Gerard's Eve Bistro - Riverside, CA - Restaurant Review
posted January 24, 2010 - 8:46pm
Gerard's French Restaurant
9814 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92503-3524
(951) 687-4882
9814 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92503-3524
(951) 687-4882
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday Brunch 10:00am - 2:00pm
Valentine's Day 4:30 - Until Close
Valentine's Day 4:30 - Until Close
Last evening I had the pleasure of getting my first real taste of French cuisine. Overall it was quite an amazing experience. Picture it, I'm out on a first date with a breath taking, sophisticated beauty. I am driving in circles scanning the restaurants in Riverside. Driving down Magnolia Ave, I happened to catch a glimpse of a brightly lit blue sign captioned Gerard’s Eve Bistro. Driving by the first time I never even saw the building. It is nestled in between older housing that has been converted to business buildings. From the outside Gerard’s Eve Bistro looks so plain and simple I may never have noticed it.
Upon our arrival the parking lot was absolutely packed. What we found inside was nothing short of elegant. The interior of Gerard’s features an intimate dining area with roughly 10 tables of various size. We were immediately greeted and brought to a small corner table. The wait staff consisted of 1 waiter. This guy was dashing, friendly, charismatic, and absolutely professional. I have never seen a waiter with such impeccable serving skills and his heart dedicated to his work.
The menu is just extensive enough to give you the feeling of ample choice, while not making you feel overwhelmed. It is nicely divided and quite plainly presented.
My lovely date ordered the Chicken Dijon - Sautéed in a Dijon Mustard & White Wine Sauce $17 accompanied by a glass of Pinot Noir $7.50 and water. I chose the Salmon - Sautéed & Topped with Asparagus & Beamaise $25, with a glass of Riesling $7 and water.
I can honestly say I have finally experienced fine dining and at one of the most romantic restaurants in Riverside. Just as you might expect in a romantic restaurant, all the tables had candles on them, the lighting was soft, and the din of voices from the other patrons would crash like waves from the ocean at times, ebbing and flowing around us. Not so noisy we couldn't talk, but sometimes a little loud.
My water glass never dipped below 1/4 full (and I drank several glasses), the Riesling was a tasty white dessert wine that I think paired well with my Salmon dish. (I am no wine connoisseur by any means). The salmon itself danced with such flavors and textures I can honestly say I have never had such a perfectly prepared salmon in my life. The portions of the plates were perfect. We were not served too much food, and had we been fully hungry, we could have easily enjoyed a real four course meal. With Appetizer, Soup/Salad, Entrée, and Dessert. I mustn’t forget to mention the wonderful, crusty, French Baguette served with a side of creamy butter. This was so fresh, delicious and yet so simple. There was not one bit of this meal that I did not appreciate.
All in all Gerard’s Eve Bistro is a wonderfully romantic destination. The staff and clearly the chef truly love what they provide and serve their patrons with pride in all they do. If you are looking for a fine dining experience, I would highly recommend you seize the opportunity to dine at Gerard’s. You could easily spend the same kind of money at a place like Red Lobster to end up stuffed, and woefully under served. At Gerard’s you’ll have the rare opportunity to experience French Cuisine at it’s finest.
Bon Appatite!
FC4J
Author:
Free Cracker 4 Jack
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Comments
Picture Plates and Second Dates
LOL indeed!
I appreciate all of you, your collective advice, praises, criticisms and sheer enjoyment you express from reading my writings. Thank you all for making Xomba feel like family. :)
I sersiously had contemplated snapping a few pictures, but thought better of it. I would have posted her picture too, but that would be just rude. Especially without consent. I can say this much, I really doubt if I had taken pictures if it would have mattered one way or the other. After all, if I had won her favor she would have likely found snapping a few pics for an article to be exciting not lame.
By the way She did know I was a writer, and she was quite taken by my boldness over emails, and the phone. (How do you think I ended up going out in the first place... LOL), She even read some of my articles here on Xomba. We just didn't quite hit it off in person, and I totally blame myself because I was quiet and reserved, and well, my mind was quite blank... <stupid grin>
At least the evening was still kind of fun, and interesting to me.
FC4J
FreeCracker4Jack Join the ranks of starving amateur writers competing for your attention and praises! SIGN UP HERE
Dates in Restaurants
The food was good but if I looked across the table to see my date's gob chewing in open mode I'd be put off immediately. I'm glad your evening was not ruined by such a display.
After reading the comments and your replies I'd like to chip in with this dating tip. Shyness can be interpreted as rudeness and disinterest so admit you're shy before you get to this point. Women can be attracted to shy types and in many cases prefer them to the over-confident monologuers who give them headaches for pudding. +1
AndAnotherThing2 writes COMEDYand is Xomba's first featured HISTORIAN
Try online dating
If you can get the girl really interested through your writing you don' t need to worry about being introverted. Play to your strengths. -writing.
Visit my Innovative Passive Income blog to and get inspired by O
No pictures of your date? LOL...
Love your reviews and the pictures they have. As I began reading this I wondered if you actually would have taken pictures for your review while your date was with you......then wondered if you got a second date! LOL.....
That would have been 'just ducky'....NOT! Excuse me lovely date of mine...while I pose and snap a photo of you and and your meal for Xomba!
Ummm...
Well Mia,
That is a question on many people's minds and although the food was amazing and I really got a kick out of my first French dining experience. I really blew it on this date. My natural personality is intorveted and therefore, I come off withdrawn and shy...
I have no idea how long it is going to take for me to develop into whom I need to be, so I can be comfortable in my own skin. I will likely keep that up to date amongst the other things I write about here on Xomba. (like with more tortured poetry)
Thank you for asking, and ofcourse for your lovely praise and support!
FC4J
FreeCracker4Jack Join the ranks of starving amateur writers competing for your attention and praises! SIGN UP HERE
Sounds delicious!
I really enjoy your restaurant reviews and this salmon sounds perfect. I'm pretty sure that you secured a second date from this?? :)
~Peace, Mia
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