Dining Out: Bistro du Midi

More great seafood comes to Boston. Only this time, it’s by way of Provence

By Corby Kummer | Boston Magazine |

One of the restaurant’s luxuries is having a dedicated pastry chef — a rising star from New York named Sarah Ewald, straight from Eleven Madison Park. She’s got a talent for nougat, a Mediterranean sweet that’s hard to make fresh, requiring the right combination of syrup, egg whites, and nuts. She makes both white and chocolate versions, wraps them in cellophane, seals them in a jar, and sends them to the table after dessert. Boston’s finest are opening their purses and emptying out those jars before they go home. These could be the new macarons.

Ewald is also excellent (as this magazine noted last month) at a molten chocolate cake ($8) that, living up to the ecstatic promises of the maitre d’, erupts with chocolate. (Ignore the request from the waiter at the beginning of the meal to preorder a soufflé: The chocolate one ($10) is a drier, duller, barely puffy version of the cake, and tastes as if it was made in advance.) And the nougat ice cream that comes with the molten cake is even better. Sisca told me that repeat customers from the Four Seasons come in asking for a dish of that alone. I understood: It’s easy to get a jones for. I’ll be back for bouillabaisse. And with empty jacket pockets waiting to be stuffed with after-dinner treats. <br>272 Boylston St., Boston, 617-426-7878, bistrodumidi.com.

CORBY’S PICKS

Marinated octopus ($11)

Chestnut soup ($8)

Classic bouillabaisse ($27)

Grilled sea bass ($24)

Prawns in butter sauce with dried tomatoes ($17)

Molten chocolate cake ($8)

 

 

  • Kristin Kim

    I have dined multiple times at this restaurant since the first week it opened and I have never been disappointed. Dare I say that I like it better than Excelsior! I have introduced many friends to Bistro du Midi’s delicious food and warm atmosphere. I love the pumpkin barbajans, beet salad with a special goat cheese, and the beef daube. It’s a great place for a date, a friendly get together, or a business dinner. Having a friendly sommelier on hand is always nice too. I’ve even blogged about it! http://fleuririsee.blogspot.com/search?q=bistro+du+midi

  • Bern

    My wife and I are foodies and have enjoyed traveling in France and the US. As the reviewer indicates the fish is excellent and is reminiscent of Le Bernardin. However I found the meat dishes also excellent. The serive and wine list both strike the right balance of friendliness and professionalism. Unlike the reviewer, I found the atmoshere very like many places in Provence and quite appealing – not doubt why Mistral has a somewhat similar look. Bistro du Midi has a great view and is an excellent addition ot the Boston food scene.

  • Guess

    I’ve been to BDM several times since its opening seeing as it is less than a block from my apartment. The food is amazing. I’ve never had a bad meal. The bar/cafe area downstairs leaves something to be desired. They use to have some great bartenders but apparently they’ve moved on and in their place, bland showpieces who clearly don’t know what it takes to keep people coming back. If you want a great meal this is your place just steer clear of the bar.

  • Guess

    I’ve been to BDM several times since its opening seeing as it is less than a block from my apartment. The food is amazing. I’ve never had a bad meal. The bar/cafe area downstairs leaves something to be desired. They use to have some great bartenders but apparently they’ve moved on and in their place, bland showpieces who clearly don’t know what it takes to keep people coming back. If you want a great meal this is your place just steer clear of the bar.