Bistro B, a sister restaurant of the Barnum Publick House on Broad Street across from the Margaret Morton Government Center, is the newest addition to the Downtown menu of restaurants. We checked it out Thursday night. Impressive introduction.
The American bistro and wine bar is owned by executive chef Jason Milanese. The menu features a variety of small plates such as local oysters, pan-roasted mussels and saffron fettuccine (fresh pasta made in house) complementing large plates including crispy duck confit, roasted hangar steak, herb-encrusted cod and spiced tuna steak.
Cozy atmosphere. Check it out. More here.
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*** Good luck Bistro B, however chances are if this eating establishment is not embraced by the city’s Monday-Friday workers for lunch and dinner, it will be closing its doors by 2015. *** IT IS WHAT IT IS! ***
Mojo,
Went to Bistro B for lunch today. Found they are not open until 4:00 PM. That’s a little late for lunch, imo.
They are not doing lunches at this time, so we went to Barnum Publick House. Lots of people out on the street at lunchtime, enjoying the weather, outdoor restaurant seating, etc. Lennie can chalk one up for OIB info. Two lunches downtown because of this article.
Hope Bistro B moves to a lunch time in the near future. Time will tell.
My gut tells me since the owners have successfully established the Barnum Publick House, they will be able to build on the synergy by directing their clientele to each restaurants with specials. Drawing big names to the arena will help as well as putting housing–market rate–upscale with individuals who have disposable incomes couldn’t hurt. I’d imagine reservations are already being made for the Elton John concert. It would be nice if readers from this blog as well as BRBC AND city/state employees patronize these new options for downtown entertainment. This gives Bijou Square a nice healthy competition. It is funny how so many people complain about the lack of venues yet I never run into any members of any of these groups patronizing downtown establishments other than say Tiagos. I can remember running into JML at the Star of Istanbul. That would be it. It would be nice to see people actually enjoying the new vitality downtown. I agree with Mojo. These new venues will not survive without patrons and word of mouth. Btw Star of Istanbul is excellent and Barnum Publick House was packed last time I was there. Épernay by Bijou square is a sobering reminder that although the food was excellent, a restaurant needs patrons. Ralph and Rich’s is no longer the only game in town. My Favorite Italian place is still the hole in the wall Family type restaurant San Remo on the corner of Main and Glendale. Lunch 6 dollars veal parmigiana pasta and salad, bread and butter. Can you beat that???
“We checked it out Thursday night.”
Show us the bill.
Do not despair Speedy, we ran up a mighty number. Nice dining experience. We chatted with a number of Downtown supporters at the restaurant such as Phil Kuchma, developer of Bijou Square; Christine Brown, executive director of Bijou Theatre; Bob Abbate, marketing/public relations specialist and Bob Carlson, developer of 333 State Street.
*** Hey “Lennie,” an Autumn (fall) get-together would be in grand “OIB” order at one of the downtown eateries along with maybe an evening show to get ready for the upcoming Holidays, no? A partial “Trick or Treat,” OIB mini-costume party with just mardi gras type masks would not be too overly expensive nor time consuming for all interested in going. You can even sell masks at the door to maintain the Halloween Pre-Election theme! Also a small donation at the door could help with some of the overall expenses, etc. No time to waste, for “Time’s A-ticking” in “ZOMBIELAND!” *** WINK ***
And I would be happy to demonstrate for those who do not know “how to tie one on,” the art of bow tieing! Not that I am looking for more competition in the Bow Tied Bozo Gallery, but I figured there are one or more “real Bozos” running around without a bow tie (clip-ons are for wannabes without talent), a random act of kindness would be a teaching offer on this order.
And Lennie, I will present you with a royal butterfly design for your own wardrobe enhancement. They will see you coming! Time will tell.
Took the family to see “Little Shop of Horrors” at the DTC last night. Great, great show. I highly recommend it to all. Great family experience!!!