American Bistro

[Pete]

Ok, I am years away from ever opening up my own restaurant, but I love to play around with concepts. I must have 8-10 concepts already written up, just waiting to be turned into full fledged business plans. My latest concept is an "American Bistro". I already have an idea in mind what an "American Bistro" should be, but I would love to hear what kind of images it conjures up in your minds. Searching online I have seen the concept range from deli style service to very fine dining. What does it mean to you? What images does it bring to mind? What kind of foods would you expect to find? As I have said, I already have ideas in mind, I would just like to hear what you guys think.

[Peachcreek]

Any of us who have been cooking for a while have our own style. Me, I have been running my own places and pretty much cooking what I want for a long time now. One of the most striking compliments I get is the genuineness of our place. We are not pretensious because we don't pretend to be anything more than what we are. So it gives me freedom of self expression. I do a lot of catering where all they give me is a check and let me figure out what to feed them. So to me "American Bistro" means the emphasis is on the individual or kitchen team, more than the outer trappings. Whether it is some person selling mind-blowing burritos off of a cart somewhere or a little place where the people in the back have some real talent for cooking or occasionally a bigger place that someone has proven themselves worthy of filling a space that big consistantly the atmosphere as long as the food can express its individuality is secondary. In our restaurant it is decorated to make ME feel comfortable. So I guess I could quantify like this: a "concept" restaurant is the atmosphere making the food fit, and "bistro" is the foods' way of finding an outlet.

[shroomgirl]

bistro represents the way I like to eat.....comfort food in a warm atmosphere.
American is type of food....
An American Place is food sourced locally or seafood from the US....it's fine dinig.
So a median priced place with cozy atmosphere and food like....
roasted or pan fried chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans
Brisket, really good burgers and fries
alittle bit more upscale than a diner....with wines.
American Bistro works on so many levels.

[Pete]

American Bistro works on so many levels.

I totally agree with you on this. I have seen places of all levels call themselves this, though I tend to, personally, agree with your initial assessment of what it means to you. I kind of see it as a comfy, semi-upscale kind of place serving homey food with an emphasis on traditional American Regional foods, using local and US grown foods, wines and beers. Does the phrase "American Bistro" conjure up ideas in anyone else?

[henry]

White tablecloths, interesting lighting that looks inviting from the outside, and well lit enough that you can read a menu without holding it next to a candle flame. Insulated enough that the noise from the patrons and kitchen is not deafening, you can converse with people at your table withough straining. Semi-sophisticated music that is good but not intrusive or too loud. Interesting reasonable priced food that you might order the same thing multiple times. A chef that walks around, introduces himself to strangers, along with a staff that makes you feel welcome. Outdoor dining in the season. Serve a nice upscale breakfast. And most of all, no high chairs.