Pot Au Feu

we were looking for really great New England seafood and were surprised when our concierge suggested a French restaurant. But he said that it had been there for almost 40 years so we took his advice and were amazed by both the entrées that we got. My wife loves bouillabaisse and has it where ever she can it was incredible - broth was light and delicious just like we had in the south of France and the seafood was fresh and amazing. For me it had to be the pasta with lobster and shrimp - the flavor was great and they wilted a little spinach at the last minute which gave great color. The real treat was oysters for appetizer that they did with a sauce under the broiler that is to die for. Service was friendly not stuffy like in a lot of French places and the wine list was matched really well to the menu. Atmosphere was cozy - the building they are in is like 150 years old so you fell like you are in Europe. We stayed til late - ask the owner for some of is secret stash of after dinner drinks at the bar. Pros: amazing food great service incredibly romantic Cons: Parking was a little tough more

I am from New York spending some time here temporarily relocated to Providence - ugh. Needless to say this chick has certain needs. One of them is to occasionally meet a man whose knuckles don't drag on the ground. This cozy little French bistro has turned out to be the perfect zone. I just love the escargot... but make sure he orders them with you because there are garlicy. I'm the kind of girl who likes to sink her teeth into a nice piece of meat so the filet minion is almost always my choice. The duck is great and rhymes with my favorite verb.... The béarnaise is the real deal like I get back in New York. in fact I think this is the closest thing to my favorite in New York - Bathazar. Everybody seems to rave about the crème brûlée but forget that have the chocolate pot - sinful - just my style. And for after dinner - let's just say with the candlelight wine and cozy setting there is only one more thing I want before getting tucked in... Pros: romantic, romantic romantic Cons: It is so romantic I can't say no. more

We're Rhode Islanders and i'm a chef in the Newport area. This restaurant - speaking about the down stairs part - is rated highly for atmosphere, quality, service, good food and very expensive prices to go along. Since we were already in Providence, my husband and i decided to treat ourselves to a quiet and special dinner. The waitress greeted us with an 'annoyance' attitude. She was coldly polite, semi- attentive. Both our dinners: presentation of the food was uninteresting, bland, unattractive... my 'side of vegetables' was a mere smearing of chopped (and full of seeds) squash, and my 'Samoun Citron' was under cooked, had a 'bad' taste, the bread-flour coating was soggy and after a few bites, i'd had enough. My husbands dish, ""Fruits de Mer"" had a little more going for it. But in his terms - the scallops will firm up more from the residual heat from the pasta! When the waitress asked if i wanted to 'wrap up' my leftover salmon, i very quietly informed her my dinner was improperly prepared, tasted 'bad' and i'll not be taking any of it home. She apologized (with an "" I apologize) and expressed she would let the chef know. She returned with the check, no further apologies, no report back from the kitchen ... nothing. If anyone complained to me about my food, service, presentation, i'd be all over them with sincere concern and complete compensation. Service - ok - they knew their job but were impersonal - Food - lack luster, bland, Atmosphere - tired French with the used wine, champagne bottles around the perimeter, laced with Christmas tree-type lighting. Brick floor need a sweeping. No background music, or flowers on tables We had no appetizers, no dessert or coffee, only 1 'split' of wine($13) and paid $97.00, including tax and gratuity - even though it wasn't deserved. I've had far better meals and far more delightful wait staff at Olive Garden! For $20!!! Note to this restaurant - in this economy, give me a reason to want to go back and please - if you don't want to find reviews like mine - take note when a customer suggests their food was unacceptable and make an appearance to make amends. To your staff - when a customer express their meal was not acceptable, FALL ALL OVER THEM. Not only could your employment depend on that, the restaurants reputation is at stake on your response to a dissatisfied customer. Sorry - i won't recommend, return or validate this restaurant. Pros: There were only 3 other couples there on a Friday night Cons: LOTS more

We ate in the downstairs bistro, a little room with a cozy romantic atmosphere. The duck and the beef tenderloin were both fantastic--cooked perfectly, delicious sauces and the best asparagus I've ever eaten. \r The prices aren't cheap, but the meals come with salad, potato and vegetable, so that adds a lot of value. \r Good service--professional and friendly.\r We will definitely be back soon. Pros: food, service, rustic charm Cons: parking more

I've been to this delightful bistro many times. Whenever my friends from NYC visit, this is where I take them. They are always impressed, which is saying something. I've only been to the downstairs bistro, so my review only applies to that part of the restaurant. Inside it is warm and cozy. There are bare brick walls lined with empty wine bottles and christmas lights that provide a warm glow. There is nothing pretentious about the bistro yet there is an aire of casual formality, if that makes any sense. Every meal I've had there is absolutely delicious. I've had the Boeuf a la Bourguignon, satueed chicken livers, Pate du Maison, braise lamb shank, crepes (that night they were filled with beef stroganoff). The Pate du Maison is so rich, one serving is enough for 2-4 as an appetizer. The salads are fresh and the dressings are delicious (especially the mustard variety). The only dish that I've had that I didn't like as much as the others was the duck. Overall the service has been good...but twice we were served by a female server who was not very friendly and some members of our party found her downright rude. She seemed annoyed when we asked questions about items on the menu and seemed genuinely disinterested in her job altogether. Every other server we've had has been friendly, unpretentious and attentive. I'd highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who would like real delicious french bistro fare. Ah...one more thing. If you like chocolate you MUST try the chocolate creme...I forgot what's it's called exactly, but you will see it on the menu. It is a sinfully rich chocolate custard that is absolutely decadent. Pros: Delicious food, cozy warm unpretentious atmosphere Cons: Don't take reservations more

The bistro at Pot Au Feu by far is my favorite restaurant in the city. The menu is unique and the food is incredible. The service is friendly and attentive yet never overly so. A reason alone to return time and time again would be the atmosphere. The downstairs bistro is romantic as can be and very quaint. Especially nice on cold winter nights. Check it out........you'll love it too. Pros: atmosphere, food quality more

This restaurant needs more work, starting with the service. The service staff was diner-trained at best. The foie gras was pretty good although somewhat plain in presentation, but the lobster bisque was weak in both flavor and richness. Entrees were well-prepared (lobster gratinee and salmon), but were both seved with generic steamed vegetables and white rice - a la Chinese restaurant! Come on, now. With squash and other autumnal vegetable in season? We split a dessert which was a tasty vanilla mousse with caramel, although nuts (advertised as pralines) were soggy. I suspect that those gastronomes looking for French food probably know enough to make a more spectacular effort at home. Pros: Dining Room, Wines, Location Cons: , Lackluster, Service more

From the minute you enter to your thankful exit this is a the most overated restaurant in the area. Boring entries, tricky sauces with no real intention. Money spent is lost. Romantic? right up there with rollar derby. more

I ate upstairs with a group and I felt like I was dining in a flea market like atmosphere. They might claim ecclectic as their style, but I fear that the lack of attention to the ambience for a French restaurant trickles down to the food. My steak was mediocre and drenched in a red wine sauce as if to say ""we need to cover it up"". The wine was good though. Debate Pot Au Feu against Rue de L'espoir. Cons: outdated more

The place was great and the service was excellent but I have to say that the food was not as great as I expected to be. In fact, I would consider it marginal. The fois gras I ordered seemed old and blah. The salad-- too much dressing. The veal ordinary. The apple/pair tart was the best part of the meal... I will say though that the prix fixe is a very good bargain. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things... Pros: Good Area, Good for Conversation, Great service Cons: So-so food more

When dining downstairs at Pot au Feu, it gives you this feeling like you are in a cave. Surrounded by dim lighting and a display of wine bottles along the rustic walls, makes you somehow feel like you are in an elegant wine cellar. Sitting across from the one you love in such an intimate setting with spectacular French food, who can go wrong when dining at this fabulous restaurant. Pros: food, service, wine Cons: parking, limited menu, tables too close more

The bistro is just wonderful! Incredible service and food and the atmosphere is great! Pros: atmosphere, excellent service, great food Cons: dark more