Jacky's Bistro feels like a vibrant, yet comforting Parisian terrace. Beautiful flowered and full plants hang from iron hooks or lounge in pots on low wooden windowsills. Intricately molded iron trellises stencil the white walls while thick, lush wine-colored curtains cover the servers' corridors. A stained-glass chandelier hangs over the for-two wooden bar, which sits neatly at the front of the restaurant. Tables are situated with white tablecloths on hardwood floors, while deep red booths against the back wall are lit with simple orange-glass sconces.

Jacky's lunch menu is a mini-dinner, offering some early-bird specials such as medium-rare sirloin salad with fresh mozzarella-tomato salsa ($12.95) and classic salad nicoise on mixed greens with grilled fresh tuna ($13.95), plus a selection of sandwiches like grilled Portobello on an onion roll with basil dressing and gruyere ($10.95) and braised short ribs on grilled country bread with brie ($12.95). If you're aching for French onion soup, try the "Petit Lunch": soup and salad or sandwich for $11.95. For dinner, entrees include the streak and frites classic (a pepper steak with bordelaise and bleu cheese; $22.95 for one, $59.95 for two) and a selection of other seafood, game and poultry cooked with recipes from southern France ($19.95-$29.95).

On Sunday's, Jacky's host the Sparkling Jazz Brunch, the menu for which includes everything from pancakes and French toast ($8.95) to duck confit eggs Benedict with sauteed potatoes and sweet peppers ($15.95). Each diner receives a complimentary glass of Champagne.

Centerstage Reviewer: Kate Puhala