Petit Louis Bistro: A Taste of France, Spontaneity, and a White Elephant Surprise

 Petit Louis Bistro: A Spontaneous Taste of France near Loyola

The best nights are sometimes the ones unplanned. That's how, on one night, I found myself at Petit Louis Bistro, a quaint French eatery just a stone's throw from Loyola. A friend asked me along on a last-minute double date, and before I knew it, I was sitting at an adorably quaint table under the warm lighting, immersed in the charm of a classic Parisian bistro. It was spur-of-the-moment, very unexpected, and one of the better meals I have had in Baltimore.

First Impressions

Upon entering Petit Louis, it was as though I was in France. It had all of the accoutrements of a classic French bistro. It felt inside at once so elegant yet unpretentious with dark wood and crisp white tablecloths. The restaurant was quiet and intimate with murmurings of a lot of conversations, yet alive--it is a great place to take your loved one out to dinner or some type of special occasion.

The staff greeted us warmly and seated us in a window seat; the soft glow of the streetlights outside contributed to the cozy, romantic vibe. It was a perfect setting for a double date, if totally unplanned.

The Menu: Classic French Cuisine

Petit Louis specializes in French cuisine, and the menu was full of dishes that felt at once sophisticated, yet soul-warming. While one wanted to taste them all, my focus was on the Steak Frites, a dish that I have forever wanted to try the "French way.".

A properly done steak was tender, flavorable, and coated with a silky sauce with notes of herbs to tie everything in. The fries were golden and crunchy, seasoned right, addictive-fries like no one is watching you. It's the type of plate you enjoy a little at every bite, praying it should not come to an end.

As for drinks, I thought I would give their seasonal cocktail a shot-the Lillet Spritz. Composed of Lillet Blanc, sparkling wine, and a tinge of citrus, this drink was light, refreshing, and well-balanced-perfect for balancing the richness of steak. While I'm not exactly the cocktail type, this drink was such a beauty that it could a reason to returning for.

My First White Elephant

If the night couldn't get any interesting, I also noticed a rather boisterous group seated at the table next to ours. They laughed, chatted, and passed on gifts with colorful wrapping papers. Curiosity got the better of me as I leaned over towards my girlfriend to ask what was going on.

They're doing a White Elephant," she said, brightening. I had no idea what that was, and so she explained to me: Everybody brings along a wrapped present, and then they take turns either selecting a new one out of the pile, or "stealing" one that has already been opened. It is just all about fun, surprise, and a little bit of good-natured competition.

Oddly enough, it was engrossing to watch them go back and forth with their presents. Somebody opened a fancy bottle of wine which was the first thing swiped away from him by another person. One particular person ended up with weird coffee mug seemed to everybody's favorite. Obviously, fun was had by them in making the whole restaurant feel the festivity even more.

This was my first White Elephant exchange, but I didn't participate; it did add a lot of joy and spontaneity to the night, though. My girlfriend and I spent the rest of the evening joking about what we'd bring if we ever joined in on one. For the record, I think I'd bring something useful but unexpected-something like a cool puzzle or a funky kitchen gadget.

Why Petit Louis is different

What makes Petit Louis special is how it transports you. From the well-conceptualized menu to the charming décor, everything about this restaurant seems authentic and meant to be. It's about more than the food-although the food is amazing-but about the experience that one will have. For potential Loyola students, Petit Louis is the best-kept secret in town: proximate enough to campus to make it convenient, yet worlds away from the usual hangouts. The kind of place, whether for a romantic dinner, a celebration, or just a spur-of-the-moment night out like mine, that leaves an impression.

Beauty of Spontaneity

I'm glad I said yes to the invitation for that last minute double date. It's one of those things that comes along at a time when you least anticipate great experiences. Petit Louis is more than a fine meal-it was a new experience waiting to be tried, a way to catch up with friends, and a slice of France in Baltimore. If you're around Loyola and want a place that's special but not unreachable, I really can't recommend Petit Louis Bistro enough. Get the Steak Frites, have a Lillet Spritz, and let the charm of this little bistro sweep you off your feet. You might not have planned for it, but sometimes those are the best nights of all.