French Favorites

[cscott4313]

Anything to add to the list?

French
*Craigie on Main – craigiestreetbistrot.com, Cambridge, 853 Main (617-497-5511)
*Mistral –www.mistralbistro.com/#start, 223 Columbus Avenue, Boston (617-867-9300)
Troquet – www.troquetboston.com, (and Wine Bar) 140 Boylston Street, Boston (617-695-9463
)Pigalle – www.pigalleboston.com, 75 Charles Street South, Boston (617-423-4944
)La Voile – www.lavoileboston.net, 259 Newbury Street, Boston (617-587-4200

)

French/Contemporary
Salts – www.saltsrestaurant.com, 798 Main Street, Cambridge (617-876-8444
)L’Espalier – www.lespalier.com/index.shtml, 774 Boylston Street, Boston (617-262-3023
)Radius – www.radiusrestaurant.com, 8 High Street, Boston (617-426-1234

)

French/Cuban
Chez Henri – www.chezhenri.com/index.php, 1 Shepard Street, Cambridge (617-354-8980

)

French/Italian
*No. 9 Park – no9park.com, Beacon Hill, 9 Park St. (617-742-9991)

[cscott4313]

Had Easter brunch at Hamersley’s Bistro today and was impressed with the meal quality and ambiance. We started with their assorted sweet breads and muffins: an apple sticky-bun (outrageously delicious and moist), bananna bread (good but dense), a chocolate bread and a walnut scone. I then ordered the "Poached Eggs with Morbier Cheese, Smoky Bacon and Spicy Breakfast Sausage on a Toasted English Muffin with Herb Sauce." The eggs were perfectly cooked and made even more delectable with the addition of the melt-in-your-mouth meats and thin yet creamy herb sauce. Spectacular. The only drawback was our waiter -- not horrible or even bad, just attitudinally not up to par. Otherwise, superb meal! Can't wait to try it for dinner!

[maggiepie]

aujourd'hui at the four seasons

[Snoop37]

Not that I've ever been to either of these places, but there's Jasmine Bistro which is Hungarian/French and also The Hungry i. Both seem to be fairly popular here.

[julieapfel]

Sel de la Terre for sure. I recently ordered the charcuterie plate which I've never had. I'm not an expert on French cuisine but this seemed pretty legit. I have had consistently great experiences here, with one exceptionally enthusiastic waiter.

[cscott4313]

Waiter's name?

[cscott4313]

Also, I would love to hear anyone's impression on Radius. A friend suggested it but I have never been.

[hotoynoodle]

radius consistently underwhelms me and the wine mark-ups are staggering.

[alwayscooking]

Lots of postings on Radius on this board.

[cscott4313]

---- UDATED LIST -----

French
*Craigie on Main – craigiestreetbistrot.com, Cambridge, 853 Main (617-497-5511)
Mistral –www.mistralbistro.com/#start, 223 Columbus Avenue, Boston (617-867-9300)
Lumiére – www.lumiererestaurant.com, 1293 Washington Street, Boston (617-224-9199
)*Hamersley’s Bistro – www.hamersleysbistro.com, South End, 553 Tremont (617-423-2700
)Aujourd’hui – http://www.fourseasons.com/boston/dining/aujourd_hui.html, 200 Boylston Street, Boston (617-351-2037) (Located on the Second Floor
)Troquet – www.troquetboston.com, (and Wine Bar) 140 Boylston Street, Boston (617-695-9463
)Aquitane – www.aquitaineboston.com, 569 Tremont Street, Boston (617-424-8577
)Pigalle – www.pigalleboston.com, 75 Charles Street South, Boston (617-423-4944
)Sel de la Terre – www.seldelaterre.com, 255 State Street, Boston (617-720-1300
)La Voile – www.lavoileboston.net, 259 Newbury Street, Boston (617-587-4200
)Gaslight – www.gaslight560.com, 560 Harrison Avenue, South End (617-422-0224
)Sandrines – www.sandrines.com, 8 Holyoke Street, Cambridge (617-497-5300
)Pierrot Bistrot – http://pierrotbistrot.com, 272 Cambridge Street, Beacon Hill (617-725-8855
)Petit Robert Bistro – www.petitrobertbistro.com, 468 Commonwealth Ave., Boston (617-375-0699

)

French/Brasserie
*Eastern Standard – www.easternstandardboston.com, 528 Commonwealth Ave, Kenmore Square, Boston (617-532-9100
)Boucheé – www.boucheebrasserie.com, 159 Newbury Street, Boston (617-450-4343

)

French/Contemporary
*Clío – www.cliorestaurant.com, 370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston (617-536-7200
)*Salts – www.saltsrestaurant.com, 798 Main Street, Cambridge (617-876-8444
)L’Espalier – www.lespalier.com/index.shtml, 774 Boylston Street, Boston (617-262-3023

)

French/Cuban
Chez Henri – www.chezhenri.com/index.php, 1 Shepard Street, Cambridge (617-354-8980

)

French/Italian
*No. 9 Park – no9park.com, Beacon Hill, 9 Park St. (617-742-9991)

French/Japanese – Sushi
*O Ya – www.oyarestaurantboston.com, Near South Station, 9 East St. (617-654-9909

)

Comments, reviews, opinions, suggestions all appreciated. Thanks

[hotoynoodle]

add uni to your french/japanese category and i'd put both gaslight and aquitaine in the brasserie section.

[alwayscooking]

At this rate, most of the nicer restaurants in Boston will be on the list - Sasso, Sorellina, Sibling Rivalry, etc.

!?!

[hotoynoodle]

sasso and sorellina are both italian and sibling is, well, whatever it is, it's not french by any stretch.

this list is a pretty small handful of places.

[alwayscooking]

They have chefs that are traditionally trained and their menu wanders all over the continent like Mistral, Craigie, etc. Perhaps these two belong in the French/Italian section?

The list encompasses most of the nicer places in Boston and I'm sure we could find places for those not yet on it.

[cscott4313]

Sibling says that it's Modern American. Anyways really appreciate the help so far.

[C. Hamster]

Why no Brasserie Jo?

It's a great place.

[resipsaloquitor]

Ditto.

[cscott4313]

Got it thanks!

[cscott4313]

Still, any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[kobuta]

I suppose "favorite" is debatable but Mantra does French-Indian. I find the concept at least intriguing. Had a decent meal years ago (when they first opened).

[julieapfel]

I'm sorry - I don't remember his name but he is Asian-American with a distinct voice

[alwayscooking]

Many of your restaurants I'd call continental or new American rather than truly French. I'm also unclear on the goal of this compilation since you've not asked for reviews/opinions on these places and seem to have such a loose definition.

But I'm willing to add more:
Clio
Boucher
Aujourd'hui

Google could help you with more.

[hotoynoodle]

*bouchee*

[cscott4313]

Sorry to not include sufficient information. For clarification, I would absolutely appreciate any reviews or opinions people might have on new restaurants, or the ones I have listed. Furthermore, any clarifications about how I should change the classifications of the restaurants I have listed are welcomed. Thanks.

[alwayscooking]

Mr. 4313

Curious as to how you'll be using this list - it might help with our input.

[cscott4313]

I have family, friends and associates that come out to visit the boston area often. So, A) I want to ensure a great culinary experience when I go out to eat with friends, B) I want to be able to suggest the right places for others. This is not a buisness of mine, but a passion for good food. The best times I have had revolve around good food, good friends, and good family. Just trying to keep that trend going haha.

[hotoynoodle]

aquataine and hammersley's.

[cscott4313]

Would you consider hammersley's more french or just contemporary continental?

[hotoynoodle]

his foundation and techniques are decidedly french. i have no idea what you mean by "contemporary continental". that sounds like something a chain restaurant would put on their mission statement.

[cscott4313]

Haha thanks.

[Taralli]

Sandrine's in Harvard Square: http://www.sandrines.com/

[cscott4313]

Thanks so much everyone. Keep 'em comming!

[C. Hamster]

Brasserie Jo, esp. for Alsatian cuisine

[barleywino]

French/Asian: CLio, O-Ya
French/brasserie: Eastern Standard

[Joanie]

Pierrot (sp): Cambridge St., Beacon Hill
Bon Savor: crepes and stuff, JP
Lumiere: W. Newton

[enhF94]

French/Cambodian: Elephant Walk

a particularly useful thread for culinary students, I bet.

[Prav]

Petit Robert

Gaslight