Bistro 135

I'd stick to this place for drinks and appetizers. The music is a high point - I love the jazzy tunes. The happy hour deals are a solid choice too. Wednesdays are 1/2 off glasses/bottles of wine and 1/2 off apps when you order at the bar. I've also been on Thursday nights when there's no corkage fee.

I've never been blown away by the entrees as they're often inconsistent. In the past, I had the pecan chicken. It was dry and the seasoning was overpowering. Although, I did like the mashed sweet potatoes on the side. Also, the service can be shockingly rough. The ladies sure are lovely looking, but not so stellar at serving. Many have attitudes and treat you like you're an inconvenience. Hence why I stick to the bar. Everyone's happier at the bar, right?

Their menu rotates occasionally so I'll weigh in on the things I had on my last visit. The burrata is salty, creamy, and a perfect pairing with a bottle of wine. It's best combined with the basil and roasted tomatoes on top of the grilled bread all in one bite. The sliders are always a solid choice to. The brioche roll really takes the cake here, mmm buttery and soft. They come with shoe string fries (not actually frites as the menu notes). I definitely recommend the Manchurian cauliflower. It's mind blowing, what that's cauliflower!? Breaded and well-sauced you'd think you're eating chicken, but they're veggies. The health factor probably goes out the window as its fried and coated with the spicy-sweet sauce, but hey, they're trendy and tasty.

Overall, drinks, jazz, and apps, and you're in for a good time at the bar.

A two is about all they deserve and if I could give them a 1 and a half, I would.  They do a great bar business, that's for sure.  But right now, I'd stick to the bar and appetizers.  The food simpy isnt up to snuff.

I've been to Bistro 135 sevearl times over the years.  Mostly with friends and mostly at their insistence.  It's never on the top of my lists.  We went last Thursday evening when they had no corkage fee and there were four bottls of wine between 5 of us.  Thank goodness for that.  It helped everything considerably.

The jazz is always nice, but too loud inside to have dinner and a conversation unless you're downstairs.  We sat outside in the patio.  A nice choice even though the evening was a bit cool. (a few heaters would be nice).

The cream of parsley soup (du jour) as an appetizer was outstanding.  Wish the rest of the meal went as well.  The lobster risotto I had was good but not outstanding.  Seems that with few exceptions, everyone overooks risotto to the point of mush.  If you can't do a simple but time consuming dish well, don't bother.

THe main course for both my wife and myself was completely disappointing.  She had the salmon and she found it tasteless.  My sea bass was fishy and there is simply no excuse for serving a fish that both smells and tastes old.  Had we not been with a group and it would have caused a scene, it would have gone back immediately.  I was appalled that the kitchen would let that go out.  Someone clearly doesn't taste the food before it leaves the kitchen.  No oversight from a head chef here.

The bar was an older crowd (like me).  Not on the list for the young in crowd. But then again, that crowd doesn't appreciate food anyway so what's the point.  They end up at places like Nikko where the food is equally sub par.  At least the eye candy is better.

I noticed this morning that they had another Group-On going.  Though they've been in business for several years now, nothing signals the imminent demise of a restaurant better than a Group-On.  When you have to give away half of your retail to a customer and another 30%+ to the annoying people at Group-On, you know you're grasping at straws.  Hope that whomever goes into this space next has a better chef in mind.

Went here last Saturday....we had heard of this restaurant before and we were excited to try it out.  I feel compelled to write about our experience so you know exactly what you're getting here.

First of all, the service was terrible.  We were seated in the back room which holds maybe 10 tables - about 6 were occupied when we sat down.  We waited nearly a half hour for drinks...I mean no one even looked at our table for that entire time.  The girl who brought water to our table noticed we hadn't been waited on and I believe she mentioned something to the waitress.  We were discussing leaving as we watched a neighboring table that came in after us enjoying cocktails, bread and apps.

Our waitress finally arrived at the table....seemed unconcerned.  She did comp our 2 glasses of wine.

Food was average - I had the lobster spaghetti.  My partner had the strip steak.  Both were adequate - not mind blowing.  The salad was a bunch of mixed greens in a small bowl with a grape tomato....end of salad story.

Overall, a disappointment.  Although, the jazz band playing was very good and the bar seemed really nice.  

Will we go back again?  Doubtful.