Bistro de Paris too pricey for lunch

By: Reid Conner <rconner@hilite.org>

Bistro de Paris opened Valentines Day on Main Street and Rangeline. This restaurant is somewhat fancy and as a result can be extremely expensive. With a noticeably exotic lunch menu and pricey, sparse servings, this new French bistro is definitely not a restaurant that targets a teen market. The food is good, but the service and atmosphere are the most redeeming qualities of the restaurant.

During lunch hours at Bistro de Paris, the menu includes an array of quiches, crepes and sandwiches along with French Onion Soup and the soup of the day. Priced in the range of about $10, the sandwiches are pretty small and served on a bed of fried yams. Elegant? Maybe, but they aren’t very appetizing. They have a strange sort of bland taste with an aftertaste that is even stranger. With the size of the main course, you’ll probably want to consider a dessert to fill up on. The Crème Brulee was amazing, but it costs $7.50, which is more than some of the items on the lunch menu. The warm, crispy top layer together with the cool French vanilla custard made the perfect combination of sugary treats. The French Onion soup, although found at countless restaurants in the area, is unique at Bistro de Paris. Made with red, yellow and sweet onions and Swiss and bleu cheese, this soup is sure to please French Onion fans everywhere. The soft bread served with the soup was a nice addition, but again, there wasn’t much of it. Prices for lunch range from $7 for the soup to $22.

They have a brunch menu also, with dishes from pancakes, French toast and a variety of egg dishes. Different types of Benedicts are present as well. Vegetarian options are included. The entrees on the dinner menu range from $22 to $35 and include most types of meat and seafood including veal and lamb and, again, vegetarian options.

Although the food was good, Bistro de Paris is more of an adult restaurant. The prices, mood and sometimes the food choices don’t really cater to students. That being said, the atmosphere is quite nice. Large works of art decorate the otherwise bare walls, which gives the restaurant a nice feel of elegance. It’s small in size but not crowded. The choice of music also fits the profile of the restaurant well, playing softly and unobtrusively in the background. A glass wall separates the bar from the rest of the restaurant without looking invasive, and the staff is very friendly. The service was fast, and the staff was helpful.

With its high prices and semi-fancy atmosphere, Bistro de Paris is one restaurant best left for special occasions. A couple going for dinner can expect to spend almost $100, including the tax and tip. Overall, the bistro is good but not suited for random “let’s go grab lunch” outings.

SUMMARY
Atmosphere: A
Food: B
Service: A
Price range: $7 to $22
Overall grade: B+
Location: 9 W. Main St.