If you want traditional French food, head for Bistro Provence (13616 Memorial Dr.). But for something a little different, try Bistro Don Camillo (6510 Del Monte Dr.). As Jean-Philippe Guy, owner of the newly opened restaurant, says, "If you want a mixture of French and Italian, then you've found your place...We share many of the same ingredients, and a lot of the cooking is very similar." Guy should know, because two years ago he bought Bistro Provence from his father, who opened it in 1998. That restaurant has continued to thrive, despite a momentary lapse in judgment by some people trying to avoid anything French. (Freedom fries, anyone?)
Bistro Don Camillo serves the same rabbit stew and duck confit as Bistro Provence — but it also serves dishes you can't find anywhere else, such as grilled quail over polenta and four different giant raviolis over a ratatouille. "We still serve Mediterranean food from the Provence and the Côte d'Azur, but we wanted to expand to the other side of the Alps, and not just in the food — in our wine list, as well, which we are still working on," says Guy. Expect to find pizza and pasta right next to pâtés and rillettes, profiteroles and tiramisu next to tarte Tatin, on the menu at Bistro Don Camillo. One of each, please.
