A delightful experience with French food and decor. I loved the ambiance and service is always kind. They have typical French cuisines such as mussels etc. My husband and I enjoyed the lamb shank. The lighting is immaculate and the decor is delightful. read more

Kristines - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Dinner for four on a Saturday evening in the summer. We had reservations for 5:45 and our table (inside) was ready when we arrived. The restaurant and bar were not crowded, so it never got too noisy. Server was excellent - attentive but not cloyingly so. She offered one member our party a wine sample to help her decide. Drinks, apps and dinner all came quickly. A tiny basket of bread slices was refilled when it ran out. Oddly, they use wrapped butter pieces like you'd get at a cafeteria or airplane, so the table gets cluttered with all those little foil wrappers. Not a big deal, but definitely not upscale. Food was overall good, though not completely. The pear martinis, gazpacho, escargots, and cod special got high marks from those who had them. The steak-frites bavette, however, was disappointing as the meat was quite tough and the fries too small a portion (though nicely seasoned and crispy). For desert, the Creme brulee was just OK (nothing special) and the French Brittany Butter cake was extremely dry. This is likely by design, but I would skip it or ask for more sauce to moisten it up. Bottom line for our group: dinner was good, not great. With decent restaurants in Princeton being plentiful, I would likely not return to Kristine's. read more

4 for dinner. We ate inside and which was a little noisey. We started with drinks. Citadele Gin and French Martinis. I normally drink Bombay Safire gin, but the Citadele was a pleasant surprise. We started with escargots and the mushroom tart. Both were very good with plenty of French bread for dipping. Our entrees were the Ham & Brie Baguette, Rainbow Trout and Idiot of Lamb. They were all excellent. Well prepared and delicious. For dessert we all had the wonderful Chocolate Soufflé. The service by our waiter Ricky was efficient, informative and lively. We all thought the dining experience was excellent and we will be back. We want to try the Pear Martini and the Mussels and Fritts. read more

We came around 2pm for lunch and the menu included a regular entree menu as well as a brunch menu. Our server was nice, but attentiveness was just average. Here's what we ordered: pear martini, mussels, rainbow trout, ratatouille, and French onion soup. pear martini: wonderful pear flavor, but somehow the pear flavor heightened the vodka flavor Mussels: these were one of my favorites. The mussels were huge and the creamy sauce was divine. the sauce was very mussel heavy and flavorful. They also came with thick cut fries that were wonderfully tender. Rainbow trout: the skin was crispy and the sauce was buttery. It came with green beans that were bright green and crisp. I would recommend this if you don't want anything too rich. Ratatouille: this was tasty, but honestly I prefer the one I've made at home! It has a lot of flavor, but I would've liked more sauce and I prefer the Disney style sliced veggies haha French onion soup: I loved the broth (veggie broth too!!) it was so rich and yummy and the cheese on top was super delicious too. So gooey and rich and good flavor from the char. Perfect for dipping bread into too! My only complaint is that I wanted more onions. The free bread is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. It was also pretty light, and not dense. It comes with kerrygold butter too ;) read more

Kristines - French onion soup - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Quaint restaurant in nice location. Reservation were for 10am on a Saturday. We were one of the first guests there. Server was very friendly and accommodating. Coffee was good and almond milk was available along with cream. Place began to fill up as we received our food. We decided to split the mussels & share the shitake mouse and both were delicious! The mussels had a creamy shallot & white wine sauce that was a unique flavoring which we all enjoyed. The shitake & hazelnut mousse was so tasty not only on the bread it came with but as a great spread on everything else! For my dish, I chose the smoked salmon benedict. It was very good, I've had better but I wasn't disappointed. Serving left half to bring home which I was good heated up later on. Plenty of cheap street parking and a convenient lot across the street also very reasonably priced. Overall, it was a great place to meet up with my cousins to enjoy great food and great conversation. read more

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Came here on a rainy saturday night for dinner, but they had big umbrellas that covered us but we ended up sitting pretty close to other people. (Make sure you make reservations before cause they will only seat people with reservations!) We got the escargot for appetizer and it was very fragrant and tasted really good. For entrees, we ordered the chicken basquaise, duck leg confit, and braised lamb shank. The meat in every dish was cooked really well- all very tender and fell right off the bone when you cut it. The flavors for each dish were all very good as well and i really enjoyed the duck paired with the citrus sauce and black rice, however i wish there was more to the dish (like vegetables etc) instead of just meat and rice. But overall, i enjoyed this restaurant- great ambience and great food. read more

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Came here for brunch after having a great dinner experience. We were seated next to the bathroom even though the restaurant was pretty empty. The brunch options weren't super impressive compared to the dinner. My friend got the duck poutine which looked quite good but the egg Benedict is just ok. Would recommend this place for dinner but maybe not brunch. read more

Kristines - Egg Benedict - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Today was my first time eating at Kristine's. The experience was a great one. We had originally planned on eating at Witherspoon Grill who was booked up and we were given Kristine's as a suggestion. Walking in it seemed cozy and cute, as it is not that big inside, but there is a bar in the center. There were no tables available except one table in the center, but due to my mom having problems with her knees she needed to sit on a booth side. After we sat down in the waiting area to figure out where else we could eat, they moved around some reservations and got us a half booth so my mom could sit comfortably. I was so appreciative of this gesture and immediately had a good feeling about eating here, and I was right. Service was excellent and the food was delicious! I got the Croque-Madame sandwich and I will for sure be back for it! My mom got the French dip sandwich and loved it. It was very filling that we each took half of our sandwiches home. For temperature, it was nice and warm inside and for once I wasn't freezing cold in a restaurant in the winter. I will surely be back to this restaurant! read more

Kristines - Croque-Madame - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Everything here is perfect. The staff is really friendly. The food is delicious and plated beautifully. The ambiance was really fun but a touch loud but that added to its personality. Worth a visit. read more

Kristines - Salmon - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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I was debating on 4 and 5 stars and defaulted to 5. My reasoning is as follows. The establishment itself is very nice and conveniently located on Witherspoon Street. Inside is pleasant and has a nice ambiance. James, the gentleman manning the bar and who was my server, was stupendous. He was extremely friendly and pleasant and looked after my every need. He was also very pleasant with the other clientele around me and I could tell they felt comfortable around him as well. My food was very very good. I ordered Escargot, Cassoulet which is duck leg, pork belly, lamb shoulder and toulouse sausage over white beans, and also the Sarladaise Potatoes with onion and bacon. I loved the escargot and was able to cleverly use the complimentary bread onto which I poured the remnants of snail juice. The Cassoulet was very very good and the lamb shoulder was unbelievably tender and melted in my mouth. The potatoes were very good as well. The food was quite filling and so I had a lot left over that I ended up packing. Strike that last sentence above. My server James offered to pack the food up for me. It might seem like a minor point, but even at other high end places my server just gave me a box I used to pack the food myself, that happens more often than not. So, at least for me, him packing the food up for me was a big deal and scored a lot of points for him and for the establishment. In fact, forget I ever mentioned 4 stars above. That initially came only because of the price, which at first seemed a little high, but considering the level of food I got (apparent after reviewing the menu again) not to mention the serving size, I have to respectfully disagree with myself from earlier. Solid 5 stars with special thanks to James who ranks amongst the best within fine dining venues I've since frequented. read more

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Quaint spot in the heart of the university town. This French bistro proved excellent service and awesome dishes. The duck confit was perfect and the wine selection was nice as well. Go there. read more

Kristines - Bar seating. - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

Just the cutest French bistro! I came here for brunch and I love the aesthetic and layout of the place. The food was so delicious. We got Butternut Squash Soup, which was good albeit a bit on the sweet side. I also got the Smoked Salmon Benedict which I highly recommend if you love seafood. The tiny roe on top were such nice briny bursts. The breakfast potatoes are also the same thing as the Sarladaise Potatoes, which are so good since they're cooked in duck fat and are extra crispy. Overall, a really great experience! read more

Kristines - Smoked Salmon Benedict - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Came here once with family - food was subpar The worst part of our evening was actually in the beginning when our waiter was pouring water into our glasses - and I noticed a smeared lip stick mark on mine... That experience alone left a sour mark and we weren't truly able to enjoy dinner afterwards. read more

This place is incredible!!! Authentic French food, everything cooked to perfection and super flavorful. The chef is extremely talented, the service is great. I highly recommend the duck as a main dish, escargot, rillettes, etc. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

We went on a Thursday evening. We sat inside as the weather was questionable. We had a friendly greeting and were seated immediately. It is a small but comfortable seating area with a good sized, fully stocked bar. Comprehensive food choices, with the mussels and the rainbow trout being memorable. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. The noise level was pretty high as the place filled up. The chocolate souffle was grand, and the price for the meal was reasonable considering the excellent quality of the total experience. We will be going back soon. read more

Came here with my family for my birthday brunch yesterday. Eight of us total. Booked a reservation. Such a spectacular time! Sat outside in front of the restaurant where they have outdoor seating under a large white tent. Super, sunny, airy and spacious with and elegant marble table. The cocktail and wine list is thorough and the drinks were so delicious! I really liked my first one the French 75, and I'm not sure which wine it is but the dry Chardonnay was phenomenal. We started with the cheese plate - all so good except the cheddar was cold and impossible to cut so our kind waiter brought over a steak knife. We also had the steak tartare and escargot. Cheeses with jam and walnuts were all very tasty. I enjoyed the steak tartare even though my brother found it a little vinegary/acidic. The escargot was delicious and came with a tasty, pesto butter sauce. They're served in the shell. The filet steak for main course is excellent! I recommend getting that, with a side of mushroom sauce and ratatouille. The salmon I ordered was also very delectable with haricot vert. Our lone waiter did a fantastic job - was very attentive and remained cordial even with all of our questions and orders. Thanks, Louis! Coming here makes me proud my name is Kristine in French. :) read more

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Foie mousse, steak frites, trout meunière,, boudin noir, steak tartare. All on point typical standard French bistro. The haricot vert could of been more crunchy, a bit over. Bavette a little tough. Foie mousse very light but rich flavors. Could of use some ketchup for fries, nothing was offered. Boudin nori perfect flavors and temp, delicious. read more

Kristines - The spread - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Thee starts for ambience and service. Not the most vegetarian friendly place. Host sort of struggled to improvise. Libations galore but tough one if you are not a carnivore. Mango Sorbet was the pick for me. read more

I have no notes in the best possible way. I'm not sure why they're not more highly rated. Everyone we interacted with was friendly and attentive. The food was excellent, the mussels being a standout and my drink was also very well made. There was a sign saying they made the best espresso martini in NJ, unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to test that for myself. The restaurant itself was very cute and brasserie-ish and seemed to have a fair amount of outdoor seating. read more

An upscale fun French bistro with great food, decor and service. We went with friends and all got the 3-course Restaurant Week special. The mushroom tarte was good, but a bit dry. The mussels were incredible with a flavorful broth and the perfectly cooked plump mussels. The Coq Au Vin was the same. The Foie Gras Mousse was good, but hard for me to eat more than a bit. Desserts were Creme Brulee and Chocolate Mousse. Creme Brulee was exceptional, Mousse was very good. read more

Since I was still on a Parisian food high, I did not hesitate to book a birthday dinner reservation at Kristine's. I was not disappointed! For appetizer, I initially wanted escargots, but went with the Foie Gras mousse since I didn't not get to try this in Paris. This was a game changer because I was not expecting a buttery texture! It melted like butter in my mouth, unlike most of foie Gras I've had. Also, the taste did not hint of any iron-like flavor, which I initially expected. The chutney is a great addition and balanced the flavor between the gingerbread and foie Gras. For my entree, I ordered the Rabbit leg in mustard sauce and was surprised with how tender the meat was and how well the mustard sauce complemented the entire meal! Also, I did not taste the gaminess in the meat, which is a plus! Our waitress was very accommodating and even provided gluten free crackers for my husband who has celiac's disease. Although I would usually love to dine Al fresco, it was cold and drizzling so they had no problem switching us to dine indoors. The overall exterior is intimate but can get crowded, which is understandable because the food is great! read more

Kristines - Rabbit Leg in Mustard sauce - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

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Food is on spot. Great service and nice ambiance. Good for small group gatherings (4-6) or couple romantic dining

The 5 stars is because the best bartender James , so nice and cocktails were great.. French blonde is worthy to mention. The soup special was fantastic and so was the escargot. Make a reservation as the place is popular for good reason. read more

We popped in for lunch and some drinks. I had a mushroom soup which was so good. It was hot which is always expected but big bonus when actually get. The flavor was full of flavors. The French onion soup was just as good if not better. The trout was fresh and the veggies were crisp and prepared perfectly. The bar was nice and the servers were very attentive and friendly. We sat at the front and every time the door opened an attic blast hit you in the back. Maybe something to block the wind might be helpful read more

Kristines makes a decent attempt at Parisian authenticity but falls short on quality and overcharges for small portions. The professional pictures displayed on Yelp! do not represent reality in early 2022. Service was good enough but not stellar. Cocktails were their saving grace, so hats off to the bar staff. read more

A little bit of France, right in the heart of Princeton! The bright decor and dining room filled with maybe just a few too many little tables, felt exactly like our years living in France. The menu was traditional and well made with the onion soup being the high point of the evening. The waitstaff was friendly and knowledgeable and the wine list was extensive. We will certainly return if ever in Princeton again. A bit expensive but worth the price! read more

Kristines - Beautiful patio - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

it's decent but nothing special. the service was fantastic though, our server was very kind! food: i got the french onion soup, warm shrimp salad, and escargot. the soup tasted as expected and the server was nice enough to provide several baskets of bread for dipping. escargot was okay, and the shrimp salad was very sub par. i enjoyed the sauce but the quality of vegetables was not great, very wilted. the space: very big and filled with light. the service: amazing! read more

Kristines - French Near Me - Princeton, New Jersey

When you're sharing your green beans because they are perfection the rest of the meal is indescribably delicious. If you haven't been -TREAT YOURSELF!!! Also, our waitress Amanda was a doll. read more

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Great food and service, nice French gem in Princeton. Would recommend. Space can be a little tight.

Excited that Kristine's is finally open! This newly opened French bistro from the team behind Blue Point Grill and Witherspoon Grill is a welcome addition to Princeton's dining scene. The ambience and interior are lovely. In addition to regular tables and the bar they also have a communal high top. Service was very friendly and attentive, which is especially impressive since they just opened. They have a great wine list, and we enjoyed most of the dishes we ordered, especially the duck leg ($22) and the house-made butter served with the complimentary bread. The steak ($24, or $28 au poivre) and beef bourguignon ($28) were also popular. Their prices are very reasonable, especially for Princeton. Their dishes are on the lighter and healthier side for French fare, without many heavy sauces, and many of them are gluten free or dairy free. Another great thing is that they actually have vegan options (unlike many restaurants in Princeton) and also indicate on the menu which dishes are suitable for different types of dietary restrictions. read more

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Came here for a client dinner! So I can only comment on what I got and my individual experience because I didn't want to look crazy in front of my coworkers and take pictures of literally everything hahaha! For appetizer I tried the French fries, Salmon Rillette, and the Foie Gras Mousse! I was suprised how much I loved the Foie Gras Mousse! I enjoyed all the other appetizers as well, but I do think that the french fries should come in bigger portions. For my Entree I got the salmon and I absolutely loved it! I was perfectly cooked and jam packed with flavor! I wish it did come with a side, whether that be a small salad or fries, I just wanted a bit more. For dessert I opted for the chocolate Soufflé! If you love rich chocolate, definitely go for it! It wasn't too chocolatie (not sure if that's a word), but I wish it was oozing with chocolate if tjat mles sense, but it was really good! Overall really good vibes, beautiful outdoor seating and amazing customer service! If i'm ever in Jersey I'll definitely come back! It is pricey though, so be ready to open up your wallet lol! read more

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This was my first time here. I was with our group of foodies. I was looking forward to having some French food and thought it would be fun to try their brunch menu. I started with their eggs with mayonnaise. They were very good. On the table was fresh sliced baguettes and butter. I decided on one of their specials for brunch which was Smoked Salmon Bendict with a choice of side salad or potatoes. I chose the side salad. It was good, but nothing to wow me. I thought it was a bit pricey $$$ at $22. I think the dish needs something more, it didn't have alot of flavor. I think I would've enjoyed it more if they put a layer of sautéed spinach with the smoked salmon on it ,it would've been a much better dish. I have a local place that makes this dish and that's what they do and it's outstanding. For me, it's all about the flavors. I also ordered a cappuccino, and it took me a while to get it because the waiter forgot to bring it. My BF just wanted something lighter. I told him he should've had the croque madame. Instead he ordered 2 eggs over easy, bacon, their home fried potatoes, and whole wheat toast. This is something he eats and orders regularly. What he got was 2 eggs very hard, no runny yolk at all, more like hard boiled eggs and way over cooked. He got bacon which was good, but instead of home fried potatoes, he received french fries, and sourdough toast, not home fried potatoes, or whole wheat toast. I just feel the waiter should've said we don't have whole wheat toast, but we can offer you sourdough instead, or we need to sub french fries. I'm sure my BF would've ordered something else. He was charged A la carte for everything so his eggs, bacon and french fries and burnt toast came to $28, $$$ this was very pricey, drinks were separate. He really didn't like his breakfast, and afterwards remarked it wasn't what he ordered. He didn't want to say anything because we were with a group and he didn't want to spoil the mood. This place itself is very nice. We sat outside under a large umbrella. Our waiter Miguel did his best to accommodate us. He was very pleasant. For dessert we ordered their maple crème brûlée. This is something I make often and it's the only dessert my boyfriend likes to eat. What we got was maple crème brûlée that wasn't set. It was very mushy and runny and the top didn't crack the way it supposed to. I did bring this to my waiter Miguel's attention and he was kind enough to replace it and not charge us for the crème brûlée. This happened to 3 of us. My other friend ordered their chocolate Soufflé, which came with whip cream and vanilla ice cream, that was very good. I think with a few tweaks, and some revamps this place can be a really good restaurant. For now, I can only say based on what I had, Kristine's is just mediocre at best and very expensive. read more

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Food was good Service was good Ambiance is loud inside the restaurant It was nice nonetheless read more

I haven't had French food in forever and was especially looking forward to the escargot. It was a little less flavorful than I'd have liked but still okay. The duck was well done and the mussels were perfectly cooked. The broth was a bit salty, but good for dipping. The service was quick for the most part but after getting the check, we had to wait nearly a half hour before our waiter came around our area again to get it. read more

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My new favorite restaurant in Princeton... Simply exceptional... I went there with my daughter, and she had the avocado toast, and I had a duck breast, and we split a foie gras pate to begin with. I read an interview with the chef before, where he talked about simple food, being the most difficult to make, because there's nothing to hide behind. This was exactly the keynote with this meal. Every single thing was exceptional. Finished up with crème brûlée and the house butter cake, and the two were simply flawless. Also had a terrific, bloody Mary and fine coffee to wash it all down. Service was without exception excellent. Left there feeling really happy and pleased. The other restaurants I've been going to are Agricola and Mistral, but this one is pulling into the lead as of today. More down to earth, in terms of the setting and the service, but the food is actually superior. read more

Superb French food in heart of Princeton !! On point Ambience, Service & Food !! We ordered pork belly bacon pate for starters and loved it ! Wine selection is great and our server even offered us some tastings before we picked one. For main course my husband had the lamb shank and Potato gratin and I had the meat casserole which had duck, lamb, sausage et Al. Both the dishes were excellent The dessert was a freshly prepared chocolate soufflé which was to die for!! read more

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Big shout out & thanks to Mike O. for putting this together. Hope to make many more in the future! I've probably walked by Kristine's a thousand times and hardly noticed it. It's set in about 150 feet from the road in a small courtyard, next to the Princeton Public Library. They have indoor and outdoor seating available and have lovely outdoor furniture with a rich blue color that pops. The stables are under large hanging umbrellas to keep you shaded from the sun and the ambiance of Princeton makes for an inviting atmosphere with little noise road and just the small murmurings of passerby's. We kicked off the brunch with their classic Mimosa, a solid choice by all means with a snip of the orange over the glass. I slightly regret not going for the Bloody Mary after seeing another one ordered, but that just gives reason to return. After the Mimosa, I went with their French Sour, a whiskey sour made unique with Mitcher's Rye Whiskey and topped with a layer of red wine, creating a unique coloring as the deep red floats lightly atop the hazy whiskey that everyone saw and was asking "what's that?" My friend went with the Pear Martini, which she too enjoyed and said it was a light flavor, perfect for an early afternoon cocktail. The dishes began with their Eggs Mayo, a simple deviled egg recipe that was shared amongst the tables. We followed that up with their Rillette which went splendidly with their sliced french bread and a little butter. For the main dish, most of us ended up ordering the Smoked Salmon Benedict, which was so delightfully delicious and the bearnaise sauce went perfect both on the eggs and the breakfast potatoes. Their dinner menu looks equally flavorful and will be sure to make a reservation to return to dine under the stars. If you're curious to see what's on the menu & what to expect, their Instagram account, @kristinesprinceton, does a great job of posting almost everything available on the menu. Our host, Miguel did a great job as well, having some of their specials on his phone with photos to really see what to expect and very honest with what he had tried or not on the menu when making suggestions. read more

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Fine French food in a classically beautiful bistro setting, the supremely talented chef Nicholas Démurgé delivers consistently delicious perfectly balanced dishes that take me back to lunching on The Seine with a view of the Pont Neuf. Escargot, chilled white bean soup, mussels, sole meunière and chocolate soufflé too, ooh la la!!! Gastronomic tip, any chef that makes their own mayonnaise to dip your fries in is worth a detour. read more

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We sat at the bar. Received amazing service and cocktails. The menu were great and the food was wonderful. It was a nice atmosphere as well. We will be going back for sure. read more

Came here for Christmas Eve dinner, and while it was OK, I didn't love my experience. Parking was convenient because the restaurant is pretty much directly next to a garage, so that's nice! We were seated immediately and our server came over shortly afterwards to introduce herself. Honestly, the service throughout the meal was a little lacking - I understand that it was Christmas Eve, but there weren't that many tables and I felt like we were ignored for long periods of time. I remember waiting a particularly long time to pay for our check! Anyway, we decided to share the cheese plate as an appetizer, and I got the coq au vin for my entree. The cheese plate was a little underwhelming for the price - the cheeses didn't taste particularly good and the presentation felt a little thrown together. With respect to my coq au vin, it was fine but it didn't blow me away. I will say that the gelato we got for dessert was very tasty, and I really enjoyed the Houblon Chouffe IPA. There are loads of cool restaurants around Princeton so I think I would check out a different place for our next holiday outing. The experience wasn't terrible by any means, but for the price tag, I felt like the service and food should have both been better. read more