Boston French Restaurant Bistro du Midi Is a Grand Dining Experience | Eater Boston

"Open since 2009, this two-story Back Bay spot across from the Boston Public Garden feels like a throwback to lingering lunches and special-occasion dinners, with a formal dining room upstairs and a comparatively casual bistro downstairs. The menus sit at the intersection of executive chef Robert Sisca’s well-honed techniques and mindfully sourced ingredients, turning familiar dishes like bouillabaisse and roast chicken into deeply satisfying plates alongside freshly made pastas and a raw bar. The crudo and tartare vary but never disappoint—the Ora King salmon ($28) with crisp pear and a gentle buttermilk vinaigrette hit those creamy and acidic notes with a nice balance—and on a chilly day the French onion soup’s deep beef broth is the move. If there are truffles, just say yes; when chicken paillard pops up (often on the $65 lunch tasting menu), it’s a must-order, with flavorful chicken lightly breaded and served with fresh arugula and a swirl of balsamic. We’ve never had a bad plate of noodles; recent standouts were a green pea gnocchi ($29) and a rich fettuccine in cream sauce topped with truffles (part of the same lunch tasting menu). For dessert, plan ahead and order the chocolate souffle, a near-perfect molten cake that poofs out of a ramekin like a top hat and is served with fresh whipped cream and hot fudge. The restaurant may appear a little formal, but one of the most fun and welcoming meals can be had in the bistro—post up at the bar in the winter, or, in the summer, sit in one of the open windows or on the patio with a chilled rosé bottle and crudo." - Tanya Edwards