fete de 10 anniversaire de Petit Louis by Holly Barzk for CITYPEEK
The heat index was high, the humidity was off the Doppler Radar's charts, but that didn't stop the good people at Petit Louis from firing up the grill in honor of their 10th birthday celebration. Chef Cindy Wolf and Tony Foeman's quaint little restaurant kicked off a great party, complete with magnums of Louis Roederer, Can-Can girls kicking, and of course amazing food. Plates of grilled merguez and toulouse, filet mignon with persillade sauce, grilled vegetables and baguette were consumed to full and happy stomachs. Bottles of Rose, white burgundy, and cotes du Rhone rouge were opened several times over. As I chatted with the event's coordinator, marketing director Allison Parker-Abromitis, I watched as a jovial general manager Patrick Delvalle cut the four tier chocolate cake made by Patisserie Poupon, while the french-cabaret clad staff handed out slices of it to all. We were also given smoked salmon canapes, and the kitchen's housemade pate, a delightful smoky blend of applewood bacon, chicken, and pork, which i feasted on more than I should have. It was overheard that more 200 guests from neighborhoods in Baltimore attended the event, of all ages and backgrounds, which is one of the best things about this restaurant, the eclectic clientele, not to mention the perfectly executed food. The party didn't end until the last morsels of food and the last drops of wine were finished. As the very last guests were collecting their families and friends, we raised a glass of champagne for another successful 10 years to this already successful bustling bistro. By Holly Barzyk

One evening in June, 2000 Petit Louis Bistro opened its doors at 4800 Roland Avenue and began a relationship with the neighborhood and friends from different cities visiting Baltimore that continues to flourish today. It was Tony Foreman and Cindy Wolf's great love for classic French bistro cooking –such as that of Chez l’Amis Louis in Paris– that inspired the concept. Ten years later, the restaurant remains true to the French bistro it was created after with classic bistro fare, and an ever increasing wine cellar.

“Cindy and I built Louis because of our love of France, the food, the setting and because there wasn’t anything close to it in Baltimore,” said Tony Foreman, co-owner/wine director, Petit Louis Bistro. “I grew up in Roland Park as well and having a tie to the neighborhood, a relationship with everyone that comes through our doors was important to me personally.” After 10 years, the menu remains exclusively French, featuring classic favorites such as Escargots, Mussels Provençale, Trout Almondine, and the always popular and indispensable Steak and Frites.

every monday night this sassy little bistro does a whole roasted chicken for two glazed with duck fat, served alongside their superior pommes frites. Do check it out. tres bien, mon amie.

Petit Louis is by far my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. The atmosphere is always lively and exciting, the staff are always welcoming and attentive, and of course the food never disappoints! My favorite is the duck leg confit which is rich and delicious, especially when paired with the perfect glass of red as recommended by your server. Every meal should start with an eggplant napoleon, which can also be combined with a salad for a lighter meal. The seasonal menus tempt me on every visit as well and the frites are the perfect combination of crispy and salty. No meal is complete without the chocolate pot de creme which is creamy chocolate heaven. Yum!

it's frigid in Honville, so my stomach is asking for cassoulet, and mountains of Chateau Neuf du Pape. This restaurant always delivers, and luckily it's down the street from my house. The best onion soup in town, and right now they're serving the smoky aforementioned dish, an amazing pork,bacon and duck confit white bean casserole. My friends and I usually order multiple courses, and stuff ourselves to the gills. it's worth it.

Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé Bonjour! At one past midnight on Thursday November, 19th cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey through a sleeping France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world. Banners proclaim the good news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! One of the most animated rituals in the wine world has begun.Each fall the new Beaujolais arrives with great fanfare. Petit Louis Bistro will be celebrating this day with our own special Beaujolais Nouveau menu, created by Chef Ben Lefenfeld. The special menu is available for $32 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (410) 366-9393. Lunch is available from 11:30am-2pm. Patrick Del Valle

love the fact that i can always get an omelette and salty pommes frites perfectly cooked. Also enjoyed the eggplant napolean yum, paired with a lovely champagne mimosa. Native, Frenchman, GM Patrick is inviting and warm, as is the ambiance, service, Ben was wonderful, and the location. A great find for lunch or dinner. Locals seem to flock there. Love Petit Louis!