Just as many people are mistaken about the meaning of the word “bistro” as they are about what a bistro actually is.
Even so, in Paris and in cities around the world the word “bistro” is used a promiscuously as the word “deli”. There is no question about it. Bistros are hot right now. All you need to do is look around and you will see Greek Bistros, Chinese Bistros, and even Mexican Bistros. Every restaurateur in the world, it seems, wants to cash in on the latest restaurant trend- the bistro.
So, lets go ahead and clear up the confusion. The word “bistro” is not a French word at all. Bistro is a Russian word meaning quick.
And just as the meaning of the word bistro is misunderstood, so is the idea of what a bistro is supposed to be. Bistros originally garnered fame in Paris as a relaxed, unpretentious place to grab a quick bite of traditional comfort food. Does anyone remember what everyday chow is?
True bistro food is based on fresh, humble ingredients transformed into soothing familiar flavors by simmering in wine and herbs. Bistro food is the food of traditionalists, not trend setters.
Bistro furniture is not fancy or ostentatious. Bistro furniture is simple, elegant, understated and comfortable. You will not find designer lighting in a proper bistro, nor will you find a maitre d or Muzak. A proper bistro is a place where you go to eat and drink and perhaps connect with familiar faces, not to impress a client or seduce your date.
However, a few proper bistros are still around. Here are some examples of great bistro businesses around the world:
Paris
At Chez Georges in Paris, the cradle of great bistro businesses, you will find that the menu is still produced on an old Metro liquid duplicator in the red-purple script that used to by synonymous with bistros. The long skinny room is still lined with oversized mirrors and elegant but simple bistro furniture.
Chez George is a happy place with a comforting glow where old friends meet and new friends are made. Everyone talks to everyone else while they savor marvelously simple food. Their house specialty is fillet of sole served in a white wine sauce which you can watch them fillet right in front of you.
New York
Raoul’s in New York’s Soho district was a pioneer in bistro food and ambiance when it opened in the mid 1970’s. Raoul’s is decorated with well-kept bohemian bistro furniture to match their atmosphere and their clientele.
Raoul’s has three dining rooms to suit any mood from the bright covered garden to the mysterious loft where you can find a fortune teller reading tarot to the boisterous main dining room. This classic bistro is decorated with nudes, jazz portraits and has a tin ceiling and walls. The customers linger over fleshy steamed artichokes with vinaigrette, and thick steak poivre with fries. The kitchen has discovered they are less successful when they experiment with some of the more trendy cuisine variations impostors are known for.
Australia
Bistro CBD is one of Sydney’s favorite award-winning restaurants and it makes our list of great bistros around the world for its warm service and outstanding menu that is perfect for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. Bistro CBD offers a classic French bistro menu with inner city energy.
This chic and elegant bistro features a spiraling staircase from the ground floor of Hotel CBD bar and an unfussy charming Victorian dining room with equally charming, simple Victorian bistro furniture. Customers can watch the people on the busy streets below through the arched windows while enjoying Bistro CBD’s signature roasted rack of lamb with roasted potatoes and minted peas. Bistro CDB is one of Sydney’s hidden gems and one of the world’s great bistro businesses.
Seattle
In typical Seattle style, Bennett’s Pure Food Bistro is exactly as the name suggests. Bennett’s entryway resembles a mini deli with freezer cases greeting you packed with prepared foods to go. Around the bend is the Bistro where dinner is a commitment to pure, natural additive-free food, or as some like to call it “clean food”.
Customers at Bennett’s gather at the bar or at bistro tables in the casual, yet well appointed dining room where earth tones meet natural woods and a large mural depicts a Northwest farm scene. It is a not so subtle reminder that clean food comes from the land.
Around the world, from Paris to Seattle, great bistro businesses are flourishing as people’s desire to return to simple, beautifully prepared comfort food and an easy casual atmosphere grows and they become weary with the pretentious décor and weird experimental food that was is so last century.
Today’s generation wants to get back to everyday chow and prefers the understated elegant bistro furniture and humble yet delicious food being served at proper bistros around the world. Look around and you may find one in your neighborhood.
No matter what is on the menu, it is the unwavering laid-back atmosphere that is the main attraction.
Even so, in Paris and in cities around the world the word “bistro” is used a promiscuously as the word “deli”. There is no question about it. Bistros are hot right now. All you need to do is look around and you will see Greek Bistros, Chinese Bistros, and even Mexican Bistros. Every restaurateur in the world, it seems, wants to cash in on the latest restaurant trend- the bistro.
So, lets go ahead and clear up the confusion. The word “bistro” is not a French word at all. Bistro is a Russian word meaning quick.
And just as the meaning of the word bistro is misunderstood, so is the idea of what a bistro is supposed to be. Bistros originally garnered fame in Paris as a relaxed, unpretentious place to grab a quick bite of traditional comfort food. Does anyone remember what everyday chow is?
True bistro food is based on fresh, humble ingredients transformed into soothing familiar flavors by simmering in wine and herbs. Bistro food is the food of traditionalists, not trend setters.
Bistro furniture is not fancy or ostentatious. Bistro furniture is simple, elegant, understated and comfortable. You will not find designer lighting in a proper bistro, nor will you find a maitre d or Muzak. A proper bistro is a place where you go to eat and drink and perhaps connect with familiar faces, not to impress a client or seduce your date.
However, a few proper bistros are still around. Here are some examples of great bistro businesses around the world:
Paris
At Chez Georges in Paris, the cradle of great bistro businesses, you will find that the menu is still produced on an old Metro liquid duplicator in the red-purple script that used to by synonymous with bistros. The long skinny room is still lined with oversized mirrors and elegant but simple bistro furniture.
Chez George is a happy place with a comforting glow where old friends meet and new friends are made. Everyone talks to everyone else while they savor marvelously simple food. Their house specialty is fillet of sole served in a white wine sauce which you can watch them fillet right in front of you.
New York
Raoul’s in New York’s Soho district was a pioneer in bistro food and ambiance when it opened in the mid 1970’s. Raoul’s is decorated with well-kept bohemian bistro furniture to match their atmosphere and their clientele.
Raoul’s has three dining rooms to suit any mood from the bright covered garden to the mysterious loft where you can find a fortune teller reading tarot to the boisterous main dining room. This classic bistro is decorated with nudes, jazz portraits and has a tin ceiling and walls. The customers linger over fleshy steamed artichokes with vinaigrette, and thick steak poivre with fries. The kitchen has discovered they are less successful when they experiment with some of the more trendy cuisine variations impostors are known for.
Australia
Bistro CBD is one of Sydney’s favorite award-winning restaurants and it makes our list of great bistros around the world for its warm service and outstanding menu that is perfect for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. Bistro CBD offers a classic French bistro menu with inner city energy.
This chic and elegant bistro features a spiraling staircase from the ground floor of Hotel CBD bar and an unfussy charming Victorian dining room with equally charming, simple Victorian bistro furniture. Customers can watch the people on the busy streets below through the arched windows while enjoying Bistro CBD’s signature roasted rack of lamb with roasted potatoes and minted peas. Bistro CDB is one of Sydney’s hidden gems and one of the world’s great bistro businesses.
Seattle
In typical Seattle style, Bennett’s Pure Food Bistro is exactly as the name suggests. Bennett’s entryway resembles a mini deli with freezer cases greeting you packed with prepared foods to go. Around the bend is the Bistro where dinner is a commitment to pure, natural additive-free food, or as some like to call it “clean food”.
Customers at Bennett’s gather at the bar or at bistro tables in the casual, yet well appointed dining room where earth tones meet natural woods and a large mural depicts a Northwest farm scene. It is a not so subtle reminder that clean food comes from the land.
Around the world, from Paris to Seattle, great bistro businesses are flourishing as people’s desire to return to simple, beautifully prepared comfort food and an easy casual atmosphere grows and they become weary with the pretentious décor and weird experimental food that was is so last century.
Today’s generation wants to get back to everyday chow and prefers the understated elegant bistro furniture and humble yet delicious food being served at proper bistros around the world. Look around and you may find one in your neighborhood.
No matter what is on the menu, it is the unwavering laid-back atmosphere that is the main attraction.
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