Petit Bill with his family photo: Ben Welland

We started with a couple of items off their tapas menu. Tapas items are available, along with the regular menu, during lunch and after 8:30 p.m., and all day on Tapas Tuesdays. I ordered up the duck confit spring roll and the lamb lollypop. These little dishes packed a lot of taste for only $2 and $4 respectively. The moist shredded duck in the lettuce roll paired perfectly with its garlicky Asian reduction. As tasty as the roll was, it could not compare to the lamb lollypop. This tender Frenched lamb chop was liberally encrusted with grainy mustard and a pleasure to eat with the fresh raspberry sauce that accompanied it - it was easily the most succulent lamb I've ever had.

The only thing off the tapas menu that was disappointing was the buttered baguette for $1. I find it odd that a French bistro would charge for something that would normally arrive as a matter of routine. I wouldn't mind paying for artisanal bread, like the mouth-watering kind you get from Art-is-in Bakery, but I do mind forking over a buck for a few slices of an ordinary, somewhat stale baguette.

We laid our bread qualms aside when the mains promptly arrived. I had the tender rib-eye steak sandwich, which came piled up with sautéed mushrooms and red onion relish all on a croissant base; it was absolutely delicious. It came with a heap of perfect frites and a creamy Caesar that would have benefited from a squeeze of lemon to cut the richness. My mom had the wild salmon, which was accompanied by a rice pilaf and some spring greens. The salmon was coated with a mild dill and caper sauce; both the salmon and the sauce were tasty, though a little scant.

The selection of homemade desserts at Petit Bill's changes daily. Normally the flourless chocolate cake and the strawberry rhubarb pie offered that day would have tempted me, but since the rest of my meal had been so rich, I decided to finish on the lighter side with something the waiter described as "sexy strawberries" - a dish of berries bursting with flavour, enhanced even more by a little ground black pepper, Grand Marnier and a dollop of whipped cream.

Our experience at Petit Bill's was certainly an enjoyable one. The simple décor was as warm and unpretentious as the attentive service we received. This place would practically be perfect if they would just get some better bread.

Petit Bill's Bistro
1293 Wellington Street
(613) 729-2500
Tapas: $1-$4
Lunch appetizers: $4-$11
Lunch mains: $10-$16

 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

Petit Bill's is a real destination point!     My partner and I had an excellent meal recently at Petit Bill's Bistro. The scallops we shared as an appetizer were beyond succulent - probably some of the best we have ever had anywhere and the side salad was terrific as well. We ordered the two specials of the evening - salmon and steak - both were prepared very well (and to our satisfaction) - very tasty. The side vegetables were extremely good as well - the green beans were crispy and stayed piping hot during the time it took me to finish my meal - a rarity with vegetables I find, which tend to become cold very quickly. I even overheard someone from another table saying the soup he was eating was the best in the city. The owner of the restaurant makes a point of getting to know his customers who I would imagine quickly become regulars. The atmosphere is warm and inviting (apparently separate spaces for parties as well) and the service could not have been better - attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Prices are reasonable for what you get. I noticed a hamburger on the menu with brie along with homemade fries (or frites) which you could get at dinnertime as well for about $13. Petit Bill's is located in the old Juniper restaurant (which has since moved)- next to Blueprint. The night we went parking was angled because of construction but was still very easy on a Saturday night. This restaurant is definitely a destination point and worth checking out! In fact, we are planning to try it for lunch tomorrow and will probably try the bar side this time!
Susan Stein		November 27th, 2008
Excellent meal     I when to petit bill's Bistro with my Parents we all enjoyed the environment,We had a nice good looking and Also Charming Server,The service Was very good and fast ,I had the escargo on a star pastry appetizer Which was Very Very Delicious(Would of had seconds) For The main course I ordered the Steak Frite,Which was cook to perfection and very tasty.I recommend this bistro to everyone looking for a nice quiet meal. ...I wish i wasnt so shy to have even asked are server for her email or phone number ;P
Eric Bernier		November 21st, 2008
A Weekly Outting     My partner and I tried Petit Bill's Bistro for the first time about a month ago - we were on the hunt for a great little spot to enjoy Saturday lunch, undisturbed by loud music or flash, with a relaxed atmosphere and great food. We found just that at Petit Bill's. We were greeted with a smile and seated at a cosy table for two. My partner started with the soup of the day, which was a tomatoe, panchetta and basil soup - pure flavour and comfort! I started with the Roasted Vegetable tapas - perfect size to whet my appetite! The vegetables were roasted to perfection, piping hot with just enough pepper to enhance the flavours. For our main, my partner relished the Rib-eye Steak Sandwich and Frites and I had the special of the day, Linguine with Sundried Tomatoe, Chorizo Sausage and Roasted Garlic - what can I say except that every mouthful brought a smile of pleasure to our lips. We have been to Petit Bill's Bistro every Saturday since and have enjoyed the Monte Cristo, the Ceasar Salad, The Steak and Frites (yes, again), the Burger and Frites and to top things off, we have shared and fallen in love with the flourless chocolate cake, served with raspberry coulis and whipped cream! Oh...and let's not forget the Cappucino! The service has always been exceptional - friendly, attentive, informative. Needless to say, we love Petit Bill's Bistro and are thrilled to have found the perfect spot to share great food and relax together on a Saturday afternoon.
Kim Shaw		November 6th, 2007
Once Bitten, Twice Shy?     I did the biting--once--at Petit Bill's and have been too shy to go back. I treated myself to a rare (as in 'infrequent' and 'doneness') steak-frites at lunch and was roundly, soundly, absolutely profoundly disappointed. I was told the steak was pretty lean but found it so streaked with veins of fat (not to my taste) that I had virtually made mince meat of the steak by the time I separated out the stringy fat. The croissant was inert and uninspiring. The onion relish and mushrooms extraneous (a dollop of chef's butter is enough of a crown for a good steak). The Caesar was soppy--drenched with too-creamy dressing. And the frites were closer to French fries and, worse, they were lank instead of crisp, as though they had been reheated. Yikes! Instead of all the items on the plate being just right, they were all just a bit wrong. Together that makes for sorry dining. Not a single saving grace on the plate. Sad. It seemed Petit Bill's would be a good addition to our village (a tasty successor to Juniper and Mangia in that spot) but I have yet to be persuaded to give it another try.
Jane Foy		September 7th, 2007
Buggs     Bad! I find an insect in my food. t
Alain Petterson		February 1st, 2008

Write your comment! please follow these guidelines

Information requested in blue will remain confidential   [privacy policy] Please indicate your real first and last names.

First name :

Last name :

Your email :

Confirm your email :

Title of your comment (max. 150 characters)   Your comment (max. 2000 characters)  characters remaining       LIMIT PER PERSON : one comment per article per member. Thank you. Your comment will be read by our approval team and, if it is approved, will be posted on the website within 24 hours. It could also be published, along with your name, in the printed version of Xpress magazine and on any of our partner websites. In order to present the highest quality of comments, Xpress reserves the right to refuse certain submissions. Any plagiarism will entail the entire removal of the member’s profile. Xpress is not responsible for the opinions expressed by the members.