What's going on, Albuquerque?

P'tit Louis Bistro opens downtown TODAY!

If you've been by the corner of Gold and 3rd downtown anytime since January, you've probably noticed the corner shop (formerly Ooh-Aah jewelry and before that Ruby Shoesday) undergoing some major changes.

A new French bistro - "P'tit Louis" - is opening today after much anticipation. This is John Phinizy's first restaurant, and he's brought with him the brilliant minds behind Scalo and Brasserie La Provence. If their menu is any indication, this is going to be quite the fancy little downtown hot spot, with daily specials including a Râgout du Jour and a Quiche du Jour.

The interior alone is really something. The folks at P'tit Louis have really poured a lot into making into an authentic bistro, with fresh cut flowers, honeycomb flooring, dark wood bar and wainscoting, and vintage photos and posters on the wall. French music happily bubbles over into the space.

P'tit Louis opens today, and if things are successful, expect to see a few more open up around town.

They're on the corner of 3rd and Gold at 228 Gold Ave SW. The phone number is 505-314-1111

This was cross-posted at my blog.

Tags: Albuquerque, French, John, Louis, P'tit, Phinizy, bistro, downtown, food, restaurant

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Comment by Krista on March 23, 2010 at 11:05am: gorgeous photos, Ben. :)

Comment by Krista on March 23, 2010 at 11:06am: AND they stole our "amazing salad!" I'll bet it's amazing though...

Comment by once banned twice shy on March 23, 2010 at 11:45am: Where are "les bières brunes et blondes?" On the menu, that is. So, this place will only be open for lunch? Tant pis--I can't quite hose down a 1/4 carafe of rose and then go back to work... I will only accept that it is an authentic bistro if it has one bathroom only, with the urinal in an anteroom outside of the "sit down" accomodations. Or, if there is simply the toilette à la turque. Now THAT'S an authentic bistro...

Comment by Laura on March 23, 2010 at 11:47am: How great--I'm so glad you posted about this! I walked by there the other day and thought, "Huh, I never knew this was here." Can't wait to check it out.

Comment by Chartreuse on March 23, 2010 at 12:35pm: I've told my French and Francophile co-workers about this place after Gene Grant alerted FB . . . now we just have to get there on a day when we can take a 2 h lunch!

Comment by LaGuera on March 23, 2010 at 2:29pm: Christophe Descarpentiers, the chef of P'tit Louis, hosted the UNM Cancer Research Treatment Center's fundraiser there on March 13. The food was delicious, and the wine, well, it was my sister's so it was PHENOMENAL (Domaine Lucie et Auguste Lignier Première Cru Vosnes Romanée, among others). OBTS: Une bière blonde est exactement cela: une bière plutðt dorée, quand a une bière brune, c'est une bière, eh bien, brune. Qu'est-ce que je peux dire de plus?

Comment by Benny the Icepick on March 23, 2010 at 2:51pm: Lunch was really tasty, if a bit leisurely. We were in and out within an hour, but I wouldn't go there if I was in a hurry. I will say this: there were eight of us, and eight plates completely licked clean by the end of the meal. Their desserts sound terrific; I'll have to go back and bring my sweet tooth with me.

Also, if you have more than two people in your party, I would recommend making reservations. There are only about 24 seats in the house.

I left my camera card reader at home, so I'll have to wait until tonight to upload photos.

Comment by once banned twice shy on March 23, 2010 at 3:07pm: LaGuera: Je disais "WHERE are the bière blondes et brunes," not "WHAT are the bières blondes et brunes." I didn't see any mention of them on the menu attached, but they are mentioned on the window. But are you saying your sister is the vintner of a Romanée? Oh là là. That's some fancy wine, right there.