A Night at Bijan's
Recently, I decided to try out the eclectic menu at Bijan's Bistro. From waffles to escargot and nearly everything in-between, I was excited to see what the hype I had heard was all about. Located in River North, this is a great neighbourhood restaurant with friendly service. The kitchen is open late (2-3am depending on the day) and the bar even later. This is a place you can often find people coming to for quality food at the end of a night out.
Having tried a few different dishes off the menu, I felt like I got a pretty comprehensive Idea of what Bijan's had to offer. So let's dive in! Here is what I tried, things I enjoyed, and recommendations for your visit to Bijan's Bistro.
The meal started off with two different appetizers: Spinach-Artichoke Dip with toasted lavash and Roasted Beet & Burrata Salad with fennel, orange, arugula, and apple cider vinaigrette. I am not the biggest fan of artichoke, but let me tell you this dip was amazing. Probably one of my favorite dishes of the night. If I had to pick between the two apps we tried, the dip would be the winner. Served with crispy lavash to dip in, this is most certainly a dish that I will order again in the future.
Next we transitioned over to the main courses of which I tried the Rigatoni and Sausage, Baltimore Crab Cakes, and Bijan's Lamb Chops with grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. The Rigatoni was as to be expected from your standard pasta dish. I'd classify it as comfort food for the soul, rich with flavor, but nothing complex. The Baltimore Crab Cakes were another one of my personal favorites. Cooked to perfection with a side of healthy glazed carrots. The crab cakes had a crispy outside with a soft and flavorful mix of crab and veggies on the inside. Yet again, Bijan had taken a dish I was not normally a fan of and converted me. Rounding out the night, I sampled the lamb chops which much like the crab cakes did not disappoint.
Overall, I was very satisfied by my visit to Bijan's Bistro. To friends I'd recommend it a 7.5/10 to try next time they are in the Rivernorth area. If you have been to Bijan's and have a favorite dish let me know what you liked most in the comments below!