When Excelsior closed its doors earlier this year, Boston foodies lost a treasured high-end gem — and some prime real estate, a Boylston Street spot overlooking the Public Garden, lost an appetizing tenant. No more! In late October, the doors will swing open at Bistro du Midi (272 Boylston Street, Boston), which will be serving French Provençal cuisine under executive chef Robert Sisca, former sous chef at NYC’s Le Bernardin, an upscale spot considered one of the Big Apple’s juiciest bites. But New York isn’t the only outside locale exerting influence on this cosmopolitan culinary destination: Bistro du Midi is a partnership between Excelsior’s former owner, Boston’s Himmel Hospitality Group, and the London-based MARC Group, owner of several swank restaurants in the UK and US. And not only will the cuisine be complemented by artwork from France’s Midi region, but they’re even importing a Provençal pizza oven to fire up some authentic pissaladière (a style of southern French pizza). Expect a street-level bar serving food and drink from lunch through late night and an upstairs Garden-view dining room with wooden beams, Venetian plastered walls, and a fireplace, as well as two smaller rooms for private noshing. We’re promised “approachable, moderate” price points, but just as exciting is the spot’s outdoor patio, which is coming in the spring. It all sounds delish, so we’re happy to welcome Excelsior’s francophone inheritor with open arms and a big French kiss.
