Bistr09 — Restaurant in Alamo Heights

Ever since Damien opened this restaurant, I have had a five star experience on all levels. They have never made a single mistake, and I eat there about twice per month. My favorites: shrimp tempura (3 large), Bibb salad, fresh flown-in Dover Sole, and the ultimate crème brûlée. I am shocked when I do not see a five star review for Bistr09. The artwork is spectacular and made by the chef himself. The art rotates around the restaurant every now and then, so the atmosphere never gets dull. When the indoor dining room gets packed, it can get loud. If you eat early like at 6pm, you’ll have a quieter and more intimate atmosphere. My best tip: always tip in cash even if you’re dining somewhere else. The staff works hard and aims to please, and this is a place where I’ve never left less than 20% on tip. Like I said in the beginning, they don’t make mistakes. Another tip: order some frites for the table and some bread with extra butter to start off your experience. Try something you’ve never had before because it’s going to surprise you how great it tastes. Portion size is perfectly balanced whether it’s an appetizer or a main course. What’s really nice is the fact that the people working there are all in a good mood. This place has outstanding food, unquestionably great service, and your choice of atmosphere. When the weather is nice, the outdoor dining section is very cozy. The bar area (they open at 4pm Mon-Sat) is vibrant and colorful. And if you just want one or two glasses, the house wine is extremely good for the price. If you have a large party, then obviously ordering bottles makes more sense. I would be devastated if this restaurant ever closed down. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been to Bistr09, but I can tell you once isn’t enough. I don’t like shrimp, but I will eat them at B09. I don’t like snails, but I’ll eat them at B09. I thought I only liked salmon until I tried their special Dover Sole. I’ve never had an oyster, but if I were to try one then it would be at B09. They also do an awesome job at celebrating birthdays and honoring your special requests—which can be filled out when you book your reservation. I do recommend making your reservation through their website. Make sure to check their special event calendar. Sometimes they do things like celebrate National Pizza Day. I love the fact that I can have Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and many other special days. You think homemade turkey is good? Wait until you try the turkey wellington over the winter holidays and realize you cleaned your plate and don’t have to clean up your own kitchen. This place is a unicorn. From the guy who started Paul Mitchell: “you know you’re living the good life when you’re ordering off the left side of the menu”. He is absolutely right. Order what you want to eat and don’t look at the price. This isn’t about getting a discount. Bistr09 is all about fine dining and epicurean delight with friendly service from a team of professionals in the food industry. If you’re worried about the price tag, then simply drink some water. We all know any place with a bar and food makes money on the bar and pretty much loses money on the food. Some people might think it’s crazy that Dover Sole for $58, which costs more than the steak & frites, but you have to think about the fact that the fish is flown in fresh. I just had an epiphany. The reason this place is a unicorn is because it always starts off like you’re getting a hot towel from a luxury spa and the dessert is like having an outdoor hot rock massage. By the time you get the check, you’ll be saying to yourself “that was totally worth it!” If you need to make your meal go quickly, just simply ask your server. If you want to slow things down so you can have deeper conversations, just tell your server. Like I said, they aim to please. If I ask for a soda with three cherries and no ice, then that’s exactly what shows up. I believe the reason why the atmosphere feels good no matter where you sit is that it...

Unfortunately my friend and I did not like the food that was served at all BUT our server John and the ambiance was easily 5/5 stars. Maybe we went wrong with restaurant week menu but the food shouldn't be bad if they're trying to gain coverage. We went on a Tuesday evening. First of all, the restaurant menu changed from what was posted online. I got the halibut cheeks and according to John, they were one of the best things on the menu with the consistency like scallops. When I got the two halibut cheeks the presentation was beautiful. However, it was like fish cakes with crumbling fish, room temperature. My partner got escargot, which was average but not special. She said they lacked seasini despite being filled with a pesto -esk sauce.

I ordered the hanger steak with fries as my main course and came out with seven small pieces that were way under medium well and burned to a crisp on the outside see pictures an overwhelming peppercorn sauce all over everything dominated any meat taste. The fries were good, in all fairness. My friend wanted the advertised restaurant week lamb chops but it was removed from the menu replaced with a curried lamb shank, which was easily the highlight of the evening.

Both my partners desserts and mine were pretty bad misses. First of all, they brought out the wrong dessert, a lemon tarte, for my dining partner and then when they brought out the chocolate mousse. It was more like chocolate frosting. There was no air in it and it was not fluffy in the least. It was dense and thick. We asked the server about it and he apologized. My peach cobbler was cold and had two peach halves, some syrup and a baked crumble on top. No effort to cut the peaches or warm up! There was no effort to even cut up the peaches which left me highly confused. The peach was hard not raw but not cooked. Needed a knife. It was the most bizarre dining experience I had in...

We went to Bistro09 for an early dinner before a concert. It's tucked away in a quaint shopping center right off Broadway. The parking lot is not very big, and neither is the dining area. The cozy dining area, along with the exceptional food, provides an authentic French-style restaurant feel to Bistro09. The staff was phenomenal from the moment we walked in the door, and we picked a table across from the bar. The menu has quite a few choices, some are regularly on the menu and others seemed to be weekly/daily specials. The dirty martini was on point, as was the fresh, warm bread we were served before our appetizers. To start, we ordered the melon and prosciutto appetizer, and it was fantastic. The pairing seemed odd at first, but the thinly sliced and very fresh melon and prosciutto made for an amazing flavor combination. My dinner companion ordered the Scallops and Risotto, which which was not a normal menu selection, and I ordered the Pork Scallopini Picatta from the menu. The scallops were cooked to perfection and came in a delicious sauce, alongside the risotto and some asparagus. The pork I ordered was tender and dressed with a white wine sauce and some capers, and came with some veggies and buttered noodles. It was 10 out of 10 delectable. On the side we ordered some Potato Au Gratin. This side dish was decadent, and the richness of traditional French preparation came through in the best way. Lastly, we chose the caramel apple tart with ice cream and berries. The dessert was the perfect blend of sweet and savory, and a perfectly delicate ending to our epicurean experience. The food and the vibes at Bistro09 are phenomenal, as is the atmosphere. We loved the extravagant and ornate artwork on display. I would definitely return here and have recommended Bistro09 to several friends. I look forward to trying other options on the...