Jack: 280 notyettjillian stars

Jack Bistro opened on University Place on Monday. It is a small room, formerly Lemongrass Grill, decorated in the now standard French bistro manner. There is a short menu of pretty typical American French bistro fare and a wine list of about 40 offerings of white and 40 red, in the $30-$60 range.

This was a first try trip, so Wife and I just popped in for a quick bite at the bar. For wine I chose a glass of what Tom, the congenial barman, described as a Rhone blend from Spain. Way overextracted and bomby, it mostly went undrunk.

For food we:

Split a Moules with fennel cream sauce in the appetizer size. It actually came after the other food, but that was ok because I said we would take the dishes as they came. Although all the mussels had opened a slight bit, the meats were not quite cooked to our preferences so we sent them back for a couple more minutes in the pan. On there second coming they were nice. The menu mentions that Monday is all-you-can-eat moules night.

We also ordered the Fondue. Called a “classic…Emmenthal fondue,” it somehow tasted strongly of green olives. I am not sure why or how, or even if it was intended or pleasing, but it was interesting. It was served in a small cast-iron pot over a tea light, and had yellow and green zucchini, grape tomatoes, carrots, and dry bread for dipping.

Croque Américaine was our third choice for sampling. Certified Angus hamburger on Parker House roll, salad, frites. If you want fries order them as a side in addition to as this offers a scant serving. Same for the salad. The burger was served medium rare, a feat in itself these days, and the cheese choices were cool, Brie, Emmenthal, cheddar, bleu, and on, but this is not a special burger.

It is too close to my house, too early to judge, and pretty cheap by neighborhood standards, so I may go back again for a second look, but I won’t do it enthusiastically.

Comments

[falconred]

This place is also right by my house, and I pass by that corner almost daily. Although I haven't yet eaten there, I've peeked inside, and am I wrong in saying the decor is really boring? It looked kind of like a tarted-up diner.

[Leland]

Thanks for letting us know that this place is mediocre. I live across the street and, though the soft light attracts me, I'll save my money to eat somewhere else. I also resent their middle-of-the-night construction keeping me awake for the last few months.

[Dashiell]

I live a block away from Jack's Bistro, like everyone else in the area, I so wanted Jack's to be good and it just wasn't. The service was slow, the food was not bad, just not good.

[Ray Landers]

I actually found the food to be excellent, and the atmosphere really nice.

Saturday nights at 9:30 they now have a jazz trio which does a find job of providing music without being over-bearing, but not corny background either.

[tihopilik]

Hello

I can't be bothered with anything these days, but shrug. I just don't have anything to say recently.


Bye