Garden Bistro Satisfied Customers
From "The Free Times"
Gem of Gervais
**** out of 5 Stars
By Tipper Moore
[reviewed 4/19/06]
It has been years since I first visited Garden Bistro, just off the main drag in the Vista. This cozy spot is easy to miss, as it is tucked away behind ever-changing shops on Gervais Street; you can also access it from the back of the Art Bar parking lot.
The name could be indicative of its whimsical, colorful garden murals or the freshness of its food ‹ either would be appropriate. With a new rug business sharing the building, the restaurant is making some adaptations, none of which impact the bistro's quality or service.
Morning customers can enjoy an array of freshly baked sweets and gourmet coffees, while lunch customers can enjoy an abundant variety of salads and sandwiches, as well as a daily soup that can be mixed and matched. Specialty sandwiches, wraps and smashed sandwiches ensure there is something for everyone. The daily soups offered are varied ‹ from Broccoli and Cheddar to Minestrone ‹ and are definitely homemade.
Normally a salad lover, I ventured this time into the realm of hearty specialty sandwiches. The Chicken Salad ($6.39) sandwich consists of flavorful, moist white meat chicken filled with raisins and pecans, served on sweet black bread with lettuce. The sweetness of the bread and fruit provided a nice contrast to the creamy, savory salad. This combination easily makes this a candidate for No. 1 status. The Apple Orchard ($6.06), an open-face sandwich, featured tender roast beef piled onto sweet black bread, topped with a crisp apple slice and melted Swiss cheese. It is definitely worth a repeat performance. The Tuna and Cukes ($6.69) was delightful, although not as exciting as our other choices. Slices of cucumber and lettuce topped Albacore tuna salad on wheat bread. The fresh and tasty breads were outstanding in these sandwiches.
The Athena Wrap ($6.75) made for a Mediterranean treat, with turkey, feta cheese, black olives, onions, tomatoes and romaine lettuce served in a spinach wrap and grilled. I'll definitely order this again. The contrasts of flavors and temperatures zinged. My friend, a comfort food lover, tried the Smashed Three Cheese ($5.50) with tomatoes ($.25). Adding bacon ($.50) is also an option. Texas toast provides a foil for this and other smashed sandwiches, creating a toasty sandwich that wasn't greasy, but too tame for my tastes.
Salads rule at this bistro, whether as an entrée or side. My favorite, the Summer Salad ($6.06) with crisp apple strips, crunchy pecans and piquant blue cheese, creates a memorable trio of flavors and textures. Although the strawberry vinaigrette is suggested, savory dressings complement the apple combination nicely. The Garden Salad ($5.13) was fresh and hearty, chock full of vegetables, including squash, but lacking the pizzazz of the Summer Salad. Served with the creamy bleu cheese dressing, it made for a healthy lunch. Other noteworthy sides include the Cucumber Salad, a light and summery mix of cucumbers in red wine vinegar, and the Three Potato Salad, a unique version of this hearty salad that I'd love to duplicate.
Garden Bistro offers great lunches, but there are other perks in visiting this lunch spot, too. Free, convenient parking is a major one, especially in the Vista, and the friendly table service with real dishes is another. So, next time you are looking for a great sandwich or salad, Garden Bistro might be your best bet. It will grow on you.