Restaurant excels by offering French fare with global twists
At Bon Vie Bistro, casual French cuisine, with a few global influences, hasn’t gone out of style.
The breezy ambience and approachable menu of the restaurant at Easton Town Center has made it a popular dining spot on the Northeast Side.
“I think the main thing since we opened 15 years ago, we always tried to focus on bistrotype fare,” said chef Mark Grant, a veteran of the Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, which owns Bon Vie. “We’re not trying to make people dress up in a suit and tie to come in.”
The French onion soup ($6.50) is the first course for countless guests. Using a beef-stock base, caramelized white and yellow onions, and the unmistakable topping of bubbled Gruyere, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, the dish is served with slices of French baguette.
The soup is a comfort-food classic year-round, Grant said.
“People come across (the soup) at some point in their youth,” he said. “It’s kind of a thing that brings you back to your childhood.”
The popular chicken crepes ($15.50) offer a multitude of flavors: chicken-breast meat, spinach and sauteed cremini mushrooms and roasted-garlic pesto sauce tucked into delicate crepes that are ladled with a rich cream sauce and topped with diced tomatoes.
“I think it’s fairly rich but in a simple presentation,” Grant said. “The flavors go together well.”
Another customer favorite is the beef stroganoff ($16.50) using braised beef, caramelized onions and mushrooms placed over egg noodles and topped with creme fraiche.
The steak frites ($21.95) has a bit of Argentine flair. Skirt steak is marinated in
chimichurri and grilled to order with fries on the side.
More hearty fare can be found at lunch. Bon Vie’s take on the French dip ($10.95) uses braised short ribs served on a ciabatta roll with creamy horseradish dressing, caramelized onions, provolone and French onion soup for dipping.
Those looking for a lighter meal can opt for the cracker-thin flatbread ($9.95) offering tomatoes, mozzarella, Gruyere, basil and roasted garlic oil.
A number of fresh salads are available. The shaved option ($7.55) provides cucumbers, tri-colored carrots, radishes, Bibb lettuce, chilled farro, feta cheese and toasted pumpkin seeds tossed in a lemon vinaigrette.
Those looking to end the meal with dessert often choose the mixed-berry clafouti ($4.95), served with vanilla-bean ice cream, or standard creme brulee ($5.95)
“That’s a classic,” Grant said of the creme brulee.