Dijon Bistro
Cuisine: French (French Country Comfort)
If you eat out because you enjoy the taste sensation of good food, then Dijon Bistro is a place you will like. Forget the conception of French food being heavy and stuffy, this place serves French fare comfort style, along the lines of what you would get in the French countryside. The food is simple, fresh and a joy to eat. Yes, the menu is mostly in French, but the wait staff will patiently explain what is what and your taste buds will be pleased with the results. If you want to skip reading the menu altogether we found 3 delightful signature dishes: the Mussels, the Frisee salad, and the Hangar Steak - all very unique, very tasty and very enjoyable.
The Food:
Mussels steamed in white wine, garlic and parsley highly recommended the broth is to savor and is worth taking home and using as a base for tomorrows meal
Hanger Steak Au Poivre with Haricots Verts & Frites (pepper with greens & fries) highly recommended the steak is tender, the sauce on the greens (onions, shallots W/butter) is fantastic
Frisee salad w/bacon, blue cheese, mustard dressing, and poached egg - will warm a cold Ithacan, egg blends in perfectly, this was a loved dish at our table
Roasted Lamb Shank with curried chick peas, swiss chard, braised carrots, natural jus - was even better at home the next day
Frites with Aloli were addictively good and perfect for dipping in all the sauces
Steak Tartare finely chopped raw beef; the beef was cool and refreshing and contrasted nicely with the tart explosion from the pickles
Chicken Liver Mouse was welcoming, approachable, rich and creamy
The Experience:
French food can be low key, each table is covered in heavy paper and your bread is served right on the paper - the entire table is yours as eating space (or coloring space if you have a child.)
Half the tables have a couch booth end that is perfect for sitting NEXT to your date and sharing the meal
Being next to the DMV and in a strip mall setting is hard, but once you pass the door of the restaurant you leave the parking lot far behind.
Oh, that parking lot is big and means you will always have an easy and close spot.
The Price:
Apps range from $5 to $12.50, entrees from $21 to $24. Food portions are generous, we took tons home.
Police, Fire and First Responders get free desserts for the entire table - a nice way of saying thanks.
Work in a restaurant? Tuesday Night local restaurant staff get 50% off of food.
Dijon Bistro is located at 311 3rd Street, Ithaca, NY (near the DMV)
607-256-0503
Reviewed February, 2009
View Larger Map
