Bistro San Diego | Casual Dining in San Diego

Brasserie San Francisco – Grill San Diego
Casual Dining in San Diego at its Best

San Diego is the home to great casual dining experiences. Nowhere is this more evident that Bistro San Diego, that have popped up all over the metropolitan area.

The term Bistro (sometimes spelled bistrot) was introduced to the French language by the Cossacks who occupied Paris in 1815. It is reportedly derived from the Russian term for “quickly,” which the Cossack conquerors shouted at the French waiters when they wanted their food and drink served in a hurry.

: Image by ~ezs via Flickr

Bistro became the term that was applied to small restaurants, often operated out of ground floor kitchens in room-and-board apartment buildings. The building operators would usually open their diminutive dining rooms to the public as well as serving meals to their renters. The fare was simple, prepared in quantity and served with wine or other spirits. The cramped quarters led to the use of sidewalk tables to expand the capacity of the restaurant.

French bistros were often classified by their fare, but in the USA the term evolved to mean a tavern or other eatery where the food was inexpensive, hearty but simple and went well with the liquid refreshments served by the establishment.

The term brasserie is often interchanged with bistro, but it is usually intended to mean an upscale, but still relaxed restaurant whose fare is complimentary to the brews produced onsite or fine wines served over the bar. In France, brasseries are open every day and often serve the same menu items all day long.

In the United States, the term bistro or bistro food usually means upscale bar-fare served in a friendly, close atmosphere. The bistro menu is replete with finger-food appetizers, delightful salads and thick, meaty sandwiches served on specialty breads. There are often soups, stews, chilies and other comfort foods. Steaks and chops are sometimes on the menu as well.

Bistros in San Diego are the definition of a modern day eatery in Southern California. Bistro San Diego fare has usually been expanded to include panini press-grilled sandwiches, brunch offerings like crepes, omelets and good to very good wines. The food is prepared to order from fresh ingredients and served “bystro,” quickly.

Bistros in San Diego are much more refined than their French counterparts. Bistro food is a huge step up from bar-food, but it may still be priced similarly. The atmosphere in a San Diego bistro restaurant is casual, friendly and more like a gathering place or a social club than a commercial barroom. The beer and ales may not come from a back room brewery, but they are every bit as fresh and tasty.

You don’t have to be a Cossack, nor do you have to shout “quickly” to speed up your order in a bistro in San Diego, but your food will arrive fresh, hot and hurriedly, preceded or accompanied by a hearty brew of your choice . . . or a nice California cabernet, if that is your preference.

The aromas of good food, the murmur of friendly voices and the clinking of glasses and dinnerware will surround you when you enter the restaurant. Peruse the menu, order your food and drink and sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. The guy at the next table might be a Navy or Marine officer from one of the area bases, or a computer guru from one of the high-tech companies that abound. Bistro San Diego attract people of all types and vocations, because the food and drink are good and plentiful.

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