Open since 2009, Bistro du Midi feels like a throwback to a time when lunches were lingered over, and dinner reservations were only for special occasions. The two-story Back Bay restaurant — directly across from the Boston Public Garden — houses a formal dining room upstairs and a comparatively casual bistro downstairs.
The menus sit at the intersection of executive chef Robert Sisca’s well-honed techniques and mindfully sourced ingredients. Diners will find familiar dishes like bouillabaisse and roast chicken made deeply satisfying, along with freshly made pastas and a raw bar.
For dessert, plan ahead and order the chocolate souffle. A near-perfect dessert, the molten cake poofs out of a ramekin like a top hat and is served with fresh whipped cream and hot fudge.
The restaurant appears a little formal, but one of the most fun and welcoming meals can be had in the bistro. Post up at the bar in the winter, or, in the summer, sit in one of the open windows or on the patio with a chilled rosé bottle and crudo.
Dining and Cooking