Himmel Hospitality Group (HHG) has announced that they are now overseeing the daily operations of Bistro du Midi. HHG, who also owns and operates Grill 23, Post 390, and Harvest, has been a part owner of Bistro du Midi since it opened in 2009 and will now oversee management and day-to-day operations. The restaurant continues to be one of Boston’s only premier dining destinations to overlook the Boston Public Gardens and the team is eager to reinvigorate the already stellar restaurant.
One of the most significant additions is the welcome return of chef Robert Sisca. In chef Sisca’s new role as executive chef/partner, he oversees and guides the culinary direction of the restaurant, working alongside longtime friend and his mentee, chef de cuisine Josue Louis, and pastry chef Allen Morter. With Sisca at the helm, the restaurant’s concept has evolved from Provençal French to French Cuisine inspired by Coastal New England influences. In his two years away from the restaurant, chef Sisca worked for Rhode Island-based G Hospitality Restaurant Group operating Garde East on Martha’s Vineyard where he was able to hone his seafood techniques, engage with local farmers and fishermen, and introduce new cooking skills to his repertoire.
Before coming to New England, chef Sisca worked at the historic One if by Land, Two if by Sea in New York City prior to becoming sous chef at the renowned Le Bernardin. During his tenure Le Bernardin earned the coveted Michelin Three Star award and four stars from the New York Times. Chef Sisca opened Bistro du Midi in 2009 and is proud to return to the kitchen where he earned his initial accolades for epicurean excellence.
“I love being back in a place that was home to me for almost a decade,” says chef Sisca. “I look forward to evolving the Bistro du Midi menu to a more French meets Coastal New England feel. From raw bar to crudos to simply cooked fish, creating seafood dishes is my passion. Having the opportunity to work and travel around the world has always given me inspiration and I enjoy incorporating those experiences into the Bistro du Midi menu.”
Along with the return of chef Sisca, Bistro du Midi is pleased to announce the addition of Federico Salvador as general manager. Federico is a quintessential restaurant veteran who was most recently Service Director at the award-winning French restaurant, L’Espalier, and prior to that, held the position of General Manager for the Michelin-starred A Voce restaurant in New York City. He brings his warm sense of humor and gracious hospitality experience to the front-of-the-house team.
The beverage list at Bistro du Midi has been completely revamped by master sommelier Brahm Callahan and bistro du midi sommelier Ray Osbourne. Most recently, Callahan and his talented team at Grill 23 were nominated as a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award for their wine program. That followed on the heels of being awarded a Wine Spectator “Grand Award” where they were one of only 89 restaurants in the world to receive that prestigious honor and featured on the cover of the August 2017 issue. The wine list has been carefully curated by Callahan and Osbourne and paired perfectly to complement chef Sisca’s dishes. Their selections represent the true soul of a bistro wine list where wine is part of every meal. The cocktail list combines modern takes on classics with fresh flavors and thoughtful combinations.
According to Chris Himmel, president of Himmel Hospitality Group, “HHG prides itself on operating exciting and successful restaurants in Boston. The chance to manage the day-to-day operations of a restaurant like Bistro du Midi, which has achieved so much local and national acclaim, is a rare opportunity. We are excited for the restaurant’s future, the new additions to the restaurant team and the new concept that we are bringing to Bistro du Midi.”
The interior has received an updated look with new artwork and décor that brings the look and feel of Boston’s Public Gardens into the restaurant space. The artwork is comprised of one-of-a-kind commissioned works hand-selected for the space, including vibrant and lively pieces that bring a refreshed feel to the restaurant. The first-floor Bistro is a more casual and approachable space, while the second-floor Dining Room has a more sophisticated look. Fresh, colorful floral arrangements in elegant vessels are displayed throughout both floors. New changes also include the opportunity for lunch reservations to be made in advance and the opening of the second-floor dining room during lunch service to give guests a view of the Public Gardens while they enjoy lunch for both business and pleasure.
The Bistro menu, offered at lunch and on the first floor at dinner, is a more approachable dining option with classic bistro dishes like moules frites, les croques, and some more non-traditional items like a bouillabaisse flatbread and a cacio e pepe flatbread. The Dining Room dinner menu, includes dishes like Chef Sisca’s cauliflower tartare; a black pepper chitarra with Scituate lobster, grapefruit and vanilla; and a black seabass with shiitake mushrooms and bok choy. There is also a daily Crudo Tasting available during dinner on both the Bistro and Dining Room menus. The Chef’s Tasting Menu is available at dinner with five-course and seven-course options from which Chef Sisca creates rotating dishes based on his whim and inspired by the best ingredients available throughout the seasons. As the season changes into spring, guests can expect even more additions to all menus, including desserts and cocktails.
Bistro du Midi will continue to offer seasonal al fresco dining and is located at 272 Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. For more information, please visit bistrodumidi.com.