For once, my boyfriend and I got smart and decided not to go grocery shopping while hungry.  We made this decision as we passed Bar Tabac, so we popped inside for a quick bite to eat.

 

The ambience was the traditional French bistro feel, dark wood, retro tin signs.  We made our way to the tiny room in the back.  I had an uncharacteristic moment and ordered vegetables a la their grilled vegetable sandwich provencale ($8.95).  Oh my.  What a very pleasant surprise.  It looked deceptively simple.  It was sliced peppers, tomato, eggplant, grilled and drizzled with olive oil resting on a smear of goat cheese on a baguette, but the ingredients were fresh and flavorful, the bread was only slightly crusty on the outside so it didn’t pull my teeth out, and the combination made for a very fond memory that I’d like to revisit. 

 

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich Provencale

 

Instead of the salad that comes with it, I had the mushroom risotto (let’s not go crazy with the vegetable inclination).  I adore risotto and I have to say that while the flavor of this one was good, the gummy consistency reminded me that we had arrived after the lunch rush and that the risotto had probably been sitting around awhile.  This did not stop me from eating the entire mound.

 

The staff was friendly and attentive even though we were tucked away in the back room.  I quite enjoyed their very French accents as well.   They serve simple, affordable, and satisfying food and I look forward to trying out their dinner menu. 

 

Bar Tabac may be amidst a sea of restaurants on Smith Street in Brooklyn, but it’s worth singling out whether it’s your final destination or a preventative measure on your way to do some grocery shopping.   Bon appetit!

 

Bar Tabac

128 Smith St at Dean Street

Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

NY 11201
718.923.0918