Bistro 101

Great ambiance, live jazz on Fri and Sat. Some great wines but not extensive. Food was mediocre– French soup was too oniony, broiled half chicken lacked seasoning, crème brûlée was almost burnt on top, escargot was tasty as well my veal and sweet bread pot pie dish.
(null)

This restaurant has closed. Lots of new restaurants in La Jolla are going out of business due to the economy. Wasn’t anything fantastic but still a bummer that this restaurant did not survive.

I was driving by the place and noticed all windows and entrances were covered up with blankets. So, probably, it’s closed.

i feel bad but i don’t think this place is going to be open much longer. one would think that the Hard Rock replacement would be huge and impressive. This is not the case. the menu is boring, there was nothing on the menu that isn’t offered everywhere else. the service was OK, could have been better considering the place was empty. i hope they revamp the menu or marketing soon… wouldn’t waste my time going back.

They are not going to make it…
Food: Uninspiring
Happy Hour: Lousy drink specials
Ambiance: They spent a lot of money for nothing
Overall: Don’t bother… sorry owners but you are way far off the mark.
12÷19÷09 Update… they are now closed on Mondays… it won’t be long until they are permanently closed…

I only went to this place once for after dinner drinks and I will never go back there again.
I’ve been to upscale bars downtown and the bartenders are way hotter and have far less attitude than the bartender (Anjelica) that was working the night I went.
As the night progressed the place filled up with a lot of young European mob types who angrily looked around the room at people. I swear, if you’re going to go to a nightclub have some fun and smile for Christ’s sake!
Things got worse when a friend of mine and I tried to close out our tabs and they told us their computers were down. After about 5 minutes the owner comped my friend on his tab. He left me standing at the bar for 20 minutes before I finally lost my patience and told him I wouldn’t mind just leaving my card and getting it in the morning or paying cash. In exchange for the wait he offered us all shots of tequila before we left which was nice, but completely irresponsible since the majority of us were driving.
Overall a terrible experience.

I was very pleased with my first (so far) visit to Bistro 101, which also seems to be known as French 101 and/​or Bakery 101. Whatever, it’s a good place. My friend and I each had what was essentially chicken piccata, a boneless chicken breast with mushrooms and capers in a light sauce, and it was excellent. The accompanying mashed potatoes were great, and the mixed veggies were also good. My friend was happy with her house salad, and my Caesar salad was as good a Caesar as I’ve ever had — with thankfully no anchovy taste (though others might be disappointed). The croutons, in particular, were very good, obviously made there, not the packaged variety. The bread and butter were good but not exceptional, and it might have been nice to have a few more slices.
Our server, Bob, did an all-​around excellent job. We were each going to have a glass of the least expensive house red wine, but at nine bucks a pop, Bob suggested we split a glass, which turned out fine. He actually gave us a thirteen dollar wine instead, since the cheapie was not uncorked, but charged only nine bucks. The wine was wonderful, the French roast coffee was the best I’ve had in many months, and Anne’s dessert, black forest cake, was very good.
Bistro 101 is a very attractive place in a nice environment, but it’s quite large and I hope they can afford the square footage, because the place was relatively empty when we were there. Although we spent more than usual for our weekly dinner out — even with the one-​entrée-​free coupon — it was worth the money and we’d certainly return for a special occasion. Parking was a bit challenging but, considering it was Friday night in La Jolla, not really a problem.

This place is terrible. The waiter/​waitress kept lying when they bring you item you order. The first time I went there, I ordered a chocolate cake made with ganache and they brought me another one. I told them it was the wrong one and the waitress told me I was wrong. I had to go to the counter where all the cake were exposed to show her that she brought me the wrong item. I try again a breakfast this morning and I ask for an orange juice. When the orange juice was brought to the table I asked the waiter if it was a fresh squeezed orange juice and he said YES. When I tried it I realized it was a Tropicana or something like this but definitively not a fresh home made orange juice. I asked again the waitress again that confirm it was made fresh and the juice was drained to remove the pulp. They really think that one can not make the difference between a real orange juice and Tropicana!!! I had asked to see the manager to report this, as I think this is not the way to treat customers. Also at 11am on Sunday, there was no more chocolate croissant!!! Frankly, I am really sad to advise people not going in this Bistrot.

Bistro 101 is a new favorite of mine. My fiancé and I went there a couple of weeks ago to watch some Monday Night football and the World Series. The food was great! I had the Kobe burger which was phenomenal and she had the NY strip which was pefectly prepared. The ambiance was stellar, but more importantly the bartender, Chris, made the night one to remember. This guy is a party in a box! He paid attention to the small things and took great care of us. Pay Chris a visit… You won’t regret it!

If you have seen the movie «Better Off Dead,» you likely remember the dinner scene where «Fronch» food is presented to the exchange student: Fronch fries. Fronch bread. Fronch toast. And the drink to be served was «Peru» instead of «Perrier.»
I am not sure what La Jolla Bistro 101 is trying to be. A French restaurant? The website URL does contain the word «French.» But the menu has a large selection of pizzas and burgers. Not very French. And the night we were there, they were out of French fries. Not very French or Fronch.
As a new restaurant, I was willing to overlook the mixed Unilocal reviews. When starting out an operation, it is easy to have some bad days. I should have instead paid more attention to their website as an indication of what the experience would be. The site still says that they are opening in summer 2009, does not include any menus or operating hours. I should have also paid more attention to the «About» page that emphasizes the bakery, not culinary experience, of the two individuals behind the restaurant.
After joining my already seated friends, a man came over and asked us a few questions. I don’t remember what was asked as I was stunned by how casually he was dressed. It would have seemed less casual if his shirt had been branded with the restaurant logo. My friends and I were then left alone for awhile.
When it came time to order wine, the first of several mix-​ups occurred. Our waiter wasn’t sure the price of the bottle of wine that the table had selected. When he returned, we learned that they didn’t have the chosen wine available. As an explanation, we were told that they were redoing their wine selection and some options were no longer available. He later brought samples of two red wines. One was chosen.
After the wine was served, we seemed to be left alone for a very long time before our order was taken. I noticed that a nearby table had their order taken and received bread long before attention was given to us. Since it was not a particularly busy night, I am not sure why the service was not more attentive in some areas.
Once we did order our meal, the first course was delivered quite quickly. Almost too fast. Since the restaurant was chilly, I was glad to have lobster bisque as a warm up. The soup was good and I was looking forward to the rest of my entrée.
There was then a delay before our entrees arrived. I first noticed the nice presentation of two of my friends’ entrees. But then, my attention turned toward what another friend and I had ordered: The Fish and Chips.
Three little pieces of fish were served on a long rectangular plate. On the left was a small container of coleslaw and on the right side of the plate was a container of tartar sauce. Our waiter then told us that they were out of french fries. We had the option of mashed potatoes, veggies, or something else. I wish I had been told that sooner as I would have changed my meal selection. Since I was hungry, I requested the mashed potatoes.
A few minutes later, the mashed potatoes and french fries arrived. While trying to be helpful, the waiter should not have brought out the fries. They were greasy, cold, and not fully cooked. I wanted to spit out the first one I had. The mashed potatoes were not much better: cold and tasteless.
Tasteless also describes the coleslaw.
Despite being hungry and the fact that the fish sticks were of such a small portion, I did not finish them either. Too cold.
Our waiter did try at times. And, when the bill arrived, he had added in a discount since the meal did not go particularly well.
Other comments:
* Our waiter tried to make it an enjoyable experience.
* Fresh bread was good, especially when it came straight from the oven.
* Where is the front door to this restaurant? Is it through the bakery? I didn’t enter that was as the signage seemed to indicate that it was a separate, but related space. I went around to what I thought was the front door. Upon entering, there wasn’t a hostess stand, etc.
* Décor was so-​so.
* Restaurant temperature was cold. In fact, the «front» door was propped open slightly for part of our meal.
* Why would a restaurant ever entertain the idea of naming one of their entrees «Airline Chicken»? Ick. Sounds cold and rubbery.
* Prices seemed high

50% Happy hour for dinner on 5 to 7 for a few days a week is pretty solid. The french Onion soup and crab cakes were delicous. My lady friend liked the lobster Ravioli. I would definetely go back again for happy hour dinner since good food and good price at half off. We had good service also.
FYI NO LONGER THIS DEAL so BEWARE… Good while it lasted

Wow. Place is not awesome. The caprese salad had no basil in it and the buffalo wings had BBQ sauce rather than buffalo wing sauce. Don’t know what their deal was, but not coming back…

I am not that surprised with five ***** ratings, nor am I stunned by the **.
We went to this place about three month ago and loved it. Service had a couple hiccups, but was quite all rite, the food was good and deserts were wonderful. I kind or forgot to rate them probably because i had a couple of drinks too many hehe, I am kind of glad I did not rate them back than. Today they would not even let us go past the «line of defense» to see their baked goods, since that was the main reason we went there today, I suggested to just leave, but our friends had different plans so we staid. Although we came for deserts, I had a chance to try the soup and buffalo wings, both entries were below average especially the wings. Everyone at the table had pretty much the same assessment of their entries as well.
They brought us a plate with only five available deserts, bistro my «you know what» with that many choices. None of us were able to finish our deserts because they simply sucked, don’t get me wrong, the presentation was there, but that was IT. All of us ordered coffee and I thought mine was cold because I added too much of the creamer, it turned out we all had cold coffee. I happened to think that coffee is actually one of the hardest thing to screw up, they managed. My wife even asked to talk to the manager about what’s going on wit this place. He had the lame excuse that La Jolla is slow rite now, yea rite — all other places we’ve passed (unfortunately) on our way here were actually busy — it’s the Saturday night for Peat’s sake.

I commute into La Jolla every day for work. There are a hundred places to eat, and I’m starting to think that Bistro 101 (née French 101) is the one to rule them all.
I first tried their almond croissant, and it was one of the yummiest pastries I’ve ever had. I wish it cost just a bit less, but I’ll buy it again, and again, and again…
Yesterday, I had their burger (no alterations from the menu). It was fantastic — better than any burger joint I can think of (to include Island’s). I don’t know when I’ve had a burger that was quite so scrumptious.
Today, I went back and had their pulled pork sandwich. Once again, it’s almost the best pulled pork I’ve had. Famous Dave’s all the way up in Vista is probably better, but it’s so far away I can’t quite remember. It’s certainly better than Joey’s musters.
My only complaint is their fries. They’re small, sure they’re soft, but they could probably be a little bigger with a little less grease. But it’s such a minor detail I don’t think it detracts from the experience

I have a friend who literally wept when Jack’s La Jolla closed. «Where am I going to go to flirt with attractive 40-​something ladies?» he cried. I’ve now got a suggestion for him. La Jolla Bistro 101. I was never to hip to the La Jolla scene (because there really isn’t much of one), but I can imagine that what’s left of Jack’s clientele that hasn’t moseyed their way over to this cool new spot, probably will soon.
I hadn’t been to ‘La Holla’ for a while so it was weird to cruise by Jack’s (which used to be pretty much the only place to go out in the area) and see it vacant. Pretty glad to see another similar place open, so I now have a reason to cruise up this way.
In terms of the restaurant I liked what I saw in this place. It’s not Jacks on many levels, but that is a good thing. I think where they went wrong, this place goes right. It’s more of a casual bistro, and has a less expensive menu. I got a phenomenal halibut and a glass of wine for under 30 bones. Not bad pricing for this neighborhood. I was also shocked on my way out to see a sign that said «Half Off The Full Menu from 5 – 7.» Can’t imagine that will stick for long so I’d scurry over here soon to check this hot deal.
The service is much better than Jack’s was as well. The bartender I had was quick and very personable. She was able to keep me company while serving others. A great trait in a bartender to have when you’re flying solo.
It’s a bistro-​by-​day bar/​nightclub-​by-​night. They even landed the same flamenco band that used to do Thursday nights at Jacks. Now they do Thursdays here. I forget their name, but my experience with them is that they are kick ass, and tend to bring out lots of fancy cars and silicon. They have DJ’s on Friday and Saturday nights for when they clear the dining space and turn it into a 500 sq ft. dance floor. If getting your swerve on is your thing, 101 is an alternative to the no longer existing Jacks.
Although I did not check out the nightlife of this establishment, I would bank that it is a similar vibe to the deceased big J’s. The nice part about this spot is that the prices aren’t nearly as high.
For this visit all in all the restaurant was fantastic food, so I’ll definitely have to be back for the full experience.

sauve qui peut! For those that don’t know french, it means «Run for your lives!» At least for the pastries. The pastries are terrible. I wanted a late in the day snack, and I saw a napoleon there. I was thinking to myself, «How can you screw up a napoleon. it’s just pastry dough and cream… well, it’s a mystery to me, but they somehow did it. The layers of puff pastry should be light and delicate, but somehow it was dense and had a strangely burnt coloration. The cream’ish filling was cloyingly sweet, and overbearing… almost bombastic.
FYI, I also just saw their lunch and dinner menu posted for this french restaurant, and it seemed oddly Italian in nature. Heck, there’s a meatball sandwich on the menu. It feels like they don’t have any real direction there. Perhaps they’re trying to get on Kitchen nightmares?

Have yet to try the full menu, but bakery is yummy. I wanted to point out to other readers that I passed by on Thursday night and they had a live band playing so I asked and they told me they have live music at night. Here is the schedule:
Thursday (Gypsy-​Menco) from 8−11pm ‚
Friday 9−12am Gypsy– Menco
Saturday from 9−12am Wasabe Blue.
I am happy to see a nice place take over the Hard Rock.

I have to drop you a couple of stars. I really, really do. I’m sorry, but this morning was just bad. Really bad.
You just started advertising that you were open for breakfast, beginning at 7. When did that change? I got there after 8, an hour after you were open. I asked what breakfast items you had and you said nothing, only the pastries. There was no apology, no explanation, nothing. Just a blank stare.
Yes, the freshly squeezed orange juice was yummy and tasty. But $ 5 for OJ when the croissant I ordered was $ 2.30? There’s something wrong when a standard breakfast drink is twice the price of what you’re eating. For almost $ 8, it wasn’t worth it. I should have just headed to the Cottage and get a filling breakfast there.
The pastries still look yummy and wonderful and I’m sure I’ll go on a pastry run with my co-​workers. But that’s it. I’m not getting anything else. And I’ll get the pastries to go since the service still hasn’t found its groove.

This is an okay place for dinner. Okay wines, but no sommelier and the wait staff didn’t know wines. We sat at the outside patio which was perfect for a toddler. (They were very accommodating to us, with a toddler in tow!) I started with French Onion Soup and then a seafood something or other (shrimp, fish, and scallops baked in a french-​style flaky crusted pot-​pie) for the main course. Everything was very good. I’d eat there again for dinner, but would just as soon explore other options. The bakery looked excellent, and I wouldn’t mind checking them out for breakfast sometime.

My mom and I decided to try this place on the second day that it was open. The service was okay. It took about 5 min. before someone actually came to our table and we had to go hunt down our own silverware but other than that the food was pretty good. We both got the quiche, cup of soup and salad combo. The quiche was good, i got the seafood one and my mom got the spinach one (go with the spinach), and she got the french onion soup and i got the house seafood one. The french onion soup was really good. The seafood however, was really fishy tasting. Be careful with the salad. It looks really good but don’t just throw a bite of that in your mouth if you haven’t tasted anything else yet. The dressing is extremely tart, so much that it almost made my eyes water. It’s good once you get going though. I actually craved it later for some weird reason. For dessert we got the princess cake, which looks a lot like a tiramisu but with a chocolate ganache on top. It was pretty good, especially the nutty wafer that they use on the bottom layer. Not sure as if i would ever go back but it was good.