The Paris Bistro

Our Ratings
Food: 4 ½
Atmosphere: 4
Creativity: 4

We began indulging in obscure restaurants and taking photographs of our food long before we began this blog. So you’ll have to forgive us when we write reviews (like this one) about restaurants we visited several months ago.

We ate at The Paris Bistro back in February. And we adored it. Yes, we haven’t gone there since, but it isn’t because it is lacking. We simply try to eat at new places each time we go out. We do plan to go to this restaurant again, though, and we’re sure it’ll be soon. There are many dishes on this menu we need to try, (and a few we’ve been craving since February).

The Paris Bistro is a quaint place on the East side of Salt Lake City. We first spotted it when we went to Mazza (another noteworthy restaurant just across the street). The bistro isn’t very large, but its exterior, with its awnings, lamp posts, and white Christmas lights, exude a warm, European charm. The interior is equally cozy and charming. (Make sure you go to the restroom while you’re there, by the way. We can’t speak for the men’s room, but the ladies’ room was adorable.)

The food definitely matched the bistro’s ambience in sophistication. We said, “Wow,” several times throughout the meal. Here’s what we ordered and how we liked it:

Cheese Course
Choice of Three Cheeses, Garnished

Unfortunately, we can’t remember the exact cheeses we tried for our cheese course, but the menu includes a number of options, including Jarlsberg, Parmigiano Reggiano, Aged Gouda, Shaft's Bleu, and Shepperd’s Farm Fresh Chêvre.

Appetizers
Wild Mushroom Tartine (Garlic, Thyme & Wild Mushroom Fricassée, Black Truffle, Croutons)

Simply put, we devoured this appetizer. The flavor was deep, bold and delicious. If you enjoy mushrooms at all, you will love this appetizer. (Plus, any dish with black truffle is one you should never say no to.)

Entrees
Gnocchi Alla Norma (Eggplant Fritti, Fresh Mozzarella, Vine-Ripe Tomato, Basil & Garlic)

Butternut Squash Ravioli (Sage Beurre Blanc, Pan Roasted Hazelnuts, Parmigiano Reggiano)

Risotto ai Funghi Porcini (Creamed Cèpes, Garlic, Fine Herbs & Parmigiano Reggiano)

Jaimey ordered the gnocchi, and we both enjoyed it. We probably wouldn’t order this dish next time, not because it wasn’t good, but because the others we tried were really delicious. We were expecting more eggplant in the dish—and perhaps for it to be crispy—but it was cut up in small pieces and had a texture more like it was sautéed than fried. The basil and garlic, though, added a really nice flavor to the sauce.

Christa ordered the ravioli, and wow, we ate that dish with some enthusiasm. Nutty and rich, the hazelnuts and cheese really added depth to the dish. We seem to recall wanting to lick the plate, but we maintained our manners as best we could.

Our friend Brad ordered the risotto, and we were flat-out shocked by its amazing flavor. It didn’t seem there would be much to the dish, but something in it—the cream sauce and mushroom combination—was to die for. Jaimey will definitely be ordering that dish for herself next time. And we’ll both enjoy.

Desserts
Warm Molten Chocolate Cake (served with Hazelnut Gelato & Candied Orange)
Caramelized Apple Stuffed Crepes (Drizzled with Calvados and topped with Crème Fraîche and Grey Sea Salt)

You’ll love these desserts. We really did. We appreciated both for the way their flavors mingled together: the orange and hazelnut with the chocolate, and the caramelized apple and crème fraîche with the crepes.

All in all, The Paris Bistro was a delight. Expect to spend about $25-$35 per person (including tax), and expect to be happily surprised. We definitely were.