Dining Out: Bistro Foly in Palmetto Bay

Palmetto Bay may be known as ‘The Village of Parks,’ but this southern Miami suburb has some solid dining options to offer families and destination foodies alike. Locals have been lining the sidewalk outside the French bakery Delices de France for years, patiently waiting their turn to scoop up its fresh-baked baguettes and buttery croissant. But now there’s a new authentic French player on the scene: Bistro Foly.

The online message boards have been lighting up five stars and “best new restaurant” rankings for this cozy traditional French bistro since it opened more than a year ago off Old Cutler Road and SW 168th Street. Reviewers glow over its delicious food, friendly staff (overseen by French owners Catherine de Villada and Dominique Meunier) and “homey” atmosphere. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Bistro Foly is the perfect neighborhood gem, offering casual fine dining at affordable prices.

The menu features classic French home-style dishes like escargots, French onion soup, steamed mussels, frisee au lardon, duck confit, steak frites, and rotisserie chicken. Chef Thierry Pititto, formerly of Café Pastis in South Miami, puts the occasional twist on the traditional favorites and adds special touches, like bread baked in-house and served straight from the oven, that have been winning over diners. The bar features a modestly priced international beer and wine list.

It’s worth noting that as Palmetto Bay’s newly proposed mixed-use Downtown District continues to develop along U.S. 1, more restaurants will likely move into the planned high-exposure storefronts and add even more variety to its foodscape. Stay tuned for more details as those plans progress.