In Business Since 2001
(812) 273-9448
EATING PLACE
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Posted by JStilwell on 9/17/2009
True story: This is about my LAST visit to Bistro One in Madison, IN. This true story would have been brought to you sooner had I known about this site. I had been there many times before, but this time I found a curly black hair in my salad. I did not make a big deal of this, but neither my girlfriend nor I had long curly black hair. I brought it to the waitress' attention and let her know that I had lost my appetite (at these prices, you expect no mistake!) and I asked to opt out of the main dish. My main dish was brought to me anyhow and I was instructed to eat if I could and I complied. I did not get halfway through the main course due to pulling hair out of my mouth earlier that evening. The bill came... full price! I could not believe it. I asked the waitress about it and she did not understand the problem. I explained that if this had happened at a restaurant half as nice as this one, the one meal (mine) would be taken off the bill. It was not and the waitress insisted I pay in full. I declined and offered to pay for the salad (I ate most of it before my find) and my partner's meal. By this time, I was upset for being given the runaround. She came back after consulting with Nick, the owner/chef and offered a free meal for one the next time I came back. I explained, politely, that I was not happy now, so I wanted it off the bill now. She retorted, "Nick has the flu and will not want to put up with this...." I quickly answered, "You mean to tell me that I cannot get this off my tab even after discovering a hair in my salad, and now that he is back there preparing food while being sick? Why don't you take both of our meals off the check." She said she would be getting Nick. I said that I would be glad to talk to Nick about this. He came out, I asked him "What is going on back there?" Before I could speak further (my actions totally calm, mind you), Nick grabbed my arm, pulled me out of my chair, and exclaimed, "This is what we do to people like you!" and forcibly escorted me through the door. Needless to say, not going back, this was the most embarrassing dining experience of my life. There are friends of the chef who are posting that they 'were there' and saw what I was doing and that I was being abusive or trying to get a free meal � none of which are true. The rest of the story: I did announce to the remaining patrons upon being ejected that I was being removed for finding a hair in my food. Then - I called the police to report the fact that someone put there hands on me and forcibly removed me without cause. Why would I go to that trouble? Because I was wronged and had no other way to fight back. I was making sure this would not happen to anyone else. Finally, I had been there many times - once a month up to that point. I could not believe the treatment. Anyway, I feel sorry for those who do not read this and be wary of the chef's mood(s) he has a difficult time keeping staff and I can only hope that he mellows out in his old age. To be fair, I think it is a great restaurant with great food, however, if you do not like the spirit in which I present the place and the owner to you, please take my word for it and pass. As for the ones who claim to have been there, I can only assume that there was more than one forced removal from there and if that person was abusive then I see where we are confused. Also, if there is anyone he truly claims to know me (I am a local), they would know that I am not an abusive personality. I called the police to come because he embarrassed me and my dinner date - I, in turn, attempted to embarrass him and let him know that putting his hands on people is not appropriate.
Posted by mastroianni50 on 9/17/2009
I ate Shrimp and Grits , an wondeful combination of creamy and cheesy grits , the Italian sausage and the shrimp with the light fresh tomato sause , it tingled my every taste bud. This is my favorite restrauant and it is worth the drive....I can not wait to go back again. The chef Nicos came out and he is such a charming man he brighten up the the entire room.
Posted by EmilyandJon on 5/28/2008
I know this is going to seem like it?s a bit ridiculous, but my husband and I truly think this is the best restaurant we?ll ever be at. We just got back from a few days in Madison for our honeymoon and almost stayed another day just to eat at BistroOne again. It was amazing. We got the mushroom ragout for an appetizer. Neither of us had had this before and both completely fell in love. He got the Pinot Grigio Chicken and it was so moist, he actually squirted a bit of it on me one of the times he cut into it. It (and all the other entrees) come with a really unpredictable but amazing vegetable tray served in a skillet. I am a vegetarian, and had a hard time finding lots of places in Madison that worked for me. However, there was plenty of really great options at BistroOne. I had the eggplant cannelloni, and it was so good. There was a hint of cinnamon in it that was completely unexpected. The owner, and I am guessing head chef, Nick, came out and talked to us toward the beginning of the meal. He was so gracious and actually even gave us a creme brulee on the house after hearing it was our honeymoon. It was the most amazing creme brulee. Just perefect! Everything was so amazingly seasoned and just plain unique. We are honestly planning to travel the two hours sometime soon just to eat at BistroOne again. I know this is a gushing review that probably seems made up, but I swear the place warrants it. You honestly need to stop in and give it a try! The prices are a dollar or two more than say Olive Garden, but it is not even comparable. Well worth the price and visit! When we visited it was open 5:30 ? 9:00 pm.
