A while back a loyal reader of the site emailed me to recommend Bistro 70, now I’m too nice of a guy to tell you who this person was, but you can blame this post on them.
It has been a long time since I’d eaten at Bistro 70, I’m talking years, so with the recommendation and an eagerness to try their offerings my wife and I visited on a lazy summer evening. The place was virtually empty except for a couple being way too friendly for a public place, but they were soon off to swap fluids. Martinis will do that to you. The way the rest of this meal went, I wish I’d had a few Martinis in me.
Sticker shock
Now, when it comes to food, I’m no cheapskate, but the prices on Bistro 70′s menu were shocking! Appetizers $7 – $13? Entrees $23 – $35? In Painesville? I guess I just didn’t expect it, but I still wonder how a restaurant with those type of prices can survive in Painesville.
Although there was a wide selection available on the menu, none of it really grabbed me. It was all kind of blasé, but written to sound like it was really fancy to justify the high price tag. I hate when restaurants do that. You’re not fooling anyone.
Decision Time
When it came down to it I hedged my bets, I ordered the Portabello Mushroom Fries ($8) for an appetizer and the White Chicken and Broccoli Flat Bread Pizza ($11) for my entree.
I hadn’t seen batter fried portabello mushrooms before and since these were covered with a Killian’s batter, I thought they were worth a try. I’m glad we did too because they were excellent with a nice thin and crispy batter. I wish there had been more of them, especially since we had to wait almost an hour before the rest of our food came.
Are We There Yet
Just about the time I was getting ready to fashion a shiv out of my spoon to take down the waitress for nourishment, she brought out our dinner. I have no idea what in the hell took so long seeing as that we were the only people there.
Have you ever envisioned something from the description on the menu only to have it arrive at the table and be something else all together? When I read flatbread pizza on the menu, a pizza with a thin and crispy crust is what I expected to see on the table. No, not even close.
I go to pick up a slice of the “crispy” pizza and it just slumps over my fork. It was at that moment I realized flatbread was the pita like flatbread. Bastards. It was my own stupidity for not asking, but seriously, does anyone want to eat a pizza on a soft floppy crust?
Unfortunately, the toppings did nothing to improve things. Now they might have used real chicken, but it looked to me like they used those tiny little chicken cubes you find on your stadium pizza. The last hope, the broccoli, it was burned to a crisp.
Leaving Disappointed
Being a resident of Painesville I left Bistro 70 disappointed. I really wanted it to be good. I wanted good food at decent prices with fast and friendly service. I wanted a place I could rely on when I didn’t feel like making dinner. I wanted that go to place when no one could agree on where to eat. I wanted a restaurant close to my house where I could become a regular.
I’m still looking for that place.
Tagged with: Battered Portabello Fries • High End Dining • Painesville
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August 25th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Hey Brat! Thanks for being so discreet and not mentioning any names
I still don’t even remember my experience there so I must have been lying. Never trust skinny people to recommend good food, right?
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August 26th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Wow, I’m amazed at the bad experience! I went to Bistro 70 for the first time last fall as I had a restaurant.com gift certificate to use up that came free with the Entertainment Book. I can’t recall which starter we ordered but it was good, side salads were small but fresh, nice dressing. The risotto was amazing, Flat Iron steak wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed my martini(s). I picked up another restaurant.com gift certificate this year and plan on another visit in the next few weeks. Maybe pizza just isn’t their thing?
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August 26th, 2008 at 9:18 am
You’re right. That’s why I took your recommendation.
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September 4th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Hi Mark
Another Pizza place for you to check out.
Zappitelli’s in Mentor
Carlos and I tried Zappitelli’s on Mentor Ave in Mentor. We ordered a large deluxe for $18. I thought it was a high price till the pie arrived. I wish I had a camera!
It was what I’d consider a “real” large pie (coming from a New York perspective). Thin crust & tasty. Tons of fresh cheese, real sausage and fresh mushrooms, pepperoni, fresh onion and green peppers. Their sauce was really nice with an oregano taste to it.
Overall I would pay the $18 for that pie ~ as you cant beat the taste and all the fresh ingredients. Service was great.
And before we left we got 2 cream puffs to go. They were fresh and I felt like I was on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Real Whip Cream! That has to be the first place I’ve found that had used real whip cream (heavy cream whipped up and a dash of sugar to sweeten it).
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September 12th, 2008 at 4:12 am
I’m surprised at the review. I have dined at Bistro 70 at least 2 dozen times for lunch and dinner over the past two years and have yet to have a bad meal or a bad experience. (No, I’m not a friend of the owner or what one might consider a regular).
Not sure what your expectations were but their flat bread pizza is clearly described in their menu. Next time, consider ordering a real entree for dinner instead an appetizer and you may be pleased with the result.
Bistro 70 offers a dining experience that you don’t expect to find in Painesville and that’s what makes it a great place to share a meal. They offer a great menu, a decent wine list, great atmosphere…and although, it may come at a bit of premium, it’s certainly not excessive. You would have paid just as much for your appetizer and dinner and 2 drinks at chain restaraunt.
The pricing is fair. The food is very good (great is a strong word to use and at the risk of sounding indiscreet, I’ve traveled quite a bit and had the opportunity to eat at a lot of great places). The staff is friendly and the vibe is a “step outside of Painesville”. It really is one of the best places to dine in Lake County. Don’t pass this place by.
PS – Skinny people appreciate good food as well…we just don’t consume mass quantities of it.
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November 10th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Bistro 70 is definitely worth a trip out to Painesville. It’s definitely one of Lake County’s best restaurants.
Have you checked out the two new spots in Downtown Painesville? There’s Your Vine or Mine, a micro-winery on Main Street, and The Storm Cellar Sports Bar on the square.
http://www.downtownpainesville.org
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December 31st, 2008 at 9:46 am
My wife and I love the Bistro. We consider it a treat to go there.
Yeah a little more expensive than some,but we always felt it was worth it.Haven’t had a bad meal (or service) yet. We think they’re great for Painesville and hope they stick around a long time!!
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March 12th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hey I’ve been to Bistro 70 a few times, always enjoyed the food I’ve got, martini’s are great and usually everyone is friendly and courteous, that would be employees and other patrons! I recommend Bistro 70 as a stop on your list of restaurants.
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April 15th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Mark,
First let me apologize for your disappointing meal, we strive for perfection 100% of the time so it disapoints me to hear that we have failed on your dining experience. Second, I would like to personally thank everyone who added his or her comments about how wonderful Bistro 70 is. I would like to offer “Kim”, “Te”, “Doug”, “Alex” and “Ron” a complimentary entree. Please email me (bistro70@gmail.com) so that I have your information on file…I would also like to make this offer available to August and Mark as well, for without either of you I would not be able to thank our great customers.
Sincerely, Keith (owner Bistro 70)
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Mark Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Keith,
Way to step up, that shows a lot of class. I’m not one for the comped meals, but the fact you offered it says you trust your product. Good luck to you.
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September 14th, 2010 at 9:00 am
My ex took me there after hearing about it on the news, now even though I will admit the prices are higher than I would have desired but the staff was extremely pleasant and timely. I had very low expectations for the place because it was in Painesville, the decor surprised me because it was so beautiful and clean. And the food was worth every penny I was consistently blown away. I haven’t been back because I feel the setting is very intimate and I just haven’t found the person that I’d like to share that amazing experience over again with.
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