Le Bistro

Le Bistro Restaurant Review:

Stepping inside Le Bistro’s tiny space may leave diners a bit underwhelmed, but chef Jean-Pierre Doignon’s classic French dishes help keep the focus off the décor. The five-course, prix-fixe menu ($55) offers something for every level of appetite, and features soups, appetizers, salads and entrées, finished with bite-size desserts and house-made truffles. The menu changes often, but certain specialties are revisited enough to be commemorated in art on the walls. Doignon's veal, for example, is atop a truffle risotto filled with morel mushrooms. Several add-on items are available throughout the meal: any soup en croûte is worth both the extra wait and money. Doignon also keeps it simple with a ratatouille lasagna that comes with bread from Berkeley’s Acme Bread. Wine pairings are spot on; give the wine list a good look as well for hidden gems. The dessert evolves with the seasons, but one can always count on the classy choice of assorted cheeses with raisins and glazed walnuts.