PX This.

PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW

Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !

Bazar Bistro

What was your first impression?
Well, it looks "Moroccan," all right.

Please rate the Bar:
Not bad. Welcoming. Spacious enough. Pretty comfortable. And the bartender is very nice, if not entirely adept (could use a little more time getting used to the POS system).

Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Evidently, it was their "first day" with liquor— so that meant ix-nay on the arnishes-gay, as in no muddled grapes for that "St Tropez." (No olives for a martini, either.) They do however, have limes for their margarita so ha aha… olé!
Prices are reasonable at about $10 per cocktail and similarly averaged for wines by the glass. Plus the wine list is relatively diverse (if not particularly adventurous) with a pleasantly fine value in most of the selection.

Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s… okay. Hardly imaginative, but maybe that makes it more umm… authentic?

Please rate the BOH:
It’s quite good. But I admit I came in with pretty high expectations. I mean after all, I’m verrry familiar with the three-star work of Chef Rick Laakonen. You might even say I’m a fan. So I always did kinda wonder whatever happened to Rick Laakonen? It’s like he poof! vanished off the face of the earth or something.
Well! Now he’s… back?

How was the staff?
Fine. Wholly proficient in that "authentic" kind of way. Yah, let’s just say it’s much more Mediterranean and sorta much less "bistro."

What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Chicken Briwatt : Very good. Delicate yet hearty— but, I am a total sucker for phyllo. Great yogurt sauce too.
Crepe with ham, chicken, some kind of cheese, etc etc : Delicious. Exotic yet approachable. Despite its somewhat overwrought appearance, the flavors are actually distinctive in their congruence— if that makes any sense.
Grilled Octopus and Manila Clams Ragout : Also very good. Perfectly tender seafood. Savory and flavorful. Rustic but intricate all at the same time.
Beet and Goat Cheese Salad : Good. The least exciting/creative dish, but still a cut above most. Two kinds of beets, two types of prep. Fresh and tasty.
Black Kale with Pancetta : Fine. Expertly prepared, but the pancetta doesn’t quite add all the saltiness that’s likely intended. Just a wee bland.

What did you like?
The food was good. Maybe not as mind-blowing as I’d hoped, but really very solid and appealing.

What did you dislike?
Well, a really great martini would have hit the spot…

What was your last impression?
Actually, I wonder if Rick Laakonen is even here tonight. Everything was perfectly satisfactory, but there’s like a "spark" missing…

Would you come back?
The burger and the lamb— I already know what I’m going to order next time.

Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Oh, you will.
:)

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