The Euro Bistro
6450 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546
The Euro Bistro Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6450 28th St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49546 - Phone (616) 719-2017
- Website https://www.eurobistrogr.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Marc C.
We stopped in today (July 6) before our flight from GRR to LAX and had a great lunch. The soup du jour (vegetable) was really tasty and the salad nicoise was excellent, as good as we have had anywhere in LA or NYC. We also had some nice Pinot Noir while watching Wimbledon. The service was friendly and impeccable. I just wish we had more time before having to go catch our flight. We will definitely be back the next time we are in GR.
(5)Julia D.
This place was a great stop for lunch. I had the greek salad as well as the french onion soup. Both were divine and we paired that with a glass of wine! #Winning! Go here you won't be disapointed.
(5)Peter P.
Basic style, classy, and affordable prices for the quality and selection. Includes full wine selections Definitely great for a date
(4)Denisse D.
I'm so excited to write this review!! You know when you just love a place? Euro Bistro was my home away from home! They have such a simple love for great, quality food and wine. The service is also excellent, I give that to the kind Grand Rapids culture :).....I visited Euro Bistro a couple of times for lunch and dinner, and was very pleased with them Lunch Cucumber, Tomatoes, Feta &Grilled Chicken- By far the best grilled chicken I've ever had. I love chicken! I know chicken, I eat it almost everyday because of my diet. This chicken breast was seasoned lightly but was full of flavor. Grilled perfectly and was so juicy. It was so tender that I didn't even need to use my knife to cut it. It had a lemon, rosemary and black peppery flavor that was perfect. The cucumbers and tomatoes were so fresh. This salad was served with a vinaigrette made with oregano that really brought all the flavors together. Dinner Classic Steak and Fries- 8oz filets and Brussels sprouts instead of fries because I didn't want to feel so heavy( I was having wine lol ). The most tender, juicy, perfectly cooked filets. Seasoned simply with salt and pepper, topped with a garlic butter, it was exactly what I wanted at the time. The Brussels sprouts are famous here, and recommended by a bar mate. What a great choice! None of that bitterness was sensed with these sprouts. All I tasted was salt, the earthy flavor of the natural sprouts , butter and black pepper. I also enjoyed a few...hehe.... Glasses of wine. I sampled the Malbec, Sonoma Pinot Noir, and Cabernet. Specifically I had the Cabernet with dinner and it complemented my steak very well. The Pinot Noir was my fav....Sorry for not having the exact names guys. I must also add that the service was wonderful. When I had lunch, the chef/owner came over and asked me if I wanted my chicken served on the side and sliced. That was so nice. Also, when having dinner they served me an extra glass of wine on the house. I had some great conversation with the bar tender and the chef. When my meal got cold, because I was nursing it, they reheated it a bit for me in the oven. They even gave me a slice of cake, I guess they were celebrating a birthday! It was a very nice experience and they made sure I was happy. If ever visit Grand Rapids again, I will surely return to Euro Bistro.
(5)Joe B.
I was famished and looking for somewhere interesting to eat...driving down 28th I stumbled on this joint. It was pretty empty at 730 on a Tuesday with guests at a few tables outside and a couple inside. I chose the bar to sit by my lonesome. The bartender was very friendly and attentive and brought me a drink straight away along with a menu. I ordered the sautéed Calamari app with avocado and tomato. The brothy sauce it was served in was the color of saffron and it was delicious. The tomatoes and the avaocado were both fantastic accompaniments unfortunately the squid was really chewy and rubbery. It tasted overly fishy for calamari too, leading me to believe it was likely frozen. Sadly, I wasn't a fan but I always like to try a rendition of a calamari app so no harm no foul. They got it 2/3s of the way right anyway. For the entrée I wanted something on the lighter side and opted for the chicken breast with haricot vert. It came plated as two nice sized chicken cutlets that were almost crusted, with what I'm not sure, but they were very tender and resting over fresh thin green beans in a lemon garlic sauce that was amazing! I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for something simple and straightforward but full of flavor. Service was great and the atmosphere was light with a very open seating layout. Prices were reasonable and I'd definitely come back here...the menu had a lot of standard bistro fare that I wanted to try like the coq au vin and their beef bourguignon. It's worth a try for sure.
(4)Ken G.
This is the place you've been looking for when you didn't know you were looking. Great atmosphere; quiet with a sophisticated ambiance. The food was nothing short of amazing. The calamari is unique; and by that I mean it is what all other calamari should be. My ribeye was cooked exactly medium rare as I ordered and the whipped potatoes were very tasty, with a nice touch of garlic. My wife's beef bourguignon was rich and delicious. Great food and a comfortable atmosphere is only part of the appeal here though. Our hostess / waitress made the visit a memorable experience. It is rare indeed to receive such great service, thank you Nicolette.
(5)Lars H.
A review from a European on a European Bistro! - a very nice experience. The actual restaurant is modern, clean setup and nicely decorated. A nicely arranged full service bar and open kitchen compliments the ambiance. In the neighboring room tables - also easily arranged for groups - and in the back a room for private dining. The menu is nice and diverse. Service - ask for Melissa - was great as Melissa showed she loves what she does and was very attentive at all times. The food was fantastic from the bread to start with, appetizer to entree. Delicious and well presented. We found out the owner is Jordan and runs the kitchen ! A true, great experience all around. Well done.
(4)Jessica A.
We love new places and found this charming little French cuisine restaurant down 28th street across from the D&W in a strip mall in Cascade. Don't let it fool you at first glance. This place and it's chef are amazing. The Watercress salad was amazing! Ah-mazing. The Parmesean Chicken was light, flavorful, and refreshing. We decided it all tasted so healthy and delicious we needed to try the Gelato. OMG yummy.
(5)Keith J.
Found this place by accident. It is very plain looking from the outside but once I stepped inside knew I found a good one. Decor is very nice. Staff is friendly, professional and attentive. Manhattan was perfectly made to my liking. Been twice so far and have been impressed with the food and service both times. Beef Bourguignon melts in your mouth and is full of flavor, if I was at home I would have licked the plate clean. Pan fried perch were perfect. The chef/maybe owner? made mine and they looked so good he made a batch for himself. Delicious! I travel to GR several times per year and this place is now my go to place.
(5)Samantha D.
This place looks ugly from the outside. It's in an old strip mall facing a busy road, and their branding leaves much to be desired. Based on that alone, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But once we got inside, I knew it was gonna be good. The Euro Bistro has a nice atmosphere--attentive, friendly staff and minimal, sophisticated decor. Best of all, it has a small menu which I take as a sign of a good restaurant. (Fewer menu items means the chef devotes more time to those few dishes to make them great.) And the food here did not disappoint! We had the cheese board, beef bourguignon, mac 'n' cheese, and Brussels sprout, topped off with the spumoni cheesecake and triple chocolate mouse cake. Everything I tried was so good! Even the complimentary bread was so soft and delicious. For all of this, we spent about $50, not including tip. Not bad considering the quality of food, portion size, service, and atmosphere. I cannot wait to eat here again!
(4)Arthur D.
Chose Euro Bistro for a work lunch with the department. We dined in a private room in the back of the restaurant which was nice for privacy. Service was attentive. Vegetable soup was outstanding as was the salmon dish which I selected. A very good restaurant in the Grand Rapids area.
(4)Cheryl P.
Tried the escargot, shrimp scampi, and beef bourguignon. Escargot sauce was rather rich. The shrimps were huge! Beef was tender. Unique menu but was lacking flavor factor. Cool to try but don't think I'd return.
(2)Gretchen D.
Pretty good. It was pretty quiet for a Saturday night (hope that's not a bad sign.) We started with the charcuterie, which was huge. Not the highest quality items, but lots of it. Their bread was fresh and warm. Mom had the french onion soup which was quite good (a bit too salty perhaps). The lardon salad (really bacon rather than lardon) was quite good. The pizza was enjoyable. The New York strip steak special was quite good. (Although it was ordered rare and really came medium rare.) The Brussels sprouts with it were cooked beautifully-no bitterness at all. Chicken entree was also good. The server was friendly but made quite a few errors. But she was nice which makes up for a lot. Prices were quite reasonable for this type of food.
(4)Evan S.
The food here was great! The bread that they start with was warm and soft on the inside with a nice crunch on the outside. I started with a Caesar Salad which was perfect to my taste - just the right amount of dressing. For my main course I ordered clam special served over noodles and red sauce. The flavor was great and again with the perfect amount of sauce. My wife had the mussels which were also perfectly done. I couldn't help but to soak up the wine sauce with some extra bread we had left. My only knock was the service. The waiter was very polite and attentive, but he did spill some of the wine sauce on my wife when serving. They cleaned the mess up, got us seated in a new seat quickly, and apologized. Typically I just expect some sort of comp when that happens... free desert, remove an appetizer, something... and that just didn't happen. Other than that, the review would've been 5 stars because the food was top notch.
(4)Jeff H.
Chef Akram caterred a family event here for us. This was my first time at his new restaurant. He created a special off the menu buffet for us and I have to say this was the best food I have ever tasted in that format. The food was fresh, flavorful, and on point! The service was first class and the bartender made us some strong cocktails. The decor is comfortable and inviting. I will definitely be back when I return to town.
(5)Valeria V.
Had the tomato feta cuke salad. My absolute favorite tonight t tried the calamari sautéed with tomato and avocado. It was amazing. I have never had a bad meal here and no long waits. Fun bartender. Wish I had room for dessert. The have a choc cake to die for
(5)Gina L.
Best kept secret in the area. The service is wonderful and friendly. A nice quiet place to enjoy a quality meal. We are regulars. Everything is delicious. Gina L
(5)Kate M.
We had such a fun experience at this place. We walked in and it felt like everyone smiled and said hi to us. There was an awesome three piece jazz band of older gentlemen playing at the front (who later even let me sing with them!). Our waitress was extremely sweet and helpful. The ambience is romantic and comfortable. The food was unbelievably good. We shared an appetizer of calamari (best I've ever had...). I got the beef bourguignon, and it was just perfect. My friend got the mussels and loved them. It's a pricy menu but the portions are huge and it's completely worth it, in my opinion. I know I'm basically raving about this place, and maybe that makes me lose credibility... But we left so happy and full of a great experience and bellies full of a delicious meal. I recommend this place for sure.
(5)Dana J.
Was in town for a soccer tournament and was looking for a place to eat with good food that wasn't packed with a million kids. I found this place on a Yelp search. The restaurant is very modern and clean on the inside. The waitstaff was attentive and one of the owners (I assume) even made sure that I was enjoying everything. I had the French Onion sound to start. It was pretty good. The cheese was not too thick and there was a nice balance of broth, bread, and onions. My only complaint was that the broth was a little too salty. I had the beef bourguignon for my main course. The beef was really tender and flavorful. The noodles were cooked perfectly. I have no complaints with this dish. It was delicious. I will definitely keep this gem on my list of places to eat when I visit Grand Rapids again. I went on a Saturday night at around 7:45 and it was basically empty. C'mon, Grand Rapids! You're missing out on some very good food.
(4)Rich N.
Wow!! Hidden gem in Grand Rapids. We had the Beef Bourguignon, Mussels Meunière and the Coq Au Vin. We all agree the dishes were excellent. Worth your time to enjoy dinner here.
(5)Nora M.
Overall good. Had a quick lunch of a burger and salad. My burger was excellent if more well done than the medium I requested. It was a burger that reminds you that burgers can be a high quality tasty food, not just something to eat in a rush. Well seasoned, piping hot and juicy. The best part of the salad was the dressing, just lettuce seemed a bit incomplete. The salad was going for simple and elegant but was more just blah. Ambience was quiet with cloth tablecloths ect. . .
(4)Mickey And Karalyn T.
We had an outstanding dinner. My wife and I agreed it was the most delicious meal we have had in a long time. I had the charred asparagus risotto --delicious-- and she had a salmon special in a cream sauce with spinach and tomato -- one of the best salmon dishes we have ever had, no lie. We both had the popular brussel sprouts and found they were indeed all they are cracked up to be (especially enjoyed them dipped in the salmon cream sauce). The service was friendly and helpful. The atmosphere had a simple and comfortable elegance. In short, we loved it! We plan to make the Euro Bistro a recurring choice for us.
(5)Ann W.
Awesome food! Highly recommend this locally owned restaurant. Service is great too!!
(5)Emily R.
What a great place! The food is spectacular and the service is outstanding. They were having a special on salmon and it was fantastic! The flavor was great, but it was cooked to perfection and that always impresses me. It is difficult to cook fish to the point where it is flaky and moist, so I get excited when I get perfectly cooked fish that isn't dry. The mashed potatoes were heavenly. They were light and airy with delicious flavors. I love brussel sprouts and these were very delicious. Our waitress Nicolette was one of the best I have had and is one of the major reasons I am giving this place 5 stars. She was phenomenal. She was very knowledgeable about the menu items and was so friendly. She read us the specials and deserts with apt description considering they don't have a physical menu of these things. Whenever I had questions she was very honest and gave great answers. She was prompt which is something I appreciate and a very good conversationalist. Next time I am in the area I will definitely be back.
(5)Amy F.
OMG. This place is THE best place to get the most awesome special food when in GR. Thurs night live entertainment is incredible. The wine selection is impeccable. The watercress salad is to die for, and the asparagus risotto. Dear Lord the scallops. I'm telling you... Do not miss a meal at Euro. LOVE
(5)Matthew M.
A somewhat limited menu in number of items but all unique and excellent in quality. One doesn't expect this quality in a strip mall so it's a bit decieving. Manager on duty was a really, really nice guy. Waitress professionaim needs some polish and training, overall, a fine, fine place with very good and unique dishes. Suggestions ... More oil with bread, larger water glasses, monitoe temperature for patrons, not staff.
(4)Susan G.
Dinner at EuroBistro last night. Upon arrival at 5:30, server didn't know what time happy hour ended, she had to confirm and told me I missed it, although I had just read on their Facebook page that it ends at 6. Owner said "that should have been taken down a long time ago", "but don't worry about it". I was never worried so that's good. Server then tells me "just come earlier next time". Oh, ok. At the end of the night they adjusted my bill to reflect the happy hour ad they have posted (it's still there btw). I was really looking forward to having some Escargot, server told me they just sold out. Disappointing as we were the only ones there at 5:30 on a Thursday night (place filled up later). So, we ordered crab cakes and they were awesome. For dinner I ordered the Beef Bourguignon and my BF ordered the $32 Ribeye. My dish was really good and he enjoyed the garlic mashed potatoes and steak. Good food, ok prices, and not so awesome service. I will go back with less sarcasm, more patience for good service, and the good food. I give the place a B-. We are fortunate to have so many choices in this city.
(3)Austin R.
Amazing! We came here for lunch. A delightful little place where the owner actually cooks the food. We had the French onion soup which was tastefully subtle and a great appetizer. For our entrees we had the chicken salad pita as well as the tuna melt. Both rank very high in some of the best sandwiches we have ever had. Every bite was delectable. Well seasoned, perfect temperature, and a uniqueness that the chef brought. We can tell this restaurant puts time and quality into the preparation of each meal. Euro Bistro is a must try if you're in the area!
(5)Elaine F.
I wanted to eat everything on the menu. They had classic French comfort food plus some edgier choices. They willingly made substitutions I. Choose Brussels sprouts instead of pomme frites because another reviewer said they were great. They were! Service was excellent. The food was well worth the money. This place is not cheap but I can't wait to go again . they were very accommodating to my mother in her wheel chair. It is an easy place for wheelchairs to maneuver. Note: the dessert was huge (lemon berry cake) and we were glad the 3 Of us shared one piece . Delicious bistro casual dining.
(5)Bigboss A.
This was a nice change of pace from what other spots are offering. We shared a cheese plate that was well thought out. I followed that with the coq a vin (chicken, bacon, mushroom, red wine sauce). My lovely bride had the perch and she loved it. Overall, the meals were well prepared, flavorful and hearty. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quiet/ romantic meal. The wine was the only thing I would say was overpriced.
(4)Marc L.
Euro bistro has nice French inspired fare executed well. I dined there twice recently and I had the escargot, French onion soup and my dinner entrée was very good. The person I dined with indicated their pizza with blue cheese and prosciutto was a little bland and needed to be spruced up a little bit. I'd say the food is strong the atmosphere inside is nice but the location is in a strip mall in the same place as the former Tuscan express. It doesn't bother me but it might some people but I really don't think it's an issue. oh forgot to mention I got the brussel sprouts as well which were very good as a side. I asked our server Nicolette who was very sweet and attentive a few questions which prompted the owner to come over and make small talk with us for a minute. He was nice friendly and gave me his card. I'd say it's a nice restaurant for a relaxing higher-end dinner. I would recommend it.
(4)Michael H.
Back from Arizona about a year later from my first visit. Surprised to see how busy it was. Had the beef borguion and it was great. Tender and moist, a must if you don't know what you want. Carol had the eggplant parm and flipped. The restaurant is a must.
(5)David A.
I am an extreme foodie with a commercial kitchen in my house. My wife and I love the restaurant scene here in Grand Rapids, we have tried them all. Last night we went to Euro Bistro with some friends. We sat for almost 4 hours enjoying an incredible meal. Actually it was not a meal it was more like an experience. The owner Akram came over to our table several times to make sure we were enjoying our evening. There is not a menu like this anywhere in Grand Rapids. It is classic French/European cuisine at its best. I mean seriously they have Coq Au Vin, and Beef Bourguignon on their menu! To me the real kicker that gives this 5 stars is the price. We had 6 people at our table, the wine and drinks were flowing all night, 3 appetizers, everyone had a main entree, and 1 dessert we all shared. The bill was only $300! If this restaurant was downtown, the meal would be twice the price. So don't worry about the strip mall location and give it a try.
(5)Kevin L.
My wife and I stopped in for dinner. I ordered the perch...fantastic. My wife ordered the Asparagus Risotto , which she enjoyed. Service was great. Highly recommend.
(5)Anika L.
Had the veggie pita and caprese sandwich, wonderful flavor. Was full yet not overstuffed! Wonderful service, can't wait to go back and try other dishes!! Would recommend anyone to go here
(5)Dan Y.
Had the simple salad and beef bourguignon, both were fantastic. Malbec was great. Not a super fancy menu, but solid French cuisine. Definitely worth the title Bistro. I DEFINITELY will return!
(5)Peg K.
11/5/13 Lunch This was my first visit to Euro Bistro. The food was tasty, fresh and well presented and the service was excellent. I had the pizza with feta, olives and tomatoes along with a salad garnished with pears, avocado, cranberries and gorgonzola both excellent. The others at the table ordered a risotto dish and mushroom pasta dish which they both said were great. I look forward to returning to this restaurant - great food, good menu selection, good service and nice ambiance.
(5)John L.
We have been here twice for dinner and each time has been a pleasant experience. We have seen many of the same diners both times so it is obviously a regular go to spot for many. Very good menu and it is very different from anything else in the area. Wood fired pizza's, beef, chicken and more. I could really have chosen just about anything and been very happy. The strip mall location may be a turn off to some but don't let it keep you from trying this little gem. We will return soon.
(4)Lola A.
The Euro Bistro was recommended to me after hearing my lament about the closing of one of my favorite GR Restaurants, Restaurant Bloom. It's easy to drive right past this spot as it's on 28th Street and there's a lot of competing signage. But, I'm glad I stopped in for a late lunch. The setting is stylish in a contemporary chic sort of way. There's also exterior seating, but on a cold blustery day like today, my goal was to get in as quickly as possible and warm myself with a cup of hot tea. The bread arrived shortly thereafter, warm and crisp with a dipping sauce of olive oil, herbs and cheese. My meal consisted of a burger and fries (the meat for their burgers is advertised as extra lean and cows are grass fed) and I also tried their tomato bisque soup. The soup was a little thinner than I would have anticipated, but overall the flavor was good. I also sampled their in-house chocolate dessert souffle. Reminded me a little of the famous bread pudding at Commander's Place in New Orleans. Hint: If you choose to order this dessert, place your order early as it takes 20-30 minutes to create on-site. This is a very nice spot for lunch and I'd like to see what their dinner menu looks like. It wasn't too busy, but I was there mid-afternoon. The service was excellent!
(4)susan e.
We visited The Euro Bistro on a Thursday night and only one other group came in while we were there. I hope that isn't a sign of things to come. The service was excellent, but since we were the only customers when we arrived, I wouldn't have expected anything less. The waitress brought us bread and some olive oil with parmesan to dip it in. The bread was good, but cold. It would have been much tastier had it been nice and warm. Our food came quickly. We ordered the plate of Selected French cheeses, which came with goat cheese, brie, and a third cheese I couldn't identify. They were delicious. but were served with only four little flatbreads, so we had nothing to eat it on and ended up using up the bread with it. I was looking for a non-meat option, and ordered a flatbread pizza with goat cheese, carmelized onions, and something else I can't recall. I wanted to like it a lot, but it was really kind of bland. I expected more oomph, I guess. My husband ordered chicken, which came in a sauce with string beans and olives, and mashed potatoes (as a side dish). He said the potatoes were nothing to write home about, but the chicken was delicious. My BIL and SIL ordered two different kinds of steak, one with french fries, and the other with potatoes and a creamy sauce. Both steak dishes were really delish. I thought the prices were reasonable (except $4 for mashed potatoes -- really?!?) and would try it again. I wouldn't order the pizza though.
(3)Sandi B.
Great place to meet friends in Cascade! Add the Euro Bistro to your list of "regular" spots...if you live in the Cascade/Ada Area. (closer to home than Flat River, quieter than Vitales, shorter wait then Bonefish...) If you're looking for an intimate place with great food, this is a wonderful local option! This is not a chain...The Euro Bistro is locally owned and operated...(support local businesses!!!) and the owner is friendly and his family are hands on and ever present. If you crave REAL service and personal attention, a place where the owner meets and greets people at their table, this is the place. The table service is prompt and friendly. And the food is yummy. Try the perch, it's sauteed simply to perfection...the salmon is cooked perfectly, the mashed potatoes and the steak are excellent too. My best advice...just get the special! I always get the special, and I'm never disappointed... My only negative...this place doesn't look like much from the street...You can't tell from the street that this is a nice place for dinner...but it is! Also, the outdoor seating lacks the same ambiance as the inside A note to families: I think of this place as more of a date night, or couples night place...but I have taken my kids there...(ages 8 & 13). The servers are always very friendly and accommodating to my kids and to me. Think of this place is a nice "grown up" place...but it's fine for kids who can "hang" at the table and enjoy a nice, quiet meal with their parents...
(4)Valeria L.
We went here the evening of 12/18/10, looking forward to checking out the new restaurant that is located where the greatly missed Tuscan Express used to be. The menu had adequate choices, and we ordered the soup d'jour, a tomato bisque along with two entrees. The soup was so salty that it was inedible. Shortly after our entrees arrived we overheard the waitress tell another party about the evening's specials, which we would have ordered had she told us about them. My macaroni and cheese was nothing to write home about (would someone on the west side of the state please learn to make the Union Grill's macaroni and cheese?) but my pal's sausage with red sauerkraut was pretty tasty. We might give it another try after they get their liquor license. Hopefully by then they'll improve the lackluster and inattentive service and put away the salt shaker in the kitchen.
(2)Paul C.
Field Dispatch - Neutral Ground The history books tell of Potsdam and Yalta and Camp David -- places where alliances are formed or details of treaties are worked out. They lie. Well, it isn't so much that these places were unimportant . . . they were nice "place mats" as Dr. Caesar at "The Farm" used to call them in her "History - Bland Covers for The Truth." No, these places and the people there DID make some history, but the REAL work was done before - sometimes years before - at such "exotic" spots as Barrow-in-Furness, Ise, New Rochelle, Freiburg im Breisgau. THOSE spots were where people like "Eric Red," Ito-san (the younger), The Puppeteer, and I (no need to tell my "name" for those meetings) met to work out what the "suits" would say for the cameras. The spots were neutral and, since El Rey was always there, they had to be in a small but exquisite restaurants- in neutral territory. I did not know there was such a place in the present neutral area. As it was the 43th year since Freiburg, The Puppeteer, "Judy," and I decided to try a place we knew was NOT owned by The Company or Mossad or JSS - The Euro Bistro. New, untested, slightly out-of-place. Perfect. That word describes the location as well as the service and the food. The menu could be right out of Freiburg or any number of European venues. There are some "small plates" which are false advertising. They really should be shared with friends -- of many "backgrounds." The pates are not my treats, but from the first bite, P and "J" were swooning with delight - not so common for P. The goat cheese souffle was, allegedly, made several seconds before it was served on premises. However, I recall a very similar one in a very special "nook" in Paris . . . could they have access to the new "plane" that could get it here in about 20 minutes? It was THAT good. The Puppeteer and I shared a salad (which "Judy" could easily have enjoyed with us) of spinach, small pieces of tomato, and -- this is the part that is going to destroy "Auntie" who thought she kept such secrets totally to herself and her "young ones" on The Farm -- watermelon! And the added kicker: aged balsamic that even Yusef from Cairo would have demanded be at his place setting . . . he is out of "The Corner" as you know - not too much the worse for it. Here's where it get really spooky. Those old enough to have actually taken a class from Professor Bucker will recall how he waxed Wagnerian about the boar he had served to The Bore. Yes, how intoxicatingly delicious it was that it actually helped set the stage for Valkyrie. Somehow, the Sous Chef here must have learned some (all?) of the secrets from the really old guys who worked with Bucker. The ragout of wild boar over homemade noodles would, I am certain, make even The Bore demand just another bowl, Bitte! This hearty ragout had flavor the likes of which I have only tasted once before -- and that was in a "Central European country" that may / may not still exist -- I never know who MAY get these dispatches. Let's just say that when your "per diem" is in the 6 figure range, you dine with the best of the best. Ah, someone had to do it! This wild boar must have been of royal lineage -- nothing but handpicked acorns and truffles for HIS food! The sauce was a fine wine in itself, and the perfection of the noodles would have tempted even Nami to question her post-coup snack she would give to the rest of us. I go on too much . . . The "just right sweetness" and slightly German light chocolate of the "solid air" souffle was the perfect bookend to how we started the event. Each course served with appropriate attention and just the right distance by a server who would, if she has a mind to, be someone who will teach as well as do. The manager was very young, but I suspect he MAY have been helped by someone in Medical on The Farm -- no one that young knows that much about making guests feel that comfortable while enjoying food that is usually served overlooking vast virgin forests or in the middle of a "small hunting preserve" owned by one of those Krupp boys . . . One of the unspoken rules of going to "neutral places" to enjoy and negotiate, was that we don't go back a second time -- the legend of what happened in Pisa is NOT a legend! However, those days are "over" for now . . . at least for present readers. And The Euro Bistro will be hosting more reunions of "The Team" in the weeks to come. End of dispatch - P C
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