Bistro Francais

Before even stepping in the place, a person may judge it. A little box restaurant with a tired looking parking lot and a few flower boxes trying to freshen up the place. What kind of place is this, you think, somewhere you might pass out from all the bugs rolling around on the plates or a gem hidden behind rough walls and white paint. Well, let me tell you, the outside may not please the eye, but what you find inside you will. Perfect lighting (the kind where everyone looks amazing), classy tall leather chairs, white linens, fresh flowers and Parisian music create an atmosphere that takes your breath away. (I honestly did not expect this place to look classy, but, oh yes it does.) Wait until I get to the food! Before I did step into this classy dining joint, I knew that the price range started at $15 and went on up, so if you decide to go, just remember that. (I wouldn't want you to have to work in the kitchen for the night.)


The menu was full of delicious looking entrees. I chose the New York strip with pommes de frites (a classy way to say fries made by the house). The waitress took my order and returned with sourdough bread and butter. Talk about butterlicious lip smacking sourdough bread! Salt was lightly sprinkled on the butter and when placed on the tangy bread, angels sang in my mouth. The waitress probably thought I was crazy when she came back and found me smiling. A few minutes of swayng to Parisian music later, my food arrived. The 10 ounce steak was covered in a pepercorn sauce and the thin cut fries were sprinkled with herbs. As I cut into the steak, it seemed a little rough around the edges almost like a tube of fat covering the meat, so I decided to cut past it to the center. I made a little square and popped it into my mouth. HOLY SMOKES! Tender, juicy meat with a slightly spicy pepercorn yummy sauce woke up my tastebuds. By the last non-fat covered piece, my tongue had gone into overdrive and begged for mercy for someting a little bland. No quarter was given. Tiny, herbed covered frites were next. They were lightly salted and when swiped in the remaining steak sauces, heaven. As you can probably tell, I absolutely enjoyed my dinner.

Afterwards, I was still a bit hungry. (Not really, I just wanted one of the cute big cream puffs I glanced at when I strolled in.) The waitress brought me my treat. I have to say, the only cream puff I enjoy are the cold ones with cold thick, heavy cream in the middle. This big cream puff was warm with a stiff frosting/cream? in the middle. I only took a bite and when I realized it wasn't what I wanted, I stopped. For some out there, you might enjoy this treat, but for others, no way jose. There were other delightful looking treats in the dessert case though.

I give this restaurant 4 out of 5 cupcakes!

Rose's BBQ

Let's start off with the basics. Rose's BBQ is located on 49 a few minutes south of Hattiesburg. I have always seen it on my way down to the coast, but I haven't had an itching to stop in and try the food. Today, I decided things were going to be different around my house, so I took off in my little car and headed for one of the best smelling gas stations. (Just in case you didn't know, Rose's happened to be in this one). I parked my car and walked in, mouth watering. The first thing I noticed was the yellow signs everywhere screaming about all the food ready to eat. There was a variety from fried chicken to potato logs to corn dogs to ribs and BBQ. (It was every girls dream. Or mine at least.) I grabbed a bottle of water and ordered my meal at the counter.

I ordered the chopped BBQ pork sandwich with potato salad and bakes beans. They made my plate pretty dang fast (which was a good thing because I was starving). I plopped down at a plastic table and stuck my fork in the potato salad. (I have a thing for starting with sides first.) The potato salad was of the mustard variety and it was delicious. The potatos were firm, but not too firm, the relish was just enough, there was just enough mustard to make it tart and thank goodness there were no chopped boiled eggs in it. Next, I dug into the baked beans. It was coloful with green herbs and some small chopped up red stuff. When I tasted it though, it tasted like it was the kind from a can. Now, some canned baked beans are good if you make them properly, but this one wasn't. After two bites, I put the fork down and lifted the pork sandwich to my mouth. The meat was tender and the BBQ sauce was sweet. (The sauce kind of reminded me of sloppy joe sauce). Personally, I did not like the sauce. It was too sweet for me. There was some hot BBQ sauce on the table, so I poured some on the plate for a kick to my tastebuds. (I love spicy!) It tasted more like vinegar and hot sauce put together than any BBQ sauce I have had before. Not so tasty if you catch my drift.

Overall, the potato salad ruled the meal, with the pork coming in far second. Rose's menu is full of stuff that might be better than the BBQ sandwich and people ran in and out ordering the whole time I was there, so there must be something special about the other food. I just wish I had the stomach and cash to try them all.

I give them 3 out of 5 cupcakes.