This is one of my favorite places to eat. It's in a great bookstore, the menu is varied and the food is tasty, and the service is always courteous. Sometimes when they are very busy, the service can be slow; however, I don't go to this restaurant when I'm in a hurry, because I always like to browse the book store on my way in and on my way out. It's a great place to meet a friend for lunch or entertain out of town guests, because it's very Memphis-like. Their tomato cheese soup is outstanding.
(4)
Shaun B.
My girlfriend is a very avid fan of this establishment, so I decided to give it another try. We arrive and a server comes over promptly to serve us. She is very friendly and attentive, and even was willing to add a cup of soup to my half portion entree even though the menu said soup at reduced rate with full portion only. We get our beer cheese soup and it's pretty good. The added bacon really helped differentiate it. We're actually off to a good start! Then, my entree came... the menu stated that my pasta would be like a macaroni and cheese, but didn't even come close. It was exceptionally bland and watered down, and the chicken somehow was even more bland. I tried a bite of my girlfriend's shrimp pesto pasta which was alright, but not worth it's price point. I'm truly sad that I'm not a fan of this place, as I know that would make the girlfriend happy. And I also wish I could give them more stars. But despite the improved service and soup, the entree was a total buzzkill, and if the meal is no good, then it sadly is what it is...
(2)
Malaika S.
Ok, so I'm not fancy (not much)... As a matter of fact I regularly make it my business to frequent local, homespun, and unique businesses primarily and especially shun those with linen tablecloths and napkin rolls, with the exception of brunch. I go extra fancy for brunch... Pinkies in the air fancy. The Bistro inside of Booksellers at Laurelwood wasn't on my radar at all until my best friend and business partner suggested it, she's the fancy one! Her being fancy tends to work out for the best for both of us and the bistro was no exception. I have eaten there on three occasions now and I haven't been disappointed. Each time i have received timely and considerate service, by a friendly server. I have tried a different dish each time as well and have never been disappointed! Plus they offer plenty of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options...Oh! and wine! I didn't have wine when we went the last couple of times, but they do have an impressive wine list. Finally, to top it all off. It's an actual book seller, so there are books and books and books and books and lovely fancy stationary, which I stan for!
(4)
Tanya T.
A favorite lunch spot, Bronte is located inside of Davis Kidd Booksellers. I always order a cup of tomato basil soup- so tasty. I usually pair it with a half sandwich or a salad. The chicken salad sandwich is great, and as far as salads- I'll take the pear and bleu cheese anyday. I love the kids' menus, which are literally children's books with a menu taped to the inside front cover. Place your order and while you wait, read your children a story from their "menu." Servers are very attentive and the pricing is ok- maybe a tad more expensive than other lunch spots but totally worth it.
(4)
Kerry C.
I ordered the house special soup (tomato and bleu cheese) and a pear and bleu cheese salad. I didn't mean to have a meal so focused on one item, but it was apparently a bleu cheese sort of day. The soup was creamy and there was a good balance of flavors. The salad was topped with pear slices, almonds, bleu cheese crumbles, white raisins, and a little cup of sweet pear and poppy seed dressing. Bronte's menu is fairly expansive (they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner), and includes items from the many cookbooks sold in the store. They've also got coffee, wireless internet, and a bakery case full of yummy-looking desserts. Bronte isn't cheap, but it's definitely worth checking out. My soup, salad and iced tea were $12.
(4)
tiffany A.
The first time I went here I had bad service and my order was messed up twice. But I understand that things sometimes happen so I gave it another chance today. Although our server was friendly she was never available, she didn't bring the rolls she said she would and she got my order wrong. I ordered the avocado BLT but asked for regular mayo instead of chipotle, which is what comes on it. This is the same problem that happened the first time. I had to flag down another server to send it back because I didn't see our server. The person I flagged down didn't seem to want to help. When the server brought back my BLT she blamed it on new kitchen staff and the avocados on it were all brown. It took a long time to get the check and thus I am done with this place.
(1)
Angela C.
Good salads, service and location. Dinner at a bookstore? Who knew. Glad yelper's recommended it. :)
(4)
Joelle P.
3 mimosas, a fully loaded breakfast croissant with a side of fruit and hash browns for under $20? YES, PLEASE! I couldn't believe my bill this morning after that delightful meal. Granted, it was $24 after tip but everything was fantastic - I had 3 drinks, a yummy meal, and our waiter (Nick) could not have been nicer. Not to mention I got to shop for my girlfriend's present at the bookstore before she arrived to lunch. Very, very convenient. I was a little wary about this place after they changed ownership, but I am a huge fan now!
(5)
Tammy C.
Tried this place out due to a coupon in the city saver book bought from a fundraiser. My hubby and I both has salads. I had a turkey cranberry feta salad and it was great! My hubby had the Buffalo chicken salad and it was just ok. We also tried the polenta triangles as an appitizer and I would recommend those to anyone who like polenta. They were fantastic! The server was great as well. When using a coupon, they add the 20% grautity to your check automatically. This was fine in our situation but if your server is awful, it may not go over too well. We will definitely try this again to check out more menu options.
(4)
Karen L.
The boyfriend and I joined Irene here for the January Elite of the Month event, and it (the food, not the company!) was...ok. We tried the blue cheese tomato soup, a crab cake, and the hummus, and all three were decent, but nothing special. If it didn't know there was blue cheese in the soup, I wouldn't have guessed it -- and I don't like blue cheese! The crab cake was good, but pretty expensive at $11.95 for one, and the hummus didn't seem quite right. The boyfriend suggested that it lacked tahini, which made it seem like just plain mashed chickpeas. The dressing on the tomato salad had also run onto some of the pita, making it soggy on the bottom. Yuck! Service was decent, though we had to flag down our waiter when we were ready to order. The coffee was not great, making me wish we'd stopped at Starbucks. But Irene really enjoyed the creme brulee French toast, so maybe we should've stuck with the breakfast menu, which is served til 3pm on weekends. Overall, it was fine. I wouldn't be in a rush to go back, but I've been to way worse places too.
(3)
Sandie M.
Have never had a bad meal here. Portions are plentiful, fresh and everything is delicious!
(4)
Andrea L.
I was late to work and craving quiche...a quick Google search led me here. I love bookstores, I love food. This was great. I was in a rush and they were fast. The people, yes people, taking my order were so courteous. I got my food to go but they kept checking on me and offering me beverages. Oh and the salad and quiche were great! Dining in next time to compare.
(5)
Marian B.
Woman, who takes take out orders, up front is friendly & loves to interact with customers.
(5)
Turid D.
I've eaten here 3 times. The waiter was pleasant. We purchased a dinner Groupon so though it is a bit overpriced for what you get. It cost us only a bit more than the Groupon. Today we had chicken Picata on polenta and red snapper with polenta. I liked the chicken very well but not the fish. I also did not care for polenta or the rolls. My husband liked both. My favorite thing I've tasted here is the pear and blue cheese salad. It was really good.
I have to admit, I was pretty cranky when the menu changed but I still have my favorite at each meal and still love this place. For breakfast I like the breakfast croissant, for lunch the chicken salad croissant and for dinner the shrimp and risotto. I was really impressed with my meal on my most recent visit, the food was a generous portion and platted beautifully. Dinner has more of a fine dinning food feel with the menu than casual bookstore cafe, and that's a good thing. I've always found the ambience to be warm, welcoming and never loud - all good things again. The lantern style lights make for some nice color without overpowering the space. The prices are very reasonable and I recommend checking this place out for a low key dinner in east memphis. **one small piece of advice: avoid the alpine chicken at dinner, it's very boring and I don't know why it continues to be featured when they are much better entrees.
Consistently good food in a good atmosphere is a great reason to frequent any establishment; and it's the reason that I keep going back to Booksellers bistro. There are items offered on the menu from the likes of Food Network stars and local celebritiy chefs. Try the Turkey Burger from Rachel Ray or ANYTHING from the brunch menu and you are bound to be satisfied.
(4)
Cori W.
I recommend the seared salmon. Everything is top notch. They have live music and the service is adequate. It's very classy
(5)
Stephanie C.
Everyone has their happy place, and this is mine. It's my place to go when I'm childless and in need of a break, or a book! Browse the book and magazine selection, and then grab a seat in the Bistro and chill. Their menu is very reasonable priced and the food is delicious. They also have happy hour and brunch specials. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all three meals are great here. There's something for everyone on their long list of creative menu items (mostly all inspired by cook books they carry in the store). Their house soup - tomato blue cheese - is freaking awesome. This is also my go-to place when I'm in need a special gift or card for someone. They have great gifts like candles, jewelry, dishes - pretty much anything! If you eat in the bistro, ask for Josh. He's waited on me several of the times I've been here, and he's great!
(5)
Vim I.
Adorable bistro inside of a bookstore...to appeal to my foodie/bookworm sensibilities? Yes please! This bistro gets busy at lunch time so expect a slight wait. That was really the only reason I had to knock off a star because we had to wait for our entrees for so long--but if you're having a leisurely lunch that won't bother you a bit. The staff is friendly and the ambiance is relaxing. They have great lunch selections from appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. You'll see a few items inspired by celebrity chefs, like Alton Brown, Paula Deen, etc. I had the Avocado BLT which was delicious! You can't go wrong with avocado, bacon, and chipotle mayo on super crispy bread. The Tomato Blue Cheese soup was a great twist on the classic tomato soup. My husband had the Chicken Salad croissant--which was good as well.
(4)
Tim P.
It's now called BISTRO at Booksellers; and it's DEAD!!! Don't be fooled by the lines. It's people thinking it's the same as it used to be. NOPE!!! Today we sat at the bar to keep from waiting 20 minutes. The server took our order and took a long time just to bring back water because "she lost her sheet of paper" and "she hoped she remembered what we ordered." The tomato blue cheese soup which they've been doing forever was like mud. My cup was thick enough to make three servings. We had quiche and it was served with a side of FRUIT COCKTAIL...straight out of the can. REALLY!!!! At lest try to disguise or just don't do it at all. The cappuccino machine was "broken". Yet, they made a cafe au lait that looked like dish water. The new bookstore owners obviously could care less about the food service.
(2)
Natalie S.
Honestly can't stand this place since it changed from Davis Kids to The Booksellers. The people you ask to help you are snooty and rude. As for the bistro itself, well it's pretty much a mirrored reflection. We got seated and waited 15 minutes for anyone to come. No drinks, no nothing for 15 minutes. I am never giving any kind of revenue towards this establishment again. I've been going there against my will because it's literally the only place that sells books in east memphis. But I'm gonna go on with driving all the way to Cordova and helping out the the big business of Barnes & Nobles.
(1)
Kevin C.
Great salads and good service. I had a tasty pear and blue cheese salad. It had a very nice atmosphere considering it's in a bookstore tucked away in a shopping complex. I would go back.
(4)
Emily D.
I love this place! They have a nice patio and a decent wine list. I believe on Saturday's they have a half off wine bottle special. The food is really good, a bit overpriced on a few items ( $14 burger!). Thave have quite a few vegetarian and gluten free items that are labled on the menu so you don't have to ask for clarification. They also have live music certain days out of the month which is nice. Check them out!
(4)
Amanda C.
I ate at Bronte for lunch recently, and was pleasantly surprised by it. I think it's been years since I ate in Davis Kidd or booksellers, or whatever it is called, and I don't recall it being that good. However, I had the chicken salad sandwich and a side salad, and it was pretty darn satisfying. The chicken salad was great, and covered the croissant. The sandwich also had Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and bacon. Pretty sure I'm always won over with the addition of bacon on things. My coworkers had salads, sandwiches, their signature tomato and blue cheese soup and the quiche of the day. I must say, everyone's dishes looked wonderful. I can't wait to go back and try a few other items on the menu. It is a bit pricy and was packed during the lunch hour, but I can't complain too much. The service was great!
(3)
Christan H.
I gave this place another try... Big mistake. I was greeted (if you can call it that) by the same rude hostess. She took me to a table and then realized that she had people waiting so took me back to the front to get on the list. It was so awkward. I waited around 10 minutes. Once I was seated, the server came over and he was pretty nice. Unfortunately, the wait for food was over 45 minutes... For a chicken wrap. I saw the manager go around to a couple of tables and apologize for the wait... But not mine. The server came back to apologize twice. They are not organized at all. Two chances is enough for me.
Third time to eat here, second time for dinner. Soooo disappointing. Whoever runs this place is careless and lazy. Food has been mediocre each time, not to mention over-priced, especially since they don't bother to include all components of dishes before they go out to guests. This place has soooo much potential, and should be banging with business - and um, hello, the menu features Eli's Asian Salmon (Barefoot Contessa) and Alton Browns Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing (which I had last night and 'twas awful. How can one do that to Alton's recipes? Shameful. I do not recommend eating here. Bistro- if you need new management, message me. I can help.
(1)
Brad P.
I had visited the "bistro" once previously before the change to Bookseller's bistro. I was not overly impressed the first time but decided to give it a second shot as the group of friends I was meeting had already decided on a location. I wish I could give zero stars. I was at a table of 12 - if they were unable to efficiently accommodate us they should have informed us prior to seating/accepting our reservation. we were the waiters only table, perhaps he was overwhelmed but we were a smaller group than the total number of seats in his station. Waiter brought water 3 glasses at a time, approximately 5 minutes between trips. Lost count 4 times on the number of coffee had been orders (6 though he ranged from 4 to 7) My water glass and a coffee mug at the table both were dirty with lip stick when they were brought to the table. I had to request a glass of orange juice three separate times, when it did arrive it was warm. It took over an hour and a half for our food to be delivered to the table - again three dishes at a time. The waiter did not know who ordered what and repeatedly attempted to place meals with the wrong person. Only three settings of cutlery were brought to the table - after food was delivered, then we had to request more for the rest of the table 3 more times. I ordered one of the most basic of breakfast meals - pancakes and bacon. With very crispy bacon. The bacon was on the verge of rubbery raw, both the pancakes and bacon were cold, and my plate was dirty. My girlfriend ordered the bacon, onion, mushroom, Swiss cheese omelet - and asked for changes. when the omelet was delivered the waiter rudely snapped "the omelet wit all the changes!" and thrust it into her face. 5 minutes later he brought three more dishes and placed an omelet in front of my friend that ordered the "BOMS" they had both begun eating upon realizing the dishes had been mixed up she receiving his plate/her her's. Her food was also cold. By the time I had finished my meal the final meal was delivered to the table - a breakfast sandwich. When the bills were delivered the waiter again did not know who ordered what - presenting incorrect bills. I paid in cash - and was expecting change back, the waiter specifically said "I will be right back with your change". he never returned with my change. In the end the meal took over 2 hours from the time we were seated to the time we left... there was no hanging out after the meal was finished. It just took that long to get poor service and cold food on dirty plates. I will not be returning to "The Booksellers Bistro", even if the same group of friends chooses the establishment again for the weekly brunch.
(1)
Kathleen S.
I've been going to The Bistro since it was Bronte. I've never had a bad meal...ever. Sometimes the service is better than others. However, the staff have always been frlendly and accomodating. There were a few months during "the change" that things seemed a bit rough; but my last 6-7 visits have been great! Particular favorites are the chicken salad, shrimp quesidilla, tomato and blue cheese soup and alpine chicken. My daugther (a very picky eater) loves coming here. I also love that it is in the book store. Lunch or Dinner, I've always had a good experience. HINT: if you are in a hurry at lunch, eat at the bar.
(4)
Jolynna M.
Don't let the fact that it's located in a book store fool you. This is one of my favorite lunch spots in town. The food is definitely above par and the menu is varied. Some of my personal favorites include their signature Tomato Basil Soup, which is creamy and rich, without being heavy. And the Baked Brie with Caramel and Walnuts is fantastic. It's served with slices of sourdough bread and pear. Delicious!! A couple of other items worth mentioning are their Homemade Quiche and the Chicken Salad. They also offer breakfast, and though I haven't tried it (yet), I hear their Creme Brulee French Toast is some kind of amazing.
(4)
Misty R.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in East Memphis. The food is always fresh and unique. It's unique because the featured items are recipes from the cook books sold in the store. So you can sample something before buying the book- clever. The avocado BLT is one of my favorites along with the pear salad. The atmosphere is nice- lots of windows, soothing music and all in a book store setting. You can grab a bite of lunch, pick up a gift or a card and a book all in an hour. They are also open for dinner which I recently enjoyed. They have a limited wine list. The quiche is always good and I often order a whole pie to go to take home for breakfast the next day. Check out the coffee bar area if you want to browse through books and have a cup of coffee or lunch. You can find coupons online at restaurant.com - makes it a deal.
(4)
Allyn B.
One of my favorite lunch spots in Memphis. Really busy during the lunch hours but the food is great and so is the service. Absolutely love Davis-Kidd bookstore.
(5)
Nessa W.
I took my teenage daughter and nephew to Bronte for an early dinner on Saturday at 5pm. We were able to immediately get a table. Our waiter was efficient. My daughter and I both ordered the Alpine Pasta. I also had the blue cheese soup. It came right out hot. The soup was creamy with just the right amount of blue cheese. The pasta was tasty with the perfect ratio of roasted chicken. My nephew ordered the house salad with salmon. The salmon was seasoned to perfection. We received our check in a timely manner and we were heading out the door. Two different employees thanked us for coming. I really appreciated the sendoff.
(4)
Eric T.
This is a nice little hidden spot in East Memphis that's great for a quick brunch or dinner. The vegetarian chili is my favorite entre (and I'm a meat eater). The salmon salad is pretty popular as well. Breakfast/brunch food is pretty good, but nothing to write home about. The two main selling points are the price and location. You get a good sized, tasty meal for around $8. The space itself is very bright and open, and Davis Kidd is a fun store to browse around when you're done eating. There's also a coffee bar that you can sit at if you find a stack of books you want to examine.
(4)
Joe S.
Comfortable restaurant inside independently owned Davis-Kidd Bookstore. This is a comfortable spot for a light lunch or dinner or small meeting. There is a good menu selection of soups, salads and sanwiches, always fresh and tasty. My choice is usually the chicken croissant, which comes with the choice of nice spring greens salad or chips. The quiche of the day and soup of the day are also a good choices
(4)
Alfred C.
I ate at Bronte for the first time on a Sat. afternoon. On the weekends they offer breakfast until 3pm. The eggs and bacon were great and was resonably priced. I'm not the super sophisticated type so I was worried it would be to uppity there, both food and people. I was wrong. I enjoyed the white bean dip, but didn't care for the fruit juice. It was made of orange juice, pineapple juice and nutmeg. Too much nutmeg for me but drinkable. Looking around at the other plates there were several dishes I plan to go back and try. Laid back but classy. I will definitely go back!!!
(4)
Katie P.
They have a great, super-filling vegan chili!
(4)
Lanie Z.
A big fan of Bronte at Booksellers. When I visit Memphis, I make a beeline for the restaurant and bookstore. It's charming, the service is great, and the food delicious. It's fairly reasonable. Tonight I sat on the patio, enjoying the breeze and the yummy and filling chili (highly recommend) and a side salad. So satisfying. Even my mother is a convert. The restaurant has a nice wine selection -- even a wine tasting tonight. What a pleasant and relaxed place to dine. And you can pick up a book, magazine or great hand lotion in the bookstore after you eat.
(5)
Henry L.
We love to browse Davis-Kidd Booksellers and a good place to meet my girlfriend for lunch. We got seated right away and drinks and rolls came right out the kitchen. The rolls remind me of Sister Schubert's. It came fresh and warm with butter on the side. My girlfriend had the tomato and bleu cheese soup. She loved it. I had the hummus which came with pita and side cucumber salad. The cucumber salad is sweet and I prefer my veggies a little sweet. My girlfriend had the chicken salad sandwich and I had the American Taste Kitchen BLT with Avocados. Chicken Salad was delicious served on top of a croissant. My BLT was the star. It was delicious with generous amount of bacon. I really liked the side greens with the vinaigrette. We enjoyed our lunch especially on a gorgeous day in Memphis.
(5)
Lawrence M.
Restaurant has a nice setting w/many windows creating a very bright and inviting dining experience. The service was attentive and accommodating . We had the Fruit Brulee French Toast while our daughter had the Kraft Macaroni and cheese. The dish was okay. The fruit and ingredients were good and the candied topping for the Brulee was an interesting take. The bread was tough/too chewy and they should use a different bread for the toast if they want to make it really good. We'll likely return, but not a first choice in the future.
(3)
Tiffany C.
Had the pleasure of eating here yesterday for lunch for the first time. I had the vegetarian chili, which was very good, and my dining companion had the salmon salad. Both were well executed. The portions are huge, but that's nothing new in the restaurant biz. Our server was great -- there, but not hovering....and allowed us to just sit after the bill was brought without making us feel guilty (even brought my friend a refill). Such gestures are not lost on me and we tipped accordingly. I would definitely go back.
(3)
Kathleen S.
I've been going to The Bistro since it was Bronte. I've never had a bad meal...ever. Sometimes the service is better than others. However, the staff have always been frlendly and accomodating. There were a few months during "the change" that things seemed a bit rough; but my last 6-7 visits have been great! Particular favorites are the chicken salad, shrimp quesidilla, tomato and blue cheese soup and alpine chicken. My daugther (a very picky eater) loves coming here. I also love that it is in the book store. Lunch or Dinner, I've always had a good experience. HINT: if you are in a hurry at lunch, eat at the bar.
(4)
Andrea L.
I was late to work and craving quiche...a quick Google search led me here. I love bookstores, I love food. This was great. I was in a rush and they were fast. The people, yes people, taking my order were so courteous. I got my food to go but they kept checking on me and offering me beverages. Oh and the salad and quiche were great! Dining in next time to compare.
(5)
Marian B.
Woman, who takes take out orders, up front is friendly & loves to interact with customers.
(5)
Turid D.
I've eaten here 3 times. The waiter was pleasant. We purchased a dinner Groupon so though it is a bit overpriced for what you get. It cost us only a bit more than the Groupon. Today we had chicken Picata on polenta and red snapper with polenta. I liked the chicken very well but not the fish. I also did not care for polenta or the rolls. My husband liked both. My favorite thing I've tasted here is the pear and blue cheese salad. It was really good.
I have to admit, I was pretty cranky when the menu changed but I still have my favorite at each meal and still love this place. For breakfast I like the breakfast croissant, for lunch the chicken salad croissant and for dinner the shrimp and risotto. I was really impressed with my meal on my most recent visit, the food was a generous portion and platted beautifully. Dinner has more of a fine dinning food feel with the menu than casual bookstore cafe, and that's a good thing. I've always found the ambience to be warm, welcoming and never loud - all good things again. The lantern style lights make for some nice color without overpowering the space. The prices are very reasonable and I recommend checking this place out for a low key dinner in east memphis. **one small piece of advice: avoid the alpine chicken at dinner, it's very boring and I don't know why it continues to be featured when they are much better entrees.
(4)
Christan H.
I gave this place another try... Big mistake. I was greeted (if you can call it that) by the same rude hostess. She took me to a table and then realized that she had people waiting so took me back to the front to get on the list. It was so awkward. I waited around 10 minutes. Once I was seated, the server came over and he was pretty nice. Unfortunately, the wait for food was over 45 minutes... For a chicken wrap. I saw the manager go around to a couple of tables and apologize for the wait... But not mine. The server came back to apologize twice. They are not organized at all. Two chances is enough for me.
Third time to eat here, second time for dinner. Soooo disappointing. Whoever runs this place is careless and lazy. Food has been mediocre each time, not to mention over-priced, especially since they don't bother to include all components of dishes before they go out to guests. This place has soooo much potential, and should be banging with business - and um, hello, the menu features Eli's Asian Salmon (Barefoot Contessa) and Alton Browns Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing (which I had last night and 'twas awful. How can one do that to Alton's recipes? Shameful. I do not recommend eating here. Bistro- if you need new management, message me. I can help.
(1)
Shaun B.
My girlfriend is a very avid fan of this establishment, so I decided to give it another try. We arrive and a server comes over promptly to serve us. She is very friendly and attentive, and even was willing to add a cup of soup to my half portion entree even though the menu said soup at reduced rate with full portion only. We get our beer cheese soup and it's pretty good. The added bacon really helped differentiate it. We're actually off to a good start! Then, my entree came... the menu stated that my pasta would be like a macaroni and cheese, but didn't even come close. It was exceptionally bland and watered down, and the chicken somehow was even more bland. I tried a bite of my girlfriend's shrimp pesto pasta which was alright, but not worth it's price point. I'm truly sad that I'm not a fan of this place, as I know that would make the girlfriend happy. And I also wish I could give them more stars. But despite the improved service and soup, the entree was a total buzzkill, and if the meal is no good, then it sadly is what it is...
(2)
Malaika S.
Ok, so I'm not fancy (not much)... As a matter of fact I regularly make it my business to frequent local, homespun, and unique businesses primarily and especially shun those with linen tablecloths and napkin rolls, with the exception of brunch. I go extra fancy for brunch... Pinkies in the air fancy. The Bistro inside of Booksellers at Laurelwood wasn't on my radar at all until my best friend and business partner suggested it, she's the fancy one! Her being fancy tends to work out for the best for both of us and the bistro was no exception. I have eaten there on three occasions now and I haven't been disappointed. Each time i have received timely and considerate service, by a friendly server. I have tried a different dish each time as well and have never been disappointed! Plus they offer plenty of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options...Oh! and wine! I didn't have wine when we went the last couple of times, but they do have an impressive wine list. Finally, to top it all off. It's an actual book seller, so there are books and books and books and books and lovely fancy stationary, which I stan for!
(4)
Joelle P.
3 mimosas, a fully loaded breakfast croissant with a side of fruit and hash browns for under $20? YES, PLEASE! I couldn't believe my bill this morning after that delightful meal. Granted, it was $24 after tip but everything was fantastic - I had 3 drinks, a yummy meal, and our waiter (Nick) could not have been nicer. Not to mention I got to shop for my girlfriend's present at the bookstore before she arrived to lunch. Very, very convenient. I was a little wary about this place after they changed ownership, but I am a huge fan now!
(5)
Tammy C.
Tried this place out due to a coupon in the city saver book bought from a fundraiser. My hubby and I both has salads. I had a turkey cranberry feta salad and it was great! My hubby had the Buffalo chicken salad and it was just ok. We also tried the polenta triangles as an appitizer and I would recommend those to anyone who like polenta. They were fantastic! The server was great as well. When using a coupon, they add the 20% grautity to your check automatically. This was fine in our situation but if your server is awful, it may not go over too well. We will definitely try this again to check out more menu options.
(4)
Karen L.
The boyfriend and I joined Irene here for the January Elite of the Month event, and it (the food, not the company!) was...ok. We tried the blue cheese tomato soup, a crab cake, and the hummus, and all three were decent, but nothing special. If it didn't know there was blue cheese in the soup, I wouldn't have guessed it -- and I don't like blue cheese! The crab cake was good, but pretty expensive at $11.95 for one, and the hummus didn't seem quite right. The boyfriend suggested that it lacked tahini, which made it seem like just plain mashed chickpeas. The dressing on the tomato salad had also run onto some of the pita, making it soggy on the bottom. Yuck! Service was decent, though we had to flag down our waiter when we were ready to order. The coffee was not great, making me wish we'd stopped at Starbucks. But Irene really enjoyed the creme brulee French toast, so maybe we should've stuck with the breakfast menu, which is served til 3pm on weekends. Overall, it was fine. I wouldn't be in a rush to go back, but I've been to way worse places too.
(3)
Sandie M.
Have never had a bad meal here. Portions are plentiful, fresh and everything is delicious!
Consistently good food in a good atmosphere is a great reason to frequent any establishment; and it's the reason that I keep going back to Booksellers bistro. There are items offered on the menu from the likes of Food Network stars and local celebritiy chefs. Try the Turkey Burger from Rachel Ray or ANYTHING from the brunch menu and you are bound to be satisfied.
(4)
Cori W.
I recommend the seared salmon. Everything is top notch. They have live music and the service is adequate. It's very classy
(5)
Stephanie C.
Everyone has their happy place, and this is mine. It's my place to go when I'm childless and in need of a break, or a book! Browse the book and magazine selection, and then grab a seat in the Bistro and chill. Their menu is very reasonable priced and the food is delicious. They also have happy hour and brunch specials. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all three meals are great here. There's something for everyone on their long list of creative menu items (mostly all inspired by cook books they carry in the store). Their house soup - tomato blue cheese - is freaking awesome. This is also my go-to place when I'm in need a special gift or card for someone. They have great gifts like candles, jewelry, dishes - pretty much anything! If you eat in the bistro, ask for Josh. He's waited on me several of the times I've been here, and he's great!
(5)
Vim I.
Adorable bistro inside of a bookstore...to appeal to my foodie/bookworm sensibilities? Yes please! This bistro gets busy at lunch time so expect a slight wait. That was really the only reason I had to knock off a star because we had to wait for our entrees for so long--but if you're having a leisurely lunch that won't bother you a bit. The staff is friendly and the ambiance is relaxing. They have great lunch selections from appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. You'll see a few items inspired by celebrity chefs, like Alton Brown, Paula Deen, etc. I had the Avocado BLT which was delicious! You can't go wrong with avocado, bacon, and chipotle mayo on super crispy bread. The Tomato Blue Cheese soup was a great twist on the classic tomato soup. My husband had the Chicken Salad croissant--which was good as well.
(4)
Brad P.
I had visited the "bistro" once previously before the change to Bookseller's bistro. I was not overly impressed the first time but decided to give it a second shot as the group of friends I was meeting had already decided on a location. I wish I could give zero stars. I was at a table of 12 - if they were unable to efficiently accommodate us they should have informed us prior to seating/accepting our reservation. we were the waiters only table, perhaps he was overwhelmed but we were a smaller group than the total number of seats in his station. Waiter brought water 3 glasses at a time, approximately 5 minutes between trips. Lost count 4 times on the number of coffee had been orders (6 though he ranged from 4 to 7) My water glass and a coffee mug at the table both were dirty with lip stick when they were brought to the table. I had to request a glass of orange juice three separate times, when it did arrive it was warm. It took over an hour and a half for our food to be delivered to the table - again three dishes at a time. The waiter did not know who ordered what and repeatedly attempted to place meals with the wrong person. Only three settings of cutlery were brought to the table - after food was delivered, then we had to request more for the rest of the table 3 more times. I ordered one of the most basic of breakfast meals - pancakes and bacon. With very crispy bacon. The bacon was on the verge of rubbery raw, both the pancakes and bacon were cold, and my plate was dirty. My girlfriend ordered the bacon, onion, mushroom, Swiss cheese omelet - and asked for changes. when the omelet was delivered the waiter rudely snapped "the omelet wit all the changes!" and thrust it into her face. 5 minutes later he brought three more dishes and placed an omelet in front of my friend that ordered the "BOMS" they had both begun eating upon realizing the dishes had been mixed up she receiving his plate/her her's. Her food was also cold. By the time I had finished my meal the final meal was delivered to the table - a breakfast sandwich. When the bills were delivered the waiter again did not know who ordered what - presenting incorrect bills. I paid in cash - and was expecting change back, the waiter specifically said "I will be right back with your change". he never returned with my change. In the end the meal took over 2 hours from the time we were seated to the time we left... there was no hanging out after the meal was finished. It just took that long to get poor service and cold food on dirty plates. I will not be returning to "The Booksellers Bistro", even if the same group of friends chooses the establishment again for the weekly brunch.
(1)
Tim P.
It's now called BISTRO at Booksellers; and it's DEAD!!! Don't be fooled by the lines. It's people thinking it's the same as it used to be. NOPE!!! Today we sat at the bar to keep from waiting 20 minutes. The server took our order and took a long time just to bring back water because "she lost her sheet of paper" and "she hoped she remembered what we ordered." The tomato blue cheese soup which they've been doing forever was like mud. My cup was thick enough to make three servings. We had quiche and it was served with a side of FRUIT COCKTAIL...straight out of the can. REALLY!!!! At lest try to disguise or just don't do it at all. The cappuccino machine was "broken". Yet, they made a cafe au lait that looked like dish water. The new bookstore owners obviously could care less about the food service.
(2)
Natalie S.
Honestly can't stand this place since it changed from Davis Kids to The Booksellers. The people you ask to help you are snooty and rude. As for the bistro itself, well it's pretty much a mirrored reflection. We got seated and waited 15 minutes for anyone to come. No drinks, no nothing for 15 minutes. I am never giving any kind of revenue towards this establishment again. I've been going there against my will because it's literally the only place that sells books in east memphis. But I'm gonna go on with driving all the way to Cordova and helping out the the big business of Barnes & Nobles.
(1)
Kevin C.
Great salads and good service. I had a tasty pear and blue cheese salad. It had a very nice atmosphere considering it's in a bookstore tucked away in a shopping complex. I would go back.
(4)
Emily D.
I love this place! They have a nice patio and a decent wine list. I believe on Saturday's they have a half off wine bottle special. The food is really good, a bit overpriced on a few items ( $14 burger!). Thave have quite a few vegetarian and gluten free items that are labled on the menu so you don't have to ask for clarification. They also have live music certain days out of the month which is nice. Check them out!
(4)
Amanda C.
I ate at Bronte for lunch recently, and was pleasantly surprised by it. I think it's been years since I ate in Davis Kidd or booksellers, or whatever it is called, and I don't recall it being that good. However, I had the chicken salad sandwich and a side salad, and it was pretty darn satisfying. The chicken salad was great, and covered the croissant. The sandwich also had Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and bacon. Pretty sure I'm always won over with the addition of bacon on things. My coworkers had salads, sandwiches, their signature tomato and blue cheese soup and the quiche of the day. I must say, everyone's dishes looked wonderful. I can't wait to go back and try a few other items on the menu. It is a bit pricy and was packed during the lunch hour, but I can't complain too much. The service was great!
(3)
Debbie P.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. It's in a great bookstore, the menu is varied and the food is tasty, and the service is always courteous. Sometimes when they are very busy, the service can be slow; however, I don't go to this restaurant when I'm in a hurry, because I always like to browse the book store on my way in and on my way out. It's a great place to meet a friend for lunch or entertain out of town guests, because it's very Memphis-like. Their tomato cheese soup is outstanding.
(4)
Tanya T.
A favorite lunch spot, Bronte is located inside of Davis Kidd Booksellers. I always order a cup of tomato basil soup- so tasty. I usually pair it with a half sandwich or a salad. The chicken salad sandwich is great, and as far as salads- I'll take the pear and bleu cheese anyday. I love the kids' menus, which are literally children's books with a menu taped to the inside front cover. Place your order and while you wait, read your children a story from their "menu." Servers are very attentive and the pricing is ok- maybe a tad more expensive than other lunch spots but totally worth it.
(4)
Kerry C.
I ordered the house special soup (tomato and bleu cheese) and a pear and bleu cheese salad. I didn't mean to have a meal so focused on one item, but it was apparently a bleu cheese sort of day. The soup was creamy and there was a good balance of flavors. The salad was topped with pear slices, almonds, bleu cheese crumbles, white raisins, and a little cup of sweet pear and poppy seed dressing. Bronte's menu is fairly expansive (they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner), and includes items from the many cookbooks sold in the store. They've also got coffee, wireless internet, and a bakery case full of yummy-looking desserts. Bronte isn't cheap, but it's definitely worth checking out. My soup, salad and iced tea were $12.
(4)
tiffany A.
The first time I went here I had bad service and my order was messed up twice. But I understand that things sometimes happen so I gave it another chance today. Although our server was friendly she was never available, she didn't bring the rolls she said she would and she got my order wrong. I ordered the avocado BLT but asked for regular mayo instead of chipotle, which is what comes on it. This is the same problem that happened the first time. I had to flag down another server to send it back because I didn't see our server. The person I flagged down didn't seem to want to help. When the server brought back my BLT she blamed it on new kitchen staff and the avocados on it were all brown. It took a long time to get the check and thus I am done with this place.
(1)
Angela C.
Good salads, service and location. Dinner at a bookstore? Who knew. Glad yelper's recommended it. :)
(4)
Alfred C.
I ate at Bronte for the first time on a Sat. afternoon. On the weekends they offer breakfast until 3pm. The eggs and bacon were great and was resonably priced. I'm not the super sophisticated type so I was worried it would be to uppity there, both food and people. I was wrong. I enjoyed the white bean dip, but didn't care for the fruit juice. It was made of orange juice, pineapple juice and nutmeg. Too much nutmeg for me but drinkable. Looking around at the other plates there were several dishes I plan to go back and try. Laid back but classy. I will definitely go back!!!
(4)
Katie P.
They have a great, super-filling vegan chili!
(4)
Lanie Z.
A big fan of Bronte at Booksellers. When I visit Memphis, I make a beeline for the restaurant and bookstore. It's charming, the service is great, and the food delicious. It's fairly reasonable. Tonight I sat on the patio, enjoying the breeze and the yummy and filling chili (highly recommend) and a side salad. So satisfying. Even my mother is a convert. The restaurant has a nice wine selection -- even a wine tasting tonight. What a pleasant and relaxed place to dine. And you can pick up a book, magazine or great hand lotion in the bookstore after you eat.
(5)
Henry L.
We love to browse Davis-Kidd Booksellers and a good place to meet my girlfriend for lunch. We got seated right away and drinks and rolls came right out the kitchen. The rolls remind me of Sister Schubert's. It came fresh and warm with butter on the side. My girlfriend had the tomato and bleu cheese soup. She loved it. I had the hummus which came with pita and side cucumber salad. The cucumber salad is sweet and I prefer my veggies a little sweet. My girlfriend had the chicken salad sandwich and I had the American Taste Kitchen BLT with Avocados. Chicken Salad was delicious served on top of a croissant. My BLT was the star. It was delicious with generous amount of bacon. I really liked the side greens with the vinaigrette. We enjoyed our lunch especially on a gorgeous day in Memphis.
(5)
Joe S.
Comfortable restaurant inside independently owned Davis-Kidd Bookstore. This is a comfortable spot for a light lunch or dinner or small meeting. There is a good menu selection of soups, salads and sanwiches, always fresh and tasty. My choice is usually the chicken croissant, which comes with the choice of nice spring greens salad or chips. The quiche of the day and soup of the day are also a good choices
(4)
Jolynna M.
Don't let the fact that it's located in a book store fool you. This is one of my favorite lunch spots in town. The food is definitely above par and the menu is varied. Some of my personal favorites include their signature Tomato Basil Soup, which is creamy and rich, without being heavy. And the Baked Brie with Caramel and Walnuts is fantastic. It's served with slices of sourdough bread and pear. Delicious!! A couple of other items worth mentioning are their Homemade Quiche and the Chicken Salad. They also offer breakfast, and though I haven't tried it (yet), I hear their Creme Brulee French Toast is some kind of amazing.
(4)
Misty R.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in East Memphis. The food is always fresh and unique. It's unique because the featured items are recipes from the cook books sold in the store. So you can sample something before buying the book- clever. The avocado BLT is one of my favorites along with the pear salad. The atmosphere is nice- lots of windows, soothing music and all in a book store setting. You can grab a bite of lunch, pick up a gift or a card and a book all in an hour. They are also open for dinner which I recently enjoyed. They have a limited wine list. The quiche is always good and I often order a whole pie to go to take home for breakfast the next day. Check out the coffee bar area if you want to browse through books and have a cup of coffee or lunch. You can find coupons online at restaurant.com - makes it a deal.
(4)
Allyn B.
One of my favorite lunch spots in Memphis. Really busy during the lunch hours but the food is great and so is the service. Absolutely love Davis-Kidd bookstore.
(5)
Nessa W.
I took my teenage daughter and nephew to Bronte for an early dinner on Saturday at 5pm. We were able to immediately get a table. Our waiter was efficient. My daughter and I both ordered the Alpine Pasta. I also had the blue cheese soup. It came right out hot. The soup was creamy with just the right amount of blue cheese. The pasta was tasty with the perfect ratio of roasted chicken. My nephew ordered the house salad with salmon. The salmon was seasoned to perfection. We received our check in a timely manner and we were heading out the door. Two different employees thanked us for coming. I really appreciated the sendoff.
(4)
Eric T.
This is a nice little hidden spot in East Memphis that's great for a quick brunch or dinner. The vegetarian chili is my favorite entre (and I'm a meat eater). The salmon salad is pretty popular as well. Breakfast/brunch food is pretty good, but nothing to write home about. The two main selling points are the price and location. You get a good sized, tasty meal for around $8. The space itself is very bright and open, and Davis Kidd is a fun store to browse around when you're done eating. There's also a coffee bar that you can sit at if you find a stack of books you want to examine.
(4)
Lawrence M.
Restaurant has a nice setting w/many windows creating a very bright and inviting dining experience. The service was attentive and accommodating . We had the Fruit Brulee French Toast while our daughter had the Kraft Macaroni and cheese. The dish was okay. The fruit and ingredients were good and the candied topping for the Brulee was an interesting take. The bread was tough/too chewy and they should use a different bread for the toast if they want to make it really good. We'll likely return, but not a first choice in the future.
(3)
Tiffany C.
Had the pleasure of eating here yesterday for lunch for the first time. I had the vegetarian chili, which was very good, and my dining companion had the salmon salad. Both were well executed. The portions are huge, but that's nothing new in the restaurant biz. Our server was great -- there, but not hovering....and allowed us to just sit after the bill was brought without making us feel guilty (even brought my friend a refill). Such gestures are not lost on me and we tipped accordingly. I would definitely go back.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Debbie P.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. It's in a great bookstore, the menu is varied and the food is tasty, and the service is always courteous. Sometimes when they are very busy, the service can be slow; however, I don't go to this restaurant when I'm in a hurry, because I always like to browse the book store on my way in and on my way out. It's a great place to meet a friend for lunch or entertain out of town guests, because it's very Memphis-like. Their tomato cheese soup is outstanding.
(4)Shaun B.
My girlfriend is a very avid fan of this establishment, so I decided to give it another try. We arrive and a server comes over promptly to serve us. She is very friendly and attentive, and even was willing to add a cup of soup to my half portion entree even though the menu said soup at reduced rate with full portion only. We get our beer cheese soup and it's pretty good. The added bacon really helped differentiate it. We're actually off to a good start! Then, my entree came... the menu stated that my pasta would be like a macaroni and cheese, but didn't even come close. It was exceptionally bland and watered down, and the chicken somehow was even more bland. I tried a bite of my girlfriend's shrimp pesto pasta which was alright, but not worth it's price point. I'm truly sad that I'm not a fan of this place, as I know that would make the girlfriend happy. And I also wish I could give them more stars. But despite the improved service and soup, the entree was a total buzzkill, and if the meal is no good, then it sadly is what it is...
(2)Malaika S.
Ok, so I'm not fancy (not much)... As a matter of fact I regularly make it my business to frequent local, homespun, and unique businesses primarily and especially shun those with linen tablecloths and napkin rolls, with the exception of brunch. I go extra fancy for brunch... Pinkies in the air fancy. The Bistro inside of Booksellers at Laurelwood wasn't on my radar at all until my best friend and business partner suggested it, she's the fancy one! Her being fancy tends to work out for the best for both of us and the bistro was no exception. I have eaten there on three occasions now and I haven't been disappointed. Each time i have received timely and considerate service, by a friendly server. I have tried a different dish each time as well and have never been disappointed! Plus they offer plenty of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options...Oh! and wine! I didn't have wine when we went the last couple of times, but they do have an impressive wine list. Finally, to top it all off. It's an actual book seller, so there are books and books and books and books and lovely fancy stationary, which I stan for!
(4)Tanya T.
A favorite lunch spot, Bronte is located inside of Davis Kidd Booksellers. I always order a cup of tomato basil soup- so tasty. I usually pair it with a half sandwich or a salad. The chicken salad sandwich is great, and as far as salads- I'll take the pear and bleu cheese anyday. I love the kids' menus, which are literally children's books with a menu taped to the inside front cover. Place your order and while you wait, read your children a story from their "menu." Servers are very attentive and the pricing is ok- maybe a tad more expensive than other lunch spots but totally worth it.
(4)Kerry C.
I ordered the house special soup (tomato and bleu cheese) and a pear and bleu cheese salad. I didn't mean to have a meal so focused on one item, but it was apparently a bleu cheese sort of day. The soup was creamy and there was a good balance of flavors. The salad was topped with pear slices, almonds, bleu cheese crumbles, white raisins, and a little cup of sweet pear and poppy seed dressing. Bronte's menu is fairly expansive (they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner), and includes items from the many cookbooks sold in the store. They've also got coffee, wireless internet, and a bakery case full of yummy-looking desserts. Bronte isn't cheap, but it's definitely worth checking out. My soup, salad and iced tea were $12.
(4)tiffany A.
The first time I went here I had bad service and my order was messed up twice. But I understand that things sometimes happen so I gave it another chance today. Although our server was friendly she was never available, she didn't bring the rolls she said she would and she got my order wrong. I ordered the avocado BLT but asked for regular mayo instead of chipotle, which is what comes on it. This is the same problem that happened the first time. I had to flag down another server to send it back because I didn't see our server. The person I flagged down didn't seem to want to help. When the server brought back my BLT she blamed it on new kitchen staff and the avocados on it were all brown. It took a long time to get the check and thus I am done with this place.
(1)Angela C.
Good salads, service and location. Dinner at a bookstore? Who knew. Glad yelper's recommended it. :)
(4)Joelle P.
3 mimosas, a fully loaded breakfast croissant with a side of fruit and hash browns for under $20? YES, PLEASE! I couldn't believe my bill this morning after that delightful meal. Granted, it was $24 after tip but everything was fantastic - I had 3 drinks, a yummy meal, and our waiter (Nick) could not have been nicer. Not to mention I got to shop for my girlfriend's present at the bookstore before she arrived to lunch. Very, very convenient. I was a little wary about this place after they changed ownership, but I am a huge fan now!
(5)Tammy C.
Tried this place out due to a coupon in the city saver book bought from a fundraiser. My hubby and I both has salads. I had a turkey cranberry feta salad and it was great! My hubby had the Buffalo chicken salad and it was just ok. We also tried the polenta triangles as an appitizer and I would recommend those to anyone who like polenta. They were fantastic! The server was great as well. When using a coupon, they add the 20% grautity to your check automatically. This was fine in our situation but if your server is awful, it may not go over too well. We will definitely try this again to check out more menu options.
(4)Karen L.
The boyfriend and I joined Irene here for the January Elite of the Month event, and it (the food, not the company!) was...ok. We tried the blue cheese tomato soup, a crab cake, and the hummus, and all three were decent, but nothing special. If it didn't know there was blue cheese in the soup, I wouldn't have guessed it -- and I don't like blue cheese! The crab cake was good, but pretty expensive at $11.95 for one, and the hummus didn't seem quite right. The boyfriend suggested that it lacked tahini, which made it seem like just plain mashed chickpeas. The dressing on the tomato salad had also run onto some of the pita, making it soggy on the bottom. Yuck! Service was decent, though we had to flag down our waiter when we were ready to order. The coffee was not great, making me wish we'd stopped at Starbucks. But Irene really enjoyed the creme brulee French toast, so maybe we should've stuck with the breakfast menu, which is served til 3pm on weekends. Overall, it was fine. I wouldn't be in a rush to go back, but I've been to way worse places too.
(3)Sandie M.
Have never had a bad meal here. Portions are plentiful, fresh and everything is delicious!
(4)Andrea L.
I was late to work and craving quiche...a quick Google search led me here. I love bookstores, I love food. This was great. I was in a rush and they were fast. The people, yes people, taking my order were so courteous. I got my food to go but they kept checking on me and offering me beverages. Oh and the salad and quiche were great! Dining in next time to compare.
(5)Marian B.
Woman, who takes take out orders, up front is friendly & loves to interact with customers.
(5)Turid D.
I've eaten here 3 times. The waiter was pleasant. We purchased a dinner Groupon so though it is a bit overpriced for what you get. It cost us only a bit more than the Groupon. Today we had chicken Picata on polenta and red snapper with polenta. I liked the chicken very well but not the fish. I also did not care for polenta or the rolls. My husband liked both. My favorite thing I've tasted here is the pear and blue cheese salad. It was really good.
(3)Kelly C.
The crème brûlée French toast with berries and bananas was amazing. The breakfast sandwich with bacon and fried egg with breakfast potatoes was awesome. Worth a visit - quiet atmosphere with classical music playing.
(5)Amanda E.
I have to admit, I was pretty cranky when the menu changed but I still have my favorite at each meal and still love this place. For breakfast I like the breakfast croissant, for lunch the chicken salad croissant and for dinner the shrimp and risotto. I was really impressed with my meal on my most recent visit, the food was a generous portion and platted beautifully. Dinner has more of a fine dinning food feel with the menu than casual bookstore cafe, and that's a good thing. I've always found the ambience to be warm, welcoming and never loud - all good things again. The lantern style lights make for some nice color without overpowering the space. The prices are very reasonable and I recommend checking this place out for a low key dinner in east memphis. **one small piece of advice: avoid the alpine chicken at dinner, it's very boring and I don't know why it continues to be featured when they are much better entrees.
(4)Gisa D.
Not bad for brunch. Do not order the breakfast burrito (over priced -very little egg in each bite). It comes with skillet potatoes, avocado and corn salsa (mostly corn). You are charged for low dollar ingredients, not necessarily quality ingredients (potatoes, corn, sour cream, flour tortilla). I was not expecting a moe's style burrito but I was hoping for more. The French toast was good but not as good as the creme brûlée French toast at Boscos (brioche bread). Also, the espresso was a little weak. However, the service was great! Will try again for dinner ...
(3)Arpana W.
Consistently good food in a good atmosphere is a great reason to frequent any establishment; and it's the reason that I keep going back to Booksellers bistro. There are items offered on the menu from the likes of Food Network stars and local celebritiy chefs. Try the Turkey Burger from Rachel Ray or ANYTHING from the brunch menu and you are bound to be satisfied.
(4)Cori W.
I recommend the seared salmon. Everything is top notch. They have live music and the service is adequate. It's very classy
(5)Stephanie C.
Everyone has their happy place, and this is mine. It's my place to go when I'm childless and in need of a break, or a book! Browse the book and magazine selection, and then grab a seat in the Bistro and chill. Their menu is very reasonable priced and the food is delicious. They also have happy hour and brunch specials. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all three meals are great here. There's something for everyone on their long list of creative menu items (mostly all inspired by cook books they carry in the store). Their house soup - tomato blue cheese - is freaking awesome. This is also my go-to place when I'm in need a special gift or card for someone. They have great gifts like candles, jewelry, dishes - pretty much anything! If you eat in the bistro, ask for Josh. He's waited on me several of the times I've been here, and he's great!
(5)Vim I.
Adorable bistro inside of a bookstore...to appeal to my foodie/bookworm sensibilities? Yes please! This bistro gets busy at lunch time so expect a slight wait. That was really the only reason I had to knock off a star because we had to wait for our entrees for so long--but if you're having a leisurely lunch that won't bother you a bit. The staff is friendly and the ambiance is relaxing. They have great lunch selections from appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. You'll see a few items inspired by celebrity chefs, like Alton Brown, Paula Deen, etc. I had the Avocado BLT which was delicious! You can't go wrong with avocado, bacon, and chipotle mayo on super crispy bread. The Tomato Blue Cheese soup was a great twist on the classic tomato soup. My husband had the Chicken Salad croissant--which was good as well.
(4)Tim P.
It's now called BISTRO at Booksellers; and it's DEAD!!! Don't be fooled by the lines. It's people thinking it's the same as it used to be. NOPE!!! Today we sat at the bar to keep from waiting 20 minutes. The server took our order and took a long time just to bring back water because "she lost her sheet of paper" and "she hoped she remembered what we ordered." The tomato blue cheese soup which they've been doing forever was like mud. My cup was thick enough to make three servings. We had quiche and it was served with a side of FRUIT COCKTAIL...straight out of the can. REALLY!!!! At lest try to disguise or just don't do it at all. The cappuccino machine was "broken". Yet, they made a cafe au lait that looked like dish water. The new bookstore owners obviously could care less about the food service.
(2)Natalie S.
Honestly can't stand this place since it changed from Davis Kids to The Booksellers. The people you ask to help you are snooty and rude. As for the bistro itself, well it's pretty much a mirrored reflection. We got seated and waited 15 minutes for anyone to come. No drinks, no nothing for 15 minutes. I am never giving any kind of revenue towards this establishment again. I've been going there against my will because it's literally the only place that sells books in east memphis. But I'm gonna go on with driving all the way to Cordova and helping out the the big business of Barnes & Nobles.
(1)Kevin C.
Great salads and good service. I had a tasty pear and blue cheese salad. It had a very nice atmosphere considering it's in a bookstore tucked away in a shopping complex. I would go back.
(4)Emily D.
I love this place! They have a nice patio and a decent wine list. I believe on Saturday's they have a half off wine bottle special. The food is really good, a bit overpriced on a few items ( $14 burger!). Thave have quite a few vegetarian and gluten free items that are labled on the menu so you don't have to ask for clarification. They also have live music certain days out of the month which is nice. Check them out!
(4)Amanda C.
I ate at Bronte for lunch recently, and was pleasantly surprised by it. I think it's been years since I ate in Davis Kidd or booksellers, or whatever it is called, and I don't recall it being that good. However, I had the chicken salad sandwich and a side salad, and it was pretty darn satisfying. The chicken salad was great, and covered the croissant. The sandwich also had Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and bacon. Pretty sure I'm always won over with the addition of bacon on things. My coworkers had salads, sandwiches, their signature tomato and blue cheese soup and the quiche of the day. I must say, everyone's dishes looked wonderful. I can't wait to go back and try a few other items on the menu. It is a bit pricy and was packed during the lunch hour, but I can't complain too much. The service was great!
(3)Christan H.
I gave this place another try... Big mistake. I was greeted (if you can call it that) by the same rude hostess. She took me to a table and then realized that she had people waiting so took me back to the front to get on the list. It was so awkward. I waited around 10 minutes. Once I was seated, the server came over and he was pretty nice. Unfortunately, the wait for food was over 45 minutes... For a chicken wrap. I saw the manager go around to a couple of tables and apologize for the wait... But not mine. The server came back to apologize twice. They are not organized at all. Two chances is enough for me.
(1)Katie D.
The food for this place is great! Some time I need to drag myself here when they're serving breakfast, because the food looks and sounds amazing. Breakfast is served until 11 am during the week and until 3 pm on weekends. I can't review what I've never tried but the Crème Brûlée French Toast sounds absolutely amazing. Like I will have to come down here some time for that. Their crab cakes are to die for, and the meatloaf is amazing. They both look like they're made in the restaurant and made to order. The meatloaf is great, the sauce is kinda tangy. The mashed potatoes are definitely also homemade, nice and creamy made with red-skinned potatoes. So yummy. Oh, and their rolls are awesome. They're just rolls, but it's hot bread and it's free. Plus it's served with real butter. So many places give out margarine these days (eww). I could just come and eat their rolls, which is probably kinda sad. Service is fantastic of course! I've been here a few times now and the service is always wonderful. Very attentive, you don't have to search for the server when you need something or when it's time to pay and leave. The pacing's great, you're not left feeling like they're hovering or ignoring you.
(4)anna c.
Third time to eat here, second time for dinner. Soooo disappointing. Whoever runs this place is careless and lazy. Food has been mediocre each time, not to mention over-priced, especially since they don't bother to include all components of dishes before they go out to guests. This place has soooo much potential, and should be banging with business - and um, hello, the menu features Eli's Asian Salmon (Barefoot Contessa) and Alton Browns Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing (which I had last night and 'twas awful. How can one do that to Alton's recipes? Shameful. I do not recommend eating here. Bistro- if you need new management, message me. I can help.
(1)Brad P.
I had visited the "bistro" once previously before the change to Bookseller's bistro. I was not overly impressed the first time but decided to give it a second shot as the group of friends I was meeting had already decided on a location. I wish I could give zero stars. I was at a table of 12 - if they were unable to efficiently accommodate us they should have informed us prior to seating/accepting our reservation. we were the waiters only table, perhaps he was overwhelmed but we were a smaller group than the total number of seats in his station. Waiter brought water 3 glasses at a time, approximately 5 minutes between trips. Lost count 4 times on the number of coffee had been orders (6 though he ranged from 4 to 7) My water glass and a coffee mug at the table both were dirty with lip stick when they were brought to the table. I had to request a glass of orange juice three separate times, when it did arrive it was warm. It took over an hour and a half for our food to be delivered to the table - again three dishes at a time. The waiter did not know who ordered what and repeatedly attempted to place meals with the wrong person. Only three settings of cutlery were brought to the table - after food was delivered, then we had to request more for the rest of the table 3 more times. I ordered one of the most basic of breakfast meals - pancakes and bacon. With very crispy bacon. The bacon was on the verge of rubbery raw, both the pancakes and bacon were cold, and my plate was dirty. My girlfriend ordered the bacon, onion, mushroom, Swiss cheese omelet - and asked for changes. when the omelet was delivered the waiter rudely snapped "the omelet wit all the changes!" and thrust it into her face. 5 minutes later he brought three more dishes and placed an omelet in front of my friend that ordered the "BOMS" they had both begun eating upon realizing the dishes had been mixed up she receiving his plate/her her's. Her food was also cold. By the time I had finished my meal the final meal was delivered to the table - a breakfast sandwich. When the bills were delivered the waiter again did not know who ordered what - presenting incorrect bills. I paid in cash - and was expecting change back, the waiter specifically said "I will be right back with your change". he never returned with my change. In the end the meal took over 2 hours from the time we were seated to the time we left... there was no hanging out after the meal was finished. It just took that long to get poor service and cold food on dirty plates. I will not be returning to "The Booksellers Bistro", even if the same group of friends chooses the establishment again for the weekly brunch.
(1)Kathleen S.
I've been going to The Bistro since it was Bronte. I've never had a bad meal...ever. Sometimes the service is better than others. However, the staff have always been frlendly and accomodating. There were a few months during "the change" that things seemed a bit rough; but my last 6-7 visits have been great! Particular favorites are the chicken salad, shrimp quesidilla, tomato and blue cheese soup and alpine chicken. My daugther (a very picky eater) loves coming here. I also love that it is in the book store. Lunch or Dinner, I've always had a good experience. HINT: if you are in a hurry at lunch, eat at the bar.
(4)Jolynna M.
Don't let the fact that it's located in a book store fool you. This is one of my favorite lunch spots in town. The food is definitely above par and the menu is varied. Some of my personal favorites include their signature Tomato Basil Soup, which is creamy and rich, without being heavy. And the Baked Brie with Caramel and Walnuts is fantastic. It's served with slices of sourdough bread and pear. Delicious!! A couple of other items worth mentioning are their Homemade Quiche and the Chicken Salad. They also offer breakfast, and though I haven't tried it (yet), I hear their Creme Brulee French Toast is some kind of amazing.
(4)Misty R.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in East Memphis. The food is always fresh and unique. It's unique because the featured items are recipes from the cook books sold in the store. So you can sample something before buying the book- clever. The avocado BLT is one of my favorites along with the pear salad. The atmosphere is nice- lots of windows, soothing music and all in a book store setting. You can grab a bite of lunch, pick up a gift or a card and a book all in an hour. They are also open for dinner which I recently enjoyed. They have a limited wine list. The quiche is always good and I often order a whole pie to go to take home for breakfast the next day. Check out the coffee bar area if you want to browse through books and have a cup of coffee or lunch. You can find coupons online at restaurant.com - makes it a deal.
(4)Allyn B.
One of my favorite lunch spots in Memphis. Really busy during the lunch hours but the food is great and so is the service. Absolutely love Davis-Kidd bookstore.
(5)Nessa W.
I took my teenage daughter and nephew to Bronte for an early dinner on Saturday at 5pm. We were able to immediately get a table. Our waiter was efficient. My daughter and I both ordered the Alpine Pasta. I also had the blue cheese soup. It came right out hot. The soup was creamy with just the right amount of blue cheese. The pasta was tasty with the perfect ratio of roasted chicken. My nephew ordered the house salad with salmon. The salmon was seasoned to perfection. We received our check in a timely manner and we were heading out the door. Two different employees thanked us for coming. I really appreciated the sendoff.
(4)Eric T.
This is a nice little hidden spot in East Memphis that's great for a quick brunch or dinner. The vegetarian chili is my favorite entre (and I'm a meat eater). The salmon salad is pretty popular as well. Breakfast/brunch food is pretty good, but nothing to write home about. The two main selling points are the price and location. You get a good sized, tasty meal for around $8. The space itself is very bright and open, and Davis Kidd is a fun store to browse around when you're done eating. There's also a coffee bar that you can sit at if you find a stack of books you want to examine.
(4)Joe S.
Comfortable restaurant inside independently owned Davis-Kidd Bookstore. This is a comfortable spot for a light lunch or dinner or small meeting. There is a good menu selection of soups, salads and sanwiches, always fresh and tasty. My choice is usually the chicken croissant, which comes with the choice of nice spring greens salad or chips. The quiche of the day and soup of the day are also a good choices
(4)Alfred C.
I ate at Bronte for the first time on a Sat. afternoon. On the weekends they offer breakfast until 3pm. The eggs and bacon were great and was resonably priced. I'm not the super sophisticated type so I was worried it would be to uppity there, both food and people. I was wrong. I enjoyed the white bean dip, but didn't care for the fruit juice. It was made of orange juice, pineapple juice and nutmeg. Too much nutmeg for me but drinkable. Looking around at the other plates there were several dishes I plan to go back and try. Laid back but classy. I will definitely go back!!!
(4)Katie P.
They have a great, super-filling vegan chili!
(4)Lanie Z.
A big fan of Bronte at Booksellers. When I visit Memphis, I make a beeline for the restaurant and bookstore. It's charming, the service is great, and the food delicious. It's fairly reasonable. Tonight I sat on the patio, enjoying the breeze and the yummy and filling chili (highly recommend) and a side salad. So satisfying. Even my mother is a convert. The restaurant has a nice wine selection -- even a wine tasting tonight. What a pleasant and relaxed place to dine. And you can pick up a book, magazine or great hand lotion in the bookstore after you eat.
(5)Henry L.
We love to browse Davis-Kidd Booksellers and a good place to meet my girlfriend for lunch. We got seated right away and drinks and rolls came right out the kitchen. The rolls remind me of Sister Schubert's. It came fresh and warm with butter on the side. My girlfriend had the tomato and bleu cheese soup. She loved it. I had the hummus which came with pita and side cucumber salad. The cucumber salad is sweet and I prefer my veggies a little sweet. My girlfriend had the chicken salad sandwich and I had the American Taste Kitchen BLT with Avocados. Chicken Salad was delicious served on top of a croissant. My BLT was the star. It was delicious with generous amount of bacon. I really liked the side greens with the vinaigrette. We enjoyed our lunch especially on a gorgeous day in Memphis.
(5)Lawrence M.
Restaurant has a nice setting w/many windows creating a very bright and inviting dining experience. The service was attentive and accommodating . We had the Fruit Brulee French Toast while our daughter had the Kraft Macaroni and cheese. The dish was okay. The fruit and ingredients were good and the candied topping for the Brulee was an interesting take. The bread was tough/too chewy and they should use a different bread for the toast if they want to make it really good. We'll likely return, but not a first choice in the future.
(3)Tiffany C.
Had the pleasure of eating here yesterday for lunch for the first time. I had the vegetarian chili, which was very good, and my dining companion had the salmon salad. Both were well executed. The portions are huge, but that's nothing new in the restaurant biz. Our server was great -- there, but not hovering....and allowed us to just sit after the bill was brought without making us feel guilty (even brought my friend a refill). Such gestures are not lost on me and we tipped accordingly. I would definitely go back.
(3)Kathleen S.
I've been going to The Bistro since it was Bronte. I've never had a bad meal...ever. Sometimes the service is better than others. However, the staff have always been frlendly and accomodating. There were a few months during "the change" that things seemed a bit rough; but my last 6-7 visits have been great! Particular favorites are the chicken salad, shrimp quesidilla, tomato and blue cheese soup and alpine chicken. My daugther (a very picky eater) loves coming here. I also love that it is in the book store. Lunch or Dinner, I've always had a good experience. HINT: if you are in a hurry at lunch, eat at the bar.
(4)Andrea L.
I was late to work and craving quiche...a quick Google search led me here. I love bookstores, I love food. This was great. I was in a rush and they were fast. The people, yes people, taking my order were so courteous. I got my food to go but they kept checking on me and offering me beverages. Oh and the salad and quiche were great! Dining in next time to compare.
(5)Marian B.
Woman, who takes take out orders, up front is friendly & loves to interact with customers.
(5)Turid D.
I've eaten here 3 times. The waiter was pleasant. We purchased a dinner Groupon so though it is a bit overpriced for what you get. It cost us only a bit more than the Groupon. Today we had chicken Picata on polenta and red snapper with polenta. I liked the chicken very well but not the fish. I also did not care for polenta or the rolls. My husband liked both. My favorite thing I've tasted here is the pear and blue cheese salad. It was really good.
(3)Kelly C.
The crème brûlée French toast with berries and bananas was amazing. The breakfast sandwich with bacon and fried egg with breakfast potatoes was awesome. Worth a visit - quiet atmosphere with classical music playing.
(5)Amanda E.
I have to admit, I was pretty cranky when the menu changed but I still have my favorite at each meal and still love this place. For breakfast I like the breakfast croissant, for lunch the chicken salad croissant and for dinner the shrimp and risotto. I was really impressed with my meal on my most recent visit, the food was a generous portion and platted beautifully. Dinner has more of a fine dinning food feel with the menu than casual bookstore cafe, and that's a good thing. I've always found the ambience to be warm, welcoming and never loud - all good things again. The lantern style lights make for some nice color without overpowering the space. The prices are very reasonable and I recommend checking this place out for a low key dinner in east memphis. **one small piece of advice: avoid the alpine chicken at dinner, it's very boring and I don't know why it continues to be featured when they are much better entrees.
(4)Christan H.
I gave this place another try... Big mistake. I was greeted (if you can call it that) by the same rude hostess. She took me to a table and then realized that she had people waiting so took me back to the front to get on the list. It was so awkward. I waited around 10 minutes. Once I was seated, the server came over and he was pretty nice. Unfortunately, the wait for food was over 45 minutes... For a chicken wrap. I saw the manager go around to a couple of tables and apologize for the wait... But not mine. The server came back to apologize twice. They are not organized at all. Two chances is enough for me.
(1)Katie D.
The food for this place is great! Some time I need to drag myself here when they're serving breakfast, because the food looks and sounds amazing. Breakfast is served until 11 am during the week and until 3 pm on weekends. I can't review what I've never tried but the Crème Brûlée French Toast sounds absolutely amazing. Like I will have to come down here some time for that. Their crab cakes are to die for, and the meatloaf is amazing. They both look like they're made in the restaurant and made to order. The meatloaf is great, the sauce is kinda tangy. The mashed potatoes are definitely also homemade, nice and creamy made with red-skinned potatoes. So yummy. Oh, and their rolls are awesome. They're just rolls, but it's hot bread and it's free. Plus it's served with real butter. So many places give out margarine these days (eww). I could just come and eat their rolls, which is probably kinda sad. Service is fantastic of course! I've been here a few times now and the service is always wonderful. Very attentive, you don't have to search for the server when you need something or when it's time to pay and leave. The pacing's great, you're not left feeling like they're hovering or ignoring you.
(4)anna c.
Third time to eat here, second time for dinner. Soooo disappointing. Whoever runs this place is careless and lazy. Food has been mediocre each time, not to mention over-priced, especially since they don't bother to include all components of dishes before they go out to guests. This place has soooo much potential, and should be banging with business - and um, hello, the menu features Eli's Asian Salmon (Barefoot Contessa) and Alton Browns Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing (which I had last night and 'twas awful. How can one do that to Alton's recipes? Shameful. I do not recommend eating here. Bistro- if you need new management, message me. I can help.
(1)Shaun B.
My girlfriend is a very avid fan of this establishment, so I decided to give it another try. We arrive and a server comes over promptly to serve us. She is very friendly and attentive, and even was willing to add a cup of soup to my half portion entree even though the menu said soup at reduced rate with full portion only. We get our beer cheese soup and it's pretty good. The added bacon really helped differentiate it. We're actually off to a good start! Then, my entree came... the menu stated that my pasta would be like a macaroni and cheese, but didn't even come close. It was exceptionally bland and watered down, and the chicken somehow was even more bland. I tried a bite of my girlfriend's shrimp pesto pasta which was alright, but not worth it's price point. I'm truly sad that I'm not a fan of this place, as I know that would make the girlfriend happy. And I also wish I could give them more stars. But despite the improved service and soup, the entree was a total buzzkill, and if the meal is no good, then it sadly is what it is...
(2)Malaika S.
Ok, so I'm not fancy (not much)... As a matter of fact I regularly make it my business to frequent local, homespun, and unique businesses primarily and especially shun those with linen tablecloths and napkin rolls, with the exception of brunch. I go extra fancy for brunch... Pinkies in the air fancy. The Bistro inside of Booksellers at Laurelwood wasn't on my radar at all until my best friend and business partner suggested it, she's the fancy one! Her being fancy tends to work out for the best for both of us and the bistro was no exception. I have eaten there on three occasions now and I haven't been disappointed. Each time i have received timely and considerate service, by a friendly server. I have tried a different dish each time as well and have never been disappointed! Plus they offer plenty of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options...Oh! and wine! I didn't have wine when we went the last couple of times, but they do have an impressive wine list. Finally, to top it all off. It's an actual book seller, so there are books and books and books and books and lovely fancy stationary, which I stan for!
(4)Joelle P.
3 mimosas, a fully loaded breakfast croissant with a side of fruit and hash browns for under $20? YES, PLEASE! I couldn't believe my bill this morning after that delightful meal. Granted, it was $24 after tip but everything was fantastic - I had 3 drinks, a yummy meal, and our waiter (Nick) could not have been nicer. Not to mention I got to shop for my girlfriend's present at the bookstore before she arrived to lunch. Very, very convenient. I was a little wary about this place after they changed ownership, but I am a huge fan now!
(5)Tammy C.
Tried this place out due to a coupon in the city saver book bought from a fundraiser. My hubby and I both has salads. I had a turkey cranberry feta salad and it was great! My hubby had the Buffalo chicken salad and it was just ok. We also tried the polenta triangles as an appitizer and I would recommend those to anyone who like polenta. They were fantastic! The server was great as well. When using a coupon, they add the 20% grautity to your check automatically. This was fine in our situation but if your server is awful, it may not go over too well. We will definitely try this again to check out more menu options.
(4)Karen L.
The boyfriend and I joined Irene here for the January Elite of the Month event, and it (the food, not the company!) was...ok. We tried the blue cheese tomato soup, a crab cake, and the hummus, and all three were decent, but nothing special. If it didn't know there was blue cheese in the soup, I wouldn't have guessed it -- and I don't like blue cheese! The crab cake was good, but pretty expensive at $11.95 for one, and the hummus didn't seem quite right. The boyfriend suggested that it lacked tahini, which made it seem like just plain mashed chickpeas. The dressing on the tomato salad had also run onto some of the pita, making it soggy on the bottom. Yuck! Service was decent, though we had to flag down our waiter when we were ready to order. The coffee was not great, making me wish we'd stopped at Starbucks. But Irene really enjoyed the creme brulee French toast, so maybe we should've stuck with the breakfast menu, which is served til 3pm on weekends. Overall, it was fine. I wouldn't be in a rush to go back, but I've been to way worse places too.
(3)Sandie M.
Have never had a bad meal here. Portions are plentiful, fresh and everything is delicious!
(4)Gisa D.
Not bad for brunch. Do not order the breakfast burrito (over priced -very little egg in each bite). It comes with skillet potatoes, avocado and corn salsa (mostly corn). You are charged for low dollar ingredients, not necessarily quality ingredients (potatoes, corn, sour cream, flour tortilla). I was not expecting a moe's style burrito but I was hoping for more. The French toast was good but not as good as the creme brûlée French toast at Boscos (brioche bread). Also, the espresso was a little weak. However, the service was great! Will try again for dinner ...
(3)Arpana W.
Consistently good food in a good atmosphere is a great reason to frequent any establishment; and it's the reason that I keep going back to Booksellers bistro. There are items offered on the menu from the likes of Food Network stars and local celebritiy chefs. Try the Turkey Burger from Rachel Ray or ANYTHING from the brunch menu and you are bound to be satisfied.
(4)Cori W.
I recommend the seared salmon. Everything is top notch. They have live music and the service is adequate. It's very classy
(5)Stephanie C.
Everyone has their happy place, and this is mine. It's my place to go when I'm childless and in need of a break, or a book! Browse the book and magazine selection, and then grab a seat in the Bistro and chill. Their menu is very reasonable priced and the food is delicious. They also have happy hour and brunch specials. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all three meals are great here. There's something for everyone on their long list of creative menu items (mostly all inspired by cook books they carry in the store). Their house soup - tomato blue cheese - is freaking awesome. This is also my go-to place when I'm in need a special gift or card for someone. They have great gifts like candles, jewelry, dishes - pretty much anything! If you eat in the bistro, ask for Josh. He's waited on me several of the times I've been here, and he's great!
(5)Vim I.
Adorable bistro inside of a bookstore...to appeal to my foodie/bookworm sensibilities? Yes please! This bistro gets busy at lunch time so expect a slight wait. That was really the only reason I had to knock off a star because we had to wait for our entrees for so long--but if you're having a leisurely lunch that won't bother you a bit. The staff is friendly and the ambiance is relaxing. They have great lunch selections from appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. You'll see a few items inspired by celebrity chefs, like Alton Brown, Paula Deen, etc. I had the Avocado BLT which was delicious! You can't go wrong with avocado, bacon, and chipotle mayo on super crispy bread. The Tomato Blue Cheese soup was a great twist on the classic tomato soup. My husband had the Chicken Salad croissant--which was good as well.
(4)Brad P.
I had visited the "bistro" once previously before the change to Bookseller's bistro. I was not overly impressed the first time but decided to give it a second shot as the group of friends I was meeting had already decided on a location. I wish I could give zero stars. I was at a table of 12 - if they were unable to efficiently accommodate us they should have informed us prior to seating/accepting our reservation. we were the waiters only table, perhaps he was overwhelmed but we were a smaller group than the total number of seats in his station. Waiter brought water 3 glasses at a time, approximately 5 minutes between trips. Lost count 4 times on the number of coffee had been orders (6 though he ranged from 4 to 7) My water glass and a coffee mug at the table both were dirty with lip stick when they were brought to the table. I had to request a glass of orange juice three separate times, when it did arrive it was warm. It took over an hour and a half for our food to be delivered to the table - again three dishes at a time. The waiter did not know who ordered what and repeatedly attempted to place meals with the wrong person. Only three settings of cutlery were brought to the table - after food was delivered, then we had to request more for the rest of the table 3 more times. I ordered one of the most basic of breakfast meals - pancakes and bacon. With very crispy bacon. The bacon was on the verge of rubbery raw, both the pancakes and bacon were cold, and my plate was dirty. My girlfriend ordered the bacon, onion, mushroom, Swiss cheese omelet - and asked for changes. when the omelet was delivered the waiter rudely snapped "the omelet wit all the changes!" and thrust it into her face. 5 minutes later he brought three more dishes and placed an omelet in front of my friend that ordered the "BOMS" they had both begun eating upon realizing the dishes had been mixed up she receiving his plate/her her's. Her food was also cold. By the time I had finished my meal the final meal was delivered to the table - a breakfast sandwich. When the bills were delivered the waiter again did not know who ordered what - presenting incorrect bills. I paid in cash - and was expecting change back, the waiter specifically said "I will be right back with your change". he never returned with my change. In the end the meal took over 2 hours from the time we were seated to the time we left... there was no hanging out after the meal was finished. It just took that long to get poor service and cold food on dirty plates. I will not be returning to "The Booksellers Bistro", even if the same group of friends chooses the establishment again for the weekly brunch.
(1)Tim P.
It's now called BISTRO at Booksellers; and it's DEAD!!! Don't be fooled by the lines. It's people thinking it's the same as it used to be. NOPE!!! Today we sat at the bar to keep from waiting 20 minutes. The server took our order and took a long time just to bring back water because "she lost her sheet of paper" and "she hoped she remembered what we ordered." The tomato blue cheese soup which they've been doing forever was like mud. My cup was thick enough to make three servings. We had quiche and it was served with a side of FRUIT COCKTAIL...straight out of the can. REALLY!!!! At lest try to disguise or just don't do it at all. The cappuccino machine was "broken". Yet, they made a cafe au lait that looked like dish water. The new bookstore owners obviously could care less about the food service.
(2)Natalie S.
Honestly can't stand this place since it changed from Davis Kids to The Booksellers. The people you ask to help you are snooty and rude. As for the bistro itself, well it's pretty much a mirrored reflection. We got seated and waited 15 minutes for anyone to come. No drinks, no nothing for 15 minutes. I am never giving any kind of revenue towards this establishment again. I've been going there against my will because it's literally the only place that sells books in east memphis. But I'm gonna go on with driving all the way to Cordova and helping out the the big business of Barnes & Nobles.
(1)Kevin C.
Great salads and good service. I had a tasty pear and blue cheese salad. It had a very nice atmosphere considering it's in a bookstore tucked away in a shopping complex. I would go back.
(4)Emily D.
I love this place! They have a nice patio and a decent wine list. I believe on Saturday's they have a half off wine bottle special. The food is really good, a bit overpriced on a few items ( $14 burger!). Thave have quite a few vegetarian and gluten free items that are labled on the menu so you don't have to ask for clarification. They also have live music certain days out of the month which is nice. Check them out!
(4)Amanda C.
I ate at Bronte for lunch recently, and was pleasantly surprised by it. I think it's been years since I ate in Davis Kidd or booksellers, or whatever it is called, and I don't recall it being that good. However, I had the chicken salad sandwich and a side salad, and it was pretty darn satisfying. The chicken salad was great, and covered the croissant. The sandwich also had Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and bacon. Pretty sure I'm always won over with the addition of bacon on things. My coworkers had salads, sandwiches, their signature tomato and blue cheese soup and the quiche of the day. I must say, everyone's dishes looked wonderful. I can't wait to go back and try a few other items on the menu. It is a bit pricy and was packed during the lunch hour, but I can't complain too much. The service was great!
(3)Debbie P.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. It's in a great bookstore, the menu is varied and the food is tasty, and the service is always courteous. Sometimes when they are very busy, the service can be slow; however, I don't go to this restaurant when I'm in a hurry, because I always like to browse the book store on my way in and on my way out. It's a great place to meet a friend for lunch or entertain out of town guests, because it's very Memphis-like. Their tomato cheese soup is outstanding.
(4)Tanya T.
A favorite lunch spot, Bronte is located inside of Davis Kidd Booksellers. I always order a cup of tomato basil soup- so tasty. I usually pair it with a half sandwich or a salad. The chicken salad sandwich is great, and as far as salads- I'll take the pear and bleu cheese anyday. I love the kids' menus, which are literally children's books with a menu taped to the inside front cover. Place your order and while you wait, read your children a story from their "menu." Servers are very attentive and the pricing is ok- maybe a tad more expensive than other lunch spots but totally worth it.
(4)Kerry C.
I ordered the house special soup (tomato and bleu cheese) and a pear and bleu cheese salad. I didn't mean to have a meal so focused on one item, but it was apparently a bleu cheese sort of day. The soup was creamy and there was a good balance of flavors. The salad was topped with pear slices, almonds, bleu cheese crumbles, white raisins, and a little cup of sweet pear and poppy seed dressing. Bronte's menu is fairly expansive (they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner), and includes items from the many cookbooks sold in the store. They've also got coffee, wireless internet, and a bakery case full of yummy-looking desserts. Bronte isn't cheap, but it's definitely worth checking out. My soup, salad and iced tea were $12.
(4)tiffany A.
The first time I went here I had bad service and my order was messed up twice. But I understand that things sometimes happen so I gave it another chance today. Although our server was friendly she was never available, she didn't bring the rolls she said she would and she got my order wrong. I ordered the avocado BLT but asked for regular mayo instead of chipotle, which is what comes on it. This is the same problem that happened the first time. I had to flag down another server to send it back because I didn't see our server. The person I flagged down didn't seem to want to help. When the server brought back my BLT she blamed it on new kitchen staff and the avocados on it were all brown. It took a long time to get the check and thus I am done with this place.
(1)Angela C.
Good salads, service and location. Dinner at a bookstore? Who knew. Glad yelper's recommended it. :)
(4)Alfred C.
I ate at Bronte for the first time on a Sat. afternoon. On the weekends they offer breakfast until 3pm. The eggs and bacon were great and was resonably priced. I'm not the super sophisticated type so I was worried it would be to uppity there, both food and people. I was wrong. I enjoyed the white bean dip, but didn't care for the fruit juice. It was made of orange juice, pineapple juice and nutmeg. Too much nutmeg for me but drinkable. Looking around at the other plates there were several dishes I plan to go back and try. Laid back but classy. I will definitely go back!!!
(4)Katie P.
They have a great, super-filling vegan chili!
(4)Lanie Z.
A big fan of Bronte at Booksellers. When I visit Memphis, I make a beeline for the restaurant and bookstore. It's charming, the service is great, and the food delicious. It's fairly reasonable. Tonight I sat on the patio, enjoying the breeze and the yummy and filling chili (highly recommend) and a side salad. So satisfying. Even my mother is a convert. The restaurant has a nice wine selection -- even a wine tasting tonight. What a pleasant and relaxed place to dine. And you can pick up a book, magazine or great hand lotion in the bookstore after you eat.
(5)Henry L.
We love to browse Davis-Kidd Booksellers and a good place to meet my girlfriend for lunch. We got seated right away and drinks and rolls came right out the kitchen. The rolls remind me of Sister Schubert's. It came fresh and warm with butter on the side. My girlfriend had the tomato and bleu cheese soup. She loved it. I had the hummus which came with pita and side cucumber salad. The cucumber salad is sweet and I prefer my veggies a little sweet. My girlfriend had the chicken salad sandwich and I had the American Taste Kitchen BLT with Avocados. Chicken Salad was delicious served on top of a croissant. My BLT was the star. It was delicious with generous amount of bacon. I really liked the side greens with the vinaigrette. We enjoyed our lunch especially on a gorgeous day in Memphis.
(5)Joe S.
Comfortable restaurant inside independently owned Davis-Kidd Bookstore. This is a comfortable spot for a light lunch or dinner or small meeting. There is a good menu selection of soups, salads and sanwiches, always fresh and tasty. My choice is usually the chicken croissant, which comes with the choice of nice spring greens salad or chips. The quiche of the day and soup of the day are also a good choices
(4)Jolynna M.
Don't let the fact that it's located in a book store fool you. This is one of my favorite lunch spots in town. The food is definitely above par and the menu is varied. Some of my personal favorites include their signature Tomato Basil Soup, which is creamy and rich, without being heavy. And the Baked Brie with Caramel and Walnuts is fantastic. It's served with slices of sourdough bread and pear. Delicious!! A couple of other items worth mentioning are their Homemade Quiche and the Chicken Salad. They also offer breakfast, and though I haven't tried it (yet), I hear their Creme Brulee French Toast is some kind of amazing.
(4)Misty R.
This is one of my favorite lunch spots in East Memphis. The food is always fresh and unique. It's unique because the featured items are recipes from the cook books sold in the store. So you can sample something before buying the book- clever. The avocado BLT is one of my favorites along with the pear salad. The atmosphere is nice- lots of windows, soothing music and all in a book store setting. You can grab a bite of lunch, pick up a gift or a card and a book all in an hour. They are also open for dinner which I recently enjoyed. They have a limited wine list. The quiche is always good and I often order a whole pie to go to take home for breakfast the next day. Check out the coffee bar area if you want to browse through books and have a cup of coffee or lunch. You can find coupons online at restaurant.com - makes it a deal.
(4)Allyn B.
One of my favorite lunch spots in Memphis. Really busy during the lunch hours but the food is great and so is the service. Absolutely love Davis-Kidd bookstore.
(5)Nessa W.
I took my teenage daughter and nephew to Bronte for an early dinner on Saturday at 5pm. We were able to immediately get a table. Our waiter was efficient. My daughter and I both ordered the Alpine Pasta. I also had the blue cheese soup. It came right out hot. The soup was creamy with just the right amount of blue cheese. The pasta was tasty with the perfect ratio of roasted chicken. My nephew ordered the house salad with salmon. The salmon was seasoned to perfection. We received our check in a timely manner and we were heading out the door. Two different employees thanked us for coming. I really appreciated the sendoff.
(4)Eric T.
This is a nice little hidden spot in East Memphis that's great for a quick brunch or dinner. The vegetarian chili is my favorite entre (and I'm a meat eater). The salmon salad is pretty popular as well. Breakfast/brunch food is pretty good, but nothing to write home about. The two main selling points are the price and location. You get a good sized, tasty meal for around $8. The space itself is very bright and open, and Davis Kidd is a fun store to browse around when you're done eating. There's also a coffee bar that you can sit at if you find a stack of books you want to examine.
(4)Lawrence M.
Restaurant has a nice setting w/many windows creating a very bright and inviting dining experience. The service was attentive and accommodating . We had the Fruit Brulee French Toast while our daughter had the Kraft Macaroni and cheese. The dish was okay. The fruit and ingredients were good and the candied topping for the Brulee was an interesting take. The bread was tough/too chewy and they should use a different bread for the toast if they want to make it really good. We'll likely return, but not a first choice in the future.
(3)Tiffany C.
Had the pleasure of eating here yesterday for lunch for the first time. I had the vegetarian chili, which was very good, and my dining companion had the salmon salad. Both were well executed. The portions are huge, but that's nothing new in the restaurant biz. Our server was great -- there, but not hovering....and allowed us to just sit after the bill was brought without making us feel guilty (even brought my friend a refill). Such gestures are not lost on me and we tipped accordingly. I would definitely go back.
(3)