Barbara’s Bits and Bites: Parisian-themed bistros ideal romantic settings
Love is in the air this week, as Valentine’s Day is upon us. So why not opt for a romantic casual meal at one of the two Parisian-themed bistros I recently visited: Moulin Bistro and Pandor Bakery and Café, both in Newport Beach.
Moulin Bistro, 1000 N. Bristol St., opened in September, where the old Pascal’s used to be in my neck of the woods, Santa Ana Heights.
On its website it says the mission of the restaurant is to make guests “feel as if they have been transported to Paris with an emphasis on authenticity from the food and drink to the décor and ambience.”
With that in mind I headed to lunch with my doggy, Stasha, since the patio is pet -friendly.
Heading over to the large display counter complete with the day’s food offerings, there was so much to choose from. Everything looked wonderful.
Items on the breakfast menu, “Le petit dejeuner,” include Les Tartines, $6, which is fresh bread, grilled or plain, butter and jam, and Le Pain Perdu, which is French toast with orange butter and fruit, for $9.
I’m an omelet fan, and Moulin serves them from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Priced between $10 and $12, choose among interesting combos, such as herbs, mixed veggies, bacon, onions and more.
Try their L’Omelette Moulin, $12, featuring roasted chicken with herbs and mushrooms.
They also offer more traditional French dishes, including Le Croque Monsieur, $10, made with ham, emmental, butter and Béchamel, a white wine sauce, and Le Croque Madame, $11, which is the Monsieur with an egg on top.
There are crepes filled with sugar, lemon and bananas, and more, that range from $5 to $11.
Save room for dessert. The display case was full of yummy pastries, including eclairs and napoleons.
Moulin holds Tuesday chef’s dinners starting at 7 p.m. A three-course, authentic French dinner is offered at a fixed price, $25, which includes an appetizer, chef’s specialty, bread and pastries.
They offer affordable regional French wines by the glass and bottle. There’s limited seating for the dinners so reservations are a must, and they are having a special dinner Valentine’s Day.
Pandor Bakery and Cafe
Next on my French bistro list was Pandor Bakery and Café in the Westcliff Shopping Center, 1126 Irvine Ave.
They too have outdoor, pet-friendly seating. The food here was equally good.
On its website, it says “Pandor Bakery is truly a slice from Paris,” and they fly in their master baker and pastry chefs from Paris to guarantee an authentic product.
The name, Pandor, was inspired by the French words for golden bread, “Pain d’Or,” and celebrates the true art of French baking, according to the website.
And you might have already tasted some of their breads and baked goods as their wholesale counterpart, RTR Bakery, supplies restaurants and hotels in the area, including The Winery Restaurant, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Montage Laguna Beach, St. Regis Monarch Beach and the Balboa Bay Club.
As I entered Pandor the aroma of freshly baked bread permeated the air.
Visitors can order items from the display counter or from the menu boards on the wall. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and sweet treats are offered, and they have some unique items.
For breakfast try the Eggs & Beans, eggs over Egyptian bean stew with baby arugula and Parmesan, $8.95, or the Nutella French Toast, $7.95, served with mixed berries and whipped cream.
Omelet selections include Ratatouille Omelet, $9.95, Ratatouille Provencal and cheddar cheese, as well as the Farmer’s Omelet, $9.75, made with sauteed spinach, mushrooms, goat cheese and garlic.
For lunch I tried the Grilled Vegetable Pressed Panini, $8.95, with zucchini, Italian eggplant, roasted bell peppers, local goat cheese and pesto. It was yummy.
The Spicy Chicken Panini with Harrissa mayonnaise and Swiss cheese, $8.95, also looked like a good choice.
Salad offerings include Baby Spinach Turkey Salad, $9.95, with mushrooms, baby frise, smoked turkey, red onions and Niman Ranch apple wood smoked bacon, chopped eggs, pine nuts and bacon dressing, served with bread toasted daily.
There’s also the California Fattoush Salad, $10.95, Rigla lettuce, pomegranate, feta cheese, romaine hearts, fried eggplant, tomatoes, scallions, mint, parsley, bell pepper, cucumber, croutons, sumac, red radishes, preserved lemon, crushed garlic olive oil and vinegar dressing, also served with toasted bread.
I’m a quiche fan, and the Quiche Lorraine with leeks, bacon and cheese was quite good. There’s also Quiche Florentine, $8.95, made with goat cheese and spinach.
Moulin and Pandor both offer take out, which might be another great idea for those romantics planning an intimate time at home Valentine’s night.
BARBARA VENEZIA lives in Newport Beach. She can be reached at [email protected].