Cafe offers genuine cuisine

Nestled away near the railroad tracks, Le Petit Cafe, 308 W. Sixth St., is one of Bloomington's hidden treasures. We visited late one evening and were the only customers, but after our wonderful dining experience, we can't imagine why it wasn't filled to capacity.\nA French family runs the restaurant, which adds a priceless authenticity. Our server had a warm attitude and was quick to explain menu options and answer our questions.\nAppetizer\nWe opted for soup instead of salad to accompany our entrees; the soup of the day was sweet potato soup. Served piping hot, it was thick and smooth, but its unique flavor reminded us more of pumpkin than sweet potato.\nWe also received complimentary European bread with butter, in white and wheat varieties.\nEntree\nWe ordered the steak with aromates for $15.95. The steak was a bit fatty, but the white sauce had an interesting, tangy taste. The meat was cooked perfectly to order, and the portion was too large to finish.\nThe side of eggplant tasted as one might expect mashed up eggplant to taste. This was a bit disappointing considering the uniqueness of the other dishes.\nWe also ordered the chicken in cauliflower sauce for $12.95. It was served warm and drenched in sauce topped with shredded cheese. The large chicken breast was tender and had a home-style taste. The cauliflower sauce was powerful but appetizing.\nThe side of potatoes was similar to those one could find at Bob Evans; they were a bit dry on the outside and soft on the inside. \nDessert\nLe Petit Cafe offers a daily selection of desserts, as it does for entrees and appetizers. We chose an orange tart and cheesecake.\nThe tart had a thin crust, and the filling was sugary and smooth. It had a somewhat lemony taste at first, but the orange flavor was also strong. It was exquisite, until we tried to eat the outside crust, which was a bit overdone and hard.\nThe cheesecake, drizzled with yogurt, had a thin graham cracker crust and extremely smooth filling, which tasted ordinary. The yogurt did not have much flavor, but was a nice accessory to the treat.\nOverall\nWe were treated to an unexpected drink, Orangina, which our server said was imported from France. It is a soda alternative -- a sparkling water and orange juice mixture. It had a good flavor, and we thought it was a nice, authentic touch.\nLe Petit Cafe was quaint and cute. We left with smiles on our faces because of the good food, friendly service and French atmosphere. Although there is no menu, the variety of special daily options should satisfy any diner. Just be prepared for large portions.