Bistro du Marché by Tapenade
| Address: | 7437 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA |
| Phone: | +1 858-551-7500 |
| Site: | bistrodumarche.net |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 5–9:30PM 5–9:30PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 5–10PM 10:30AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 20
JA
Jay Keyes
My wife and I have a date night every Saturday night, and one of our more frequent destinations this past year has been Bistro Du Marché, a romantic French restaurant in La Jolla Cove, presided over by Chef Jean-Michel Diot, who has created an ever-changing menu of great food that maintains an affordable mid-market price range. Diots bistronomie-focused menu may change each time I dine at his restaurant, but I can always count on the "Tapenade" appetizer being on it. Bistro Du Marchés Tapenade is topped with a whole anchovy, and is a magical briny paste intended to be spread on sliced baguette chips, consisting of pulverized black olives-in-brine, chopped capers, minced anchovies, lemon juice, and garlic, which lingers on your taste-buds in the best of ways. If you see "Duck Confit" on the menu, order it as your entrée. The silky and crispy contrast is fantastic in the meat and skin. It is said that duck confit is the next best thing to bacon, but this is debatable. I may put duck confit above bacon, especially when its prepared as it is at Bistro du Marché, with their fabulous port sauce, which can also be used as a dip for the crunchy pommes frites on the side of the plate. Another hallowed bistro classic sometimes served at Bistro du Marché is the "Beef Tenderloin au Poivre", tournedo-cut pieces of steak I have enjoyed smothered in peppery Sauce au Poivre Noir. These seem to me to be USDA Choice-level cuts of beef, but the big flavor pre-empts any textural issue. This dish also comes with the pommes frites, and a mesclun salad. Other dishes that I recommend include Bistro du Marchés "Fig Salad," which appears on the seasonally-rotating menu every now and again and is incredible. I often order a side of "Haricot Verts" for the table, which here are served au buerre and closer to the southern-style green beans that you cook all day than the firmer "al dente" haricot verts Ive enjoyed in France. Nonetheless, I quite like them -- besides being buttery, theyre soft, and feature chives and shallots. My wife and I have had several desserts at Bistro du Marché, but perhaps the most delightful has been the "Île Flottante" (Floating Island), a dessert of French origin consisting of a fluffy, light block of meringue floating in a pool of delectable, custardy crème anglaise and caramel sauce. Bistro du Marchés Île Flottante includes sliced roasted almonds, which are essential: the different textures of crunchy, smooth, creamy, sticky, and springy make this dessert fun in addition to delicious. Compared to other large cities Ive lived in, San Diego doesnt have many French restaurants. Of the various spots we do have, Bistro du Marché is one of a few comparatively affordable options that isnt rubbish. Their chef is no amateur: Diot is a veteran who began his career in Vienne, has earned 3 star reviews from the NY Times, and continues to execute at a high-level while maintaining an affordable and accessible menu and, for the latter, I consider Bistro du Marché worthy of five stars.
LI
Linda Blair
A superb restaurant with a long history in La Jolla and a loyal following, but, the new iteration, Bistro du Marche (formerly Tapenade), is appallingly loud. People scream to be heard. While the food remains excellent, the wines fine and the service truly superb, the noise level is intolerable. Many of us who have loved this place now refuse to dine there. Minor fixes with acoustic tiles will not suffice; the owner needs a complete architectural overhaul before this fine restaurant will again attract a following.
TA
Tania Ginsberg
Had dinner there last week. The food is good but the sauces are amazing! Excellent scallops and really nice duck in wine sauce. The service was impeccable. Nothing bad to say about this place. Much better than the Tapenade.
MA
Marty Sloane
Authentic and delightful food with constantly evolving menu selection. Waitstaff was very helpful, polite and overall patient with my grandparents which is a big plus.
LA
La Jolla Eater
Havent even been there yet and i already love it, great location, easy to park, family friendly, pet friendly. outstanding. Bravo!!
MA
Maureen Brock
Be sure to get croissants Sunday morning. This is the only time they are served. Unbelievably fantastic!
PA
Paulina Durán
Impecable service. Perfect place to enjoy an intimate dinner as its cozy and classy.
BE
Benoit Rigal
So so ! Food and service ok, nothing outstanding for the price.
AL
Alex M
Great contemporary French food at a reasonable price
OC
Octavio Ortiz
Excellent food, beautiful place and good location
LI
Linda Mann
Our favorite restaurant, so far!!
CO
Colleen Davis
Amazing food and service.
FR
Fred Stankowski
Great food and service.
PA
Pandora Van Buskirk
My favorite restaurant!
BI
Bia Villas Boas
Best croissant in town.
EV
evan chen
two words foie gras
AN
Andrew Taylor
Unpleasantly noisy.
SE
Seshu Madhavapeddy
Solid French Bistro
SH
Sharon Beck
Great French food
BR
Brielle Morales
Good food!
