Bigelo’s Bistro: Like Hot Chocolate in a Snowstorm
Editor | Oct 15, 2009 | Comments 0
The dining room at Bigelo's Bistro.
story by Jesse Gernigin
photos by Christian Mayberry
Bigelo’s Bistro’s ambience is akin to the calm warm one feels when resting in front of a fire place, at night, during a snowstorm, with hot chocolate. Although that comment lays it on a bit thick, I think it’s entirely true.
Bigelo’s Bistro is a local lunch and dinner venue (sorry early birds, no breakfast) where locals, court folks, and SIUE students make their way for either a quick lunch or relaxing dinner. Bigelo’s is located on main street, across the way from the court house, right between Aroma Cafe and Mojo’s Music.
Walking into Bigelo’s you realize right away that no space is spared. Everything is snug, but manages to maintain a comfortable distance from claustrophobia. The main dining floor sits a good number of tables along with a smaller, more intimate section in the adjacent bar area where one can find half price wine after six on week nights. The ceilings are high inside the building and do well to stifle what would normally be an echo problem. Bigelo’s inside is comfortable, sporting an ambience that exudes a warmth akin to being fed directly from your friend’s kitchen. Although I doubt your friends would serve you expertly prepared barbeque chicken pizzas whose dough is just the right consistency of chewy and crunchy with just enough yeasty taste to offset the sweetness of barbeque sauce.
Pizza not your thing? Well your missing out! However Bigelo’s also serves a whole bevy of plates. If pasta is your thing, try their gorgonzola chicken pasta. It is filled with tender grilled chicken, mixed with a rich and creamy gorgonzola sauce all over a bed of noodles (be prepared for the doggie bag, you’ll be taking part of it home with you). Not a fan of heavy sauces with your pasta? Bigelo’s can cover that as well.
On the lunch side of the menu, check out the sandwiches. I can actually say I have had every sandwich on the menu (and most of the specials as well) and that every one comes out quickly and prepared just right. My favorite sandwich teeters back and forth between the King of Clubs and the Gentleman’s Club. They are both wonderful sandwiches that are filling, but leave you feeling light when finished. Every sandwich comes with a side too, so you can get an order of waffle fries that puts the Chick-Fil-A to shame or (and this is my suggestion) an amazing side of homemade potato chips. I’ve had a lot of home made potato chips in my travels across the country, and very few get the balance of crispy, salty, and chewy right, Bigelo’s does.
Need a drink? They’ve got you more than covered. Bigelo’s sports a full bar with great beers on draft (reminding us to work our way from the big names in beers) along with a great wine selection (and deal) and any mixed drink you could want. For dessert Bigelo’s offerings are often varied. I suggest you get the Tiramisu, if it is on the menu. If not, enjoy at your own discretion.
As much as I like Bigelo’s, this is a review, and there are some things I don’t like. For instance, I feel that the plastic menu covers are a bit tacky and make me feel that I am at a child-oriented restaurant. They’re completely out of whack with the rest of the atmosphere. Also, if it is busy, paying can be a chore. But these are minor complaints and in no way reflect the quality and care the restaurant provides. If I was to give a star rating for Bigelo’s (based on the traditional four star method) I would give it a solid three. The food is great, the venue wonderful, the staff knowledgeable, the ambience relaxed. My suggestion, go eat at Bigelo’s Bistro.
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Filed Under: Restaurants
