night. I thought the atmosphere and service were great - trendy decor, dim lighting, and wonderful bartenders who were attentive yet not in-your-face. We got there around 7:45 and were able to grab a seat right away (party of two). We each ordered a glass of wine and entree. The wine prices were reasonable for the setting (about $9/glass). My croque monsieur sandwich was really delicious - not too salty, not greasy at all. The side salad was *extremely* salty, but I think it is meant to be this way. Still, I couldn't eat it for that very reason. My husband's burger and fries were also delicious and he's already planning on returning for another! The burger was large and juicy and cooked just as he ordered (medium). Lots of flavor, and served with three condiments on the side (cooked onions, mayo, ketchup). The fries were light and crisp. For all of this the tab came to $55 including tax and tip. Not cheap, but perfectly reasonable for a Saturday night dinner out. All in all it was a very enjoyable experience!
(4)Michael P.
As far as Bistros go, this place stands above the pack. Delicious food, outstanding service (good job Anastasia!), and a very hip ambience makes DuMidi a favorite. Order the small plates and share while enjoying an extensive list of French and American wines.
(4)Laura H.
I did not know that a new restaurant had opened in this spot and walked in Wednesday with a friend. We sat at the bar had a few drinks and a bite to eat. We were surprisingly amazed at the level of service and the food was scrumptous. Matt, our bartender was very attentive and friendly, chatted with us the whole time. He described the main courses which sound delicious, so I can't wait to come back and try more when I have more time. We just had a small bar dish, but from what I can tell this place will be a hit!
(5)Elena A.
Very classy but not pretentious place with a beautiful decor and great service. Excellent location with gorgeous views of Boston Common! The food is very good overall and prices are surprisingly reasonable. I simply love their cherry clafoutis dessert and sometimes want to go back to have just that dessert. It's a delicious moist cherry pie that they serve with vanilla ice-cream, sooooo good! Souffles are amazing too, I always get impressed with different dessert menus at restaurants - boring molten chocolate cake what? Drinks are very different and memorable as well and not to mention all the tasty food. I loved the lamb ravioli appetizer and shellfish bouillabaisse! The duck breast was good, but not the best I've had - it was a little overcooked for my taste, but still very decent. The decor is very nice -the downstairs area is a swanky bar and there is a large dining room upstairs with a fireplace and open kitchen. My only negative comment is that the service was almost too attentive - throughout the dinner, we had three different people (in addition to our waitress) coming up to the table asking how everything is going. While it was nice, it felt almost too much. But seriously, if the overattentive service is my only complaint about this place, hell yeah I'll take it and be back!
(4)Susan C.
Bistro looks good did a good job. Very very noisy. Venison was good lamb chops more fat than meat never had been trimmed. Server was good, Goat cheese and beet salad had two little pieces of goat cheese lots of beets. Managers just walked around never looking if anyone needed anything. They don't use their elevator I was told it dones look good so they had it with a curtain covering it so if you need to use the restroom you must do the stairs you almost would feel uncomfortable to ask to use the elevator. The grand marnier souffles were awful they were burned and we sent them back never ever have sent back dessert. General manager said it tasted fine like we didn't know what we were talking about rest assure we do., I would not go back save your money go to many other places in Boston.
(2)kara o.
Went to Bistro du Midi for the first time today. Great setting, nice space. Unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow. Waited over an hour for our meal and the restaurant was not even nearly full. Once our meals, came one out of the four was the incorrect order. Although they were apologetic, there was no offer to comp the meal that was Incorrectly ordered. Food was fresh, but nothing spectacular.
(2)Lynda M.
After spending an afternoon at the MFA, my friends and I arrived here for an early dinner. The space is so different than the previous occupant, Excelsior. Nice outside space, although it had just poured from the heavens so we opted for indoor seating. The 1st floor bar area is more central, and the colors more neutral and inviting, giving it a more casual bistro feel. We ordered wine at the bar while waiting for our table. The bartender was friendly, and very helpful. He let us sample a few selections, I love that! Great variety of French and other regions. We dined upstairs by the window, what a beautiful space. There is also a large bar upstairs. We had a lovely view of the Commons, and dined on Sea Bass, Bouillabasse and saffron infused pasta wih squid and mussels, with a side of garlic broccoli. We also split a green apple salad. The bread sticks were also delish!!! Our Gamay, recommended by the sommelier, was excellent. For dessert we shared the trio of sorbets, raspberry, coconut and blood orange, with homemade nougat candies. Our waiter was excellent, service outstanding. Very high end feel, without the high end costs. $60 each, including tip, when it was all said and done. A very nice edition to Boston, and we will be back.
(5)Mo S.
Food was excellent. I ordered the the Beef Daube with Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes. The meal just melts in your mouth. The polenta was smooth and creamy. Their drinks were unique and yummy. The service was great. The soufflés were amazing and definitely something to try here.
(5)Jerry H.
Excellent food. Reason enough to go but there is more. View of the Garden from either upstairs or the tables outside in the summer. Good wine list with reasonable markups. Servers are attentive and knowledgable. Highly recommended. Best bistro around.
(5)Shahzad S.
Went during lunch. Ambiance would be better in the evening. Comfort food. Preparations well done. Solid overall.
(3)Rebecca R.
My husband recently took me here for my 30th birthday and it surpassed expectations. It was the middle of the week, a Wednesday night, so you do not expect the top service or chef to be in the kitchen. However, the meal was flawless. They had our reservation from open table and figured out exactly who I was since my husband arrived before me and sent us upstairs promptly to get our table. We ordered a glass of prosecco to start and it was delicious and served promptly. My appetizer, the fried artichokes, was perfect. The batter was light enough not to overpower the artichokes and the aioli was a perfect compliment. My husband's barbajuans were also delicious but I preferred the artichokes. Our server was very attentive and there was always someone right there to bring the next plate or remove the old one. Then came our entrees. My husband had the pork special with a piece of pork presented in an artful way and some pork belly to accompany it. I didn't taste it since I don't eat pork, but he enjoyed it immensely. He particularly liked the pork belly. I had the Beef Daube with Mashed Potatoes and we shared a side of the Broccoli with Garlic. My beef was perfectly cooked, it was fork tender and the mashed potatoes were an excellent pairing with the meat and the sauce. The broccoli was done perfectly and the most delicious broccoli I have tasted. I couldn't stop eating it. I do like my mashed potatoes with a bit more oomph, these were very light and thin and I prefer mine to be more solid. The taste was very good, however. We did not taste the desserts because we had birthday cake waiting at home, but we will be back for another special occasion and before that for the bar menu and to sample the desserts. The decor was very classic with one exception we noticed, the ceramic beehive shapes in many colors above the fireplace in the dining room.
(4)Mary C.
Had a lovely, relaxing lunch here last week. I had the Nicoise salad with seared tuna (not out of a can!) and it was very good. The wine was delicious. The service was impeccable. It was just as nice in March sitting inside as it was in the summer when we sat in the outdoor terrace.
(5)Mike G.
definite stars for space, service, wines and delicious focaccia. food is standard french-new england bistro that mostly meets expectations. recent eats: roast beet salad with chèvre and the most excellent steak au poivre with a side of chili frites. street level bar/dining is casual, upstairs cozy-refined. really cool alternative for any occasion.
(3)Kyle N.
Sampled a handful of different items with my wife and enjoyed them all! The crispy pork belly was the best I've ever had! The fried artichokes, soft shell crab, beet salad and black cod were great as well! To finish we followed the suggestion from our great server and embarked on the lavender cream beignets. Wow!
(5)Beth B.
We went to BDM for our annual Christmas dinner with friends. What a lovely space. We went upstairs to a lovely room and were seated at a spacious table in the back of the room near the kitchen. The charcuterie platter was a delight as well as the Spanish mackerel crudo. The hubs and I both got the duck which was perfection. Our friends got the beef daube and the succulent pork chop. All were fantastic. The soufflé's were light and heavenly. All paired with fantastic service and a lovely Bordeaux. Just go & enjoy.
(5)Justin C.
Please read my review knowing that I dined here in early December, after the restaurant had been open just 2 weeks, and I'm a bit late in reviewing it so I wouldn't be surprised if it's worth perhaps an extra star by now. Unlike some other reviews though, my complaint was in no way with the service, as my waiter was very good. I thought the food desperately lacked flavor, and from a former chef at Le Bernadin this was a surprising deficiency to me. I really loved the atmosphere ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) of Bistro du Midi, especially where I was dining, just next to the fireplace ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) and with a decent view of the park below at night. I can imagine this is a stunning scene in the summer months when there is still some daylight to be had at dinner hours. My biggest complaint with the layout of the restaurant is that they failed to put a bathroom upstairs, so if you want to go wash your hands you have to go back downstairs and navigate through the bar area and the giant wine tower ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) just to do so. As I noted earlier, service was great for me, but I was somewhat surprised by how little clothing the Sommelier was wearing. It looked almost like lingerie masquerading as a dress. After an interesting presentation of bread ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), I began the meal with the trio of barbajans ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), as I definitely live by the creed that frying things makes them taste better, and the assortment of fillings sounded quite tasty: goats' cheese and honey, lamb and tomato, and pumpkin (which I suppose is the seasonal rotating one). I would say that while none of them really struck me as impressive, that overall they were good, and a relatively inexpensive first taste of the cuisine here. The ingredient list for the pissaladière ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) hooked me right away, even though I had no idea what this strange sounding item was. Apparently it's a type of pizza which is common in Southern France, especially around Nice, and the main ingredient is always anchovies, and traditionally also includes caramelized or sauteed onions and olives, all of which were featured in this version. My biggest complaint here was that the pizza was not cooked all the way through, so the crust was not firm, and considering it's coated with onion paste it caused it to be really flimsy and droopy. Also, the amount of anchovy that was included was so minimal the flavor was hardly there, and that should be the main focus of the dish in my opinion. As a result all the flavors wound up being pretty muted and were horribly imbalanced. The highlight of the night for me was definitely the saffron chitarra & seafood dish, featuring mussels, clams, and calamari. The saffron is actually worked into the chitarra pasta ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) so the flavor abounds with each bite, one of the few times I was able to say that during this meal. The amount of seafood included in the dish was also quite generous, so you got some in basically every bite. Unfortunately I decided to also order a side of ratatouille Provençale ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ), just because this should be the hallmark of a good Southern French restaurant, but it was a terrible disappointment. Although the presentation was rather cute, in its own little cast iron skillet, the herbal flavors and melange of robust vegetable flavors were both absent, causing the dish to taste very generic and unimpressive. I see no reason why this restaurant can't become one of the better ones in Boston, the foundation is mostly there, they just really need to work on improving some of the fundamental things that make great restaurants stand out from good ones.
(3)Kathy B.
Had dinner in the bistro last night and could not have been more pleased. The wait staff is extremely professional and efficient. The menu allows you to order from the more expansive/formal menu upstairs or from the bistro/cafe menu. There are several seating options from tables with a banquette to a few high tops to a rather long bar that has a tv or two quietly available for viewing, but in an elegant setting. The wine list is quite good and the bistro offers the option of a "glass and a half" of wine which is a first that I've seen (but one that I ordered because sometimes you just want a little more wine, but not too much!). Although it was a very hot evening, the bistro was comfortable. In fact, comfortable enough that I tried their delicious sounding smoked asparagus soup and I'm glad I did. It was just the right size for a starter and full of flavor. As an entree, I had a Salad Nicoise with perfectly seared tuna, FRESH anchovies and a lovely vinaigrette. I would certainly return to Bistro du Midi.
(4)Tamar A.
This place claims to celebrate the simple ingredients and bold flavors of Modern Provençal (note the little beardy thing hanging off the "c") cuisine. And celebrate them it does! Merci, Restaurant Week, for allowing us past the velvet rope into this delightfully snooty cuisine. We came for the last RW in March, and was treated to, by the looks of it, a better menu than is currently advertised. They take the French thing super seriously, so while my pork pate, wee crostinis, and trussed bluefish were mouthwateringly divine--if not a tad overwrought-- I can't exactly commend them for being substantial. Still, though,I felt like I was experiencing something other than the deliciously typical contemporary American cuisine boasted by Bistro's neighbors, and it was an education for the tastebuds, if not filling for the gut. The service was exceptional, and GODDAMN if it's not the most beautiful restaurant interior in Boston, all soft muted tones and strategic uses of white lights and mirrors. It was like dining inside a Pottery Barn throw pillow. In sum, come here for your 25th wedding anniversary, when you're guaranteed to be both rich and worldly enough to appreciate it, and put the saved money from that aborted trip to Paris in your kid's college fund.
(4)Sean M.
Stopped in for lunch. I loved the Excelsior wine vault but I liked what BdM has done with the space. The quasi open kitchen is a nice touch. The food does not shout French but it was very good. The marinated octopus appetizer was truly sublime. I had the chicken, a Statler breast with a white (rue based) sauce and some sort of reduction. The chicken was good but it didn't rock my world. We split the Provençal Lamb Cannelloni as well, two grown men eating here. It was real winner we were mopping up the sauce with bread. We tried both desserts but the Anis Pot de Crème (Anise Panna Cotta) was the preferred choice. It had that spring against the spoon and just enough Anise flavor without being over powering. * Bistro niche is getting quite crowded, choose this on if you are in this part of town. * Bar Lunch menu is quite reasonable. * I thought the by the glass list was decent * That had 3 different Calvados! * Seems like an ideal spot for that intimate dinner for two.
(4)Andrew H.
This is a cool place with a contemporary atmosphere. Had drinks at the bar downstairs. Bartender was a touch surly, but then again, so am I many days and the drinks were good. Went upstairs for dinner. Fried artichokes, beef carpaccio, mussels, and stuffed calamari for apps. All of them were delicious, but especially the fried artichokes. I had the duck breast for dinner. It was cooked to perfection. It could have been a touch more flavorful, but was a great meal. Hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert was heavenly. They picked out an absolutely perfect bottle of wine for us - especially given that two of us were having red meat and two of us were having fish. Their wine 'cellar' is unbelievable. Service was impeccable and not overbearing. If I could have given it four and a half stars I would have. The food was great, but missing a tiny little bit of something that I can't put my finger on.
(4)Peter H.
Outstanding. Impeccable food and service. A proper European restaurant in amoungst the over-done American norms. Service was quite possibly the best we've had in Boston. As I said european, so just aloof enough yet massively good at attention to detail. If your looking for American cheese, by which I mean in style, service and food - you won't find it here. Realize though that the Bistro is upstairs, and the cafe downstairs. This review is for the bistro.
(5)Insa E.
We went to the Bistro du Midi for our anniversary dinner. The food was lovely, fresh, and subtle with a French flair. But the best part was the service. The entire staff seemed as though they really cared about the comfort and pleasure of their customers, and weren't just "going through the motions". Special kudos to our wonderful waiter Robert and Kate, the sommelier. They both offered their recommendations and knowledge with warmth and a total absence of any snobbery. That might be the best summation of the bistro: French elegance without a side of pretentiousness.
(5)Carla A.
What a wonderful change from the former Excelsior. When you walk in, the low lights and warmth from the open prep with woodstove oven draw you in and instantly make you feel like you have left Boston. Walk up the stairs to the main dining room and prepare to feel comfort. The bar upstairs is wonderful with a view of the dining room and Boston Common. We ordered just a light bite and several glasses of wine. The barbajans came quickly, and were just the right amount of balanced flavor between lamb, cheese and bread. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to escape the typical Boston decor and step into something a little french. The staff was attentive, polite, and never rushed you. I'm looking forward to a date night there very soon.
(4)Wayne D.
A solid 3.5. Atmosphere, service were very good - a 4. Wine and presentation were a 4. Food was a 3.5 for me. Other thought better. Bottom line: I'd go again.
(3)Doris W.
I went here for dinner for the first time with some friends last Friday. I remember driving by this place often when it was Excelsior. It's nestled between the Four Seasons and high-end retail stores. You can miss it if you're not paying attention. The restaurant is on two floors - the first floor is the bar area and upstairs the dining room. We were lucky enough to get our own nook in the dining room. The chairs were comfy and the tables were a beautiful wood. It felt very homey. And a side note - our host and waiter were very attractive. It kind of surprised me. Hah! I started off the meal with a fantastic cocktail. I currently have an addiction to cocktails made with fresh juices and herbs. If you like basil, you'll love the Basilic. It has gin, Pernod, fresh lime juice, and muddled basil. Wow, the flavors were great. It tasted like a basil limeade. My friend thought the basil was too overwhelming, which is why it's great for basil lovers. A good cocktail to me is when the liquor doesn't overpower the drink. If I wanted that, I would just get a shot and call it a day. But this was definitely a good cocktail. Too bad I have a low tolerance - I would have gotten another cocktail. For starters we got goat cheese and honey barbajuans, tuna tartare, seared foie gras, and spicy lamb tartare w/quail egg. You cannot go wrong with foie gras - I'll leave it at that. The tuna tartare was fresh and you can actually taste the fish. The spicy lamb tartare, which we were told was a chef's specialty, was just okay. Maybe it turns out I don't care for meat tartare but each time I've had it, the dijon mustard was always overpowering. If meat tartare is your kind of thing, I think you'd enjoy it. Our waiter suggested the goat cheese and honey barbajuans and they were lovely. It's like a goat cheese filled pastry with honey drizzled on top. For our main courses, I got the Beef Daube with creamy potatoes and a side of ratatouille, my friends got the duck breast, pumpkin ravioli, and the sea bass with a side of polenta. Beef Daube is a braised short rib with a red wine sauce. The beef was very tender and the sauce was rich and flavorful. The potatoes were super creamy and flavorful as well as the ratatouille. The duck breast was awesome! It was cooked a perfect medium rare, juicy, and seasoned with something like cumin. The crust was smoky. The raviolis were also awesome! Each ravioli was topped with pumpkin and lightly drenched with the sauce. Light, delicious but completely satisfying at the same time. The sea bass was cooked on a grill so it had the grill marks and smoky taste. The side of fennel was really good. My friend who's a carnivore really liked the dish. The only con to the meal was the polenta. It was very gummy in texture. I've never had polenta with that texture. For dessert we got the lavender beignets and hazelnut chocolate cake. Both desserts were great, the hazelnut being my favorite. I've never had a beignet but these reminded me of profiteroles because they were filled with custard served with a side of chocolate sauce. They were still tasty! The hazelnut chocolate cake was more like a thin wafer cake served with a scoop of salty caramel ice cream. It was like a Ferrero Rocher served in a fancy way on a pretty plate. I was in hazelnut and chocolate heaven. Along with our dessert, the chef gave us complimentary homemade olive oil and fennel(?) marshmallows. They were wonderful! I don't care for marshmallows but I only enjoy them homemade. Service was great the entire time, even to the staff that bid us a good night as we walked out. It is expensive, but I'm not complaining. I would love to go back for another cocktail and some duck!
(4)Danny F.
The setting, decor, ambiance, view (!!!), service, servers - all stunning perfection. You could not ask for a chicer environment to dine in. What about the food, you ask? Um...it was good. But in kind of an average way. It could have used a lot more skill. I had a fairly light dinner (for me): entree (monkfish), side (broccoli) and dessert (chocolate souffle). The monkfish entree was very small, but my primary issue was the sauce that was a touch too buttery. With bread, it was okay, but alone with the completely flavorless, it was overpowering in buttery-ness. The broccoli was nothing more than steamed broccoli from a Chinese takeout place. But then again, all is forgiven here, because the menu did not say it would be anything more. Then finally there was the souffle. Yummy, but nothing terribly special, and I pretty much find all souffles yummy. Maybe I am being a little harsh with the 3-stars. For out of towners, I would bring them here for the location. But otherwise, there are better choices in Boston.
(3)C R.
In a word: excellent. Service was fantastic, food was creative and tasteful and reasonably priced (bear in mind they're in between the Four Seasons and Hermes - don't don't expect it to be cheap) ambiance pleasant. The staff were very attentive, serious but courteous. I wouldn't say formal - but they were very professional with a formal but comfortable air about them. Short and sweet: great ambiance, great food, good prices, good looking people too...LOL!
(4)Dror B.
Excellent service! Tasty food.
(5)Kim L.
The ambience is top notch. A definite five star on the atmosphere. My boyfriend took me there for our four year anniversary and the setting was perfect. The Christmas light outside the window framing the restaurant was utterly romantic. Apparently the restaurant was on the second floor so walking up the marble stAir was kinda fun. The food was good. But for the money it is to be expected. We had the steamed mussel for dessert. It was good but it is not like to die for. The drinks for decent. The entree again was decent. The duck could have gone without the black olives which made it too salty. The monk fish felt salty. Overall a good value for the money. Not a must come back. Oh and if you're want a window seat. Make reservation early! Like a month in advance. No kidding.
(4)Jeremy H.
This place is so beautiful. The look out over Boylston is amazing, and the interior is very elegant. I've been here for brunch and had the softest, fluffiest pancakes I've ever had. The pancakes came with some kind of berry mix. We also had a charcuterie platter that was a lot of fun, and a little side of ratatouille. Another time for dinner I had a beef daube that was well worth the money it cost. The waiter seemed like a veteran and was totally professional, always around when you needed him, and very chill, even though by the time we left it was pretty busy. The busboys are pretty well educated about what they're doing too. They didn't just throw things down with no idea what they were carrying.
(5)Sue M.
I wish I could give it a 2 1/2 but no way it's a 3. I have been there for both lunch (twice) and dinner (upstairs. Lunch - SUPER SUPER SLOW the food is good but it's definitely a case where it's 3 oz of chicken on a 15 inch bun and 6 out of 10 times they will get your order wrong. Both times I went it was 2 hours for just sandwiches. WAY too long in my opinion. The inside is nice and I love the bistro and bar set up very cool. They just need to work on their kitchen and service. Dinner - We ate upstairs and the food was a 9 really great french cuisine and a great wine list. The atmosphere and room however is a 4 (I didn't like it was it was Excelsior either). It's way too loud, sparce and I hate sitting so closely to another couple (we were on the bench by the windows.) I think if you asked for a centered table or something in the back right it'd be better.
(2)L P.
While I am a fan, I've been to the bar several times, I've never had dinner here. Decided to try it for restaurant week. My boyfriend ordered from the restaurant week menu and I ordered off the regular menu. Positives: The food was great. Won't bother mentioning his dishes because they are not on the regular menu, which is kind of annoying. I had the duck, which was delicious. Portion was fine, not too big and not too small. Sharing his appetizer and each having dessert made it enough to eat. I won't say we were blown away, but it was very good. Also, the ambiance was lovely. The bar itself is fantastic and I love the decor, however this was my first time in the dining room on the second floor. We had a great table by the window overlooking the garden. It all felt very quaint and European. Place was basically empty as it was only 5pm. The negatives: The service. When the patron at another table complained about the mussels, the manager (I think) came around to check on everyone else who had ordered that appetizer, which was very thoughtful and our water glasses were rarely less than half full. Our complaint was with the waitress and the sommelier. I ordered a cocktail prior to dinner (glad I did), but my boyfriend wanted a bottle of wine. He had a question about the wine list and the waitress offered to send over the sommelier, great! However, it took so long for the sommelier to arrive that she came back 2 times to say he was still coming. When he came, his advice was less than helpful, but we chose a bottle of wine and waited. The bread/butter came and went... we waited. My cocktail was gone... we waited. Our appetizer came and went... we waited. Our entrees came... still waiting. At this point, my boyfriend had been sitting with nothing to drink the entire time, over an hour. We kept looking around expectantly and another waiter noticed and went right over and brought our bottle of wine (not sure how he knew) and said, "Is this what you're looking for?" It was, but by that time, we were halfway through our meal and decided that we weren't going to drink a bottle anymore. Opted for 2 glasses of wine instead. It cost them about $70+ in missed revenue, I guess. Anyway, we enjoyed the wine with dessert... though usually we'll have a coffee or espresso in addition. Oh well. I have to assume this is the exception, as others have commented on the great service. I just was very disappointed with this aspect of the experience and it did leave a bad impression. I expected more from a restaurant of this caliber.
(4)Lisa I.
I came here for a big group event, and was NOT impressed. The service was awful. We had 1 waiter for a party of 20+, which wasn't sufficient. They were extremely slow to take our orders, bring our drinks, etc. I actually asked the manager to see if they could get some additional help for our party (given our size), but things didn't improve. Service was very slow throughout the evening. The food itself was very mediocre, which was disappointing, considering the menu looked awesome. Will not be back.
(2)Julianna G.
I go out for nice dinners every one to two months and this place is the best! We went for Valentines day and we still say it is the best meal we have ever had in Boston. Service is awesome, little up tight but the staff is watched closely by the managers (which is fine). Just wish they could make it a little bit more personable. I will still give them 5 stars. The wine was fantastic and so were the drinks we had downstairs before dinner. We are going for restaurant week next week bc its just that good.
(5)Chronic C.
Yes, fair readers, on occasion I do find it necessary to cross the bridge from paradise into the land that rains parking tickets (Boston). My visit to Bistro du Midi was one such occasion. Bistro du Midi reinvents the space that was once Excelsior. Spent a few hours in the bar area with some friends and noshed on bar menu food including fried artichokes, burgers and tuna tar tar sandwiches... all very tasty, well presented and reasonably priced. We all ordered a special tequila drink off the menu that was like a diabetic starter kit - SUGAR!! (avoid if you don't want a hangover like I experienced the next day). Stick to the extensive wine list. The service is friendly and attentive. The room is airy with a good ambiance. But please, ditch the faux exposed beams so I don't have to shake off the feeling that I am at the Epcot center's French area. Apparently the formal dining area, found at the top of the elegant spiral staircase, is very pleasant but we never made it that far.
(4)Jonathan V.
One of the worst dinner experiences I have ever had. The food was good, but was not the best French cuisine I have had in the Boston area. Our waiter was absolutely terrible. With the restaurant not busy were instructed to order our dinner and dessert at the same time, since our entres and dessert would take 25 minutes each. 10 minutes later our entres were out and were shunned for wanting to wait for our dessert order. We wanted to talk our time and enjoy our bottle of wine. The ambiance was nice, but not amazing. Would I go back, no. Would I recommend Bistro Du Midi to a friend, no.
(2)Boston I.
Great ambiance, excellent service, very romantic. I celebrated my wifes 35th birthday. We had the oysters and salad for starters with some reasonably priced Bordeaux. Both of us had the steak au poivre...yum!!! We had ordered the soufflé it was unbelievable....everything was perfect.
(5)Nicole M.
great brunch spot - delicious pancakes and french toast. awesome fries. wonderful service. the mimosas and bellinis are a little pricey but the place is just so cute i almost don't mind.
(4)Adrian M.
Upon arrival, the staff was very inviting. We had a reservation for two, and we were invited to wait at the bar shortly for the table upstairs. There's an extensive wine list, and some inventive cocktails that kept us busy. The downstairs area has a more informal, gastropub feel, but when we were led upstairs to our table - expectations were fulfilled. The atmosphere was formal, and inviting. We had the fried artichokes and courgette flower beignet, the latter being the prized starter. For the entree, we had the Seared Duck Breast and Roasted Monk-fish with Grilled and Roasted Eggplant. Both were cooked perfectly, and the monk-fish dish was well balanced with plenty of rich flavors and textures from the eggplant, tomato, capers and olive oil. Perhaps the only drawback was that we were seated next to a private party room which had some large glass sliding doors that were repeatedly announcing themselves with a thud as servers and guests busily went in and out. Slight damper on the mood, but we got over it. Highly recommend, followed by a walk in the Garden just across the street.
(4)Dan S.
Outstanding. Our waiter Robert was great. This is a really nice place with excellent food. Get the soufflé, no less than one per two people.
(5)Emmanuel S.
We had a birthday party yesterday. It was a pre-negotiated menu, and was absolutely amazing. The Sea Bass was perfect, with amazing wine. A little pricy, but I guess this is what you have to pay to get such a food...
(5)Jen R.
Food & Drinks were simply awesome. We had the monkfish, seared duck, fried artichokes, oliveoil mashed potatoes, spicy infused margarita (sirocco), lavender lime infused margarita (petanque), hazelnut cake with salted caramel icecream, & a dessert port (quinto infantado). Great service, elegant atmosphere... My new fave spot for a great French bistro. Highly recommend if u don't mind spending some coin on delicious dinner.
(5)Paul S.
Top notch restaurant all around. The food was superb, the drinks were strong, the presentation was unique, and the service was truly fantastic (our server was extremely personable, knowledgeable about offerings & alternatives, and timely).
(5)Ellen Z.
I get angry just thinking about our experience here. Service: We had some dreadful encounters with the service. The hostess was INCREDIBLY condescending and rude to us, and sat us at the worst table in the house in front of the restrooms. When we informed her it was our 20th anniversary and we were hoping for a more special table, we waited at the bar for 3 hours for a new table to open up. Then, the restaurant lost my beautiful Italian wool scarf that couldn't be replaced. They never found it. On the bright side, the manager seemed to care about our experience, and sent us an appetizer at the bar and paid for a new scarf. But the rudeness of the hostesses was almost impossible to overcome. The food was not very memorable, it was fine but nothing to write home about. The prices are 'reasonable' for that kind of restaurant. We will not be going back ever again. I give this place another year tops.
(1)Kate C.
After reading several reviews here for Bistro du Midi, I took a chance and made a reservation for a team celebration without having previously checked out the place before. We're all of the sort who have strong opinions on restaurants and I was looking for the right combo of lively atmosphere, wonderful food though not too priceyand special enough for a celebration - which can be a challenge! But we were all happy with our experience here. Though the bartender mixed some fun cocktails, the bar wasn't that busy and we had a hard time keeping his attention. Empty glasses would go unnoticed for over 5 minutes before we were asked whether we'd like another. We sat down for our reservation over an hour late while we waited for our party to gather, but the hosts didn't blink while we continued to enjoy our drinks at the bar. French country (as others have mentioned) but with a modern edge would describe the decor - one whole wall is decorated with framed mirrors of different size and shapes. Neutral tones lended a warm and laid back vibe. From what I understand about the previous space, this is a huge change - it was very trendy and sleek before. I booked on OpenTable.com and I must point out that it seems the hosts do pay attention to the comments section. I had noted we'd be dining with the CFO of our company and it was a team celebration. We were seated in a semi-private alcove that overlooked the rest of the dining room - perfect! We were out of the direct line of hustle and bustle but still felt we were part of the action. Our server's name was Chris and he was well versed on the menu. He suggested our group of 7 start with some petites bouchees - two orders each of the barbajuans and fried artichokes - both which were quite tasty. Chris also mentioned that the stuffed calamari, tuna tartare tarntine and goat cheese and beet salad were at the top of the list as for the starters. Most of the group stuck with one of these three and we all enjoyed our selections. I had the pan-roasted cod for my entree. Solid and good, but portion size is definitely on the "small food" side. This is the kind of place where you order a starter to complete the meal; we also ordered several sides for the table which we shared. Two others ordered the lamb which looked and smelled delicious and was devoured. One ordered the lobster mac and cheese, which he enjoyed but didn't seem over the moon about. Chris touted the bouillabaisse as one of the featured dishes and it won accolades from my colleague. Great place for a dinner with colleagues or the fam for a celebration. Also a good choice for date night when you want something special but not over pretentious. Good for a catch up session with a small group of friends, but probably wouldn't be my first choice for a birthday celebration with my girlfriends - but we tend to be a more raucous group. All in all a great experience. Will definitely go back!
(4)Elizabeth O.
We had hoped to enjoy dinner outside on Bistro du Midi's small patio, and the downstairs bistro area was quite crowded, so we decided to sit upstairs instead. The upstairs was lovely, but definitely a bit on the stuffy side with primarily older clientele. I wish we had taken our chances in the bistro. My food was good but not great. The special amuse bouche we ordered was overpriced ($8 for two battered zucchini blossoms - I expected more) and my pasta dish was so-so, though the pasta was homemade and tender. My husband loved his entree special - a pan-seared skate wing (yes, as in a wing of a skate...like a sting ray!) Service was good and courteous. I'd go back to sit outside or in the bistro for a more casual meal, but will likely not return to the dining room.
(3)Lauren F.
What would Eric Ripert say? "Le sigh." Everything about this place is... fine. But for $120 per person, I would like more than fine, please. I would like my foie to come with the things the menu says it's coming with (actually, the fact that this seems to be a trend among reviews is less than fine -- it's really not OK at all). If necessary, I would like to be served a smaller portion and have it cooked perfectly. I would like my dining partner's beef carpaccio to be more than two thin slices of meat on a plate with cracked pepper and what is effectively a bread crumb. I would like my duck breast to come to the table warmer than room temp. And when I send it back and it returns to me just slightly warmer than room temp, I want to be checked back in with before I'm halfway finished. And I would like things generally to not be under-salted. I would like to be presented with a wine list that is less impressive in its size and more so in its contents; if you weren't aware of Bistro du Midi's corporate origins before, the bottle selection gives it away pretty quickly. To put it simply, Bistro du Midi seems like it's still hung up on the old guard of the restaurant scene, when Ripert and Bourdain weren't in everyone's living rooms, Americans didn't know Provence from Progresso and your ability to appreciate a fine dining experience was based on how big the bill was at the end of the meal. It appears as though the MARC restaurant group that owns Bistro du Midi has missed out on the local/artisan/affordable culinary renaissance that's been happening across America over the past 10 years and is still relying on a model that preys upon ignorance and an immature palate. I realize this all may seem a bit vitriolic, but I choose to drop that kind of cash on a meal maybe once every two months. When I do, I don't expect my mind to be blown, but I do expect proper execution and accurate menu descriptions. This time, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that I feel like I've been robbed. Go to Craigie instead.
(2)Denise M.
Dined at Bistro Du Midi last night with friends. The service was excellent and atmosphere comfortable. The beet salad was delicious however was quite disappointed by the Bouillabaisse. It was quite flavorful but they used a small amount of fish. My husband had the said reaction to it. It was as if they ran out of it and they were trying to make it work. It is a rich sauce, I understand but not sure why they skimped on the fish.
(3)Nam T.
I had the pleasure of having a fantastic dinner at Bistro du Midi. First and foremost the service is exceptional!! Our waiter was very helpful by offering a few recommendations for my friend and I. I ended having the monkfish, which was cooked to perfection, and my friend had the foie gras which was equally as perfect. He ended our meal with the souffle. The souffle will take about 25 minutes to make from the time you order it, but believe me when I say it is WORTH it. If the food doesn't make you want to come here, the atmosphere should. If you are a fan of a slightly dim and sophisticated atmosphere, this place is for you. It is sure not to disappoint.
(4)Snuffles B.
I've made 3 passes through here, twice on the small but scenic outter terrace, where there is good people watching and the occasional passer-by who will stare at your food, or waiter that sneaks up on you from outside the terrace. The other was upstairs in beautifully decorated the formal dining room. Regardless of where you are, you can order from either menu. - Bread - Average. - Pissaladere - Flatbread w/ caramelized onions, anchovies, olives, none of which overpowering, the bread was a little soggy, but the flavors were good. - Marinated Octopus - Yummy! - Melon/Crab soup - Refreshing, light - Steamed Mussels - Light and fragrant, huge portion enough for a meal. One of the better mussels I've had recently. - Bouilliabaisse - Very nice soup base, not heavy. - Burger - Ordinary flavors, but the only restaurant in Boston to actually give me a rare burger cooked rare. - Warm Cherry Clafoutis w/ Vanilla Ice Cream - Like a creamy bread pudding with cherries. Really delicous, huge portion, definitely share this with another person. - 3 Types of Barbajuans - Flaky little bites, the courgettes & basil was the best of the 3. - Short Ribs - Flavorful but not tender enough. - Swordfish - Well cooked but flavor a bit pedestrian, liked the bed of roasted eggplant. - Chocolate Trio - Pretty yummy but not memorable. - Strawberry shortbread cookie/basil sorbet - dry brittle cookie but sorbet was very tasty and not overpowering - Complimentary Duo of Marshmallows - Very subtle EVOO and lavender flavors - Can't say I loved it, but it was fun and interesting to try. Unlike some of the recent reviews, I've had no problems with the service, which is attentive but not all up in your face - our waiters were really pleasant and were fun to chat with, and the food came and went exactly at the right time. By the sound of it, the experience at Bistro du Midi might be best appreciated when it is not busy. I was there once with a friend who is from Paris who said that it felt very much like home. The view of the park, great atmosphere, overall solid food, and friendly service makes this a good dining experience.
(4)Ian M.
I liked it, not loved it. Lobster Ravioli were quite good. A little stuffy as we sat upstairs and the crowd was a bit older. Downstairs might be the place to be for a more casual engagement. The steak looked amazing, next time...
(3)ann n.
Warm ambiance and wonderful staff. The first floor is a casual chic cafe and bar. The second floor is a bit more formal and has private dining rooms for larger groups. The lighting and decor is simple and well done. We tried the beet salad (very tasty) and mussels to start. Thereafter, we had the cod, shellfish bouillabaisse (a bit salty), beef daube (amazing). For dessert, the chocolate souffle - definitely worth the wait. A great addition to the Boston's dining options and will back often this summer. Au revoir for now.
(5)Andy M.
My last two "big dinners" for my wife in Boston were HUGE disappointments -- first at L'Espalier and second at Mistral. So, I needed a Boston restaurant to step up to the plate and deliver -- and Bistro du Midi hit it out of the park. I had a fantastic Octopus appetizer followed by a bouillabaisse that was as good as any I've had in the south of France. The wife went for the beet salad and the monkfish and loved them both. And our waitress was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about everything from the food to the wine to my near-sightedness (she saw me struggling with the menu and brought me reading glasses). I read beforehand that the restaurant really excels at seafood, so we ordered accordingly. I can't speak to the "four legged" meals, but if you like seafood and Provencal food, this place is great.
(5)Aaron Sing F.
Nice spot.
(4)Jaime M.
I ate here a few months back closer to the date that it opened. I did not have a good experience. I ordered the salad with apples and balsamic for an app. I almost laughed when I came out-- it was literally a tiny little bowl with a few lettuce leaves and 4 thinly sliced apples. Really..?? REALLY? For my entree I ordered the monkfish with the ratatouille. Monkfish was COLD.. not even luke warm. Sent it back. Upon arrival-- still cold. Sent back yet again. Still cold (by this time my dining companion had FINISHED his entree). At this point I ate it because I was just starving. Monkfish is not exactly the type of fish I enjoy eating cold... ick. They comped us for the entrees but I felt as though our entire dinner was ruined. It's not about the $$ at all, I just feel as though we weren't taken care of properly. I won't be back. Plus side: our server was very friendly-- understandably none of this was his fault. This was something that should have been taken care of by the kitchen and GM.
(1)Faye Z.
we came here for a simple gathering with a couple friends. The atomsphere is really a French Bistro-modern and relaxing. It's quiet loud in a busy Friday night so you don't have to worry about the people at the next table hearing your conversation. We had a reservation at 730, and we were 15 minutes late, we were seated when most of our party is completed. The service is very good, our server came back to check with us many times to make sure we all get what we needed. 6 of us shared a bottle of white wine, 3 appertizers and 2 deserts, and entrees for each of us. The food was all really good, they all came out in a reasonable time and well prepared. The bill came to around $80 per person, which is a little more than what we expected but it's not too over-priced with such good service and food. I need to come back and try the famous chocolate souffle.
(4)David L.
Location, location, location! This is a great place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon watching rich people pass by. Solid bistrot (I'm keeping the final "t") whose strongest point is probably the wine list. My wife and I had a croque Madame and a croque Monsieur, respectively, both of which had a couple of classy touches (crust was removed, sauce béchamel) that you don't always find, even in Paris. So overall very nice, just so long as you're willing to accept the fact that a good part of your bill is helping to pay the rent.
(3)Sayaka T.
Fantastic! Boston's slightly classier answer to New York's Cipriani Downtown. The ambiance and decor are especially interesting - there is a distinct attention paid to lighting here, creating an atmosphere that is classic but not stuffy. It reminds me a little of a less pompous version of Park Street Winter. Definitely an improvement from it's predecessor, Excelsior (whose stodginess which I was never a huge fan of). And surprisingly versatile as well - could be appropriate for a business dinner, or incredibly romantic for a date. Food is also delicious. Highly recommend the petites bouchees, especially the eggplant and olive dip with crostini (delish). For the mains, the various fish offerings are wonderful.
(5)Bijou S.
Go. Go! For god's sake, GO! du Midi is amazing! I mostly spend my time enjoying the amazing cocktails that Tommy the bartender makes. This place is not just for the Boston/Beacon Hill elite. If you are looking for a inexpensive but quality meal, eat at the ground level section of the bar menu. The simple snacks and light meals are very tasty and it has the atmosphere of a true Parisian social club.
(5)Orpha R.
We had our wedding reception at Bistro, it was a small party of only 9 people and they made us feel so comfortable throughout the night. They were always one step ahead of us and were so thoughtful making sure we were taken care of and all our needs met. Thank you so much to the WHOLE Bistro staff, you guys made our night soooo memorable! If you're having a small party I totally recommend Bistro du Midi!!
(5)Amy R.
I would like to thank Thomas, concierge from Hotel Nine Zero for steering me here and then securing a reservation against all odds. Red and I had some celebrating to do... At first we were going to head to Les Zygomates, but Thomas felt like Cafe du Midi would be a better choice. I have to operate under the assumption that he was correct, as there is nothing better than a 5 star yelp. Against all odds, there we were arriving slightly late for our 8:30 dinner reservation. That's what you get for not minding what T stop your on, and then not paying attention to the girl who DOES know where she's going tries in a desperate attempt to call out and reel you back in.... I digress (ten minute power walk in heels in the dead of winter at night when it's below zero outside... I digress even more...) The host was exceedingly warm and friendly and downright WELCOMING even though I feared we were holding things up a little. She showed concern that we wouldn't make it in a way that somehow made it seem like she would of missed us. Like she was LOOKING FORWARD to serving just US. We immediately felt important. Coat check, then whisked upstairs to the dining room, nice seat by a window... which I'm sure must be pretty in the springtime... or even in daylight. Our server was just as warm and friendly as the host downstairs. Since they knew we were celebrating, they offered us a complimentary glass of sparkling wine (yum!), listed some specials and left us with drinks, food, and dessert to consider. NOTE: I'm glad that my server pointed out that they had souffles on menu for dessert before we actually had the meal in order to pace out our dinner more appropriately. I'm not sure if everyone is as good as he was to offer to put in a souffle as we were eating, but I definitely considered it! We ended up going with something else for dessert. All the wait staff were super friendly and professional. During one point in our meal, I watched the staff re-set a table. Ever watch NASCAR? Me either... but recall those clips of a team descending onto the car as it pulls into the pitt and they have like... 30 seconds to change/refuel EVERYTHING with precision. That's what this was like. Their attention to detail was amazing. I saw the girl refluff napkin three times before she was satisfied. Good for you girl! Ok.. ok.. ok... onto the food! We split the artichoke appetizer... SUPER delicious! Not too greasy (even though it was deep fried) with a nice spicy sauce. Breadsticks were great too... with olive oil infused with... oh drat... something that escapes me now. For entrees I had the wing of skate and ratatouille while Red had gnocchi with pesto. Both dishes came out quick and were DELICIOUS. My skate's texture was just right and was buttery-good... perhaps a smidge too buttery if I were to nitpick. Red's gnocchi was very rich, but balanced by the sauce and the veggies. For dessert we split the lavender beignets. Which... were very light on the lavender... but that's ok. They were still great - crispy, airy, goodness dipped in chocolate sauce. The waiter also brought out a nice treat from the chef... flavored marshmallows!? One of the flavors was olive oil... which was surprisingly scrumptious. I'd be interested to see what else they can do with that. The ambiance was great... low-key and friendly. Soft lighting, not to crowded with tables, fireplace... a great special occasion/big date place. The bar downstairs looked pretty cool, and I'm assured that they have a nice bar scene with good drinks. Weighted pretty heavily in this review is the staff's ability to make you feel important and welcome. All the balance is there, informative but not pushy, friendly but professional, good humored, smiles. Well done. If you forced me to complain about something... The only place where we didn't experience warmth was in the lady's room. IT WAS FRIGID COLD! Seriously, it made me reconsider sitting down. Dear staff, please install a space heater if you must.
(5)A Y.
Knowing I'd be going to Boston for a business trip, I checked yelp for some restaurants that I had to try. I made a reservation for Friday at this place and could not wait! I had NEVER had French food before, but the photos and menu made it look amazing.... and it was. Ray was our waiter and he took the time to explain a few of the different wines on the menu so that I got my earthy red and my friend got her sweet white. We started with the Tuna Tartare and it was so fresh and clean tasting. I had the duck for dinner and I savored every bite. It was so good that as I write this I am craving it. My friend had a bolognese like pasta that she really enjoyed. Dessert was Grand Marnier souffle ( Do NOT miss out on ordering a souffle, do it as soon as you sit down) and my friend and I devoured... I mean savored it. So warm and light! I also had a glass of sherry per Ray's recommendations and it was a lovely after dinner drink. Very sweet and perfect for sipping. The atmosphere was lovely and we had a window table with a view of Boston Commons. I will definitely be back next time I am in Boston.
(5)Don M.
I'm happy to report two things - albeit a little belatedly: 1. Apparently, Bistro Du Midi staff read Yelp - and that's very good news! 2. And, I can only assume that - based on my last update - I finally received my discount parking vouchers and cards for free meals at the Bistro. That happened about a week after the update. We haven't had a chance to go back to Bistro Du Midi since I got the freebies, but when I do I'll post an update. For the moment though, I've restored a star for the good faith effort on their part.
(2)Anya R.
I come here often and absolutely love this place. In the summer, it's a great way to spend an afternoon: just sitting outside with a bottle of wine and some appetizers. In the winter, it's a very cozy and welcome atmosphere. This is great place to catch up with friends - it is fairly quiet as far as restaurants go and you can linger for as long as you want after your meal is over. Bistro also has a wonderful brunch that is surprisingly not too pricey. My favorites from the menu: the mussels, the octopus, tuna tartar, the artichokes and the gnocchi. Tip: if you sit downstairs, ask for the upstairs menu.
(5)Thad B.
Excellent. Very nice space, the staff was attentive and devoted to making our meal a great experience. Fluke salad, monk fish, black bass were all delicious and fairly priced. Even though it was restaurant week, the staff never missed a beat and really impressed. This is a special place.
(5)Max N.
Had a superb dinner here the other night, taking my mother for her birthday. The wine list is great, and we got a superb half-bottle at a reasonable price, which paired very well with our fish dishes (mediterranean sea bass with fennel, really good; monkfish with grilled eggplant; truly excellent). The dessert was pretty good but not as impressive ("rhubarb rose crumble," or something like that; I didn't taste any rose). The service was a little spotty. I saw some neighboring waiters who looked great, but ours seemed a bit clumsy and newish, though friendly enough without being desperate.
(4)Ryan K.
This is a great place to grab lunch or dinner! Loved it! Great place to eat on the patio and people watch while enjoying great food. This is a must do when in Boston!
(5)Giuseppe F.
Value for money - 3/5. I was surprised at the pricing. The food was good but a bit more expensive than it was really worth. Ambience - 5/5. We sat at a table right in front of the patio on the ground floor. Looking out into the Public Gardens while drinking Sancere and watching well dressed folk walk down Boylston as cars drove by was, how do you say, Fantastique! Totally reminiscent of an actual French bistro. Service - 4/5 - Maybe it was the fact that our waiter was actually French, but man oh man was he charming. Very on point with everything. We didn't have to ask for a single thing. Food - 4/5 - The food was just about as I expected (very good) but nothing blew me away. Although I don't suppose bistro food is supposed to blow you away.
(3)Burcin T.
I can't get enough duck! Yes, I had seared foie gras and the duck breast same time. And I could eat another duck dish if they were serving it there. The foie gras was certainly the highlight of the dinner and I am still thinking about how they can make it so well. We had sparkling wine as recommended by their sommelier and it was a very good match. The decor is really magical, shear shiny curtains, mirrors and nice chandeliers with a little summer breeze out...It would be a good choice if you wanted to have a romantic outing. I could only perhaps complain about the distance between the tables, they were a little too close to hear next table's conversation. Well, overall, it was a very good place and I would certainly visit next time I am in Boston.
(5)Mark M.
Waited (no lie) over 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge our presence after being seated. Then, after waving down a number of the staff our "server" came over and gave us attitude for being upset about the wait. He said something about getting caught up at another table (for 20 minutes, mind you). We actually only went to this restaurant because we read a review in the NY Times recently. Plus, I've been to Le Bernardin twice and have been blown away with the food and service. So, if you want decent but expensive food with sub-par service then by all means run straight to this disappointment. ;(
(3)Ilana S.
This is the most magical place I've been since I went to Disneyland in third grade. Everything is miraculous and beautiful and immaculate. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday (yesterday), and even while walking to the Bistro, the world seemed perfect. It was a gorgeous night, some Buddhists just walked by us playing music, the trees were in full blossom. The neighborhood was clearly wonderful. We entered the restaurant about a half hour before our reservations, our coats were taken and we were immediately seated upstairs near the window. Everyone was right, the place is NOISY! But not in an uncomfortable way, in a charming engaging way. The lighting was warm, the wood beams on the ceiling added a special touch. The patrons seemed quite lovely as well. Anyway, on to the food... Our waiter was a young man who resembled Screech, a lot. Screech with a beard. We decided to skip appetizers (something I now regret), and immediately went for Entrees. My boyfriend ordered the Steak au Poivre, which he claims was the best steak he has ever had. The waiter came over with the knife for it and said "your weapon sir" when he placed it. It really livened us up, we were nervous being the youngest people there. I ordered the Sea Bass, and let me tell you, I'm not a fish person, but it melted on my tongue and had the most pleasant flavor. We both ordered sides of mashed potatoes per the waiter's suggestion. I had a when Harry Met Sally moment over this. Eyes rolled back and all I could say was "oh my god, oh my god". Boyfriend had a similar reaction. The mashed potatoes actually made my night. We both ordered Chocolate Souffle, which was for us, too rich therefor we didn't finish it -- though it was DELICIOUS. I'm just too happy about this place. I'm coming back. It's AMAZING.
(5)Christina Y.
I came here last Friday for my birthday dinner and loved it so much that I had to join Yelp and give them a review. I love Bistro du Midi! Everything about them was great. Especially the service. Our waiter was superb and the rest of the staff was just as friendly. The food was really good as well. I will definitely come back to this restaurant!
(5)Rebecca R.
My husband and I finally made it to Bistro du Midi. Wish I'd dined there earlier, as BdM is now my favorite restaurant in Boston. Less fussy than L'Espalier and much more authentic than Sel de Terre. The shellfish bouillabasse is so delectable I had to restrain myself from licking the bowl clean. Appetizers were simple (salmon sashimi drizzled with lemon, olive oil and herbs; duck tenderloins) and beautifully prepared. Wine suggestions were parfait. Indulge yourself -- have the Gran Marnier souffle -- it is as good as dessert gets.
(5)M B.
Bistro du Midi is fantastic. I ordered the steak au poivre, which was a bit on the larger size, but was amazing. I also had the olive and eggplant tapenade with crostini, gratin dauphinois, and the Grand Marnier soufflé. The staff was very helpful and we had great seating by the window which had a wonderful view of the park. Great ambience, food, and friendly service.
(5)Kevin S.
Best new restaurant in Boston in a LONG time. See my pervious reviews of Excelsior....we ate here 3-4 x a month, and were nervous to see what would replace it. Its different that the old, but great in its own way. The staff is VERY professional and all have very solid previous experience. The wine by the bottle list is very extensive. But the food.....is amazing and at a VERY fair price. Reservations more than a week in advance are needed!
(5)Bonilee P.
Bistro du Midi is good, but I always find myself more excited by the menu than what appears to me on the table. I have been twice in the last few months. The wine list is excellent. Staff is readily available to provide whatever is needed. I have had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives, which was very good but rich. After eating some of the plate you crave a simpler taste. I have also had the Grilled Pork Chop, Sunchokes, Brussels Sprouts, but it was a little bland. For appetizers I most recently had the Marinated Sea Scallops. I originally was ordering them not realizing the fact that they are raw, and when my waiter pointed that out, I figured I would be adventurous and try it anyway. After trying it I believe it would be even better cooked. I have also tried the Spicy Lamb Tartar appetizer from a friend, it was good. For desserts I have tried the Quince & Apple Crumble, the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Iced Pistachio Parfait, all of which were not extraordinary. My overall impression is that Bistro du Midi has a very nice atmosphere with food that can be hit or miss, but does have great wine. I would say that for the prices, however, I may go to other bistro type restaurants.
(3)Sara S.
The service was terrible. The waiter brought the white wine out at room temperature and when we asked for it to be chilled, the sommelier came to the table and insisted that room temperature was the European way to drink white wine. The food was average. I won't be returning here.
(2)Susan P.
We ate outside on a great day. Very nice service- both fast and friendly. Yummy breadsticks. The petanque, a French versin of a margarita flavored with lavender, was phenomenal. Beautiful decor. Simply seasoned cod. My 8- and 10-year old daughters shared the beef en daube, and loved it. Vegetarians beware: the delicious chopped salad comes with bacon and tuna. The cheese plate was overpriced ($24) but otherwise, the prices were very fair for a lovely dinner. This restaurant is probably too fancy for many children, but my girls loved it.
(4)Aditi R.
Excelsior used to be here before. I heard it was a nice place, but Bistro du Midi definitely works as well. Maybe it was the weather, the falling flowers, or perhaps just the company, but I fell for this place. We sat outside for an afternoon wine after a stroll around Copley. The outside seating area was small, though I do know they open up the giant windows when there are more people (and there will be as the weather gets nicer). The waiter was very nice and gave us our time to look through the menus and politely let us know that we can't just have alcohol outside because of Mass laws...which I hate...but we'll have to order something to eat per person. Now I know for a fact that this doesn't hold true at other establishments and this turned me off a little bit (hence the one star off) but we went with it and ordered some fries and vegetables. Both were great. But really you have to take a look at their wine collection - over 200. By the glass of course they are less in number, but impressive regardless. We sat there for almost an hour and half and not once did we feel hurried. We enjoyed our time there overlooking the garden and a good time was had by all. Definitely coming here again!
(4)Anna R.
I went here for restaurant week in March on a Wednesday night. It was PACKED. The appetizers and desserts were the highlight of our meals and the entrees were just "meh." Would have given it 3 stars if it weren't for the pretentious sommelier. Now I realize sommerliers are pretentious by definition but this guy was such a prick. With the wine menu in hand I asked him to recommend a shiraz. He rudely looks down and says "you're looking in the index page", takes it from my hand and turns to the page with shiraz. Um hello I know how to look at a menu. He didn't end up recommending anything and I ended up ordering something else. Isn't that his job? Ruined my whole experience and I likely won't be back.
(2)Alex L.
Place is really nice, the food not so much, very average and completely overpriced. Would not revisit. This is based only on the salmon benedict, no go. Other dishes may be be great, I don't know.
(2)Kelli F.
I went for dinner last Saturday night with a group of girlfriends. Love the location, and first impressions of the downstairs bar area were terrific. The decor was really appealing and well done. Our reservations were for the upstairs bistro area. It is a large area and tastefully decorated, but as the night wore on the noise level became a bit much. Thinking about the decor, the ceilings are high, the drapery is sheer and mixed with hardwood floors. All very nice, but not much help in dulling the noise level. It did become difficult at times for the six of us to hear one another at 'appropriate' voice levels. Maybe it was just the night we were there, but the patrons were a bit on the older side. Drinks were prompt and well made, appetizers were prompt as well. The fried artichokes with aoli are TO DIE FOR! I'd go back just for a plate of those and a glass of wine. I had the barbajuans, which were pretty good as well. The main course was good... Once it arrived. I do think that Bistro Du Midi is still working out some kinks. Whether it is wait staff or the kitchen in unknown, but our dinner took way longer than is really appropriate. From my dish of Saffron Chitarra & Seafood, to the Seabass, Classic Bouillabaisse, Goat Cheese Gnocchi and Monkfish, no one had any complaints. We did skip the after dinner drink to head next door to the Four Seasons for a quieter location. I'd definitely return. The price point was really good! Lower than expected, to be honest. Wait staff was apologetic for the delay. Next time, I'd like to try the bar (downstairs) during the afternoon with a window seat overlooking the Public Garden.
(3)Yoko M.
Meh is a good way to describe my meal and experience. 1. We had a reservation and had to wait about 15 minutes to sit. 2. I had the tuna tartare which was good but not spectacular 3. I had the garganelli pasta with the wild boar ragout. It was good except for the CHUNKS of plastic that I discovered halfway through the dish. I think I even accidentally swallowed a piece.. 4. We ordered soufles for dessert which were delicious except for the fact that we had to wait a while for silverware to eat it (that was torture). Also, my fiancée's mother found a plastic bristle in hers... All in all I would not go back. I hope that others don't experience the plastic pieces in their food.
(2)Molly D.
One of my favorite spots. Pricey but worth it. Sit, relax, enjoy your food and drink with no rush. The restaurant upstairs is lovely but try the bar too, it's great!
(5)Gelsey B.
I went there with a group of friends in restaurant week for the first time, and I will definitely go there again sometime. The food was great, I got Seared Petit Iron Steak, Potato Purée, Beef Jus which was delicious although a bit cold. I loved the Blueberry Clafoutis, Lemon Curd Ice Cream that I got for the dessert. The service was also professional and friendly.
(5)Renee B.
it was tasty but expensive and nothing really stood out as really remarkable. We went for brunch and I was just whelmed by the food (not under or over) and I left a little lacking. I might try it again but I am not in a hurry.
(3)Liz E.
Wonderful spot to people watch and enjoy some strong and delicious cocktails!
(4)Christalina W.
Went to Bistro Du Midi for restaurant week, and winded up ordering off the regular menu, since the prices were pretty comparable! The atmosphere of the restaurant was great. Very cute and intimate. Good date spot! Great view upstairs of Boston Common, and a nice patio outside for seating. Service was very attentive and everyone was friendly. However, the food took FOREVER to come out. I have a feeling this is done on purpose...drawing out the meal, but 3 hours for 1 dinner is a long time in my opinion. The foccacia-like bread was good, pleasantly soft, and my husband enjoyed it very much. It came with dipping olive oil. I thought the bread was good, but a bit bland. For an appetizer, we got the olive and eggplant tappenade. I thought it was ok, I did not really love the flavor of the tappenade, but my husband loved it, and ate the entire thing! We ordered the chicken for two, which was supposed to take 45 mins, but took about 2 hours. They brought it over to us when it was done to show it before they cut it, and then it took them another 30 mins to bring it out to us. The chicken, however, was amazing. It was roasted, and very moist and delicious. It had some sort of chopped garlic mixture underneath the skin. It also came with roasted potatoes and asparagus which were tasty. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate souffle with the salted caramel ice cream on the side, but it was a bit disappointing. The ice cream was delicious, but the souffle was unspectacular. It was almost bland and really needed the ice cream to compliment it. It did come with a white sauce on the side, that you're supposed to pour over the cake, but I didn't like the white sauce..and would have preferred a lot more ice cream. The souffle was very rich, but not very sweet, I think I would have preferred sweeter. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, but don't know if I would go back. I almost wished we had chosen the restaurant week menu, as the steak that people were ordering looked awesome, as did the gianduja palette, which was one of the desserts.
(3)Steve A.
The service was great, the food was incredible and the set up was unique. We started with the fried artichokes with aioli and the soft shell crab...both were cooked to perfection. For dinner I had the monkfish special which was served over grilled eggplant (first time in my life I've ever liked eggplant) and it was the best tasting dish with monkfish that I've had in my life. My girlfriend had the goat cheese gnocchi with a pesto sauce which was equally as good as the monkfish. Highly recommended!!!
(5)Mr C.
My wife and I came to Boston from Philadelphia on May 4 to visit our good friends and celebrate our 5th anniversary. Our only agenda was to eat at Bistro du Midi and Craigie on Main. In hind-sight we should have eaten both meals at du Midi. I am not going to trash the other restaurant on this review, but the food at du Midi is far, far superior, and much more affordable. The value difference is unmeasurable. Save your money and dine here, you won't be disappointed. The food, the presentation, the service all impeccable. Finally a restaurant that gets it. Serves great food through skill and technique. Here in Philadelphia and apparently in Boston, chefs are trying too hard to be different with off beat ingredients without the proper knowledge of their use. It was refreshing to have an incredible meal executed to perfection. From the greeting at the door until we got our coat check back the experience was the gold standard of how a restaurant should be run. Don't think of not dining here if you are in the area. We would travel back again in an instant. Food A+. Service A+. Ambiance A. The only reason not an A+ was a weird hum that cuts on and off in the Dining room. Air conditioner maybe. Otherwise. Perfection. Can't say enough.
(5)Jay B.
We decided on Bistro du Midi for my wife's birthday dinner, and we're glad we did. The downstairs bar and upstairs dining rooms are both well designed (we never went when it was the Excelsior), and our reservations via Open Table worked out perfect for Friday at 730pm. The wait staff is amazing - and the selection of french fair - solid. The appetizers including foie gras, charcuterie, and oysters - awesome. Entres were also tasty with the filet de beuf having a rich onion meets sauce of salty wonder taste that paired perfectly. The sommelier was also spot on with picks for wine - and we ordered ahead two chocolate soufflés for dessert - both excellent. We think this is a perfect place for groups up to 6-8 people - but our table of 5 was also a good size. We'll have to go here again later in the year.
(4)R W.
What a great date spot. Valentine's Day is coming up guys. If you want to get lucky, this place is a good booking. No luck? Don't blame the place. It'll meet you half way. Food is good. Portions are decent. Decor is stunning. Younger feel fine dining. Good service. Good location.
(4)john c.
Had a great night here. Nice atmosphere. Great service. We ate the mussels, then the steak au poivre and the beef daube (short ribs) in an awesome, rich wine sauce. Good value for the price. We ate upstairs in the dining room. Downstairs at the bar, the vibe is very cool and more casual.
(4)Shantel S.
I went to Bistro du Midi for my wedding anniversary (which is also New Year's Eve) and they treated us like royalty. The entree portions were good-sized and the wine selection is enormous. The chef wrote "happy anniversary" in chocolate sauce on our dessert plate. The waiters were attentive and incredibly nice. I will definitely be back!
(5)Ivan P.
What a great place to dine! I am writing this review after second time we've been there and impression is still the same. Even coming there on Friday night was good. Staff was courteous and efficient. the food was great and ambiance romantic. What else more you would want??
(5)isa g.
We had high hopes for this restaurant based on all the rave reviews on Yelp and high recommendations from a good friend but we were all extremely disappointed with poor service and lousy main courses last Saturday night. We were seated upstairs in the main dining room. Granted it was a humid evening for September but the dining room was extremely warm. We could not feel any AC in the middle of the room where we were seated but the entire dining room seemed hot since a lady sitting 2 tables over from us was fanning herself with a giant paper fan. The evening started out great with interesting cocktails. There were 4 of us so we each ordered different drinks and they were all good. The appetizers (grilled octopus, tuna tartar, grilled foie gras) were also very good. Then the rest of the meal went straight downhill from there. Our entrees (Mediterranean Sea bass, roasted chicken for 2, and mussels w/fries) took forever to come out. We knew the chicken took 45 min and that was fine but when our chicken was done it was brought out to our table to be shown then taken back to the kitchen to be carved up and this took another 30 min. When we finally got our meal, our fish was cold and everything else was luke warm with the exception of the French fries (only hot item). It seemed like the rest of our entrees were sitting around until our side order was being prepared. Oh and the roasted chicken was undercooked as it was pink when we cut into the thigh meat. The fish was just awful so when we complained to our waitress about the cold fish and luke warm entrees, etc. she gave us an attitude and said "what do you want me to do about it". All of us were just stunned by her complete lack of concern but at least she had the common sense to speak with the manager. Anyway John (I think that was his name) came over and tried to make it up to us by not charging for the fish and giving us complimentary dessert sampler on top of the chocolate soufflé we had ordered at the beginning. Overall our dinner for 4 of us cost around $340 and took 3 hrs. and by the end of the evening all of us just wanted to get out of there. We should have just gone to Mistral as their service and food is always spot on. Anyway we will probably avoid this place for dinner but who know we may consider giving it another try for brunch as their brunch menu looked really good.
(2)Anna L.
Having grown up in Paris, I am pretty picky when it comes to restaurants, especially those that call themselves French. But Bistro du Midi is amazing. Plus: The food is always good, whether you eat brunch or dinner. Dinner is more of a high-end experience, whereas brunch is more laid back. It all depends what kind of meal you are looking for, but in either case you won't be disappointed. I have had salads, fruit plates, soups, fishes, meats, desserts, croque madame etc. and have never had a complaint. Plus: The service is impeccable. Very professional without being pretentious. What I like is also the pace of dinner. It is quick enough that you don't sit there wondering whether you have been forgotten, but not to the extent that you feel rushed. Plus: They have valet parking, which is very convenient. When I left, they had brought my car up front and heated. Since it was freezing outside, I appreciated the extra effort.
(5)Jessica H.
I hardly ever... wait... scratch that... I never write 5 star reviews. Bistro du Midi deserves 5 stars. This is one place that will go down in my memory banks of amazing restaurant experiences. We started at the downstairs bar where Geoffrey served us a pre-dinner glass of wine. It was early and slow so we started chatting about wine and he was gracious enough to pour us a taste of two amazing bourbons and two gins. It wasn't the tastes that were amazing - it was the service. The hostess was wonderful. She made sure we were seated promptly after asking for our table (for which we had made reservations but then detoured to the bar) and was gracious while I checked my coat. She directed us to a second hostess (who really needs to eat a sandwich and wear flats) upstairs. The upstairs dining room is incredibly tastefully decorated. Sunny, great view, comfortable and elegant. As the sun set the view changed into twinkling lights. Lovely. Understand New England elegance at its finest tempered with studied Provencal inspired French cuisine. Our server was Eric, who was the only dim spot in the evening. And it's not that he was bad mind you, it's just that everyone else was amazing. Eric was helpful and kind - he just didn't have the same fine dining finesse as everyone else. He was a little less knowledgeable and a little more familiar than the evening warranted. He could recite the menu, but he didn't know the menu - n'est pas? The pork terrine was amazing. The foie gras was sinful. The sea bass was probably Chilean - meh. But the fennel it was served with - oh my god the fennel. Cooked sous vide and then seared. The sky opened and harps played as angels wept. That fennel was smack your mama good. It was smack yo' gran'mama good. The cod needed a wee bit more seasoning and I was ever so slightly disappointed that the chorizo wasn't more in the foreground. Also - the chickpeas could have been lightly mashed so they don't roll on the plate. But dessert - order dessert. Order the souffle. Order the Grand Marnier souffle. Angels, choir, harps, yes, yes. (A previous poster mentioned the server asking about dessert too early - however - if a souffle is being made fresh it needs at least 20 minutes. The ticket is going to go in after your entree is served. The server needs to ask early if souffle is one of the specialties - which it is at Bistro du Midi. I ordered mine with my appetizer). The brightest spot in the evening - the sommelier, or self-proclaimed "wine geek" Kelly. I heart Kelly. I will always ask Kelly's opinion when I go to BdM. His pairings were spot on. We savored every moment, every sip, every sniff, every swirl. Bottom line - great food, great service, great atmosphere - without feeling stuffy or pretentious. My new favorite place.
(5)Lauren D.
I was a bit skeptical going to Bistro du Midi - the former Excelsior location was one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I took the plunge and I'm so happy I did. The food was amazing: scrumptious bread basket with delicious oil, barbajans (fried filled pastas with deliciousness inside) were something I had never tried but I will definitely be having again, a perfect beet & goat cheese salad, melt-in-your-mouth beef daube (much like marinated short rib that's been in a slow cooker for days) with the most buttery mashed potatoes, and one of the best chocolate souffles I've ever had. The wine list was impressive (I agree with another reviewer that the wine by the glass list was short, but the half bottle list a mile long more than made up for it), and the service was prompt, courteous and happy to help explain the menu and choose a wine. An excellent replacement for Excelsior (oh - and I believe it's less expensive as well!)
(5)Lynne K.
I amend my previous review of this restaurant! The second time we went was fabulous! The food was delicious and the service perfect. We walked in, and the downstairs was about 3/4 full. The hostess sent us upstairs, where the staff was waiting for us. We were seated by the window promptly. Upstairs was about half full. The waiter promptly came over and provided us drink menu's and a warm welcome. We ordered drinks, and warm bread came out. I ordered a drink special with vodka and fresh strawberries, and it was extremely good. It came in a cool carafe with a straw. For appetizers, I ordered the chilled melon soup with crab, and my husband ordered the foie gras. Over appetizers, the manager came over and introduced himself. He was extremely nice, and talked my husband (jokingly) into taking me to Paris so he could compare the foie gras! It was a pleasant conversation. The chilled soup had plenty of crab and had a great twang, something I enjoyed. There was plenty of flavor with a few chunks (not too many) of melon for welcomed bursts of flavor. My husband thought the foie gras was extremely well prepared, with a perfect texture and taste When the waiter heard me debating about wine, he sent over the sommelier to assist with my decision. I decided to forego the wine and instead order dessert - a great decision! For dinner, my husband ordered lamb chops and I ordered the gnocchi with pesto and fresh goat cheese. The gnocchi was TO DIE FOR. Melt in your mouth good! The goat cheese blended nicely with the pesto. The lamb was cooked perfect - I don't usually enjoy lamb, and I enjoyed the taste and texture of this. We also ordered the potatoes dauphine, and they were wonderful - creamy, flavorful and absolutely delicious. For dessert, I ordered the most delicious chocolate souffle, and my husband ordered the cheese plate. He ordered port and an espresso, and I ordered tea. Cheese was fresh, and the toasted bread it came with was enjoyable. The souffle was wonderful - warm and delicious and truly enjoyable. And not overly rich - perfect flavor and texture. One thing I noticed, which was an enormous change from last time we were dined at Bistro du Midi, was that our water glasses were never less than half full. The staff was great and attentive. Staff knew what they doing, and everyone walking around the dining room had a purpose. We weren't being rushed at all, but the food also didn't take forever to come out (which wasn't true the last time). Overall, I would absolutely go back to this restaurant. The price was more expensive than a regular night out, but not so obscene as to make this a once a year place. The entire night (keep in mind, we only had one drink each) was about $120-$140, and that includes appetizers, entree (plus one side) and dessert for both of us. Price was absolutely reasonable for the quality of food and service we received. The service was beyond great, and I would say this restaurant absolutely redeemed itself this time around. I would definitely recommend it, as well as visit again. We've already recommended that my in-laws try Bistro du Midi again!
(5)Michelle B.
I stopped by and had lunch here last week. Sitting at the patio area with a nice Boston weather was a perfect experience. For the main dish, I had the "Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade"($15) and i love it! All the oily bit from a salmon is cooked away but still tender and juicy. The little layer of fish skin is crisp, not like anything you can make at home. I don't usually eat fish skin because I always feel it's just layer of extremely squashy piece attached with a lot of fat (although fish oil is suppose to be good for you.) But the texture here is totally different and nice. It completes the dish. I'd recommend this dish to all seafood lovers. Then, I had a dessert "Nectarine and Plum Crumble with Sweet Corn Ice Cream" ($9), recommended by the waiter. We had some chat. He's very friendly and attentive, also very knowledgeable about the menu. AND, he has a cute Russian accent!!! LOL! The dessert is a combination of hot - baked fruit slices with crumb on top with cold - a ball of ice cream on the side. Hot too hot and cold too sweet if eaten by themselves. Putting them together gives you a bit warm a bit cold a bit sour and a bit sweet taste. Umm~ so good!! Will definitely come back to try their dinner sometime.
(5)Cassandra L.
Woo hoo - this place is as good as it gets! The service is excellent! Food is great. I'm visiting beantown and went here yesterday and back again today. Drinks are creative and delicious. Food is superb!
(5)Richard L.
We had a great dinner at this lovely bistro. The restaurant was busy on a Wednesday evening, but not so noisy that you can't enjoy your conversation. The food was terrific and nicely presented. Sea bass was wonderfully prepared, and the vegetables were fresh and cooked like we had on a recent trip to southern France. We didn't get to the desserts because we ordered and shared different appetizers, but overall an excellent place that we'll return to often.
(5)Michelle S.
Went in last weekend for a drink at the upstairs bar. I'm glad that there's a new restaurant by the Common that's open late. Jeff, the bartender, was awesome - very funny and friendly. He recommended a great wine and obviously knows the menu well. The barbajans (sp?) with honey and goat cheese were incredible - highly recommended. I can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)Brad R.
Excellent location for outdoor people-watching. Solid wine list which is about 20 pages deep. Food presentation and ambiance with music is perfect for a quaint little lunch. Beer list is pretty wimpy with only 5 beers available. One local microbrew and the rest lager imports. The croquet mosieur is amazing. Great during summer, overlooking the park sitting in the shade with a cool breeze.
(4)jamie l.
if i could give half-stars i would have given it 2.5 stars. most of the rating is because of the room(s) - the space is lovely. the food however was a bit of a disappointment. i'll admit - it's been a while since i was truly excited to go to a new boston restaurant, and maybe (like a movie) my mistake was that i got my hopes up too high - but the whole experience was a bit of a disappointment. the table we were sat at (upstairs in the middle of the room) was cramped. i had my chair bumped by wait staff regularly throughout the meal. we were told when considering our wine that the sommelier would come over and answer any questions we had - but when the waiter came over for our order we had yet to have our little chat - so we just ordered wines by the glass. the portions were very small. VERY. i'm not a big person and i've never believed in buying by the pound - i'm all quality versus quantity - but i make a shellfish dish just like the one i ordered at BduM and i know that the tiny little portion i ordered and paid nearly $50 was worth a few dollars. i have no problem at all paying $50 for a dish - just give me enough food so i'm not left shaking my head when the food arrives. i'll admit - it's been a few weeks since we at here and i'm just getting to writing the review - so more details aren't present any longer - but i definitely know that the three of us (all foodies, one from manhattan) all agreed when we walked out that we'd never go back again - other than for a drink on the ground floor. again - the space was lovely.
(2)Melee T.
yes! i am a fan. what a beautiful restaurant. the restaurant feels somewhat like being in someones beautiful home. the service was outstanding and the host was amazingly friendly, charming and accommodating. my girlfriends and i had a great evening there. we enjoyed our meals and our cocktails. definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Boston.
(5)Priscilla S.
i am definetly returning to these restaurant. the fried artichokes are excellent. the squash ravioli are amazing. my husband got the duck and it was delicious. the hazelnut cake was beyond expectations.
(5)stephanie s.
Remarkable. What comes out of the kitchen is golden and prepared to perfection. Why only 3 stars? Well, it doesnt feel French at all. This is an high-end American restaurant with a couple of traditional and very well prepared French (more like Mediterranean) dishes. Putting up french posters and having marble bistro tables doesnt suffice to create a French feel (at least not for a french person like me). Where was my baguette bon sang!!!?? (I got Italian Grissini and basil focaccia bread ) Where is my waiter that isn't dictating the menu but describing the food with personal adoration? Where was the French accent? It looks and tastes French but there is no real French vibe in here. The wait staff is perfect, dictates and recommends perfectly, no soul, no connection, a complete lack of "je ne sais quoi" which makes places like Petit Bistro Robert and La voile still on the top of my chart. I would come here again becasue the food was excellent. I wouldn't come here for an authentic French experience.
(3)Marion M.
Favorite restaurant. Ever. Good for pretty much everything: drinks, brunch with friends, delicious upscale dinner, etc. Beautiful location overlooking the Public Garden (which is great since there's outdoor seating late spring-early fall), easy to get to as well. Have the goat cheese/honey barbajuans (puff pastry pillows) and the tuna tartare. I usually hate fish and seafood in general but that tuna tartare was absurdly good. Can't go wrong with any of their pasta dishes - most are made from scratch and hand rolled in house. If you're seated by the giant window into the kitchen, you can watch them make it. For dessert, get the chocolate souffle. Make sure you order it with your meal since it takes 25 minutes to prepare and bake fresh for you. They have a wine cellar two stories tall and the most experienced and charming waitstaff I've ever encountered. Really, I can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)Lala I.
we went to bistro du midi for restaurant week tonight. i wasnt impressed by the food, but the service was great. the waiter was super attentive and polite. my water/wine was never less than half full. we lost track of time at the end of meal cuz we were too drawn into our convo and it was already mid-night; nobody ever told us to leave or made us feel uncomfortable of staying. the ambience is supposed to be romantic and classy, but i felt really comfortable and cozy. we started off with a bottle of riesling and followed by steamed mussels, hake, and ginaduja palette. my dessert, the best thing ive had all night and probably one of the best desserts iv had in a restaurant recently: ginaduja palette, hazelnut ice cream oh la la it was so good. super creamy and rich hazelnut flavor!!! loved it!
(3)Sam T.
Bistro du Midi was an unexpected treat, after an afternoon of walking and sight seeing around the Boston Common area. We came upon this spot towards dinner time and decided to grab something to eat. After a short wait, the maitre d' informed us, that we could be seated right away, but we had to finish, in about 90 minutes, due to a reservation. We were okay with that, so we were brought up to the second floor, corner table, with a great view, of the street and the Boston Common Park. The service was good and my seared duck breast with swiss chard, black olives, and gnocci was exquisite. The duck was succulent and flavorful. The sauce was delicious and went well with the chard and gnocci. We were not rushed at all, even when we went overtime a bit. Overall the best surprise on the trip to Boston.
(5)AD S.
Also went here for restaurant week--take that for what you will, but we had an appetizer (pate), flat-iron steak, and desert cake for $38. The food was quite good, though in relatively modest portions. Due to high cost (I think $10-14), I skipped the cocktails, though I sipped my friends' and they were quite good as well. The space is nice, and well located in the city. Service was attentive, though I felt the server and even the host would not take seriously four people coming in just for the restaurant week sample (particularly after one of my friends butchered some French words on the menu). The latter point is not that big of a deal, but it just serves my point--this is not my kind of place. I like good food, but not to the tune of $30+ and leaving only moderately full. Further, one can't have more than one drink without adding substantially to the bill (again, not my style). It would be a nice place to take a date--cocktails and desert would be nice, though probably in excess of $60.
(3)Lindsey E.
Went for restaurant week. Food was ok but nothing special. Near the end of my meal I asked for a glass of red wine. The waiter immediately suggested a pinot noir. He brought the wine over in the bottle and gave me a generous pour and even some to my date to finish the bottle. The wine was above room temperature (very warm) and actually gritty. I'm sure the bottle had been sitting open at the bar for days. It was by far the worst glass of wine I have ever had. Then the check comes and it was $15. You think a restaurant that has a table of contents for its wine menu would have a little more respect for the wine they serve. Clearly, they have no trouble pawning bad product off onto customers and charging an insane amount.
(2)Ashley P.
While the restaurant on a whole is quite good, the chocolate soufflé was really something to write home about. Rich, decadent chocolate formed a creamy pudding at the base of a perfectly fluffy plume of soufflé. The creme anglaise finished it off perfectly. If you go to Bistro du Midi, do be sure to save room for this delicious dessert.
(4)rachel c.
Excellent Foie Gras- much appreciated from a CA girl where it is no longer alllowed. Glad to see part of the US still has some liberty!
(5)Ryan V.
Ou la la c'est cher!! I was referred from my coworker who produces TV Diner shows to check this French restaurant. She mentioned that this was a great place to go that won't 'break-the-bank' in terms of French cuisine. Lucky for me she mentioned that the time frame I was going on happened to be "restaurant-week' meaning there was a pre-fixed menu which was a great deal. I ordered from the pre-fixed menu which was a three-course meal. For starters you had a choice of soup so I order the French Onion of course. The soup met my expectations but didn't blow me away. I couldn't remember what the name was for the main course but it consisted of linguine pasta with seafood and a spicy sauce. I was disappointed with it since the pasta was slightly under cooked from being al-dente and the seafood was so tiny you weren't sure what you were eating. For dessert, I got the Tarte Tropézienne which was decent. My entire meal cost only $33 but could've been more if it wasn't "Restaurant week". My fiance ordered the "Seared Foie Gras, Green Apples, Grapes, Ginger Bread" and the "Goat Cheese Gnocchi, Haricots Verts, Pistou". Both meals was decent but not mind-blowing. The overall atmosphere matched my expectations. The first floor was a trendy bar type of environment and if you wanted to dine with a little bit of class the second floor catered to that. They have a full service bar and would make anything you want that's not on the drink menu. Parking was a pain-in-the a$$. Street parking was none to be found and the only available parking was in the hotel garage which was 3 blocks away from the restaurant. It loses a star in terms of parking. If it wasn't for "Restaurant Week" this place could've been expensive. ~Fin~
(3)Tony L.
Great wine list, excellent tuna tartar and a pretty impressive angus burger.
(5)Vivian C.
3.5 stars, but I rounded down because portions were a bit lacking, and service became more inconsistent as the dining room filled up as the evening progressed. In fact, it took us a half hour to obtain and pay our bill... guess they wanted to keep us there a bit longer... As we were directed towards seafood by the server, for our two apps, we selected the special appetizer of the day - Soft Shell Crab in a lobster consomme $17, and the Marinated Spanish Octopus, Navel Orange, Castelvetrano Olives, Crispy Artichokes $14 off the regular menu. While the presentation was nice with the lobster consomme poured into the plate at the table, my half of the crab was missing a few legs, which, given the price, is unacceptable. In terms of taste, of the two apps, I preferred the tender coins and a single leg of the octopus, which would have been easily improved with a more generous scattering of the bits of citrus than the 2 bits we enjoyed. For entrees, we left the sea, and headed off in the direction of air and land with the Seared Duck Breast, Potato Gnocchi, Baby Spinach, Almonds, Tangerines, Lavender Duck Jus* $31 and the Grilled Pork Chop, Lardons, Sweet Corn, Fava Beans, Haricots Verts, Applewood Smoked Jus* $27. The pork arrived as a generous portion in the form of a thick cut chop sliced on the diagonal. The meat was tender, the beans crisp. The duck dish, however, was 8 thin slices of tender dark meat, served with a scant scattering of veggies. For $31, it was tasty, but too little of a good thing for the price. If the meat portion must be limited, veggies are cheap, so it would have been nice if they could have served a legit serving or two of vegetables to help me to make it to the 3-5 servings recommended a day. Due to the head's up provided at the beginning of the meal that souffles take 25 minutes to make, we ordered our sweet endings at the same time as everything else. The Lavender Beignets, Chocolate Sauce $9 was unfortunately not appreciated as much since we ate the souffle first. By then our tongues were sweetened and the beignets had cooled. So, they were only eh. The Grand Marnier Soufflé $10 (please allow 25 minutes for preparation, available after 5:00pm) was my first real dessert souffle! Yes, past molten chocolate cakes masquerading as chocolate souffles in name did not count. This was an airy meringuey experience. The restaurant itself was a bit chilly at times, as the air conditioning would sometimes blow at me from the vents above. The courtesy olive oil and raspberry marshmallows were quite soft and fresh, but it is strange that two diners would only receive one small piece of each - so to try both flavors, I had to cut them each in half. I really liked the raspberry. To give you an idea of the portion size, this was the first time in quite a while where we enjoyed three courses apiece, and left without any semblance of a doggie bag. While the dining room is set upstairs, the bathrooms are located on the first level, behind the bar. An elevator is hidden behind a curtain. Valet parking is available.
(3)Thuy P.
To sum it up: Great location, great mussels, souffle is ok. Got seated by the window overlooking the public gardens, which was really nice. Service and food was good. My only tiff was the souffle, but it's probably because I can't handle too much chocolate. Chocolate-good, chocolate on top of chocolate, smothered in chocolate with a side of chocolate-not my cup of tea. Although the souffle wasn't that, that's how it felt to me. But that was too much complaining. Just come here! Well, save some money and then come here!
(4)Michelle T.
Brunch bombed. Totally disappointed with my food and didn't think value for money was there at all. The only redeeming factor was the wonderful attentive service, but what waste of money on the eggs benedict I got. I paid $13 for a salmon eggs benedict. Not cheap but not too expensive...until you see what you get. A simple toasted english muffin with a single slice of smoked salmon, not even large in area enough to cover most of the muffin. Then 2 poached eggs that are by ALL standards, completely under-poached. The egg whites were still transparent when they brought it out. NO SIDES. Not even a sprig of green. It just looked like a really sad sad dish. The hollandaise was heavy but tasted good. I had brought an out-of-town guest and was SUPER excited to dine at Bistro Du Midi, but it's safe to say we were both underwhelmed. I definitely won't be back here for brunch again.
(2)Anna G.
I had never been to Bistro du Midi until yesterday, and then I went for brunch AND dinner, because brunch was JUST THAT AMAZING! I love the casual French bistro feel and, as a lover of the Boston Commons, love the location. The brunch was fantastic! I want to come here every weekend for the goat cheese quiche. The dinner was pretty good - much less bustling (we ate downstairs) but still delicious. The celery root soup with lobster was delic but not enough to want me to come back every weekend (like the quiche definitely did). I am looking forward to trying more of the dinner menu. But really - Go here for brunch, order the quiche, thank me later.
(5)Rachel B.
This restaurant is fantastic. Hands down the best French restaurant I've been to in Boston....blows Craigie on Main and Number 9 Park out of the water. The space and decor is beautiful and elegant but still comfortable. Likewise the service is spot on - attentive and sophisticated without feeling stifling or condescending. I cannot say enough about the food. Our tuna and salmon appetizers were beautiful, delicate and just delicious. The charcuterie plate was inventive and tasty. Our entrees were perfectly portioned and flavorful. I especially love that the wine list was wide-ranging and affordable! Unlike so many Boston restaurants which are highly touted but slightly disappointing in actuality - this place scores the highest marks in every category.
(5)Christina H.
I had high hopes for Bistro Du Midi, but was sadly disappointed. For our appetizer, the fried artichokes were heavily battered and doughy; I prefer them lighter and crispier. The slow-cooked crispy pork belly was good, but it was definitely overpriced for the small portion we received. The server recommended the duck for an entree and the chef recommended it cooked med rare, so we tried it. Immediately after the dinner, my boyfriend felt sick. We should have thought twice before thinking it would be a good idea to eat undercooked poultry even if it was a cook's suggestion! The pasta with wild boar ragout was tasty, but a little too salty. My boyfriend had made reservations for our anniversary and like a previous reviewer there was nothing in store for a special evening.
(2)Roberto H.
I came here for Restaurant Week and was not disappointed. We were seated in front of the window on the second floor and had a lovely view of the Common. So right off the bat we knew that this was going be a good night. The service was excellent and highly attentive without being overbearing. But now onto the food... In one word: delicious. I ordered the crudo of fluke which was tender and fresh, but could have used some more citrus. The flat iron steak was superbly cooked. I'm very picky when it comes to steak, and this was definitely a dish that I would recommend to any steak lover. For dessert I chose a chocolate mousse with bergamot ice cream. Light yet decadent, and wonderfully paired. Overall, this was a great dining experience. Whether you're looking for a romantic atmosphere, a locale for a special occasion, or even just a very nice dinner, this is a fantastic choice. It is fine dining without the pomp. Elegance without the pretentiousness. I look forward to returning to Bistro du Midi in the near future.
(4)Ed T.
This is simply one fine dining experience. There were four of us, one a very successful wine retailer in the UK. All of us rated this as among the best restaurants we've ever visited. The food was creative and extremely well prepared. The wine staff very knowledgeable.The waiter was engaging without hovering. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's a don't-miss location. Well done.
(5)Rachel C.
I had my anniversary dinner here. The ambience was perfect for the occasion. Right next to the park. It was actually snowing quite a bit that night and the lighting decorations outside our window made the evening seem even more romantic for the occasion. We ordered cocktail drinks that were strong but delicious and got us very excited for our meals. (I apologize I'm writing this from memory so I don't remember the names) I got the lamb and he got the duck. My meal was heavy and the portion was gigantic! Clearly my bf and I ordered the wrong dish for one another so we ended up stealing bites off of each others plates. The lamb was so soft the meat literally just fell off the bone and the duck....oh my...I couldn't stop stealing the duck. The ambience was something worth noting. The restaurant was large but felt intimate. The service was great! Overall I made the right choice for the evening :)
(4)Proteus D.
Came here for a private work function. The food was superb and I have some very strict dietary requirements that they catered to fantastically. Can't recall what I ate but it was a fish dish. Would come again if in the vicinity.
(4)Jon S.
I have been hear a few times and oddly enough it is not because I think this is the best french restaurant in town, but because their Steak Frites happens to be the best steak i've tried in boston (over capital grille and abe & louis'). The service is always excellent and I consider this place a rare gem on Newbury St (which is known for overpriced mediocre restaurants).
(4)Letitia J.
I went to this restaurant for the soufflés and they were so good! They were pretty rich, so we winded up ordering two soufflés for three people and that was plenty. My friend got one of the salad plates with fish, and it looked really good. Another friend tried their scotch and that was really good as well. The soufflés are definitely a must try!
(4)Lieu T.
There aren't many restaurants I would come back to, but this is definitely one of the exceptions. Not only is this restaurant beautiful, elegant and romantic, there are plenty of seating options if you want an intimate dinner, private group dining or outside dining. I've recently gotten into chefs tasting menus, the other two being Ten Tables and Craigie on the Main. Bistro du Midi is my favorite. Every course was amazingly flavorful. With each course, I found myself closing my eyes to savor all the subtle and decadent flavors. The 5 course summer chef tasting menu is $85pp and with wine tasting it is an extra $70. I didn't partake of the wine pairing, but my dining companion raved about the amazing selections of wine that came with each course and how they really enhanced the meal. We started with an amouche bouche that contained salmon with roe and some sort of mousse. The first course was black bass sashimi with fig. The second course was a tender and well marinated octopus tentacle that was so well cooked. The best preparation I've ever had. The third course was tail fish with chorizo emulsion and English peas. The fourth course was a delectable lamb chop that had my eyes rolling backwards. The fifth course was a dessert selection consisting of pistachio and vanilla ice cream, calvados soufflé and raspberry beignet. The desserts were all very sweet and sugary, perhaps the only real flaw to an otherwise epic meal. The night ended with complementary house made granola and some French almond candies that I do not know the name of. I can't wait to come back and see what else this place has to offer. It truly is fine dining and it makes me want more!
(5)Claire L.
I loved Bistro Du Midi, and more importantly, there were two French friends in the party who loved it too. As it was our last work night in Boston, we decided to head out for a nice meal. After failing to be wowed by Shakespeare in the Park, we passed the menu and were lured in. The open front is lovely on a summers night and our little gang was happy to sit and enjoy the last of the warmth as the sun was setting. The wine list is extensive. For Europeans, wine in the US seems expensive so we opted to pay around $5 more for a gorgeous bottle of Pouilly Fume, rather than a Californian wine. We had mains and dessert. We all wanted to have the duck and fish. Friends who had the fish said it was lovely and fresh and cooked perfectly. As I'm gluten free, I didn't have the accompanying gnocchi with the duck and it wasn't substituted which left my plate looking a bit bare (hence 4*'s). The duck however was served pink and was absolutely fantastic. The highlight of the meal was the soufflé! OMG - having seen it being delivered to another table, there was simultaneous drooling at ours. Once informed it was gluten free, I didn't hesitate to order dessert and was as happy as a pig in the merde :-) The soufflé was huge - the chocolate soufflé was cooked to perfection, hadn't collapsed on being brought out and was light but gorgeously gooey in the middle. Staff were friendly and attentive. We were probably quite a normal group but I think this place attracts those with a bit of money who like to let everyone know they are ordering another bottle of champagne. Don't let it put you off - free entertainment! I would definitely return to Bistro Du Midi. Don't come expecting to speak French to the staff as it didn't go down well, but the food is v good, the soufflés to die for and a great wine list so it is well worth a visit!
(4)Pete J.
When my company's board of directors announced they were coming to town, they had a clear idea of the type of place they wanted to go to for dinner. Must have great food, an amazing wine list, a quiet private room and NO CHAINS! I was the lucky guy who's job it was to pick the restaurant. No pressure or anything! I spent literally the best part of a week researching Boston's finest and Bistro du Midi came highly recommended and met all the criteria. I worked with Sam, who was great! I paid my deposit and breathed a big sigh of relief. Fast forward to a couple of days before arrival and the CEO's admin called to check that all the arrangements had been made, I confirmed that they had. She then said that the CEO knew about a restaurant in the North End and that was where he wanted to go instead! The NE restaurant (which shall remain nameless) does not have great food, the wine list is pedestrian, has no private rooms and is loud as hell. The complete opposite of what they had previously wanted, but hey, the CEO is the CEO, so I made reservations there. Unfortunately I had already paid a decent sized deposit to BdM and had to find a creative way to get my money's worth. As luck would have it, at about the same time I got news that I had been promoted and would be moving to Phoenix, Arizona. So where should I have my going-away lunch? hmmmmmmm :) Both Sam and Randy, the GM were amazingly cordial and accommodating. They took great care of our party of ten with a special lunch/dinner hybrid menu. The service was amazing and the wine, a 2009 Cote Roannaise, Clos du Puy by Domaine de Pothiers was probably the best Gamay I had ever had. So thank you board of directors for paying for (most) of our meal.. Best going away present ever!
(5)Melody N.
My husband and I came here to eat the specialty croque sandwiches. We decided to go all 'croque' out and got their specialty croque sandwich for the day, the 'skinny croque'(or vegetarian), and croque madame(ham and cheese sandwich with a fried eggs). The specialty croques only come as one sandwich with a small salad and the croque madame comes as two sandwiches and salad or fries. I never had croque sandwiches before and we decided that the croque madame was tasty but it was a glorified ham and cheese sandwich. I liked their specialty sandwich(it had pork and goat cheese), but my husband thought it was just 'ok'. The vegetarian sandwich tasted good but wasn't anything too special. I think portion for the $5 sandwich would not be enough(maybe use as an appetizer and then get another entree). We got a couple of drinks to go with our sandwich. I got the En Thyme, which was a delicious blueberry concoction with thyme in it. I loved the scent of thyme in the drink. The ambiance is very romantic yet feels casual This place was a little out of our price range(especially for a sandwich). The mixed drinks were on the high side, about $13 for my drink. We might come here for a more special occasion to try other items.
(3)Vanessa A.
We went for restaurant week. Service: Courteous and prompt Food: I had the flat iron steak. The texture and flavor were fantastic. The desserts were great too. Location: We were early, so we went for a walk in the Boston Public Garden. We saw the beautiful weeping willows, swans and ducks. For two people with beer and 1 bottle of wine: $130 (with tip)
(5)Bangie D.
I went here for valentines day with my boyfriend, and I absolutely loved this place. The moment you walk in, you are greeted right away by a very friendly hostess who will check your coats. We actually arrived a half hour early for our reservation and we were seated right away, very accommodating. The service is excellent. Our server was spot on all night. From the beginning he was explaining the menu to us. He answered our questions, and seemed very knowledgeable of the menu; which is so impressive considering he must have just learned the menu for valentines day. He suggested a great wine, that paired perfectly with the meal. He checked on us all night and was very attentive. The entire staff was very well trained. The food was so amazing. My favorite dish of the night was the wild boar ragout, I really wasn't expecting it to be my favorite. I have to say the dessert wasn't my favorite. It was a little heavy to end a five course meal. Overall though everything was delicious. Plus they gave us chocolates to go, what a great idea.
(5)Simon L.
A party of ten - no problem, we have a room perfect for you. Up the hard marble spiral staircase we go. Atop the stairs, a majestic room full of plush white tablecloths swim in between upholstered high backed chairs, shiny silver ware, crystal and expansive views of Boston Common. Following our host, we are led to a large back room and seated around a giant wooden table, a French farmhouse style table likely found au normande minus the bench seating. The view is stunning - a portal style window in the wall looks out over the duck pond. The sun is shimmering on the water, green leaves of trees sway gently, hiding the sun just enough. The rays shining in and sparkling on the water make one feel as if one is sitting on top of Boston Common - spectacular. Crispy pork belly, fatty and crispy and tender. A ratatouille stewed a little too long with a bit too much oil but tasty nonetheless. Steak au poivre, a juicy flavorful piece of strip. Cut like butter as some might propose. Duck was tender according to one member. Roasted chicken had by a pair was excellent. I believe (*read* I know) there was some sampling of starters steamed mussels, tuna tartar and beet salad. An excellent restaurant - if not slightly stuffy. Polite service, comfortable environs, great food without being too expensive.
(4)d s.
horrible food , slow service , great location
(1)Joern T.
Well prepared small plates--even the fried artichokes were interesting enough to have a second serving while sitting at the bar having a business meeting. Eclectic, thoughtfully chosen wines by the glass complement the food nicely. Add a great atmosphere and knowledgeable staff and you have a recipe for me to want to return.
(5)Jesse J.
Great location, great atmosphere and excellent dinning. A wonderful place to have a late lunch or early dinner on a sleepy summer afternoon.
(5)Joanna C.
While traveling for work, I was tasked with finding a dinner spot that was very close to our hotel since it was so cold outside. After checking Yelp, I decided to take the team to Bistro Du Midi. We chose to sit upstairs, which has a stiffer, quieter, more French ambiance than the bar area downstairs. We were quickly seated and brought menus. After consulting the very very extensive wine menu, we settled on a couple bottles of wine and then turned to the food. I ordered the Grilled Spanish Octopus, Baked Hake, and the scoops of White Peach and Coconut sorbet. The staff first brought out some bread, which was good, and then the appetizers. My octopus was delicious! I loved the consistency and the eggplant sauce that was on it. The presentation was lovely and I could've eaten way more of it. Before getting the entrees, one coworker had to take a phone call. To be super polite, the restaurant staff wanted to wait for him to come back before serving the entire table. However, he took a while so they ended up serving ours first. When he got back, they made him an entirely new entree since they wanted it to be very fresh. Unnecessary, but really nice. I enjoyed my Hake, which was well-seasoned by the lobster consomme and perfectly cooked. The massive prawn was also fantastic. Although we were pretty full, we ended up ordering dessert. I had a scoop of white peach and coconut sorbet. The white peach sorbet tasted more like regular peach and the servings were very small, but I needed a little something that was cold and sweet so it worked perfectly. All in all, BIstro Du Midi is a solid spot for dinner with fantastic service and lots of wine options. I'll definitely keep it in mind for future Boston visits.
(4)Kristen D.
2.5 stars. I was taken out to lunch here by my boss. It was a very nice space, but the food was just OK. I'm not compelled to go back if I'm the one paying! The bread was not warm and did not taste fresh. pass. I ordered the chopped salad and added chicken for a $7 up charge. The menu was really tiny and had no description, so while I figured it was your typical chopped salad w bacon, egg, avocado, cheese, I thought I would add the chicken for it. I didn't need to add the chicken. The salad came out and it was a big portion and there were 4 or 5 huge pieces of chicken breast on it. I took half the chicken off before I even started eating it, as it was way too much. Tasted like there was goat cheese rather than the typical bleu cheese, which was good. Again, nothing mind blowing and not somewhere I would need to go back to for lunch, Maybe I should check it out for dinner?
(3)Eric D.
Abandon the restaurant week menu, the restaurant is not too pricey. Foie gras appetizer was melt in your mouth. The beef cheek was so juicy and tender, and the duck was the best my gf has ever had. The service was great, and the bartender knows how to make the perfect Sazerac
(5)Nicole C.
This was a terrible dining experience. We were seated next to some extremely wasted guys that were friends of our waiter. Our waiter spend most of his time bro'ing down with these characters rather than waiting on us. Our beef cheeks were almost cold. It took 30 mins to get our car from the valet. I could go on, but I have nothing good to say.It was a travesty to pay for our meal and leave a tip.
(1)Julie L.
Bistro du Midi is fast becoming my go-to restaurant for fine dining and special occasions. It hasn't disppointed me yet! The first time I came was for restaurant week in March 2012 and all 3 of us highly enjoyed our meal. What I loved is how Bistro du Midi offered a meal that was up to par with their regular menu. There's nothing more disappointing than going to a reputable restaurant during restaurant week and being met with a sub-par menu that looks much less appetizing than their regular menu. All of us started with the mussels. It was a generous portion and the amazing bread basket helped us soak up the wonderful broth. For the entree, we got to taste both - the lamb neck ravioli and the hake. The raviolis were wonderful, especially with presentation in the cast iron pan, but the winner was definitely the pan-seared hake. Wow - the fish had this beautiful, but delicate crust and broth was excellent. For dessert, we had the gianduja palette w/ hazelnut ice cream and the blueberry clafoutis. Everyone enjoyed their desserts. The next visit was for my birthday and once again, nothing disappointed. From the excellent service to the bread sticks, everything was as wonderful as I remembered. We started with the barbajuans - delicious! For $6, it was a great started and highly recommended. Next was the lamb tartare and fluke crudo. I love lamb and I love tartare. However, I felt the lamb taste wasn't quite there. Although it didn't taste quite like steak tartare, it also didn't scream lamb to me. The fluke crudo was excellent with lots of flavors (even the foam) and the rice puff added great texture. For our entrees, we had the sea bass and pork chop. The pork chop was the hands down winner. So juicy, tender, and perfectly brined. So stuffed, no room for dessert this time. Bistro du Midi, I will be back!
(5)J B.
Love the location of this place, and the service was outstanding, but the food was pretty lacking. Started w/ Tuna Tartare, which was good - a little under seasoned if we are being picky. I had the ribeye for my entree, which was cooked properly - but overpowered by the bordelaise on it. I think that was a ploy to cover up the fact that this ribeye was not prime, as advertised, but rather a choice cut. My wife said the bolognese wasn't memorable at all. And the pan roasted mushrooms tasted canned, to boot. Wine list was very approachable, so probably better off getting a drink here and eating elsewhere.
(2)Giovanni B.
We came here for dinner and had salad, a few appetizers, dessert and cocktails. The food was very good and the service was great although a little formal. We particularly liked the pan seared foie gras: it was the winner of the evening, totally worth the slightly higher price. Close seconds were the octopus with watermelon and the lamb tartare. We also had the halibut which was good although the anchovies overpowered the flavor. The bib lettuce salad was great and quite large. We had a chocolate soufflé and the raspberry and orange beignet, both very good. The special cocktail was great and the refashioned was pretty good too. Very good bread sticks and focaccia.
(4)David S.
The chocolate soufflé alone is makes the trip to Midi worth it. On the down side, said soufflé has ruined all other similar desserts for me.
(5)Mike M.
This review originally started off at 5 stars, and stayed that way through 4 visits. That says a lot about the food and service. It did lose a star recently, and I'll explain why later. But first, the good stuff: This night, we were originally a party of 6, which I changed to 4 once I got to the restaurant. After we sat down and got our drinks, I asked if we could add room for one more, and they were very quick to accommodate. The staff is very helpful and very friendly. Our server was AWESOME! Funny, energetic, and on top of his game. Knew everything on the menu, had very good suggestions. Onto the food! Appetizers: We started off with the Steamed Mussels Marinière au Pastis and Lamb Tartare. The mussels are by far some of the best prepared mussels I've ever had. The broth is delicious, and you'll want extra bread to enjoy it all! The Lamb tartare is also delicious with that quail egg on top. Entrees: Pan Roasted Hake - was done perfectly! They do seafood really well here. Highly recommend this dish. We've also had the Roasted Statler Chicken and Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre and both have been done really well. Dessert: The Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse & Caramel Almond Tart are both really good! --------------------------------------------------Â- Here is where that star was lost: My wife threw me a surprise birthday dinner here, since she knew how much I enjoyed this restaurant. We had a private room on the 2nd floor, which worked out great for the surprise, because it's tucked away in the corner. There were about 28 of us and the room was a good size to accommodate us. My wife had set up a Prix Fixe menu with the general manager, and had specifically said that she did not want to pre-select any wines, and would rather each guest order their preferred cocktail or wine. This is where things went wrong. A red & white wine (about $60 bottles each) were chosen by the restaurant, and served to the guests before we got there and throughout the night. Not only that, but it seemed as if they were trying to finish as many bottles as possible, because before someone was halfway through a glass, the server would just top it off without asking if the person would like more. $60 per bottle * X bottles pretty much doubled the bill. I highly recommend the restaurant for a small dinner with your significant other, or some friends... as for having an event here, I have my reservations.
(4)Patrick C.
Truly an outstanding experience. Staff must have learned from previous negative comments. Service was attentive and helpful. If available, I recommend the special tasting menu. I had hake and my wife had the duck dish. Both flavorful and delicious. Enjoy.
(5)Dan W.
Awesome!
(5)Scott M.
Those of you who have read my reviews in the past know that I put a huge amount of emphasis on consistency and customer service - the meal isn't just the meal, it is the entirety of the visit, from the moment you make a booking until the moment you leave the venue. I needed to make a somewhat unusual booking for dinner; despite my wife and I having been married for several years, I've never had the opportunity to meet my brother in law who happens to live in Massachusetts. As I knew I had a business trip to the area, this seemed like a great opportunity to rectify that. So, head to toe, the Bistro du Midi experience: First, I was disappointed that they didn't seem to have an easy email address for booking. I had to put credit on my Skype account and call from Australia during their opening hours to make a booking. I understand OpenTable is a thing in the States, but it isn't anywhere else, so requiring that for online interaction was a bit of a minus. I did get ahold of a human, and after being put on hold for a while, eventually made the booking. Or so I thought. When I showed up at the restaurant last night, the staff couldn't seem to find any record of it. I had even provided my email address so that they could contact me if there were any issues - I never heard from them, so, hoped for the best. Thankfully, this is a customer-service driven business, and they were happy to accommodate me. It was meant to be a booking for three, my brother in law, as well as his partner. It's possible they found my wayward booking, but the initial impression I had was "uh oh, this doesn't bode well..." Once seated at a table, service was friendly, fast, and courteous. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of friendly banter I typically get from waiters around the world; my waiter seemed all business, and didn't really "engage" with us as much as I'd have liked. Some of the other staff did, however, so that's good. My brother in law's partner couldn't make it, as she was feeling ill, so it was just the two of us. Turns out, he's quite the "foodie" and found the menu quite appealing. Better than that, we both found our meals to be superb! He went with the hake, I went with the pan seared tilefish with crispy scales -- WOW. Oh, but, I also started with one of my all time favourites: Foie gras. It was outstanding. An incredibly rich treat, served with a rhubarb coulis and fresh strawberry. Fantastic. Since my dining companion was driving, we had to keep things in moderation for alcohol. I was actually quite eager to order a bottle from Australia that I think he'd have loved, but, it would have been a waste. The wine list looked superb, and had I the chance, I'd REALLY have wanted to do the full chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing. It looked phenomenal, but, it's the sort of meal that you need to do with someone else, or entirely alone, as the 5 or 7 courses would seem odd compared to someone else's standard 1 or 2. For dessert, not something I typically have, I went with the vanilla mouselline. Outstanding. Served with an espresso ice cream; truly wonderful. We both finished off with a glass of something delicious and that was that. All sounds great, right? Well, there was a minus that left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth: During our dessert, as we were still eating, and sipping our dessert wines, the bill arrived. No "would you like anything else?" No "coffee? tea?" Just: Plop. That stung. My sense was that because I had booked for 3, and they sat us at a table for four, and it was just the two of us, that they really wanted the table back for another seating. If that was the case, there was no mention of that when I booked, nor when I arrived. Perhaps they just didn't like the cut of my jib, I don't know...but, it did leave me with a slightly sour note on what was otherwise a spectacular meal and a spectacular Get To Know You with an extended family member. I don't see myself visiting the area again anytime soon, but if I did, I'd definitely want to try out that chef's tasting menu.
(4)Stephanie B.
A MOUSE was running across the floor of this restaurant this evening. I was trying to enjoy a date night, which doesn't happen too often. We had just finished our appetizer when I saw a huge mouse run across the floor. I calmly and quietly brought this to the attention of the staff. They didn't seem as horrified and shocked as I would have expected. They just brought us our bill and that was it. No apology. Nothing taken off the bill. I couldn't get out of there fast enough! Do not eat here if the luxury of having your feet on the ground is important to you.
(1)Salman I.
Perfect place to enjoy a great meal. The service was friendly and prompt and the menu was really good. Will go back again for sure.
(5)Anchisa P.
Really beautiful restaurant and food. Everything tastes good (escargot, monkfish, pear tart) but not amazing. Terrific service.
(4)Ed M.
This is an excellent French Provincial restaurant. I was nearby alongside the Public Gardens and decided to have a nice lunch. This Bistro has wide open doors onto the sidewalk, very inviting. They were not busy at 1:30 and I got a table by a door. T he staff was very relaxed and welcoming. My gin and tonic was just right. It came in a short but stubby glass. A good beginning. I ordered the fried artichoke to go with lamb cannenoli (picture). Both were very good. The lamb was a generous lunch portion with three rolls in a cheese sauce, well stuffed with lamb chunks. I had a glass of burgandy from the extensive wine list from which you can findanything you may wish.. They have fried beignets so I had to eat that! A completely unplanned and first rate lunch in a marvelous Boston setting. So glad I came here instead of going to the Oak Bar in Copley Square.
(5)Nicole L.
Went here for Boston Dine out. Really disappointed at the food. Nothing was memorable. My husband had a duck pate for the pate. It was not bad, but we've had better in many other places. I had the sea bass tartar for the first course. We both agreed that it was just okay. Second course, he had the duck bolognese and I had a some kind of white fish steak dish. His dish was pretty flavorful, but.....it's a pasta dish if you know what I mean. I was surprised with the olive sauce/side that came with my fish dish. However, it was pleasant, but I was not amazed. The dessert was again, nothing worth mentioning. I usually think Boston Dine out/ Restaurant is a good way to discover new restaurant. We had some awesome experiences in some places and have been going back during non-restaurant week period. Sadly, this is not the case here. We may wait for another year or two until we want to give this place another try.
(3)Guillaume G.
The food was exquisite. Among my favorites are: 1- Spanish Octopus - very tender and delicious 2- Assortiment de Charcuterie - A must have (the rillettes de porc rank among the best I have ever had) 3- Magrets de Canard 4- Calvados Soufflet Top this with a Saint Estephe from Bordeaux and you have the perfect setting for a perfect dinner. Voila! Bon appetit Mesdames et Messieurs.
(5)Vlad A.
Excellent food and service. The scallop appetizer and the halibut were extremely fresh, not heavy and delicious!
(5)Jasmine C.
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said: the restaurant has good service, terrific bread (one of the few restaurants that also serves their bread with olive oil), quite good food (I wouldn't say it blew my mind) but the star is really the chocolate souffle, which if nothing else makes this place worth coming back to. We had the hamachi tartare for starters which was good (although I think I'd rather recommend the escargot beignets, as they looked much more fun) but nothing special. We then had the hake, which is also a delicious fish but not a stunner. The dine out boston desserts, chocolate mousse and pear tart, were good (especially the chocolate mousse - not so much the pear tart) but not incredible. But then. The Chocolate Souffle. It blew my mind - warm, delicious, dark, rich, thick. Without a doubt the most delicious chocolate souffle in Boston, if not in New England. Order it if you go!
(4)Sarah V.
I'm utterly disappointed because this used to be my favorite restaurant in Back Bay for a while. The food is still phenomenal but the service is the worst I've ever had. Our server didn't show up for a solid 15mins after we had been seated. Oddly, this establishment has the servers bring you the menus rather than the hosts. Travis, our server left us feeling incredibly awkward. He forgot to put in the order for our charcuterie and it wasn't until he returned to take our entree reservations that he remembered. Thank god the food was amazing as always. Towards the end my mother order an espresso which was served to our table cold. Upset, my mother sent it back and our server returned to the table apologizing and saying he took it off the bill. He then proceeded to explain in a rather rude tone that the machine will not allow him to make it any hotter, but offered to make her another one. When we finally got our bill, we were charged for the remade espresso which was even colder than the first. Bistro-your food is amazing. Please, step up the management and training game with your service. Edge it up a little and stop being so stingy. Don't know if I'll be returning anytime soon.
(2)Debra L.
It's never a good sign when you eat somewhere a second time and wonder why you loved it so much the first time. I brought my parents here and it was just as beautiful and the service was just as lovely as previously, but the food was disappointing to the point where I don't see myself coming back again. We ordered the steamed mussels (again) and they were still delicious in their unique basil cream sauce. But for our main dishes, we were all disappointed. I got the sense that everything kind of tasted the same, and on top of that, everything ran salty. My mom ordered the Pan Seared Tilefish and although the fish itself was different and its description for how it was prepared was different, it tasted just like my Pan Seared Coalfish from my previous visit, which I had described as "not entirely swept off my feet with the flavor--there was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't that memorable or noteworthy." I ordered the Bouillabaisse and enjoyed the variety of seafood in the dish but it also had the same tomato-y, salty flavor to it as the pan seared fish--it was a little uncanny how everything felt like it was on the exact same note. I also had a problem with how salty the Bouillabaisse was. My dad initially ordered the Squid Ink Tagliatelle and asked for it to be softer than al dente but it still came out overly firm (consistent with my previous dining experience) and there wasn't much to it besides tomato sauce and again, a lot of salt! We mentioned it to the staff, who were so accommodating and professional and offered to replace it. He ordered a Bouillabaisse like mine and requested it to be light on the salt but it still came out salty. All in all, not the most satisfying meal. 5 stars for the service and the dining area but honestly, I wouldn't come back again for the food, which doesn't really leave much else to come back for at a restaurant.
(3)richard K.
I went here for brunch Saturday morning. There was no wait and the hostess was friendly. We both got mimosas, which were decent. The waiter brought some bread and oil which was yummy. I got an omelette with mushrooms, cheese and I think spinach and my date got the croque madame which he enjoyed. My omelette was good but not great. He also got the potato pancakes which were just okay. The food was good but not amazing. I appreciated that it wasn't super greasy or buttery. I would like to go back and try the place for dinner.
(4)Margaret N.
Pretty interior and conveniently located across from the public garden, but service was horrible! There were only two other groups that came after my group and I, but I still had to ask them to order. In addition, the waiter/owner asked my friend if she wanted foie gras on her burger and she didn't hear him, so she said, "what"? And he kept on asking her, "you don't know what foie gras is??" Rather than explaining, which is very rude and uncalled for because what if she didn't know what it was?! The menu doesn't have much of a selection... They don't list coffee and cafe drinks, which is weird cause they serve breakfast and brunch and it's a French cuisine cafe... They gave us bread and oil, but bread was burnt and they took the bread away when my friend was still eating from the bowl... My friends and I tried the burger, croque madame and chicken pan bagnet. The burger bun was bland and huge, but the meat was nicely prepared.. Tasted bland though- no flavor! And then the chicken pan bagnet was similar too.. So much bread, not so much meat. The pesto was good, I'll give them that! I had the croque madame and it was nicely prepared, but a tad on the oily side. The salad it came with was fresh and nicely seasoned though. Overall the experience and slim menu selection is the reason why I'm never going back!
(2)Kendra B.
I've been here twice with my boyfriend, it's been a pleasure on both occasions. Cozy, quiet, modern upstairs with a bar on the lower level.
(5)Jeff F.
Came in tonight after having been here more than 4 years ago for dessert and being impressed. Bistro du Midi had been on my short list but it took us too long to come back. Bistro du Midi is a great option for higher end French dining in Boston. Service was good, ambiance/setting on the 2nd floor overlooking The Public Garden was excellent and the food was solid. Here's the rundown: - Lamb Tartare (B) - Truffle on top was the best part. Good, but not on the shortlist - Bay Scallop App (A-) Get this - Octopus (A-) Tender, solid dish. Not Craigie Octopus, but worth ordering - Boar Ragout (A-) A little light on the pasta compared the Ragout, but very good - Monkfish (A) very good - Brussels Sprouts side (B+) - Pork Chop (A-) - Chocolate Souffle (B) good, but slightly undercooked and/or off - Cinnamon Beignets (A) perfect Solid 4 star option. Great in the winter. Notes from Follow Up Visit: - Seabass Crudo (B) - good but a miss - Bibb Salad (A) - Red loved it, but need to remember no Blue Cheese - Pan Roasted Codfish (A-) - Solid - Boar Ragout (B+) - great dish but undercooked the pasta - Ribeye (A-)
(4)Ray C.
The possible only other great restaurant with a fine view of the Boston Commons is No.9 Park. The dining room has a great atmosphere with the beautiful aforementioned view. The food is delicious as well. I had the seared duck breast, cooked perfectly, and my friend had a delicious bowl of seafood. I think everyone else mentioned the Foie Gras. I really don't have anything wrong to pick with this place.
(4)Jenn Z.
Always enjoyed dinners here. Beautiful setting, attentive services, and food that has yet to disappoint. The chocolate souffle was definitely worth the wait.
(5)Tim S.
We dined there the weekend of Independence Day as visitors celebrating our anniversary. The sea bass and chicken were excellent! And the cheese plate! The wine selection included two from our visit to Burgundy (never in Cali) so we ordered one and it was delicious. Thank you for the memories. We ate upstairs which has longer than average tables forcing one to lean in and whisper. They also have dim track lighting above which they turned down just before we ordered and the menu font is both light and small. My spouse insisted that I not use my phone so I had to guess when choosing a bottle as I was unable to retrieve my tasting notes. Luckily, both bottles were Premier Cru. Nonetheless, the situation made the sommelier nervous but he was unfamiliar with the winery and had to pace back n forth under a dim track light to confirm my selection. Next time, plan ahead and call ahead. I would give 5 stars if they didn't force me to read in the dark. I requested 3 business cards and recommended it to traveling work colleagues with the caveat to read the menu before visiting. Although we dressed up for a weekend evening, about half the patrons did not.
(4)Marco M.
My gf and I came on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm after walking around Boston. We made it in time to have the brunch menu, and we were very happy with what we had ordered. Being able to sit outside on the sidewalk in the shade, it was the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a meal to close out the weekend. We started with a half dozen oysters from the east coast (Boston, Maryland) and they were a bit SALTY for my taste, but nonetheless prepared well. For the entrees, she got the salmon with mussels, chorizo and some mixed greens to compliment which was very GOOD. I ordered the Croque Madame which I was very happy with, an overall RICH and HEARTY portion of ham, cheese and fried eggs. To cap off the meal, we did some espressos which were OK and the Gianduja with salted caramel ice cream that was LIGHT and perfectly satisfying for the sweet tooth finish. The service was attentive, atmosphere was great and the price was very reasonable to what we ordered. If I am ever back in the area and looking for a nice bite next to the park, I wouldn't mind coming back here. Buon appetito.
(4)M N.
The calamari is the best-- ever (request the aioli on the side). All the waitstaff was very accommodating and didn't rush us. The wait list is long for good reason, be sure to make a reservation ahead of time. Cocktail list was not impressive so I added Pearl Cucumber to the non-alcoholic beverage which was muddled mint with cucumber and lime. The first floor atmosphere was beautiful with a great view of Boston Common , the second floor seating was dark and would be ok in the winter or at night. Go have a cocktail or a glass of wine with some bites. An overall positive experience. Well done.
(5)Mrs. F.
When I lived in Boston this was our favorite date spot. They make a lavender infused tequila drink called a petanque that is the absolute best cocktail I've ever had. The food is always interesting and tasty. The service is professional and knowledgable, not overly friendly.
(5)Lotus R.
Excellent fine food. Bread was excellent. We had Citrus cured salmon, codfish, bouillabaisse (with excellent sauce) and a side of mushrooms. Dessert was excellent - strawberry parfait, calvados soufflé. Nice presentation.
(4)Keren R.
Sadly, I have to give this restaurant three stars. The food was absolutely wonderful - my group of five had several of the appetizers, including the tuna tartare, the foie gras, the grilled octopus, and the raw scallops. All of these were absolutely delicious, though fairly small. We also all enjoyed of our entrees - I had the gnocchi and my coworkers all had different types of fish (monkfish and cod, I believe). We all loved the food. In addition, we shared the chocolate mousse, the beignets, and the chocolate and calvados souffles for dessert, and everything was delicious and well-cooked. However, the service at this place was disappointingly awful. First, we had a reservation but arrived late. They told us there would be a wait for seating, which we felt was reasonable given our lateness. However, when we were taken upstairs, we noticed that there were several empty tables, and we hadn't seen anybody leave the restaurant while we waited. I'm not sure if they just were annoyed at us for arriving late, but we had to wait another fifteen minutes to be seated in a mostly empty dining room. The hostess was also fairly rude. After we were seated, a waiter eventually came over and asked about ordering. First, we ordered a very expensive bottle of wine. When they came out with the bottle and began to open it, it was clear that it hadn't been stored properly, as the server crumbled the very cry cork while trying to open the bottle and took about five more minutes to get the cork out. The wine was still very good, but it seems unprofessional to me for a nice restaurant to not store their wine properly, especially for such an expensive bottle. Then, we began ordering food. A member of our party hadn't yet arrived, so we first only wanted to order appetizers and save our entree orders for later. The waiter acted very weird about this and seemed annoyed with us. We ordered about 6 appetizers for the table, and he kept putting up his finger to stop us during our ordering (which felt awkwardly rude to me), and he commented on the fact that it was a lot of food in a sort of disparaging way. He also never brought us bread (which every other table had). The appetizers were fairly small, so it definitely didn't end up being too much food for our party of five. He then took drink orders. One of my colleagues ordered a cocktail, and after waiting for it for about ten minutes checked in with the waiter about its status. The waiter said "it's right on its way!" Then two minutes later, the waiter came back and asked what drink my colleague had ordered, naming a drink that he had not ordered. Clearly the drink hadn't actually been "right on its way". It took a few more minutes then finally came out. The evening continued in an odd manner. The waiter was a bit overly talkative and would jump in on our conversations in an awkward way, always sort of sneaking up behind people without us realizing he was there. I definitely don't mind friendly waiters who occasionally chat with their guests, but this one was honestly a bit weird and awkward. Service was slow, and the waitstaff didn't often check in on us regarding water, ordering the next course, etc., so the meal took a long time. Overall, I am tempted to go back for the food, but I probably won't, because the rude / slow / weird service has turned me off.
(3)M N.
We had an absolutely beautiful dinner here on New Year's Eve. I enjoyed the food, the service and the ambiance. I was passing by the restaurant the other day and I remembered I owe them a 5-star review.
(5)Sophie R.
Went during the restaurant week. Service was great - wait staff very attentive and friendly but we were not impressed with any of the food served from appetizer to dessert. Mine was very bland. Probably not coming back.
(3)Bridget W.
Having dined here before we had high hopes. With relatives in town for a conference we agreed to meet on a Friday evening. The location is beautiful, directly across from the Public Garden, with easy parking under the Common or at the front door if you don't mind paying for valet service. Our reservation was honored promptly and seating was fine. However the food and service were far less impressive than our last visit. Our waiter was on his third day but was friendly and hard working. A senior waiter popped by often; he was very knowledgeable but rather brusque and rigid. Our party of 4 ordered 3 different appetizers. Tea-infused salmon, ordered by 2, was unremarkable. There are 2 salads offered, and the endive/arugula was clearly (and sadly) the standout of the entire evening. The 4th app was the other salad, specifics of which I do not recall. We ordered 2 of the bouillabaisse entree and both diners were a bit surprised to find it served in a roux-based sauce, not a broth. They agreed this preparation didn't work well. Cavatelli Bolognese was pronounced "bland" and was such a meager portion it seemed more suitable for a half order. The beet gnocchi arrived about 8 minutes after the other entrees but had nice texture and flavor. There were many apologies for the confusion (blamed on the kitchen) but it would have been nice to have had the other 3 diners' plates removed and serve all 4 entrees at once. Instead 3 of us had to start eating less our meals get cold while diner 4 waited patiently. No credit on the check for this error either. Desserts were beautifully presented and tasty, but not great. Unfortunately the experience did not warrant the price. Lots of other great spots downtown, time to move on to something else.
(3)TinoX T.
NIce Place,awesome Staff,delicious Food. Like the Place Specially The Coktails
(4)Emily L.
Great food! Been here several times. Last time I was here I got the lamb tartare to start, duck breast as my entree, and a scoop of caramel ice cream for dessert. The lamb tartare was delicious and well seasoned. The duck was cooked to a perfect medium rare. The time before we got the hake. It was so deliciously flakey and the vegetables complimented it quite wonderfully. We got the grand Marnier shouffle as dessert. It takes 25 minutes to make but it was worth the wait! Their downstairs is a bar with a lounge area/outdoor patio seating. The second floor holds the dining area and private rooms. Also, I found one of my favorite wines here. Thomas Henry pinot noir.
(5)Samantha H.
Roast chicken for 2 well worth the 60 minute wait.( this isn't fast food people). So good!
(5)Jeff H.
Just drinks..pricey and bartender was inattentive chatting with friends..to many choices to pay for lackluster service
(3)Eddie W.
TL:DR version: There's one word to describe the food: SALT The service was great, so +1 star. The appetizer was great (lamb tartare) but that's the end of it. I had the duck breast and my girlfriend had the beef cheek. The texture of the beef was okay, but the meat was far far far too salty. The duck breast was also cooked to an appropriate medium rare level, but the skin wasn't seared adequately and had a hefty layer of fat. Oh and did I mention that the skin, which is usually the best part of duck, tasted like the the salt mines of Moria... The desert we had was the soufflé which was fine and fresh. Maybe if I mentioned that we don't have the palette of a 95 year old hypertensive he food would have been better, but I really don't want to have to do that everywhere I go.
(2)Taniusa B.
I have been to this place with my husband for his birthday . The place it is very nice and classy. The service was ok. The food was very good, and the plates are beautiful presented. I would definitely go back !
(5)Michael M.
Wonderful brunch that was reasonably priced. View of the public garden added to the ambience. Wait staff was friendly prompt and knowledgeable. I got the salmon eggs benedict and really loved it. Look forward to my next visit!
(5)Jonathan D.
We had another fantastic meal there last Saturday in celebration of my wife's birthday. We had been debating the tasting menu and when we ordered it they already knew that some items were similar to our last meal and they made sure it would be a little different. We started with an amuse bouche of razor clam which had a great texture and flavor. The first course might have been the best. The coconut and perfectly cured salmon was amazing. It was a perfect spring dish to start the meal. The second course worried me as someone who had never tried octopus before but i shouldnt have been worried. It was cooked to perfection and the accompanying mussel and lobster jus added just the mix of flavors. The third course of foie gras was very thin and went well with the pickled vegetables. It probably couldve used one more crostini but Im nitpicking The fourth course of tilefish with clams in a citronelle emulsion had the most amazing aroma. It was delicious though i will say it probably smelled even better. The fifth course was chitarra pasta with mussels and sea urchin. The flavors came together very well and it was a great pasta course. The sixth course of guinea hen and gizzard guilelette finished out the mains nicely with a solid contrast between the two. The dessert course was perhaps our 2nd favorite with the petit calvados souffle and gianduja beignet the stars of the trio on our plate. Throughout the meal the wines were excellent as well. Another great experience
(5)Celia C.
Great service, we had to go to another restaurant, the service was awful, so we decided to go to this nice little place instead, we just showed up, no reservations, we told them out bad experience next door, they figured out a way to sneak is in, were glad we chose this place, the food was small portions of heaven, it was the winter menu, apparently they change it every season, we wanted to try everything in the menu, so the server suggested small portions from each plate, we had soup, duck, fish, you name it, it was there! It was very good! Loved it!
(5)Ariel Z.
Probably one of my top Restaurant Week experiences in Boston. Started off with the steamed mussels and garlic cream appetizer (a sizeable portion). That garlic cream was so delicious, we were dipping our bread in it constantly to soak up all the goodness. We even started to spoon the rest of it straight up (in the classiest way possible, obviously). Next, I ordered the pork and duck bolognese pasta. Seemed small at first, but true to French cuisine in its richness, texture, and flavor. Yum! The dish quite surprisingly filled me up. Oi, the dessert: apricot clafoutis with buttermilk ice cream. The brown sugar crust and warm, succulent apricots were so comforting. Like a big warm hug from dear old grandma. Love this place (and the experience) so much, I plan to revisit here often. Bonus points for the view of the Common!
(5)J C.
I have lived in Boston for about 3 years and from the begging have heard how great Bistro du Midi is. Some advice don't wait as long as I did to go try Bistro du Midi!!! This place is great! The food was amazing! Such an extensive wine menu but what made my 1st dinning experience so amazing and memorable was our server Sam. He was so fun, friendly, & professional. I can't wait to go back. Ps order the pear tart!
(5)Mikel A.
BEWARE - *Extremely* Overhyped Food Boyfriend and I were visiting in town and I wanted to find a romantic dinner for two - something nice but not extravagantly expensive. When we first sat down, I inwardly applauded my choice - everything seemed perfect: location, ambience, service... Unfortunately, we soon found out the food left something to be desired (especially for the price). This restaurant is categorized as French, but the menu is definitely seafood-centric. There were only a few dishes that didn't consist of fish, shellfish, etc. I ordered the roast chicken, which ended up costing $50 (when I asked if I could just order a single portion the waiter failed to mention we'd be charged for two people). This, in and of itself, is fine except that the chicken was devoid of flavor; sadly, any rotisserie chicken I've purchased (even Costco or the local supermarket) was more impressive. My side of veggies was smaller than 1/6 cup. Boyfriend said the same - his meal was mediocre if not mundane - certainly not worthy of $$$ - $$$$ pricing. All in all, we spent $200 on a very lackluster, disappointing meal.
(2)Richard L.
Reservations for a b-day dinner for four were confirmed via Open Table for 7:30 a day in advance. When we arrived on time the next day, the hostess says they have us down for 8:45. Says it's Restaurant Week and the bistro is swamped with patrons. How is any of this our problem? The whole point of a confirmed reservation is precisely for such instances, no? To make this worse, the hostess had a healthy dose of attitude and wasn't too accommodating. I don't appreciate poorly trained staff acting as if they're doing patrons a favor when they're straightening out in-house problems that really have nothing to do with us. Our waiter was average and went through the motions of doing an adequate job. The food, however, was excellent. Nonetheless, without better staff training, I don't see why I would pay for such service again. Too many good places to eat in the area.
(2)Christine N.
bistro du midi is fantastic. i've dined here a few times before but my most recent visit just reminded me of how much i love it here. i came here last week during their restaurant week/dine in. i met my friends promptly for our 730 reservation and we were seated immediately. i perused the restaurant week special menu and the options were great. i decided to go with the hamachi tartare, the grilled flat iron and the mousseline. we also decided to have a bottle of wine as well. the hamachi tartare was fresh, delightful and tasty. the grilled flat iron was cooked to my liking, a medium rare and i loved the purple potato puree that came with it. the mousseline was delicious. the bottom was a dark chocolate and the top was a thin sheet of i think caramel? either way, it was so good. usually i have a favorite part of my meal but bistro du midi just hit all the right spots on every course. my friend and i had a great time here and our waiter was very nice and attentive. no complaints from me! i'll definitely be back!
(5)Kevin S.
Delicieux... Fine dining at its best. We had dinner at Bistro Du Midi on our first night in Boston and loved it. It's not a surprise really. I mean, being the winner of Improper Bostonian's Best of Boston Best French 2013; they mean business there. They have seating downstairs and upstairs as well. You can also choose to sit at the bar if you prefer. The atmosphere is very intimate and romantic.. perfect for a second date or a couple's evening out. The starters of bread and olive oil was really good. I had the Pan Seared Striped Bass, Sweet Corn, Heirloom Tomato, Fregola Sarda, Chorizo Emulsion, which was delicious and it didn't take long either. For dessert I went for the Grand Marnier Soufflé and, guys seriously, it was sooooo gooooood! Oh I'm still thinking about it now and, being a dessert person; it's killing me! Now make sure you order it at the same time as your main if you want it because it takes about half an hour to make so you want to put your order in early.. This was hands down the best fine dining experience that we had in the US. Alright, I'll give you that.. It's pricey but you owe it to yourself to splurge once in a while and it's totally worth it!
(5)Aaron B.
My new favorite in Boston. We held a 5 hour business dinner here for a party of 6. Nice room on the top floor. Service team spoiled us.
(5)Eliza W.
This is one of my favorite places in Boston. With a little outdoor seating looking towards the park, it is a wonderful spot to enjoy a spicy tequila and some haricot verts. A french friend first brought me here and as I write this review from Paris i can say the following: it feels like a Paris cafe. (Of course, minus the smoking at your table.)
(5)Peter W.
We went for the Valentine's weekend, even though the news reports were telling everyone to stay in because of the snow. We had early reservations and were seated on time. The hosts, waiter, and management were great. They were welcoming, efficient, and attentive. The dining space was very nice and the view of the snow through the widows was very pretty. The food was wonderful. We had fois gras, pork belly, and cheese appetizers. I had a Manhattan drink which was well made. Main courses were the pasta, duck, and pork chop. All very good. For dessert, we placed the order in early for the chocolate souffle which was very good as well.
(5)Dianne B.
So two of my Filipino friends and I went out for a late lunch to Bistro du Midi last Saturday afternoon. The crowd was all-Caucasian, the dress code was a mix of casual and formal. We were in casual clothes. We got in, the place was at nearly full capacity but we were promptly seated. So far so good. And then it got funny. There were about 7 tables inside the restaurant and more outside. The two-seater beside ours was empty. There were 4 servers going back and forth passing by us. All of whom would look at each other, look at us, and totally avoid our table. All this awkward eye shifting went on for about 10 minutes while we were sitting there not being served. Then a server approaches us, tells us he's not really our server but offers us water because he saw we weren't being taken care of. An older Caucasian couple walks in, gets seated at the table next to us and a server promptly appears to assist them. My friends and I look at each other. I'm not really sure what was going on. I can think of a few ideas: 1. The servers just don't like customers of a different skin color? 2. The servers haven't seen Asians before? 3. There was some seating issue going on so the staff was confused on who our real server was supposed to be? I would say there's 15 tables in total, including the ones outside. That's a tough number to manage between 4 servers right? 4. We weren't wearing the right brand of casual clothes? 5. We didn't have the appropriate amount of bling and somebody at the door actually counts? 6. None of us went in brandishing an Am Ex Black card or saying "do you know who I am?" 7. Bistro du Midi is actually a secret society and we didn't say the password or offer the secret handshake at the door? I couldn't figure that one out to be honest. We got served reluctantly, eventually. We stayed anyway, played nice, enjoyed the food (it was really good) and joked about being the undesirables. Look, we went into this place knowing that we'll have to pay for our meal and tip reasonably (which we still did). In return, we expected to be treated the same way as everybody else who go here, not like second-tier customers. Bottom line is, we can afford to pay. It shouldn't have mattered how we looked. Plus, since my crowd can really eat, we racked up two tables' worth of tab. Hopefully, this is not a regular occurrence here. One of the friends who was with me has been here before and actually got good service. But what an uncomfortable experience. Especially in this day and age, and in a city that's supposed to be getting more and more exposed to diversity
(1)Ken R.
My husband called 3 weeks in advance, requesting a quiet table to celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary. We were seated next to a party of, I don't know-20?- LOUDLY celebrating a big birthday. It's noisy in this restaurant, but this was scream-to-your- dinner-partner noisy. My gnocchi was warm, not hot, and my husband's steak was oily/greasy. We had a nicer time next door ( The Four Seasons) for dessert. Also, the new valet service offered a messaging service that "could not locate" our car ticket number; it took 20 minutes to get the car. Great dinner partner, poor dinner, good for a laugh (how else do you stay married for 39 years?).
(2)Jo T.
The Chef's tasting at the Chef's Table for our wedding anniversary. All I can say to Chef Sisca is this: thank you! We ordered the five-course tasting with the wine pairings. Extraordinary. Delicious corn soup to start. Duck, lamb, sausage, handmade cavatelli with Bolognese and a magical trip of desserts, which included soufflé. Wow! Great food. Excellent service. Not an overly stuffy vibe. So grateful....
(5)Jamin L.
My cousin and I came to Bistro Du Midi for Dine Out Boston and the food, as well as the service, was simply astonishing. I had made a reservation for 6PM and since I was already running a little behind schedule, I hadn't had the time to change into my dressy outfit. The woman behind the podium was not only very accommodating about the fact that I was running late, but also immediately asked if I wanted to check coat. She was very gracious throughout our whole interaction, never once pointing out the fact that I was severely underdressed. The first floor had a bar with some seating options, but I was dining on the second floor, the main dining room. This room was beautiful: the ambiance was romantic and cozy, with a lovely view towards the public gardens. Our server, and I can't believe I forgot his name because he was just wonderful throughout the evening, immediately got us water and asked if we wanted anything to drink. He was gracious throughout even though my cousin and I (we haven't seen each other in a while) were giggling like little girls while we talked all throughout our meal. From the Dine Out Boston menu, my cousin and I got: Appetisers: Hamachi Tartare - Heirloom Radish, Chicory Root, Plankton Escargot Beignet - Purple Potato, Winter Squash Soup Entree: Pan Roasted Hake - Calamari, Mussels, Fregola Sarda, Bouillabaisse Broth Grilled Flat Iron - Black Truffle Potato Purée, Arugula, Sauce Au Poivre Dessert: Vanilla Mousseline - Goats Milk Caramel, Espresso Ice Cream Chocolate Mousse Cake - Smoked Sea Salt, Citrus Gel, Caramelia Ice Cream Out server, hearing that my cousin and I were planning on sharing, immediately got us both the required utensils for each dish. Additionally, he offered us more bread between our appetiser and entree without being prompted. All the food were beautifully prepared, though I definitely had my preferences: the Grilled Flat Iron and the Vanilla Mousseline. The Maitre D' came by to check on us a couple of times throughout the night and never once made us feel out of place in spite of our attire. Finally, to end the evening, on our way out, no less than five staff members bid us a good night. Honestly, my expectations weren't very high because it was Restaurant Week and quality of places tended to lower from their regular standards, this was not the case with Bistro Du Midi. The food was amazing, and the service simply left me speechless. This place has one of the best service, even when I was probably the most poorly dressed as I have ever been to a nice restaurant.
(5)Christine G.
We had a group of six people and were seated in a semi private room at an awesome homemade looking wood table. The surroundings were very nice and shimmery and pretty. Our waiter was awesome... like really amazing, knew all about all of the food and specials, was a complete natural. I had a very nice salad, but it was just a little lacking in flavor. Then I had the Duck Breast which was nice, but it didn't blow me away. There was a lot of meat, and it was cooked nicely, but there was no sauce, and hardly any other flavor to the dish. The sides were minute, tiny, with not much flavor either. Strangely undersalted. I had to add salt and pepper to my food and I never do that. We had some sides that were pretty good, the bread at the beginning was pretty good. They also give you these homemade salted caramels at the end which are fun and yummy. We got a desert which was pretty good. I think I would have gone with the seafood should I go again. It was very pricey. The wine list is nice, expensive, but I had two glasses of wine which were both excellent, and served in lovely nice glasses. I wish the food had been better, because overall the experience was nice.
(3)Christie L.
Classy date night kind of place. I came here for Restaurant week and was seated upstairs along the window facing the Commons. I loved the atmosphere and the decor. The staff was very attentive (my water glass never empty!! ) and friendly, but I was a little confused on who was our actually server. There were many people that tended our table. Appetizer: Crudo of Fluke: Tender and fresh raw slices of fish with pistachio, basil and blood orange. Very delicate, light and delicious. Pate: I never had pate before, but it was very tasty!! Just googled what it is.. apparently it is cooked ground meat and fat made into a spread. No wonder! Fat always tastes good.. but yeah it was very smooth and flavorful. It comes with a slice of bread, whole grain mustard and pickled veggies. Very yummy! Second: Pan Seared Coalfish: The fish was very tender. It was a perfect crispiness on top on a bed of greens. The flavoring didn't stand out to me too much , but it still had a very good delicate, smooth texture. Flat Iron Steak: Cooked to perfection and great sauces. The meat was juicy and tender. Third: Gianduju Palette: Delicious smooth hazelnut chocolate mousse cake with a crispy layer on the bottom. SO GOOD Lemon Pistachio Tart: yummy tart which comes with the best sorbet I have ever had. I don't even know how to describe it. It was a strawberry sorbet and had the perfect consistency and taste. I could have just got a cup of that and would have been happy. This place is totally worth it for $38 for Restaurant week. The pate and the desserts were really yummy. View of the commons was a nice plus AND your coats are returned to you warm!!
(4)Marti M.
We enjoy this Bistro very much. The atmosphere is elegant, but very relaxed at the same time. You can dress up or go casual. The food is reasonably priced for Boston and consistently delicious including desserts. They accommodate food allergies in a way that assures you of their training and also, importantly, provided with a smile. The wait staff is exceptional, always genuine and knowledgeable. Just the right amount of attention. Highly recommend.
(5)Pronabesh D.
Came across this place while walking around boston commons. Great food, everything we tried deserves 5 stars. My favs the tuna tartare and duck breast.
(5)George B.
I was there with my wife and friends for brunch and although my wife specifically said that she has a milk allergy and asked that the chef doesn't use butter, when her dish came it was drenched in it. The waiter was totally nonchalant and didn't care about his mistake. He took the dish back and brought the same things with undercooked eggs... Again no apology. She eventually had to order something else. Terrible service and potentially life threatening. Won't eat there ever again. If you have any food allergies, too, you shouldn't eat there either.
(1)Yupeng G.
Not as good as we thought.
(3)Dot T.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and a great place for 2 or 3 couples to go for a meal to look forward to. When dining out, I always like to order something that I cannot cook well myself. The duck at Bisto Du Midi is among the best I have ever eaten. Ask for a seat upstairs near the window overlooking the public garden.
(5)Nikhil P.
Jesus Christ that was good. Final meal in Boston before leaving after a three year journey of too many yelp reviews, and even more restaurants visited. Definitely ranks as one of the best of our entire time here. The food was just so succulent, flavorful, and settle at the same time. The Mme. Croquet was amazing, ham was perfect, not too salty, and the Gruyere cheese just closed it. Topped with the egg and it was amazing. Perfect use of some good, liquidy yolk as a topping. Also had the salmon dish. Cooked to perfection and, lima beans, chorizo, and muscles were the perfect combination. Sauce was amazing. The Bellini was also not too sweet, and nice and sparkly. Awesome meal. French food at its best.
(5)Felisa F.
I'm usually weary about eating at nice places for brunch, but Bistro Du Midi was incredible. I had a bit of a wait to sit at the bar but the hostess and manager were very attentive in letting me know when a space would be free. It was a very nice day out so the whole restaurant was bathed in natural sunlight. I started off with the Bastille, a kind of sweet basil martini. It was perfect and did not taste like an herb at all. The bartender asked if I wanted the complimentary bread and butter [of course I did] and it was delicious. The crust was hard but the bread itself was soft and was delicious with the salted butter. Salmon Carpaccio [$15]: The salmon was cut a little too thick to really be called carpaccio but nonetheless amazing. The presentation was absolutely gorgeous. Everything was well seasoned. The thinly sliced jalapeno pepper and radish was a welcome texture/flavor contrast to the mild salmon. Quiche [$12]: I loved how the potato crisp was baked into the top of the quiche and not used as a side. The goat cheese wasn't at all over powering and the leeks, tomatoes, and spinach were the perfect combination. I'm a little disappointed by the sad bunch of greens on the side, they weren't necessary. I also would have liked to be offered the dessert menu, but alas....no dessert for me. Next time I'm in town, I would love to come here for dinner. A perfectly light and delicious lunch which did not break the bank.
(5)Ryan L.
Fantastic place! First off, the service is impeccable. The wait staff knows when to pull plates and serve and swap silverware before you can think it. If you haven't been here before, I highly suggest the tasting menu with wine pairing. I am not strong with my French wines. However, I learned a lot with the wines paired with the food. I'm a foie gras junkie. Coming from California, it was banned over a year ago in the CCCP of California. The foie gras was cooked perfectly and paired with a wonderful Muscat. Will I come here again? You bet!
(5)Tina C.
Went there on a snowy night with my daughter. We were able to get a table right away. The service was impeccable but I found the food to be not as good as it looks. My yellowfin paillard lacked flavor and the herring topping made it slightly fishy. My roasted monkfish was good but not spectacular. My daughter's foie gras was excellent but the squid ink was just alright- also lacking a distinctive flavor. We ordered the calvados soufflé ahead of time and it tasted more vanilla than calvados. Unfortunately, I don't think we would go back.
(3)Kiki P.
Bistro Du Midi is a nice restaurant in the Boston Commons. The upstairs dining room has a beautiful view of the commons, especially if you sit by the window. The dining room can get noisy during dinner time so it is a bit difficult to have conversations. The menu has several unique selections. I tried the roasted monkfish served with parsnips and brussels sprouts. This dish is topped with squid ink on one side and octopus emulsion on the other side. Very interesting combination and delightful dish. I also tried the loup de mer which is served hearth bread, seared prawn, fennel, and sea beans topped with lobster emulsion. This emulsion has a nice foamy finish. The fish itself is fresh and tasteful however the sides are okay. For dessert, you MUST TRY the chocolate soufflé. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare so remember to order it when you order your entree. This is absolutely scrumptious. It is definitely a dish to share because it is so rich. Perfect for two...or three! Service: I was not a huge fan of the service. Our server was not very nice and was a bit snooty. We decided to not order appetizers because we wanted to save calories for dessert and he kept pressuring use to order appetizers or side dishes. He stated several times that the portion sizes are extremely small and he did not want us to go home "hungry." He may as well just shouted at the top of his lungs "Order more food because I want more money!" Overall, I found the food to be pretty good, but nothing special. I certainly did not appreciate the service. I do not plan on returning to the restaurant but I may stop in downstairs at the bar to grab a bite of that chocolate soufflé.
(3)Denise L.
First time here and it was Dine Out Boston. While this event often causes mediocre service and food, everything was great. We were seated although only half our party of 8 had arrived. We were fortunate to have a semi-private room that gave us a more intimate setting and kept us away from the noisier dining area. Breads include those skinny, long stick as well as olive oil and loaf bread. All of the food was delicious and beautifully presented. The winter squash soup with escargot beignets, pate, hamachi tartare were the different starters. All of the steaks came out just right and were tender. The Statler chicken had a crispy skin and was nice and moist. The hake was delicious, too. The desserts included a pear tart that would've been nicer if it was warmed and my ice cream not half melted. The chocolate mousse cake had a delectable dark chocolate flavor. We ordered a chocolate souffle that had a great chocolate flavor and nice crisp crust that we didn't waste. Food portions were just right for all of us and we didn't have any leftovers, which is a good thing. Will be back!
(4)Caitlin R.
Thouroughly enjoyed Bistro Du Midi for a friend's bachelorette dinner. We were given a good sized room upstairs with a farm table that sat ~16 people. The room was set back from the other patrons and included dividing curtains and doors for privacy. We enjoyed excellent food and wine. Highly recommeded!
(5)Mary T.
French food is one of my favorite types of cuisine and I loved this place! I came here during Restaurant Week and tried their appetizers, main course, and dessert. For the appetizer, I had the escargot beignet. This was interesting. I have never had escargot prepared in this method. They put a batter on the escargot and fried it. And they bathed it in this winter squash soup. The sweetness and creaminess of the soup enhanced the flavor of the escargot! I thought the escargot by itself was a little bland though. As for the entree, I had pan roasted hake. First of all, the presentation was really nice. It was more on the rustic side, but yet they it was cohesive to the rest of the menu. I thought the hake was perfectly seared. The skin was crispy and the fish was moist and cooked at the right temperature. The main element of this dish, in my opinion, was the bouillabaisse. Although the consistency of the soup was light, but they somehow infused it with so much flavor. It was very rich and it paired well with the seafood. The dessert was the highlight of my dinner. I ordered the vanilla mousseline. Every component of the dish was a surprise at first bite. The espresso ice-cream was a perfect way to end the meal! It had such a strong espresso flavor and the chocolate-y, coffee flavor balanced well with the vanilla mousseline. Overall, I enjoyed every aspect of the meal.The service was good as well even though it was really busy. I plan to come back again soon!
(4)Quynh Nhu D.
Had dinner plans with my friends so we just thought hey lets try this place for restaurant week. moi: Escargot Beignet, Roasted Chicken Breast, and Caramelized Bosc Pear Tart Service was fine, no issue. We just sat at a table that made it almost impossible to get in and out so it was a little bit uncomfortable. The escargot came out looking pretty fantastic. I applaud the showmanship. No spoilers ;) But I was surprise that the squash soup was not warm... It wasn't a chill soup though so I was confused. The escargot beignet tasted great, really fun to eat. My main made me sad though. The chicken's seasoning wasn't working for me. The skin was salty but the rest was pretty bland. And they make me feel like I don't like polenta. I hope that if I have chosen something else, it would have tasted much better. My friend's comments that his meal was ok, nothing extravagant. Dessert was my favorite however. The pear tart was nice and warm, leaving a good last impression. Hoping if I ever return, I can maybe bump the stars up a little higher.
(3)George S.
Had a great dinner here last night. We sat upstairs overlooking Boston Common which was very nice. Our server Julia was fantastic and gave us the right amount of attention. The food was excellent and unique. We started with some small plates along with olive and eggplant spread with crostini. Perfect. I had the squid ink pasta and braised squid which was great. My wife had gnocchi which were perfect and the portions were very good size for a high end restaurant.
(5)Rachel P.
Celebrated round 2 of my birthday at Bistro Du Midi last Saturday night. It was a wonderful evening! The restaurant is beautiful and overlooks the park. The menu is amazing. There are so many options for meat, seafood, and pasta. Everyone at my table had an extremely tough decision to make. Luckily, our waiter was extremely helpful in describing each dish, making recommendations, and helping guide the decision making process. We all started with the Bibb Lettuce Salad. The honey crisp apples and blue cheese was the perfect pairing. It's a wonderful salad. Our table then shared the sausage appetizer and tuna tartar- both were perfect to share for 4 people. I thought the tartar could have used a crispy garnish of some kind, but the flavor and texture was perfect. And the sausage was filled with savory flavors balanced perfectly by the raisins. A very innovative dish. I decided on the Chitarra pasta for my main. I can never turn down a good seafood pasta and this did not disappoint. The pasta itself was infused with black pepper, and it was served with mussels (no shells), calamari, and sea urchin. Perfect balance of seafood flavor but not overly done. I tasted my dad's duck as well and was blown away. He said it was the best duck he ever had, and I can understand why. We all shared one chocolate soufflé for dessert. Usually I find chocolate soufflé to be too rich but maybe I haven't had it done right before, because this was phenomenal. Fluffy and perfect. They also brought a cheese plate with dessert for my birthday which went perfectly with the wine and soufflé. It's a very open room and the acoustics aren't great, so it is very loud in there. But that's the only complaint all evening (and it's more from my parents). I've also sat downstairs for brunch and have never been disappointed. It's a great Parisian vibe.
(5)Janice C.
Since California banned foie gras, I now have to hunt for it on my travels. Thus, my vacation list usually looks like this: 1. Foie gras. 2. Foie gras. 3. OMG! FOIE GRAS. Bistro Du Midi and her lovely self welcomed me and my sister for dinner. We sat outside on the sidewalk since it was a gorgeous, balmy evening. My eyes automatically zeroed in on the seared foie gras with rhubarb coulis and strawberries, boy, it was perfection. I savored every bite and I'm so glad that my sis isn't into foie so it was all mine! She had the mussels in a basil tomato broth and had crunchy grilled bread to dip with. May I say? do NOT ever skip the bread basket here. Obviously made in house, so it was fresh and very good. The grilled Spanish Octopus with compressed watermelon and frisee salad was appropriately fancy (ink vinaigrette? get out of town!) and can we ever have dinner without snacking on french fries? apparently not! Tipsy off of the Marius cocktail (damn that absinthe rinse is soo good!) my sibling and I finished dinner and walked off the calories at the park across the street. Thinking of about my meal here and THAT foie gras, make me wish, I was back in Boston again.
(4)Edward W.
Very nice place with 2 floors: upstairs is more classy & usually for reservations, while downstairs is more casual with bar & patio seating. It overlooks the Public Gardens, so you'll have a nice view while eating. Tried 2 appetizers and an entree: - Foie Gras: Since this is banned in Cali, I decided to try some. Very creamy/ buttery with a very rich taste. Came with some pickled vegetables and jelly to pair with, but I honestly preferred eating it with the complementary bread (great bread btw) - Spanish Octopus: Very tender (for octopus) & nicely marinated. Comes with some mussels and veggies. Preferred this over Foie Gras. - Beef Cheek Daube: My favorite dish by far here. Tender to the point of falling apart in your mouth, and juicy. Not too salty or bland, which were the main complaints I saw here. Personally I enjoyed it very much. Came with romanesco broccoli (very weird looking but tastes just like cauliflower) Word of Warning: don't ask the waiter what's good. They'll make everything sound amazing and you'll be more indecisive than ever before.
(4)Forrest S.
worst service ever Alex, the waitress pretty much forgot our order- no apologies from the manager other than a feeble attempt to throw down an unwanted dessert on our table and run away. go somewhere else
(1)Yuan J.
I came here on the 3rd day of Restaurant Week Winter 2015. The food was fantastic as was the service! The choices available for Restaurant Week are all really amazing, but I would recommend getting the pan-roasted Hake. It was probably one of the most perfectly cooked and delicious pieces of fish I have ever had in my life. My dessert and salad were fantastic as well. All in all, a great meal and a really good deal. I will definitely be coming back for more!
(5)Nisha P.
Phenomenal restaurant week dinner! I can be skeptical of Rweek cause they tend to leave key entrees off the menu or skimp on portions. But these guys delivered! For $38, I got pate with bread, mustard, pickles; steak with potato purée; and a chocolate mousse dessert. Everything was cooked perfectly. My steak was a perfect medium rare. The desserts were out of this world. My friend and I also split a carafe of wine so our total meal was only $50/person. What a wonderful experience overall. Johnny was a particularly kind and attentive server!
(5)Alias L.
Service pretty bad, though they are trying. None of the meat dish was cooked the same, while we requested medium rare for all of us. The chocolate soufflé looks and taste exactly like a chocolate lava cake. Tasting menu wasn't even that good. The rabbit sauce pasta wasn't that good either. Second floor was so slippery and loud. Def a nice location and a nice grab on the way if you are hungry walking around there. But doesn't worth to go for anything else.
(3)Gordon G.
Pricey, but very good. Skip the apps to leave room for the souffle.
(4)Nat G.
My Lamb Canneloni at lunch was good, not special, with very mild flavoring, decent pasta. Service was good but with too much hovering.
(3)Jay G.
While looking for a restaurant for dinner last second late at night, my girlfriend and I decided to go to Bistro Du Midi. The restaurant was within walking distance from our hotel and offered French cuisine which seemed to be popular in Boston, MA. We arrived thirty minutes before the restaurant's final serving time and they allowed us to be seated upstairs and order our whole meal before the kitchen closed that night. At the restaurant, there were two floors to eat on with different vibes. The first floor had indoor and outdoor seating as well as a bar with a very European vibe. The second floor felt more dressy and romantic as the room was quieter and the windows provided an overlook of Boston Common. To start off, we ordered cocktails from the menu. My girlfriend had a sweet cocktail while I went with the La Truffe Noire which was a $33 black truffle and bourbon cocktail. I fell in love with this drink instantly as I have always treasured the flavor of black truffles and bourbon once they entered my life. The combination provided a delicious cocktail and led me to purchase a second as I have not seen anything like this anywhere else. I definitely recommend trying this cocktail if you come here, it is well worth the $33. From the cru section of the dinner menu, we had the tuna tartare and the lamb tartare. The tuna tartare was very good and fresh. The lamb tartare was also very good and provided a nice difference from the usual steak tartare. I personally love most types of tartare if it involves raw meat or seafood and the lamb was definitely worth trying and I would eat it again. This was the first time I ever had lamb tartare. From the premiers plats, I ordered the seared foie gras which was very good. I also love foie gras and they definitely made it properly compared to some places I have eaten it at in the past year. We also had the crispy pork belly which was a nice rectangular cut and packed a nice amount of flavor. For mer & terre, my girlfriend had the cavatelli pasta and I had the braised lamb neck. The cavatelli pasta was pretty good and the rabbit sausage in it was good. The braised lamb neck was very good and the meat was so tender it fell right off of the bone. It was a delicious dish but due to all of the previous food I was unable to finish it and truly enjoy it to the max. For dessert, we shared the chocolate soufflé which was extremely good and should definitely be ordered if you dine here. Make sure you order the dessert ahead of time as it takes time to prepare in the kitchen. Overall, I would definitely go back to Bistro Du Midi and highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious French cuisine in Boston, MA.
(5)Lindsay S.
YUM YUM YUM. What an experience. I'm still salivating at the seared foie gras we gobbled up (not politely consumed, but gobbled). While the first floor contains a large bar with several seating options, the second floor (the main dining room) is a chic, cozy space with waiters bustling along and pouring copious amounts of champagne. We sat down, eagerly looking at our menus for what delicious options would await us. The regular menu at plethora of options, from foie gras to charcuterie to venison and tile fish. Then we discovered the tasting: seven courses with wine pairings, an unparalleled gastronomic summit of Old World and New World cuisines. We sipped and savored our way through seared foie gras, venison with pork belly, black truffle gnocchi, tile fish, and homemade chocolate soufflé. By the end, we had achieved that rare state of culinary bliss that can only be associated with a five-star menu. Well worth the high price of admission (approx. $200 with wine pairings). (My husband loved this restaurant so much that he wrote this review)
(5)Anna V.
Perhaps it was the lovely September weather and the opportunity to grab a high table just almost on the outside seating area...it turned into a perfect brunch! Loved, loved the fresh bread that comes in a wooden square "basket" and the olive oil in the tiny boat-shaped bowl. Adored the lemon kebab over my iced tea and the liquid sugar that came along with it. Overwhelmed by the huge portion of the Croque Madame and the eggs cooked to perfection, just tender enough to spill all over the buttery toasted bread. Totally satisfied with the warm concotion of cheese and ham which left my tummy very very yummy. Thrilled about the service, as the waiter made a point to come up every once in while to make sure I had everything I needed. Very much looking forward to coming back here for dinner the next time I'm in town!
(4)Kathryn R.
Fantastic Place - Everytime I come here I always feel very special. This past Sunday, I sat at the bar in the downstairs cafe. The windows were open and you could clearly see the park. The atmosphere was beautiful. We drank the VdP de Méditerranée, Cape Bleue, Jean-Luc Colombo (rose) which was one of their specials because they were "out" of the Whispering Angel (my all time favorite rose). We split the tuna tartar to start and the steak frites and Belgian Endive & Arugula Salad for our entree. All of the flavors were perfect together. At the end when we signed our check, the bartender brought out the last of their last Whispering Angel bottle and gave us both a half glass. Such a nice touch to end the night and a delicious dessert. I have also been here on other occasions upstairs (best in the winter because of the fireplace and very cozy) and all of the pastas are amazing. This place is also good for groups as I have been to birthday dinners and business dinners.
(5)Timothy T.
Perfect for an Anniversary celebration. Feels homie and classy at the same time well balanced atmosphere and the food was delicious. At the end of the day you will forget all about the price. also our waiter even looks like Thor/Chris Hemsworth lol
(4)Jack W.
Given the price, I can't say that I would recommend this place. The food was mediocre at best. I've tried a lot of French restaurants and the food doesn't really hold a candle to many of the more affordable/medium priced restaurants.
(3)P. T. B.
Five of us had a lovely meal at Bistro du Midi tonight. Particular standout dishes included the bay scallop crudo, bouillabaisse, pork chop, and gnocchi. Service was spot on. Loved it!
(4)Sikki N.
Very good service, food and location. Right in front if a park, you can either eat on their nice terrace or inside. Delicious food, gourmet style. If you are a Foie Gras fan don't miss the on they serve here, same comment on the mussels. Cocktails are good and different from the standard.
(5)Beginning P.
Food: Was alright. Didn't think it was worth the hype or the money. Ordered seared duck breast and souffles. Good but not great. Would not go back. Service: Excellent. Atmosphere: Older, much older crowd. Lots of white hair. Not a hipster hangout. Made me feel old.
(2)Jon S.
This was the WORST "fine" dining experience I have ever had. It started with waiting twenty minutes for our table to be ready. Once we seated I ordered a bottle of flat water and a bottle of champagne. We got the water quickly the bottle of champagne took just about thirty minutes! So from the time of our reservation at 8:30 and us getting our first drink was 50 minutes. I got the celery root soup and my date got the Spanish octopus to start. The soup was the best thing I ate in the duration of the meal. We both had both drank all our champagne which was being held in the back. When our waitress, a tall brunette girl with thick rimmed glasses, finally returned to fill our glasses I ordered another bottle of flat water. A runner brought out our main courses next. My duck was so tough I had to literally saw through it with a steak knife. My date's beef cheek was bland to say the least. Mean while we once again were out of champagne and water. The bottle of flat twenty five minutes prior was no where to be found. When our waitress finally returned to clear the plates she realized that she had forgotten our water. She made some excuse under her breath about a runner forgetting. No apology however. A runner brought out the "after dinner" water and refilled our champagne glasses. I had flag down a manager to ask for our check which was just under $300. The waitress finally came back to our table with the check, again speaking under her breath and giving no apologies. The only redeeming quality to the restaurant is the décor. The bathroom literally could not be further from the dinning room. The food was mediocre at best. The service was the worst I have experienced at any restaurant. Do yourself a favor and skip Bistro Du Midi!
(1)Lucas Y.
I'm not gonna criticize the whole restaurant for the one waiter that is rude. I guess I'm unfortunate to meet a very rude waiter. He's impatient when he's explaining the menu, took my entre without asking if I'm done. Horrible experience. I've been here around 3 times, in general it was alright. But never order steak here. Steak here is dry, hard and horrible. China town cooks better i guarantee.
(2)Linh V.
I recently went here for restaurant week and was certainly impressed! We were seated on the second dining floor, which has a sleek and modern vibe. Very chic and sophistiqué. If you want a fine-dining sorta feel, definitely ask for the second floor while those who want a more relaxed, friendly atmosphere, should opt for the first floor, or the patio!! For app, I had Roasted Escargot, Toasted Farro, Bing Cherry, Chorizo Emulsion. Personally, I have never heard of the escargot and farro combination, but it worked!! They have vastly different textures but they work together quite well and I love the bing cherry flavor in the dish! Overall, the dish doesn't feel so "sinful" like the typical Escargots à la Bourguignonne. On the contrary, it feels quite refreshing! For entree, I opted for Grilled Bavette Steak, Sweet Corn, Summer Squash, Arugula, Sauce au Poivre. The steak was very well-seasoned, great flavors. BUT, the steaks could have been more tender. I am not sure whether because the steaks should have been marinated for a longer period of time, or they weren't cut across the grain properly, but there is room for improvement! We still enjoy the dish overall but I think steak addicts might have one or two things to say about it. For the desserts, TWO THUMBS UP, I cannot find any faults with them! For more pictures and detailed review, feel free to check out my blog post! underthebostonsky.wordpr…
(4)Chryssandra B.
My boyfriend and I went here for a late Sunday night dinner and I can't rave enough about it! Our server, Travis, was pleasant, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. The place is absolutely beautiful, the wine list is extensive, and the food is some of the best I've had in a while. We got the octopus in eggplant, the lamb tartar, the bouillabaisse, and the seared duck. All were fantastic! Will definitely be going back!
(5)Lily S.
Eating here has inspired the creation of a new Yelp List. Places that make my cooter wet. Yup. Having only eaten here once, I can't speak much for the food, other than that my rib eye was fantastic, but man did the service and decor woo the f-ing crap out of me. If Bistro Du Midi were a man, he would have gotten lucky last night, AND i wouldn't have even made him cuddle afterwards. Plush chairs, fireplace, excellent view of the Commons. Treat yo self girl. Edit: ok, back now that I've had a few meals under my belt (thanks work client dinners!). Here are some pro tips regarding portion control. If you're a hungry hungry hippo like me, stick with the rib eye, lamb neck, or pork chop. Otherwise get a starter; the lobster soup is divine, the tuna tartar also a good choice, and follow it up with a pasta dish or the monkfish (awesome btw!). Then gaze lovingly at the commons or the date that brought you there (or yourself).
(5)John Mark P.
Made a brunch reservation for 2:30 via Open Table. Great prompt service, drinks, and food. The quiche is up there!
(5)Jennifer S.
Great atmosphere. Amazing food, especially the beet gnocchi, ribeye and the bouillabaisse. One of my favorite restaurants in Boston for sure.
(5)Suzette S.
I was fortunate to have a beautiful view of the commons on a snowy night. The dining room is beautiful, the service was wonderful, the food was delicious. This is a great place to meet friends who are in town for conventions, for dinner. It is convenient to lots of hotels and easy to find. AND...the food is really delicious!!!
(4)Iannis R.
Bistro du Midi is the best Southeastern French food I have had outside of France. Our waiter, Manuel, was helpful, courteous, and friendly, and extra sure to make accommodations for our many food allergies. (Grazie mille, Manuel). The menu was nicely presented with cru, premier plats, entrees, and sides, along with a tasting menu (which we will get someday...), and a separate dessert menu. The upstairs interior is spacious, relaxed, and nicely decorated in the Provencal style. The lavande artificielle outside the window made us giggle. Perhaps one day global warming will allow lavender cultivation in Boston- but today is not that day. We started out with warm roasted garlic fougasse and breadsticks perfect for olive oil dipping. We both had their spring white asparagus soup with new potato. It was light, full of Spring flavors, and well-presented. For our main course, we had a daube de boeuf with persillade and spring parsnip foam. The sauce was rich, irony-umami, and utterly satisfying. The beef cheek was braised to perfection and mouthwateringly tender- no need for knives here. Foam is all the rage in haute cuisine at the moment. I am usually not a fan. However, this spring parsnip foam wasn't just ordinary foam. It had real texture and substance- almost more like a creme than a foam. The aroma of fresh spring root vegetables fills your nose and the back of the palate, and was almost reminiscent of my mother's Passover matzo ball soup. It's light but earthy flavor was the perfect complement to the sticky daube. With no room left for dessert, we finished off the meal with house-made sea salt caramels. The entire experience was warm and satisfying on a rainy late spring day, and brought us back to our honeymoon in Provence. We will be sure to make Bistro du Midi a habit for as long as we are in Boston.
(5)Stephanie F.
What happened to this place? I am starting to wonder if they've rotated the chefs or if the management has changed. The restaurant is beautifully appointed across from the public garden, but the quality of their entrees / service has changed drastically. Went there last night as a plan b to Teatro being closed for renovations. Ordered the pork belly despite the disappointment from our last two visits with the fat ratio being way too high on the belly. However, we received a lean piece last night with a thin layer of fat which made it enjoyable. The Scottish salmon however, left something to be desired. For entrees, we both ordered the duck breast, which was thinly sliced with a nice jus from prior visits. We were surprised when presented with two thick rubbery cubes of duck breast on each plate. The olive sauce paired well with the duck breast but the lavender was lost in the bitterness of the sauce. I also did not understand the fig and chickpea croquette as these ingredients seemed disjointed from the rest of the plate.
(2)Patricia M.
The restaurant was nearly deserted--still, the waitress was impatient for us to order and could barely be persuaded to part with bread and breadsticks (the breadsticks were great--and we each got one). The entrees came out at different times. There were shells in the fish soup, and one of the main courses came out cold. Dinner for four with appetizers and wine but no dessert: almost $300 before the tip.
(1)David C.
Judging my meal at Bistro du Midi as a singular experience, I'd have to give it three (maybe even 2.5) stars. On a group level, however, the experience probably ranks closer to a four. The dishes I ordered, save from the deliciously gamey lamb tartare I had to start, were pretty underwhelming. My duck entree was comprised of maybe five or six thin strips of duck breast drenched in a lavender jus--tasty to be sure, but not remotely filling. The caramel almond tart was a complete misnomer, as it barely contained either of those ingredients. Instead, what I received was a chocolate tart with caramelized sugar crystals jutting out and a sprinkle of almond dust on the side. Not satisfying. To top it off, the yogurt sorbet that accompanied it was rather bland and far too icy for my liking. As I said, the experience I had as part of a group was much better. I went with Andrea B. and her family to celebrate her birthday, and the restaurant was wonderfully accommodating, seating us in a large private room overlooking Boylston and the Public Gardens. (You would never expect Bistro du Midi to be as big and beautiful as it is looking at it from the outside.) Service remained exemplary throughout the night. My dining companions all seemed to enjoy their food more than I did, but nothing I tried of theirs really wowed me either. Highlights included the grilled pork chop and pan roasted cod. I would have preferred either of those dishes over mine. And the much talked about souffle, while more satisfying than my tart, was simply too dense. If you're looking for a truly wonderful version, head to the Patisserie at Troquet up the street.
(3)Heather G.
Bistro Du Midi is a beautiful space - I'll start there. You walk in off Boylston, into this little restaurant nestled between the high-end shops, and it looks small and bustling. The bar is full, people are milling about in their suits, it's obviously an after-work space. However, when you ascend the staircase to the upstairs dining room, the space opens up and becomes vastly larger and more formal. The bar upstairs is never quite as full, and I presume it's more for early-arrivals waiting for their parties to arrive, parties who will be dining with a full menu in the elegant upstairs room. The bar downstairs, then, seems to be more the after-work-drink spot. Important distinction, lest you go to the wrong bar! The upstairs certainly has class - the large windows overlook the public garden, and at night, the dining area is dimly lit so that the diners can fully appreciate the lights in the trees and the lampposts decorating the Garden and the swanky neighborhood around it. Bistro has a private dining room in the back corner of the upstairs area, and nearly every night, private parties with bankers, lawyers, and the like can be seen imbibing on the free-flowing wine and good food. If you are thinking about a classy company event, this place is your spot. you can't go wrong here - you aren't footing the (expensive) bill, and you've come more for the elegance and the ease with which you can host many people in one small spot while still offering a private, intimate experience. However, if you're just a regular couple off the street looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, i'd say this place may not be for you. While elegant, the price-to-value construct seems to be on the unfavorable end of the spectrum, as the prices are steep and the food is not bad, but certainly not as stellar as the price or the room's ambiance would suggest. I have been on many occasions, and have left feeling this way about the food. The tuna tartare, while delicious, is a meager offering, on a lone crostini. One bite and the tuna chunks tumble off, the crostini left crumbling in your hand. Similarly, the sauteed squid appetizer was certainly tasty, but very oily and, thus, sat heavy after a few moments post-consumption. While one would think an entree of grilled veggies and small medallions of beef would be light yet filling, this dish is flavor- and composition-wise boring, and also sits very heavily in the stomach, which is the last thing someone on an anniversary date in a pretty outfit would want...that is, if that someone wants to have post-anniversary romantic activities afterwards. On another trip, I tried my hand at the chicken for two, but it came out undercooked (raw-poultry near the bone) and greasy, the skin a lukewarm, slimy consistency. It seems that someone hastily pulled the dish when the others at the table were ready to be served. Though a dish for two, the cast iron dish of bird was served with 4 fingerling potatoes, halved. The potatoes were delicious, but certainly not a portion for two people. Desserts, while tasty, are forgettable. The apple crisp is always solid here, but I wouldn't make this the reason for the destination. Wine, as always, is stellar and flawless, and the service is much of the same. For a corporate dinner, this is a great choice. For a personal, special occasion dinner, I'd pass on this and go elsewhere.
(2)Tammy W.
Full disclosure: I was here for a private event, and we rented out the entire restaurant, first for a cocktail hour and then a sitdown dinner. I had a fabulous time and came away very impressed. For starters, the space is gorgeous. I'm not well-versed in either design or architecture, but I appreciate both and like to think I have a good eye. The bar area downstairs opens onto the street and features an eclectic collection of dozens of small mirrors. The dining area upstairs mixes rich benches and sofas with plush dining chairs. The entire space is romantically lit and feels warm, rich, and yet somehow cozy and inviting. The food was delicious. We had a limited fixed menu for the event. I started with a tuna tartare, moved on to a pan-roasted hake, and ended with a trio of sorbets. The tuna tartare featured tiny bits of Barlett pear and a pine nut foam, both of which I really enjoyed and hadn't ever tasted before. The pear really lightened up the dish and gave it a very interesting texture. The hake, served over a bed of vegetables, including asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and trumpet royales, was incredibly delicious. The hake itself was perfectly cooked-- melt-in-your-mouth tender, and I found myself craving more of the vegetables (especially the trumpet royales, a type of mushroom), too, once I'd polished off the entire dish. I've had better sorbet elsewhere, although one of the flavors had this interesting tea flavor to it that I found very refreshing. Most of my friends ordered the gianduja palette, a type of hazelnut mousse cake, with salted caramel ice cream, though, and I noticed that they all licked their plates clean. (I admit to having a little dessert envy and regretting my decision to "be healthy"-- don't make the same mistake I did and go with your gut instincts to indulge instead.) I don't think a decent meal here would break the bank (a five-course tasting menu is $85, and you can come in very much under that if you do three courses a la carte), but I do hail from Manhattan, and my sensibilities may be dull. But I think it's worth it for a special occasion, and, if I lived in Boston, this would be my favorite impress-the-parents/hope-my-date-wants-to-impress-Âme restaurant.
(5)Julie N.
You know, I really wanted to give Bistro Du Midi the full five stars... I had been so excited to eat here for oh so long, but it wasn't the best the of best. Breakdown: The space is gorgeous. The server was 80% on his game. The mussels appetizer was actually extremely bland and generic. Fresh definitely, but not anything special. The chicken dish was perfectly done, but Hamersley's always gets the fifth star. Wine is always good. Desserts were actually amazing. Overall: definitely four stars. I need to come back again... but I probably won't for awhile.
(4)Dana T.
Sadly, I must post a very mixed review. The service was attentive and competent. The view from the windows overlooking the Common is lovely. The cinnamon beignets were delicious. Unfortunately, the accolades stop there. The room is very, very loud. My entree (duck breast) arrived cold and while they replaced it without question, my husband's food sat there getting cold while we waited for mine to reappear. Very awkward and uncomfortable. At this price point, everything should be perfect. I feel insulted. And the valet service was remarkably slow.
(3)Debra S.
This was our second meal experience at this restaurant - fantastic meal/service from soup to nuts. The 1st meal was impromptu w/ friends - no reservations. Sat at the bar & received great service, wonderful meal with an awesome bottle of wine. (Mid-week event so it was a quick in/out but they welcomed us w/ a fantastic food experience.) Tonight's meal was w/ reservations for a birthday get together. We had a meal to write home about! Our server, Kim, was top notch (one of the best servers we've ever experienced) providing information on menu selections and had perfect service timing - never interrupting conversations but being there for us when we needed. We had aps, entrees (fish & meat) & sides, wine & desserts (best chocolate soufflé ever). We all raved about every aspect of our meals & the service. It is by far not the cheapest meal in town but OMG it is absolutely delicious AND best of all, they're not pretentious for a high end cuisine. If you have a little extra change & want to splurge on a fantastic food experience, eat here (reservations or not)! Pricey but superb performance.
(5)JONATHAN S.
Excellent all around experience. The duck is among the best I have had. Yellow fin tuna app was delicious. Decent wine list. Lower level bar is always enjoyable. Great location.
(5)K D.
Our family of 6 dined at Bistro Du Midi on Friday night. Restaurant was like a big beautiful dining room. The table we sat at was really big so we felt really spread out and because it was really loud it was hard to hear from one end of the table to the other. That was difficult as the purpose of our dinner was to connect with our children and catch up. Food was wonderful. I had the duck and was a little surprised to be presented with two duck breasts and that was it. Fortunately, I ordered some peas as a side because the waitress said the plate was on the small side and she was not kidding! We shared 3 souffles for dessert and that was one too many.
(3)Philip G.
Six of us had a reasonably good dinner here for $75 per person, including tip and a few glasses of wine. Service was very good. The lobster pasta was excellent, with handmade pasta and a reasonable amount of lobster meat (maybe $1.50 worth at wholesale at today's prices). The dessert souffles were good as well as the beignets. A beet salad appetizer was also good. The fried artichokes were about 90% breading and oil, 10% artichoke. Go to the Giant Artichoke in Castroville, California if you want deep fried artichokes that are ridiculously better for about 1/5th the price. My ribeye steak, ordered medium rare, arrived "rare". I sent it back for a little more cooking and they kept it for 10 minutes. As you'd expect, it return to the table "well done". Longhorn Steakhouse can hit medium rare every time, why can't a fancy restaurant do it? Our waiter didn't tell me that the steak wouldn't come with anything, so I neglected to order any sides. In retrospect I think it would have been smarter to order off the bar menu where they have steak frites, croque monsieur, and other stuff that is easier for everyone to understand.
(3)Cindy K.
I've been here twice. Once I dined here for my Husband's birthday. We sat upstairs we had the lobster pasta and a seared fish of some sort. Both were delicious. Service was great and I like how the view was overlooking the commons but with the trees in front of their building, lit up (this was April). The thing that sold us here is having the dessert soufflé. I am a sucker for a good soufflé. This place did it right. They served it with Grand Manier. The second time I was here (7/9/13), my husband and I just sat downstairs. It was totally a change of pace compared to upstairs. Its very casual and they had all their windows opened facing the commons. It was nice. We just sat at the bar and of course we only came here for the soufflé. It was delish. I have and would come back here just for dessert and sit at the bar.
(4)Craig S.
Went in for restaurant week but the regular menu looked so good we could not resist going off the prix fix. We were all glad we did as every dish of every course everyone ordered was amazing. I probably ordered the worst and still had a very good meal - Lamb Tartar with a raw quail egg. Cool that it was different and interactive (halved pourable egg) but could not compete with the Prawn Cuscus or Tuna Tartar. Oysters were pretty good a little small for my taste but the Mignonette made up for that. Muscles, lobster pasta, and duck were all exceptional - especially the duck - but my winner goes to the perfectly braised pulled wild boar pasta dish - Awesome! Oh and then Chocolate soufflé that's all I need to say. Ambiance right on the park with the open air - felt very much like Paris. The staff was more then competent - I love when one look and nod can get attention. Great service from Servers, Runners, and Managers Great experience I will be back
(5)Deborah H.
Disclaimer: I LOVE Boston's casual and slightly-more-than-casual food scene, but I find the high-end restaurants underwhelming. The value just doesn't justify the quality or quantity. Bistro Du Midi is the perfect example. I had the oysters to start with, which were okay, but nothing to write home about. I sampled a few appetizers, none of which stand out in my mind. For the main I had the coral-infused tagliatelle, which was disappointing: the calamari and mussels were chewy, and the pasta stuck together, and it was $26. I sampled my friend's garganelli, which was much more delicious. Also had the brussels sprouts appetizer, which was good, but there were only about ten sprouts, and it cost $7. The desserts were actually quite good, and the only part of the meal that I really enjoyed. I'd give Bistro Du Midi four stars if I had ordered the garganelli and the entrees were say, $7 less. Or if I were rich. I was here for a work event, otherwise I would have been more upset with the meal.
(3)Kara C.
Warning - this was a dining experience for a group of 14 and we had a private room. + great location + beautiful restaurant - candle light chandelier and gorgeous (looked like reclaimed wood) table + service was pretty solid - drinks came around a bit slow, but the food came out all at the same time and was delicious + for starters, i would HIGHLY recommend the marinated spanish octopus. Just the right amount of citrus and the crispy artichokes are a major win. The octopus was tender, not chewy and overall a great dish + for entre, I would recommend the seared duck breast. It was cooked perfectly medium rare, which is definitely the perfect temperature.
(4)Tara A.
Traveling to Boston last weekend for a long weekend getaway (that we had planned months in advance) certainly ended up with a different flavour in the air than we had expected, however, when we ventured out for food from our hotel, I quickly popped open my yelp app (totally worth the roaming charges!) and stumbled upon this place. We arrive to a packed house but the sommelier and the hostess were quick to set us up with a glass of wine and seated us as quick as they could. We enjoyed great conversation over great Oysters and a hamburger. The guys behind the bar serving were helpful but weren't in your face. I found the mood of this place to be such a cozy, warm, inviting atmosphere, I will be recommending this place to any and all future tourists heading to Boston.
(5)S S.
The food was fit for a foodie with an expansive wine list and staff willing to help make our dinner a wonderful experience.
(5)Jean-Marie M.
An old friend took me here last night for a Birthday eve dinner. From the minute we walked in we were treated like royalty. I felt like the entire staff knew it was my birthday and took special care to treat it as such. We got the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Each dish was phenominal. I even got to experience things I've never had before, monkfish and foie gras. I can honestly say now when I am watching Iron Chef that when the judges talk about foie gras, I understand what it is all about. It was salty and it melted in my mouth. I strongly recommend this place for special occasions or an intimate dinner. I can't say enough good things!
(5)Teresa T.
Easy to make reservations for two on a Monday night during Restaurant Week via Open Table. Ordered off of the Restaurant Week menu: Wagyu Beef Tartare (while our waitress was good overall there was no instruction on whether we eat the quail egg with the tartare or separately...) Pan Seared Coalfish Lemon Pistachio Tart The right amount of food. Plus the wine and bread basket was delish! Atmosphere is cozy and dim plus it was quiet enough where my friend and I could have a pleasant conversation.
(4)Adam W.
Enjoyed my brunch experience here. When I go out for brunch I'm usually aiming more toward the lunch end of the spectrum, and Bistro Du Midi was able to hit that craving head on. Service was friendly, the burger was quite good, and the bloody mary was fantastic. I'm not convinced of the value proposition for the breakfast items, as everything is a la carte. That's just a theoretical complaint for me, but there you go. Also note that reservations are not accepted for brunch. I advise you have a second bloody mary, they really are that good.
(4)Mattijs N.
Very good French style dinner, American sizes and high speed service
(4)Mike O.
There's no getting around the fact that the food at Bistro du Midi is great, not orgasmic, but great. Is it worth the pretty penny you'll splurge, enduring everything else that's wrong with the place? Doubtful. Like most, I had heard many great things about the kitchen: this could possibly be the best French restaurant in the city.... It's not. And the reality that anything besides the food has caused my humble opinion to be brought down to this level speaks clearly to something that is glaringly wrong in the way BDM conducts its operation. We set a reservation for 8:30pm on a Saturday night, and while I was surprised that they had availability on short notice, it did not seem all that alarming and no red flags were raised. After all, our first and second choices were booked, so this was a good opportunity to check out a new spot for us that had a table open. Arriving promptly at 8:30pm, we spent the next half hour waiting to be seated. Not so much as a greeting in that duration, as I watched hosts fumble about their station, somewhat frantically, and through the dining area. Note, that there were only two parties (including ours) waiting. A lot of spinning wheels over a seemingly manageable sized crowd. Once we were seated, my date and I took in the restaurant's ambiance. I noted that the decor was impeccable; I couldn't have possibly dreamed up a more fantastic and smartly designed dining room if I tried. The space was full with families, older 40-50 something couples, and seemingly Boston's shi-shi elite. The pretentiousness aside, we remained somewhat optimistic despite the really sour note that had already set the tone on what would be a not-so-great idea. As we were talked through some of the menu items and specials, I couldn't help but notice the heavily perspiring server reading from a card. I thought that to be quite out of the ordinary for such an esteemed dining establishment and more questions throughout dinner were left unanswered without the slightest intent on finding out answers. Nonetheless, our order came as followed: - We started with a nice Châteauneuf-du-Pape at about $85 (maybe a $20 markup); it opened up quickly and held a nice earthy texture throughout dinner. It seemed a little tannic, but this could have just been my over-thinking it. - Sweet Corn Soup, Ricotta Gnocchi, Chanterelles, Thyme $11- Nice, soft and delicate; could hardly tell chanterelles were in this dish though - Spicy Lamb Tartare, Quail Egg $11 - big, hearty flavor, absolutely mouth watering! - Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass, Slow-Cooked Fennel, Sauce Vierge $28 - not even close to worth the price, forgettable flavor profile - Classic Bouillabaisse $29 - great flavor, no saffron (seemingly) and the fish was cooked perfectly. I know John Dori isn't all that common in this town, but I struggled with the price on this one too. Still, and excellent stew. - Lavender Beignets, Chocolate Sauce $9 - a dessert I'd rather forget. Just seemed too much like eating donuts. I've never had beignets like this; just seemed very pedestrian as was the chocolate. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience at over $250 for two people. I could say that it was worth another shot, maybe at the bar, but really at this price; why? You've got one chance to make it in a sea of excellent restaurants, and if you take people's money without regard for a FULL dining experience then what does that say? It's sloppy and rude. Your food may be really good, but I don't want to feel like I'm 19 again, waiting in line on Lansdowne Street to get into Avalon. I'm over the pretension and not only can I find a comparable meal with better service elsewhere; I can find it in my own kitchen! Best of luck.
(2)Debra L.
We were seated promptly and the host was very good at his job. Friendly and efficient and gracious. Our waiter on the other hand was really young and not all that great at describing menu items or offering any guidance at all. When I'm somewhere for the first time and there are things on the menu I'm not familiar with, I like a knowledgeable waiter. We started with the Barbajuan's and the Carpaccio of Scottish Salmon. We had no idea what a Barbajuan was and when we asked the waiter, he pointed to the table next to us and said "There they are over there. Those fried ravioli looking things". Not quite the description I was hoping for but we ordered 2 of each type at the waiter's suggestion: Courgette (Zucchini) & Basil, Goats Cheese & Honey and Chicken Liver & Foie Gras. We would have never ordered the Chicken Liver and Foie Grad had we known we were ordering it. They are pretty tiny so although six sounds like a lot, it's not. As for flavor, they were ok, but the Goat Cheese & Honey were the best of the three. The Scottish Salmon Carpaccio was incredibly delicious, but the dehydrated watermelon on top didn't really add anything. For entrees, my husband had the Seared Duck Breast with Swiss Chard, Gnocchi and Black Olives and I had the Steak au Poivre with a side of Ratatouille. His duck was really delicious and my steak was good though it wasn't exactly spectacular. I had considered a fish dish and they all sounded amazing but I was already enjoying my red wine and wanted to stick with it. I don't remember what wine it was but it was from the Bordeaux region and it was delicious. I will say, the steak was cooked perfectly and the sauce was not too peppery and did not overpower the meat. The Ratatouille was ok but I was a little disappointed. For dessert, we were torn because the sweet desserts sounded incredible but we also wanted the cheese plate - which won out. We chose correctly, I think. We had the 3 cheeses available that evening: an herbed Chevre, a bleu cheese and a semi-soft cheese I never knew the name of, despite asking the waiter who mumbled something inaudible. These cheeses came with delicious, crispy bread with cranberries and walnuts in it and a side of fig jam. The amount of cheese was extremely generous. We couldn't finish all of it. Overall, it was a really nice meal and the restaurant is beautiful but I'm not sure it's the kind of place I'm dying to go back to.
(3)Jacqueline C.
Food and Service were excellent! We went to Bistro Du Midi on a Friday night at around 7:15. Because we made a reservation online, we were seated right after we entered, - The wine sauce of the Steamed Mussels appetizer was great. - The Octopus appetizer was decent - The mussel pasta for entree was DELICIOUS, - My friend ordered the fish and sprout and she love them too. - For dessert, we ordered the beignent but I highly recommend the souffle. FIVE STARS!
(5)Ted A.
If you like Bourbon, the "Refashioned" is the best take on an Old Fashioned in Boston. Oh yeah, the food is exquisite.
(5)Molly K.
One of the few restaurants that manages to always get it right: Bistro du Midi. The marinated octopus was the highlight of the meal, along with the lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce. Their wine cellar is impressive, and they have one of the longest wine lists I have seen in a restaurant. Pictures and more on -- ----
(5)Kevin M.
The atmosphere is great for a special evening. Upstairs more elegant dining and downstairs bar with more casual dining. The wait staff is impeccable without being overly solicitous. The menu offers a nice array of delicious options, and the food comes prepared exactly to order. My guest and I both ordered the steak, but hers was medium well-done and mine was medium-rare. Both perfect! This is a European style cuisine, so portions are measured and not overly generous like most American restaurants today. It is also a la carte, so be prepared to order vegetables as side dishes. Consequently, the total cost of the meal is more than anticipated, which is a shame, and the reason I rated this place 4 instead of 5 stars. Be sure to order the chocolate souffle when you first sit down at the table. It is to die for.
(4)Elise K.
Good restaurant. Good fancy restaurant. Rather expensive. I came here for a special work dinner. We each had a drink, a starter, main, shared side, and desert. It was around $85 a person. (We got the side free from our foursquare check in). I had the beet salad. It was one of the better beet salads I've had, yet it needed some more citrus zing that I found it lacked. I had a dish with lobster and fresh pasta. Good flavor, but a meager amount of lobster and a lot of pasta as a filler. The shared side was ratatouille. I've made better myself. For desert we ordered two souffles - a Grand Marnier and a chocolate. Both were to die for and the BEST part of the meal. We had coffee as well. They serve Illy coffee - nothing special. Attendance was good for a Tuesday night and the food was good overall. Service was phenomenal.
(4)Kristin W.
My husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary here which just so happens to fall over the summer restaurant week in Boston. We were so excited about the restaurant week menu because while we love splurging on a good meal, we are just like most newly married 20-somethings and not exactly rolling in it. The food was excellent but honestly, the whole experience felt a little bit condescending. Our waiter seemed less than impressed when we wouldn't order the $175 bottle of champagne and from the drink order on, we were pretty much neglected. You could tell that the staff was annoyed by restaurant week and partaking in some serious profiling. Next time I'm looking to spend my money, I'm pretty sure I can find someplace equally delicious with a bit more class.
(2)FABIANA T.
Simply my favorite place on earth! The staff is attentive , the food to die for! Strongly recommend and I wish I could live there...
(5)Bill C.
Frankly, some of the less-than-5 star reviews are pretty puzzling. Full disclosure, we did go all-out with the chef's table and the 7 course tasting menu for my wife's birthday. On the other hand, having been able to try so many of their phenomenal dishes, I may actually be in a better place to judge. Everything was terrific - my favorites being the lamb tartare, grilled marinated octopus, and wild boar tagliatelle. Seeing how well the kitchen is run was an added treat. Probably my new favorite in town, between the phenomenal food and the great service & staff.
(5)Rich T.
I went to Bistro du Midi recently to sample their Restaurant Week fare. The meal hit a couple of high points and was overall quite satisfying. The bread basket to start was surprisingly greasy. It's interesting that the restaurant chose to serve it with olive oil instead of good butter, though I have to admit that the olive oil was spectacular. I'm still waiting to find a French place that's adventurous enough to make its own compound butter to go with their bread. The escargots appetizer was delightful! It was not done in the cliched Bourguignonne style--with an herb-garlic butter that tends to drown out the inherent flavor of the snails. Here they were simply roasted and left to shine atop toasted farro and a scrumptious chorizo emulsion. It wasn't the lightest first course, but it made me excited for the next. Which was where things went wrong. The grilled loup de mer with confit fennel was possibly the most uninspired seafood dish I've had in a while. I have to confess that I'm not a fan of grilling--I don't think the hallowed "grill marks" add anything but a burnt and bitter taste to food, as it did to the fish skin in this dish. The garnish and sauce ought to have compensated, but the fennel was bland (almost completely robbed of its vibrant aniseed flavor) and there was no sauce that I could see. There were bits of some kind of citrus on the plate but that was so incredibly sour it threw everything off balance. Granted, the fish was nicely (though simply) seasoned and stayed moist, but that was about the only positive thing going for the dish. Thankfully the side that I ordered--advertised as roasted Brussels sprouts by the waiter but was actually mixed cauliflower/sprouts with parmesan and pancetta--was flavorful enough to make up for the entree. Dessert was a chocolate-hazelnut mousse with salted caramel ice cream--and this really made the meal for me, though I'm a sucker for anything hazelnut. The mousse was melt-in-the-mouth light and nicely complemented by the saltiness of the ice-cream. I did wish that the hazelnuts sprinkled on top were toasted though. Overall, 3.5 stars for unpretentious food executed well (save for the fish dish misstep), and I'm bumping it to 4 for good service. I'm definitely returning to try out their regular menu.
(4)David B.
We ushered in 2012 in this wonderful restaurant. Having spent our honeymoon in Paris, we have a special place in our heart for a good bistro. Although this didn't exactly bring visions to Paris in our eyes and palette, we enjoyed our last meal of 2011. We found the wait staff friendly and helpful. Our waiter had an excellent grasp of both the menu and wine offerings. We sampled items from their regular menu. All was good. Started with a scallop carpaccio with cauliflower. The scallops were sliced thin, were impeccably fresh, and rested in a succulent vinaigrette. The cauliflower added a nice touch of color (purple) but overpowered the delicacy of the scallops. I had a stew for my entree, braised short ribs in a wonderful wine sauce. The short ribs were beautifully braised and rich in flavor. My hubbie started with the beet and goat cheese salad (for a man that grew up hating vegetables he sure loves beets) and a pumpkin ravioli for his entree. Both, he declared were superb. We went all the way and had dessert, too. A chocolate hazelnut cake that was divine! It was an expensive splurge but a great way to end a busy year. We look forward to returning for other celebrations.
(5)Marissa P.
FOOD: Very, very good. The stars of the night were the steak and the tuna tartare. Can't forget the hazelnut cake dessert. In my opinion, the best thing I tasted was the hazelnut cake and that salty caramel ice cream -truly divine! We also had the fried artichokes and nobody in our party cared for them really. All we tasted was fried - no artichoke. I had the duck for my main and it was good, but definitely not great. The lamb tartare was ok. And the eggplant olive dip was disappointing. Plus, the most delicious bread served with a quality olive oil. YUMMY! AMBIANCE: A+... this place has it down. It is just such a beautiful atmosphere here with the amazing bar on the first floor, the mirrors on the walls, and the vintage French prints. Upstairs is more of a formal dining room that is also just as stunning as the first floor. I found the bar area on the first floor more inviting, evocative of a Parisian bistro in the 30s. SERVICE: Great!!! Prompt and attentive. DRINKS: Extensive wine list. Strong, creative cocktails. I'd love to come back here, sit at the bar enjoying the atmosphere with a cocktail and sample some more things on the menu!
(4)Sandy V.
Bistro du Midi truly feels like a French bistro. It was the perfect spot for brunch. The service was prompt, and the food was fresh and perfectly prepared. I enjoyed the fruit plate which was full of fresh berries and melon, the charcuterie, and the quiche. The french fries were also very good! Dress at Brunch: Casual
(5)Betsy S.
Amazing food and excellent service. Everything from the foie gras to the duck breast and soufflé were perfect. I will definitely recommend this place and return when next in Boston.
(5)Kevin R.
Only an average experience and was hoping for more. The smoked salmon Benedict was decent, nothing spectacular. Steak and eggs, very well prepared. I was disappointed with watching the orange juice being poured out of a container; you'd think a place like this would serve fresh squeezed juice. Service was just so-so.
(3)Rene Q.
Solid 4 stars. Went here for our wedding anniversary. We arrived about 45 minutes early and they were able to sit us. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgable. Great ambiance; had a view of the Common and were in a quiet corner. The service is a bit slow - we arrived at 6:45 and left around 9:30ish, so don't plan on a quick exit. I won't give you the blow-by-blow for our meal, but everything was above average. I particularly enjoyed the octopus and duck breast. We had both types of souffles (chocolate and Grand Marnier) - the chocolate was a bit overwhelming; you can't eat it by yourself but is good to split with a fellow choc-a-holic. The Marnier souffle was good, but nothing I would rave about or even repeat. The service and quality of the food are what would be bring me back. The meal was very well-priced (2 drinks, 2 petit bouchees, 2 appetizers, 2 main courses, 2 deserts for 150 dls), and we left satisfied. It's great for a special night out. The service is fantastic; eating French food can be intimidating and our waiter was helpful and explained everything to us (no snobbery here). Our three choices for our anniversary were between Bistro du Midi, Deuxave, and Erbaluce. We're happy with our choice!
(4)Apollo C.
I went on a date with the lady last night here, and it was amazing! I called ahead the morning before and reserved a table for 2. Here's my thorough review: Cocktails I had two cocktails. I started the meal with a basil infused one that tasted like an herb infused lemonade. At the end of the meal I had the classic "Bistro du Midi" cocktail, with gin and champagne. Both masterfully made by the sadly departing bartender Eric. Great stuff! Wine The wine list has changed in the past year to be sectioned out more based on the grape varietal instead of the region. This makes it more accessible to American wine drinkers. I drink French wine regularly so I already had a sense of what I wanted. The meal was mostly seafood based, so I chatted with the sommelier Todd for a moment to narrow it down. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and described the wine in very accessible terms. I settled on a bottle of Vin de Pays du Val de Loire (country wine of Loire Valley) by Domaine Fournier, made with Sav Blanc. It paired amazingly. Dinner The meal starts out with fresh baked bread, grissini breadsticks, and olive oil. I was doing my own thing for dinner, got 2 premier plates (appetizers basically) for my meal. One was the special of pigs cheek, which is amazing. Think boar meat, dark beef, or any other kind of hearty meat. The other was the octopus, which had just the right amount of herbs and zest. My gf got the bouillabaisse, which had amazing fish, fresh mussels, and a very large shrimp. The wine paired perfectly with all of it. Portion sizes are smaller then most other restaurants, it's done intentionally with the anticipation that you'll be having a 4 course meal. I prefer it that way. Desert I called ahead and mentioned that I'd be getting a Grand Marnier souffle. It takes about 20 mins to cook, so either expect the wait, or indicate well ahead of time to the wait staff that you want one. This is one of the few places in Boston you can even get a fresh souffle, let alone one of this quality. It was amazing! My gf wanted to get the chocolate, which is also great, but I insisted on the orange zest of Grand Marnier, and we were both very glad for it. It paired well with the meal, given the citrus. Service I've never been serviced so well in my entire life! Staff was curteous, attentive, professional, and fun. I was greeted by the hostess (Jeanne), seated by one of the managers(John), served some great cocktails (Eric), had a chat with the sommelier(Todd), my waitress (Amy) was very attentive, the table was promptly cleared and decrumbed (Dan / Caroline). You will literally never find such great service any where else in the city. I know, I look for it every weekend. Ambiance The restaurant is immaculate and beautifully decorated. The upstairs is wide open, but has a few tables that are tucked way for a more private experience, and also offers a few banquet tables as well for larger groups. The white linen table clothes, Riedel glassware, white porcelain flatware, flowers on the window sills, and wooden tables give you a very modern feel with a slight rustic touch. Overall modern, upscale, with a hint of European Old World. Overall I've been to various top-end Italian restaurants, and a few French restaurants around Boston, and this is the BEST! What you get here is the best French-styled seafood and other dishes in the city, top level service, amazing wine, deserts, cocktails, etc. for a reasonable price. It does cost more, but you're buying quality, and it's a very fair trade off. This is the perfect place to have a celebration meal, date night, or to explore and find unique, high quality, and flavorfully complex food. I'm a foodie, cooking things like Thai frog legs, and this place blows me away. Check it out.
(5)Michael C.
Ahhh...those fried artichokes are calling me back to Bistro du Midi even as I write this review. Perfectly fried with aioli on the side this dish is a garlic lovers delight. Combine the artichokes with the green and black olive tapenade appetizer and you have enough garlic to ward off an army of vampires. Great stuff! My only complaint was the pissaladiere which arrived with a slightly burnt crust and caramelized onions that also had a slightly off taste to them. No awful just not in the same league as the rest of the food. We only sat at the bar since this is my favorite spot in most restaurants. Service was excellent and the martinis cold and clear. From the bar area you can watch the world pass by while sipping on your drink. The atmosphere is comfortable and unhurried.
(4)Priscilla T.
I can't say enough good things about this place!!! I organized a pre-masquerade-ball dinner for 16 here and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we had a perfect evening. I wanted to book the private room but I actually think the table they gave us (upstairs, overlooking the park) was the best option for us in the end. Service was amazing, food was spot on (lamb tartare? I die), and the drinks were great (Moscow mule! And a wine list as long as you can imagine). The ambiance is also a perfect blend of elegant and casual. LOVE. THIS. PLACE.* *I don't even like French food that much! That's how great this place is.
(5)Andrea B.
My parents treated my best friend, David C and I to dinner here for my birthday this weekend. And while the restaurant was beautiful, the view out the window of the Public Gardens was pretty, and service was friendly and attentive, I still have to knock Bistro du Midi for the food. Portion sizes were small, and many of the dishes I tried were utterly average. The slow-cooked pork belly that I had as a starter was good but forgettable. I tried a bit of the marinated beet salad (with goat cheese!) that my sister ordered, and it was tasty, but if you know me at all, you know that I find all beet salads to be fantastic. I was originally going to get the duck for my entree, but David ended up getting it instead. When I tried some of it, I found myself glad that I didn't order it. The lavender jus that it was flavored with was overpowering. And the dish consisted of a measly 5 or so strips of meat! I don't eat much, but I think I can manage more than that. Instead, I opted for the goat cheese gnocchi, which was good, but again, not good enough that I'll remember it 6 months from now. The dish came topped with cauliflower, pine nuts, and a tasty spring pea sauce. However, if I could do this meal over again, I'd order the grilled pork chop, which was hands-down the best entree I tried. For dessert, I of course had to get the chocolate souffle. This was my first-ever souffle, and I enjoyed it immensely. Decadent, rich, and ridiculously filling, how can you go wrong? But I am told that it was a bit more dense than souffles typically should be. I can't emphasize enough how beautiful and spacious the restaurant itself is. We were seated in a particularly nice semi-private area with a great view, so 5 stars for that. I had a couple cocktails in me and was too buzzed to realize it at the time (yes, I'm a lightweight), but the food had left me a little underwhelmed. For that, I regrettably must take away 2 stars.
(3)Tracy K.
Just had a fantastic Sunday brunch here. Highly recommend the Croque Monsieur: toasted to buttery crispness on the outside, oozing with gruyere on the inside. Service was superb. To give an example, I asked for a mocha, which wasn't on the menu. They actually specially concocted a coffee mixed with chocolate. Since they weren't sure exactly how much chocolate I'd need, they included an extra pitcher of chocolate on the side. Now thats service. Come for the classy ambiance and delicious food & beverages!
(4)Clara L.
What a great place. The drinks are good, and the bartenders very friendly. I would highly recommend sitting at the bar, as the conversations with the bartenders and other guests are great. The food is quite good, all of the recommendations from the staff were on par. I had frites, a charcuterie plate, and pasta. All of it was delicious, although I was slightly disappointed with the charcuterie plate. There were just a few types of ham/salami selections, and nothing slightly more adventurous. I'd definitely be back to try some of the other items!
(4)Stacey D.
I was excited to try this place, and have to say I was disappointed. First off, FANTASTIC service, they make you feel welcome, special and wanted. I had an odd situation where I ordered a non-alcoholic drink (don't judge) and there was alcohol in it. They assured me there wasn't any alcohol in the drink! Frankly, I was surprised that I would have to defend my taste buds. I can taste the alcohol AND I am breaking out in hives, and no I am not allergic to water or sugar. I am much more inclined to trust my taste buds than their insistence. However, to be fair, despite their denial, I felt like they handled the situation well, they did replaced my drink (and nope, no alcohol the second time around). The restaurant itself is full of grace, the view is lovely. But rest assured, the service and the view is what you are paying for. The food was utterly mediocre and not particularly French. Just saying.. and no, I am not drunk.
(3)sasha h.
I really like this place, mainly due to the consistency factor - no matter what I order, there is a certain quality and taste and I can expect, it's always good. The place itself is really cute and it's situated on the commons which is nice (sit outside if you can). It's nice for dinner with the family, a date or just a nice meal with friends. I don't know that I have a favorite dish, frankly everything I've eaten has been quite good, but overall the fish and sides are great. The chocolate soufflé is yummy, make sure to order it at the beginning though so you don't have to wait 20 minutes on the back end.
(4)Craig Z.
I just went in for a cocktail, but it was very well done, I liked the place, the service and the look of the menu. Will try to return soon and write a more legit review.
(4)Hungry C.
My wife and I came here for our 2 year anniversary. We got there early and sat at the upstairs bar before our meal. Nice small bar and the bartender ( Tommy G.) was great. He gets 5 stars very personable and funny guy. We were seated right on time and with nice view of the Boston Common. Here's what we ordered. Apps. Lamb Tartare- amazing! I'm a huge fan of steak tartare and this was just as good. Cod special(purée like spread)- very good and served hot! Mains Monkfish-nice portion not fishy. Would order again. Porkchop- huge portion served with Brussels sprouts very tasty. Nothing to creative but hard to go wrong with a nicely cooked piece of pork. Sides Creamy Polenta- this was only ok very small portion a little under seasoned def would not order again Potatoe Gratin- this was great! Piping hot and is a very creamy cheese bomb. Get it! Dessert Lavender Beignets- these were good but they came with a chocolate dipping sauce which did not seem to really go with the lavender. Hazelnut chocolate cake- this was average nothing I would order again Grand Marnier Souffle- nice and light but really not a home run. Overall we really liked Bistro Du Midi we found the desserts to be a pretty big disappointment and the was a huge timing problem with our apps. The place was half empty and took a very very long time to serve them to us. We really did like it here but There's lots of other places in Boston we will try before going back.
(3)Melissa M.
Their burger and fries is what got me in the door. Their prosecco is what kept me on the bar stool for a leisurely lunch. I had about 3 glasses of this delicious bubbly prosecco and made love to my burger and fries. The service could have been a little more on the ball, but the bartender was pretty nice, just really busy. There was a very odd smell in the bar area, we sat at one end of the bar and moved to the other end and it didn't smell...but about an hour later it did. Kinda smelled like dirty dishwater, but I am not sure. Either way, their burger/fries/prosecco = great lunch. It was not the cheapest meal in the world but you get what you pay for and it was very good. I'd go back, you can't beat the view of the Common.
(4)Kit D.
Enjoyed an incredible tasting menu with wine pairing on a cold Saturday night. While we did not have a window table overlooking the Public Garden, the expanse of windows allow nearly all patrons a decent view. For over 3 hours, we indulged on a variety of plates from the chef's tasting menu. Nothing disappointed: the wine pairings were spot on and each dish was better than the last. Our table of four could not agree on what was the best as we had so many favorites (but dishes with the white truffles were a big treat). Our servers were full of detail about each course and readily answered our questions, taking their time with us. Service, food, and atmosphere were top notch! We did note that the downstairs bar area was freezing (frigid November night) and had a less cheerful vibe. Bistro du Midi will be a place we return to when we want to treat ourselves to something special. Worth the cost!!
(5)Anya P.
Amazing place!!! One of the best meals I've had this year so far. The restaurant has two floors and the bottom floor seems to be a bit cheaper and more laid back. We dined in the upstairs section. The entire experience was a complete pleasure. Starting with very friendly and attentive hostess, to very knowledgable bar tender, efficient waiter, and amazing food. Everything on the menu looked just amazing and all the dishes we ordered (black bass tartar, fried artichokes, pasta with octopus, grilled monkfish and the chocolate dessert) were to die for. The ambiance of the dining room is very cozy, yet chic and classy. If you can ask for the table by the window. I wish I lived inBoston- I'd become a regular here. Definitely coming back whenever I'm back here to visit.
(5)Sarah P.
Loved. Every. Minute. I hate being told what to do or what to get... I know what I like and what I don't. HOWEVER, my waiter told me exactly what I wanted to order, and I loved him for it. He started with "You want the Octopus or Beet Salad"... we went with octopus and he was exactly right. My friend was between two options for dinner, so the waiter made a strong case for the braised beef tips which were by far the best thing on our table. And now I have to devote an entire paragraph to the heaven that was the lavender beignets. Delicate flavor of lavender filling surrounded by a light flaky pastry, dusted with sugar and topped with chocolate drizzle. Kill me now and let me die happy. They were little bite size bits of beauty. I dare you to disagree!
(4)Teri M.
Lobster tagliatelle was undercooked. Clafoutis was dense, dry and cold and served in burning hot ramekin. Beautiful location overlooking Boston Garden.
(2)Laurel B.
Fantastic! The squash soup was heaven. Everything about my meal was incredible!!! Great service, atmosphere and menu. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Jerry V.
My son and daughter-in-law had a dinner here for around 30 of their close friends and family after a beautiful wedding ceremony in the Boston Public Garden this past Sunday. We sat in a semi-private room in the upstairs section. From the moment we arrived, the staff were courteous, professional and genuinely friendly. As an example, my wife baked a fantastic wedding cake which we brought over early to finish decorating. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating of the process which is not always the case when you bring something in from the outside like that. The service overall was outstanding. The menu was explained in exquisite detail and the food arrived promptly and was delicious. Before we sat down to eat, we gathered at the upstairs bar and the staff were helpful and poured great drinks. Their demeanor was playful and just right for the occasion. The seating was a little tight in the room but they worked around it with no problems. I can't say enough about what a great experience we had at Bistro du Midi. I've eaten there before and enjoyed it. It is a very professionally run operation and I'll be back. Kudos to all concerned
(5)AnnaTrilly L.
VISIT: First Timer (It will take a very long time to reconsider on a 2nd chance). SERVICES: MAIN WAITER: Not that he has a french accent and we're not in France but if it was an impression of a french waiter persona, this guy failed BIG TIME! He was a loud obnoxious server. I felt like my ears were going to pop being that every word that came out from his mouth was 3x as loud! No joke! But he was prompt with our services. Yet, I was still annoyed with his personality service just because he wasn't as friendly and calm. I thought it was a bit too harsh. (I'm sure he stands out from the rest of the other waiters.) (FAILED) FOOD: 1. Coral Infused Tagliatelle, Poached Maine Lobster, Chanterelles, Grapefruit, Vanilla Lobster Emulsion $ 31 (BAD) The presentation and taste for this pasta dish wasn't appetizing or fancy enough to be priced over $30! And the dish wasn't as clearly descriptive by menu or by waiter. It is common to assume that most pasta comes out soft unless says otherwise, it came out to be 'al dente' ('Italian' term for firm pasta) but it wasn't tasting right as if it was still too raw and the taste was a bit bland. Oh, and very little lobster bits. (They need to revise the presentation and details of this particular dish.) (FAILED) 2. Grand Marnier Soufflé please allow 25 minutes for preparation, available after 5:00 $ 10 (GOOD) Soft and Sweet. MY THOUGHT: It's a French Restaurant not Italian! I'm not much of a pasta snob but logically most pasta dish comes to be soft. So, if it isn't meant to be soft then it should be explained to the guest before serving. It's important to mention in details when it comes to the texture of pastas! MORE CONCERNED COMPLAINTS: So I addressed the waiter about my dish and he clearly said OUT LOUD (and heard by the entire table) that he will have the chef make me a "new dish". I was going to stick with the dish unhappily (cause I was being nice) but he insisted so I let him. When the pasta came back out, my bowl of pasta looked even worse than when it was brought out the first time. It just looked reheated and so the pasta shrunk and look unappetizing, watered down too. It didn't looked newly made. I literally lost my appetite. I felt ripped off and fooled. Also, halfway the stay at this restaurant while poking at my unappetizing pasta dish the manager came to concern with my unsatisfying meal. I asked him if this dish was just reheated or newly made. He answered it was new. I was already under the impression it was reheated and didn't think he wanted to get busted so he said new. Of course the courtesy, he removed my dish off the bill but he also took away the dish instantly. Ugh! I was curious to why would the manager still came out when the problem was semi fixed when I had answered to the waiter that I'll accept the dish. I then realized that there was a surveillance camera on the ceiling. Assuming, we were being watched as we're eating! Creepy? (UGH!) MANAGEMENT: MANAGER: Very persistent on correcting my unhappy meal error. I will give credit for the right way to compensate. (THUMBS) ATMOSPHERE: Sophisticated. Ideal for romance. (THUMBS) SUGGESTION: 1. May be best to just stay around the bar area or at the least the first floor. (the restroom is on the first floor anyway. =p) 2. May be best for drinks and appetizer if you want to be on the safer side for having a good time (at night). If anyone has any Qs or comments to share with me, like the different experience or concerns please feel free to send me a message! I'd like to hear from you! I'm only being honest and as generous as I can be. Thank you for reading!
(2)Adam W.
My fiancee and I were both sick but trying to make the best of a turbulent Boston vacation when we stumbled into Bistro du Midi. You can enter through the rotating doors (very odd) or just step through the building itself (true bistro style, with nothing to separate indoor and outdoor dining). I really loved the location and set up of the restaurant. It feels like you're dining in Paris, so I give them credit. Being sick, we thought it best to get our food to go. I ordered a caesar with chicken, and it cost around $17. Pretty pricey, especially considering the fact that they forgot to include any dressing. So I ended up eating dry lettuce for lunch. Service was uninspired. It's possible we just caught Bistro du Midi on a bad midi, and the location is worth at least one star on its own. But you get less than you pay for here.
(2)Meaghan C.
My husband and I dined at Bistro du Midi on Thursday evening and had an amazing time while there. Our waitress, Amy, was phenomenal and really took her time with us, as we had a lot of questions. She was also great when we were indecisive about our wine choices and let us taste two different wines. Highlights of dinner included the amazing Bolognese and the tuna tartare. We ended dinner with the soufflé and incredible parfait. We will definitely be back and hope to have Amy again!!
(5)Camila N.
Lamb tartare. Duck. And foie gras.
(4)Ferdinand H.
The service was prompt and the coffee flavourful. Had a lavender infused scotch which was yum. Tender beef was succulent and delicately flavoured in my brunch-time order of steak. Yes, I'm a glutton at times. :) Charming medium brown woods and a decor that reminds of a modern adaptation of a more traditional spare french aesthetic is pleasing to the eye, yet undistracting from the true centers of any dining experience - the food and the company.
(4)Rosemary H.
Came here on Friday with le boy for the first time and we were both really impressed. The food was delicious. I had the lamb tartare to start and seared duck for my main dish. The tartare comes with a cute little quail's egg that you pour over the lamb. So cute and good! The duck was exquisite--perfectly cooked and served with melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi. My boyfriend had the octopus (mmmmmmm) and pork, and both were amazing. I liked the pork even more than my duck dish, but both were great. We split the hazelnut chocolate cake for dessert and holy christ it was tasty. Our cocktails were yummy too, though a bit on the sweet side. Knocked off a star because our waiter was Sir Mumbles and we had to ask him to repeat everything he said. Other than that, the service was great (friendliest maitre d' ever) and the atmosphere very sweet and sophisticated. I would absolutely come back here for a special occasion, I really enjoyed this spot.
(4)Alexandra G.
YESSSS!!! Finally a place for my heart! Having lived in Europe for over 10 years I finally found my little home away from home. Special thanks go out to Daniel S. who was the most educated, charming, and gracious waiter we have ever had! Bon appétit!
(5)Betsy A.
This is quite a solid place. Their plates are simpler than other French restaurants I've been to, however they're full of flavor, and that's what matters in my humble opinion. Their wine selection is full of great wines. I tried a tasty Riesling last time I was here and I loved it. As for the plates, I tried what I believe to be Truffle Raviolis that I don't see in their menu anymore. =( They were delicious. With just the right amount of truffle oil for flavor that's not overwhelming. My date's steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. Service was prompt, although a bit detached. All in all a great experience, which is not that common in over-hyped restaurants around this area... Perfect for a great, relaxing date. =)
(4)dan w.
Service- Extremely friendly and accomodating, but some of the younger waiters needed a bit more polish. Ambience- One of the nicer rooms in Boston with very well spaced tables Food- We take exception to the reviews that say "average". It is above average for the most part, but certainly not great. Lamb tatare very good. Beef Daube ( a braised beef shank in wine sauce) was also very good but could have used some baby carrots or pearl onions. The olive oil mashed potatoes were too good to be served in such a small portion. Duck breast was a perfectly done medium rare and not tough, and more than enough, but again, too unadorned. Wine- Very nice selection, but starts at the low end of about $35-40 with few selections at that range to an average of about $70, with quite a few well into the $100s. So while the food is pretty reasonable, the wine will assure you of an expensive night out. Well versed sommelier to help out with selections.
(4)Robert M.
The food was probably 3.5 but I'm giving them an upgrade for the perfect walk-side seating with a view of the Public Garden on a stunningly beautiful day. Excellent location, pretty ordinary fare.
(4)Beneta P.
I consider my self lucky that had a chance to come here and eat. I would fly from LA to Boston on any given day to have some Thyme Infused Garganelli Pasta, Wild Boar Ragoût, Manchego Cheese and Chocolate Soufflé. Service was excellent we went there two days in row since we only had limited time at Boston so sad :(, but we requested to have Mike one of the servers on the second day because he was so great on the first visit every restaurant need a server like Mike. I recommend this place 100 percent. We need one in LA.
(5)Bryan R.
Dinner was 5 stars. Amazing waiter who didn't short change us on attention just because he had a whale of a tip coming on another table. Steered me towards a great entree, offered his personal tastes and what he liked and, almost more importantly, didn't like. I'm a big fan of cocktails and I LOVE the Pétanque. Works just as well at brunch on the patio which coincidentally was also five stars. The croque madame hit it out of the park.
(5)Meagan F.
Man, oh man, do I wish every dining experience could be like the one we just had at Bistro du Midi. This place is just simply amazing. In kind of a weird location, between a couple of hotels and upscale shopping locations on Boylston Street, Bistro du Midi is nestled in a difficult-to-notice spot, so difficult, in fact, that in the many years I have been living in Boston, I had never noticed it before. I walk along this stretch of shops many times a week, yet have never stopped in. Such a shame, too, for it is one of the best restaurants in all of Boston. Dog-tired after carrying my best friend's 35 pound two year old all across Boston for Disney Princesses on Ice (so cute, but so tiring!), my fiance had to drag me out to dinner. We couldn't decide where to go, so we figured we would try this place, having just noticed it for the first time. We sat down in Bistro du Midi's bar area, which is first come first serve, for at 7pm on a Saturday, the place was packed upstairs in the main dining room. We immediately grabbed a table by the window, overlooking the gardens, with the twinkling holiday lights outside. Quite romantic for a spur of the moment meal decision. We started with cocktails and yummy oysters. My fiance had a Sazerac which many bartenders do not know how to make, but this one made a killer drink for my man. And the oysters. Oh yes, the oysters. Briny Virginian and Sweet Nova Scotian. Yum. The vinaigrette the chef made was very herbal, and the vinegar was quite thick. A great pairing to the oysters. Next, my fiance had a beet salad with goat cheese and a lemon vinaigrette. Now, many places do a beet salad. I love 'em. But this one is special. Up until now, my favorite had been Thomas Keller's Bouchon in Vegas. Bistro du Midi's is better. The creamy goat cheese, the greens, and the beets are perfectly paired. No single ingredient outweighs another. And, the vinaigrette is tangy, sweet, and simply yummy. I started with the crispy pork belly with ratatouille. So freaking good. The sauce was rich and complemented the pork so nicely. And the veggy ratatouille was amazing. The care in chopping each of the veggy pieces so perfectly and consistently did not fall on blind eyes. The dish just looked beautiful. Next, my fiance had the Beef Daube. Man, oh man, after marinating these hunks of meaty goodness for days upon days in red wine, this was a carnivore's dream. Fall-apart goodness in a bowl of redwine glaze that made you want to lick the bowl clean. Even with my sweet 89-year-old British Nana's voice in my head reminding me of my manners, it was hard not to lick this stuff up. And the mashed potatoes were creamy and garlicy, a perfect pair to the beef. But my main was the real winner (if you can even compare the dishes). I had the Coral Infused Chitarra Pasta with Main Lobster, Sea Beans, and Lobster Jus. I love lobster. But this takes lobster to a whole other level. The pasta is handmade, pink, and delicious. The lobster chunks were plentiful. And the sauce. Oh, the sauce! Thick, creamy lobster sauce that is just incredibly rich and balanced. The sea beans add an extra salty crunch to the dish. Yum. For dessert, my man had the Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake with Salted Ice Cream, which he said satisfied all of those cravings-- sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth-- in a single bite. I had the lavender beignets with chocolate sauce. Oh boy, these things were filled with a lavender cream that tasted oh so good. And the chocolate sauce just blew the beignets out of the water. While our meal was exquisite, what sets this place even further over the top is the service. We had two excellent servers, one at the beginning of the night, who gave us excellent app and entree suggestions, and one who took our table over after he and my fiance hit it off talking about cocktails. He ended up pairing every one of our dishes with a different wine, and surprised my fiance with an excellent special after-dinner drink at the end of our meal. He was so knowledgeable, and we were so impressed by his attentiveness. The meal was special to begin with, but the quality of the staff is impeccable. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Josephine L.
Imagine another boring middle-of-the-week Wednesday. It's 3:30 in the afternoon , you've got no plans for the evening and you spontaneously decide to have a drink after work at a place you've never been to. The drink's great, the place is great, and while at the bar, you hit it off with an extremely attractive stranger. Chemistry, sizzle and...the possibility of fireworks? Why not? You're on a spontaneous kick tonight. You give in and have one of the best nights of your life. But wait! There's more! The stranger is not only good but also seems to genuinely want to see you again. Can you say jackpot? Not bad for a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment decision from your usual humdrum routine. Well, my experience at Bistro du Midi was the culinary equivalent of this scenario. Enduring another hump of the week, I decided to liven things up by going to this gorgeous French restaurant on the spur of the moment. It turned out to be one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The restaurant is beautiful in a simple, "less is more" décor kind of way. The servers and wait staff are all attentive without being obtrusive, friendly without being "Hi, my name is Derek, this is my life story including why I want to be an actor and how I wound up being a waiter instead"-type friendly. And the food! Oh, the food! (The food is the sex part of the above analogy, in case you weren't sure.) The prawn appetizer came with the biggest, juiciest, most tender prawns ever, in a dried tomato and basil sauce so good, you WILL lick it up like a dog. I had the seared duck breast, which was perfectly cooked, accompanied by the lightest, fluffiest little gnocchi. My boyfriend had fall-off-the-bone tender lamb. Both entrees reached those physical heights--several times. Then dessert. If the appetizer was foreplay, the entrees were sex, dessert was the post-coital whatever-you-dos (cuddle, smoke) that make the whole experience complete. And boy did these complete. The frozen orange and almond cake was cold, refreshing, sweet, moist and flavorful. I think my boyfriend saw God when he had his first bite of the chocolate fondant--warm, gooey, perfectly textured. Finally, cocktails are under $15 (in the Back Bay? Inconceivable!) and I highly recommend the Péquante if you like citrus. Ask to be seated by the window if you're going anytime soon. The view of the Public Gardens is always breathtaking, but right now, if they put you near the private room, you'll be surrounded by springtime dogwood blossoms lit up by subtly placed twinkling lights. Gorgeous. Oh, and the part about wanting to see you again? The big homemade nougat pieces to take home--compliments of the chef. Damn right I'm coming back!
(5)Jeff G.
Came here last weekend and the dining experience was simply phenomenal. Our server mike was friendly, greeted us and was passionate about the items on the menu. We didn't know where to start but he suggested the beet salad and octopus which were simply fantastic. For the main course I ordered the duck which was flavorful and juicy. Wine pairings were fantastic and mike helped us navigate through the crazy amount of options. To end the meal we ordered the chocolate souflee and it was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal. We will certainly be back
(4)Qasim R.
While this place used to be one of my favorite places in Boston (had I reviewed it any of my previous visits here I would given it 5 stars), my last visit here dropped it down and I don't think I will be going here again considering there are plenty of other similar options in Boston. Went on a bit late this Monday, was a slow day and were immediately seated. The service was good/great but not over the top considering there were hardly any people there it could have been better Am only going to talk about the things that went wrong; -Wine glasses weren't clean which we noticed only after the wine had been poured (something I didn't expect from a place like this). -Steak (Prime Sirloin Steak au Poivre) was no where near what it was the last time I had it (was thoroughly disappointed) -Duck (Seared Duck Breast, Swiss Chard, Gnocchi, Black Olives) was pretty good but was a bit undercooked than what I had ordered -Ordered a side of Pan Fried Mushrooms instead got Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes -Usually the desserts are amazing but ordered Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, which could have been a bit better -Made a request on the dessert to write happy birthday (as candles were not allowed), which they forgot Over all was very disappointed considering my previous great dining experiences here. Was not worth it all and am probably never going to try it again.
(1)Tony S.
I swear I thought I was in London. It had the crisp, clean ambience of high end casual-but-classy eateries in London (for those of you that know Bibendum, you'll feel right at home here). It has an bodacious upstairs dining room, but during the day, if you're lucky, nothing beats the view of the Boston Common and the passersby as you sit at one of the outdoor tables and sip on an iced tea or other daytime cocktail. If you can't score a table, then opt for bar seating, as the view is just as great. Surprisingly good value for the money, considering the uber chicness of the place. 2 caesar salads (one plain, one with chicken), 2 iced teas, and 2 coffees came out to $42, all on prime-dine real-estate. Definately coming back here again. It adds such the breath of fresh air this city needs.
(4)Randy M.
i think the chef was training for the marathon i will just go for the highlights.. the bread was a day or so old...the Bouillabaisse smelled so bad that you feared getting ill if you ate it....the rare cheeseburger was well done... the service was the cause of alot of this....gawd and on a Saturday might no less..
(1)C N.
Everything about this place was 5 stars but we all agreed only 4 stars because of the waiter. He was pretentious and seemed to be irritated by our questions. The rest of the staff was very pleasant and helpful. The food was well executed and the decor is beautiful.
(4)Thomas M.
My wife and I ate here last night. We both thought the food and the cocktails were outstanding (I had the bouillabaisse, she had the tagliatelle with lobster). The menu plays on southern French food in delightful ways. The staff was very nice and also knowledgable, and the atmosphere was upscale yet comfortable and inviting. I definitely recommend Bistro du Midi.
(5)Kitty L.
SUPERB! Highly impressed. I had out-of-town guests (foodies with very high expectations) and I was tasked with choosing the restaurant for dinner. Had never been, but had heard very good things. Everything was spot-on. From the service (impeccable), to the food (everything was outstanding) to the ambiance - lovely warm french provincial - I loved it all. Standouts were the pork belly appetizer, scallop appetizer, monkfish entree and duck entree. So thrilled to find a spot that seems to do everything exceptionally well. In my line of work, I am always recommending restaurants a/o taking clients out, so it's of tremendous value to find a restaurant that exceeds expectations and one that I would be confidant recommending without hesitation. Grateful to all who made this such a wonderful dining experience. Planning to go back this week.
(5)Todd C.
After reading a few of Bistro du Midi's stellar reviews, I decided to try it out for a late lunch. Service was excellent, as was the ambiance. I ended up ordering the Pissaladière for an appetizer. It was cooked perfectly, with flaky crust and a generous helping of anchovies. I ordered the Steak Frites, and although the fries were excellent, the steak itself was rather tough. To make matters worse, I had ordered it medium rare, but was served slices of steak that still had a pulse. The steak was also rather tough (due in no small part to the rareness). In fairness, my idea of medium rare might lean more towards medium, and I also did not raise the issue with my waiter (who was excellent), so this shouldn't count against Bistro du Midi too much. My other small gripe was over the price they charge for a Kronenbourg draft. While I have no complaints about the beer itself, Kronenbourg is more of a mass-market beer in Europe (slightly better than a Bud in my opinion). I know restaurants in general add crazy markups to booze in general (and beer and wine in particular), but $9 for a pint of Kronenbourg is pretty high. If they started offering something of a higher quality (anything Belgian like Chimay or Duvel), I would gladly shell out $9 (or more). I plan on checking out Bistro du Midi's dinner offerings in the future, so my review may end up being higher. Until then this place is still a solid choice, but if I had to do it over again I'd probably order the croque madame (which looked excellent).
(3)Sarah P.
What a perfect place to grab a late lunch! Bistro du Midi is located right on the Public Garden and next to a La Perla boutique (ooo la la). Yesterday afternoon I was looking for something a little special and this hit the mark. The bartender,. Jenna, was absolutely lovely, and she helped me navigate the menu as well as conversing amicably throughout the meal ~ I enjoyed meeting her as much as my meal! I had a roasted squash soup, rich and flavorful, which was made even more special with the addition of chestnuts and a few fresh cranberries cooked into the soup that provided a wonderfully sour, contrasting pop to all that richness. I also enjoyed a cheese plate, beautifully prepared and generously presented with apricot, strawberries, pear and toasts. The provence rose was a perfect accompaniment to this array. I was actually quite full when I left but in a very happy, satisfied way, and I went on my merry way through the public gardens. I would go there again in a second. Highly recommended!
(5)Evelyn S.
Excellent food and wine.
(4)Richard C.
An easy burger to peg, plagued by many of the same issues of wannabe burgers from the past, the Bistro du Midi burger is merely ordinary. Too bad, this $15, "Black Angus Burger" sounds fine, available at the bar only, in what is a well respected establishment. But, as is often the case with well respected establishments and their burgers, not much thought is put into it, yet the price tag is advanced based on location and reputation of adjoining dishes on the menu. Everyone wants to serve a burger, I get it, but where's the love? We all want to join the Boston burger party but no one wants to be prepared. Maybe I'm taking this a bit too seriously, but then again, that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows me or this blog. I'm serious about my burgers, maybe I should learn to lighten up. Then again maybe I'll lighten up for the next one. It's not a bad burger by any stretch, but a cliched example of the price killing any glimmer of respectability. You're paying for ambiance in a lovely restaurant, and location. What ever happened to paying for the product? It's more or less a $9 burger overcharged by about $6. Tasting like a pretty standard beef blend (chuck or sirloin most likely) it has modest seasoning and minimal beef flavor. The requested medium-rare is mostly honored, over-cooked around the edges but a rosy pink on the interior, it's neither overly juicy or completely dry. The fries, promised to be seasoned with Espelette Pepper, a common spice used by many pretentious chefs (kidding of course, it's wonderful) does nothing to live up to its mild heat and aroma teaser. Pale and less than optimal in the crunch factor, they are bland and devoid of pairing with most burgers, let alone a $15 one. Goat Cheese is an uncommon option to top a burger and one we couldn't pass up. It would have worked better had the beef flavor been more predominant, but instead it's all cheese and no beef. Ideally, the sharpness of the goat cheese would have paired beautifully with the salty and rich beef. Maybe in my perfect burger world, but this isn't it. The bun, in the much maligned Brioche neighborhood, is too large to work with the burger, and the addition of iceberg lettuce and raw red onion give it a Pub style feel I had hoped they'd want to avoid. Again, it's not an offensive burger, it's simply too plain Jane for the price tag that goes with it, surely a great setting to try something else on their extensive menu, but it's hard to recommend this burger.
(2)Amanda B.
Went for a glass of wine pre-movie and wasn't that impressed. The wine was good (except for the good tablespoon of sediment at the bottom of my glass) and the server was very nice. The place was cute, but kind of seemed like a Disneyland French restaurant...it had all the right things, it just didn't feel right.
(2)Alexandra H.
We had an elegant meal in a beautiful restaurant in Boston overlooking the Public Garden. Bistro Du Midi has exquisite food in a lovely setting with courtly service. Everything was fine. The appetizers are exceptional. My only comment to the slightly negative was my fellow guests ordered pork chops and there was basically nothing else on the plate except a bit of greenery and the chop. But all in all a superb meal celebrating the hopeful return of Boston to peaceful tranquility.
(4)Marshall M.
I've been a few times and the food is always very good, the dining room (especially during the holiday season), lovely. Most recently we celebrated a friend's graduation. We were all enjoying a bottle of champagne when (their wine manager?) brought out the bottle of red I ordered. I politely asked him if he could maybe open it up to let it breathe and then pour it later after we were finished with our champagne. He very smugly replied that that doesn't do anything and it's best to get get it in the glass and proceeded to pour. I found this extremely pushy, inconsiderate, and rude. Honestly, we're guests at your restaurant. I don't think I would have been out of bounds if I asked him to shake the bottle up and serve it over ice, we're paying for it. I understand that it was a busy night in the holiday season and they had more physical tables in there than they have normally (all of them full), but this is no excuse. I think it was just because they were just so busy that night, but I could also have taken it that they were just trying to push more wine on us. In fact now that I think about it, at the time I still had an unfinished glass of red in front of me from the bar. I think part of being a good sommelier/wine director/buyer/etc. is being helpful without isolating or belittling your guests with an assumed lack of knowledge/appreciation. How about offering to decant it instead? I didn't say anything at the time because I didn't want to take away from the celebration in any way and I'm sure the grad didn't even notice. The rest of the night was fantastic though and our server was friendly and attentive.
(3)AB H.
This place deserves its stars. We just had a best dinner of white asparagus soup with a two hour poached egg, the pea gnocchi with goat cheese (half portion), and the duck breast. All were perfectly cooked and delicious. We finished the meal with the chocolate ganache tart with coconut gelato - also amazingly good. We split all that, and I'm pretty full. I loved my 2nd floor view of the park. Wait staff was also very good, though our waiter forgot a drink at one point (really not OK at a fancy place like this). The did comp us the drink when they finally brought it.
(4)Eric F.
Fantastic lunch spot with ample outdoor seating, top notch food, and excellent service! I tried the Roasted Organic Salmon with Piperade and it was cooked perfectly - crispy edges with a flavorful, tender center. My friend had the Provencal Lamb Canneloni and he had nothing but praise for the dish. The soft bread and olive oil were also great starters and our waitress was very prompt with refills on both that and our waters. I'd also recommend pairing your meal with their 2003 Domaine Houchart Cotes de Provence - it has a lush, floral body that reveals itself in layers and then lingers nicely in the finish. The quality of the food inspired much confidence in me and I'll absolutely be back for their brunch and dinner offerings.
(5)Noah C.
I had a fantastic lunch here, marred only (and this seemed to be a trend in Boston) by spotty service. Though my food (steak frites and a small chopped salad) was fantastic, those two dishes are relatively easy to get right, if the ingredients are sourced and prepped properly (and they were). They came out relatively quickly, and, as I said, tasted great. The steak was properly rested, the fries crispy on the outside and pleasantly creamy on the inside. The sherry vinaigrette on the salad was flavorful. So my real gripe, then: I sat at the bar, and though the bartender was great (and was generous with his pours of bourbon), one of the managers just rubbed me the wrong way. When he offered me a basket of bread with a side dish of olive oil, I took him up on the offer. This seemed to annoy him. Well...why did you ask, then? He honestly looked like a corporate yuppie villain from any 80s movie - tight fitting suit with the top buttons open, Pat Riley circa 1985 hair slicked back, constant sneer on his face. He semi-slammed the break basket down next to me and walked away in a huff. Dude! Seriously? The bartender, though, as I said, was great. I'd come back here again for lunch or dinner if I ever make my way back to Boston. Hopefully, though, yuppie boy won't be the manager at that point.
(4)Niko X.
Having never been to Provence I can only speculate on the authenticity here... but everything from the goat cheese and beet salad to the shellfish bouillabaisse was so amazing, it doesn't even matter. Compared with the food, the atmosphere of this restaurant is nearly equally notable. The downstairs is open air with a tapas bar feel, and a slightly different menu. We sat upstairs in the more formal dining area and had the pleasure of sitting in the far corner in the bay window overlooking Boston's public garden at dusk. Get this table if you can! The dining room is large and uncrowded and decorated in a comfortable sophistication I'm not able to quite describe in words. It somehow is equally appropriate for a romantic date night, a family meal (including well behaved children), and a group of old friends reconnecting. (all of these categories were represented the night I visited). Finally, this is one of those rare restaurants where the food is king, all the staff are passionate about it--and then some, and extra special appreciation is shown to those diners who either appear to "get it", or desperately seek to.
(5)Maria D.
Sat night, excellent customer service, food & wine very good. Bread sticks with rosemary and bread a great start. Yellow fin tuna melted in my mouth as did the rib eye steak & baby brussel sprouts. Bouillabaisse was simply a thing of beauty in terms of presentation and flavor. Chocolate souffle was out of this world ! Overall a great dining experience. Plan to revisit the bar for a glass of red wine & chocolate souffle next time I'm in town craving something sweet!
(5)Michael R.
Bistro Du Midi has become my wife and my tradition for anniversary dinners and would invariably we'd go more often if not for price. There are basically two parts to the restaurant, the bar area and the upstairs dining room, each with their own charm. This restaurant, unlike some others, actually reads notes posted in OpenTable.com reservations. When I put in that the dinner would be for our 2 year anniversary, they actually brought a card to the table for us. A very nice touch. The bar is a pretty laid-back atmosphere with a handful of tables and its own menu. Of course you can still order from the upstairs menu as well. The bar features a good cocktail list with some unique drinks and the service is impeccable. The upstairs dining room is pretty classic white tablecloth class. It also features a fireplace and I believe a private dining room. We usually start with the barbajuans, which are kind of like croquettes. Make sure you have the goat cheese and honey ones, which are fantastic. Don't miss out on the fried artichokes as well. That said, my personal favorite is the spicy lamb tartare, which comes with a cute little raw quail egg yolk in its shell perched atop a bed of sea salt and comes with toast points. I've never had anything like it. For the main course, the beef daube has a brisket-y texture to it in that it is will fall apart with tenderness. Served in a great sauce it is delicious. Bottom line, if you are looking for a romantic dinner, or just want to impress someone, go to Bistro Du Midi. If you're looking for a place to meet friends and have a little upscale good food in a more relaxed environment, check out the bar. Bon app!
(5)Aboud Y.
Awfully good and well executed. I'm definitely a fan (their octopus app and duck breast entree are unbelievable). I'll be back.
(4)Heather R.
Waitstaff is intense and rude. menu was mediocre...food quality was mediocre. Definitely better options out there...
(2)Jess B.
Very pleased all around. The service from each employee we encountered was top notch. They have a heated coat closet which we certainly appreciated on leaving. The food was excellent. We ordered the five course meal and they were able to accommodate a few special requests. The souffle and the celery soup in particular were both amazing. The atmosphere was very loud. In particular we were near a few large groups that were discourteous to other diners. It would have been nice if the manager had noticed and spoken with them nicely. The view is lovely, overlooking the Boston Commons gardens and the pond. I feel like we got our money's worth and am very satisfied.
(5)Vivian H.
Really cute place. We'd come by to try the souffle but oops they don't have that before 5pm. So we just had a coffee and hot chocolate. And it was the best hot chocolate I've ever had. Coming back for dinner (and that damn souffle) for sure!
(4)Ted K.
Well I hate to have to write this but.... Hands down my worst dining experience in Boston. We wanted to go French on a sat eve and we live not far away (North End) so we debated le voile or bistro du midi .... I can say we will not return. We walked in ready to sit at a table or the bar. I knew we had no reservation but didn't know what they had in store for us! The hostess started that she had no seating but we could have a drink at the bar and we said were happy to play it cool. After just ordering our drink she came over and told us she had a seat for us and to settle up..odd delivery but all good and we took her up on it. As I turned I took a sip of my beer and some piece of junk was in my mouth... I looked at my wife..shrugged my shoulders and soldered on. We sat at the table and I can't lie hey have a great decorator and a nice view of the common but..... I looked over after a few more sips of my beer and low and behold seriously dirty glass lipstick and caked junk on the rim... guess that is what I felt.. Waitress was nice and we eat out often so she asked about any questions on the menu and I said I don't tend to do this but.... My glass is a hot mess! She apologized and suggested a new beer I agreed, we continued with menu questions... As we were siting downstairs, I asked what is the difference was between the Bistro menu steak and frites and the steak au poirve?.. same cut same steak I am told by the server. My wife asked a question about the au gratin and decided on that as her side with the monkfish as her main... I ordered a side of ratatouille. Waitress left... She popped back in a few minutes asking if I wanted a new beer ( I thought that was resolved) I said sure and she took the drink with her... My signal I should have walked out.. She delivered a half full beer a draft beer (Kronenbourg1664).. As if I had my wife drink out of it then tried to get a full beer, shameful, but I digress. Anyway, I ordered the bistro steak and frites w/ ratatouille my wife ordered the monkfish and the au gratin... remember that?? Steak posted and it was honestly pretty poor.... Fatty and poorly cooked ( recall I did ask about the steak and I was told they are the "same") but the real shocker were the Sysco fries. Well I figured whatever but to top the night off they delivered a order of ratatouille to my wife (she ordered the au gratin) and my ratatouille to me. Waitress now in a tailspin said something which I cannot recall... But I had to pipe up that she didn't order the ratatouille so clearly servers are not adept at handling issues. In the end food was very underwhelming minus one star... Location gets a star no matter how you slice it The handling of the glass situation another star strike... Place has potential but clearly staff issues plague their operation - In the end if she told me the au poivre was better I would have ordered it .. regardless of price... (hello up sell on your check, server school 101) - As for the beer handling incident, don't make someone feel bad for your dirty dishes.. - Server training needs to occur here. My wife went back once for a work meal... I have yet to...
(2)Andrew L.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Food, service, drinks, and desserts - all fantastic. The bartenders go out of their way to make creative, delicious cocktails, and food selection and quality are perfect. I have to say that I don't typically eat dessert. I don't have a huge appetite and will gingerly look at the menu to be polite and imagine that dessert was lovely. But the desserts at Bistro du Midi are incredible! I sometimes come here just for dessert. Lavender beignets with chocolate dipping sauce and made-to-order souffles - yes please!
(5)Sarah A.
Stopped in here last night to enjoy dinner on the patio. Note that they do not take reservations for the patio seating at the downstairs bar area. I showed up around 5:45 to make sure we were able to get a table and was plesantly surprised when I saw several nice options available. We were seated right next to the edge of the patio and had a nice view partially overlooking the swan boats on the Boston Common. The food was excellent. I had the angus burger, with gruyere. The burger comes with a generous side of spicy fries. My friend had the salmon with a side of fries. I love how they bring a whole tray of condiments with the burger including ketchup, onions and mayo in cute, individual bowls. The brioche roll of my burger was amazing and it was cooked to my specification. I also loved that the fries were served piping hot and fresh. We had perfect weather for patio seating, were not bothered by the sun and even though we were seated close to other patrons, there was enough background nosie so that we weren't overwhelmed by other people's conversations. However, I have a few bones to pick with Bistrot du Midi. Firstly, I was overcharged for my wine. It was $10 on the menu but I was charged $12. I wasn't going to make a big deal, but seriously. Not right. Secondly, after we had finished our meal and were lingering over our coffee, an employee (I am assuming the manager) asked us to move from our table to a high-top closer to the bar so that they could seat a party of 4 on the patio by combining our table with the table of a couple who'd just left. Now, I realize that we were basically done and were just lingering, but I found this rather off-putting. The employee was nice about it and got us new waters for our new location, but it definitely put a damper on the whole experience. Also, I found the service less than stellar. The waiter said he'd get a spoon for my friend's coffee, but never came back with one, so she had to use her cocktail stick to stir her coffee. Also, while other people had breadsticks in their bread baskets, we got only bread. Not sure what was up with that, but I really enjoy the bread basket here and was disappointed not to get the breadsticks. However, I am still keeping a 4 star rating for Bistrot du Midi. Excellent food, great location.
(4)N W.
I can not say enough good things about this restaurant. Great food, informed waitstaff, helpful sommelier, and fantastic location.
(5)Micah B.
This was the highlight of my trip! French food can go wrong in so many ways and I was a little worried about wasting a night out on mediocre food. But i had nothing to worry about. The olive and eggplant tapinades were a delicious way to start. The duck breast was cooked perfectly and the gnocchi that came with it were crisply caramelized on the outside and light and creamy on the inside. But the best part was the Grand Marnier souffle. Do not miss it. It was like a huge steaming hot fluffy marshmallow served with a delicious orange sauce. It looked so big I didn't think I'd be able to finish it but it quickly disappeared. This is a beautiful restaurant with a great view, friendly service and great food.
(5)Yang G.
Took a friend there for a dinner, and it was awesome. The duck breast was amazing... probably the best that I've ever had. The cod was quite good as well, tender and moist. We were seated by the window, and atmosphere, the view outside, along with the glow from the lights in the trees, was all beautiful. I just wish they served creme brulee for desert... :(
(5)SunnyDay D.
... our go to "date night" place! This is one of the best kept secrets (assuming that b/c you're reading this review you don't know about it)! LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. The food is to DIE for. We talk about this place EVERY TIME we are with friends outside the city and they are all dying to come! Great food, great wine and wine list, great drinks! The service is impeccable as well. Love the open window/patio option--makes you feel as though you aren't even in Boston. We usually share a Cesar salad, and then each have our own meals (on of which usually either the boar, or the lobster) and half way through switch. The pasta is made in house and is absolutely some of the best pasta I've EVER had! (sorry north end, nothing yet, has rivaled this!). There's bread and bread sticks --which are in the coolest, sleekest display!! If you haven't been, you're missing out! Worth every penny--you will savor EVERY BITE!!!
(5)S. M. S.
Yuck. Travesty of French food style. Great service though :/
(2)Kathy M.
I have been to both the upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar/cafe a few times and have thought the food and service was fabulous. Today's experience was a disaster. Took a friend who had never been there out to lunch. After we placed our cocktail and food order, we were essentially ignored. The cocktails we didn't come until 25 minutes later, a minute or two AFTER our meal was served. i was disappointed in my Salad Niçoise. For $18, I expected more variety and taste - there were no green beans -- I had to ask for some. And capers and olives would have added a nice Provencal "kick". My friend had the salmon, which was excellent. People who arrived after us had much better service and got their food way before we did. I wonder if they had an "in" with the kitchen and were prioritized. By the time the check came and we were offered free desserts, I was ready to leave. Would have been nice if our drinks had been comped. I can't remember the last time I left less than a 20% tip, but I did so today. There was no excuse for horrible service.
(2)Emma L.
When my husband and I go on vacation, we always like to choose one nice restaurant to eat at that's unique to the city. We were very pleased with our choice of Bistro du Midi. Andrew was our server and was very attentive and knowledgable of the food. We chose to do the 5 course chef's choice meal. It did not disappoint. We didn't get the exact same thing with a few of the courses so that made the meal interesting. I would highly recommend this option. Their wine selection is phenomenal. Definitely a winner!
(5)Paul J.
Great food, service and experience.
(5)Lou P.
It was our first time, and our experience was fabulous. We started with vodka martinis, and shared a 2004 Vino Nobile with dinner. Appetizers were delicious. We ordered 1/2 portions of two different pasta dishes, tried the lamb tartar. They were all outstanding. The entrees were exceptional. We ordered steak au poivre, wild boar, cioppino, and the duck. All were full of flavor and properly prepared. We finished the evening off with coffee, cappuccino, and grand mariner souffles. The location, next to the Four Seasons, across the street from the public gardens, could not be better. We were fortunate to find street-side parking, and didn't use the valet service.
(5)Katie H.
I made a last minute 5:30 PM reservation for Saturday on Open Table since my sweetie and I couldn't figure out what we wanted to do. I read this place was one of the Top 50 restaurants in Boston Mag so it was already on ma to-do list. I also got food poisoning last weekend and drank chicken broth all week so my taste buds were like DYING for a foodie adventure. We get there and.. well, first impression, no one greets guests at the front desk but the staff are running around like they are choreographing a royal wedding and there are like 5 people in the restaurant so already I am worried Bistro thinks its too cool to be great... 10 minutes later the front desk sends us to the host desk upstairs. Right away we get a window seat, which is a nice view of Boston Common. Things are improving. My sweetie ordered bottled water since he's going in for surgery later and he can't drink wine. I thought the bottled water in an ice bucket was a classy touch until the other servers started dumping extra tap water in there. Weird. Then one of them poured tap water in his glass of bottled water and dumped the rest in our ice bucket. Weirder still. I ordered a cocktail, the Pentaque, which is a lavender and citrus-infused white tequila (ma fav) with triple sec (I substituted Cointreau) and fresh lemon and lime juice. Love, love, LOVE the Pentaque so I had deux!!! :) The waiter mentioned souffle dessert and 20 minutes and I know what I like so I said, "Grand Marnier, please!" My sweetie ordered the chocolate souffle. Now on to appetizers, I wanted the tuna tartare, sweetie wanted the same. Boring! So I let the waiter convince me on the salted cod special ($30). It was not what I nor the waiter expected (comic moment!) as it was a cod puree mixed in buttery mashed potatoes. Why it was served with burnt bread slices was beyond me since I don't think of mashed potatoes as a bread spread like butter or creamy cheeses or olive tapenade. Oh my, please let our entrees be good! For dinner, my sweetie ordered pan roasted cod with chickpeas, pimentos, golden raisins and chorizo. He also ordered a side of pan fried mushrooms. He said the cod was rather bland but he really liked the mushrooms. I ordered coral-infused chitarra pasta with Maine lobster, sea beans and lobster jus. My pasta was delicious but the lobster pieces were skimpy so I added a few pan friend mushrooms on top. That took ma pasta from good to great. Finally, dessert! My Grand Marnier was good but I think the cream sauce that went with the chocolate souffle was better than the Grand Marnier syrup I got. Sadly, my sweetie's chocolate souffle hadn't finished cooking as the center was pure liquid. The server tried to convince him it was molten in the center but it looked more like a dollop of chocolate pudding floating in brown water. He wouldn't eat it and since the server didn't remove it from our bill I asked him if he would. Total bill with 20% tip was $200. Would go back for the Pentaque but that's it. Would try their brunch since I heard it is pretty good.
(3)