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Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot Reviews List
Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
For Muriel, cooking is more than a career; it is an ever-growing passion. Starting with a deep appreciation for the raw product and with unflinching attention to every detail, everything is done to create and present deceptively simple dishes. Open to every flavor, curious about new ideas, Muriel is constantly trying to refine her art. It is done with passion, deep knowledge and a humble attitude.
Of course the flavors of Provence are often present in the dishes she prepares, but it is no surprise that many of these are also found in our area. Olive oil, garlic and artichoke, plus much of the produce are grown on this lovely Central coast. Muriel"s other tempting culinary creations are simply the result of her affinity for good food, no matter whence comes!
With the husband greeting the customers and the wife feeding them, "Au Midi" is definitely a family restaurant. It is also a cosmopolitan place with a warm ambiance and a sunny soul!
See more Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot details
31 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 31 reviews
5 stars
(16)
4 stars
(12)
3 stars
(1)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(23)
- fit for foodies(21)
- special occasion(15)
- romantic(9)
- notable wine list(5)
- great for lunch(3)
Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot Reviews List
Review 1 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Glad to finally dine at this
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Glad to finally dine at this great little restaurant."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 2 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A Wonderful Dining Experience!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Overall excellent! Would heartily recommend for someone desiring a fine dining experience with great food very well presented and with wonderful eye appeal. Speaking as one with over 35 years in the hospitality industry, who was a restaurater in a fine dining 7 course dinner house in the Central Valley, we were very impressed. We were made to feel very welcome, and very much enjoyed ourselves the entire evening."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Michel made the experience
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Michel made the experience very special. He is truly a typical energetic French man. Made us feel almost at home. Loved to hear him speak French with my husband and put up with my FrancoSpanglish. We had the monkfish appetizer with a kir royal. The Bordeaux my husband chose was exquisite and complimented the entrees very well. I enjoyed my favorite French dessert -Île Flotante! It's almost as good as the one my sister-in-law makes back in France. Certainly a repeat for us. Merci Michel!"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 4 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A wonderful restaurant with
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"A wonderful restaurant with exceptional food and friendly service.
This is a gem. If this restaurant was located in San Francisco you would wait
a month to get a reservation. We ate here two weeks ago for dinner and returned
yesterday for lunch. Both times were delightful, the food delicious. I highly
recommend you try this restaurant for a most enjoyable meal.
This is a gem. If this restaurant was located in San Francisco you would wait
a month to get a reservation. We ate here two weeks ago for dinner and returned
yesterday for lunch. Both times were delightful, the food delicious. I highly
recommend you try this restaurant for a most enjoyable meal.
Authentic French food and lovely ambiance. This is the best restaurant in Aptos
and the Santa Cruz area."
and the Santa Cruz area."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 5 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Au Midi is one of the very
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Au Midi is one of the very best restaurants in Santa Cruz county. The food is consistently excellent (a rarity in SC) and beautifully served. Michel and Muriel, owners/chef, are perfect hosts, attentive and knowledgeable about food and wine. This hidden gem is a great place to have a relaxing, wonderful meal on par with the best San Francisco has to offer."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 6 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Calamari risotto with sole!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"By far the best food in Santa Cruz county. Once you get past the parking lot, you will feel like you are in France. We had the mussels and the sole. The sole was served with a calamari risotto which was just amazing! My friends also seemed to really enjoy the mussels. You can get many nice carefully selected French wines at a very reasonable price, I like the Provence rose from the owners region this time of tear for an aperitif."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was exceptional,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was exceptional, and the restaurant is small and the atmosphere great even in the small shopping center it is in. The chefs are creative and the food is prepared and presented with a flair. The restaurant is run by a couple one of whom greeted us when we arrived."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 8 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Often dine woth Michel and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Often dine woth Michel and Mu at u Midi..Never disappointed..The new treatment of the duck l'organge was delic and the lamb entree waqs superb..The monkfish and choizo appetizer was a bit mild for my palate but understand the need to tone down,,
Can highly recommend this establishment and the special occassion menues (Bastille Day/new years etc are not to be missed"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My wife had the beet salad
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife had the beet salad and I had the onion soup; both were a great start. She chose the duck and I had the lamb loin. Both were cooked as ordered and to perfection, and the servings were both generous and beautifully presented. The French wine we chose from their modest list was no longer available, but the owner-suggested local pinot noir was a wonderful substitute. We split a very decadant chocolate dessert, and our stomachs smiled all the way home."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 10 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I hesitate to say too much
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I hesitate to say too much nice about this local gem. Suffice to say it is our "go-to" place for delicious country-style French cuisine."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 11 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I felt like I was in France
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I felt like I was in France - meaning the service was slow despite only 3 tables I people in the restaurant (9 people all together). First the waiter gave us the dinner menus (we were there at lunch). The menu listed the ingredients on my salad but then it came with choppe green bell peppers over he top of it that we're not listed. I don't care for bell peppers. The food was good but I don't think I'd go back with other good restaurants in the area. Too bad because I wanted to like it."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2009
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Review 12 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This restaurant is one of
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This restaurant is one of the best in Santa Cruz County!! We always have an excellent meal here! The wine list is great also."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 13 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We went to Au Midi based on
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went to Au Midi based on the reviews of previous guests and were not disappointed.
The goat cheese and beets appetizer was delicious and cooling. We had the pork tenderloin and the chicken fricassee - both were flavorful and tender. Every meal was well presented yet without the current trend to frou-frou (translate to cutsie). Don't let the shopping center locale and plain exterior deny you the joy of this restaurant. Bonne appetit!"
The goat cheese and beets appetizer was delicious and cooling. We had the pork tenderloin and the chicken fricassee - both were flavorful and tender. Every meal was well presented yet without the current trend to frou-frou (translate to cutsie). Don't let the shopping center locale and plain exterior deny you the joy of this restaurant. Bonne appetit!"
Dined on 02/22/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fabulous French Food!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Truly French food...like teleporting yourself to Paris. The dishes are refined and inventive, but there are always some French comfort foods as well. Everything is beautifully presented and delicious. Very nice wine list with both French and Central Coast selections. A must try!"
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 15 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
AuMidi was a great choice
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"AuMidi was a great choice for Valentine's dinner. It was a fixed menu and everything was wonderful. Looking to going back to try their full menu. They are also open for lunch."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 16 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was great. Service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was great. Service was okay. We typically only come here for a special occasion as it is expensive. The food was awesome, a bit on the smaller side; but it's French, what do you expect?
I wouldn't be able to come here all the time; but when I do I've never been disappointed in the food."
I wouldn't be able to come here all the time; but when I do I've never been disappointed in the food."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 17 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
My husband and I were there
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My husband and I were there when they first opened and figured they needed to work the bugs out. And then he went with a group of friends recently and said we had to go back it was so good. I ordered their salmon which the owner told me was changed from the menu and when I asked if the sides on it were the same he nodded yes, but I know when it came that he didn't understand me (wish I spoke French!). The salmon was wonderful, but the side was just okay. My husbands mussels were excellent and the wine they recommended was good as well. We had a meringue dessert that was good, but $7.50 for basically sweet air and cream. We will give it another try, but I will be much more thorough in sleuthing out what I order."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
My husband and I dine at Au
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My husband and I dine at Au Midi often. The chef is excellent, as is Michel's service. One of our favorite restaurants in Santa Cruz county."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 19 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
My husband and I enjoyed the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My husband and I enjoyed the food and wine was fabulous. Good price! The owner was really nice."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2008
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Review 20 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Not Again
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Not a good spot for Valentine's Day. Here's why:
* $75 price fix menu
* Food did not look or taste good. Adventurous menu, but they did not pull it off.
* Overpacked restaurant
* Not enough staff to wait on tables
* Not a comfortable enviroment with cold air flooding the place when the front door opened.
* $75 price fix menu
* Food did not look or taste good. Adventurous menu, but they did not pull it off.
* Overpacked restaurant
* Not enough staff to wait on tables
* Not a comfortable enviroment with cold air flooding the place when the front door opened.
I gather that Au Midi puts together a great french dinner on most nights. Dinner was a flop on Valentine's Day."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2003
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Review 21 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I had never heard of this
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I had never heard of this spot until I received a gift certificate toward a meal. My wife and I went last weekend and had a great meal. The servers were relaxed and friendly, but professional. The food was very French in conception and execution (small, filling portions; high attention to sauces and presentation). It was also surprisingly affordable."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 22 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best French food outside France
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"What a delight. My wife had the salmon which was cooked to perfection while I had the Cassoulet. I lived in Paris for ten years and Au Midi's cassoulet was as good as any I tasted in France. For dessert I can recommend the "Floating Island" which we shared. Run entirely by a French couple with a clear passion for the business, this is the real thing. We were in Aptos on vacation from New York so sad that Au Midi is so far away. We'll definitely visit again if we are anywhere remotely near Aptos in the future."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 23 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I love this restaurant! The
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I love this restaurant! The food was fabulous, especially the salmon! Everyone in my party loved their dinner! The service was the best ever! I enjoyed the intimate and low-key atmosphere, and will definitely return!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 24 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Authentic and good french
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Authentic and good french cooking. Lovely presentations - not frou-frou. Beautiful sauces.
Gracious hospitality . . . as EVERY guest prepared to leave, the owner was waiting at the front door to thank them and bid farewell.
Je revien!"
Gracious hospitality . . . as EVERY guest prepared to leave, the owner was waiting at the front door to thank them and bid farewell.
Je revien!"
Dined on 01/24/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 25 for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
As always at Au Midi, the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"As always at Au Midi, the food was perfect and the evening was amazing. The owner and his wife always make you feel like family and I could not think of a better place in the area to have a special night with friends are a loved one. Absolutely top notch."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Au Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Based on the average of (6) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.7
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate