interior

Along with traditional bistro dishes you'd expect to find like Moules Frites and Steak Aux Poivres, Juliette offers other enticing options that borrow from Morocco, Spain and Mexico among other places.

Our server was so nice I can't say enough about him. He was honest and on point with his recommendations. There was a funny moment when he was rattling off the list of red wines by the glass and after he finished, though I was thinking about the Côtes du Rhone and meant to order it, instead "Pinot Noir" came out of my mouth and though I felt like a complete idiot realizing that wasn't one of the choices, he laughed and said that I must have read his mind because he just happened to have forgotten that one.

After a lot, and I mean A LOT of mind changing and deliberating because everything on the menu just sounded so good, we finally made up our minds and ordered. We started with soup: the traditional French Onion which was good and cheesy and the soupe du jour which was an Apple Asparagus puree and also very good though more apple-y than asparagus-y and therefore sweeter than I was hoping for but nothing that a few dashes of salt and pepper couldn't right.

les soupes: French Onion; Asparagus & Apple

I'd passed by Bistro Juliet earlier in the day and stopped to read the menu and the thing that grabbed my attention right away was the Saucisson Grillé--grilled sausage with warm potatoes in a scallion chive dressing. That was the only thing I was certain of going into the place, that I would order the saucisson. The dressing, I think, is what elevated an otherwise simple dish from ordinary into delicious. We also ordered the Croutons de Chèvre aux Herbes, large homemade croutons smothered in goat cheese with red peppers and anchioves (optional) on the side; other than there being a few too many anchioves, it was a good solid dish.

Saucisson Grillé; Croutons de Chèvre aux Herbes

I'm not sure where this came from, but I am absolutely obsessed with guacamole and if I see it on a menu, I almost certainly have to order it. So seeing it on the menu at a bistro of all places, my interest was definitely piqued. I asked our server what he thought and he said he liked it so I trusted him and ordered the Chicken Tartine, pieces of chicken in a spicy sauce served with guacamole, a sort of pico de gallo and fries. Tender and really juicy, the chicken was delicious and the spicy sauce was great with just enough spice that it satisfied without leaving you wanting to down a liter of water. And I must say, I was impressed with the guac. Definitely not in my top 5 but for a french bistro, it was pretty good-- smooth and tangy with just enough salt.

Finally, I left about a cubic inch of stomach room for dessert. Chocolate cake sounded wonderful and is probably what I would have ordered if I weren't so stuffed, but I knew after two bites of that I'd be done for so instead I settled on the Pear Crème Brulée after our server recommended that over the Poached Pear. While the pear flavor could have been a bit stronger, I really enjoyed it. Nice and crackle-y with a few pear slices on top and rich, creamy custard beneath. I managed to fit it all into my stuffed tummy.

Chicken Tartine; Pear Crème Brulée

Before leaving, we checked out the not-ready-for-primetime rooftop bar/ dining area, currently being used as a smoking area, which we were told won't be open for diners until the warm weather returns next year. While the view is nothing to get excited over (it looks onto the "mini mall" and apartments) there are a good number of tables and another bar up there... I can just tell this place is going to be hopping come summertime.

Rooftop dining/ bar

Bistro Juliette
135 N. 5th St
(corner of Bedford)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718/ 388-9222
Directions: L to Bedford Ave.

Oinks: 3.5/5
Why Bother: good, traditional & modern bistro fare; outstanding service
Average Setback: 2 glasses of wine, 2 soups, 2 appetizers, 1 entree, 1 dessert: $67

Dinner after 5PM
Brunch on weekends 10:30AM - 4PM