We had the winning bid on an auction for a free stay at the Wellsworth Hotel in Southbridge. We booked our stay for a Saturday night. We looked online for local restaurants to dine at during our stay. Neither my girlfriend or I have ever gone to a French restaurant, so we decided on The Metro Bistrot, due to all the fantastic reviews. I called and spoke with Jay (chef and owner) a week prior to make the reservation. We took an Uber from the hotel, as it's BYOB and brought a couple of bottles of wine. This was a Saturday before a big snow storm the following day. I think due to this, the restaurant wasn't as busy as usual. We ended up being seated in the back room all to ourselves. It was a very nice room that had about 4 tables. Stephanie, our server was an absolute delight! Turns out she works for the hotel as well and she's the one I spoke with when we booked the room. She opened our Beaujolais for us and brought some wine glasses. She kept the bottle chilled in the fridge for us. She went over some of the specials being prepared that night and was able to make some nice recommendations. My girlfriend ended up with the special seafood soup special with a lobster stock as a base. I ordered the escargot. Both were absolutely fantastic. She kept our bread basket filled with wonderful fresh warm bread to soak up all the goodness of the soup and escargot. My girlfriend ordered the boar shank and I ordered the stuffed quail that was stuffed with foie gras and pate. The boar meat fell right of the bone and was some of the most tender meat we've ever had. Both dishes were phenomenal. Jay stopped by our table to chat. He's super nice and even took some photos with us. We ordered 3 different kinds of cheeses prior to ordering dessert. All three we ordered were great! Stephanie also brought us a bowl of crackers to go with the cheese. For dessert, my girl had the cheesecake with an oatmeal crust and fresh berries. I'm not usually one for sweets, unless it Crème Brûlée, so I opted for the Boursin stuffed Shrimp, forgetting it wasn't an appetizer, but a main entree. It was out of this world! All the fish Jay brings in are always fresh and NEVER frozen. He even poured me a small glass of some white wine and it went so well with the shrimp. We cannot wait to go back. The prices are very reasonable and the service and food is second to none. Cheers! read more

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Our second time here and one we make as a destination spot. It is so unique and in tucked away that it always feels like you are in on a secret. It is small and quaint. One chef and one server. It is byob and the menu isn't extensive. But it is mostly local and classic French. It is accessible and not pretentious. A place where the passion for French cooking is designed for locals. The food is interesting and has a casual vibe. Like a small village in France where farmers and artisans come. The space is small and seatings limited, so by the end of the night you can meet new friends if you want to. I would encourage you to bring an extra bottle of wine and share. read more

The Metro Bistrot - Escargot - French Near Me - Southbridge, Massachusetts

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Amazing food with perfect and warm service! Chef came by several times to check in and see if anything was missing. Would go back again and again! read more

The dining experience was outstanding from warm bread to ratatouille to escargot. Entrees were wonderful Casolette and shrimp.Desserts were beautifully prepared.. I had the cherry offering and he had the berries and cream- neither were overly sweetened.. Ambiance was very charming with light dinner music. Stephanie was the perfect waitress always available when needed. I would highly recommend The Metro Bistrot. Bring your favorite wine! read more

I'm picky The food was OK I WAS HOPING FOR EXCEPTIONAL. What IS exceptional is the service and the care all servers give to customers. Charming chef. read more

Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants I've been to anywhere. This is truly French, and it is absolutely exquisite. The menu, on its own, is spectacular. We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to experience a special tasting menu. It was absolutely off the charts. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, which makes it an even more wonderful experience. And the opportunity to engage with Chef Jay and learn about his journey and approach to preparing the menu that we were fortunate enough to experience made the entire evening even more special. Beyond this, the restaurant is BYO. Having the ability to pull bottles from one's own seller and then have a chef pair of things with what you've chosen is the best possible dining experience one can have. The frontage is unassuming, and if you didn't know where you were going, this would definitely be missed. But trust me, this is one of the best places in the entire region. read more

As a food lover, you're lucky to find a handful of places you gladly return to year after year and find the exact same experience you enjoyed on your first visit. Metro Bistroit is just such a place. From the kind and welcoming folks who run the front of the house, to Jay, M-P, Stephanie, and the hard working folks in the back of the house, and the tables of regulars who bring by wine to share, it's really doesn't get much better than this. At The Bistroit, you'll arrive as a stranger and leave with new found friends. I've eaten at Michelin Starred restaurants and many of the best across both our country and in Europe. While you may find more whimsical plating, perfect continental service, and this month's must have dish, the food that Jay and M-P make fairly screams of authenticity. This; This is the foundational soul of traditional French Cuisine. From M-P's ethereal quiche to Jay's classic Escargot ( especially the version with Foie and Ramps he harvested that morning ) and the daily specials like local Venison, Rabbit, Quail and whatever fish that just came off the boat, all are dishes that speak to the roots of the "French Sensibility". Add to this Jay's almost encyclopedic knowledge of everything he makes and the sheer joy evident when you ask him how something is prepared, and you find yourself amazed that someplace like this still exists. read more

Everything about this restaurant was flawless--the food was exceptional, the service attentive, and the ambiance warm and inviting. A truly perfect dining experience. read more

I need 5 more stars to tell you how delicious is the food, the wonderful ambiance, the gracious host and hostess. Just PERFECTION! A TEN PLUS!!!! Now how can I make a plain dinner for my family after we have sampled Jay's cooking? We shall return read more

Amazing dinner my MIL brought us too. The flavors are delightful, Chef Jay and Stephanie are amazing and love the intimate ambiance. You will need to make reservations in advance. We had a pretty big table and I got to try a little of everything and loved it all. Some of my favorites are the Lobster Vichai, Boar Shank and Quail. Quality ingredients well worth the price. read more

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We were here for the snail tasting menu and everything was great. With tip it came to 260.00 which was a fair price. BYOB. Service was very good. Can't wait to go again. Nice little place that is a must for a little bit of French cuisine. read more

Like going to France without having to go to France! Such accomplished chefs and such a welcoming atmosphere. It's amazing we have it right here in southbridge. You must go. I can't say enough about this rare gem. read more

We found a little bit of France in Southbridge, MA, of all places. We, like many of the diners who were there, came to recapture a little bit of the feel of France given travel restrictions and canceled trips. Kudos for the owners for adapting to a tough situation by placing 4 tables outside under a pop up canopy with little carpets underneath. You'll never mistake this parking lot for Paris but tough times call for tough measures and the food is what will transport you to Europe more than the atmosphere. First off, know that its BYOB with a $5 corkage fee. That's a great price and the owner provides glasses and uncorks your bottle ... I love this because it allowed us to drink our favorite wine from France vs. being limited to a selected wine list. We wanted wine, a small cheese plate and escargot to start off the meal, as this was our custom in France but were told that cheese was only served for dessert. We asked if an exception be made and were told it could not ... cheese was only to be served after the entree. So we ended up skipping the cheese and getting a sweet dessert later on. The escargot was good. It was a bot pricey but importing snails from France cannot be cheap. It had a nice basil/butter flavour and was presented well. It was a good start to the meal. If you are going to take one tip away from this review ... make it this one. (We learned it from our table neighbors) It's always wise to call in advance (day of or before) to put in your order in advance. As a small restaurant, they run out of foods throughout service but if you call in advance to let them know what you'll order, they will reserve it for you. We had a dusk reservation and by that time, only 4 dishes were left on the menu, two casseroles, swordfish and scallops. I had wanted to try the quail and my date was hoping for the bone in pork chop but both had sold out already. We now know to order in advance. It's kind of cool that you are able to do this ... and that ot's a friendly crowd. The tables talk to each other and most seem to be regulars who welcomes us first timers and gave us menu suggestions. The casseroles (pork ragout and cassoulete) were beyond excellent. The cassoulet contained huge pieces of homemade sausage and pork in a sauce of small beans. The ragout was made with tender braised pork. The flavours were fantastic and this was better than most of what we had in France. I really hope they'll put a beef bourgionne on the menu at some point as that was the one dish that's eluded us in Paris. We hsd it at 3 different restaurants there and never had a good one. If anyone can do it right, Metro Bistro can! The entrees came with a small salad and side (the stewed eggplant was amazing) on the same plate as the casserole dish. For dessert we had the cold dense chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream. We actually ordered the cherry tart but were brought this by mistake, which was fine because it looked so good. It was fantastic ... a hard cake, almost like a shortbread with an interesting chocolatey flavor. We couldn't possibly fit in another bite so skipped cheese and hope to come back soon. Small places like this are the gem of any town ... and Metro Bistro is no exception. It was honestly one of our best French meals outside of Paris. Aside from the cheese thing, the hosts were fantastic and warm and welcoming. The service was good and the food was amazing. If you are looking for a warm welcome and to be transported to France for the night, this is a great place to do it. read more

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Food and service are amazing! Tehe menu changes often, so there is always something new to try. Very small intimate atmosphere

My wife and I came to one of our favorite places and go to celebration venue for dinner after getting married today. Once again, the food was absolutely amazing with a perfect pairing of dishes that make your mouth drool for every bite. Jay the owner, cook, wine maker and much more makes you feel like he's known you for years on the first introduction, and his wife is amazing as well, whom delights patrons with a magnificent song ! All of that in a quaint easy to find location. Highly suggest checking this place out! read more

The Metro Bistrot - Cherry desert and pistachio bread pudding was so good, that we could not stop eating. - French Near Me - Southbridge, Massachusetts

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Wow. What a *gem.* Jay's cooking is outstanding, and it feels like you're right in his living room. The starter ratatouille and quiche were phenom. Loved my shrimp entree. And with only a $5 corkage fee (note: Metro Bistrot is BYOB), you can easily slide into a 5-star experience. Will absolutely be back, thanks Jay and Stephanie! read more

The Metro Bistrot - Quiche and escargot - French Near Me - Southbridge, Massachusetts

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This was our third visit to The Metro Bistrot and our party of six was looking forward toward a delicious dinner "three-peat". We were warmly greeted by Jay Livernois, co-propietor, manager and "present in the front" and the main cook and co-owner, Marie-Paule Marthe, who was born in Orleans, France and lived in the south of France for thirty years. This is a BYOB establishment, that charges a $5 corking fee (a great value), so we brought numerous French wines to accompany our meal including a Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Fumé, Bordeaux, Vouvray and Sauterne. We tried several starters including a sautéed foie gras, chicken liver pate, and salmon pate, all excellent, though the foie gras in my humble opinion, is always the choice du jour! Our main courses included Cassoulet - French roast pork, duck confit, house sausage, ragout, and lardon in a white bean casserole (superb), beef filet medallions w. cassis sauce (tender and delicious), and foie gras stuffed quail (fantastic). We shared all five desserts including Rhubarb Compote, Opera Cake and Sheba Cake and a Fruit Tart. We shared all the desserts, and all were readily consumed. Not a crumb remained. We consider Metro Bistrot to be a hidden gem, an out of the way fine dining establishment that is worth the trek. We can strongly recommend The Metro Bistrot and thank Jay and Marie-Paule for another wonderful dinner. read more

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My wife and I found this place by accident, and it has become our favorite restaurant. Chef Jay is fantastic, the food is incredible. We have gone back numerous times for the tasting menu and every time is better than the last. A few things to note that we learned by going there. 1. They do not "turn over tables" as with traditional dining establishments. There is no rush to leave once you are there. We have stayed till closing numerous times as the food is so delicious we cannot get enough. 2. If there is a particular menu item you are looking for, include that in your reservation request. It may sell out before you get there as the food is purchased fresh each day with limited quantities. 3. BYOB - we recommend French wine - a red and a white, there's a liquor store in the area. 4. On at least 2 occasions, Chef Jay has recommended what will pair best with the wine we brought. read more

In Sturbridge for a wedding, looked at the menu and couldn't wait to get there. Jay was so helpful over the phone, Stephanie was an amazing server. The food, the ambience, The service... It was a perfect evening. Hard to believe there is such a gem hidden in Sturbridge. Thought we were in Paris. read more

Great little place. Lots of care put into what they serve. Don't let the location fool you, place is a nice spot

Everything is amazing here. The atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable yet upscale and refined. The service is impeccable, and the cuisine is the best you will find anywhere. Be sure to save room for their desserts! We had two rounds of cherry clafoutis - one wasn't enough! read more

excellent food. staff the very best french restaurant great every time please go you won't be disappointed read more

The Metro Bistrot - French Near Me - Southbridge, Massachusetts

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We came for the Prix Fixe menu and had a delightful time. Every dish was thoughtful and delicious, presented beautifully with great care to service. We had a beautiful time and look forward to our next visit. read more

This place is legit the textbook definition of a hidden gem. The food is amazing and the staff is super attentive. Our server Stephanie was worth another 5 stars. Def coming back read more

Great service and great food! Literally everything we ordered was stand out Jay is a super fun and interesting guy who truly lives what he does! read more

Haven't been here for a couple of years due to Covid and I rated it then as the best restaurant in Massachusetts. Guess what, they are still the best restaurant in Massachusetts. It was our anniversary and we had just finished up a river cruise on the Rhône so what better place to dine then the Metro. We did the tasting menu and every dish was excellent which led into a perfect evening. This place deserves a Michelin star! read more

My husband and I had an amazing experience at Metro Bistro! The owners and server were incredibly welcoming and were very accommodating to an allergy that we had. We felt very comfortable and spent three hours enjoying the several course chef's menu, which was exquisite. From start to finish, every course was expertly prepared and served with so much warmth from chef and co-owner Jay and their server, Stephanie. The other chef and co-owner, Marie-Paule is also incredibly talented; the quiche and duck course's were particularly memorable. We will certainly be back and can't say enough good things about this gem. Thank you for such a great experience! read more

How can this wonderful place be any better¿ with u there supporting these amazing folks. Simply sublime food cooked with more love than my father ever had for me. It's literally home away from home. Get u some of the best home cooking from the best French cooking parents. U will be blown away just keep it quiet, if 2 many peeps show up u eating at subway next door. That's not bad either, buy a sub for someone who needs one read more

Food quality and service at the Metro Bistrot are superior - regular entrees are delicious and reliable, and specials enhance the typical offerings. read more

The Metro Bistrot - Cassoulet - French Near Me - Southbridge, Massachusetts

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This restaurant was wonderful! The appetizers were delicious, the rock fish was fabulous and the dessert was amazing.

Delicious French fare - do not hesitate to dine here! Wife and I cannot wait to return! Reminder - BYOB - there is a liquor store nearby but we were prepared with a bottle of our own. Second hint - dine earlier - selections are daily and when they're out, they're out! read more

We love this place... it is quite possibly our favorite place. BYOB Excellent service and food.... Truly exquisite!! read more

Metro Bistrot just keeps getting better. Everything in my original review remains true -- outstanding food, service, and value. It's possible the food has actually improved; for example, the peas in ricotta and parmesan are entirely worth the drive from Boston. The cheese platter represents perfection in dairy with flavors galore, though I wish the otherwise attentive and hardworking college kid working as a waitress knew more about their provenance. Sometime since my original visit, they've added chocolate mousse to the menu. Huzzah! Of course, it's the most delicious extraction of chocolate -- not too heavy, just rich and flavorful in a perfectly sized portion. If this restaurant were located in NYC or LA, I'd never be able to get a reservation, and would find the prices too crazy to enjoy the experience. Tonight, I could drop-in without a reservation clutching a bottle from the nearby Austin Liquors (formerly, Colonial Liquors), and enjoy a tasting menu to remember for a long time to come. Thank you, Jay and Marie! read more

We went for a special anniversary occasion. Decided to be a bit adventurous and go for the tasting menu. What a delicious meal! We were glad we did as we were served dishes that we wouldn't have chosen ourselves but were scrumptious. The first time since our honeymoon in Paris that we'd eaten really good French food. That atmosphere was very intimate and personal. A chance to go slow and savor every bite. We definitely want to go back sometime to try more menu items. read more

Had the great privilege of dining here again last night. Another superb dinner. They had some new help from a Father and daughter and although they were in training for restaurant business, they went above and beyond to be accommodating! Very refreshing to see the daughter having a work ethic and a passion for the French cuisine. We enjoyed the Escargot, foie gras mousse, Monk Fish ragu and Duck confit! & OUTSTANDING Desert: white chocolate pistachio bread pudding and homemade cake with hazelnuts and buttercream. What a Jewel of a restaurant! read more

Ms Sue B, the negative blogger with only 3 reviews and bad for all three, was not only way off base, but also sniffing glue somewhere in another planet. Hidden in a cheap strip mall, you walk into a very charming (SMALL) establishment, reminiscent of French countryside. NO, you will not eat Parisian haute cuisine here. You will enjoy simply cooked dishes you would find on country roads, prepared simply with local and fresh ingredients. They have "Frenched" New England products and made them blissfully delightful. The owners are quite charming "a la" European - don't judge a book for its cover, and the almost germanic demeanor of the tall and elegant owner could be almost intimidating... Not at all - he takes his business seriously with an endearing fatherly zeal. Brought me back to Reims, our mid point stop on our way to Frankfurt, when Hurricane Sandi left us "stranded" in Paris with no flights back to NY (DUH) and we headed north to catch a flight to Boston. Off the beaten path in a lovely B&B, we had a meal that Metro Bistrot sent us back to in space and time - one whaff from the kitchen and you are done for! I would NOT bring children here. But I would bring good bottles to this quaint BYOB. The Venison of the day had been freshly hunted on their farm, and meticulously prepared 2 ways. My husband had the confit shank - meaty, crispy exterior and tender meat. We enjoyed the garlicy and buttery, perfect escargot with crusty french bread (Sue, who CARES if they outsource it locally! You are smoking crack! That bread is PERFECT! specially to suck up the garlic butter from the escargot!). The husband ordered the chestnut soup - a bit on the bland side, but not in a touch of heat and structure. Maybe a tad of salt and some sweetness or a shot of cream and butter (more on that later), but it was still quite good on a cold December evening. I HAD TO CASSOULET! With its hefty portions of sausage and meet, it was pure comfort and creamy-meaty delight. PERFECT. The place is very small, call ahead and reserve. They also are very persnickety with their food. It is a tight menu - NO SUBSTITUTIONS, no dietary changes - no different that countryside cooking. They don't overwhelm food with cream or butter (a parisian thing), no oil with the bread. The chef will pick the sides, this evening a simple and flavorful shaved salad, basmati rice and beet salad. Simple. Lovely. Delicious. BYOB. You will be delighted with their desserts, coffee and if you are lucky a serenade from the lovely owner. read more

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This place was GREAT!! I took my wife there for her birthday because she likes French cuisine, and we were also visiting the nearby Taylor Brooke winery. The owners were very kind and welcoming, and the food was perfect. Like I enjoyed every bite, and the scooped the sauces onto my spoon and ate those too. The meal started with delicious homemade baguette slices. I ordered a daily special, beef filet medallions cooked in cassis sauce, and my wife ordered a special as well, swordfish. Everything was delicious. My beef filter medallions were so tender I barely needed a fork to eat them. They came with a delicious jasmine rice, perfectly salted. Shredded carrots with lime juice and parsley, and a delicious side that I don't know quite was in it but it was like peas with mint and something savory and delicious holding them together. Every side underlined the beef. I also had a raspberry strawberry tart for dessert, with a cup of double espresso. No complaints whatsoever. You do not get to choose your sides, and some people might be turned off by that but my advice is, don't be. You are in excellent hands. Be adventurous and you will find new and delicious flavors you never knew existed :-) read more

Went with some friends for my BF's birthday celebration. The restaurant is small and intimate. They take reservations. We sat down and the bread basket was filed with nice tasty warm pieces of french bread...this place does not give you butter nor olive oil...that is not French (according to the restaurant's website...LOL)...... I got the Duck Leg confit and my BF got the Hanger Steak special. Both were good and delicious. Prices are not high for a French bistro. It is BYOB. Portions for apps, entrees and desserts are small-to-perfect size, which I like because sometimes they give you so much food, you end up not savoring the food, but just stuffing your face with it... Oh...and if you are celebrating a birthday, the chef's wife comes to your table and sings Happy Birthday in French for you.... Great voice and great experience !! read more

Perfect evening. When a chef comes out and talks about their food, you can see the pride that they take in their craft. Also, the tasting menu was spectacular, evoking childhood memories with some dishes as well as providing new taste sensations. Truly a memorable evening read more

This place is special. They deserve Micheline Stars, top notch. Check their hours and if they are open stop reading and go. The quality and reverence for food is world class. I only visit in summer and I miss this place very much. Writing this makes me miss this place so much that I'm crying. Lunch too and BYOB (wine). Go. read more