Petit Robert Bistro--Foie Gras!

On a sunny and hot Saturday afternoon last weekend, I went to my fave French bistro with reasonable prices, Petit Robert Bistro. My mom had specifically requested a desire to try Foie Gras in particular.

We did have to walk through a throng of people heading to the Red Sox's game on a hot humid Saturday afternoon. We finally arrive at 3pm. We are hungry and ready to eat. The dining room is empty but I know that this successful restaurant is usually packed otherwise but not many places at 3pm during a SOX game anyways.

We immediately are seated and have great French bread. I order the vegetable pate, the soup of the day is potato leek or Vichyssoise, Moules Mariniere (mussels) with our main course being a stuffed blue fish with some lobster in it with veggies. But the big reason we are there is the foi gras. First the Vichyssoise comes out. Nice and cool with great potato and leek flavor. Next the Moules Mariniere which my mom is enthusiastic. She comments never having mussels cooked in garlic and white wine sauce before. The vegetable pate does not do much for her or myself. Our fave is the foie gras ($17). We get a generous portion (my mom even wanted to eat the whole dish!!!!). Now she knows the uproar of the taste of foie gras. She likes it but she knows she will not be indulging in it again any time soon.

Our main entree comes out. The blue fish is nicely cooked but the amount of crab meat is laughable! Just teeny tiny bits I would not call "lobster tail" at all. The juliened veggies are nice and not overly cooked but cooked just right.

I do ask what the souffle of the day is which was apricot. After waiting for it a bit of time (made to order) my mom enjoys the lightness and the vanilla sauce that we put a whole in the souffle to pour it in just makes it taste even better.

Mom's faves were the foie gras and the souffle. More the souffle due to the labor and skill involved and it cost $9 but was worth every penny.

I give Petit Robert Bistro (Kenmore) 9 out of 10 forks.

Petit Robert Bistro

Hot French Bistro on the BLOCK

Last night, I met up with my friend JM ---first time in over a year and half since we last saw each other. We hit the new kid on the block and heavily reviewed (all over the Boston publications last month and this month) ---the ever hot----Petit Robert Bistro. We arrived before the dinner rush and on a Wednesday night, it was very busy and bustling by 7pm. Our water was attentive and host was funny. This space is cramped and tiny off of Kenmore "T" stop and near Commonwealth Hotel area. We started with Foie Gras (14.95) (yummy) a good piece with rhubarb seared to perfection and the trio of pate (7.95). All the pate were made in house served simply with mustard. Very pleasant, but my fave was the foie gras hands down.

Upon suggestion from our waiter, we got the LAMB and the DUCK CONFIT (made in house). Please remember the chef worked at Maison Robert (now shuttered). Both were splendid. I got a good piece of duck , crispy skin phenomenal sauce over a nice complementary cabbage arrangement. The lamb slices were over some veggies and mashed potatoes. The portions were huge but reasonable for the prices with main entrees not topping $20.

According to a recent review, the reasoning is a bistro shouldn't have overly expensive prices. It sure fits the bill. The going rate is for the desserts and they all were under $10. I sampled the LEMON SOUFFLE served with a blueberry sauce. It was perfection being light and airy--delectable. My friend got the warm apple tartin---which was lovely as well.

The company and the atmosphere topped with great food made for a wonderful experience! I would recommend this place!