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    Bijou Cafe

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    499 reviews
    #50 of 664 Restaurants in Sarasota
    $$$$, French, American, International
    1287 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236-5507
    +1 941-366-8111
    Website
    Menu
    Closes in 27 min:11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
    All photos (63)
    All photos (63)
    Certificate of Excellence
    Reserve a Table
    Wed, 1/23
    8:00 PM
    2

    Ratings and reviews

    4.5 499 reviews
    #50 of 664 Restaurants in Sarasota, Florida
    Certificate of Excellence2015 - 2018 Winner
    RATINGS
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere

    Food and ambience

    Location and contact

    1287 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236-5507
    5.0 miles from Siesta Beach
    Website
    Email
    +1 941-366-8111

    Menu

    SOUPS, SALADS, AND STARTERS‎
    cup $5.00
    bowl $6.00
    soups du jour
    hot and chilled
    cup $6.00
    bowl $8.00
    shrimp and crab bisque
    $8.00
    trio of soups
    $9.00
    grilled chicken $15.00
    shrimp $16.00
    fresh fish $market
    ceasar salad
    our version of the classic recipe
    $19.00
    black and bleu
    Blackened filet of beef, maytag bleu cheese, Neuske's bacon, red onion, arugula, herbed evoo
    $9.00
    moroccan salad
    fresh‎ florida citrus, dates, almonds and apples, balsamic vinaigrette
    $15.00
    southern fried chicken
    salad with bacon, tomato, pecans, dried cherries, fried onions and buttermilk ranch dressing
    $12.00
    beet and arugula
    with goat cheese, red onions, croutons and white balsamic vinaigrette
    $16.00
    molly's cobb
    chicken , tomatoes, onions, avocado, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, point reyes bleu, dijon vinaigrette
    $17.00
    chopped mediterranean salad
    grilled lamb, romaine, feta, olives, artichokes, onion, cucumber, croutons, sun-dried tomatoes, herb vinaigrette
    SANDWICHES‎
    $14.00
    gravlax smorrebrod
    open faced marble rye, house cured salmon with horseradish sour cream cheese spread, shaved radish, onions, capers. served with a petite caesar salad
    $12.00
    pesto chicken salad
    pulled roast chicken with house made pesto dressing, and arugula, on a croissant
    $12.00
    wild mushroom and gruyère grilled cheese
    shitakes and creminis, creamy gruyère, semolina bread, petite caesar salad or pommes frites
    $12.00
    bijou burger
    our special blend of ground brisket and chuck, char-grilled and topped with your choice of cheese, served with petite caesar salad or pommes frites
    $13.00
    pulled roast duck
    maple farms roasted duck on ciabatta bread with melted brie and mango chutney. served with petite caesar salad or pommes frites
    $12.00
    open face grilled veggie
    red and green peppers, eggplant, onions, portabella, tomato and squash on warm goat cheese focaccia with herbed aioli on the side, with petite caesar salad or pommes frites
    ENTREES‎
    $14.00
    spinach and roasted tomato capellini
    olive oil, sautéed spinach, roasted garlic and tomatoes, basil, grana padana
    $14.00
    chicken paillard
    organic chicken breast, sautéed in olive oil and garlic with roasted mediterranean vegetables and sautéed spinach, finished with lemon and butter
    $17.00
    seasonal salmon
    Grilled,‎ tarragon compound butter atop watercress, tomato and onion salad mkt price “braaivleis” South-African sausage grilled house made “boerewors” or farmer’s sausage, served with south african style grits, chutney and grilled tomato
    $18.00
    bijou crab cakes
    lump crab, pan fried and served with creole remoulade and petite caesar salad or pommes frites
    $18.00
    yellowfin tuna (rare)
    chayote,‎ carrot and lime salad, wonton crisps, orange-ginger emulsion, red chile oil
    market fish
    seasonal and sustainable species; presentation and price change daily
    $market
    spa style fish du jour
    today’s fish, steamed or poached, served with steam veggies. gluten free, fat free, local!
    $18.00
    shrimp piri piri
    American-harvested‎ shrimp with a spicy sauce of lemon, garlic, cayenne, with South African style grits
    $16.00
    jambalaya
    hearty cajun style gumbo/stew of chicken, ham, sausage, shrimp and rice and gumbo file
    sm $9.00
    lg $11.00
    pommes gratin dauphinois
    no visit to the bijou is complete without a taste of these delectable potatoes. smothered in cream with a hint of garlic, baked to a bubbling golden brown with gruyere cheese.
    Show full menu
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    About
    Fine dining in the heart of Sarasota's theatre and arts district since 1986. We are proud to offer a seasonal menu with an emphasis on fresh local produce and sustainable, abundant seafood.
    PRICE RANGE
    $25 - $50
    Special Diets
    Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
    Meals
    Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night
    CUISINES
    French, American, International
    FEATURES
    Takeout, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Valet Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover
    Reviews (499)
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    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews duck shrimp and crab bisque shrimp piri piri vichyssoise cold soup salad strip steak pate soups creme brulee trout stuffing filet mignon potatoes bread seafood burger
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    1 - 10 of 497 reviews
    Reviewed yesterday
    Excellent dinner

    We had a lovely dinner at the Bijou Cafe. The food, service and ambience were all excellent. It was our best meal in Sarasota.

    Date of visit: January 2019
    Thank Rich-Stamford
    Reviewed 6 days ago via mobile
    Classic

    Still humming classic restaurant with cozy bar with just four tables. Bigger dining room. Delicious house cured salmon. Perfect rack of lamb and filet. Fresh vegetables. Intimate, professional and filled with locals.

    Date of visit: January 2019
    Thank wsdoyle
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 5 days ago

    Thank you wsdoyle. We are so grateful that after 33 years we are "still humming"! Thanks to the locals and visitors, thanks to our loyal and professional staff and thanks to our beautiful city of Sarasota.

    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    Dinner

    I have to say that for such a lovely restaurant, with an excellent waiter and great location, the food was mediocre. I had the crab cakes on the appetizer and the crab cakes were soggy and lacking in flavor. My date had the fresh fish...More

    Date of visit: January 2019
    Thank julie b
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 4 days ago

    So sorry we couldn't please you. We try hard to please everyone and most of the time we do. I'm sure you'll find some place you like!

    Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
    Always a pleasure!

    We were three and we dined in the small front room off the reception area. The Caesar salad us always good, the soup of the day excellent, and the trout delectable. Service was attentive, but not too much or too little. A gem in Sarasota!

    Date of visit: December 2018
    Thank Bi-coaster
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

    Thank you for the kind words. Looking forward to your next visit!

    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Good after theater spot for dinner

    My friends like Bijou for its proximity to Florida Studio Theater and valet parking for a person with walking difficulties. We had a reservation for its opening at 5. I had liked what I saw online for the happy hour menu. Unfortunately, it is only...More

    Date of visit: December 2018
    Thank beachqueen2225
    Reviewed 5 weeks ago
    Third trip to this restaurant over a period of 7 years

    The food is very good, but the restaurant website advertises valet parking for lunch and dinner at their website, as well as gives instructions for a lot nearby; also says lots of spots on the street, but not so in snowbird season. Beware of the...More

    Date of visit: December 2018
    Thank Lynn G
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 4 weeks ago

    Thank you Lynn G for your review. You make it sound as if getting here is difficult when in fact it is really very easy. No streets are closed and the city has been very co-operative by providing signage for all business's affected by construction....More

    Reviewed December 12, 2018 via mobile
    Unfortunately Unimpressed but Pretty Inside

    I thought this was going to be very special but it didn't really work for me or my husband. The food was bland, service not bad, very pretty inside and clean but I just did not feel the real French food vibe. I have been...More

    Date of visit: December 2018
    1  Thank ddavis1212
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded December 13, 2018

    Thank you DDavis for taking the time to review the Bijou Cafe. Sorry we didn't live up to your standards. After visiting all the "French spots" in town you do realize the Bijou Cafe has been here longer than all of the others? And yes...More

    Reviewed December 12, 2018 via mobile
    Top of the line!

    The culinary experience at its best. Attentive staff, beautiful decor and excellent French food. French onion soup and crab cakes were terrific. Will return next trip to Sarasota!

    Date of visit: December 2018
    1  Thank John D
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded December 13, 2018

    Thank you John D. We appreciate your kind words and also look forward to seeing you again.

    Reviewed December 9, 2018
    A wonderful downtown dining option

    Bijou has been here a long time and there is a reason for it. The food is terrific, the room lovely and the staff attentive without being over-bearing. If you tell them you are headed to the theatre, they will make sure you are finished...More

    Date of visit: December 2018
    1  Thank Ed T
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded December 10, 2018

    Thank you Ed T. Indeed the Bijou Cafe has been in business since 1986! With our proximity to the area theaters it has always been a priority to get our guests well fed and on to the show in time!

    Reviewed December 2, 2018
    Beautiful and Tasty

    As you walk inside the restaurant, you get an immediate impression of being in a very posh, upscale place. Every table is beautifully set on a white table cloth with nice silverware and linen napkins. The staff look very professional, they are courteous and attentive....More

    Date of visit: July 2018
    1  Thank Luv2Tour2
    JPSarasotafla, Owner at Bijou Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded December 3, 2018

    Thank you for the great review of the Bijou Cafe. We appreciate the kind words and hope to see you again soon.

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    Questions & Answers
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    685larryj
    December 25, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from John D | Reviewed this property |
    6:15 pm
    0
    Votes
    Odyssey579810
    September 23, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 2 answers
    Response from JPSarasotafla | Property representative |
    Yes we do have a very modest dress code. We do not require jackets and ties and call our dress code smart casual or resort casual. Dress shorts are fine but cut-offs are not. Tank tops on men and baseball caps are also not... More
    0
    Votes
    RonC237
    August 25, 2018|
    Answer
    Response from JPSarasotafla | Property representative |
    Actually the Bijou cafe is closed on Sundays so our staff can have a day off to enjoy with their families. We do have Happy Hour Monday thru Saturday from 5:00 until 6:30 so please plan on joining us!
    0
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