Bistro on South Main

I wish it was possible to give a place zero stars… can we fix that? This was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. After a long day of wedding set up in the beautiful mountains, my crew and I headed into town in search of some food. As one of the only places open at an earlier than usual dinner hour, we settled on Bistro on South Main. After a few moments we were seated by the hostess and there were still a few other couples enjoying a beer or glass of wine on the terrace, so we certainly weren’t the only people there, but we were 3 of few.
As I looked around, I noticed that there were bottles of hand sanitizer at every table, as well as small «Reserved» signs, which weren’t actually reserved signs at all… they were letting guests know that they had to see the hostess. So weird, and so unnecessary. *
*side note– when I asked the waitress why there was hand sanitizer she said it was because their bathrooms were too small (huh?) and their owner is a bit of a germaphobe.
We sat down and started to review the menu. About 3 servers passed our table, none of which offered to take our order, acknowledge us, or even bring us a glass of water on such a warm day. So we waited. and waited. and WAITED. Until I was finally so frustrated that I got up, walked into the kitchen, and got a random server (who decided we weren’t her table) and asked her for water and service.
Shortly thereafter, she sent over our proper server who took our orders, but seemed completely uninterested in providing any service. I ordered the house salad with balsamic on the side, trout and a glass of wine and some water. My companions both ordered burgers (made with angus, and as mentioned on the menu and by our server, the chef will only cook them medium-​well because they are a lower grade, not to mention the ONLY burger on the menu) and beer. We were told that they were out of Miller Light (I mean REALLY?!?) and out of the tuna (which none of us ordered)…did I mention we were there BEFORE the dinner service so how the heck could they have already run out? Someone needs to learn how to purchase correctly for their establishment-I’m looking at you Chef/​Owner.
After asking for water AGAIN (and my companions never receiving any), my salad and water that tasted like it came from the toilet, emerged about 15 minutes later and that salad was the saddest looking thing I had EVER seen in my life. Bagged lettuce, two sad, little mealy tomatoes and a few shredded carrots with some bottled balsamic on the side. All served on– get this_​a plastic plate that made Correll look like fine China. It appeared to be salvaged from an old hospital or home for the aged. The salads at fast food joints look more appealing than that crappola.
When our meals finally came out I would have eaten dog food at that point because I was so starving, but our food was no more promising than the salad. For my order– two spears of frozen, microwaved broccoli, a slapped down scoop of over salted mashed potatoes, and sad trout that was cooked to death and as flat as a cracker. Folks, my dish was $ 19.00 and served on a plastic plate. Not a cute, kitchy plastic plate at an adorable little diner– a fake dinner China plastic plate at a place that believes it has French inspiration. Had I not had the hangries (so hungry you are angry) I would have sent my dinner back and asked to speak to the Chef.
The funniest part of the meal was how fast the server bused the table and got us the check — WELL before one of my companions had finished her meal, and before any of us had finished our drinks. She never asked us if we wanted more to drink, nor if we wanted dessert of coffee. I was EXTREMELY disappointed considering the sweet ambiance and gorgeous sunset. Ok Bistro on S. Main, I guess that earns you the one star– the weather, which you cannot even control. Everything else was complete crap.

I was surprised by this little French bistro in attached to the lobby of an inn. It is very much a bistro so I would not go expecting a fancy French restaurant with tiny portions of edible visual art. Instead this restuarant is a few notches down in snobbery and while maintaining a good level on taste. The menu changes frequently and the owner/​chef (a true Frenchman) seems to want to get to know everyone.
Be aware tha the server may give you a judgmental look if you order less than what is typical. My fiancée ordered the escargot and nothing else (it was later than our usual gnoshing time and he was filled up on cookies), but we definitely got a look of impatience from the server because her bill was not going to be as high). I, on the other hand, ordered the salmon that had some kind of orange/​ginger sauce. As with most Asian sauces in non-​Asian restuarants, it was a bit sweet, but the salmon was done perfectly and the large piece of simply grilled zucchini was perfect.
The server redeemed herself when she recommended ordering the pear tarte. I am not a fan of pear, but this thing was so delicious, even with our full bellies, we polished off each of our own. It was like a piece of puff pastry that had large pieces of what tasted like poached pears settled on top with a side of cinnamon ice cream… divine =)
Other than the wait to be seated (we stood around like lost puppies until someone finally came out of the kitchen to seat us), we thought the place was a nice surprise.
I give it 4 stars for existing in an otherwise Mexican food dominated town and for good flavor (and because i couldnt give it 3.5)
Check it out =) Its the local anomaly. a French place in the middle of the moutain region of GA =)