Le Bistro
1333 South Park St.
423-8428

• Quick solo lunch: Yes
• Social lunch: Yes
• Client negotiations: Yes
• Price range: $$$
• Rating: 3.5 out of 5   

Entering Le Bistro creates déjà vu. One of the hottest restaurants in town, it closed 10 years ago and has reopened after the disappointing demise of Trinity.

The decor is very much the same and, remarkably, the menu is as well.

I always loved the Seafood Minestrone ($12.95) and as it turns out, I still do.  It’s no longer served in the cast iron pot, but it’s still rich in flavour with a bit of zing.  The serving looks small but it’s densely loaded with scallops, shrimp and haddock, along with a mix of penne, corn, celery, beans and carrots. 

My pal’s Bistro Burger ($10.95) is excellent – a thick chunk of Angus beef adorned with melted aged cheddar, tomato, lettuce, red onion and mustard mayo.  It’s accompanied by yummy thin fries, lightly flavoured with malt vinegar.

Our server is affable and the sun is shining in.  Le Bistro is back.