BL Brasserie (formerly Bistro Laurent) — Restaurant in Paso Robles

The manager/sommelier at BL Brasserie was kind enough to accommodate me last minute for a seat at the bar on a surprisingly busy Tuesday evening in May.

I sat at the bar, enjoying the people watching and the busyness of the serving staff.

I was so delighted by the authentic, delicious French bistro food I enjoyed. I started with lobster bisque - sweet, buttery and rich with lobster flavor and pieces. My entree was a perfectly cooked hanger steak with a side of frites. I sipped a lovely 2016 Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape with dinner.

I was so full from my soup and entree that I opted out of dessert, but, next time, I'll make sure I don't.

I have two small complaints:

Staff was rather aloof. It was a busy night and I know so many places are short staffed due to the pandemic. It wasn't enough to deter me from not visiting again. I just like to feel welcome and I felt more like a burden despite trying to hit it off with folks and spending a decent amount of money for a solo diner.

I saw management and many staff members not wearing masks while mask mandates were still in place for SLO. This means you had to wear a mask inside unless you are eating and drinking. These employees were doing neither. They'd often take their masks off to talk to customers, letting their masks dangle off their chins in a tacky way. I found it bothersome that they would potentially risk their customer's health - and their own - let alone violate the mandate policy. Not a good look. Luckily they were far away from me and did not engage with me without their masks on.

I felt safer and more welcome at Les Petites Canailles (where I have eaten twice now as a visitor to Paso Robles), but, the food at BL Brasserie was delicious, authentic, and the experience of Chef Laurent truly shows.

I'd give it another try in the future. But, it might have to wait until I can be guaranteed a table outside, or we're further out of this...

The food here overall is pretty good. I had fish of the day and hubby had top sirloin with pomme fries. We were both really happy with our food and sides. My mom ordered the leek and potato soup, which came lukewarm and she was very unhappy with it. Not ONCE someone came to ask how things were. The service in this place was shameful. I don't remember having had such a terrible service in my entire life, and let's say I have been to places all around the world. I came with a newborn and a 2 year old. Ok, I was passing by the city and didn't know this place was small and intimate, and probably not the best choice to come with kids, but my kids were silent as a grave. There was one time the baby started having colics, but I immediately took her out of the room, nobody heard a sound then. I'm always super concerned about not disturbing anyone . However, the mere fact that I was there with children was enough for people to look at me judgementally and with clear unhappy expressions. The person next to us asked to be moved. Again, my kids did not make a sound. They were simply there. I can't imagine a reason for that except that these are simply evil people who certainly don't get much love in their lives. That aside, the service seemed to follow the same unwelcoming feeling. They never once offered bread to us, even though my mom had soup. Everybody else had breads on their tables. They took forever to take out order and never showed up until we actively called for them for desert. Not even to pour some more water. I never felt so unwelcomed in my entire life. The whole experience was awful. The staff clearly did not want us there and I swear that I am a very sensible person. They did not want my very well behaved kids. That's all. What a horrible feeling to have. I will never come back to this place, nor will I recommend it to anyone...

We’ve been twice now and we cannot wait to try everything this magnifique restaurant has to offer.

The front of house manager is amazingly professional, and accommodating. The second time we went down we were going to a concert at the Paso Robles amphitheater. They were fully booked but I was able to be put on a wait list. Rather than rush or push me along she took the time to explain that Tuesdays most restaurants are closed in the area so they are extra busy. By a stroke of luck there was a table that double booked and we were called in. We ordered the special a pumpkin and porcini mushroom soup that warmed our hearts and inspired us for thanksgiving. I enjoyed the roasted free range chicken which sat in the most wonderful broth that as you cut into it, added lovely juices to a notoriously dry bird otherwise. The skin was beautifully broiled and crisp and the dish is visually classic and perfectly executed by Chef Laurent. I included our previous trip where we were charmed by the warm service, romantic lighting, and lovely music that was a perfect cap from a day of wine tasting. There photo’d is the Sautéed Salmon with Braised Lentils, which was creamy and light , with the salmon cooked perfectly with a lot of respect to the deceased dish. My date ordered the Crispy Crab Risotto with Sautéed Shrimp. As you look at the dish across the table you’ll notice the beautiful technique of making the risotto as a round medallion which was a crisped nicely and made a wonderful plateau to the shrimps atop.

The wine by the glass has a lot of classic selections of well concise selections. I hope whoever reads this from the restaurant knows two main ingredients that make this magical , the front of the house manager and...