Bistro Maison

10/24/09

Details

by brian_b

Before the restaurant opens each day, I imagine Deb goes through the restaurant making sure each detail is as it should be. Not for the sake of pretense, but for the experience of the customer. She then spends the remainder of the day following through, making sure the atmosphere is matched by the food and people who help you experience it.

Because that is what the Bistro Maison is - a warm, intimate, and above all delicious dining experience. Clearly the people of Bistro Maison are passionate about two things - their food and their customers.

• Pros: Fantastic Food and Staff

10/19/09

Too bad they are not open every day

by Putin

I just love the food at this place. And there is always a glass of excellent wine to go along with it. Good enough to host the next G8 meeting.

10/18/09

Friendly and welcoming with amazing cuisine

by genelyncorb

We have been dining at the Bistro Maison for about six years now, and we have never been disappointed. We have been through most of the menu, from the mussels to the hanger steaks, the coq au vin, the salmon--everything has been beautifully prepared and presented. We've attended regular dinners, lunches, and special occasion parties such as wine dinners with local winemakers and New Years Eve, for which Deborah decorates the restaurant with celebratory panache. It is clear she and Jean-Jacques love what they do. They are both knowledgeable and eager to explain their dishes and advise about wine choices--Jean-Jacques loves to come out of the kitchen when he can to visit with patrons. He uses many items from local growers, including fresh vegetables from the Farmers' Market and meat from Carlton Farms, which makes his preparations fresh and timely. The staff is equally enthusiastic about the menu selections and eager to help out a hesitant visitor. We will continue to be regular customers and consider ourselves fortunate to have such a restaurant so near (we live in McMinnville).

• Pros: Service, atmosphere, knowledge, use of local products
• Cons: None

07/10/09

Simple Elegance result in Excellence

by exumbris

This jewel knows food & drink is but signifier of things far deeper & sublime. It embodies excellence. Much care is given to insure deeper things shine through. Joy, contentment, passion, simplicity_the lifeblood of Bistro. From arrival you are welcomed & woven into the "terroir" like you are both royalty & family. Deborah brings a gracious luminous delight as she welcomes you. Her heart of blessing & spirit of celebration make it axiomatic that everything be the best_food & drink quality, presentation, purpose, attitude, staff, nothing is allowed to be mediocre! This desire for excellence is what honours breaking bread together. Their food is their "vision made flesh", a culinary incarnation of the "sacred." Simple yet nuanced & balanced, tasty yet fresh & clean, never heavy & burdensome. Chef JJ matches Deborah's front of the house perfectly, a marriage that rends the veil of time & allows eternity to break in on the meal. Staff is an extension of the vision. A visit to the Bistro will be remembered as one of those magical "time stands still for awhile" evenings full of magic & delight! You depart bubbling over with the life, the fun, the company…restored & renewed & deeply content. If you are searching for exterior signs that confer status and importance, this is not the place for you. Go elsewhere and be dazzled by the inevitable culinary sophistry that is the inescapable result of seeking to make the "road sign" into the destination. If you are searching for flattery that inflates & infatuates, Bistro is not for you. You will be disappointed & unfulfilled. But if you love the essence of breaking bread__community, hospitality, contentment, satisfaction, joy, then this is for you, a Way Station to the Kingdom of Delight! It has my utmost recommendation & gratitude for being honoured with memories and experiences there that will outlast a lifetime.

• Pros: Feeding the soul as well as the body!
• Cons: That we can't go all the time!

06/15/09

What a delight, what a treasure!

by goodeatsforyou

This is an email I sent to the owners of Bistro Maison after dining in their establishment. If you haven't been and love great food, service and ambience then you must try this restaurant. Impeccable does not begin to describe a dining experience here.

We were a party of 4 This last Saturday night and I wanted to let you know of the amazing experience we had at your restaurant.

First, the ambience was perfect. We decided to eat in your patio after taking a look... we usually don't like to eat outside at restaurants because it is usually an after thought by the staff. Not so in this case. Your patio was perfect- including your boxer. The tablecloths were pretty and matched the atmosphere, the chairs were

comfortable and the landscaping served as a pleasant backdrop.

Second, your staff was amazingly proficient, friendly and attentive without being annoying. They also knew their menu and were able to convey a sense of "I've got to try that" without being pushy. We never wanted for anything and were replenished with water a bread at

the right moment.

Third, your special drink of Aperol was delicious and perfect for an evening meal on a summer night. We intend to purchase some Aperol and share the drink with friends while we tell them of your restaurant.

Fourth- the food was beyond delicious. We all had fish at our table and it was prepared perfectly and presented beautifully. I must say that the green beans and carrot were also perfectly cooked. I get so

tired of the vegetables in other restaurants cooked to death and annoying. Yours were a great match with my Halibut in a Morel cream sauce.

Fifth- We got to "dine". there was no hurry to turn the table and we were able to savor our appetizers and dinner and enjoy great conversation.

Kudos to you and your staff for doing everything possible to make our evening memorable. Although I was the only one that had been to your restaurant before I felt as if I had discovered something new even

though my other experience had been just as wonderful.

I wish you the most success in keeping your restaurant the beautiful gem that it is. We will be back with friends in tow!

• Pros: Exquisite food, atmosphere and service!
• Cons: None

05/24/09

Were never seated

by chuck_in_salem

My wife and I were in McMinnville for a Memorial Day outing. We noticed Bistro Maison among several interesting looking eateries on the town's charming 3rd ST. The door was wide open and the open sign was lit. We waited several minutes in the entry area where not an employee nor a patron could be seen. Finally when we were approached by a young woman, we were told there would be a lengthy wait. I looked aroung at all (and I do mean all) the empty tables and ask if she was serious. She said they were only serving outside and only had one person in the kitchen. We left. This was out first and probably our last experience at Bistro Maison.

• Pros: ?????????????????
• Cons: Waited to be greeted............

05/11/09

Amazing Restaurant!

by KC110147

My husband and I had dinner at this absolutely amazing restaurant. I am still in awe of my dish: the sturgeon with mushroom sauce. Amazing!!! (I know, I am overdoing that word)....

Everything about this restaurant is wonderful: impeccable service (Portland higher end restaurants should look to the staff at Bistro Maison to learn what impeccable service involves), great and reasonably priced wines, and a remarkable variety of stunning food.

It is only the distance (we live in Vancouver, Washington) which prevents us from being regular customers.

Thank you for a wonderful dinner!

• Pros: Superb service, food and wine
• Cons: None

10/06/08

The Coq au Vin is to die for!!!

by Wineoceros

Bistro Maison offers amazingly fresh bistro fare w/ a superb and moderately priced wine list that compliments the authentic French cuisine. Deborah is a thoughtful hostess and her chef/husband Jean-Jacques is a masterful genius in the kitchen. My wife and I dine at Bistro Maison every time we are in McMinnville and are continuously impressed. The Coq au Vin is to die for!!!

• Pros: cuisine, wine list, authenticity of preparations, friendly service
• Cons: none

09/23/08

Masterful and amazing chef, no better food and wine.

by Martiniss

As resident of McMinnville, I am grateful for the excellent restaurants we have in our historic downtown area on 3rd Street. However, even in the mix of these wonderful places, Bistro Maison stands out from the rest. I am amazed that we have chef Jean Jaques Chatelard in our little town. My husband and I have been fortunate to travel rather extensively including Italy and France. The food at Bistro Maison is world class as is it's chef Jean Jaques, and proprietor Deborah. When we are dining in Portland, I constantly find myself comparing everything to the quality and taste of Bistro Maison. Not only are they amazing on a day to day basis, but if you get the opportunity you will want to attend one of their wine dinners. These are truly events where you will not forget the food and wine. No one does more thoughtful food and wine pairings than Deborah.

Our favorites are definitely any time and any way that there is halibut on the menu, and the white truffle fondue is unbelievable. If you are a fois gras fan, you will find it masterfully prepared. French fries to die for! The Creme Brulee is without doubt the best I have had anywhere. The sauces are truly unique and executed to perfection.

The staff is experienced and knowledgeable, and committed to providing you with great service.

If I sound over the top about Bistro Maison, I am. I would drive to Portland on a regular basis to eat there, but how lucky are we, we only have to walk downtown.

Be sure to make reservations on weekends.

• Pros: Amazing french food prepared by a world class chef to perfection
• Cons: Most of the time none

07/25/08

Too much pressure....

by portlandhereIcome

My boyfriend and I have been here twice and though the food is usually good, we always end up feeling uncomfortable. Even if we just want to order two entrees to keep costs down we are always pressured by the owner and waitresses to buy drinks, appetizers, a dessert... It makes me feel that though we are being cheap for only spending $40 on a meal for two. The mark-up on the wine is also very high. We bought a bottle of Pinot for $60 ( a splurge to celebrate our anniversary ) and found it in the grocery a day later for $15. I just don't like to be constantly pressured into buying more, more, more when I'm trying to have a relaxing evening with my honey. It makes me feel like I'm at a car dealership.

They also moved us around three times one time we went in to make more accommodating spots for other guests.

If you are rich and feel good about spending money on overpriced wine, I would recommend it. If you are just a normal joe who doesn't want to feel like white trash for having a budget, avoid it.

• Pros: Good bacon/cheese salad and pasta
• Cons: obnoxious owner, overpriced wine