134083 Wed Jan 11 17:23:56 -0800 2006 13 10 Florida 0 721158 would you recommend the blue bistro?...what else if not...thanks Wed Jan 11 17:23:56 -0800 2006 0 sandra 1 721159 Never been. Heard the food is good, atmosphere not so nice. The owner is opening a second place in a cursed location in Thornton Park. If I were down that way at that price range, I'd go instead to Kres or drive a little north to Luma. Or even better drive one block to ViMi district and have a wonderful informal meal for 2 for $20 at Lac Viet or Little Saigon or Pho 88. Wed Jan 11 17:28:33 -0800 2006 721158 0 Bill 2 721161 . . . or Viet Garden. Actually, I do recommend Blue Bistro with a couple of caveats. Absolutely, positively make a reservation. They are, well, abrupt is a nice way of saying rude, once they are booked. If you call, the phone message says "we aren't taking reservations, we're full tonight, and we are now hanging up." And they do. If you walk into the restaurant, even empty, they won't seat a walkup if all the tables are booked. If you have a reservation, you are fine. Second, the food is wonderful. The kitchen is slow and the servers can range from surly to spacy to excellent, It's very intimate space and, generally, large parties don't do well. Two and four tops, no problem. So it's quirky. I ate there two weeks ago with a party of six that became a party of nine, and both they and we coped. Afterward, despite service grumbles, everyone agreed it was worth it. Here are a couple of other similar, less pricey options. In College Park, there's Taste (small plates) and K (probably same price range). Also, Babbo is an option if you like Neopolitan food. Downtown there's a decent Italian place called Bravissimo in Colonialtown, Napasorn for Thai and assorted Asian cuisine. In Winter Park, Winnie's for Chinese and Cafe du France and 310 Park Avenue South (American). There also an Italian place called Limoncello that is loved by many, but not by me. However it gets rave reviews -- so perhaps my two bad service experiences were a fluke. A quirk, if you will, which for some odd reason I tolerate at Blue Bistro and not at Limoncello. A little more iffy is East of Paris -- go for a drink and look at the prix fix menu and decide. Blue Bistro is opening a second location, larger, dumbed down menu, lower prices, in Thornton Park next month (or two). It is cursed, as Bill says, but despite some really weird space, perhaps Jefanie Foster can make it work. We'll see. Bob Wed Jan 11 19:13:54 -0800 2006 721159 0 Bob Mervine 3 721163 have a res for tomorrow nite...will get back later with a review... Wed Jan 11 19:40:39 -0800 2006 721161 0 sandra 3 3290396 Sad to report but Blue Bistro is now closed for good. Sun Jan 13 07:58:47 -0800 2008 721161 121312 herbert1 4 3291280 That is sad! I really liked the food there. Any news on Midnight Blue? Sun Jan 13 14:09:29 -0800 2008 3290396 118345 katygirl 5 3291584 I'm pretty sure Jefanie Foster was no longer affiliated with Midnight Blue. Sun Jan 13 15:57:02 -0800 2008 3291280 15729 rudykins 6 3292389 I think you are correct in that assertion. I asked our server last night and she mentioned that Ms Foster might be doing something with Manny Garcia. No definite news though. Sun Jan 13 21:19:20 -0800 2008 3291584 121312 herbert1 4 3293173 Website says Blue2 coming in the fall, JTLYK. Mon Jan 14 08:10:45 -0800 2008 3290396 135332 jdc111 1 3297543 I just heard from Jefanie Foster and it's official: Blue Bistro is indeed closed for good. Let's hope she shows up somewhere else in town soon. Tue Jan 15 10:26:07 -0800 2008 721158 15729 rudykins 1 3315043 Sad about Blue Bistro, I really enjoyed their cuisine. I'm also confirming that Jefanie Foster is no longer affiliated with Midnight Blue. Jefanie Foster was a partner when Midnight Blue first opened, but the other partner in Midnight Blue (Vanda) took over complete operations and the menu expanded from mainly Tapas to also include a variety of entrees. Happen to Brunch at Midnight Blue today. Just wonderful, I'm a repeat Bruncher it's nice that they offer complimentary valet since parking is at a premium in Thornton Park. I had the Crabcake Benedict, which is the best in town. Flavorful but not heavy hollandaise and a substantial crabcake. Our table of 4 was split evenly between the Crabcake Benedict and the Frittata. Our table also ordered the potato pancakes, Coffee, Mimosas and a Bloody Mary. Everything was great, service was good and all were happy. (For those Decaf drinkers, the coffee is really robust and flavorful, just about even with Season's 52 Decaf, which is the best Decaf I've had outside of a coffee shop) Even with the breezy, cooler weather it was nice on the large open dining area since the wind was blocked. Just got the word today that Midnight Blue's hours are expanding to serve lunches Tuesday-Friday starting this week. They will also be hosting a V'day dinner with couples pricing and plan to focus on hosting more special events in 2008. Cheers! Sun Jan 20 16:04:27 -0800 2008 721158 76407 winechic 1 3435389 Blue is closed, no surprise. The food was great but the management was terrible. Another example that's almost always true-the chef should stay in the kitchen and let a business person run the business. Lets hope that Jepahnie Foster's next adventure doesn't include anything more than cooking. If she asks you to invest in her next restaurant run away as fast as you can. Tue Feb 26 05:15:37 -0800 2008 721158 169277 Sport 2 3435489 I take it you are speaking from experience and not just observation? Tue Feb 26 05:59:24 -0800 2008 3435389 121312 herbert1 3 3459732 Absolutely from experience. There was a small group of friends who invested in Jephanie to open Blue. The concensus has been to chalk it up to as a bad experience. Tue Mar 04 13:45:58 -0800 2008 3435489 169277 Sport