Café Sauvage

Café Sauvage is a French restaurant on Massachusetts Avenue in Back Bay, with a menu that reaches beyond the standard bistro lineup. Dinner might mean steak frites or sole meunière, but the signature half chicken comes with West African-inspired red rice and fried plantains. Mussels use curry and coconut milk, while duck rillette and French onion soup keep familiar dishes in the mix.

Brunch has its own menu, and the drinks list includes cocktails, French wines and alcohol-free options. It works for a meal with someone who likes the idea of a French café but wants more than a predictable set of classics. Reservations are available. The restaurant separates daytime and evening kitchen service, so check the schedule before dropping in between meals.