The ham-and-Swiss sandwich on baguette from PRB Boulangerie in Somerville. (Photo: Tom Meek)
What do Americans dream of when they think of Paris? Cafe life, what else? Rich coffee, flaky, moist croissants and, of course, the classic baguette, crisp and crunchy on the outside but chewy and soft on the inside. The team behind French eateries Petit Robert Bistro in the South End and Batifol in Kendall Square opened three such cafes last year under the banner of PRB Boulangerie. Boulangerie translates roughly to “bakery,” and the initials preceding it are reflective of the group’s South End mothership.
PRB Boulangerie is in the South End, Kendall Square right next to Batifol and on the Cambridge-Somerville line on Beacon Street, where beloved Bergamot used to be. It’s a full-on working bakery with marble-top tables and a vast display of baked breads – très French. The menu, as you can assume, is sandwiches, soups, pastries and bread. It’s a place you can drop in for a ham-and-Swiss sandwich that’s hearty and savory, served on a baguette with ground mustard and crisp, spicy dill pickle slices, pick up dinner (coq au vin, quiche or beef bourguignon) as well as eclairs for desert. Breakfast sandwiches and a croque-monsieur (a must-have in a French cafe!) are on the menu, as well as a chicken gyro and grilled tuna Niçoise salad, which if it’s anything akin to the one served at Batifol, is a surefire winner.
Some of the pastries on display at the Somerville locale were petite (not to be funny) multicolor opera cakes, tarts, and flans. While I was there, a chef from another eatery was in to buy a sweet dozen or so. It’s a great coffee stop and eatery in a city that seems to have too few such places, but like Forge and the Hi-Rise Bread Co., a destination for prepared meals, breads and sweet confections to round out the evening.
We love this place. Another similar great option is Praline, in Central Square. One of my kids worked there this fall as a barista. They're known for their macarons, but also have delicious sandwiches and amazing pastries.