Bistro de Margot

There are few things in this world that I would drive 4 hours for; a meal at Bistro de Margot is now on that list of few things. Every dish served for my fiancée and I were simply incredible, she has never enjoyed a steak anywhere else, and that speaks volumes to the perfection that was each dish. From the presentation to the quality and taste it has so far been the single most enjoyable dining experience we have had to date. It was a true delight to meet Chef Hervé at the end of our meal and really speaks volumes to the enthusiasm and effort he brings to the culinary experience he has cultivated here. We will be back :)

Dinner at Bistro de Margot was a dining experience I will talk about forever. This is fine dining that isn’t stiff or pretentious; it’s excellent cuisine, served with care and love for the craft. Chef Hervé Mahé, you are an artist in what you do. I’m not a ‘picky’ eater, but I recognize what is, and isn’t good. As someone who has never, ever found a restaurant that can prepare and serve a steak to my liking, I was nearly brought to tears by the excellent Steak Frites that were prepared for me tonight. Tender, juicy, magnificent. My fiancé and I recommend doing the three course dinner. While it may seem like a large meal, every course was perfectly proportioned and sat light, with attention to flavor balancing and beautiful presentation. Thank you to our wondering waitress, Anna, and the rest of the excellent staff running this bistro, we had an excellent evening!

What an unbelievably amazing dining experience! I enjoyed the prix fixe menu and added on the foie gras - made in the most scrumptious crème brûlée style! With bits of lobster and layers of flavor it was all I could do not to lick the plate clean. The salad is not just a salad but fresh Bibb lettuce, quail egg and perfectly delicate Dijon dressing. The Artic char was cooked perfectly with crispy skin, creamy tomato mashed potatoes and lobster cream sauce. The recommended pairing of the Bourgogne Chardonnay was spot on. Enjoyed Espresso with the Mousse au Chocolate with a hint of citrus for a delectable finish. I felt welcomed the moment I walked in the door and Chef Mahé was so kind to stop by the table and chat about the dishes. I highly recommend and can’t wait to be back with friends.

We’re lucky to have such a wonderful dining experience here in Burlington. The foodnis beyond delicious and well worth the price. Bistro de Margot feels more like NYC or Paris.

The food here was phenomenal, every dish paired with a perfect side and garnish and delivered with a personal touch. The dining area wasn't too crowded and quiet enough to enjoy a pleasant conversation over a bottle of wine. I felt like there was some room for some additional decor, however the large street-side window and centerpiece worked well with the dining atmosphere. The meats were tender and cooked to the exact specifications desired, and the flavors stacked on top of each other with grace. The wine service the waitstaff provided was professional and served to enhance our meal. We were paid enough service to never need to wait for a refill or to have our dishes cleared. Time between each course was extraordinary, and it never felt like we were being pestered or overwhelmed. It seems our shellfish allergy was also paid to close mind when we ordered. As soon as we were seated, I noticed the chef going around and asking every table how they enjoyed their meal. This is an exemplary service that not many restaurants in the Burlington area offer. I was excited to talk after our meal was complete to share our feedback. I was, however, disappointed that this opportunity was missed on us. It seemed the tables next to us provided greater interest, as patrons entered and orders after us and were spoken to before their third course was delivered. As excited as I was to chat with the chef only to be disappointed, I must revoke some service stars, as it weighed on my mind heavily after our meal.

My friend and I decided to try out this place on a whim, as we're two young men who enjoy a fine meal and had no plans, and I am absolutely delighted to say this was the best culinary experience I have ever had. From the absolutely delightful wine recommended to me by our server, to the quiet atmosphere, everything about this restaurant was amazing. The food was absolutely phenomenal, the best I've ever had. I even tried escargot for the first time, and I loved it. Every dish was a masterpiece. I felt like Frasier would've been proud of me for going. Nothing negative to say about this place, I felt it was well worth the money and it was just exquisite. I will absolutely be returning.

An excellent fine dining experience. We visited fairly early on a Tuesday so the restaurant was relatively empty but the atmosphere was well curated and the few staff on hand were immediately friendly and engaged. The chef brought out the main courses and made himself readily available for questions about the meal, while the service staff were very knowledgeable about the Wine and menu. Overall I’m sure the experience would be ideal on a weekend evening, but they have honed their menu to very high degree, and the staff is passionate and capable. A worthy repeat experience.

My wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary here this evening. Wonderful experience! Our server Amy was a perfect mix of professional knowledgeable and friendly! Food was excellent (wife had the mussels and I had the vegetarian dish). Bibb salad was awesome and desserts of chocolate mousse and 1910 pastry were excellent. Very enjoyable dinner! Definitely recommend

If you're partial to French cuisine and appreciate modern, fresh and clever ideations, this is such a fantastic place and Burlington is very fortunate to have it. My husband, adult daughter and I chose to celebrate my birthday here. Our daughter moved to Burlington about three years ago and we love to explore the restaurant scene when visiting her. We live in the NYC suburbs so we've been spoiled by incredible restaurants in Manhattan. Bistro de Margot can hold its own among the best the NYC. We highly recommend the brûléed Foie Gras and lobster appetizer, the potted pork and duck confit; the steak frites, duck leg confit... Really anything on the menu will be amazing from the French chef and owner. The ambiance is stylish yet warm and inviting. The $75 3-course prix fixe menu changes weekly - all the more reason to regularly visit and enjoy. C'est fantastique!

So, so good! We had the best time and food here - service was amazing, too. The three course meal is a steal, great portions and 10/10 flavor across the board. Cozy dinner feel with staff that made the dinner an experience vs. just a meal. Thank you!

Absolutely exquisite French bistro! I highly recommend it! From savory classics to delightful desserts, every dish is a culinary journey. With its cozy ambiance and attentive service, it stands out in Burlington's dining scene.

We had a fantastic dinner at Bistro de Margot. The hostess wowed us with a tasty gazpacho sampler and bread. We loved the sidewalk seating. To top it off, the chef came out to talk to us about the dishes. Would definitely go back!

I had to stop by this top tier restaurant on my last day in Vermont. I ordered sparkling water and a mocktail with orange blossom syrup, lime juice, and topped with mineral water. I suggest this mocktail for those who love fresh and floral flavors. The initial course started with a toothsome amuse bouche: the Tomato Gazpacho. Upon initial sip, the gazpacho burst with a delightful acidic profile of seasoned unami with a hint of fresh-off-the-vine sweetness. My first time having gazpacho... this was a ten out of ten experience. Every dining experience requires a salad and this salad was an exemplary addition. The fresh, crisp, and emerald green Boston Bibb lettuce paired with paper-thin radishes, a precious quail egg, and a drizzle of Dijon mustard dressing. The textures and flavors played with soft and crunchy while being extremely simplistic. Seafood emerged with the following dishes. The scallop dish consisted of single scallop nested in a savory cream-based soup with a dash of spice that elevated the dish. Topped with a generous drizzle of oil offered an herbal note that tied this whole dish together. Following up in the next course was foie gras and lobster creme brulee, a sweet and savory coupling that surprised me. I never thought to pair these two lavish ingredients together into a creme brulee yet I had an incredible time breaking the sugar top and digging in. Pieces of crushed pistachio and an enriched lobster essence offered a nutty component that elevated my tastebuds. A flashback to my youth came in the medium of the Oxtail crisp with pickled vegetables in a red wine sauce. The oxtail was shaped into a pristine cube with silky meat that was cut beautifully with merely my fork. Chef reports he shredded the oxtail from the bones and packed them into cubes overnight. Then breaded them and fried them until a rich golden yellow and served with the vegetables and sauce for a robust and acidic kick. This was high on my list of favorites of the evening. French music drifted in the air as couples came into the restaurant and I had to admit; I was getting full on these delicious noshes! But of course, next was a dish as spectacular as the last. The pan-arctic char with sauteed chanterelles, buttered savoy cabbage, and Asian pair paired with a butternut squash flan and that lush red wine sauce. Pan arctic char had a well-done crust with a satisfying crunch in my mouth. As for flavors it began mellow and transformed into a buttery taste in my mouth. The vegetables and fruits were seasoned well and had a fresh crunch with each bite. The star was the butternut squash flan with tiny cauliflower embedded on the top. A balance of savory and sweet made me smile and I wish I could have more of this. This trio exhibited Chef's knowledge of polarities and balance from flavor and texture. A classic French dish and the final savory course of my evening was: Steak Frites. A grilled hanger steak with tomato provencale and housemade french fries. Dark, rich, and woody is what came to mind upon first smell and the first bite of the steak. The tomato provencale paired as an acidic counterpoint that cut through the richness of the steak. I had a few nibbles of the fries-- crispy on the outside and fluffy at the center with a hint of salt. For the dessert course I ordered another mocktail: a blend of rosemary essence, quince juice, and sparkling water. It was garnished with the aforementioned rosemary and a delicious gummy encrusted in sugar crystals. Upon initial sip, I could detect the floral notes, equal parts soft and welcoming. I considered this a drink fit for a princess. I even attempted to make this drink at home for friends after my visit. My favorite beverage of the evening! Now onto the real dessert: a tasting palette of microscopic dishes that would satisfy any sweet tooth. The chocolate mousse and citrus meringue dance between rich cocoa flavors and a bright orange infusion. I am glad I only had a scope of this because it was on the richer side of desserts. Switching to a fruit I had a bite of the deconstructed lemon tart with sparkling citrus notes with a sweet edge. For a more classic French dessert, I scooped my spoon next into the Paris-Brest Revisite. A fluffy and buttery puff pastry filled with pistachio buttercream was rich and light with the cream and accented with a nutty note from the pistachio. My last small bite was a duo of pear and almond in a tartlet which had caramelized flavors and a delicious gooey texture. For a fresh and uplifting accompaniment, the pear sorbet with coriander seeds is a happily refreshing sweet sorbet with a kick from the seeds. This was truly unique while still being simple and elegant for a dessert. Bistro de Margot is unmatched and truly an experience for the gastronomy crowd!

Great location and vibe in the restaurant. I want to return for lunch and sit on the patio. Food was pitch perfect we were also surrounded by french natives who might have been dropping off their kids. Friendly and attentive staff made me look forward to going back.

Absolutely fantastic! I love how they change up the menu for seasonal items. The steak frites were fabulous and generous portions. I had the smoked scallops- highly recommend! The attention to detail is above and beyond! Five stars

10/10. My party and I absolutely loved our dinner at Bistro de Margot. From the ambience, amazing service, amuse bouche, the wonderful owner / head chef speaking to us, to the perfect appetizers and entrees, we were shocked by how much we loved it. A breath of fresh air! Loved it and will definitely be back. Thank you chef!

Parking-street or lots or at hotel Ambience-nice Service-great Food-top notch, chef owner came out to check on us. Usually never happens Cleanliness-clean Pictures-don't take them, can't taste pictures, plus a load on a plate isn't quality A must go place Focused Foodie

We ate there last night. Ordered the three course meal. Was excellent. We highly recommend. The escargot was fabulous.

Another very enjoyable dinner experience in Burlington VT. We eat out often, but honestly don't usually choose French restaurants as they can sometimes be a tad stuffy, but I'm happy to say that was not the case here. The restaurant has a strict Covid protocol, which I hope helps everybody feel safer dining, I know we did. Service was very good, attentive but not overbearing, and the room was pleasant and comfortable. The oxtail appetizer was delicious, crisp, flavorful and intense. Something you won't find on every menu. I had pan seared black seabass and it was cooked perfectly, The carrot mousseline on the plate was incredible, the texture was incredibly smooth, I wonder how it is done! The steak frites were also very good. I tried the steak and it was tender, delicious and also perfectly cooked. Our cocktails were delicious, but $18 is certainly on the higher end. The wines were all French, so I did need a little help navigating, and our waitress was helpful in that regard. My only suggestion is that the website menu be refreshed to match what is being offered. We had our heart set on an appetizer, dinner and dessert, and none were available as the menu had changed. I do realize that online menus should only be taken as a guideline, but when you see something that you love, well, it's a bit of a letdown. I'm certainly glad we dined, and would recommend when in Burlington. I just might be willing to try French restaurants bit more in the future.

Had a lovely dinner at Bistro De Margot on Saturday night. While I felt a slightly more lively, or the opposite, more intimate, space could have improve the experience, and even though there was one miss for the dishes, I appreciated the the small touches of our meal. Quality: Prix fixe with the option to jump around is a smart choice. I think I would have liked my meal less if forced to pick from each section. The Tartare De Thon Rouge from the first course was quite good and had a lovely presentation. The Tartelette De Poireaux & Pleurottes was our preferred main, again a lovely presentation for this surprisingly savory dish. The Steak Frites was a let-down, definitely the worst item we ordered, the excessive sauce and over done fries were problematic. Luckily the dessert, a Paris-Bres Revisite, proved the best bite of the night. Even if you don't love dessert it is worth ordering. Quantity: The Prix Fixe Market Menu would have been a very fair amount of food, but we decided to pick and choose. Value: $73 for the Prix Fixe Market Menu, however all the items come a la carte. Ambiance: Bistro De Margot is a traditional upscale restaurant in Burlington. Two large connected rooms, with a bar in the first, and minimal decor. Potentially too bright for the evening, it would have been more romantic dim. The music was extremely quiet pop traditional, which also could be raised a bit to make conversation more reasonable. Crowd: Most of the tables were filled, but it has very limited hours and tables. Reservations are essentially required. Service: Excellent. I felt well taken care of from the moment I entered. Parking: Street parking in the area.

Vaccination information verified at the door, tables were set at least 6 feet apart. Waitresses wore masks. Atmosphere was very tasteful, with French Edith Piaf-type music. Artistic black & white photos line the walls; interior glass panel windows, with padded leather seating. Color scheme was soft and neutral. The atmosphere, decor, and service were 5*. The food & price were not compatible; significant room for improvement. The atmosphere and presentation suggest a level of excellence that does match the cuisine. Some of the food appeared pre cooked or ordinary quick frozen food. Perhaps if you drink enough wine you will not notice the discrepancy. Complimentary amours bouche and warm bread & butter were served before the meal. Les Entree's 1st course 3*Rillettes de Cabillaud Fume: it was smoked cod riffettes: an interesting dish, pretty original. 3*Escargots de Bourgogne: burgundy snails, parsley & garlic butter, pommes Dauphine: taste average, at best. I've had much better. 4*Croustillant de Queue de Boeuf: Oxtail crisp, frisée & pickled vegetables salad: very good, crispy and tasty. Les Plats (main course) 1*Tartelette Aux Haricots Blanca Tomates & Basilic : warm cannellini beans & tomato tartlet. Don't order this dish unless you are a vegan. Too bland, this dish could ruin the restaurant 's reputation. 4*Cuisse de Canard Confit: duck leg confit: the best duck we ever had, soft and tasty. The gravy was overdone. 3*Filet de Fletan a la Plancha: it was pan seared halibut, hazelnut scented cauliflower purée, roasted hazelnut, Cream of parsley: fish wasn't tasty but cauliflower purée was. The best was the mushroom. The presentation was good but I wasn't impressed with the food and flavor. Most likely I won't order this dish again. Les Desserts 1*Mousse au Chocolate: chocolate mousse citrus meringue: seemed like it was taken right out of refrigerator. It wasn't worth the money and really ruined the reputation. Don't order it! 4*Tart Pomme: Apple plum and walnut tartlet, Mirabelle sorbet: nice combination of sweet and sour, hot and cold. Very good. 2*Paris-Brest Revisite: revisited classic French pastry created in 1910 in honor of the Paris-Brest bicycle race Chou pastry, pistachio cream: it was like a fancy donut with steeper price.

Bistro de Margot, where have you been all my life? We're always looking for great places to eat in Burlington, and this one shows up as 34th onYelp's list?!?! That's a travesty. This place is awesome, certainly the best restaurant in Burlington, and one of the best I've found anywhere. Small, intimate place with exquisite offerings. I had the best lamb loin I've had anywhere. Same goes for my wife's scallops. Top notch service. Wicked friendly staff. Help move this one up the ratings ladder, try it out!

Delicious food, fine French dining. I went with my husband for dinner. We had lovely cocktails, followed by a tasty amuse-bouche and some local bread. We skipped appetizers and had as the main course the Mackeral and Veal, both were delicious and prepared and presented in lovely sauces. For dessert we had the chocolate mousse and the lemon meringue in a jar, both also delicious. The service was excellent. The chef came out with our meal and stopped by again to ask how things were. I don't eat out a lot but this is the third or fourth time I've been here and it's never been disappointing, always delightful.

We came here during our trip to VT. I was excited to check it out after reading reviews about the place. Ambience: it was more on the upscale atmosphere. There is a coat check section but nobody really told us about it when we checked in. Food: we got the prix fix menu for $73 each. We got escargots as appetizer, my husband got the pan seared veal vs I got the pan seared prawn/ scallop. For dessert, we got the lemon tart and paris Brest. Appetizer is a bit saltier/ missing some elements to combine the flavor. Entrees dish are great, very juicy and everything cooked to perfection. Dessert is a letdown, the lemon tart is way too sweet and Paris Brest is on the dry side/ sometimes I got the burned aftertaste. Service: our waiter is ok, we asked for more bread but wasnt given butter (?!?). There was a restaurant manager checked in on every table but ours (?!?!). So we didn't feel very welcoming given the price we paid for. Long story short, it was a nice to check out place but we probably wont return or recommend it.

Visiting the area and wanted a nice dinner. The food was phenomenal!! Presentation and taste were on point. The ambiance felt a lot like several French Michelin restaurants I've experienced. Did the prix fixe: salad, veggie tart, and dessert pastry. They also served us a delicious tomato gazpacho and warm bread which was not on the menu. Everything was amazing. The service was fantastic. The (I assume) owner/chef came out and talked to everyone in the restaurant which I always find impressive. The tart was the literally the best tart I've ever had. My friend's steak came with fries (that I of course stole) that were the best fries I've ever had. If there were other vegetarian options, I'd go back again before my trip ends. Stop reading the reviews and get a table now!

What a pleasurable dining experience! I had wanted to go here but assumed they didn't allow dogs. We be were walking by and I figured I'd just ask. They smiled warmly and said they did at their outside tables (huge win for me!) Since I feel everyone wants to know more about the food, I'll start there. It's SUPERB! We got a great bottle of red wine from Bordeaux (if you're into French wine, they have an excellent selection). We got the oxtail and cheese platter as our appetizer. My boyfriend and I were battling over the oxtail and the Barden Blue blue cheese. If you don't think you like blue cheese, please do yourself a favor and try this. It is creamy, tangy, and nutty and not overpowering or obnoxious like a lot of blue cheeses. The oxtail is juicy and tender and wrapped up delicately in a panko (I think) with some frisée on top and a touch of bourguignonne. Next time we will both be getting our own oxtail. This dish is so delicious it is not to be shared. For our dinners, I had the halibut and he ordered the chicken. You really cannot go wrong with either. My halibut was pan seared and had a nice crispy finish on the outside and moist on the inside. The cauliflower purée complimented it very well and I loved all the veggies it came with. My boyfriend got the chicken, which seriously is the best chicken I can ever remember having! The skin had this delicate crisp to it that tasted magical with the juicy meat. He also had a bunch of veggies (you can never have enough fresh veggies in my opinion!). The service just made this place even better. Our waitress (I wish I could remember her name, but she was from Jersey) was fun and gave us plenty of recommendations for what to do in and around Burlington (we just moved here). The chef even came out to see how we enjoyed the meal and to say hi to our dog! He and his wife have lived and worked all over the world, and he started his restaurant in Burlington when she got a job here. He literally gave me a step by step process on how to recreate his amazing chicken dish! Does that ever happen?! The whole night was so great and we are both really looking forward to going back and trying more on their menu! If you're looking for a great dinner in Burlington Bistro de Margot is the place to go.

Classically classy, understatedly romantic, and simply delicious--the perfect for our 12th anniversary dinner. Although there is only indoor seating, Margot diligently observes Covid precautions like social distancing, entryway hand sanitizer, and common-area masking. When I made the reservation, they asked if we had been vaccinated. So I felt safe dining indoors for the 1st time in forever. I love the dining room of clean grays, whites, & black with a few bright accents of a "moutarde" yellow to give the place a modern glow. The staff was friendly without being intrusive, and every need was met before we felt it. The amuse bouche was a lovely asparagus vichyssoise --a cold soup with a base of puréed potatoes and leeks with cream and stock. Not too rich, not too grassy: every ingredient was perfectly proportioned. My husband started with an oxtail crisp sitting pretty in a bright burgundy (?) sauce and topped with frisee. My husband said he could have eaten half a dozen of these. The "crisp" he described like a pastry--a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth-like-butter pastry--filled with braised oxtail. Now, we don't know if it actually was braised, but we are big fans of braised meats, so this is high praise. And that sauce? Plate-lickably delicious. I would buy a bottle of that and put it on an and everything. So I've been craving escargot since before Covid came to town, so I almost wept with joy when I saw it in the menu. (I was supposed to go Paris last spring, and I've bitterly thought about all the escargot, tartare aller-retour , and calves liver I've been cheated out of...) And this escargot Bourgogne was textbook perfect. To my mind, the perfect escargot should simply let a few bold flavors sing out clearly without drowning one another. The garlic, the parsley, the butter...it was so good that I shamelessly broke up the crust of my bread and squished it into the pan to soak up the extra. I came *this* close to tipping the pan to let it all dribble into my mouth...but the social distancing wasn't so far apart that I could do this without embarrassing myself, so I refrained. Just barely. One must maintain some standard of civilized manners in these confusing times... My husband loved his duck. I asked him what he liked best about it, and he replied, "the fat."So clearly, you will have to rely on my summation from the small bite I shared from his dish: the fat was indeed perfectly crisp, the meat was to-the-second perfectly cooked (over-cooked duck is the worst!), and the cherry sauce was was the perfect foil for all the well-balanced flavors. My husband did remark on the remarkable freshness of the spring vegetables--tender-crisp shallots, peas in the pod, carrots and whipped potatoes . He downright loved the cherry sauce. It would be hard for anyone not to. I ordered the moules frites --musssls steamed in white wine and garlic, but I got the works with cream, chorizo & peppers for a few bucks more. Now, I love garlicky mussels, but so many times, I've been disappointed by vapid mussels in a ho-hum sauce. But Margot has it down to an art. No need to swallow a spoonful of broth just to make the mussels palatable! The mussels themselves tasted like they had been injected with garlicky goodness. And not a single one was overcooked. And fresh? Oh, yes, so fresh--and I say this with the authority of one who grew up by the ocean! But let's talk about the fries for a second. I love the idea of fries, I love the *ideal* of fries...but I never order fries because a girl can only have her heart broken so many times before it won't mend. But here, all my fry dreams were fulfilled. Seasoned just right and still crisp and satisfying when the meal was over, these fries were perfection. I kind of wish we had skipped dessert. The meal had been so dream-like perfect, you know? But we got greedy... My husband's tarte chocolat menthe with fresh mint custard was good. The mint custard was light, almost like a whipped cream, and tasted like the freshest mint-infused cream with just a ghost of sweetness--it was magical. But I found the chocolat tart heavy and overbearing, it's pastry a bit thick, almost sulky. We both enjoyed the house-made peppermint chocolate chip ice cream--I wish one could order just that for dessert. My tartlette meriguee au citron was, um, tart. But it's supposed to be, I get that. Maybe my southerner's palate has been spoiled by tooth-achingly sweet ice-box lemon meringue pies, because I almost couldn't finish this one. I wanted more meringue, I needed more sugar. And the Meyer lemon sherbert made my mouth pucker and squeal. Others may love it, but it just wasn't for me. But I will not let a too-tart lemon tartlette stand in the way of my declaring Bistro de Margot to be my new favorite restaurant in the Burlington area. It even might be my favorite in all of Vermont, but before I decide that, I should visit a few more times. I'm looking forward to it.

Truly excellent French cooking. Subtle but complex flavors, all in harmony. Excellent service with great timing. The wine list is 100% French, not always our favorites but undeniably complementary to the food. Beautiful dining room - New York meets Vermont. We enjoyed all our dishes but the cod rillettes really stood out. An amazing blend of flavors that had us wishing we'd ordered two. Prices are high for the region but not at all unreasonable considering the quality of the meal and obvious care put into the entire experience. This is a special restaurant with special food, for special occasions.

delicious. Pre fix menu gave us excellent options for a well rounded dinning experience. All the food was delicious. the lobster cream brûlée was exceptional. we had the cod. and veal tenderloin. Both were full of flavor. When I return to Burlingto, I will definite retun to Bistro de Margot. The only disappointment I have is that I live so far away and can't return weekly to experience the culinary adventure presented there.

My husband and I visited Bistro de Margot tonight to celebrate our 53 rd wedding anniversary. We paid over $200 for a meal for two of us. The sparkling water alone was $14. I had the lobster crème brule which was absolutely delicious but cost an extra $7 above the price fix menu. My husband had the haddock which he said was bland and dry. I had the mussels which were the best I have ever eaten. The flavor was amazing. The mussels were served with French fries which were limp, greasy and tasteless. McDonald's makes much better French fries. The poached pear for dessert tasted like it had been sitting in the fridge for a long time. Unfortunately the pistachio ice cream did not taste like pistachio. My husband's Paris Brest was very dry and crumbly. Our server was lovely but it took a long time to get our food. We were in the restaurant for two hours, most of the time waiting for our food. The chef came out to chat and was very charming. We probably will not return again due to the elevated prices, the uneven quality of the food, and the extended time the food took to arrive.

Y'all, I really wanted to like this place. We were visiting Vermont from Texas and wanted a nice dinner in Burlington. While the service was great, and the wine to compliment with the meal was incredible, the food left much to be desired. We got the prefix menu, which was very expensive for what it ended up being. The food left much to be desired, there was basically no flavor in most of it. Maybe they just had an off night, but I honestly would skip this place unfortunately. The interior is pretty bland and the food was just as flavorless. Again, the service was great, but I recommend choosing just about anywhere else for a nice dinner. We left uninspired and our taste buds unamused.

Excellent food, great service, friendly chef and staff. Very pleasant ambiance. The restaurant is bright and not noisy allowing pleasant conversation. I highly recommend a visit to this restaurant. It is a gem in Burlington.

This is a terrific restaurant in all respects. The chef is personally engaged, and makes a point of greeting all diners. The wait staff are exceptionally skilled and highly knowledgeable. The decor is spare and elegant. The wine selection is unusually high quality, with an emphasis on some of the more important French wine regions. We chose a Chinon rosé (from Loire) with our meal. We began with a small palette cleanser from the chef, which was a gaspacho. It hit all the right notes, The Vermont cheeseboard featured an interesting selection from strong blue cheese, to a mixture of goat/cow, to pure goat cheese, served with lightly toasted hearty bread and a dab of apple chutney. All exquisite. For mains, we both had the lamb cutlets, which were grilled perfectly (rare) and served with a delightfully light sauce and a tower of summer vegetables. To end the meal, we tried the peach tart and the pistachio creme baked pastry. The former was unexceptional, but the pistachio was really outstanding --light and delicious. This is a gem of a restaurant for a discerning palate, and when you make reservations, the staff ask if you have been vaccinated, in order to accommodate everyone (unvaccinated are seated out of doors). Bravi on a wonderful addition to Burlington and the region.

Went here for a nice dinner labor day weekend. The restaurant was very nice, the food was delicious. I don't recall the waitresses name but she made the experience all the more enjoyable. 5 stars for the food, atmosphere, waiting staff, and overall experience! Edit: I read some of the previous reviews and wanted to qualify my experience. I was in Paris in July 2019. If I wanted authentic Parisian food I would go to Paris, not burlington. What Bistro offers is high quality dining with excellent wait staff.

This is a kooky way to start a review for a fancy French place, but what an amazing kids' menu, and what a value ($15 for all three courses)! Our little guy has pate with cornichons to start, cod, macaroni and carrots for his main, and the chocolate mousse for dessert. He thoroughly enjoyed his meal, and we were THRILLED that he had so many fantastic options to choose from. Our meals were tasty too, and the table (including our 8 year old) agreed that my mushroom soup was the bomb! We enjoyed a nice bottle of cotes de rhône for under $50 with our meal, and had solid service throughout the evening. The only slight disappointment was my husband's duck that was a bit overdone. All in all, we had a nice time, and would recommend the restaurant to families with kids are adventurous eaters.

The starters, beard and appetizers are fantastic. Oxtail is a must. The entrees are something that disappointed me. The duck and the hanger steak are tough to chew. At the end, I can't go for the desert because I felt stuffed? Sick? From the meat.

A group of my friends and I had the appetizer and wine special. Everything was really good! I highly recommend the oxtail and rosé. Thank you to our very patient waitress. The coatcheck is also a very nice touch.

An incredible dining experience and a lovely waitress. We felt very safe and very special during our meal. The meals were impeccable and the wine suggestion was spot on! Thank you

Everything was absolutely perfect. It started with the masking policy, as well as the request for proof of vaccination. Then, diners were seated in a socially distanced manner. The cocktails were amazing. Thank you, Hilary! A fabulous meal: from the amuse bouche, to the terrine, the char, and the steak frites. Chef took the time to visit every table. Our server, Hilary, was most professional and she knew what she was doing. Chef suggested our desserts, and Hilary chose the perfect digestifs to accompany them. This Bistro will only delight, not disappoint.

My husband and I had an impeccable meal here. From the amuse bouche to the last bite of dessert, we were in heaven. The best mussels he's ever had, and I got the steak frites. The steak was perfectly done with a delicious sear, and the au poivre was a dream - rich and delicate all at once. Our server was fabulous and recommended the Malbec with my steak - wine I wouldn't typically have ordered, but she brought me a taste to make sure and she was spot on. And then the dessert - something we usually skip, but after seeing desserts arriving at other tables, we couldn't refuse. Vanilla crème brûlée and an espresso martini - perfection, and the best way to end a truly exceptional meal. And on top of that, their protocol around social distancing and covid vaccination ensures you feel safe while you are dining. If you are visiting Burlington, this restaurant needs to be on your list.

I've lived in Burlington since the 1980s, and have seen restaurants come and go. This place is a gem. Our dinner experience was perfect : great service, great cocktails, and superb food. The price point is perfectly matched to the food and scene. Total win.

We had an amazing experience for dinner on Saturday evening. We were greeted with smiles and enthusiasm. We were seated and and our server was very attentive to our needs for the evening, not overbearing. All the servers worked together to make sure everyone had what they needed. The food was amazing,from first course to last . I didn't understand that presentation and taste work together to make the meal an experience. But I do now. Highly recommended for date night or just a fun evening out.

From most of the reviews, we were expecting much more. Over all we were disappointed other than in the Tarte au Citron dessert. The cucumber mint soup was not the refreshing soup we were looking forward to. The oxtail needed salt just to bring some flavor to the dish. There was no sear at all on the scallops and most of the accompaniments were bland. This is what we thought of the Halibut with its 5 or 6 (?) accompaniments. So with a bottle of wine, before tip, the bill came to around $120. Not the dinner we were looking forward to.

I called for a reservation and was told we have seats , not taking reservations . When there were seats inside said you must eat outside and almost would not seat us at all . Food was very disappointing . Duck confit salty and tough . Imagine that . Escargot so so . Only the halibut was very good . Good luck to anyone stopping here . $$$

Atmosphere is very good here and so is service. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about their dishes. Menu is one page but it doesn't need to be bigger. There is good diversity between dishes and that keeps them using fresh ingredients. I had the cassoulet. Beans were aldente and each meat was cooked to proper doneness for its type. I am always happy to have a good cassoulet! My friend had the chicken breast and he said it was cooked very well and not dry. That's a very difficult thing to do well. Creme brûlée is very good, and not maple, so a nice change of pace. Their lemon meringue jar is excellent!

Heavenly: A Modern Journey of Classic Taste Every visit to Bistro de Margot is a delightful experience, especially when you know what to expect. Our last night's dinner was no exception. An elegantly casual setting is extremely inviting, the staff is professional yet warm and friendly, and the menu conquers your taste buds before you even get a chance to sample all those French-titled wonders. It's an extremely accessible establishment without a snooty pseudo-French attitude (think Chez Paul in Blues Brothers, the movie). Everything we tried last night was heavenly: freshly made duck terrine, chilled pea soup (soupe glacée de petits pois sounds so much more poetic in French!), the Niçoise, and the striped bass. A seasonal blueberry tart and Crème Brûlée (with a nice candied orange peel twist) sweetened the sorrow of having to say au revoir. Till soon!

Our favorite dinner place in Burlington. Great service and food. A must do when looking for a nice meal - bonus you can get reservations. We've been to all the other high end restaurants in Burlington - Juniper, Bleu, Bistro Leugio. None are as good. I don't eat chicken out but I will make an exception. The whipped potatoes super creamy. The steak is killer and at $28 a bargain. Save room for the deserts the mousse or lemon pie are to die for. Nice selection of wines many French with a wide price range means something for every budget. The beer selection is unremarkable. Once the dinner crush is over the chief, Henri, will make the rounds talking to each table. Yes he's French. This is a nice touch to meet the person who makes your meals.

The food, wine list and service is top notch. Seafood cooked to perfection, just right spicing allowing the food's flavor to come through. Presentation is a feast for the eyes. The chef comes to your table to discuss what you enjoyed. The prices are comparable with what you are served so not a regular visit for those on a tight budget. We go as a splurge but have gone more often lately because it's so so good.

Great experience! Tried Bistro de Margot after reading other great yelp reviews. It lived up to the standards! Nice atmosphere with a unique menu that seems to be continuously changing and updating! Between four people we have 2 different salads, soup, scallops entree, monk fish entree, and chicken entree. Shelburne farms bread and Cabot butter was also brought to the table. Presentation was incredible, food was flavorful, uniquely crafted, and service was impeccable. Prix fixe menu was a great price as well however no one on our party opted to do that. The best part of the experience was the personal touch at the end where the executive chef/owner went to each table to greet and discuss the dinner. Great restaurant and experience overall, we will definitely return! Highly recommended.

Always nice place to have business dinner. Great wines and food. Good services as well. Ordered soup, scallop and others. Quite delicious.

Chef Herve is a master. The food is delicious. It is elegant and refined. The atmosphere is friendly and not at all stuffy. My favorite restaurant in Burlington hands down.

It was me and my wife's first time in Vermont and we did not make a mistake choosing this place for dinner. We always judge on three things the service, drinks and food. They hit on all three. Everything was just elegant and it was money well spent.

Disclaimer, as I expect to be berated by the business: I'm not an expert on French cuisine. From what I've since gathered via their responses to other reviews, tastelessness/mildness is to be expected. I guess that's just not what I expect when we pay this much for a nice meal, even if that's the "authentic" French way. We are well acquainted with other local offerings, and next time we'll probably just stick with them instead. I often feel as if takeout licenses an establishment to serve smaller portions than they otherwise might. This was no exception. The already-tiny sauce containers came practically empty (well under a quarter full). The sizes of the veg/side servings and the pasta helping for one of the dishes were also underwhelming. The rabbit was extremely dry. Foie gras and duck dishes were good, on the other hand. While I might give it another shot someday (in person), it was overly priced for the quality/quantity and I would not recommend ordering takeout from here.

We had a fantastic meal here tonight. Wonderful wine choices, great meal from start to finish. We were not at all rushed, but got to enjoy every morsel at a relaxed pace. The server was kind and knowledgeable, and the chef even came around to all tables to check and see if the guests were having a good experience. Highly rated for a special occasion!

I was surprised at the reviews. This place is incredibly mediocre and certainly not fine French dining as advertised. My beef was very tough and drowning in sauce and the frites were soggy. My companions dinner didn't look particularly appetizing either. We've been to much better places in Burlington. Disappointed. This one is off our list.

Bistro de Margot had amazing French food and top notch service! The scallop and prawn dish with polenta in a lobster reduction was delicious. The cod came with a vegetable medley, which had fingerling potatoes and golden beet that tasted like they came straight out of the earth! Natalia was our waitress and being not from the area, she gave us a handful of recommendations for dinner/drinks. She was very friendly and had wine suggestions to pair with our dishes! I would have liked to see a pasta of some kind on the menu, but there was many other choices!

Elegant, understated, spectacularly delicate tastes! Love this place! There are so many wonderful taste treat restaurants in Burlington, but Bistrot de Margot is clearly the most elegant, and the most highly-evolved. This evening, we enjoyed a dinner, just the two of us, and it was so very wonderful! Appetizers: I had the deep-fried oxtail, with frisée and carrot, and it was a spectacular flavor burst! So savory, so taste-bud-stimulating, and so crunchy-texture-interesting, as well as being beautifully presented. Sue, who got the prix-fixe 3-course menu (for only $40.00), had the cucumber-mint soup, which we found sublimely blended the two main flavors such that one couldn't easily discriminate where the cucumber stopped and the mint began. Wow. For main courses, Sue had the striper, and I had the halibut. Sue's striper was an integrated taste treat, fish stacked with with corn, black beans, onions, a savory sauce. ... and the sum was really special. My halibut was a "picnic of flavors", with delicate and just-barely-but-perfectly-cooked halibut surrounded by roasted garlic, roasted tomatoes, ratatouille, fennel+dilled potato salad, honey-onion compote, and more. Every bite was therefore a unique adventure. What a treat! SO .. add to that great and unique drinks, elegant and flavorful wine, superb coffee, perfect, thoughtful, unrushed-but-always-available service, an elegant but unpretentious setting, with Adirondack views and cozy, easy-to-communicate ambience ... We will be back, and soon. This is just too good ... best elegant dining in Burlington, by far.