Sandrine's Bistro

This beautiful glass-enclosed restaurant nestled on Holyoke Street offers a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of busy Harvard Square. Sandrine's specializes in delightful cuisine from the Alsace region of France, a vineyard area on the border of Germany's Black Forest. Their signature dish is the irresistible tarte flambee (flammekueche), a light pizza-like baked flatbread filled with savory toppings like smoky bacon or salmon, with caramelized onions, creamy fromage blanc and asparagus. Other notable entrees include the prosciutto tartine, an open faced sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomato and a pesto served with pitch perfect pommes frites; and the Trout Grenobloise, pan seared fish with capers, spinach and mushrooms. Wash it all down with a selection from their extensive wine list. And for dessert try the rich and decadent kougelhopf, a flowerless chocolate cake with caramel and vanilla ice cream.

Beginning with the hostess's cold greeting our experience never rebounded. If you like to pay for pretention then this is the place for you. The filet mignon was inedible as it was overcooked: requested medium it was served well-done and charred. The management responded with an offer for complimentary dessert, a short offer considering the whole dining experience was uncomfortable and drawn-out; in the end they did recognize that they were at fault. In general the food rested on its appearance where it did not follow up on taste. This was inline with Sandrine's in general: from the superficial gesture of leaving sparkling water at the table (and then charging you for it) to the paper tablecloths and cheap decor.

We were able to get a table at the last minute on a weekend night during Restaurant Week. The hostess rather icily informed us that they were fully booked and reservations were required. However, the proprietress, who was standing nearby, overheard and interceded. She was very welcoming, found space and we were looking forward to a terrific evening.

Fifteen minutes after being seated, our waitress finally stopped by. She was abrupt, clearly not happy about something (Restaurant Week perhaps?) and absolutely not qualified to work in a restaurant of this level. Our menus were snatched away as we were ordering. She then leaned over and yanked the wine list from my husband's hands while he was mid-sentence ordering a wine. After taking bringing the wine, she disappeared for the remainder of the meal. Our meal was served by an assortment of other servers/bus boys. At the end of the meal, the waitress reappeared with the check, wordlessly slapped it on the table and left. Someone else picked it up to run the credit card.

The Restaurant Week menu was rather dull (seared tuna that looked pasty and very unappetizing - a diner at a nearby table sent his back - and a roasted poussin). My lobster of the day from the regular menu was significantly better (baked with a very interesting anise sauce and a wonderful roasted root vegetable melange with fresh figs).

Perhaps this is a restaurant to avoid during Restaurant Week. However, I can only rate this restaurant based on my experience during this week. We'll be back to give this place another try in the hope that we caught them on an off night.

Outstanding food and service. Very interesting menu and appetizers and entrees served as elegantly as one could ask for. The ambiance of the dining room was measured by its classic elegance, and the environment clean and refined. The quality of the food was superb, and there was a broad enough selection for palates of all tastes. Desserts were tasty and a thing of beauty to see. The service was impeccable and the servers not overbearing.
This is a great place to celebrate any special occasion;guests and hosts will never be disappointed.

My wife and I suddenly found ourselve able to make a quick dinner plan when our child was off for an evening at a friend's house. Sandrine's was the closest place with an available reservation on short notice.

A rainy night, we parked in the underground lot just next door. The room was warm and romantic; the service friendly and efficient. While the food was just a shade better than "ok" and the prices a notch too high, it was still such a nice experience that we would be pleased to return if atmosphere was the primary objective.