Lyla D.
Yelp
During our last visit to Las Vegas to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New and my husband's birthday, we dined at local chef James Trees' Esther's Kitchen, where our server recommended the chef's latest Arts District opening, a Parisian-inspired cocktail bar in December 2024 called "Petite Bohème." She suggested we finish our evening Downtown before returning to The Strip. However, we were too full from our meals and put our thoughts of having digestifs on hold since we knew we'd return to Las Vegas in April. Our server said our return in April would be the perfect time to dine at Chef Trees' soon-to-open French bistro, Bar Bohème.
I kept my eyes open for dinner reservation availability on the OpenTable dining reservation system and snagged a pre-sunset table for my husband and me. I coincidentally scheduled our dinner for our third night in Las Vegas, which was also the third night since the Bar Bohème's Grand Opening.
Walking into the so-called "bistro," I was immediately transported to several Parisian brasseries such as Au Petite Riche, Le Café du Commerce, and Brasserie Le Vaudeville by its elegant Belle Époque interior with luxurious upholstered banquettes, white linen tablecloths, brass accents, vegetal motifs, and black-vested and white-shirted tailored uniformed wait staff. Although we dined here on their third night of operation, it was evident that our welcoming, relaxed, professional, and knowledgeable server, Joshua, was experienced and trained well.
BEVERAGES:
Our pre-dinner cocktails were a French 75 ($16) and an Old Fashioned ($15). We paired our entrees with glasses of light-bodied 2022 Chateau de Jarnioux, Beaujolais, Gamay ($15) and medium to full-bodied 2016 Chateau Lamothe-Bergeron, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, Cabernet-Sauvignon Blend ($20).
FOOD:
-Pâté de Campagne: a classic cold terrine of pork, pork liver, and seasonings served with cornichons, mustard, and tartines (crostini). Accompanying the pâté was a lightly dressed frisée salad and fresh strawberries drizzled in balsamic vinegar. We shared this appetizer since we hadn't eaten lunch and wanted to get something more than bread in our stomachs. $14
-Salade aux Fines Herbes: If you've ever dined at Chef Trees or other restaurants, you'd know that the generous portions are undoubtedly shareable. This refreshing and healthy salad of torn butter lettuce, red onion, and radishes was napped with herbaceous and savory "goddess" dressing with a sprinkling of fines herbes. $17
-Bœuf Bourguignon: bœuf bourguignon is a staple dish on brasserie menus, so I HAD to order this dish--a huge nod to Chef Trees' culinary training roots by elevating this traditional entree. Instead of slow-cooked chunks of beef, this version featured fork-tender and succulent beef slices in a rich demi-glace enhanced red wine sauce with mushrooms, carrots, Yukon gold potatoes, and turnips. A side of smooth, creamy, and silky mashed potatoes or pommes purées enriched with chèvre (goat cheese) accompanied the entree. $48
-Mary's Duck: the menu's description included Thumbelina carrot, baby leek, orange, and duck. I thought this entree would be an interpretation of "duck à l'orange." Seeing the beautifully roasted duck pieces with crispy skin and rare-to-medium-rare doneness, my husband's eyes lit up. We were honored by a visit from Chef Trees, who completed the duck presentation by meticulously saucing the duck pieces with a well-balanced orange duck jus. $45
-Choux Fleur Gratinée: don't sleep on getting this cauliflower gratin! You'll not be disappointed with this cheesy and decadent-tasting yet healthy side dish. My husband said he'd be more willing to eat vegetarian daily instead of once a week if all vegetables tasted as good as this. $15
We debated ordering desserts or going to Petit Bohème for after-dinner drinks. But we chose a dessert after hearing Joshua praise Bar Bohème's pâtisser, and he graciously offered to escort us to Petit Bohème. The Lemon Raspberry Mousse ($18) was phenomenal in its presentation, flavors, and textures. Its light, airy, and refreshing fruit flavors left us very satisfied.
As promised, Joshua took us over to Petit Bohème, and we considered cozying up to the bar to order a couple of cocktails. However, my husband said if he drank anymore, he'd fall asleep even though I said he shouldn't worry since neither of us was driving afterwards. Darn it, I was eyeing the flaming absinthe cocktail called "J'accuse." Oh well, I guess cocktails will have to wait until the next time we're in Las Vegas.