Bistro du Midi

"Who says you need water or a skyline to make for a great view? Bistro du Midi looks out onto Boston's lovely Public Garden." - Erika Adams, Rachel Leah Blumenthal

"It can be difficult to find a true Provençale restaurant in Boston that doesn't veer too closely to heavy-handed brasserie fare, but Bistro du Midi hits the mark—and throws in some coastal New England for good measure. The heirloom beets Lyonnaise with lardons and poached egg are almost too pretty too eat, and the sourdough crusted halibut comes in a heavenly lemongrass emulsion. If you can, spring for the elegant seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings—c'est superbe." - Todd Plummer, Shannon McMahon

"Start with an overview.The light-filled dining room at Bistro du Midi exudes sophistication without a hint of pretension. Sounds lovely. What's the crowd like?Expect a mature crowd that appreciates a refined approach to cuisine. What should we be drinking?There's a wonderful selection of wines by the glass, mostly from France. The cocktail list features elegant and European-tinged flavors, such as the Jupier Baie with gin, fresh basil, lime, and yellow chartreuse. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.It can be difficult to find a true Provençale restaurant in Boston that doesn't veer too closely to heavy-handed brasserie dishes, but Bistro du Midi hits the mark—and throws in some coastal New England for good measure. The heirloom beets Lyonnaise with lardons and poached egg arealmost too pretty too eat, and the sourdough crusted halibut comes in a heavenly lemongrass emulsion. If you can, spring for the elegant seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings—c'est sublime. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?The staff is particularly adept at helping guests navigate some of the menu's more complex flavors and keeps the courses moving at just the right pace. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?The genteel atmosphere and precise approach to cuisine make this a special-occasion restaurant that's a guaranteed hit with moms everywhere as well as fiancés-to-be." - Todd Plummer

"A French restaurant that overlooks the Public Garden is about as classy as Boston gets. But Bistro Du Midi has two different dining rooms, each doing their own thing. So if you’re with someone who has a preferred pin stripe width, head upstairs to the dining room filled with candles and original artwork. If you want to keep things more casual, head to the bistro downstairs. Either way, you’ll get a very good French menu filled with seafood, terrines, and a good prime beef burger." - dan secatore

"If your last-minute meal needs to be a little fancy because, say, your friend just found out she’s the last-remaining heir to small European principality where the national pastimes are sitting on verandas and laundering money, head to Bistro du Midi. With leather booths, a fireplace and windows overlooking the Public Garden, the dining room feels like one of those $15,000 a night hotel suites that Oprah stays in, and the French seafood menu is perfect for preparing your friend for summers spent on Mediterranean estates." - dan secatore