Other Places to Check Out in Beantown

Name: Petit Robert Bistro Address: 468 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215 Telephone: 617-375-0699 Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Maison

By Mollie H. Chen

Address: 468 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215

Telephone: 617-375-0699

Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Maison Robert closed its doors last year. However, those who never experienced the celebrated French restaurant have been granted a second chance. To the delight of food critics and poor students alike, Chef Jacky Robert recently opened Petit Robert Bistro in Kenmore Square.

The brief lunch menu includes such quintessential bistro items such as the Croque Monsieur ($4.50), a hot ham and cheese sandwich topped with béchamel sauce. For dinner, the restaurant offers a wider range of dishes, including Escargots Bourguignon ($6.50) and Duck Confit and Toulouse Sausage with Braised Savoy Cabbage ($15.25).

Everything on the lunch menu is priced under $15; nothing on the dinner menu is over $20. The restaurant also includes a Pastry Bar that turns out a range of creations—from the traditional Vanilla Crème Brulee ($5.50) and Apple Tarte Tatin ($7) to the whimsical Gateau Petit Robert, a Chocolate Eiffel Tower ($7).

Name: Sel de la Terre

Address: 255 State St., Boston, MA 02109

Telephone: (617) 720-1300

Boulangerie: Bread, pastries, sandwiches, soups

Hours: Lunch M-F 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Brunch Sa and Sun 11 – 2:30 p.m.

Dinner 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The sister restaurant of the romantic L’Espalier, Sel de la Terre has amassed a following among the city’s bread lovers and Francophiles. The restaurant attempts authentic French fare, and many of their dishes are well-executed, if not as lovingly prepared as the cuisine at some of the city’s big-name establishments.

Still, the restaurant is a fantastic place for lunch, with a moderately priced menu of bistro favorites. The pommes frites are not to be missed.

In addition, the restaurant offers a lunchtime three-course prix fixe menu for $19 from Monday to Friday. The real draw, however, is Sel de la Terre’s boulangerie. Here, head baker Michael Rhoads and pastry chef Peter Merrill have gained a loyal following. Many swear by Rhoads’ fig and anise bread ($5.25 a loaf) and pain levain ($6). The boulangerie also serves a number of soups and sandwiches.