Cafe sauvage — Restaurant in Boston

We visited this black owned establishment on Saturday, July 30, 2022. I made a reservation prior to online for 7:30 PM. Upon arrival parking is a bit difficult, but we did find street parking for free. Once we arrived to the restaurant there was a beautiful outdoor patio vibe. This patio reminded me of the outdoor dining seating I’ve seen in Paris. We were greeted by the host who stated we could sit anywhere we wanted. The restaurant was clean, modern, had a mellow café type of ambience, and beautiful jungle decor. The owners named the place Café Sauvage which means wild in French. We decided to sit at a lovely table by the entrance and our waitress came over quickly. The waitress’s name was Lisa and she informed us that the QR code menu on the table would provide the menu options. We did notice it was a bit warm in this restaurant temperature wise. Lisa the waitress turned out to be pretty disappointing since the service she provided was mediocre. When I asked her about specific menu items, she really didn’t have any clue and it was very unhelpful. We ordered the following menu items: lamb meatballs, hibiscus margarita, coffee, crispy zucchini, French onion soup, bissap, château rouge, shrimp cavatelli pasta, and grapefruit millefeuille. We received our beverages shortly after ordering. The hibiscus margarita had a rich hibiscus flavor and a nice sweet tone. My mother‘s coffee was not fresh and when she added cream it turned lukewarm. She brought this to Lisa’s attention and she poured more lukewarm coffee over it. Lisa really didn’t check on us at all. I will say the owner Antoine really saved the night. He came to us and he offered to brew her an Americano which was fresh. He brought the coffee right to the table and my mother greatly enjoyed it because it was nice and hot. Shortly after this, I received my French onion soup and my mother received her crispy zucchini. The French onion soup was simply delicious. It had perfect cheese toast on top and a semi dense consistency with loads of onion. I didn’t taste or see any bone marrow as advertised however. The crispy zucchini was crispy and had a beautiful breaded coating on top with complementary sauce to match. The lamb meatballs were my favorite part of the meal. The gravy included was simply delicious! They were savory, tender, and scrumptious. Lisa never came back over to our table, so Antoine checked on my mother’s food and brought it right to the table. My mother enjoyed the shrimp pasta, but she stated that the pasta shells were a bit too al dente. She said that the dish was seasoned very well however. Antoine brought us some bissap on the house. It wasn’t sweet, but it was however refreshing. As soon as I ordered dessert with Antoine, it was brought right to the table shortly after. This dessert was refreshing and light. It was a flavor explosion of fruit fusion. I also had the Château rouge, which was refreshingly unsweet. I also used the restroom at this location which was clean, but appears to be a bit dated. I hope the owners will update the restrooms to match the front of the restaurant. Antoine definitely saved the evening with his extreme hospitality so we couldn’t help but tip him for his excellent service. I do feel that Lisa needs some work and I’m not sure if she’s new. She definitely was inattentive, not a good listener, and not knowledgeable of the menu. For example, one of the employees attempted to give me an eggplant dish which I did not even order. Lisa probably put this order in mistakenly thinking that we ordered it, when we didn’t. We weren’t charged for this because I had them send it back. Antoine made sure this was taken off of our bill so we weren’t charged for this. If Antoine hadn’t have stepped in, this review would be 2 stars not 4 stars. If you go and Lisa is your waitress, just know you’re not gonna get good service! Overall we had a nice experience due to Antoine’s professionalism and attentiveness. I would recommend this French black owned restaurant to everyone in Boston, especially if Antoine is...

Visiting Boston for a conference and stopped by this wonderful French cafe for a brunch. I was so surprised by how homey and small this place is, loved about the plant arrangements. We didn’t make any reservations but we went around 2pm and got seated right away for party of 2.

First of all, their non-alcoholic drinks and coffee selections, even the juices looked delish. We got two drinks and two courses.

Drinks: Self-Care A roasted pineapple & basil soda with lime and topped with coconut lime foam. I considered this as non-alcoholic version of Piña Colada, and it didn’t disappoint me. The sparkling soda was refreshing and the foam screamed thick coconut and was sweetened just right. I mixed the drink a bit (it would be sacrilegious not to just like how you would mix the cheese foam if you had a cheese foam milk tea) so the drink is coconut-milky yet delivered a citrusy kick.

Figgy Spritzer This is a soda with fig spread & lemon syrup, and mint. My friend had it so I tried. For those who don’t like mint, this is an also a good option. The mint is there but subtle. The whole drink was as the name implies, fig-forward and sparkling.

Food: French Onion Soup The onion soup is caramelized onions reduced with balsamic and bone marrow, and topped with Gruyère cheese. The best thing to have during winter season. But just in case you are wondering, the soup doesn’t have baguette to dip with, it contains fried baguette in the bottom of the soup. The substitution of bone marrow rather than beef stock makes this dish extra satisfying. It adds creaminess and a concentrated umami punch that complements the sweetness of the caramelized onions. The whole dish was butter and silky, with crunches from the in-the-soup-but-still-crunchy baguettes. Extra points for having the soup in a burning hot cast-iron that makes the cheese still melty during the cold weather.

Duck egg Benedict A twist to a traditional dish with hash brown potatoes, duck confit, arugula, and caraway hollandaise. More heavier and savory than traditional. This is not your typical poached egg situation. The duck eggs are larger and richer than chicken eggs, so the yolks have a creamy, custard-like texture that is more firmer than a melty-yolk poached egg yolk. The hash browns on the bottom were a great substitute for muffins. They got crunchy edges yet the middle is drenched with hollandaise and duck confit, offers intense ducky creamy flavor with a textural contrast. I was decently impressed but the combo.

For the price and for the vibe, I recommend this place a ton. The services were quick, the prices were reasonable for the portion (everything looks cheaper compared to NYC). The layout was a bit tight due to limited spacing but I wouldn’t complain too much due to the homey vibe it delivered. Next time if I got a chance, I will visit again (really wanted to try the African juice they have, though I was thinking how does this item make it to a French...

Review for Café sauvage 🌺☕

Address: 25 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - “Great”

A morning at Café Sauvage is like stepping into a page torn from a contemporary chic magazine, where the essence of Boston’s brunch scene is captured in every detail.

Service 🙋‍♀️

Arriving just before the brunch rush, we were greeted by the amiable Celine, whose service was as refreshing as the morning dew. She navigated our dining experience with a gracious ease, ensuring our wait was comfortable and our needs swiftly met. While the service didn’t rewrite the hospitality rulebook, it was the kind of steady and reliable presence that one appreciates when easing into the day.

Decor 🎨🌿

The cafe’s aesthetic is a love letter to modernity and style, with a flourish of greenery that brings vitality to the space. It’s where the pulse of urban life meets the serenity of nature, creating an “Instagram-worthy” environment. The foliage is not just decoration; it’s the breath of the room, infusing each corner with life and making the ambiance something to behold. The photos I’ve shared only begin to capture the visual poetry of Café Sauvage.

Food 🍽️🥪

The menu, a testament to the café’s culinary prowess, turned a skeptic like me, a champion of quantity, into a believer in quality. The quiche of the day, a perfect harmony of ham and cheese, and the Yassa chicken sandwich were revelations on the palate. My girlfriend’s BLT - sans fromage due to her dairy aversion (jury’s still out on that one) - was equally praiseworthy. Each dish, though not as abundant as one might hope, was a masterclass in flavor, leaving no room for anything but satisfaction. The brunch menu, which I’ve uploaded for the curious gourmands, showcases a spread that promises and delivers greatness.

In Retrospect 🤔

Café Sauvage is not just a café; it’s a gastronomic haven that marries beauty with taste. It’s the kind of place where the food is as photogenic as the setting, and every bite is a reminder that sometimes, less really is more.

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - “Great”

“Café Sauvage: Where Brunch Becomes an Art Form and Every Bite a Masterpiece.”

In a city brimming with culinary choices, Café Sauvage stands out as a beacon of quality and ambiance. Whether it’s for the allure of the decor or the symphony of flavors, this café is a must-visit for locals and travelers...