Sandrine's Bistro
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 497-5300
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Mt Auburn St
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm, Sun 5:30pm-10pm
Message from Sandrine's Bistro
Romantic neighborhood bistro with cuisine from a French Master Chef
- Authentic French Dining
- Wine List
- Private Dining
Paid advertisement by Sandrine's Bistro.
Editorial Review for Sandrine's Bistro – by Citysearch Staff
The Scene
Somehow Chef/Owner Raymond Ost and Proprietress Gwen Trost have transformed this difficult and cavernous space into a restaurant that evokes an auberge you might find outside Strasbourg. Maybe it's the folk art or the ceramics. Maybe it's the giant hearth oven where they cook the flammekueche (a pizza-like flatbread with savory toppings).
The Food
Ost manages to juggle a large menu with grace, emphasizing the hearty Franco-Germanic fare of his native Alsace with some broader French influences. Making choucroute always struck us as magic, akin to spinning straw into gold, and Sandrine's is a delicate delight accompanied by strapping portions of smoked pork and sausages. The winter food is hearty fare--roasted venison, stewed duck leg on tagliatelle noodles, roasted rack of lamb encrusted with powerful mustard. Sandrine's also features several vegetarian offerings.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkSandrine's attractive bar is an ideal date spot, one where couples can indulge in specialty cocktails like basil gimlets and pomegranate cosmos.
ParkingA $45, three-course prix-fixe menu is offered nightly.
User Reviews for Sandrine's Bistro
11/11/2007 Posted by trdckn
Beginning with the hostess's cold greeting our experience never rebounded. If you like to pay for pretention then this is the place for you. The filet mignon was inedible as it was overcooked: requested medium it was served well-done and charred. The management responded with an offer for complimentary dessert, a short offer considering the whole dining experience was uncomfortable and drawn-out; in the end they did recognize that they were at fault. In general the food rested on its appearance where it did not follow up on taste. This was inline with Sandrine's in general: from the superficial gesture of leaving sparkling water at the table (and then charging you for it) to the paper tablecloths and cheap decor.
Pros: Asparagus
Cons: Everything else
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
08/21/2006 Posted by chow10006
We were able to get a table at the last minute on a weekend night during Restaurant Week. The hostess rather icily informed us that they were fully booked and reservations were required. However, the proprietress, who was standing nearby, overheard and interceded. She was very welcoming, found space and we were looking forward to a terrific evening. Fifteen minutes after being seated, our waitress finally stopped by. She was abrupt, clearly not happy about something (Restaurant Week perhaps?) and absolutely not qualified to work in a restaurant of this level. Our menus were snatched away as we were ordering. She then leaned over and yanked the wine list from my husband's hands while he was mid-sentence ordering a wine. After taking bringing the wine, she disappeared for the remainder of the meal. Our meal was served by an assortment of other servers/bus boys. At the end of the meal, the waitress reappeared with the check, wordlessly slapped it on the table and left. Someone else picked it up to run the credit card. The Restaurant Week menu was rather dull (seared tuna that looked pasty and very unappetizing - a diner at a nearby table sent his back - and a roasted poussin). My lobster of the day from the regular menu was significantly better (baked with a very interesting anise sauce and a wonderful roasted root vegetable melange with fresh figs). Perhaps this is a restaurant to avoid during Restaurant Week. However, I can only rate this restaurant based on my experience during this week. We'll be back to give this place another try in the hope that we caught them on an off night.
Pros: the owner makes you feel welcome
Cons: wait staff could use more training
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
