"There are plenty of French mainstays on the brunch menu of this buzzy, 38-seat bistro that sweeps diners to the River Seine by way of Back Bay. Yes, try the croque madame, which sees brioche topped with ham and a perfect sunny-side up, plus a rich and cheesy mornay sauce, and the eggs Benedict, boasting tender duck confit along with a hollandaise livened by a hint of caraway. But do consider savoring other options that celebrate the nation’s immigrant population from the Middle East, North and East Africa, and Southeast Asia, to see how those flavors sing throughout contemporary French cuisine; in the Vietnamese banh mi, for example, a vadouvan dijonnaise lends an earthy contrast to the pickled vegetables. This spot is a gem—dusty green and pink interiors are balanced by jungle touches and French textiles—so it gets packed on the weekends, and doesn’t accept reservations. Pop in early to beat the rush." - Paul Rubio, Elizabeth Wellington, Nathan Tavares
