Florida's "Baguette Whisperer" Opens French Bistro on the Miami River

Olivier Rizk knows bread. The Haitian-Lebanese baker, who snagged Florida's top prizes for croissants and baguettes earlier this year, has a reputation for kneading perfection into every loaf.

But now, Rizk is expanding beyond Ficelle, his acclaimed bakery at Miami's River Landing, and into the realm of savory fare with the opening of Le Bistro — a cozy yet refined spot that shares a kitchen (and some stellar carbs) with its celebrated neighbor.

A Bistro That Feels Parisian by Day and Jazzy By Night

Le Bistro feels both familiar and unexpected.

The space, defined by high ceilings, white brick walls, and accents of blue and gold, has a touch of elegance without straying too far from Ficelle's approachable charm. Tables spill outside onto the River Landing promenade, where the two concepts merge, but inside, the vibe is unmistakably distinct. There's a bar doling out espresso that could rival any Parisian café and cocktails that hint at upcoming jazz nights. A DJ booth stands ready for a future of music-filled evenings.

Partnering with Miami chef Gustavo Montes (formerly of Tanuki), Rizk has curated a menu that reflects his life's journey. Montes, with his Miami roots and fine-dining pedigree, brings a complementary flair to Rizk's French-Lebanese foundation. Together, they've created a menu that blends their influences without veering into the label of "fusion."

"I want every dish to tell its story," Rizk says. "But I also want the food to speak for itself — no need for too many bells and whistles. Every dish is prepared with five ingredients or less, allowing the high-quality components to shine."

Brunch Is Where the Award-Winning Bread Shines

This ethos is evident in the bistro's brunch offerings, where Ficelle's award-winning bread takes a starring role.

Every table begins with toasted rounds of Rizk's famed baguette, served with whipped salted butter sculpted into a playful Eiffel Tower. The sourdough pancakes, made with a starter that's been in Rizk's family for 30 years, are a highlight. Slightly tangy, with a touch of sweetness, they hold their own even without a drizzle of maple syrup.

For heartier appetites, the burger — a rich blend of chuck, brisket, and short rib on a house-made brioche bun — has a French twist on Big Mac sauce: a Dijon mayonnaise spiked with Espelette pepper for a subtle kick. The fried chicken sandwich, meanwhile, was born of a two-week pilgrimage to every fried chicken joint in Miami, from Publix to Popeyes. "I wasn't going to put something on the menu unless it was perfect," Montes says. The result? A sandwich finished with a drizzle of local honey and a satisfying crunch that outsold the burger in its first week.

A Refined Dinner Menu Starring Steak au Poivre and a Decadent Bread Pudding

Dinner shifts the tone to something more refined but still rooted in simplicity. The octopus undergoes a five-hour sous vide treatment before being charred on the grill and served with romesco sauce and a bright herb salad. The steak au poivre, made with 45-day wet-aged beef, is decadent without getting overcomplicated. And the salmon, a nod to Montes' sushi championship days, is cured in citrus and kombu, treated with the care of sashimi, and plated with fennel and beurre blanc.

No meal ends without dessert, and the bread pudding, crafted by Olivier's brother Dimitri, is a must-have at Le Bistro. Made with Ficelle's croissants and brioche, layered with crème anglaise, and served with crushed wafers and vanilla ice cream, it's the kind of dish that lingers in your memory long after the last bite.

For now, Le Bistro remains in soft-opening mode, quietly gathering momentum. But Rizk has big plans: jazz trios, expanded menus, and potentially more locations that blend the bakery-bistro concept into one seamless experience. "I don't want to lose the essence of what makes Miami special," Rizk says.

"This city has embraced us, and we want to grow with it, but never away from it," he says. With its thoughtful dishes and deep ties to both its neighborhood and its roots, Le Bistro feels like the start of something truly special.

Le Bistro. 1440 NW North River Dr., Miami instagram.com/lebistro.miami.