French restaurants in Miami, and there are a growing number of them, are often about very good food and a party vibe. Some, like Bagatelle, often even have themed nights. Now I enjoy that from time to time, though it’s a welcome change to have a comfortable, neighborhood type place where the music is on “low” and the waiters treat you as if you’re a regular customer even on your first time there. And so is new entry Café des Arts across from Joe’s Stone Crab at 22 Washington Avenue (T 305-534-2555). That being said, it wasn’t surprising that the night I was there the chef whom I know from another French restaurant stopped by and said he often comes here to relax after work. This was also the place I took Gerhard Z, winner of the MiamiCurated contest, who came up with the feature name of Karen’s Kudos, to try his hand at restaurant reviewing.

First the place. It’s small indoors and has a lovely tree filled outdoor terrace with white tablecloths and flowers. In fact, there are so many trees it’s difficult to see the restaurant name. There’s soft loungey music, a European feel, and well spaced tables,  and you don’t feel as if they’re trying hard to be hip. A bar with bar stools is the centerpiece of the indoor space which would be a place I’d hang out if I lived in SoFi.

Menu selections are French- Mediterranean . It’s divided into appetizers, pizza, salads, pastas, signature dishes, fish, sides, desserts . A well priced menu truffle selection of no more than $25 a dish (risotto, scrambled eggs, pizza and rigatoni) lets yo indulge without remorse. A favorite of the night was the truffle pizza – super thin, crispy, with just the right amount of cheese and truffles from Burgundy. What I liked in particular were two “plates to share” offerings. The first included octopus salad, artichoke carpaccio, roasted bell pepper, burrata with whole tomato and the truffle flavored pizza for $27 per person based on a minimum of two. Another way to sample some of their signature dishes is the “Maine sampler” – roasted duck, lobster risotto, truffle macaroni and bavette (skirt steak with shallot sauce ). That’s $55 per person based on two.

To start, they bring a selection of breads including French gougere, delectable cheese rolls included in the price. Our first course was artichoke carpaccio,a dish I’d like to make for a dinner party. It’s fresh shaved artichoke with lemon dressing and parmigiano reggiano . Between courses they served a palate cleanser, a shot of cranberry and orange juice and vodka. For mains, Gerhard had the duck confit with asparagus which he proclaimed crispy and tender with an Asian sweet sauce, a standout in his book. I had the daily special, dover sole which was deboned at the table . Flown in from Spain which has some of the best seafood, it was swimmingly fresh and perfectly cooked so it was moist .

At lunch on a return visit a friend tried the  white cod poached in coconut mile and fresh ginger served with caramelized pineapple and wild rice to which she gave  high marks.And how can one go to a French restaurant without ordering dessert? Best bet is a pineapple carpaccio, very thinly sliced fruit drizzled with caramel and served with vanilla ice cream and toasted almonds.

Appetizers range from $17 to $22 for the foie gras; salads from $13 to $32; pastas in the high teens and 20’s; and most entrees in the high 20’s and 30’s. At lunch there’s a very good value menu with ample portions, 3 courses for $22 which includes daily specials such as shrimp and zucchini salad with orange sauce and dishes like a thin crust margarita pizza, beef tartar and tuna tataki (for a supplement). There’s also a “healthy menu” for the same price with dishes such as white fish carpaccio,  salads, steamed salmon,  roast chicken and apple compote.

Wine is reasonably priced at $8 a glass or a starting price for a bottle $36. There’s no corkage fee. And how could I forget to mention a special every other weekend — buy two glasses of wine and get a truffle pizza for free. I went to Café des Arts for the first time on a Friday night and returned less than a week later with friends. Now that’s an endorsement.

One caveat, Café des Arts is part of a weekly themed party circuit — their night is Monday starting at 9:30 p.m.. So if you want the relaxing, mellow atmosphere, choose another night.