Bistro 1491 Awards

Bistro 1491 Restaurant Review:

Sunny, airy Bistro 1491 is a magnet for locals in the know: you're likely to see a few first dates, family gatherings and work-related tête-à-têtes unfolding over croissants, steak sandwiches, Caesar salad and salmon in this pretty but unpretentious space. Breakfast, lunch and dinner entrées sound standard, but the secret is in the subtext: subtle East-West fusions and Asian-inspired ingredients electrify American favorites, which were already favorites for good reason. Crispy tofu patties adorn hollandaise-sauced eggs Benedict. Crunchy-outside, soft-inside golden tofu "frites" make good companions to short rib-and-shrimp surf ‘n’ turf quesadillas, or braised duck hash with shiitake mushrooms. In the name of gourmet grandmas everywhere, what says "comfort food" more eloquently than Ghirardelli chocolate french toast, dark chocolate-and-banana pancakes, poached pear salad or buttermilk-fried chicken with bell pepper mac ‘n’ cheese? Pluses include early-bird specials, a commitment to sustainability, free-range poultry and eggs, and Niman Ranch beef. A special children's menu includes bacon-cheese scrambles, three-cheese quesadillas and more.