Provence en Boite
"Provence en Boîte, a rustic bistro and pâtisserie, had a four-year run in Bay Ridge before moving to Carroll Gardens’ Restaurant Row. The décor continues French country casual, with a long blonde-wood banquette set with tiny pillows, small tables, beige walls, and a collection of antique tin boxes; floor-to-ceiling windows let in the sunshine," says Michael Anstendig for New York magazine.
NFT's Rob Tallia acknowledges the long list of French spots on Smith and Court Streets, but claims that Provence bests the rest in one area: "Provence en Boite, if you were paying attention, has the best croissants. Anywhere. Even better than Marquet’s croissants. By a large margin. Suggestion: get there at 8 am, when they are still fresh. Then go back for dinner and get the steak frites."
Time Out New York speaks favorably about the restaurants charming owners and decor, but then goes on to say, "Resist the charm. Aside from the delicious desserts—including a flourless chocolate cake and a fruit tart, both made on the premises—the food was dumbfoundingly unappetizing." What do you think about Provence en Boite?
Reviews (14)
BK realestate veteran wrote a review on November 26, 2008 12:06 PM
I love this spot, very feminine. Always good champagne for the price, very authentic food/wine/service combo. Not stunning food, but hits the spot. Really like a mainstay restaurant in a small french town, covering bfast, dejeuner and dinner.
bayridgegirl wrote a review on November 26, 2008 12:24 PM
I've dined at the one in Bay Ridge several times. While, admittingly, I'm not a French Food lover, I did enjoy the food.
The desserts where the main draw for me. Simply heavenly!! The owner is a true patissier.
I'll visit this location, just so I can get some of the chocolate pasteries (I remember he had one with stars on it - I hope he still makes it). And the napoleon and opera...YUMMY!!!
cggirl wrote a review on November 26, 2008 1:03 PM
I always enjoy this place. Agreed, the pastry is the best!
mattt wrote a review on November 26, 2008 1:08 PM
While a couple of dishes are passable, its really not worth it. The service is atrocious. Not all the time, but often enough to give me pause any time someone suggests going here. And when the service is bad, the food is bad, because it means your meal has been sitting for a while or has been served to someone else.
BH76 wrote a review on November 26, 2008 1:30 PM
I really wanted to like this place but -- meh overall. No real reason to go there with so many other choices.
just me wrote a review on November 26, 2008 1:48 PM
over priced but their chocolate almond croissants are just plain ole YUMMY!
seb wrote a review on November 26, 2008 2:09 PM
their bread is amazing. as long as they sell those sourdough boules, I will never again. buy another loaf in a plastic bag.
Susan Elkins wrote a review on November 26, 2008 3:53 PM
After 3 strikes, they're out.
RobertMosesJr wrote a review on November 26, 2008 5:26 PM
nothing to write home about - but not terrible either. but i'm a fan of anything with good outside seating.
jfss wrote a review on November 26, 2008 8:23 PM
5 entrees and appetizers ordered in 2 visits. None of the 5 diners would order the same again and some dinners could only be half eaten. Strongly flavored without variation in taste or texture made for tedious dining. Although cutsey attractive to look at none of us have any desire to return. Rating as overpriced due to quality of preparation.
cedric wrote a review on November 29, 2008 3:56 PM
The food is decent (although take-away bread is almost as good as Stinky's). However, with so many better French options nearby (Jolie, Patois, Baccus, etc) it's just not worth it. Service was not so hot, but the real sticking point for me was the feeling that I was sitting in a Provence tourist-trap gift shop, being forced to listen to some of the worst, smarmy French pop ballads produced this century.
boroughbred wrote a review on December 1, 2008 10:36 AM
This is a favorite brunch spot of mine. The baked goods are amazing and the crepes are delicious. The tables are a bit of a tight squeeze but at least the service tries to be accommodating. Not sure about dinner there.
Colonel wrote a review on December 1, 2008 11:00 AM
I live near this place and think it is getting a bum rap here, particularly the service. The food is delicious, particularly their onion soup, lamb lunch sandwich, burgers and quiches. The owner is a charming french lady and the waitstaff are genuinely friendly. They have also never had an issue on the two times that I brought my laptop and treated it like a coffee shop that I could sit and work at all day. If I had anything to complain about it is that the dinner menu is a tad pricey. The brunch and lunch menus are totally reasonable and a great value.
bknyer wrote a review on March 3, 2009 1:25 PM
Great breads and pastries. Food is good, nice space, prices a little high, but service not always the best.
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