Mistral Team Opens Bar Lyon Friday in the South End

Chef Jamie Mammano and his Columbus Hospitality Group debut an intimate homage to the classic French bouchon.

By Mary Meisenzahl· 9/13/2018, 4:20 p.m.

Bar Lyon. / Photos by Brayan Mesa

Boston has a new spot for classic French wine-and-dining at Bar Lyon on Washington Street. The restaurant opens Friday, Sept. 14, Eater Boston first reported.

Bar Lyon takes inspiration from its namesake city, the capital of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Lyon is one of chef-owner Jamie Mammano’s favorite culinary destinations, and luminaries like chef Daniel Boulud consider it the gastronomic capital of the world.

“We want guests to experience a classic French bistro in the middle of the South End,” says Mark D’Alessandro, VP of operations for Mammano’s Columbus Hospitality Group. “The food is as classic as we could get.”

Photos by Brayan Mesa

As a nod to traditional bouchons—Lyonnaise restaurants serving local cuisines and wines—the menu, executed by executive chef Cameron Cieslak, includes a decadent burger and frites, and dishes like omelettes and duck confit. It also features a section of “Classiques,” such as seafood quenelles and cervelle de canut, a fromage blanc spread seasoned with herb and shallots. The theme continues on the all-French wine list.

The restaurant is the seventh in Greater Boston for Mammano. Beginning 21 years ago with the high-end Mistral, CHG is also behind Ostra, Sorellina, and more, plus a couple hotels. With just 48 seats in the dining room and a 12-seat bar, Bar Lyon is the company’s smallest project yet; for comparison, the group’s other restaurants range from 92 seats (Teatro) to 210 seats (L’Andana in Burlington).

“Part of the thrill of this is that it’s something different,” D’Alessandro says. He described Bar Lyon as “a small, sexy French bistro” in an interview with Boston last year.

Bar Lyon is also a departure for CHG in terms of formality. Though antique light fixtures and other design details offer an air of relaxed refinement, unlike the group’s other restaurants, Bar Lyon does not offer a valet service and does not accept reservations. The restaurant opens nightly at 5 p.m., and serves dinner until 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 p.m. on Sundays, and 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday. D’Alessandro says that brunch service is expected to roll out next year.

1750 Washington St., Boston, 617-904-4020, barlyon.com.