Skip to main content

Bistro Louise ... and other fantastic brunch places

At my age (29) it is so difficult to get a group of girls together, so I've organized a brunch at Bistro Louise this Sunday with six of my good friends. And yes, I started rounding them up weeks ago to make sure it happened.

Why did I choose such an expensive place? Because it's worth every penny of the $27.95 they charge for the extravagant buffet. Here's why:

I went there a few weeks ago for the first time and it was the best brunch experience I've had in Fort Worth. I say "experience" because it's also about atmosphere and your convivial cohorts.

You start with the exotic and fresh, imported farm cheeses and hors d'oeuvres. After a plate of the rich and creamy cheese I felt like Meg Ryan in the movie French Kiss (it wasn't pretty). It truly was memorable because that cheese was so good. And the hors d'oeuvres include things like mushroom tarts, shrimp tostadas, asparagus ham and cheese strudels, spinach galettes and more. I managed to fit one of each on my plate, and then went back for more before I even hit the main course. As comedian Chris Rock would say, "it's the two plates of food I eat before I eat my food." Mr. Rock, how would I explain that to a Third World country?  Ugh. But it was so good.

If that's how the meal started, then I don't even need to tell you how good the rest was. But I will indulge so I can revel in the memory. The assortment of roasted chicken, quail and the tea-smoked duck were so tender they fell apart on my plate. She also had a chicken chilaquiles that melted in my mouth. The only other time I've had it this good was at Cochineal in Marfa, Texas (Cochineal's is the absolute best ... but more later on dining in Marfa).

Atmosphere is almost as important to me as the food, and this cozy cottage takes you out of Fort Worth and into another world. When you pull up to Bistro Louise it is a little off-putting that it's in a strip mall surrounded by mortgage-related companies. But when you enter the building it's another story.

After the brunch (a few days later): The price of the brunch did not include bottomless mimosas. They were $7 each. The food was good, but they kept running out of items this time around. I would have to keep checking in to see if they had something that looked good, thus I never got to try the crab cakes or the soufflé. The time with my friends was awesome. We laughed so loud telling old stories that I feared we would be asked to leave ... but we didn't.

OTHER AMAZING BRUNCH PLACES that I've tried
(Click on name for brunch menu)
* Taverna
* Lambert's
* Café Modern
* Jazz Café (byob)

Places I want to try for brunch that I've already tried other meals and were great!
* Buttons
* Cantina Laredo
* Tillman's
* Park Hill Café
* Fred's

Places I've never been to at all but want to try.
* Cowtown Diner
* Cat City Grill
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Marfa 2020

By Jocelyn Tatum  I n the 12 years that I have been going to Marfa almost annually, a lot has changed. But the small-town-in-a-vast-desert charm has stayed the same. Here are a few things I always plan to do in my two days and two nights in Marfa.  First, drive. I know it seems like it is far away, and it is, but this road trip goes fast because there is no traffic headed west and away from civilization. Driving is part of the right of passage to get there. I also feel like I shed the societal sludge that builds up on my shoulders as I careen across Interstate 20.  Once you turn off onto HWY 17 in Pecos, the drive starts to transition from sulfur and pumpjacks to pure beauty. It always reminds me of my road trip though the Scottish Highlands. My thoughts change with the landscape. Again, no traffic and no crowds. A tip: when you do pass a fellow road warrior once you get into the mountains, give them the friendly L-shaped finger wave the locals do th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Piola's and Other Great Fort Worth Patios

Spring is making the transition into summer, and people are looking for a great porch to dine and enjoy the weather. My favorite porch in town is at Piola Italian Restaurant and Garden on the corner of Haskell and Mattison in Fort Worth. The restaurant is inside a little house and tucked in a neighborhood on the west side. It can be hard to find, but is worth the search.  (Click for map) . It's even harder to find a place that has great food and a great patio that's not in a shopping center, which is why we love this place. The atmosphere is great inside and out. We went last weekend and enjoyed every bite of what we ordered. We can also be hard to please when it comes to the good-food-to-price ratio. We started with the giant calamari. It was fried and smothered in parmesan cheese and a sweet, spicy chili sauce. My husband ordered the baked ziti. He gave me some. The noodles were perfectly cooked al dente, and the five cheeses were rich and flavorful. Last week, I...
Post a Comment
Read more

Spring Break Series: Open Trail Rides in the North Texas Wild

It's been a while. I've missed you all.  Since this blog started five years ago to tell you about new and adventurous things to do in and around Fort Worth, I am here to help you with some ideas in the wild outdoors of the DFW backcountry just in time for planning your Spring Break.  You don't have to travel far and empty your bank account to have an exhilarating time this Spring Break. So I will do a little series on this blog of some great ideas. And be looking for my march issue cover story in Fort Worth, TX magazine that will have you exploring areas you never thought existed in our hometown. You just thought you had to go to Utah or Colorado to enjoy the great outdoors. And don't forget to click the links I've embedded into this post for more information.  Chisholm Trail Rides are the only OPEN trail riding experience in North Texas. Do you realize how happy this makes this thrill seeker?!? This is not your average trail ride where the horses walk at a s...
Post a Comment
Read more