Have you ever been to France?
I haven’t yet, and often fantasize about visiting Paris and enjoying all the sights and fashion and food. But, alas, right now I don’t have enough money to go on a French vacation, so I’m consoling myself with French things instead. The past month I have bought Givenchy perfume, made boeuf bourgignon, and ate my weight in macarons.
(Okay, I haven’t done the last one yet, but one day I aspire to.)
I continue to pine for my Parisian holiday but in the meantime, I can enjoy a little bit of France right in my own neighborhood, thanks to Sandrine’s Bistro in Harvard Square. Sandrine’s is a charming restaurant that focuses on classic French cuisine, with an emphasis on Alsatian cuisine, which is strongly based on German culinary traditions. Think flammekueche (tarte flambe) and sauerkraut and lots of pork.
Here are some pictures from our dinner last week, which was provided free of charge by Sandrine’s:
Milk chocolate pot de creme with peanut butter mousse (we did not start with dessert, but this was my very favorite thing that night!)
Smoked trout with warm fingerling potatoes, horseradish creme, and salmon roe
Traditional baked Alsatian escargots
Moules Marinieres (mussels steamed in Riesling wine, garlic, shallots, and onions)
Traditional flammekueche (crispy flatbread topped with nutmeg-scented fromage blanc, smoked bacon, and caramelized onions)
Chef and owner Raymond Ost
My dining companions (from left clockwise) Martini of Beyond Boston Chic (one of the fashion photography blogs I religiously follow!), Meghan of Travel, Wine, and Dine, Brian from The Gringo Chapin, Emily of A Cambridge Story, me, Will of The Boston Foodie, PR maven Chris Lyons, and Melanie of Kiss my Glass Boston
Apple and gorgonzola salad
Alsatian Choucroute Garnie au Riesling (or, as I’d like to call it: the Meat Platter): sauerkraut slow cooked in Riesling, bockwurst, wiener, grilled smoked porkloin, ham hock, and bacon-wrapped fingerling potato
Mango sorbet
Profiteroles
Once again: that luscious pot de creme
I had a really lovely evening, so thank you so much to Sandrine’s Bistro for having us and transporting us to France for a few hours that night. I have a soft spot for Sandrine’s because my parents always mention it when they used to live in Harvard Square. Whenever I think of Sandrine’s, I remember my parents and their date nights – which my sisters and I would always crash, so it inevitably becomes family dinner. And speaking of date nights, since there is that little love holiday coming up on the 14th, I highly recommend checking out this charming French restaurant. And don’t forget to order the pot de creme!
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
This was such a superb meal. I’m super late in posting my review — but loved reliving the night through your post!
I got a gift certificate here as a wedding present and your review has gotten me very excited to put it to good use!
That bacon and onion tart looks wonderful!
what a gorgeous meal and captured beautifully by you!!
You are making me long for days in France. sigh….
I went to Sandrine’s for Restaurant Week last year and loved it! Very few people seem to know about it, but their food is exceptional. Glad you had such a great time!
As a result of studying French for six years, I’ve been dying to go to France. Someday!
I don’t know WHY I’ve never been to Sandrine’s, but for some reason I haven’t and I think I need to change that! I went to Paris when I was 13 and had escargot for the first time. Very daring for me at the time, but I loved it and order it every chance I get!
Amazing night and GREAT post, as usual!
Somehow in all my (four) years of eating in Harvard Square, I can’t remember Sandrine’s! I guess that shows you how many romantic dinners I ate while I lived in Boston lol. It sounds awesome, though! The mousse…oh so good.
Your photos came out so beautiful! That was a fun dinner.
The escargot looks wonderful! I haven’t had escargot in ages…and need to remedy that quickly!
Hi Bianca. I have been to Paris.. but surprising to some, I didn’t really enjoy French food.. because I’m limited to chicken and some fish. The good thing about where you live is you’re not too far from Montreal which is suppose to be amazing, and Quebec City is like the mini-version of Paris. I believe you will get to Paris – sooner than later.
I loved Montreal though, waiting to see QC.
That salad looks fabulous, and of course the desserts. I spent a week in Paris and I absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to go back.
i have never been to paris, and never had escargot but want to do/try both! the flatbread looks amazing.
What an amazing evening. The dessert and flatbread, in fact everything looks amazing. Thanks for reminding me of Sandrinces.
Paris stole my heart and I long to go back! Oh what I’d give for that apple and gorgonzola salad and the peanut butter mousse dessert!
What a fantastic evening, I am so very jealous. I would most want to sample the flatbread because pizza or any varieties of it like flatbreads is my favorite food of all time. I also would want to try the “Meat Platter” because the fact that it’s cooked in a sweet white like Reisling makes me think the flavor contrast would be out of this world. Will definitely keep this in mind for my next Boston trip. Thank you!
Hi Caitlyn! Thanks for the nice comment. Yes, the Riesling really added a different flavor dimension to the dish. Hope you get to check it out next time you’re in town!
Mm, that chocolate pot de creme is making my mouth water!
I have been to France and the way they source, prepare and cook food in the French tradition is wonderful. I remember enjoying the village markets with deliciously fresh produce and AMAZING olives too. Hope you get there one day!
Hi Grace! One day…
I love France and French food. Enjoyed your post. If you are ever in the mood for a Tarte Flambee and can’t get to Sandrine’s, please try this one. Scrumptious!
http://frenchtwistedwoman.com/2012/02/20/tarte-de-jambon-et-oignon-bacon-and-onion-tart/