BIJOU FRENCH BISTRO NOW OPEN - Brought to the Heart of La Jolla by the Creative Team at Addison in San Diego

LA JOLLA, Calif. – The creators of Addison at The Grand Del Mar opened a new French bistro concept last week at the former site of Amaya La Jolla. Bijou French Bistro opened Friday, June 27, with Addison’s Executive Chef William Bradley serving as culinary director and Addison’s former sous chef Shaun Gethin helming Bijou’s kitchen as chef de cuisine. The 88-seat dining room serves classic French bistro fare nightly, and a new wine bar located at the entrance of the restaurant adds to the scene, along with live music in the bar lounge Thursday through Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. A wine cellar room that seats up to 12 guests and a private dining room that can accommodate up to 28 rounds out Bijou’s offerings.

THE TALENT
• Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef and executive chef of Addison William Bradley serves as culinary director.
• Chef de Cuisine Shaun Gethin who has worked with Bradley for years, most recently as sous chef at Addison, will helm Bijou’s kitchen.
• The wine director is Elizabeth Huettinger, who is also the wine director at Addison.
• Sommelier Cori Holstedt will help guests make wine selections and manage the collection.
• Bijou’s manager is Alessio Marini, previously the manager of The Grand Del Mar’s Club M.

FRENCH FARE & BEVERAGES
The select menu designed by award-winning Chef William Bradley has been created to reflect and share his French bistro long-time preferences. Under “Petits Plats,” offerings include Pâté de Campagne, Oeufs Mayonnaise (a tribute to Bradley’s favorite Paris bistro Le Comptoir du Relais) and Steak Tartare. “Salades” such as Niçoise, Salmon Rillettes and Lyonnaise made with Windsor Farm eggs are on the menu. The “Plats Principaux” choices are Steak Frites, Rainbow Trout, Lobster Gratin, Coq au Vin, Veal Paillard and Gnocchi à la Parisienne. There are several vegetarian “Accompagnements” and a choice of fine “Fromages.” Brown Butter Clafoutis, Beignets, Macarons du Jour and Fruit Tart are some of the “Pâtisseries” choices.

To be enjoyed with dinner, at the wine bar and in the bar lounge are what Wine Director Elizabeth Huettinger calls “modern” wines from France and the U.S. West Coast – focusing on rare producers and offering good value by the glass and the bottle. Classic seasonal cocktails and craft beers round out the beverage program.

THE BISTRO EXPERIENCE
Bijou French Bistro, designed by Warren Sheets Designs, Inc., has the elements of a favorite go-to European eatery – tried-and-true classics made with seasonal ingredients; fine wines; a familiar, welcoming casual ambiance; attentive service; and reasonable pricing. The interior showcases tables with crisp linens; delicately wrought European-crafted accents; antique mirrors and appealing chandeliers; and a warm palette of ochre, aubergine and gold – allowing the space to feel familiar, inviting and just as a bistro should feel – part of the neighborhood.

Hours: Dinner served nightly, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Wine Bar open daily from 4 to 10 p.m.
Bar Lounge open daily from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.; until 11:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
Live Music in the Bar Lounge, 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday

Where: Bijou French Bistro
1205 Prospect St.
La Jolla, Calif. 92037
Phone: (858) 750-3695
Website: www.bijoufrenchbistro.com

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