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re: lifeasbinge
I've had v. nice dinners, and a particularly "genuine" lunch at Aquitaine Bis in Chestnut Hill. Just made it to BJ for the first time, and I'm looking forward to going again soon. Food was good, and the room has a great vibe. I've always had v. good food and service at PBR in Kenmore Sq. I like Jacky's Table in Brighton, a PBR member. I've only been to Sel de la Terre once, many yrs ago, and never went back, I just found it meh. Although, I do remember the bread basket. Cognac Bistro is trying, but the space is a former garage, and we found it hard to get past that. I so wish Sandrine's would be better so I could justify going there someday. Have to get to La Voile!
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Aquitaine Bis
11 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467Jacky's Table
1414 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02135
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Hi EAT, i respectfully disagree with all my esteemed fellow posters. Authentic affordable and with soul is something that we just don't have for French food in this city. I'm thinking family run, simple with high level of craftsmanship and you will find this in the tiniest French towns. While the food is tasty, none of the aforementioned places has soul. We also do this well for other cuisines, just not French. Ironically, we had this when food was far less interesting here. Many years ago, where Chez Henri is now was a family run French place called Chez Jean that closed for a month for vacation in August (how French is that). Menu was simple and seasonal adapting what ingredients were here to old family recipes. It wasn't always delicious, but it was authentic, affordable and with soul. What we have now is OK-good food in corporate bistro-like environments.
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Chez Henri
1 Shepard Street, Cambridge, MA 02138›16 Replies-
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re: robwat36
hotoynoodle
Jun 28, 2011 01:26 PM
it's not. the owner is almost always in-house, it serves standard bistro fare, while paying beacon hill rent. i don't find the food over-priced at all. wines by the glass are over-priced for what they are, but that's true of many places.
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re: gourmaniac
EATTV
Jun 28, 2011 01:36 PM
Exactly my probleme. This is the thing. French food or any honest food should be a right not a privilege. Yes? Some of the French inspired offerings in Brahminville are hollow and Epcotish. Others are production operations that are painting by numbers. Years back there was a place in Maynard, La Petite Auberge that was my first peak at the French way. Later on after traveling I found that the best things were most often the simplest. Bourride 10 feet from the quay, real bread, and the best wine from an open bottle with no label. If I had to choose right now I'd pick Sandrine's I think. Just a vibe. (Assistance svp)
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Sandrine's
8 Holyoke St., Cambridge, MA 02138-
re: EATTV
hotoynoodle
Jun 28, 2011 01:46 PM
i have only had mediocre food and awful service at sandrine's. it was serviceable when it opened, but i am amazed they remain in business. but for harvard faculty, i doubt they would.
pretty room though.
ymmv.
i certainly don't consider french food in boston a "right". jimimy.
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re: robwat36
hotoynoodle
Jun 28, 2011 02:58 PM
when they did dine out, it was in places like the ritz-carlton dining room and locke-ober in its past life. both places now defunct, if ya get my drift.
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re: smtucker
hotoynoodle
Jun 28, 2011 05:52 PM
true dat ~ and one didn't go for the food, but to dine with others just like yourself where the hoi polloi couldn't get at you.
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re: hotoynoodle
Much of that dining scene took place in private homes/clubs with private chefs.
Might explain why fiiner dining was slow to come to Boston.
When I moved here in the late 70's", fine dining was limited" to the Ritz, Lockes, Maision Robert and Cafe Budapest
Today, I'm a fan of Pierrot...and Brasserie Jo. I eat out for lunch more often ad Pierrot doesn;t dumb it down. Neither does Bras Jo..but just not as geo frindly for me.
We've comea long way..)
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Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116-
re: 9lives
I also recommend Pierrot and Brasserie Jo. Of course, Pierrot is owned and operated by a local whereas Brasserie Jo is part of a very small chain run by an excellent french chef, John Joho, who is one of the best chefs in the country.
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Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
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re: EATTV
I had one of my first credit card meals (meaning it cost more than I had at the time) with a date at Le Petite Auberge in Maynard way back in the mid to late 1970's and it was really terrific - although what did I know about French food at the time. I do remember a lovely bottle of Chateau Margaux but little else (about the food not the date). It was French country dining in a small gritty town but a great place. When Digital Equipment (DEC) went under, perhaps that was when and why they shuttered the place - too bad.
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re: Taralli
agree with both T's above: La Voile is good (second those sweetbreads!) and pierrot is authentic and reasonable. not a fan of petit robert or aquitaine myself, but I do like Brasserie Jo. While Eastern Standard Kitchen isn't french they make a grand frisee salad and roasted bone marrow and Cognac Bistro in Brookline makes a killer onion soup and is very homey, bistro=type food though not exclusively French.
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Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215La Voile
261 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116Cognac Bistro
455 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446 -
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re: meeps2002
I guess I wasn't clear, the big thumbs up was meant for Pierrot -- and I'll stand by it compared to Aquitaine and certainly Petit Robert (and also Metropolis if the question is regarding classic French, even though it's one of my favorites in the neighborhood).
Aquitaine is great if you need high ceilings and leather banquettes to go along with your meal -- and sometimes you do! -- whereas Pierrot will sell you on the food first and the atmosphere second, and it's all a bit more casual and neighborhood-y, and truly delicious considering the price. It just feels right.
Petit Robert has always struck me as too basic but is good for what it is.
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What is your definition of affordable? La Voile is excellent, and a good value especially for lunch. Out of this world sweetbreads in morel cream sauce. Petit Robert, Aquitane, and Brasserie Jo all also meet my definition of good and affordable, but ymmv. I particularly like the onion soup and steak frites at BJ.
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La Voile
261 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116›1 Reply
