Welcome to the Bistro!

And, another fine week it has been!!!

We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend visiting with friends and family. Thanks to all who spent some time with us at the Bistro. We were pleasantly surprised to see many familiar faces along with many “newbie’s” giving us a chance to win them over. While I begrudge my up-north compatriots nothing, it is nice to have an influx of dining dollars spent locally too. Independent “mom and pops” are still the largest segment of the restaurant industry. We are committed to our guests, our employees and our purveyors. Without us there would be little variety to choose from. I am not against chains, there are good ones. For the most part though they follow patterns of management that don’t allow for much creativity. That is one of the reasons that we’ve been successful for 62 years – we can change the menu on a dime and choose the wines and beers we want to serve without the dictate of a CEO number cruncher who is not working in the “trenches.” We take chances every day and embrace the challenge. Owning and working in a restaurant is a labor of love. Yes, we make a living that allows us to pay our bills and some extra for “fun stuff.” But it’s the satisfaction of your appreciation and loyalty that keep us in for the long term. Thank-you!!! Life is good.
 
My weekend was busy starting with Susan Webb’s memorial on Sunday morning. It was very nice and well attended. She will be dearly missed. From there I headed to the Bistro to make a private meal for my mom, Courtney and my mother’s care helper, Mary Lou. The intention was to be inside “all by ourselves” but it was so beautiful out we, no they, sat on the patio, while I cooked and treated them like the princess’s they are. It was fun. I did my orders after they left and then spent some serious pup time with Maddie and Sophia. They were so good being by themselves for the whole day except for a visit from my neighbor who fed them dinner and treated them to a walk. Monday was a barn/horse day along with a stroll through an art fair at Kensington Metro Park and then dinner with my sister Jo and her family. When I left the park at 2:30 they were not letting any more cars in because there was no place to park. It was crazy busy and nice to see so many people out and having a good time.

Monday, June 6th, marks the 78th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Allied troops in Normandy, France during World War II. General James M. Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers warned his men that “When you land in Normandy you will have only one friend, God.”  It is the largest amphibious invasion in history consisting of over 7,000 vessels and 130, 00 men, half from the US, the others from Canada, Britain and Free French forces. 50,000 vehicles and 11,000 planes were involved in the assault along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast, the first successful opposed landing across the English Channel in over 8 centuries. The operation began with overnight parachutes and glider landings with the amphibious landings taking place in the early AM hours. Only 10 days were suitable for the landings as the moonlight and spring tides were essential to its success. At the end of five days almost 10,000 Allied soldiers were killed, wounded, missing or captured. Estimates of German casualties were similar What a privilege to be a recipient of the freedom won by those brave men and women. I’m very thankful.

Sharon and crew have some great Weekend Features starting tonight.

For a STARTER:  
VEGAN TOFU SATAY: Fried Tofu Skewers Basted with Peanut Sauce Over a Re-Freshing Orange Slaw.

BISTRO PLATES INCLUDE:
CORNBREAD FILLED TROUT: Presented With Southern Style Succotash and Finished with a Carolina Veloute;

MEDALLIONS OF PORK TENDERLOIN: Brushed with  House Made Molasses BBQ Sauce and Accompanied with an Aged Cheddar Orzo Bake & Garlicky Broccolini Last, not least,

GRILLED SWORDFISH: Finished with a Sweet Chili Glaze and Served with Fried Brown Rice, Charred Baby Bok Choy and a Splash of Burnt Honey Lime. Maybe, just maybe, there will be some rhubarb pies tonight, no promises but I will try to get some baked.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO
AND,
WISH YOU MANY MILLION DOLLAR DAYS!
 
XXOO, Mary, Maddie, Sophia, Z and Kos.