Anyone that likes B. Christopher’s but not necessarily its prices will love B’s Bistro. An affiliate of B. Christopher’s, started in early 2007, B’s Bistro offers a similar menu to B. Christopher’s without the hefty dent in one’s wallet.

B’s Bistro is located right next door to B. Christopher’s, but it presents a more casual atmosphere. It is designed to represent a European pub, with only about 20 seats in the restaurant, but it offers a full bar. It also doubles as a late-night lounge, with live entertainment on the weekends.

The menu is unlike any other in Burlington. It combines different treats from all over Europe, including a Mediterranean olive and pickle tray and a Charcuterie Duo appetizer which includes boar and rabbit sausages with different mustards and a bleu cheese coleslaw.

The dinner menu includes appetizers, soups and salads, flat bread pizzas, pastas and main courses, including mussels, steak and frites [fries]. It also features a great kids’ menu.

For my appetizer, I had the Spinach Salad, a combo of spinach, egg, bacon and toasted almonds in bacon vinaigrette. This salad was amazing, one of the few good salads in the area. It was small and definitely not enough for a full meal; however it only cost $4.95.

For my meal, I had the Guinness beer battered Fish n’ Chips. This was white fish with a beer batter covering and skinny French fries. These were excellent. The fish was perfectly cooked and the fries were deliciously crunchy and salty. This was a generous serving of fish and I could barely finish it all, but it was only $12 and more than worth the price.

My friends ordered the steak and frites and the Coq au Vin Rouge, which is chicken in a red wine sauce. They both raved about their meals. The chicken dish came with mushrooms and potatoes and the steak and frites came with the same fries I had for my fish n’ chips. Both of their meals were under $20 as well.

The food is as good as B. Christopher’s, but it is affordable so students don’t have to save it until parents come to visit. The dress is casual, which easily makes it my favorite restaurant in Burlington. With a full bar available, you can have a glass of wine and dinner for only $20. They also offer a similar lunch menu, featuring select omelettes and quiches. B’s Bistro deserves five stars.

Reviewer: Emilie Gitlitz - 03/08/07