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Nestled in the heart of California’s Central
Valley in the quiet little town of Turlock lies a bistro that
is out of this world. They call it Bistro 234 and I call it extraordinary!
From the moment I stepped through the door I
was in awe. The interior design is much like something you would
expect to find in San Francisco or New York. Burnt orange, radiant
blues, and mustard colors are incorporated into the contemporary
theme not only as wall colors but as vases, window treatments,
ceramic tiles, and artwork. Copper tables and chairs, which were
handmade by a family friend, a copper bar, an open beam ceiling,
and a wait staff dressed entirely in black help to accent the
theme.
The French/American menu offers something for
everyone from overflowing salads, daily pasta and soup specials,
and gourmet sandwiches to one of the greatest hamburgers I’ve
ever tasted. When I asked Chef Leroy about the menu he said “my
passion lies in making the menu interesting, we do that here at
Bistro 234 by changing the menu seasonally, we’ve found
that it keeps our patrons coming back for more, never being bored
with what we have to offer.”
Having enjoyed my lunch so much, I knew I had
to see the dessert menu. Lexy, my waitress, informed me that Bistro
234’s specialty is the Diana Torte, a combination of vanilla
ice cream, See’s Victoria Toffee, chocolate, and whipped
cream. It was absolutely delightful, a great way to end my meal.
Upon receiving my bill I also received a flyer
indicating there are wine tastings on the first Wednesday of each
month. Interestingly enough, I had reviewed the rather extensive
wine list during lunch and there were several I wouldn’t
mind trying. I called my friend Stacey and she agreed to accompany
me.
We arrived at the tasting not really sure of
what to expect, good food is one thing but a well organized and
professional tasting is another, let it be known I was pleasantly
surprised! This month’s tasting featured wines from the
Australian Outback and consisted of five flights beginning with
a dry white continuing through to a heavy red.
We decided to stay for dinner, which was an experience
in itself, and an entirely different letter!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Duarte
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