Pot Au Feu was okay---but nothing captured saying 'I MUST' go back and the service was a bit of a hit/miss. Our table's server was fabulous, great job answering the questions & great job with the ordering. However, service performed by the rest of the staff was a bit odd/awkward at times and it wasn't at the level expected for entrees in the $30 range. Bread solid. Salad, despite it being 'autentically' french so I hear (as that it was just lettuce leaves) left much to be desired. I'm not in France & I'm paying $30 a plate---so it would be nice having a bit more of an enticing salad---rather than simply lettuce leaves without a garnish. While I feel odd complaining about it---since that's traditional, on the other hand---it was bland. The Steak Frite dish was solid. French Fries were unmemorable though. The steak was good, a thick solid piece, but again---nothing said a must & it was a solid steak---but nothing crazy amazing. The wine that they had by the glass seemed to be a bit limited---I'd expect a more robust wine list for a French restaurant. For the price, I don't think there's anything noteworthy really going back for. Fine, but not dazzling.
(3)
Ashley L.
I haven't been here in a while but it is too good not to write a review on. It's a cute little restaurant with delicious food. The french onion soup is amazing!
(5)
M G.
I have wanted to go here for years & I finally got here. I did enjoy it and would like to go back to try other things. I loved the atmosphere. Nice & cozy date spot. I don't normally like snails but we got the Escargot and they were better than any snails I've ever had. I also got the Steak Frites and my boyfriend got the quiche with crabmeat & asparagus. Both of our meals were very good. The steak was perfectly cooked & had a tasty sauce. Bread was warm out of the oven. The service was great. It is pricey though. Not sure that it's really worth the prices but we had a restaurant.com certificate so it made it better.
(4)
Stephan D.
This is the conclusion to a long article In reading Yelp and looking at the through the menu, it seems like Pot Au Fue is hit or miss. It was extremely busy when we went and we were really crowded in, even our server had a hard time getting around. Overall, I think all of our dishes were very clean, the flavors were spot on and everything was cooked correctly. The flaws in the restaurant that I had were fairly minor and mostly preference related. One of the biggest complaints on Yelp was cost, well what you have to understand is value. All meals include a greens salad, veg and potato. Pot Au Fue is a good restaurant, expect to eat a good amount of food and the food is cooked exactly as a traditional french restaurant. Do not expect new age or avant guarde techniques, this is what french food was 100 years ago. I would try Pot Au Fue again, but not on a Saturday night, a week night when it is not so busy. I think many people have down marked this restaurant due to expectations, the food is subtle and flavorful, they use salt and seasonings sparsely, but the sauces have great flavor and the technique used it traditional and near flawless. I would recommend Pot Au Fue to anyone who knows and understand traditional French cuisine. For the full descriptions and reviews please see the link below once-upon-a-napkin.blogs…
(4)
Amanda A.
I wasn't sure what to expect at Pot Au Feu. I haven't had much French cuisine in the past, but the food and service at Pot Au Feu were excellent. I had the stuffed chicken, Poulet Farci du Jour and it was delicious. I tend to like things with a litte more season, so a little more seasoning would have made it even better, but the chicken was tender and the goat cheese, mushrooms and asparagus it was stuffed with were fresh. The cream sauce was so good! I also had a small crock of French Onion Soup, which was very good. Again, a little more seasoning would have made it excellent, but I did really enjoy it. The servers were very helpful and friendly. My water glass was never empty. My favorite part of the night was the dessert. My friend and I split the Passion Fruit Sorbet and the Chocolate Mousse, which was delicious. The sorbet was tangy and refreshing and the mousse was decadant and rich. I would go back here again for a special occasion, as it's a bit out of my price range to go on a regular basis.
(4)
Leanne L.
The food was good, but the space is very crowded and noisy. The tables are so close together, it a challenge to even sit down or leave. We had to adjust our table just so the people sitting down behind my husband could even get in their chair. Honestly, I'm concerned if there were ever a fire that people would not be able to get out quickly. I really wish they would reopen the upstairs for more formal and romantic dining instead of reserving it for private parties only. I don't think I would go back unless that floor is ever open again.
(3)
Mark S.
I've been here 3-4 times and only had one blah meal. As far as the French authenticity of the food I am not qualified to judge that. So I'll take the others word for that. After reading all of the negative reviews I can't wait for my next visit here! (I bought a restaurant.com gift certificate which I would hate to waste). I will agree with the other reviewers that the salads are basically just lettuce dumped on a plate and uninspired. One review that I thought was hilarious was Liz M's regarding the noise and old people. The tables are all pretty close together and every time I've been there I feel like you're being stared at if you speak above a whisper. The service has always been pretty zombie like. I've always come in with a fun, friendly group of friends and the servers seem to have no connection with the diners. I do like the cozy atmosphere in the basement though. The bar area is small but never crowded. There's never been more than a 10 minute wait to be seated so it's a nice cozy bar to grab a drink first. I have only been for dinner.
(4)
Kris D.
Only the Pot Au Feu can make the best French Onion Soup! My son had the steak and it was melt in your mouth delicious, cooked perfectly. My daughter and I enjoyed the steaming hot, cheesy, velvety goodness of the french onion soup. The service was fantastic. I think the decor is warm and welcoming. It was my daughters first time and she can't wait to go back! They only serve dinner now which I was disappointed to find out since I had previously enjoyed lunch on a few occasions there.
(4)
Dave L.
Moira D. hit the nail on the head with her perfect review. I had the misfortune of "dining" at Pot Au Phooey (as I think of it) a while back, and it was one of the single biggest culinary disappointments I've ever had. The upstairs dining room, where we unfortunately ate, was the singularly shabbiest restaurant space I've ever been in, and not in the annoyingly hip shabby-chic way either. It just looked worn out, tired, and very dated. The menu was a relic from 1978. There was absolutely zero effort put into anything, from specials, to desserts. The waitstaff looked like they were suffering from severe ennui and were woefully ignorant of basic French pronunciations. Inexcusable. Our food was a disaster. Overpriced, clumsily prepared and artlessly served. Seriously, there was not one redeeming thing about our meal, except that it ended and we left, never to return. This is an insult to real French food. I've been to France, as well as a number of other wonderful countries. To claim this is French food is laughable. Sorry, this may have been a good restaurant 30 something years ago, but they are clearly living on reputation alone. The saddest thing is that there appears to be no effort on the owners part about the lack of quality.
(1)
Emlyn A.
***September 2013 UPDATE*** Pot Au Feu is getting a few things right: 1. The bread, while still not where it could be, is better. Anyone who knows the crunch of a dense, French peasant loaf understands this. With pates and soups incoming, good bread is a serious requirement. 2. The Blue fish pate is excellent; light, rich and not overpoweringly fishy. Ample toast if you care to share it. 3. The salad greens are appreciated but a little one-dimensional. It may be "traditional" but at close to $30 per entree I think we can forego any illusions of simple "peasant fare" here. 4. It's too expensive. Chez Pascal has a better angle on truly seasonal French country eating and nothing there is priced over $28 (though it, too, is guilty of overpriced, undersized starters). The super simple Steak Frites is $19, if that tells you anything. I did enjoy the Poulet Farci special (chicken breast stuffed with cherries, almonds and brie), and my wife never misses the cassoulet, but at these prices it's difficult to just sit back and take in a meal. I've also had the Porc Normandie; quite good, but nothing to write home about. We come to Pot Au Feu every now and then for its comfortable French food, but the prices can make it feel like a Paris tourist trap. It's a "bistro" and we're on the dollar, not the euro!
(4)
Alan B.
Took my girlfriend here to try a place a little fancier than we would normally go. The atmosphere downstairs was really good and the maître d' was very nice. I liked being able to look into the open kitchen and see the chef preparing everyone's meals. The waitstaff was pleasant, helpful and attentive. The food was fine, but didn't overly impress us. After we left, we both agreed that we wanted to like it, but after sharing a bit of each others' meals we felt that it didn't live up to our expectations. The sauces were subtle and tasty, but there wasn't enough sauce to overpower the taste of a simple baked chicken breast. My gf got the crêpes du jour, and they were good but not amazing, and at $24 per plate I was expecting something better than average. I would eat here again, but I can't honestly say it is worth what they are charging.
(3)
Lucy G.
(pics posted) Went here for restaurant week and Its a nice place. It was a bit confusing trying to find out which door to go through, then i didnt know if i was to go upstairs or downstairs.. so they should really work on that. It's a nice romantic place. The prices are up there but with restaurant week..you cant go wrong Staff was friendly and there was a young lady who came by with a basket full of bread and she came often :) I had the bluefish pate to start ..which was ok...it was good but had a fishy aftertaste i did not care for. My mom had the mixed greens with a raspberry dijon sauce which was good. All the dishes came with your choice of either pommes frites, rice pilaf, sweet or regular potatoes or dill potatoes. I had the chicken with fries and my mom had the salmon. I have to say both dishes were excellent. The chicken was cooked just right and the dijon cream sauce was yummy. I sampled the salmon and it was soft, not overcooked and delish! Another surprisingly good thing about the dish were the veggies. I was a good girl and finished them all :) Dessert we both got the Crepes with fruit inside with a sweet cream..Meh! i could do without but im glad i tried it. My mother wasnt a fan either! I always ask myself afte a dining experience "Will you come back?" Answer: Possiblly but i want to try Chez Pascal... I would recommend that you try it and see for yourself :)
(3)
Gail L.
Intimate little French bistro which we really enjoyed. Onion soup comparable to what we have had in Paris. Veal dish and beef burgundy was delicious. Our guest had the special chicken dish and took her left overs home in a cute little swan crafted out of foil. She was do delighted she sent a photo of her swan sitting in her fridge. Wine and cocktails also very goods was the service. We felt like we had been transported to Paris!
(4)
Sandra B.
I went here with my mom, she lived in France for 10 years and was very excited to try Providence's take on authentic French food- she was gushing when we looked over the menu. However, by the end of our meal we were feeling underwhelmed and generally unthrilled! You can often judge a restaurant by its bread- ingredient costs are almost nothing, but it does require knowhow and the right touch- and they struck out. It was a step above Wonderbread. The salad that came with our meal was literally just spring mix dumped on a plate. I had the sole amandine, and my mom had the pot au feu. Everything on my plate (sweet potato, mixed vegetables of the day, and fish) just tasted like butter, and it didn't seem like any other seasonings were used. My mom's dish was bland as well, it just tasted like greasy stock. Presentation was lacking. We ordered caramel apple crepes for dessert, which were the most disappointing. The apple part was basically a garnish, the crepes themselves were filled with weird white goo, drowned in sickly sweet sauce and served cold. That shit ain't French! I felt bad that my mom was initially so pumped about this restaurant and it turned out to be nothing like what she remembered from her years in France. It was expensive for the quality of the food, the total for two entrees, two glasses of wine and one dessert was around $90 AFTER a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate. Step up your game, Pot Au Feu! There's plenty of great restaurants in Providence and I see no reason to return to this one.
(1)
Kathryn L.
I absolutely love Pot Au Feu. I have never had a bad experience here. The atmosphere, the service and food are always spot on. I love how rustic, warm and cozy the seating area is, it makes for a very relaxing evening. I recommend getting a Maker's Mark on the rocks, trio of oysters and the steak frites. Heaven.
(5)
Mike D.
The food, service, and atmosphere is excellent. I had the duck with a raspberry glaze-like sauce. The Duck was cooked perfectly and the meat was tender. The service was punctual but not too much! The owner walks around every table to make sure the food and experience was what the clients had expected which I thought was a nice touch. This is a good French Restaurant in Providence.
(4)
Andrew B.
Every time I visit this restaurant, I'm just delighted at the quality of the menu and the execution. I have quite a sweet tooth, but everything is so good that I seldom wind up with room for dessert. Especially a treat considering the number of options for fine French cuisine in southern New England. The wine list is also quite good, and they have a number of fun special events throughout the year.
(5)
Peggy H.
Very charming atmosphere and delicious food. The French onion soup and bouillabaisse were meal highlights. Strong drinks, warm and crusty bread, lovely little salads. My boyfriend had the steak frites and we split a vanilla mousse dessert, which were both yummy. Prices were expensive but not unreasonable. Will definitely return.
(4)
Jess Z.
I don't understand why this place was not more crowded considering I went during restaurant week. So I took my mom here, cause she loves French everything. Which this place totally delivers, from the pate of the first course to the crepes of the last course. The portions are almost too big here, which almost sucks cause everything was wicked good. I had to get some of my food wrapped up, which came back to me in a foil swan. Totally awesome. This place has tons of charm and class. I'm sure it would be good for a romantic evening out as well.
(4)
Andrew S.
This is one of those places with so much potential that always disappoints in a very big way. Fortunately for all involved, the upstairs is now closed and has been for years (see other reviews for the details). The downstairs bistro is a cute, charming basement room with a reasonably priced french menu. Sound like a no brainer, right? Unfortunately the staff, both out of the kitchen and in the kitchen make this place a disaster. First, the place does not take reservations, which is fine, but the person running the list often times will not go in order. There have been times where we have waited 2 hours while watching people listed below us on the list get seated first. The last time we complained and the maitre d had the gall to lie to us and say he had called our names (which since we were sitting 3 feet away at the bar was quite unlikely) when he had just decided to skip us for whatever reason. Next the food while trying to be french bistro food has a tendency to be dry and lacking any flavor. I am not sure how a place that specializes in french food can execute so poorly, but somehow it does. So to sum it up, great decor but not worth visiting unless you want to be disappointed.
(1)
Victoria K.
This place is great! I've only been here a couple times (both were in the bistro area) and I can't wait to go back. Their dill potatoes are amazing (and I don't even like dill!). They're a mixture of potato varieties (including sweet) cut into chunks and deep fried, served with this creamy "dill" sauce. Out of this world. I had the crepes of the day most recently, which were filled with beef, mushrooms, and a wine sauce, followed by the apple tart for dessert. YUM. I LOVE French food and this place has got my vote all the way!
(4)
LJ D.
Very disappointing!!! 3/4 of meals on menu were not available. Cappuccino had sour milk. Creme Brulee was soupy..,,for $11.Bleu cheese on salad was VERY mild. Would have given NO stars had it not been for the nice waiter. Was here years before but will not be back again. Overrated!
(1)
K D.
This place needs to get it together. The food is decent, but the atmosphere is horrible. I'm not sure why they no longer seat people upstairs in the actual restaurant, but for the past 2 or 3 years they've been operating out of the downstairs portion, which was formerly their "bistro." The area is way overcrowded- there have been times when I literally sat with my shoulders touching the person at the next table. Part of what you pay for with a semi-expensive dinner is the atmosphere, so to feel physically uncomfortable the whole meal sucks. I know they don't have much competition in the realm of French food in Providence, but I'd rather eat cereal at home than suffer through another meal at Pot au Feu.
(2)
Maura C.
I recently enjoyed an amazingly fantastic birthday dinner at Pot au Feu! I couldn't believe that my family members who live hours from Providence visited before I did. So after seeing them recently and they once again told me that I had to try it out, I knew exactly where to treat myself to for my b-day. The menu is so classically french and perfect that I struggled to narrow down the options to just one. We settled on the country pate to start....umm, Yum!! I could have eaten so much more of this and with a whole loaf of their warm crusty bread. The pate was studded with just the right amount of liver. We next split the beef a la bourguignon and steak frites with bernaise sauce. It was a beef kind of night! Both were perfectly cooked with the most delectable sides. The bernaise was heavenly! As if we weren't stuffed already with great food and tasty wine, I knew I couldn't pass up dessert! My husband ordered the cassis sorbet on special and I had to try the vanilla mousse. The name doesn't even describe the amazing flavors. The texture of the mousse was so light and etherial it just melted in your mouth. The caramel sauce and toasted almonds were a night contrast in texture. I don't know why others had such a mediocre experience... i guess I lucked out with great attentive servers and a perfect memorable evening. I honestly cannot wait to return for another great meal!
(5)
Kel S.
You complete me. Woooooow! I was so excited to finally check this place out. I am still confused how it is the oldest French Bistro in the country when it is only 40 years young, however, it was AMAZING. The quiche du jour was fabulous - it was made with mushrooms and scallions. It was light and fluffy, and quite possibly the best quiche I have ever had. I also ordered a side of potatoes which were sort of like home fries, chunks of sweet and russet potatoes, quickly fried and dusted with something like crack... because I have NEVER had a sweet potato like this before. Without a doubt, the best potatoes I have ever eaten. Sadly, I had no room for desert, but will plan to go back and try several, as the first 3 items listed sounded wonderful. I also did not have the opportunity to try the escargot, which I certainly will next time. My date also thoroughly enjoyed the steak frites. He said it was so good, he could have eaten another whole portion of steak. At the end of the meal, the owner stopped by our table to ask how everything was, we raved about the food and service, as it was impeccable. Kudos and kisses to you, Pot Au Feu!!!!
(5)
Justin C.
This cute little French bistro style restaurant was a warm welcome on a windy day, with a very traditional country flair to it. Apparently there is a more formal section on the main/top level that is open for dinner, but since we came for lunch we dined downstairs in the casual section. I absolutely loved the exposed brick and red paint in here, it makes the place feel so homey and inviting, and you can just tell you're about to get a meal made with care. The room littered with disposed wine bottles and Beaujolais Nouveau casks is also a nice addition for someone who's wine obsessed like myself. It looks like there have been some fun parties here, and I'm sure many more to come. The lunch menu is a relatively basic offering of many French classics, such as crepes and croques, along with a few others like cassoulet and quiche. The prices here are pretty phenomenal in my view, considering the level of preparation required for some of these dishes as well as the quality of the food served. Almost everything on the lunch menu was under $10, and most of it comes with a salad too. I decided to be a pawn on this day, and be at the mercy of the chef, trying both the soup and crepe of the day. The soup was a "Grand Pere" style, made with sausage and cabbage. The aromas were out of this world, in a good way, and I was instantly transported back home as a kid eating the food my grandma made. In between they brought out our salads, which are not the typical boring lettuce and tomato with a few bits of cucumber that most places give away, this was baby romaine with fresh blue cheese and house made dressings, a wonderful lunch time intermezzo. The crepes were made with chicken, red pepper, kalamata olives, and blue and mozzarella cheeses. One great twist on these crepes, they were prepared in the normal way and then baked in the oven briefly to add a nice little bit of crunch, then a little bit of gravy was applied over the top. They were absolutely delicious and I could eat something like that for lunch every day. My lunch mate went with the quiche of the day which was broccoli and cheddar. I didn't taste it but it looked authentically homemade, with a wonderfully flaky crust.
(4)
Garie S.
Our Anniversary dinner..Excellent duck, heavenly chocolate dessert and delicious wine. Our server was friendly and accommodating. We love dining at Pot Au Feu and have always enjoyed the meal, ambiance and service.
(5)
Krystal D.
I'm not exactly a fan of French food. Perhaps I just haven't found a dish that suits my fancy. Often, I leave French restaurants feeling disappointed. This was happily not the case with Pot Au Feu. I ordered a mixed green salad, which was rather uninspired...simply a plate of lettuce. For my entree I chose the bouilabasse which was spot on. I love seafood soups and this was no exception. My dish was absolutely loaded with fresh seafood of many varieties and all of it was cooked perfectly. The dish was easily worth much more than I paid for it. Service was great, and the atmosphere was very cute. Good option for lunch.
(3)
Daniel G.
What can I say... I am a fan of this place.
(4)
danielle l.
I think I anticipated this too much. I've been wanting to go here for ten years, and am a lover of all things French, but tonight was my first time here. We sat downstairs, in a cozy and warm bar room with a lot of exposed brick and stone, wine bottles lining the walls, dim lighting and simple decoration. The atmosphere was welcoming and definitely good for those turned off by the frou-frou-y upstairs. The service was super attentive, water/bread girl was on top of the water & bread and the main waitress was funny and accomodating. First warning for us should have been that they are on restaurant.com . This seems to be an omen of doom. Second was that at 8pm on a Thursday there were three other tables. The whole time we were there. NO ONE upstairs. Third, boyfriend went to bathroom and said it was very smelly. Really not acceptable for a place with $20-$40 entrees. Fourth- the bread was pretty lame. It was nothing like French bread, and, as my BF aptly pointed out, Texas Roadhouse has better bread. Lame. High points- the atmosphere. The house made viniagrettes for the salad (yes, the salad that comes with the entrees is JUST mixed greens, with the dressing and bleu cheese for an extra buck, but this is pretty true to France. Every salad I ate there (except main course salads) were basically just greens. It's really just a vehicle for the dressing to shine. And, here, it did). That's about it. I had the chicken special, chicken stuffed with almonds, brie and sweet onion. The chicken itself was cooked really well, still juicy and was presented nice. The combo of stuffing, along with the rich sauce, was all a bit too one-dimensional. Not a lot of depth in flavor there and pretty darn rich. Rice pilaf was actually a risotto-like rice with tarragon and mushrooms. Green beans were yummy. Garnish of slivered watermelon and cantalope was weird. Corn chowder was tasty, for sure, but I'm pretty sure it was canned corn, which is inexcusable this time of year. BF had the Pot au Feu, their signature dish is $30 for some beef, chicken, cabbage, carrots and potatoes, au jus. It was ok. We didn't get dessert, but I would go back and sit down there for an hour and nurse a spiked coffee and a creme brulee. I don't think I'll be back for the food, though. The third star is really for the service. How disappointing.
(3)
Jason S.
Score would be 5 out of 5 if I didn't feel like an anchovy in a can.... Food was amazing but yet again birk why are u wasting the real restaurant upstairs and letting dust collect on ur presets and running the bistro as the "restaurant" I spending my hard earned money on your restaurant I deserve a little elbow and shoulder room. Won't go hack until there are less tables or until the upstairs is reopened....
(3)
David L.
I am surprised by the bad reviews. I have been dining here for a few years and have always been treated very well. I've never had a bad meal here. My wife loves their beef bourguignon. It is the best I've had since France.
(5)
Liz M.
I went in thinking this was going to be a "hip French bistro", but walked into an over-priced nursing home. I'm almost thirty and felt like I was being scolded every time one of us laughed a little too loudly. Even the people who looked young acted old, it was rather depressing. The food is good, but my opinion of restaurants is that you're buying an experience as a whole so I won't go back just to repeat the meal I had (Steak Frites, btw). So, to the old fogeys I say: Gimme a break! Enjoy your life because clearly it's ending soon. To the fun-loving, wallet-conscious, young people: do yourself a favor and skip it. Or go to your grandmother's house and have her invite her ornery friends over while she cooks you something French.
(2)
Heather N.
I have wanted to visit this restaurant for quite some time, and wow... it was worth the wait. The atmosphere is charming, very romantic. Our servers were warm and friendly and very informative on the dishes. I loved watching the chef work these amazing meals in the smallest open kitchen I have ever seen. We had the bread and salad to start. Very simple, yet delicious. I had the Frutte de Mar Crepes. It was cooked perfectly... my plate was empty when I was finished. My husband and I finished our meal with the largest bowl of Creme Brulee. It was delicious. From beginning to end this restaurant had everything we were looking for on our date night. I highly recommend to anyone who wants a great dinner!
(5)
Megan H.
Unique, charming and delicious! I ate in the basement bistro. Great atmosphere with exposed brick walls and a unique open kitchen which is almost like a thrust stage extending into the restaurant. The service was warm and generous. Wine was average, not quite what I would have expected, but that was the only aspect of the meal not up to par. I had a fabulous duck entree which I still can't pronounce - it was glazed with a cranberry orange reduction. I am not kidding, the best part of the meal hands down was the side. Three different kinds of roasted potatoes - sweet potatoes, red potatoes and something else (gold?) - it was heaven on a fork. I can't remember what I had for dessert, which is a shame, because I do remember that it was delicious. I would eat here again in a heartbeat! What a unique find.
(5)
Andrew H.
Went here for an anniversary dinner, after walking by it for 5 years and never stopping in. We were sat in the little basement area - where we were for some reason the only folks in the joint. The service was prompt, the food was tasty, the wine alcoholic. I ate basically an entire duck. But you know what? There was absolutely nothing special about this place. Our waitress complained awkwardly about her life and the overall setting felt right out of the 70's (and not in a good, Boogie Nights way). It was all Christmas lights, wine bottles and polyester tablecloths. Maybe the upstairs is nicer - I wouldn't know, it wasn't offered to us. Don't bother with this place - might I suggest going instead to the Temple where the food, drinks, and ambiance are ten zillion times better for the same price. Or just go to nearby Symposium Books, buy a French cookbook, and use your own kitchen. I guarantee you won't be missing anything!
(2)
Cristina P.
This place wowed me again! Great steak (tourneados), great salad with homemade dressings, amazing bread. They make vegetables seems o amazing! Sometimes the waitstaff can be snooty but today had a lovely young man.
(5)
Elle W.
I find most French restaurants to be charming, vivacious and enjoyable! The Pot au Feu was exactly that! The basement dining area was cozy and had a Lively vibe. Yes, it is a bit small but that added to the charm. The menu was decidedly French and quite good considering we were in New England. The service was prompt and friendly but we were there on a week night so the place was not crowded. We will definitely return when we are back in Providence.
(4)
Deme S.
We came to Providence to visit our daughter during parents weekend at Brown. She made the special requst of going to Pot Au Feu. This restaurant brings back very fond memories of my trips to Paris! The environment and the decor are so typical of the charming bistros that you find on the Left Bank. The escargot superb, my filet of sole almandine light, moist, and so very fresh. My daughters duck was perfectly crispy and the crispy sweet potatoes with chives were a wonderful complement. At the end of the meal we were graciously greeted by the owner, Bob Burke. What a delightful place. We will look forward to more memorable meals at this place.
(5)
Ivan P.
All I care that my food was great and that my wife was happy. Yes it would be nice to have little more space and little less Christmas lights in the beginning of October - but who cares, you cam to the restaurant for food and service, right? And those too things are great in Pot Au Feu.
(5)
Kay R.
It's really a crying shame when you think about it. Gorgeous basement location, sparkly lights and bottles around the walls and (usually) nice, helpful staff. The menu is extensive and (very) expensive. BUT ... the food just doesn't make the grade. I've been several times and have usually come away with the feeling that I could have done better with a few basic ingredients, 10 minutes and a pan. Bland is the usual description I use when describing my experience here. The seafood crepes special the other night was watery, without distinctive flavor to speak of and contained some weirdly inappropriate ingredients - olives??? If only ...
(2)
Mrs. W.
This place is, in a word, delicious! We went with a large group, the service was excellent, as was the wine, but the real star was the food. A small simple salad with blue cheese started things off, followed by steak frites, possibly the cheapest thing on the menu, that was cooked to perfection, with Bearnaise on the side, and the dill potatoes were yum. Easily the best creme brulee I have ever had. I honestly cannot wait to go back with my husband. Very romantic spot.
(5)
George A.
Overrated and disappointing. The only thing French about this restaurant is the few fancy words on the menu. Otherwise, it's not much different from a somewhat dressed-up cheap diner. I went there for lunch, in the basement. The waitress showed up immediately to ask if I wanted anything to drink. Looking over the wine list I was already getting disillusioned. Certainly, in a restaurant that brands itself "upscale" and "French" the wine list would've included more than the 5-6 choices. Never mind the wine, I looked at the beer list, to find that it clearly caters to the Bud Light crowd. They didn't even have in stock the only European beer on the list. Forget that then, I asked for an aperitif. The waitress didn't know what I was talking about. It was already getting frustrating. I saw that they had Ouzo on the menu, so I ordered that as an aperitif (there was no other choice really). "I'd like the Ouzo please", "the what?" the waitress answered! I had to point it to her on the menu. She served it in a cognac glass! Well, I thought they're not great on the drinks, but the food is certainly good, all the hype can't be wrong. The waitress came back with the bread, a slice of ordinary supermarket bread, and nothing else. I asked for some olive oil with the bread, she said they didn't have that! I ordered the duck confit, and to my surprise she came back with my lunch within just a few minutes. A pre-cooked, microwave re-heated unfresh tasteless dish, with a side of cranberry sauce from the can. A very disappointing lunch. Luckily, I didn't bring along anyone with the promise of an authentic French cuisine experience. The overall experience is that of an American diner. The food quality too, as well as the service.
(2)
John C.
Disappointment.....One upon a time, there was a fine french restaurant that had a beautiful salon for fine dining above and a first come, first serve casual bistro below. As it grew older and more established, the bistro had to start taking reservations like the finer upstairs portion. The staff became pretentious and plastic. One day a father showed up with his children to sample fine french cuisine. The staff asked" Do you have a reservation?" The father said "reservation?....for many years the bistro operated on a first come basis. Why the change? Staff replied "We have ALWAYS taken reservations here!" He avoided that argument and said "ok" and walked out the door. He took his money and his children to a fine french restaurant in Boston WITHOUT A RESERVATION and a staff that was eager for my children to experience French food!
(1)
Suzanne M.
There are two parts to this place. There is an upstairs restaurant, elegant and pricey. There is a downstairs bistro, less expensive and catering to a different crowd. They have different menus and different styles. I have not eaten in the bistro, as George did. I did however eat in the restaurant and has an amazing dinner. I took by bf there for his birthday. We had exceptional - if not the best - service we've ever had. Our waiter basically planned out our dinners for us based on our tastes, including our wines, and was very attentive though aware we were on a special occasion date. For French cuisine, the food is on par with Petit Robert, though the atmosphere a bit darker, quieter, and more romantic.
(4)
James R.
Pot Au Feu is good resturant when it comes to simple french food. We started our dining experience with martinis to sip on while we checked out the menu. Warm bread was served table side and is always a delight. We ordered the escargo as an appetizer which could of had more garlic butter. My wife ordered the duck and I ordered the chicken livers. Our meal started out with a nice green leafy salad with blue cheese crumbled on with the mustard dressing which is always a good constant at this establishment. My wife's duck had changed from dining there about 9 months early and was not as good as before. My chicken livers were extremely good with the frites. The portions were generious as always. We will always come back to Pot Au Feu. Please note that now they will take reservations that started about last July of 08.
(4)
Lalin A.
Reading George's review, I actually wander if we went to the same restaurant. I lived in Providence during the summer of 2003 and with a friend, went to Pot Au Feu for the first time. It was mind blowing. In December 06, with the same friend, we drove to Providence just to eat here. It was just as good! I was thinking that I made it up the first time I ate there and that we talked about it so much since then that I would be awefully disappointed. Just the opposite! As a bread fanatic, the warm bread they serve here is one of the best that I had in USA! I grew up buying my bread from the bakery every single day: they would make hundreds in their ovens and the whole town would go there. So, I think that Pot Au Fue compares to my childhood pleasures! They make their own bread and serve it as soon as it gets out. Crispy, warm and tastes and smells just like home. Their wine menu is OK. My most recent time, I had a french pinot, and it was just ordinary. Les escargots: big, rich, fulfilling! Interestingly, we both went for the same dishes we picked up 2 years ago: Boeuf a la Bourguignon and Sirloin aux Champignons- both very delicious! I am surprised to hear that George's lunch was out that quickly because usually, the bistro gets crowded and it takes a while for the dishes to come!
(5)
William D.
I have been eating here for 25 years, never disappointed. My newest favorite is the Steak Frites, amazing ... tender, perfectly cooked beef, piping hot Frites; my husband had the Beef Bourgignon, which he shared, just amazing; beef melts in your mouth. Lots of ambience, incredible bread, service is spectacular and, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in Providence. The Pot au Feu is HUGE, delicious but blander than some of their other entrees. If you are going to the Performing Arts Center, get there no later than 5:30pm. Just an amazing restaurant and one of the BEST of the BEST in Providence!
(5)
Dick K.
OK, I'd say, or better than that. And I'd certainly go back. The basement is nice, and their french onion soup was good, bread good, and I don't remember what else we ate, but it was good. Now, take note, we haven't eaten there for at least two years, but for my next trip, I will.
Earned two stars based on the quaint old-world atmosphere and the friendly service. My wife and I both passed on the French Onion Soup in order to save space. Should we ever return, I might give it a try. I ordered the Bouillabaisse Marseilles while my wife ordered the Tournedos Bearnaise. Visually, both dishes were admirable, but upon first taste the word of the evening was "sodium." Now, I love salt, but this was beyond reproach. I never, EVER leave seafood on a plate, but this time around I had no choice. Same with the bearnaise sauce--my wife had to scrape it off the beef in order to make an attempt at enjoying her meal. This was our first visit so obviously this is quite the small sample size, and perhaps the cook was a bit heavy handed with the salt that night. I hope so. Anyway, I'm in no rush to return and will stick to Boston for my French fare for the time being. (Oh, and not to sound too Olive Garden here, but...could you come around with the bread a bit more frequently?) (;
(2)
Cyndi F.
Simply, this is arguably, one of the BEST French restaurants I have ever had the pleasure of dining at. I dine out quite often, and I am at Pot au Feu probably once a week. Whether I am there for the French onion soup (fabulous), or for dinner (many exquisite entrees), or for a nice glass of chardonnay. Just a wonderful experience all around. Once you go for dinner or a late supper, you will be going back.
(5)
Samantha W.
Went here for my anniversary dinner, wanting to try something a little fancier for the occasion. The seating is in a cellar type room which does add to the ambiance however I felt it could have had a slightly nicer feel to it for the amount of money you pay to eat here. They were out of the beef medallions so I ordered the duck. It was good but not the best I've had, probably could have made it myself. The raspberry reduction was quite good however. Got the side of potatoes with the dill sour cream which was very tasty but I felt it was more pub style food and didn't really go. Had a nice bottle of sparkling wine, Veuve du Vernay, cheap and delicious! They were out of the one we originally wanted but it was a pleasant change. Ordered the creme brulee to finish and it was delicious, not sure if it was the best especially for $14... Overall I was a little underwhelmed and the service was a tad slow, it appeared there was only one waitress for the whole place, but she was excellent for being so busy.
(3)
Anna B.
Waterfire night, full moon in Providence and the best dinner to go with: simple salad; pate maison; steak frites and chocolate dessert. Simplicity in our choices and quality in the result. Delighted by atmosphere - the caveau-like restaurant is decorated along the walls with sabered bottles of Champagne, courtesy of saberer/owner Bob Burke. Compliments to chef and excellent service. Will go again next time in Providence. Merci!
(5)
Ryan K.
Food: I generally don't go out for French cuisine so I can't compare this place to many others, but the food was very good. I had the braised beef, but other folks had chicken and swordfish. Everyone was pleased. We started with a cheese assortment which was also good then moved to a small cup of French onion soup with a simple salad. No complaints on the food. Service: we were greeted by the owner and the servers knew the menu and could speak intelligently about the food and wine. Atmosphere: it's historic which I like, but the room was a little dark and I just felt like the place could be updated a bit. Misc: if you really like French food and are in Providence, you should check this place out, but for me, at $150 per person (food, wine and tip) I probably won't be back.
(3)
Scottie M.
This was by far one of the most disappointing dining experiences this year. Nothing says "resting on your laurels" quite like not updating your establishment's interior for several decades and STILL boasting that Julia Child went there.... We entered the basement-style restaurant from the street and were greeted by the hostess. She asked if we had a reservation...? No, we did not. She told us that it was frowned upon to have dinner here without a reservation. It was a Wednesday night - and there were tumbleweeds blowing behind her - I think they could survive. Anyway... She told us that if we wanted to hang our coats, she would seat us. As we were being seated (without hanging our coats) she told us that the restaurant did not allow for guests to hang coats on the back of their chairs and that we would have to sit on them. I'm sorry - the other option is to hang my $600 jacket on a metal hook by the front door in some alleyway in Providence? I don't think so. Get over yourselves - you're not THAT over the top. What would Joan Crawford say? NO WIRE HOOKS!! Next... as we proceeded to look over the menu, we weren't very impressed. The prices were something I would expect at a much more fancy place. I can afford them - I just don't see why it's so expensive. Our server was slightly less SNOOTY than our hostess that continued to give us the evil eye. One of my fellow dinner companions ordered a glass of the sauvignon blanc... so naturally he was served a cabernet sauvignon - at least she got part of it right... The food was priced to be elegant, served to be at home. This is very definition of comfort food. This is something I would expect mom to make me when I'm home sick from school. Pot au feu? Boiled dinner all separated on a plate with a bowl of broth to dip in. Wow..... Getting the check was a hassle. I have no desire to ever go back. Give Chef Ramsay a call - Please.
(1)
Rantea M.
It was a great experience, I went there for dinner with my father. We were seated by the most hospitable waitress who spoke french, too. The basement style restaurant was packed yet was very nice and cute I thought. The food was great, the butter was exquisite, definitely something I still remember after a 6 months visit. My Bouillabaisse was terrific ! I'm an average meal size eater but the plate was somehow big which added to my delight. I would definitely come back to this place and recommend it to friends and couples.
(4)
Anna G.
Pot au Feu was a nice restaurant to dine at in Providence, but compared to all the other great options it is only 3 stars. I thought the service was really good! There was only one waiter, and he was running around trying to wait on all tables. He did a great job though they could have used another server. The food... was average. My crepes (seafood) were not the best. I thought the steak frites looked much better. The creme brulee was really good! Overall, a nice spot but quite average in a city that has many better options.
(3)
Holly S.
Hmmmmm where shall I begin, went here for my bday dinner with friends. Warm bread was good, other than that, sub par ...Pom frites were good, but they are hard to mess up, right? I had stuffed chicken, was a lil dry and bland :( the sweet potato wedges, were crispy and dill sauce was good, I had a pinor noir, didn't like it , switched to merlot and it was so so. I shoulda had the quiche, Dangit! Kinda sad I didn't love my bday dinner, next year I'll try a new spot :)
(3)
Kenneth R.
I had an atypical experience at Pot au Feu because I was part of a large group. We were seated in the private dining room upstairs and were offered a set meal with a choice of main dishes. There were wines galore at our disposal. The proprietor (a really nice guy!) was on hand to ensure that we had a great experience. We started with a plate of mixed greens that had a mini-bowl of French onion soup in the center. Neither the salad nor the onion soup struck me as super-great. I'd award three stars to the salad and 3 1/2 stars to the soup. But then my main dish came: it was "duck, cooked two ways". There was a leg of duck confit and a magret de canard at its side. Both pieces of meat were absolutely delicious. The plate was garnished with some roasted potato chunks and a few bits of grilled asparagus. This dish was a real winner. For dessert, we were given two mini bowls of mousse and a mini crepe. The two mousses were fabulous, and the crepe was merely OK. There were all sorts of different wines to sample. I loved the Alsatian pinot blanc and the rose from the south of France. There were also two medocs that were perfect accompaniments to the duck. The dinner components (food + wine) probably average out to a four-star rating. However, we had such a wonderful time at Pot au Feu that it's hard not to award the remaining star for the overall experience. I very definitely look forward to my next visit.
(5)
Chelsea B.
Such a cute place with amazing food! I have been here a few times now and have never been disappointed. They have a quiche of the day and crepes of the day which are always so intriguing along with their regular menu. This past time when I went in, I got the crepes which happened to be chicken with apples, walnuts and Brie cheese with a white sauce over them that I can't really remember what it was called. They were unbelievable. It came with Brussel sprouts and roasted potatoes on the side. I could have had a whole second helping of just the potatoes they were so delicious. My friend got the coq au vin and she was barely talking during dinner because it was so good. You get a salad beforehand which comes with a choice of two homemade dressings. I just love that everything is homemade here. Also, someone comes around to your table with a basket of warm rolls which you never refuse. I wish we got dessert but were so full so next time I am going for dessert only so I can enjoy it!
(5)
Bill H.
Graduation dinner for five May 2013. 6:45pm reservations. Easy (not short) walk from Brown and to downtown Marriott Courtyard. Wait staff was great (owner came out and visited all the tables) - very helpful with selections and pairing. Ambiance is very nice - quiet and cozy, with wine bottles adorning the wall. Started with a nicely colored kir royale, tried nearly all of the yelp fan favorites - french onion soup (a must), fried oysters, lobster bisque, steak frites, crepe du jour, Bouillabaisse Marseilles. People were given very cute aluminum foil 'swans' as 'doggy bags'. $314 for dinner for 6 with cocktail, wine and had all the yelp fan favorites - French Onion Soup (a must), baked oysters, etc. Many folks complain about the 'leafy salad' - its the dressing stupid! Try mixing the two together for an interesting experience.
(5)
Robert R.
I really really wanted to like Pot Au Feu, so its with sadness that i give this a 2 star review. I went during restaurant week, having never been before. I was excited about the bistro menu and couldn't wait to finally experience the famous French restaurant. I was so disappointed, I hate to say. The waitstaff, my waiter in particular, were a fumbling lot that couldn't get out of their own way. Another server bumped into me 3 times, stepped on my foot and knocked over my water. All forgiven though as it was a little comical. My first course was ok. The maison pate. No complaints, not blown away either. Then the dreadful hellish hour passed until we received our entrees. Our server ignored us during this time and offered no explanations or apologies. 5 other tables entered the restaurant and finished all 3 courses by the time ours finally came. I have never walked out before; this time I nearly did. Second course steak frites. Steak was over cooked (should I send it back? It wasnt worth another hour). The frites are the same fries you get at McDonald's. I watched the chef, over and over pour frozen fries from a food service bag into the fryer. Further disappointment. The dessert course was nearly inedible. A fruit crepe. Fruit? It was full of chocolate mouse and drenched in a simple syrup. Maybe this was just a bad night and maybe my server was having personal issues. I will give pot au feu another chance....but my hopes aren't high. I hope they aren't just resting on their laurels, reputation and hearsay that Julia Childs once ate there. It seems that they are.
(2)
Kathleen E.
My husband and I tried the Pot Au Feu tonight The restaurant is beautiful. Can't eat ambience...yeah you're right. That's why they serve superb meals here. my husband has the lamb shank besides being "melt in your mouth" delicious the sauce it came in reminded my husband of why we love France. I had the filet mignon medium rare is the way to go. The meat was delectable moist yet tasty. The side vegetables had a taste of their own. I could go on forever but I think the truth is you are creating yourself if you don't try this restaurant you are cheating yourself of a amazing splurge. Which brings me to the most important part. Prices here are comparable. Quality versus quantity thus restaurant wins both.
(5)
Jo S.
Service - terrible Food - Mediocre Atmosphere - ok Our server was just terrible. We were there just as the restaurant was opening so she couldn't have been overwhelmed by other tables. We asked about gluten and she started guessing. We insisted that she check with the chef. She took orders from 6 people and left. The only problem is that we had 7 people. One in our party had to chase her down to place their order. We asked about the dill potatoes. Nothing on the menu mentioned that they were half white and half sweet (which I detest) nor did she mention that fact when we asked about the potatoes. Plus not a shred of dill in sight. I ordered the duck $32 for breast "on the bone" and leg confit. The breast was well done - yuck! Further it was obvious that it had been microwaved. It was so hot that I couldn't eat it for a while. Nothing comes out of the pan to the table and remains that hot for 5 minutes unless it's from the microwave. My husband's steak frite had a terrible sauce. First very unusual for a steak frite. Ok not mainstream but at least it should be tasty. The medium rare steak came out well done. Who is in the kitchen? The other diners were equally unimpressed.
(2)
Jenna S.
I enjoyed this restaurant. I can see the merit in others' reviews that it is small, cramped, etc. but this place was exactly as a French bistro should be: small, cramped and below street level. We had reservations for a large group, which was a bit confusing for the wait staff because they were not sure how to seat us since they couldn't have us all together (we were split into tables of 4-6). That was fine, but it was a bit crazy when they were trying to split us and figure out who would sit where, especially since we were arriving in waves. The bar at the entrance is really nice, quaint and small and it would be a great space for a drink on a date or a romantic evening out. The menu was classic French fare done really well. There were daily specials, a great wine list and French dishes that expats and Francophiles expect on a menu in a real French restaurant. Our prix fixe menu was really delicious, with a wide variety of appetizers, good choice of entrees and yummy desserts. I had the salade chèvre chaud, steak frites and a yummy bread pudding for dessert. My tablemates also enjoyed their meals and we, overall, were happy with everything we had. I was also super happy that they had Kronenbourg 1664, the Miller Lite of France. I am always nostalgic for a bottle of this stuff, so any restaurant that serves it gets an A from me. I think this place is really good and worth a visit, especially if you're in Providence, you like all things French and you're looking for a good meal.
(4)
Peter R.
I still come here about twice a year and it continues to have the best possible food quality and service. An absolute treat. When visiting Providence, don't miss the Pot.
(5)
Eleni Z.
VERY NICE ATMOSPHERE- Food was average and somewhat disappointing! Bread had no taste-green salad was fresh and dressings were excellent but our main courses were not great. Crepes were burnt and chicken -cheese center was far too salty. Our friend's pork was dry,and steak /frites was average. Nothing special .
Excellent offering in Providence for some interesting dining experiences. Loved the lamb shank. Will be back!
(4)
Dianna S.
My husband and I ate here last night, and it was truly a great experience. It was pricey, but the food was good and portion size was pretty decent. Our server was friendly, even the bread guy did a great job and checked on us several times with his bread basket and water carafe. For starters, I had the most scrumptious and savory French onion soup of my life. My husband had the foie gras and he practically licked his plate clean. Entree came with a green salad with choice of two dressings, a honey mustard and a raspberry balsamic. The salad was literally just a plate of greens, so nothing special there, but the raspberry balsamic was exceptional. I wanted to taste the honey mustard, but it was so thick and it wouldn't pour out of the jar. I had the beef bourguignon with potato gratinee, and both were amazing. The meat was so tender, and the sauce was so decadent. The potatoes were a fantastic accompaniment. My husband had the steak frites, which unfortunately was not as good. The steak was fine but the fries were unexceptional. Just boring fries out of a bag (maybe not, but they seemed like it). If Pot au Feu is reading this, please fix the fries. Make them more special. For dessert, we had the Pot au Chocolate and citrus mousse. They were complete opposites, but great. The chocolate was a thick, dense mousse, very intense flavor. Definitely couldn't (or shouldn't) finish. The citrus mousse was light, airy and refreshing. A nice finish to the meal.
(4)
Warren M.
Every once in a while you need to do something other than fish, steak, Italian in Providence. Hard to find traditional French but the Pot has it in a cute, south of France atmosphere. They Evan had a (Cassolet) which I had never even heard of until trying it in Provence. We had a wonderful, before theatre, dinner, a nice bottle of wine and a short, though rainy, walk to PPAC. The owner came over to talk and his take on the city is interesting. I like the bar for a quiet glass of wine on a winter's day. There are only a few seats and it's probably meant as a waiting area but it's very welcoming and the giant map of Paris brings back fond memories of past travels. Yes, we were happy with. "The Pot" and recomend it to others.
(5)
Lisa R.
Came here for restaurant week. I had high expectations as many friends recommended this place. After going to Flemings and having a fantastic meal and service, was expecting the same and was quite disappointed. Service was average and food was ok. With so many great restaurants in Providence, will not go back here.
Outstanding French food without the pretense. From the moment we walked in to the time we left, we were made to feel welcome and treated very warmly. I cannot believe this place only has a 3 1/2 star rating!! The ambiance is very romantic, with candles and dark red decor. A very lovely spot for an intimate dinner for two, or a celebration for many. The owner was on site, working and was so friendly and happy to greet my group, who only ordered appetizers and drinks. We sat at the bar and chatted with the sweet bartender, Madeline, who was very attentive and welcoming. This little gem is a food lovers haven. Food was exceptional and between the Pate Maison, salmon, escargots and bluefish pate, I am not sure which we enjoyed more. Bread was served fresh and warm, with a smile. We would have stayed for dinner except we had planned to eat apps and have drinks around town. What a mistake! We started at Pot Au Feu and everything else after was a huge disappointment. We will not make the same mistake again! We will be back over and over because it is just that good. Try this place if you're tired of the same old humdrum. It won't disappoint!
The service is incredibly slow and I don't think they care that they are understaffed. I had to ask for them to bring our wine several times. The crepes were mediocre at best. I would definitely not go back or recommend to a friend.
(1)
Jennifer H.
I have to say that I admit with Kay R. on Pot au Feu: the decor is the highlight, and it is truly a shame that the service and food do not live up to this cozy, intimate, tucked-away spot in Downcity. Charlie at the bar was friendly, but he proved a bit inconsistent in service throughout the night; it was as if he didn't hear us when we turned down bread and requested dishes not be cleared from the table. He kept asking. I tried pate for the first time, and the bluefin pate really surprised me; despite a slightly over-salty flavor, My tomato bisque was more soup than bisque -- the cream was mysteriously missing -- but the flavor was good, and the temperature was perfect. I ordered the citrus salmon topped with mandarin oranges for my entree, and while the salmon was good (a tad rare for my taste), the accompanying rice and vegetables really fell short. The mixed vegetables were stone cold, and the rice pilaf was dry and lacking flavor. For dessert, I had to have the Pot au Chocolate Creme, and it was deliciously decadent. Everything was good... but nothing was great, and at these prices in this atmosphere, I expect more. Much more. I did go during Restaurant Week, so the price was reasonable, but the thought of paying full price for what I got turns me away. Several of the other entrees on the regular menu sounded good, so there is a slight chance I'll give Pot au Feu another go. By the way, the entrance is very confusing with the event space upstairs and the dining room/bar downstairs. The signage outside and on the staircase could be much clearer.
(3)
Peter D.
I finally made it to Pot Au Feu on 3/23/13. The place was hoping and the atmosphere is great. I ordered the Bouillabaisse - it was FANTASIC! I am still thinking about it today - huge chunks of white fish, salmon, shrimp, little necks, mussels. What a great meal. It definitely is pricey at $34 but it was worth it. Our waiter recommended it and I am glad i went with it! The salad was ok - glad i got the blue cheee on it! Decent wine selection. All in all a great dinner. My companion got a chicken dish which she liked very much.
(5)
Jennifer E.
So I admit, i didn't have extremely high hopes for Pot Au Feu due to my extreme trust in the judgment of my fellow Yelpers. Turns out, a 3 star place indeed ended up being a 3 star night. It's not that the food was bad, because it really wasn't. It wasn't that the service was inattentive or unfriendly, because the service for the most part was decent. It's just that nothing about the place really was jaw dropping-ly awesome. When the prices reach a certain level, I expect to be wowed and leave going: wholly crap that was so fricken good! Instead I left Pot Au Feu feeling full but underwhelmed and cracking jokes about the weird staff. I initially really loved the place, the cool interior of brick and stone, the specials on the chalk board on the wall written in french, and the series of never ending wine bottles lining the walls. I almost felt like I was back in Paris for a brief second. That is, until we met our server assistants. They were honestly very nice but just sort of...weird. They asked us if we wanted more bread about ninety times (after we had said we didn't want any more ninety times). They couldn't understand when my friend wanted to keep his pate next to him on the table (he had a lot left and wanted to munch on it throughout the remainder of our evening). It was all just a little bizarre, although it was well intentioned. It just wasn't the kind of service you would expect from a pricey restaurant. The food itself was good but just not great. The blue fish pate wasn't bad but a little bit on the salty side. The salmon was tasty and quite enjoyable. It was marinated and garnished with mandarin oranges which gave it a sweet and tangy flavor. It was all good but again, if it wasn't on restaurant week I wouldn't have though that it was worth the prices they were asking. I really wish that I could give this place a better rating but with all of the other (better) french inspired restaurants in the area it is just not the best.
(3)
Shar A.
Shame. Went here for Restaurant week with a group. I feel totally responsible for making everyone go this restaurant only for the whole table to be thoroughly disappointed with their food. We all ordered salad which had a nice honey mustard dressing. The salad itself left much to be desired. We all ordered either streak frites or fish. Both were OK, kind of bland, and boring. The deserts were boring and plain too. Service was slow even though there were only two other tables full in this tiny place. Boring server. It was just a shame. I really think this place is special and should use restaurant week to approach customers that normally don't visit or can't afford. Build value and show them why it's worth the tab.
(3)
Aina B.
I'm sad to review Pot Au Feu so low, since it seems to have such promise, but I have to agree with other reviewers- nice enough ambiance that serves food WAY overpriced for what you get. I ordered roasted chicken with vegetables and rice, and what I got was pretty much just bland- no tender rice, no delicate seasoning or technique to allow the chicken to shine on its own, just slightly overdone vegetables in a pool of bland roast juices. The chicken was cooked fine, sure, but I can easily do the same at home. Underwhelmed by wine and drinks menu as well. I don't want to see Pot Au Feu go away, I want them to breathe life into their menu and really wow their diners, I just feel that for the prices, you can do a LOT better.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Glaciala A.
Pot Au Feu was okay---but nothing captured saying 'I MUST' go back and the service was a bit of a hit/miss. Our table's server was fabulous, great job answering the questions & great job with the ordering. However, service performed by the rest of the staff was a bit odd/awkward at times and it wasn't at the level expected for entrees in the $30 range. Bread solid. Salad, despite it being 'autentically' french so I hear (as that it was just lettuce leaves) left much to be desired. I'm not in France & I'm paying $30 a plate---so it would be nice having a bit more of an enticing salad---rather than simply lettuce leaves without a garnish. While I feel odd complaining about it---since that's traditional, on the other hand---it was bland. The Steak Frite dish was solid. French Fries were unmemorable though. The steak was good, a thick solid piece, but again---nothing said a must & it was a solid steak---but nothing crazy amazing. The wine that they had by the glass seemed to be a bit limited---I'd expect a more robust wine list for a French restaurant. For the price, I don't think there's anything noteworthy really going back for. Fine, but not dazzling.
(3)Ashley L.
I haven't been here in a while but it is too good not to write a review on. It's a cute little restaurant with delicious food. The french onion soup is amazing!
(5)M G.
I have wanted to go here for years & I finally got here. I did enjoy it and would like to go back to try other things. I loved the atmosphere. Nice & cozy date spot. I don't normally like snails but we got the Escargot and they were better than any snails I've ever had. I also got the Steak Frites and my boyfriend got the quiche with crabmeat & asparagus. Both of our meals were very good. The steak was perfectly cooked & had a tasty sauce. Bread was warm out of the oven. The service was great. It is pricey though. Not sure that it's really worth the prices but we had a restaurant.com certificate so it made it better.
(4)Stephan D.
This is the conclusion to a long article In reading Yelp and looking at the through the menu, it seems like Pot Au Fue is hit or miss. It was extremely busy when we went and we were really crowded in, even our server had a hard time getting around. Overall, I think all of our dishes were very clean, the flavors were spot on and everything was cooked correctly. The flaws in the restaurant that I had were fairly minor and mostly preference related. One of the biggest complaints on Yelp was cost, well what you have to understand is value. All meals include a greens salad, veg and potato. Pot Au Fue is a good restaurant, expect to eat a good amount of food and the food is cooked exactly as a traditional french restaurant. Do not expect new age or avant guarde techniques, this is what french food was 100 years ago. I would try Pot Au Fue again, but not on a Saturday night, a week night when it is not so busy. I think many people have down marked this restaurant due to expectations, the food is subtle and flavorful, they use salt and seasonings sparsely, but the sauces have great flavor and the technique used it traditional and near flawless. I would recommend Pot Au Fue to anyone who knows and understand traditional French cuisine. For the full descriptions and reviews please see the link below once-upon-a-napkin.blogs…
(4)Amanda A.
I wasn't sure what to expect at Pot Au Feu. I haven't had much French cuisine in the past, but the food and service at Pot Au Feu were excellent. I had the stuffed chicken, Poulet Farci du Jour and it was delicious. I tend to like things with a litte more season, so a little more seasoning would have made it even better, but the chicken was tender and the goat cheese, mushrooms and asparagus it was stuffed with were fresh. The cream sauce was so good! I also had a small crock of French Onion Soup, which was very good. Again, a little more seasoning would have made it excellent, but I did really enjoy it. The servers were very helpful and friendly. My water glass was never empty. My favorite part of the night was the dessert. My friend and I split the Passion Fruit Sorbet and the Chocolate Mousse, which was delicious. The sorbet was tangy and refreshing and the mousse was decadant and rich. I would go back here again for a special occasion, as it's a bit out of my price range to go on a regular basis.
(4)Leanne L.
The food was good, but the space is very crowded and noisy. The tables are so close together, it a challenge to even sit down or leave. We had to adjust our table just so the people sitting down behind my husband could even get in their chair. Honestly, I'm concerned if there were ever a fire that people would not be able to get out quickly. I really wish they would reopen the upstairs for more formal and romantic dining instead of reserving it for private parties only. I don't think I would go back unless that floor is ever open again.
(3)Mark S.
I've been here 3-4 times and only had one blah meal. As far as the French authenticity of the food I am not qualified to judge that. So I'll take the others word for that. After reading all of the negative reviews I can't wait for my next visit here! (I bought a restaurant.com gift certificate which I would hate to waste). I will agree with the other reviewers that the salads are basically just lettuce dumped on a plate and uninspired. One review that I thought was hilarious was Liz M's regarding the noise and old people. The tables are all pretty close together and every time I've been there I feel like you're being stared at if you speak above a whisper. The service has always been pretty zombie like. I've always come in with a fun, friendly group of friends and the servers seem to have no connection with the diners. I do like the cozy atmosphere in the basement though. The bar area is small but never crowded. There's never been more than a 10 minute wait to be seated so it's a nice cozy bar to grab a drink first. I have only been for dinner.
(4)Kris D.
Only the Pot Au Feu can make the best French Onion Soup! My son had the steak and it was melt in your mouth delicious, cooked perfectly. My daughter and I enjoyed the steaming hot, cheesy, velvety goodness of the french onion soup. The service was fantastic. I think the decor is warm and welcoming. It was my daughters first time and she can't wait to go back! They only serve dinner now which I was disappointed to find out since I had previously enjoyed lunch on a few occasions there.
(4)Dave L.
Moira D. hit the nail on the head with her perfect review. I had the misfortune of "dining" at Pot Au Phooey (as I think of it) a while back, and it was one of the single biggest culinary disappointments I've ever had. The upstairs dining room, where we unfortunately ate, was the singularly shabbiest restaurant space I've ever been in, and not in the annoyingly hip shabby-chic way either. It just looked worn out, tired, and very dated. The menu was a relic from 1978. There was absolutely zero effort put into anything, from specials, to desserts. The waitstaff looked like they were suffering from severe ennui and were woefully ignorant of basic French pronunciations. Inexcusable. Our food was a disaster. Overpriced, clumsily prepared and artlessly served. Seriously, there was not one redeeming thing about our meal, except that it ended and we left, never to return. This is an insult to real French food. I've been to France, as well as a number of other wonderful countries. To claim this is French food is laughable. Sorry, this may have been a good restaurant 30 something years ago, but they are clearly living on reputation alone. The saddest thing is that there appears to be no effort on the owners part about the lack of quality.
(1)Emlyn A.
***September 2013 UPDATE*** Pot Au Feu is getting a few things right: 1. The bread, while still not where it could be, is better. Anyone who knows the crunch of a dense, French peasant loaf understands this. With pates and soups incoming, good bread is a serious requirement. 2. The Blue fish pate is excellent; light, rich and not overpoweringly fishy. Ample toast if you care to share it. 3. The salad greens are appreciated but a little one-dimensional. It may be "traditional" but at close to $30 per entree I think we can forego any illusions of simple "peasant fare" here. 4. It's too expensive. Chez Pascal has a better angle on truly seasonal French country eating and nothing there is priced over $28 (though it, too, is guilty of overpriced, undersized starters). The super simple Steak Frites is $19, if that tells you anything. I did enjoy the Poulet Farci special (chicken breast stuffed with cherries, almonds and brie), and my wife never misses the cassoulet, but at these prices it's difficult to just sit back and take in a meal. I've also had the Porc Normandie; quite good, but nothing to write home about. We come to Pot Au Feu every now and then for its comfortable French food, but the prices can make it feel like a Paris tourist trap. It's a "bistro" and we're on the dollar, not the euro!
(4)Alan B.
Took my girlfriend here to try a place a little fancier than we would normally go. The atmosphere downstairs was really good and the maître d' was very nice. I liked being able to look into the open kitchen and see the chef preparing everyone's meals. The waitstaff was pleasant, helpful and attentive. The food was fine, but didn't overly impress us. After we left, we both agreed that we wanted to like it, but after sharing a bit of each others' meals we felt that it didn't live up to our expectations. The sauces were subtle and tasty, but there wasn't enough sauce to overpower the taste of a simple baked chicken breast. My gf got the crêpes du jour, and they were good but not amazing, and at $24 per plate I was expecting something better than average. I would eat here again, but I can't honestly say it is worth what they are charging.
(3)Lucy G.
(pics posted) Went here for restaurant week and Its a nice place. It was a bit confusing trying to find out which door to go through, then i didnt know if i was to go upstairs or downstairs.. so they should really work on that. It's a nice romantic place. The prices are up there but with restaurant week..you cant go wrong Staff was friendly and there was a young lady who came by with a basket full of bread and she came often :) I had the bluefish pate to start ..which was ok...it was good but had a fishy aftertaste i did not care for. My mom had the mixed greens with a raspberry dijon sauce which was good. All the dishes came with your choice of either pommes frites, rice pilaf, sweet or regular potatoes or dill potatoes. I had the chicken with fries and my mom had the salmon. I have to say both dishes were excellent. The chicken was cooked just right and the dijon cream sauce was yummy. I sampled the salmon and it was soft, not overcooked and delish! Another surprisingly good thing about the dish were the veggies. I was a good girl and finished them all :) Dessert we both got the Crepes with fruit inside with a sweet cream..Meh! i could do without but im glad i tried it. My mother wasnt a fan either! I always ask myself afte a dining experience "Will you come back?" Answer: Possiblly but i want to try Chez Pascal... I would recommend that you try it and see for yourself :)
(3)Gail L.
Intimate little French bistro which we really enjoyed. Onion soup comparable to what we have had in Paris. Veal dish and beef burgundy was delicious. Our guest had the special chicken dish and took her left overs home in a cute little swan crafted out of foil. She was do delighted she sent a photo of her swan sitting in her fridge. Wine and cocktails also very goods was the service. We felt like we had been transported to Paris!
(4)Sandra B.
I went here with my mom, she lived in France for 10 years and was very excited to try Providence's take on authentic French food- she was gushing when we looked over the menu. However, by the end of our meal we were feeling underwhelmed and generally unthrilled! You can often judge a restaurant by its bread- ingredient costs are almost nothing, but it does require knowhow and the right touch- and they struck out. It was a step above Wonderbread. The salad that came with our meal was literally just spring mix dumped on a plate. I had the sole amandine, and my mom had the pot au feu. Everything on my plate (sweet potato, mixed vegetables of the day, and fish) just tasted like butter, and it didn't seem like any other seasonings were used. My mom's dish was bland as well, it just tasted like greasy stock. Presentation was lacking. We ordered caramel apple crepes for dessert, which were the most disappointing. The apple part was basically a garnish, the crepes themselves were filled with weird white goo, drowned in sickly sweet sauce and served cold. That shit ain't French! I felt bad that my mom was initially so pumped about this restaurant and it turned out to be nothing like what she remembered from her years in France. It was expensive for the quality of the food, the total for two entrees, two glasses of wine and one dessert was around $90 AFTER a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate. Step up your game, Pot Au Feu! There's plenty of great restaurants in Providence and I see no reason to return to this one.
(1)Kathryn L.
I absolutely love Pot Au Feu. I have never had a bad experience here. The atmosphere, the service and food are always spot on. I love how rustic, warm and cozy the seating area is, it makes for a very relaxing evening. I recommend getting a Maker's Mark on the rocks, trio of oysters and the steak frites. Heaven.
(5)Mike D.
The food, service, and atmosphere is excellent. I had the duck with a raspberry glaze-like sauce. The Duck was cooked perfectly and the meat was tender. The service was punctual but not too much! The owner walks around every table to make sure the food and experience was what the clients had expected which I thought was a nice touch. This is a good French Restaurant in Providence.
(4)Andrew B.
Every time I visit this restaurant, I'm just delighted at the quality of the menu and the execution. I have quite a sweet tooth, but everything is so good that I seldom wind up with room for dessert. Especially a treat considering the number of options for fine French cuisine in southern New England. The wine list is also quite good, and they have a number of fun special events throughout the year.
(5)Peggy H.
Very charming atmosphere and delicious food. The French onion soup and bouillabaisse were meal highlights. Strong drinks, warm and crusty bread, lovely little salads. My boyfriend had the steak frites and we split a vanilla mousse dessert, which were both yummy. Prices were expensive but not unreasonable. Will definitely return.
(4)Jess Z.
I don't understand why this place was not more crowded considering I went during restaurant week. So I took my mom here, cause she loves French everything. Which this place totally delivers, from the pate of the first course to the crepes of the last course. The portions are almost too big here, which almost sucks cause everything was wicked good. I had to get some of my food wrapped up, which came back to me in a foil swan. Totally awesome. This place has tons of charm and class. I'm sure it would be good for a romantic evening out as well.
(4)Andrew S.
This is one of those places with so much potential that always disappoints in a very big way. Fortunately for all involved, the upstairs is now closed and has been for years (see other reviews for the details). The downstairs bistro is a cute, charming basement room with a reasonably priced french menu. Sound like a no brainer, right? Unfortunately the staff, both out of the kitchen and in the kitchen make this place a disaster. First, the place does not take reservations, which is fine, but the person running the list often times will not go in order. There have been times where we have waited 2 hours while watching people listed below us on the list get seated first. The last time we complained and the maitre d had the gall to lie to us and say he had called our names (which since we were sitting 3 feet away at the bar was quite unlikely) when he had just decided to skip us for whatever reason. Next the food while trying to be french bistro food has a tendency to be dry and lacking any flavor. I am not sure how a place that specializes in french food can execute so poorly, but somehow it does. So to sum it up, great decor but not worth visiting unless you want to be disappointed.
(1)Victoria K.
This place is great! I've only been here a couple times (both were in the bistro area) and I can't wait to go back. Their dill potatoes are amazing (and I don't even like dill!). They're a mixture of potato varieties (including sweet) cut into chunks and deep fried, served with this creamy "dill" sauce. Out of this world. I had the crepes of the day most recently, which were filled with beef, mushrooms, and a wine sauce, followed by the apple tart for dessert. YUM. I LOVE French food and this place has got my vote all the way!
(4)LJ D.
Very disappointing!!! 3/4 of meals on menu were not available. Cappuccino had sour milk. Creme Brulee was soupy..,,for $11.Bleu cheese on salad was VERY mild. Would have given NO stars had it not been for the nice waiter. Was here years before but will not be back again. Overrated!
(1)K D.
This place needs to get it together. The food is decent, but the atmosphere is horrible. I'm not sure why they no longer seat people upstairs in the actual restaurant, but for the past 2 or 3 years they've been operating out of the downstairs portion, which was formerly their "bistro." The area is way overcrowded- there have been times when I literally sat with my shoulders touching the person at the next table. Part of what you pay for with a semi-expensive dinner is the atmosphere, so to feel physically uncomfortable the whole meal sucks. I know they don't have much competition in the realm of French food in Providence, but I'd rather eat cereal at home than suffer through another meal at Pot au Feu.
(2)Maura C.
I recently enjoyed an amazingly fantastic birthday dinner at Pot au Feu! I couldn't believe that my family members who live hours from Providence visited before I did. So after seeing them recently and they once again told me that I had to try it out, I knew exactly where to treat myself to for my b-day. The menu is so classically french and perfect that I struggled to narrow down the options to just one. We settled on the country pate to start....umm, Yum!! I could have eaten so much more of this and with a whole loaf of their warm crusty bread. The pate was studded with just the right amount of liver. We next split the beef a la bourguignon and steak frites with bernaise sauce. It was a beef kind of night! Both were perfectly cooked with the most delectable sides. The bernaise was heavenly! As if we weren't stuffed already with great food and tasty wine, I knew I couldn't pass up dessert! My husband ordered the cassis sorbet on special and I had to try the vanilla mousse. The name doesn't even describe the amazing flavors. The texture of the mousse was so light and etherial it just melted in your mouth. The caramel sauce and toasted almonds were a night contrast in texture. I don't know why others had such a mediocre experience... i guess I lucked out with great attentive servers and a perfect memorable evening. I honestly cannot wait to return for another great meal!
(5)Kel S.
You complete me. Woooooow! I was so excited to finally check this place out. I am still confused how it is the oldest French Bistro in the country when it is only 40 years young, however, it was AMAZING. The quiche du jour was fabulous - it was made with mushrooms and scallions. It was light and fluffy, and quite possibly the best quiche I have ever had. I also ordered a side of potatoes which were sort of like home fries, chunks of sweet and russet potatoes, quickly fried and dusted with something like crack... because I have NEVER had a sweet potato like this before. Without a doubt, the best potatoes I have ever eaten. Sadly, I had no room for desert, but will plan to go back and try several, as the first 3 items listed sounded wonderful. I also did not have the opportunity to try the escargot, which I certainly will next time. My date also thoroughly enjoyed the steak frites. He said it was so good, he could have eaten another whole portion of steak. At the end of the meal, the owner stopped by our table to ask how everything was, we raved about the food and service, as it was impeccable. Kudos and kisses to you, Pot Au Feu!!!!
(5)Justin C.
This cute little French bistro style restaurant was a warm welcome on a windy day, with a very traditional country flair to it. Apparently there is a more formal section on the main/top level that is open for dinner, but since we came for lunch we dined downstairs in the casual section. I absolutely loved the exposed brick and red paint in here, it makes the place feel so homey and inviting, and you can just tell you're about to get a meal made with care. The room littered with disposed wine bottles and Beaujolais Nouveau casks is also a nice addition for someone who's wine obsessed like myself. It looks like there have been some fun parties here, and I'm sure many more to come. The lunch menu is a relatively basic offering of many French classics, such as crepes and croques, along with a few others like cassoulet and quiche. The prices here are pretty phenomenal in my view, considering the level of preparation required for some of these dishes as well as the quality of the food served. Almost everything on the lunch menu was under $10, and most of it comes with a salad too. I decided to be a pawn on this day, and be at the mercy of the chef, trying both the soup and crepe of the day. The soup was a "Grand Pere" style, made with sausage and cabbage. The aromas were out of this world, in a good way, and I was instantly transported back home as a kid eating the food my grandma made. In between they brought out our salads, which are not the typical boring lettuce and tomato with a few bits of cucumber that most places give away, this was baby romaine with fresh blue cheese and house made dressings, a wonderful lunch time intermezzo. The crepes were made with chicken, red pepper, kalamata olives, and blue and mozzarella cheeses. One great twist on these crepes, they were prepared in the normal way and then baked in the oven briefly to add a nice little bit of crunch, then a little bit of gravy was applied over the top. They were absolutely delicious and I could eat something like that for lunch every day. My lunch mate went with the quiche of the day which was broccoli and cheddar. I didn't taste it but it looked authentically homemade, with a wonderfully flaky crust.
(4)Garie S.
Our Anniversary dinner..Excellent duck, heavenly chocolate dessert and delicious wine. Our server was friendly and accommodating. We love dining at Pot Au Feu and have always enjoyed the meal, ambiance and service.
(5)Krystal D.
I'm not exactly a fan of French food. Perhaps I just haven't found a dish that suits my fancy. Often, I leave French restaurants feeling disappointed. This was happily not the case with Pot Au Feu. I ordered a mixed green salad, which was rather uninspired...simply a plate of lettuce. For my entree I chose the bouilabasse which was spot on. I love seafood soups and this was no exception. My dish was absolutely loaded with fresh seafood of many varieties and all of it was cooked perfectly. The dish was easily worth much more than I paid for it. Service was great, and the atmosphere was very cute. Good option for lunch.
(3)Daniel G.
What can I say... I am a fan of this place.
(4)danielle l.
I think I anticipated this too much. I've been wanting to go here for ten years, and am a lover of all things French, but tonight was my first time here. We sat downstairs, in a cozy and warm bar room with a lot of exposed brick and stone, wine bottles lining the walls, dim lighting and simple decoration. The atmosphere was welcoming and definitely good for those turned off by the frou-frou-y upstairs. The service was super attentive, water/bread girl was on top of the water & bread and the main waitress was funny and accomodating. First warning for us should have been that they are on restaurant.com . This seems to be an omen of doom. Second was that at 8pm on a Thursday there were three other tables. The whole time we were there. NO ONE upstairs. Third, boyfriend went to bathroom and said it was very smelly. Really not acceptable for a place with $20-$40 entrees. Fourth- the bread was pretty lame. It was nothing like French bread, and, as my BF aptly pointed out, Texas Roadhouse has better bread. Lame. High points- the atmosphere. The house made viniagrettes for the salad (yes, the salad that comes with the entrees is JUST mixed greens, with the dressing and bleu cheese for an extra buck, but this is pretty true to France. Every salad I ate there (except main course salads) were basically just greens. It's really just a vehicle for the dressing to shine. And, here, it did). That's about it. I had the chicken special, chicken stuffed with almonds, brie and sweet onion. The chicken itself was cooked really well, still juicy and was presented nice. The combo of stuffing, along with the rich sauce, was all a bit too one-dimensional. Not a lot of depth in flavor there and pretty darn rich. Rice pilaf was actually a risotto-like rice with tarragon and mushrooms. Green beans were yummy. Garnish of slivered watermelon and cantalope was weird. Corn chowder was tasty, for sure, but I'm pretty sure it was canned corn, which is inexcusable this time of year. BF had the Pot au Feu, their signature dish is $30 for some beef, chicken, cabbage, carrots and potatoes, au jus. It was ok. We didn't get dessert, but I would go back and sit down there for an hour and nurse a spiked coffee and a creme brulee. I don't think I'll be back for the food, though. The third star is really for the service. How disappointing.
(3)Jason S.
Score would be 5 out of 5 if I didn't feel like an anchovy in a can.... Food was amazing but yet again birk why are u wasting the real restaurant upstairs and letting dust collect on ur presets and running the bistro as the "restaurant" I spending my hard earned money on your restaurant I deserve a little elbow and shoulder room. Won't go hack until there are less tables or until the upstairs is reopened....
(3)David L.
I am surprised by the bad reviews. I have been dining here for a few years and have always been treated very well. I've never had a bad meal here. My wife loves their beef bourguignon. It is the best I've had since France.
(5)Liz M.
I went in thinking this was going to be a "hip French bistro", but walked into an over-priced nursing home. I'm almost thirty and felt like I was being scolded every time one of us laughed a little too loudly. Even the people who looked young acted old, it was rather depressing. The food is good, but my opinion of restaurants is that you're buying an experience as a whole so I won't go back just to repeat the meal I had (Steak Frites, btw). So, to the old fogeys I say: Gimme a break! Enjoy your life because clearly it's ending soon. To the fun-loving, wallet-conscious, young people: do yourself a favor and skip it. Or go to your grandmother's house and have her invite her ornery friends over while she cooks you something French.
(2)Heather N.
I have wanted to visit this restaurant for quite some time, and wow... it was worth the wait. The atmosphere is charming, very romantic. Our servers were warm and friendly and very informative on the dishes. I loved watching the chef work these amazing meals in the smallest open kitchen I have ever seen. We had the bread and salad to start. Very simple, yet delicious. I had the Frutte de Mar Crepes. It was cooked perfectly... my plate was empty when I was finished. My husband and I finished our meal with the largest bowl of Creme Brulee. It was delicious. From beginning to end this restaurant had everything we were looking for on our date night. I highly recommend to anyone who wants a great dinner!
(5)Megan H.
Unique, charming and delicious! I ate in the basement bistro. Great atmosphere with exposed brick walls and a unique open kitchen which is almost like a thrust stage extending into the restaurant. The service was warm and generous. Wine was average, not quite what I would have expected, but that was the only aspect of the meal not up to par. I had a fabulous duck entree which I still can't pronounce - it was glazed with a cranberry orange reduction. I am not kidding, the best part of the meal hands down was the side. Three different kinds of roasted potatoes - sweet potatoes, red potatoes and something else (gold?) - it was heaven on a fork. I can't remember what I had for dessert, which is a shame, because I do remember that it was delicious. I would eat here again in a heartbeat! What a unique find.
(5)Andrew H.
Went here for an anniversary dinner, after walking by it for 5 years and never stopping in. We were sat in the little basement area - where we were for some reason the only folks in the joint. The service was prompt, the food was tasty, the wine alcoholic. I ate basically an entire duck. But you know what? There was absolutely nothing special about this place. Our waitress complained awkwardly about her life and the overall setting felt right out of the 70's (and not in a good, Boogie Nights way). It was all Christmas lights, wine bottles and polyester tablecloths. Maybe the upstairs is nicer - I wouldn't know, it wasn't offered to us. Don't bother with this place - might I suggest going instead to the Temple where the food, drinks, and ambiance are ten zillion times better for the same price. Or just go to nearby Symposium Books, buy a French cookbook, and use your own kitchen. I guarantee you won't be missing anything!
(2)Cristina P.
This place wowed me again! Great steak (tourneados), great salad with homemade dressings, amazing bread. They make vegetables seems o amazing! Sometimes the waitstaff can be snooty but today had a lovely young man.
(5)Elle W.
I find most French restaurants to be charming, vivacious and enjoyable! The Pot au Feu was exactly that! The basement dining area was cozy and had a Lively vibe. Yes, it is a bit small but that added to the charm. The menu was decidedly French and quite good considering we were in New England. The service was prompt and friendly but we were there on a week night so the place was not crowded. We will definitely return when we are back in Providence.
(4)Deme S.
We came to Providence to visit our daughter during parents weekend at Brown. She made the special requst of going to Pot Au Feu. This restaurant brings back very fond memories of my trips to Paris! The environment and the decor are so typical of the charming bistros that you find on the Left Bank. The escargot superb, my filet of sole almandine light, moist, and so very fresh. My daughters duck was perfectly crispy and the crispy sweet potatoes with chives were a wonderful complement. At the end of the meal we were graciously greeted by the owner, Bob Burke. What a delightful place. We will look forward to more memorable meals at this place.
(5)Ivan P.
All I care that my food was great and that my wife was happy. Yes it would be nice to have little more space and little less Christmas lights in the beginning of October - but who cares, you cam to the restaurant for food and service, right? And those too things are great in Pot Au Feu.
(5)Kay R.
It's really a crying shame when you think about it. Gorgeous basement location, sparkly lights and bottles around the walls and (usually) nice, helpful staff. The menu is extensive and (very) expensive. BUT ... the food just doesn't make the grade. I've been several times and have usually come away with the feeling that I could have done better with a few basic ingredients, 10 minutes and a pan. Bland is the usual description I use when describing my experience here. The seafood crepes special the other night was watery, without distinctive flavor to speak of and contained some weirdly inappropriate ingredients - olives??? If only ...
(2)Mrs. W.
This place is, in a word, delicious! We went with a large group, the service was excellent, as was the wine, but the real star was the food. A small simple salad with blue cheese started things off, followed by steak frites, possibly the cheapest thing on the menu, that was cooked to perfection, with Bearnaise on the side, and the dill potatoes were yum. Easily the best creme brulee I have ever had. I honestly cannot wait to go back with my husband. Very romantic spot.
(5)George A.
Overrated and disappointing. The only thing French about this restaurant is the few fancy words on the menu. Otherwise, it's not much different from a somewhat dressed-up cheap diner. I went there for lunch, in the basement. The waitress showed up immediately to ask if I wanted anything to drink. Looking over the wine list I was already getting disillusioned. Certainly, in a restaurant that brands itself "upscale" and "French" the wine list would've included more than the 5-6 choices. Never mind the wine, I looked at the beer list, to find that it clearly caters to the Bud Light crowd. They didn't even have in stock the only European beer on the list. Forget that then, I asked for an aperitif. The waitress didn't know what I was talking about. It was already getting frustrating. I saw that they had Ouzo on the menu, so I ordered that as an aperitif (there was no other choice really). "I'd like the Ouzo please", "the what?" the waitress answered! I had to point it to her on the menu. She served it in a cognac glass! Well, I thought they're not great on the drinks, but the food is certainly good, all the hype can't be wrong. The waitress came back with the bread, a slice of ordinary supermarket bread, and nothing else. I asked for some olive oil with the bread, she said they didn't have that! I ordered the duck confit, and to my surprise she came back with my lunch within just a few minutes. A pre-cooked, microwave re-heated unfresh tasteless dish, with a side of cranberry sauce from the can. A very disappointing lunch. Luckily, I didn't bring along anyone with the promise of an authentic French cuisine experience. The overall experience is that of an American diner. The food quality too, as well as the service.
(2)John C.
Disappointment.....One upon a time, there was a fine french restaurant that had a beautiful salon for fine dining above and a first come, first serve casual bistro below. As it grew older and more established, the bistro had to start taking reservations like the finer upstairs portion. The staff became pretentious and plastic. One day a father showed up with his children to sample fine french cuisine. The staff asked" Do you have a reservation?" The father said "reservation?....for many years the bistro operated on a first come basis. Why the change? Staff replied "We have ALWAYS taken reservations here!" He avoided that argument and said "ok" and walked out the door. He took his money and his children to a fine french restaurant in Boston WITHOUT A RESERVATION and a staff that was eager for my children to experience French food!
(1)Suzanne M.
There are two parts to this place. There is an upstairs restaurant, elegant and pricey. There is a downstairs bistro, less expensive and catering to a different crowd. They have different menus and different styles. I have not eaten in the bistro, as George did. I did however eat in the restaurant and has an amazing dinner. I took by bf there for his birthday. We had exceptional - if not the best - service we've ever had. Our waiter basically planned out our dinners for us based on our tastes, including our wines, and was very attentive though aware we were on a special occasion date. For French cuisine, the food is on par with Petit Robert, though the atmosphere a bit darker, quieter, and more romantic.
(4)James R.
Pot Au Feu is good resturant when it comes to simple french food. We started our dining experience with martinis to sip on while we checked out the menu. Warm bread was served table side and is always a delight. We ordered the escargo as an appetizer which could of had more garlic butter. My wife ordered the duck and I ordered the chicken livers. Our meal started out with a nice green leafy salad with blue cheese crumbled on with the mustard dressing which is always a good constant at this establishment. My wife's duck had changed from dining there about 9 months early and was not as good as before. My chicken livers were extremely good with the frites. The portions were generious as always. We will always come back to Pot Au Feu. Please note that now they will take reservations that started about last July of 08.
(4)Lalin A.
Reading George's review, I actually wander if we went to the same restaurant. I lived in Providence during the summer of 2003 and with a friend, went to Pot Au Feu for the first time. It was mind blowing. In December 06, with the same friend, we drove to Providence just to eat here. It was just as good! I was thinking that I made it up the first time I ate there and that we talked about it so much since then that I would be awefully disappointed. Just the opposite! As a bread fanatic, the warm bread they serve here is one of the best that I had in USA! I grew up buying my bread from the bakery every single day: they would make hundreds in their ovens and the whole town would go there. So, I think that Pot Au Fue compares to my childhood pleasures! They make their own bread and serve it as soon as it gets out. Crispy, warm and tastes and smells just like home. Their wine menu is OK. My most recent time, I had a french pinot, and it was just ordinary. Les escargots: big, rich, fulfilling! Interestingly, we both went for the same dishes we picked up 2 years ago: Boeuf a la Bourguignon and Sirloin aux Champignons- both very delicious! I am surprised to hear that George's lunch was out that quickly because usually, the bistro gets crowded and it takes a while for the dishes to come!
(5)William D.
I have been eating here for 25 years, never disappointed. My newest favorite is the Steak Frites, amazing ... tender, perfectly cooked beef, piping hot Frites; my husband had the Beef Bourgignon, which he shared, just amazing; beef melts in your mouth. Lots of ambience, incredible bread, service is spectacular and, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants in Providence. The Pot au Feu is HUGE, delicious but blander than some of their other entrees. If you are going to the Performing Arts Center, get there no later than 5:30pm. Just an amazing restaurant and one of the BEST of the BEST in Providence!
(5)Dick K.
OK, I'd say, or better than that. And I'd certainly go back. The basement is nice, and their french onion soup was good, bread good, and I don't remember what else we ate, but it was good. Now, take note, we haven't eaten there for at least two years, but for my next trip, I will.
(3)Phillip G.
Dinner was very good, and the waitress, also the chef's wife, was very helpful. I had two glasses of the house Chardonnay, oysters, and the duck. The duck was to die for, as was the dessert. The creme brûlée is the best I have ever had, hands down. The flourless chocolate torte was amazing, as was the pot du chocolate. FWIW, I liked the flourless chocolate torte better! If in Providence again, I will be back.
(4)Jess B.
Went with a group of girlfriends. We were enchanted with the decor. We went on a Sunday night, it was so nice and quiet. Our waiter was lovely. I split a bottle of wine with a friend. I ordered the escargot for an appetizer and yes, I had my "Pretty Woman" moment. Everyone loved their entrées. Dessert though was absolutely phenomenal. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a nice meal and some nice ambience. As always, check the menu online so you can get an idea of prices and etc.
(5)Marley D.
Earned two stars based on the quaint old-world atmosphere and the friendly service. My wife and I both passed on the French Onion Soup in order to save space. Should we ever return, I might give it a try. I ordered the Bouillabaisse Marseilles while my wife ordered the Tournedos Bearnaise. Visually, both dishes were admirable, but upon first taste the word of the evening was "sodium." Now, I love salt, but this was beyond reproach. I never, EVER leave seafood on a plate, but this time around I had no choice. Same with the bearnaise sauce--my wife had to scrape it off the beef in order to make an attempt at enjoying her meal. This was our first visit so obviously this is quite the small sample size, and perhaps the cook was a bit heavy handed with the salt that night. I hope so. Anyway, I'm in no rush to return and will stick to Boston for my French fare for the time being. (Oh, and not to sound too Olive Garden here, but...could you come around with the bread a bit more frequently?) (;
(2)Cyndi F.
Simply, this is arguably, one of the BEST French restaurants I have ever had the pleasure of dining at. I dine out quite often, and I am at Pot au Feu probably once a week. Whether I am there for the French onion soup (fabulous), or for dinner (many exquisite entrees), or for a nice glass of chardonnay. Just a wonderful experience all around. Once you go for dinner or a late supper, you will be going back.
(5)Samantha W.
Went here for my anniversary dinner, wanting to try something a little fancier for the occasion. The seating is in a cellar type room which does add to the ambiance however I felt it could have had a slightly nicer feel to it for the amount of money you pay to eat here. They were out of the beef medallions so I ordered the duck. It was good but not the best I've had, probably could have made it myself. The raspberry reduction was quite good however. Got the side of potatoes with the dill sour cream which was very tasty but I felt it was more pub style food and didn't really go. Had a nice bottle of sparkling wine, Veuve du Vernay, cheap and delicious! They were out of the one we originally wanted but it was a pleasant change. Ordered the creme brulee to finish and it was delicious, not sure if it was the best especially for $14... Overall I was a little underwhelmed and the service was a tad slow, it appeared there was only one waitress for the whole place, but she was excellent for being so busy.
(3)Anna B.
Waterfire night, full moon in Providence and the best dinner to go with: simple salad; pate maison; steak frites and chocolate dessert. Simplicity in our choices and quality in the result. Delighted by atmosphere - the caveau-like restaurant is decorated along the walls with sabered bottles of Champagne, courtesy of saberer/owner Bob Burke. Compliments to chef and excellent service. Will go again next time in Providence. Merci!
(5)Ryan K.
Food: I generally don't go out for French cuisine so I can't compare this place to many others, but the food was very good. I had the braised beef, but other folks had chicken and swordfish. Everyone was pleased. We started with a cheese assortment which was also good then moved to a small cup of French onion soup with a simple salad. No complaints on the food. Service: we were greeted by the owner and the servers knew the menu and could speak intelligently about the food and wine. Atmosphere: it's historic which I like, but the room was a little dark and I just felt like the place could be updated a bit. Misc: if you really like French food and are in Providence, you should check this place out, but for me, at $150 per person (food, wine and tip) I probably won't be back.
(3)Scottie M.
This was by far one of the most disappointing dining experiences this year. Nothing says "resting on your laurels" quite like not updating your establishment's interior for several decades and STILL boasting that Julia Child went there.... We entered the basement-style restaurant from the street and were greeted by the hostess. She asked if we had a reservation...? No, we did not. She told us that it was frowned upon to have dinner here without a reservation. It was a Wednesday night - and there were tumbleweeds blowing behind her - I think they could survive. Anyway... She told us that if we wanted to hang our coats, she would seat us. As we were being seated (without hanging our coats) she told us that the restaurant did not allow for guests to hang coats on the back of their chairs and that we would have to sit on them. I'm sorry - the other option is to hang my $600 jacket on a metal hook by the front door in some alleyway in Providence? I don't think so. Get over yourselves - you're not THAT over the top. What would Joan Crawford say? NO WIRE HOOKS!! Next... as we proceeded to look over the menu, we weren't very impressed. The prices were something I would expect at a much more fancy place. I can afford them - I just don't see why it's so expensive. Our server was slightly less SNOOTY than our hostess that continued to give us the evil eye. One of my fellow dinner companions ordered a glass of the sauvignon blanc... so naturally he was served a cabernet sauvignon - at least she got part of it right... The food was priced to be elegant, served to be at home. This is very definition of comfort food. This is something I would expect mom to make me when I'm home sick from school. Pot au feu? Boiled dinner all separated on a plate with a bowl of broth to dip in. Wow..... Getting the check was a hassle. I have no desire to ever go back. Give Chef Ramsay a call - Please.
(1)Rantea M.
It was a great experience, I went there for dinner with my father. We were seated by the most hospitable waitress who spoke french, too. The basement style restaurant was packed yet was very nice and cute I thought. The food was great, the butter was exquisite, definitely something I still remember after a 6 months visit. My Bouillabaisse was terrific ! I'm an average meal size eater but the plate was somehow big which added to my delight. I would definitely come back to this place and recommend it to friends and couples.
(4)Anna G.
Pot au Feu was a nice restaurant to dine at in Providence, but compared to all the other great options it is only 3 stars. I thought the service was really good! There was only one waiter, and he was running around trying to wait on all tables. He did a great job though they could have used another server. The food... was average. My crepes (seafood) were not the best. I thought the steak frites looked much better. The creme brulee was really good! Overall, a nice spot but quite average in a city that has many better options.
(3)Holly S.
Hmmmmm where shall I begin, went here for my bday dinner with friends. Warm bread was good, other than that, sub par ...Pom frites were good, but they are hard to mess up, right? I had stuffed chicken, was a lil dry and bland :( the sweet potato wedges, were crispy and dill sauce was good, I had a pinor noir, didn't like it , switched to merlot and it was so so. I shoulda had the quiche, Dangit! Kinda sad I didn't love my bday dinner, next year I'll try a new spot :)
(3)Kenneth R.
I had an atypical experience at Pot au Feu because I was part of a large group. We were seated in the private dining room upstairs and were offered a set meal with a choice of main dishes. There were wines galore at our disposal. The proprietor (a really nice guy!) was on hand to ensure that we had a great experience. We started with a plate of mixed greens that had a mini-bowl of French onion soup in the center. Neither the salad nor the onion soup struck me as super-great. I'd award three stars to the salad and 3 1/2 stars to the soup. But then my main dish came: it was "duck, cooked two ways". There was a leg of duck confit and a magret de canard at its side. Both pieces of meat were absolutely delicious. The plate was garnished with some roasted potato chunks and a few bits of grilled asparagus. This dish was a real winner. For dessert, we were given two mini bowls of mousse and a mini crepe. The two mousses were fabulous, and the crepe was merely OK. There were all sorts of different wines to sample. I loved the Alsatian pinot blanc and the rose from the south of France. There were also two medocs that were perfect accompaniments to the duck. The dinner components (food + wine) probably average out to a four-star rating. However, we had such a wonderful time at Pot au Feu that it's hard not to award the remaining star for the overall experience. I very definitely look forward to my next visit.
(5)Chelsea B.
Such a cute place with amazing food! I have been here a few times now and have never been disappointed. They have a quiche of the day and crepes of the day which are always so intriguing along with their regular menu. This past time when I went in, I got the crepes which happened to be chicken with apples, walnuts and Brie cheese with a white sauce over them that I can't really remember what it was called. They were unbelievable. It came with Brussel sprouts and roasted potatoes on the side. I could have had a whole second helping of just the potatoes they were so delicious. My friend got the coq au vin and she was barely talking during dinner because it was so good. You get a salad beforehand which comes with a choice of two homemade dressings. I just love that everything is homemade here. Also, someone comes around to your table with a basket of warm rolls which you never refuse. I wish we got dessert but were so full so next time I am going for dessert only so I can enjoy it!
(5)Bill H.
Graduation dinner for five May 2013. 6:45pm reservations. Easy (not short) walk from Brown and to downtown Marriott Courtyard. Wait staff was great (owner came out and visited all the tables) - very helpful with selections and pairing. Ambiance is very nice - quiet and cozy, with wine bottles adorning the wall. Started with a nicely colored kir royale, tried nearly all of the yelp fan favorites - french onion soup (a must), fried oysters, lobster bisque, steak frites, crepe du jour, Bouillabaisse Marseilles. People were given very cute aluminum foil 'swans' as 'doggy bags'. $314 for dinner for 6 with cocktail, wine and had all the yelp fan favorites - French Onion Soup (a must), baked oysters, etc. Many folks complain about the 'leafy salad' - its the dressing stupid! Try mixing the two together for an interesting experience.
(5)Robert R.
I really really wanted to like Pot Au Feu, so its with sadness that i give this a 2 star review. I went during restaurant week, having never been before. I was excited about the bistro menu and couldn't wait to finally experience the famous French restaurant. I was so disappointed, I hate to say. The waitstaff, my waiter in particular, were a fumbling lot that couldn't get out of their own way. Another server bumped into me 3 times, stepped on my foot and knocked over my water. All forgiven though as it was a little comical. My first course was ok. The maison pate. No complaints, not blown away either. Then the dreadful hellish hour passed until we received our entrees. Our server ignored us during this time and offered no explanations or apologies. 5 other tables entered the restaurant and finished all 3 courses by the time ours finally came. I have never walked out before; this time I nearly did. Second course steak frites. Steak was over cooked (should I send it back? It wasnt worth another hour). The frites are the same fries you get at McDonald's. I watched the chef, over and over pour frozen fries from a food service bag into the fryer. Further disappointment. The dessert course was nearly inedible. A fruit crepe. Fruit? It was full of chocolate mouse and drenched in a simple syrup. Maybe this was just a bad night and maybe my server was having personal issues. I will give pot au feu another chance....but my hopes aren't high. I hope they aren't just resting on their laurels, reputation and hearsay that Julia Childs once ate there. It seems that they are.
(2)Kathleen E.
My husband and I tried the Pot Au Feu tonight The restaurant is beautiful. Can't eat ambience...yeah you're right. That's why they serve superb meals here. my husband has the lamb shank besides being "melt in your mouth" delicious the sauce it came in reminded my husband of why we love France. I had the filet mignon medium rare is the way to go. The meat was delectable moist yet tasty. The side vegetables had a taste of their own. I could go on forever but I think the truth is you are creating yourself if you don't try this restaurant you are cheating yourself of a amazing splurge. Which brings me to the most important part. Prices here are comparable. Quality versus quantity thus restaurant wins both.
(5)Jo S.
Service - terrible Food - Mediocre Atmosphere - ok Our server was just terrible. We were there just as the restaurant was opening so she couldn't have been overwhelmed by other tables. We asked about gluten and she started guessing. We insisted that she check with the chef. She took orders from 6 people and left. The only problem is that we had 7 people. One in our party had to chase her down to place their order. We asked about the dill potatoes. Nothing on the menu mentioned that they were half white and half sweet (which I detest) nor did she mention that fact when we asked about the potatoes. Plus not a shred of dill in sight. I ordered the duck $32 for breast "on the bone" and leg confit. The breast was well done - yuck! Further it was obvious that it had been microwaved. It was so hot that I couldn't eat it for a while. Nothing comes out of the pan to the table and remains that hot for 5 minutes unless it's from the microwave. My husband's steak frite had a terrible sauce. First very unusual for a steak frite. Ok not mainstream but at least it should be tasty. The medium rare steak came out well done. Who is in the kitchen? The other diners were equally unimpressed.
(2)Jenna S.
I enjoyed this restaurant. I can see the merit in others' reviews that it is small, cramped, etc. but this place was exactly as a French bistro should be: small, cramped and below street level. We had reservations for a large group, which was a bit confusing for the wait staff because they were not sure how to seat us since they couldn't have us all together (we were split into tables of 4-6). That was fine, but it was a bit crazy when they were trying to split us and figure out who would sit where, especially since we were arriving in waves. The bar at the entrance is really nice, quaint and small and it would be a great space for a drink on a date or a romantic evening out. The menu was classic French fare done really well. There were daily specials, a great wine list and French dishes that expats and Francophiles expect on a menu in a real French restaurant. Our prix fixe menu was really delicious, with a wide variety of appetizers, good choice of entrees and yummy desserts. I had the salade chèvre chaud, steak frites and a yummy bread pudding for dessert. My tablemates also enjoyed their meals and we, overall, were happy with everything we had. I was also super happy that they had Kronenbourg 1664, the Miller Lite of France. I am always nostalgic for a bottle of this stuff, so any restaurant that serves it gets an A from me. I think this place is really good and worth a visit, especially if you're in Providence, you like all things French and you're looking for a good meal.
(4)Peter R.
I still come here about twice a year and it continues to have the best possible food quality and service. An absolute treat. When visiting Providence, don't miss the Pot.
(5)Eleni Z.
VERY NICE ATMOSPHERE- Food was average and somewhat disappointing! Bread had no taste-green salad was fresh and dressings were excellent but our main courses were not great. Crepes were burnt and chicken -cheese center was far too salty. Our friend's pork was dry,and steak /frites was average. Nothing special .
(2)Kevin E.
Finally made it to Pot Au Feu after wanting to go for a few months. My fiancé and I went on a Monday night and LITERALLY had the place to ourselves, which only enhanced the great ambiance that made me feel like I was actually in a small bistro in the french countryside. The artwork, knickknacks, and brick walls lined with wine bottles really made this place unique and special. Our waiter, Charlie, could not have been nicer and was an absolute pleasure to deal with throughout the evening. My fiancé ordered the French Onion soup to start, which she loved, and I began with the Huitres Lorraine (baked gratineed oysters with sour cream, bacon, and horseradish) and it was delectable! The salads were the perfect size, simple mixture of greens with fresh blue cheese, and the homemade dressings were terrific. For entrees, my fiancé had the lamb shank and I had the duck,sausage, and breadcrumb casserole (the french name of which escapes me, sorry!) Needless to say, both were exquisite. We ended our night with the chocolate mousse crepe, which, you guessed it, was delicious. This was a perfect restaurant for a special occasion, and we will ABSOLUTELY return in the future!
(5)Matt E.
Excellent offering in Providence for some interesting dining experiences. Loved the lamb shank. Will be back!
(4)Dianna S.
My husband and I ate here last night, and it was truly a great experience. It was pricey, but the food was good and portion size was pretty decent. Our server was friendly, even the bread guy did a great job and checked on us several times with his bread basket and water carafe. For starters, I had the most scrumptious and savory French onion soup of my life. My husband had the foie gras and he practically licked his plate clean. Entree came with a green salad with choice of two dressings, a honey mustard and a raspberry balsamic. The salad was literally just a plate of greens, so nothing special there, but the raspberry balsamic was exceptional. I wanted to taste the honey mustard, but it was so thick and it wouldn't pour out of the jar. I had the beef bourguignon with potato gratinee, and both were amazing. The meat was so tender, and the sauce was so decadent. The potatoes were a fantastic accompaniment. My husband had the steak frites, which unfortunately was not as good. The steak was fine but the fries were unexceptional. Just boring fries out of a bag (maybe not, but they seemed like it). If Pot au Feu is reading this, please fix the fries. Make them more special. For dessert, we had the Pot au Chocolate and citrus mousse. They were complete opposites, but great. The chocolate was a thick, dense mousse, very intense flavor. Definitely couldn't (or shouldn't) finish. The citrus mousse was light, airy and refreshing. A nice finish to the meal.
(4)Warren M.
Every once in a while you need to do something other than fish, steak, Italian in Providence. Hard to find traditional French but the Pot has it in a cute, south of France atmosphere. They Evan had a (Cassolet) which I had never even heard of until trying it in Provence. We had a wonderful, before theatre, dinner, a nice bottle of wine and a short, though rainy, walk to PPAC. The owner came over to talk and his take on the city is interesting. I like the bar for a quiet glass of wine on a winter's day. There are only a few seats and it's probably meant as a waiting area but it's very welcoming and the giant map of Paris brings back fond memories of past travels. Yes, we were happy with. "The Pot" and recomend it to others.
(5)Lisa R.
Came here for restaurant week. I had high expectations as many friends recommended this place. After going to Flemings and having a fantastic meal and service, was expecting the same and was quite disappointed. Service was average and food was ok. With so many great restaurants in Providence, will not go back here.
(3)Brian C.
Great experience on Valentine's Day! First time dining here and it delivered in every way: atmosphere, service, food. I dropped my wife off to find a spot in the snow and saw the cooks shoveling and salting the sidewalk (impressed with their ability to do that and smile, welcome us and then return and deliver a great meal on a busy night). We then went to their cozy bar for a glass of wine. We were, of course, greeted warmly by the owner, Bob, who is a top-notch professional. When our table was ready, we were seated and greeted by our server, who was tending bar the only other time we've been here and she was fantastic. She was completely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and helped us make menu choices throughout the night. I noticed our table was uneven only after our sever told me that someone would be right out to fix it, which they did promptly. The meal began with warm French bread: excellent. We started with the Escargot, which were tender and delicious. The meal came with a simple greens salad with optional blue cheese crumbles and served with 2 bottles of dressing. I had the balsamic and my wife had the mustard. Both were great. Throughout the meal, their attentive staff were buzzing around the dining room providing great service (bussing, bread, wine, etc.). The meals were served on large plates and we're surprisingly generous portions. We weren't real adventurous in our meal choices, but we were both very happy with our entrees. I had the Tournedos Bordelaise (recommended by our server). It was cooked perfectly and I loved the flavor of the bordelaise sauce. My wife had the steak frites. Her dish was a little over cooked, but she still enjoyed her meal. We finished with what turned-out to be a massive Creme brûlée (glad we shared). Our only other minor criticism is the crust on top of the Creme brûlée wasn't the typical hard caramel crust, but still tasted great. Overall, our experience was excellent and we'll definitely recommend and return. Great time.
(4)Katy A.
Outstanding French food without the pretense. From the moment we walked in to the time we left, we were made to feel welcome and treated very warmly. I cannot believe this place only has a 3 1/2 star rating!! The ambiance is very romantic, with candles and dark red decor. A very lovely spot for an intimate dinner for two, or a celebration for many. The owner was on site, working and was so friendly and happy to greet my group, who only ordered appetizers and drinks. We sat at the bar and chatted with the sweet bartender, Madeline, who was very attentive and welcoming. This little gem is a food lovers haven. Food was exceptional and between the Pate Maison, salmon, escargots and bluefish pate, I am not sure which we enjoyed more. Bread was served fresh and warm, with a smile. We would have stayed for dinner except we had planned to eat apps and have drinks around town. What a mistake! We started at Pot Au Feu and everything else after was a huge disappointment. We will not make the same mistake again! We will be back over and over because it is just that good. Try this place if you're tired of the same old humdrum. It won't disappoint!
(5)Gena D.
NEVER again. I had high hopes for this restaurant, but was very disappointed. It's a small restaurant, very tight spacing even to just get to your table. Let's start with the bread, very dry and unappetizing to say the least, and I am not quite sure what that spread is on the table, but it's definitely not real butter. The service is extremely slow so if you're starving, I would recommend somewhere else because you'll be waiting a long time for your food. The salad is just mixed greens, but you do have the option of having blue cheese on top. After waiting for what felt like an eternity, my food comes out, now one would think that after waiting so long, the food would be piping hot, nope, quite the opposite the food was room temperature at best. I ordered the dish that came with lobster, shrimp, scallops and penne pasta. The funny thing is I didn't recognize any sort of lobster anywhere in my dish. For $36 I would think you would get a little more seafood. I know I can go to Chardonnays or even Hemenway's and get a good size portion of seafood for less and the taste of the food would be amazing. Now onto the dessert, I was going to order the crème brûlée, but they ran out . Instead I had some vanilla mousse which came with some pecan praline topping, it was decent. I mean it was definitely more enjoyable than my food, but it wasn't exceptional enough for me to want to return. Oh and I almost forgot, the foil they wrap your leftovers in, not sure if it is supposed to be a duck or what. My problem with that is, I'm NOT 5 and animal shaped objects don't excite me. I see it as a way to save money, just being cheap. By the time I got home, the foil had a tear in it. So that about sums it up, customer service was average not stellar, food was average not stellar, put it this way I would have been more satisfied having a whopper Junior from Burger King. Take it from me spend your money somewhere else.
(1)Marc F.
The service is incredibly slow and I don't think they care that they are understaffed. I had to ask for them to bring our wine several times. The crepes were mediocre at best. I would definitely not go back or recommend to a friend.
(1)Jennifer H.
I have to say that I admit with Kay R. on Pot au Feu: the decor is the highlight, and it is truly a shame that the service and food do not live up to this cozy, intimate, tucked-away spot in Downcity. Charlie at the bar was friendly, but he proved a bit inconsistent in service throughout the night; it was as if he didn't hear us when we turned down bread and requested dishes not be cleared from the table. He kept asking. I tried pate for the first time, and the bluefin pate really surprised me; despite a slightly over-salty flavor, My tomato bisque was more soup than bisque -- the cream was mysteriously missing -- but the flavor was good, and the temperature was perfect. I ordered the citrus salmon topped with mandarin oranges for my entree, and while the salmon was good (a tad rare for my taste), the accompanying rice and vegetables really fell short. The mixed vegetables were stone cold, and the rice pilaf was dry and lacking flavor. For dessert, I had to have the Pot au Chocolate Creme, and it was deliciously decadent. Everything was good... but nothing was great, and at these prices in this atmosphere, I expect more. Much more. I did go during Restaurant Week, so the price was reasonable, but the thought of paying full price for what I got turns me away. Several of the other entrees on the regular menu sounded good, so there is a slight chance I'll give Pot au Feu another go. By the way, the entrance is very confusing with the event space upstairs and the dining room/bar downstairs. The signage outside and on the staircase could be much clearer.
(3)Peter D.
I finally made it to Pot Au Feu on 3/23/13. The place was hoping and the atmosphere is great. I ordered the Bouillabaisse - it was FANTASIC! I am still thinking about it today - huge chunks of white fish, salmon, shrimp, little necks, mussels. What a great meal. It definitely is pricey at $34 but it was worth it. Our waiter recommended it and I am glad i went with it! The salad was ok - glad i got the blue cheee on it! Decent wine selection. All in all a great dinner. My companion got a chicken dish which she liked very much.
(5)Jennifer E.
So I admit, i didn't have extremely high hopes for Pot Au Feu due to my extreme trust in the judgment of my fellow Yelpers. Turns out, a 3 star place indeed ended up being a 3 star night. It's not that the food was bad, because it really wasn't. It wasn't that the service was inattentive or unfriendly, because the service for the most part was decent. It's just that nothing about the place really was jaw dropping-ly awesome. When the prices reach a certain level, I expect to be wowed and leave going: wholly crap that was so fricken good! Instead I left Pot Au Feu feeling full but underwhelmed and cracking jokes about the weird staff. I initially really loved the place, the cool interior of brick and stone, the specials on the chalk board on the wall written in french, and the series of never ending wine bottles lining the walls. I almost felt like I was back in Paris for a brief second. That is, until we met our server assistants. They were honestly very nice but just sort of...weird. They asked us if we wanted more bread about ninety times (after we had said we didn't want any more ninety times). They couldn't understand when my friend wanted to keep his pate next to him on the table (he had a lot left and wanted to munch on it throughout the remainder of our evening). It was all just a little bizarre, although it was well intentioned. It just wasn't the kind of service you would expect from a pricey restaurant. The food itself was good but just not great. The blue fish pate wasn't bad but a little bit on the salty side. The salmon was tasty and quite enjoyable. It was marinated and garnished with mandarin oranges which gave it a sweet and tangy flavor. It was all good but again, if it wasn't on restaurant week I wouldn't have though that it was worth the prices they were asking. I really wish that I could give this place a better rating but with all of the other (better) french inspired restaurants in the area it is just not the best.
(3)Shar A.
Shame. Went here for Restaurant week with a group. I feel totally responsible for making everyone go this restaurant only for the whole table to be thoroughly disappointed with their food. We all ordered salad which had a nice honey mustard dressing. The salad itself left much to be desired. We all ordered either streak frites or fish. Both were OK, kind of bland, and boring. The deserts were boring and plain too. Service was slow even though there were only two other tables full in this tiny place. Boring server. It was just a shame. I really think this place is special and should use restaurant week to approach customers that normally don't visit or can't afford. Build value and show them why it's worth the tab.
(3)Aina B.
I'm sad to review Pot Au Feu so low, since it seems to have such promise, but I have to agree with other reviewers- nice enough ambiance that serves food WAY overpriced for what you get. I ordered roasted chicken with vegetables and rice, and what I got was pretty much just bland- no tender rice, no delicate seasoning or technique to allow the chicken to shine on its own, just slightly overdone vegetables in a pool of bland roast juices. The chicken was cooked fine, sure, but I can easily do the same at home. Underwhelmed by wine and drinks menu as well. I don't want to see Pot Au Feu go away, I want them to breathe life into their menu and really wow their diners, I just feel that for the prices, you can do a LOT better.
(3)