May, 2007

Rating : 10 out of 10

Tariff : Dinner for 2

• 2 entrees
• 1 margarita
• tip
• $55

Atmosphere

As we strolled across the Insurgentes Bridge over the Cuale River, we turned down a flight of stairs onto the Isla Rio Cuale, a long narrow island in the river, with its restaurants, shops, vendors, and gardens. The elegant entrance to Le Bistro Jazz Cafe was beckoning with sensual jazz music (unfortunately not live on this particular occasion), an attractive reception area, and in its window hung large round glass discs dotted with convex lenses--the first taste of the unique decor within. Just inside, the eclectic decor transports diners to a romantic yet somehow other worldly environment. You become lost in the surroundings--flowing drapes here and there, statuary, enormous tropical plants, stone balls in various sizes as if borrowed from a modern sculpture garden. Boundaries between the indoor and outdoor seat are blurred. The building seems to be circular--a round central room with domed ceiling; that room is encircled, at least part way, with a lounge of comfortable wicker chairs and small tables. In the lounge and lobby the arched ceilings are painted with blue sky and clouds. Off one side of that lounge is a huge, open dining porch overlooking the river and covered partly with a high ceiling and hanging lamps with fans, partly with glass panels, and partly with a canopy along the outer edge which is lined with rows of tiny white lights. Between the mood lighting, the evening air, and sitting down below street level under huge shady trees with vines and next to jungle foliage, patrons can't help but be enchanted. Over the railing smooth rocks can be seen poking up out of the shallow river next to a pebble beach and row of magnificent town homes.

Service

Service is impeccable--professional waiters are attired in white shirts, ties, and long white aprons. They are solicitous but not bothersome, hovering nearby in case anything is needed.

Food & Drinks

Several fancy mixed drinks are featured and there is a wine selection as well. The menu is French Fusion in that there is at least a page of lovely French dishes like escargots, crepes, and filet mignon, some using local ingredients. Then there is a page of Mexican specialties from traditional tortilla soup to a combination platter. We chose from these. I tried the shrimp and squid sautéed in guajillo butter over corn. At the base was a firm grilled cornmeal cake shaped like a patty, over which the tender, buttery squid and shrimp were served. The dish was garnished with lots of fresh cress. My partner had the Mexican platter which featured several good sized slices of beef marinated and grilled tampiquena style, a small taco, a cheese quesadilla, a goat cheese enchilada with sauce and crumbled fresh cheese garnish, refried beans, and a cup-shaped dome of rice dotted with tiny bits of carrot and wild rice grains. The tender beef and the colorful rice stood out most, but all the offerings were tasty.

Dessert

Sadly we didn't have room to order dessert, but the chocolate crepes sounded scrumptious!

Le Bistro Jazz Café
Isla Rio Cuale Local 16-A
Telephone: 52 + (322) 222 0283, 52 + (322) 223 1084
lebistro@lebistro.com.mx