The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
We may be knee deep in finals, blinded by papers and test prep, but summer is just around the corner. The air here in Boston is warming up, the cherry blossoms are blooming, and my allergies are starting to act up again. That’s how you know it’s really Spring. We only get a few months of this before the heat becomes sweltering, which means there’s really only one place to be right now – outside! Your eyes can only take the computer screen for so long, so when you need that inevitable break from studying, we suggest previewing your summer vacation at one of (Greater) Boston’s best French Café’s, PRB Boulangerie.
Painting the Picture
Ok, you caught us, PRB is in Cambridge not Boston. But with the weather as beautiful as it is, there’s never been a better time to take a not-so-long walk across the river and along the esplanade. A particularly motivating walk, might I add, because once you make it to the café, you will feel like you have been transported to the streets of Paris. The interior is chic and charming, but the outdoor patio takes the cake on seating. Close your eyes, listen to the birds, the cars, the chatter, and smell the seasons changing. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll hear whispers of French from the café’s management team, going to and from the café and its sister restaurant, Batifol, right next door. Certainly that will seal the deal. You have basically made it to summer – to Paris – already.
Walking into the café, you are immediately greeted with the smell of fresh bread and pastries. The counters are lined with delicately crafted, traditional French pastries, and plenty of unique offerings too. Raise your eyes just above their stunning case of baked goods, and the lunch menu will certainly call your name, just like it did for us. Their light dishes, featuring an assortment of salads, sandwiches, and soups, are perfect for a sunny spring day. And because it was us Spoonies, we had to try a little bit of everything. So here’s our review:
Keeping Lunch Classy
Starting savory, we tackled the lunch menu first. After quite a bit of deliberation, we opted for the Salade Classique with chicken, the Jambon Comté, and the Panini Sandwich. Fresh, bright, and oh-so herby, this dish was everything we could have asked for in a spring salad. The Panini Sandwich impressed us, too. Soft ciabatta filled with roasted turkey, pesto, burrata, and sweet tomato was mouth-wateringly delicious. But the real show stopper of the lunch menu was the Jambon Comté, which the cafe manager let us know is one of their most popular items. The sandwich comes on a perfectly crunchy yet soft and chewy baguette, filled with rich butter, ham, and cheese. Yes, it’s really that simple. And yes, it’s really that good. PRB keeps it authentically classy, and impressively simple.
Pastry Perfection
Moving on to sweet, we were honestly amazed at the selection. This decision might have been even harder than the lunches – everything was stunning. To taste a little bit of everything, we tried three of their staple pastries. First, sticking to true French tradition, we opted for the Pain aux Raisin. Trying something on the adventurous side, we grabbed the Vanilla Flan Croissant. And of course we had to try their most popular item, the Pain Suisse. Like the Jambon Comté, the Pain aux Raisin is a humble little treat. A light and fluffy spiral of pastry, sprinkled with fresh and juicy raisins throughout, this gem was perfect in its simplicity. Less sweet than the others, we imagine it would pair well with a warm cup of creamy coffee. Now, we have to admit, the Vanilla Flan Croissant was intimidating. Yet, the light and delicate pastry balanced the decadent and eggy cream perfectly. Caramelised to perfection, this pastry is the perfect treat for someone with a real sweet tooth. Finally, the Pain Suisse. To be honest, it was a complimentary treat — we almost didn’t try this one, but we are so glad we did. If you’re not familiar with Pain Suisse (like we weren’t), it’s a light and airy brioche pastry filled with rich cream and melted chocolate chips that makes a gooey bite. This absolutely blew our minds, in fact, we’re all still dreaming about it now.
Sealing the Deal
The French may be known for many things – refined culture, fashion, art – but our favorite innovation of theirs would have to be their cuisine. Ok, we might have to say that as food bloggers, but it very well could be true. They stick to the classics, what they know best, and they do it to perfection. So, even if you wish you were in France, for now, Boston will have to do. And it won’t disappoint either. Head to the MFA for some Impressionism art, grab a meal at PRB Boulangerie, and soak up this city’s beautiful spring while it’s here for the perfect French-inspired afternoon in Boston.
P.S. Stay for a post-meal pick me up! Their coffee is just as good.