Robert Sisca Is Leaving Bistro du Midi

Robert Sisca. / Photo provided

Boston’s loss is Providence’s gain. Bistro du Midi opening executive chef Robert Sisca has announced he’s leaving the acclaimed Back Bay restaurant after nearly seven years. His last day is today, and in March, he’ll take over as executive chef of ProvidenceG, which operates three different concepts in a new development in downtown Providence.

Sisca, a Johnson & Wales alum and Providence resident, began his career at the city’s well-regarded, seasonally-inspired fine dining restaurant Gracie’s. He moved to New York and was eventually sous chef at Le Bernadin, which earned four stars from the New York Times and three Michelin stars while he was there.

At Bistro du Midi, Sisca earned raves for his handling of seafood, the basis of the cuisine inspired by the Midi region of France, which includes Provence and the Côte d’Azur. “I was knocked out by the bistro’s fish dishes,” Corby Kummer wrote in Boston in 2010. “The fish mastery makes sense: Executive chef Robert Sisca was formerly executive sous chef at Le Bernardin in Manhattan. He trained at Johnson & Wales and worked in New England, and now he’s back. Follow him wherever he’s cooking fish.”

Sisca was nominated a couple times as a Food & Wine readers’ choice People’s Best New Chef, as well.

In Rhode Island, Sisca will oversee all aspects of food and the kitchens at Garde, French-inspired with local seafood and meats; GPub, a sports gastropub with a scratch kitchen; and Rooftop at the ProvidenceG, whose seven-story, year-round views might eclipse even the Common-adjacent Bistro du Midi. He will also play a role in the restaurant group’s strategy, a press release announced. This spring, guests at ProvidenceG will see “a new culinary vision and menus finessed with Sisca’s extraordinary talents and direction.”

“As we continue to create an unparalleled hospitality experience for our guests, Robert will be instrumental in growing our brand using his impressive background to provide an innovative and extraordinary culinary program across each concept,” GHospitality President Colin Geoffroy said in the release.

Sisca’s successor has not been named. Bistro du Midi is under the MARC Restaurant Group, which has Michelin-starred concepts in London, as well as operations in New York City. “Robert leaves legacy of epicurean excellence at Bistro du Midi and we look forward to continuing this in the MARC tradition,” chairman Marlon Abela said in the release.

Bistro du Midi, 272 Boylston St., Boston, 617-426-7878, bistrodumidi.com.