Pierrot Bistro Francais

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ldyjane

Joined 8 years ago

Il est manifique !. If you appreciate the french culture you need to go to this place. It's about as close as you'll get to a french dining experience. The atmosphere, the menu, the wines -- all fantastic. The owner came by our table and made recommendations, checked on our dining experience, and thanked us as we left. Truely delightful.

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christiania

Joined 6 years ago

Best native French food. A French friend stopped yesterday to visit and as usual we had a conversation about food and local French restaurants. We wondered should we try a new place or go back to our favorite: Pierrot Bistro Francais. In the mood for the type of food she cooks (and we have had in France) decided to go back to the latter and were not disappointed.

We started with fresh sardines escabeche and a green salad. The sardines were crisp on the outside and tender inside. The salad with its light vinegrette, was a delicious appetizer enhancer as was the perfect French bread and butter. On the fence between scallops or swordfish, the owner suggested a special of the evening: a traditional Alsatian sauerkraut dish. It was generous and delicious to inhale, with perfectly cooked potatoes, sausage, ham, and pork loin and just like my French friend's home-cooked version. My husband had the lapin (rabbit) in a reduction sauce, which was also a delight. As I wanted white wine and my husband wanted red, we ordered wine by the glass. We are light drinkers and there was no pressure to have more. We finished with a vanilla custard and chocolate mousse. One was light and flavorful and the other dark and intense -- we enjoyed both. We were seated promptly with a reservation. Our service was attentive, but not intrusive and we had nearly were some of the last people to leave. It was as if we had left Boston for Paris.

The best part was the bill -- which is extraordinarily reasonable given the care in preparation, the quality of ingredients and the portions of the food. You can spend much more in many Boston restaurants for "faux French." This is a bistro and by definition, it is food that is slightly more casual and served in a less formal setting. If you want a longer meal/to sit and talk -- make a reservation that is later in the evening say 8:30 pm on or if not a night owl, in the late afternoon before the dinner rush.

Doesn't Recommend

peterframton

Joined 6 years ago

HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I went to pierrot last night. This was by far the worst dining experience that I have had in my life. The wait staff did not pay attention to us, the food was stale and tasted not like French food is supposed to (I am native French by the way). The owner was ridiculously rude, has an awful temper, yells at his poor wait staff, and even made a young girl cry while I was there. He is also very unprofessional. I saw the owner yell at a waiter for trowing away a half eaten pastries. The owner said the young man was "@%@%ing stupid, and that they needed to save money" the owner then proceeded to dig the pastry out of the trash and put it back on display. True story!!! I will never ever go back!

Doesn't Recommend

chornberger

Joined 6 years ago

To Die For ... Literally. Unfortunately, the owner doesn't know what's in the food. I indicated I couldn't eat mushrooms and asked if there were mushrooms in the seafood crepes. I was told "No, No mushrooms." So that's what I ordered. You guessed it ... mushrooms in the crepes. Thankfully, the restaurant is located across the street from the MGH emergency room. I had a severe anaphylactic allergic reaction and ended up spending the night in the hospital. I've had allergies all of my life. I've lived and traveled extensively internationally. This is the only time I've ever had an allergic reaction in a restaurant.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A quintessential bistro provides Beacon Hill residents with a casual, intimate dining destination.. The Scene
Perhaps the city's most authentic bistro, Pierrot welcomes patrons to its exposed-brick dining room to catch up over plates of escargots, pâté and foie gras. Beacon Hill couples and off-duty doctors make the short walk to rub elbows, literally (space is at a premium). The restaurant's efficient staff consists almost entirely of French natives, and a soundtrack of chanson tunes plus a mostly French wine list all add to the charm.

The Food
With a menu of classic bistro fare (pig's feet salad, steak tartare, creme caramel), all served in a straightforward style, Pierrot satisfies expats and diners who pine for a return visit to Paris. Portions are exceptionally large--a starter of briny steamed mussels is large enough for two, while entrees like savory beef Burgundy and rich chicken cordon bleu beckon for doggie bags. Few can resist a sweet finish, courtesy of creamy homemade chocolate mousse or sinful profiteroles.

Doesn't Recommend

tigerbear

Joined 7 years ago

Maybe an off-night?. I really want to like Pierrot, but I've gone there 3 times and all three times have been seated at the busiest/worst table in the restaurant near bar, restroom and flapping kitchen doors, waiters are constantly bustling and jostling by. I guess that can have a certain charm, waiters in black with nice white aprons all rushing around to serve patrons, etc., if you were seated in a corner, or off to the quiet side, but the space is so small, there are almost no "quiet" tables. One way or the other, someone at each table is going to be pushed and jostled by the waiters.

The owner/manager took our order so our waitress didn't even speak to us until I flagged her down after 15 minutes because I wanted to ask a question about dessert and I pointed out that she hadn't even acknowledged our existence. She was nicer after that, but it took another 15 minutes for our salads to arrive. It seems like it would have been more efficient if the waitress took the order.

However, every table was filled last night, so other people must either enjoy all that activity, or think the food is worth the hassle.

My cassoulet was served cold in the middle of the bowl, which makes me think it was microwaved. I sent it back and the owner/manager returned it to me, plopping it down on the table with some grouchy comment like "Here, monsieur" like I was an annoyance. It was only slightly warmer. When I was in Paris was baked in its own casserole dish and was thoroughly heated throughout.

I really can't say I'm motivated to return, which is too bad because I love french food. Although being treated with such overall disrespect made me think I was back in France, so maybe it's cheaper than an airline ticket! : - )

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beansbean

Joined 7 years ago

affordable french! finally!. went to pierrot last friday at 6 pm and was seated right away. only problem i had was in the beginning when i asked for a corner booth, the waitress, said "can you be out by 8...you really have to be out by 8". i was a little put off by that but she wasn't our waitress so it was ok. a woman told us the specials and an older man took our order so i thought maybe they would just send just anyone to us. but for the rest of our meal we were served by a wonderful waiter...i wish i knew his name. we were seated in the corner and bread and water was replenished at every turn. i loved the ambience and everything was beautifully set - even the water boys could pour water with an artistic flick of the wrist, with no drops spilled! impressive. my duck confit was amazingly done as was my boyfriend's venison. only draw was where we sat, the wall connected to the kitchen so whenever anyone came in or out, it would slam and kind of shake the wall. love this place, will be coming again!

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thomer

Joined 7 years ago

Best affordable French in Boston.... I also had a great experience in Bistrot Pierrot with great bread and outstanding food. Portions were large. The French music was very adapted.

I really dont understand the rating of this restaurant. It deserves better...

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theduke37

Joined 10 years ago

Fantastic value for quality French. Very high quality french food at very reasonable prices. This includes the wine list. Cozy and romantic atmosphere. Service has been excellent every time we have gone and I am pretty nitpicky about that type of thing. The last time we went we had finished our bottle of pinot noir before our fromage platter arrived - the waitress noticed and actually gave us a complimentary splash so we could have the pairing.

The food is outstanding and the menu is large and usually supplemented by five or six specials. There is always a prix fixe that is a great deal. Ingredients are fresh, presentation is beautiful. Honestly, I can't think of a real reason why someone WOULDN'T come here. Highly recommended dishes include the crudite salad, lobster bisque, fennel soup, duck, lamb shank and anything with the bordelaise sauce. Also excellent are the desserts.

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terencejanericco

Joined 7 years ago

Mervellieux. What a fine experience from the friendly greeting at the door to the fine food and service. When we told the waitress we were there to dine and would be taking some time over a glass of wine to review the menu and have a chance to catch up, she graciously brought the wine and waited until we called.

The snails were amongst the best ever, the charcuterie plate was delicious if the portions were a little large. The main courses were lovely and a shared dessert made it almost complete. It was the bill that included a $30 wine and totalled just over $100 for two that turned this fine meal to a great experience.