Ok, but forgettable... I really wanted to love this place, so I gave them two chances and both times they fell short. Today I was served dried out potatoes that were probably left over from breakfast. Unpalatable. The rest of my meal was good, but did not justify the $15.00 I spent on it. I love old fair oaks, and I think this place has a lot of potential, but they have to step up their game a little.
(3)
Darlene R.
Great place for brunch or lunch. Quality food, nice setting. I give it 4 stars only because the wait staff is hit or miss on friendliness.. But they still get the job done . We frequent this place monthly. Have not tried the dinner menu yet.
(4)
Jazmine D.
Was here not too long ago and it was not too bad. I sat outside and ordered the fettuccine Alfredo which probably not the best thing for a first time experience with a new restaurant. It wasn't the best I had, but it wasn't the worst either. I enjoyed my view of the park and watching the chickens from my outdoor seat and that was a good thing. I will probably be back sometime this month to give it a new review and hopefully more stars.
(3)
Jen Y.
Awful service. Waitress obviously forgot to put in our order. Then lied and said there was a big party before us. There were only couples when we got there and we were the only new table. We will not be returning.
(1)
JoAnna E.
We return time and time again for their amazing pancakes and friendly down to earth service. A hidden family friendly gem in the heart of old Fair Oaks. 4 + stars
(4)
Gem M.
I wanted to like this quaint little place, I really did. I'm on a hunt for a local breakfast place to go on weekends. It's a nice cozy little place with a fairly limited breakfast menu starting at around $9 and goes up from there. I wanted to try just a basic breakfast to see how they faired, plus some biscuits and gravy. I ordered eggs with breakfast potatoes and bacon with a biscuits and gravy on the side. The waiter asked what type of toast I wanted, to which I replied "the buiscut". He insisted I couldn't do that and had to buy the biscuit with the gravy as a side. So I ordered sour dough.... The kitchen was a little slow but nothing horrible. The problem came when the food arived. The eggs were good The bacon was literally cold The potatoes were black, like from sitting out to long. They weren't fried well. They looked and tasted gross The gravy was really a butter sauce. It was NOT breakfast gravy, I couldn't even eat it, yuck. Basically I paid over $16 for 2 eggs and toast. I was really dissapointed because I was hoping it would become a favorite breakfast place. I don't know how in the world they could serve those potatoes with any sense of pride.
(2)
Heather S.
Such a good little place for breakfast. Came here on a Tuesday for my husband's birthday brunch. Everything tasted amazing. I had the eggs Benedict and he had the frittata. Good mimosas as well!!
(4)
Greg F.
My wife and I ate here for Valentine's Day. We made a day trip on bicycles from West Sacramento and decided to give them a try. Very quaint spot located in the Fair Oaks Village area. Parking is available on the curb or across the street. Dining is outside or inside. The food is very good and prepared with care. The servers were a delight and I would highly recommend for a nice evening out...don't forget you get a free serenade from the resident roosters!
(5)
Brian M.
Chef Robert and his exceptional staff keep us coming back. The Village Bistro has been mine and my wife's favorite breakfast/brunch spot for years. The food is always delicious and the service is the best. I cannot say enough about the eggs Benedict...hands down, the best around. If you are looking for a great little spot in a great little area then this is the place for you.
(5)
Nancy H.
This was my first time here. I met a friend for lunch and we sat out front to enjoy the weather and the view of the park and the sounds of roosters. I got the salad with walnuts, craisins, feta, etc. It was very yummy and thank you for not drowning it in dressing, but even for me, the portion size was a little small. The iced tea is unsweetened, but flavorful. (Fyi, sugar doesn't dissolve well in iced tea). Server was pleasant and helpful. We will probably go again. The mushroom/eggplant sandwich sounded good.
(4)
Binky E.
I love old Fair Oaks...cute little cafe that could use some redecorating. But, hey,..we're here for food, right?! Had the blueberry pancakes. Very yummy, large, with large fresh blueberries. Hubby had The Works - a tasty egg scramble. It was nicely done, fresh bell pepper and onions, but a bit on the bland side. He asked for salsa, which you should do as well, because it's fresh and was just what it needed. Toast was like white bread trying to act wheat but the fresh, healthy strawberry spread made it taste great. All in all a decent little place.
(4)
Laurel A.
My experience here was brief and limited. I dropped my foster pup off at the vet's and was wanting to try more of the Fair Oaks businesses that I had yet to explore. I had decided to stay and have breakfast at one of the local cafes. When I entered the Bistro no one was there: no other customers, and no sign of an employee. I started looking at a menu that was posted near the entrance and saw that breakfast items began at something over $9 and went up from there. Then an employee came out from the back. He saw me, I saw him, but he did not acknowledge my presence in any way with a "Hi", or "Good morning" or 'May I help you?" before disappearing into the back again. I left.
(2)
Kim D.
This cafe is tucked away in the village and I was really surprised when I noticed it. I'm not sure if it's relatively new or I'm just blind. The service was good and I like the outside tables that look out on the park. I'm sad to say I didn't have the best experience with the food when I last went here. I came in on a slow morning and ordered the eggs benedict. This dish is my absolute favorite thing to eat for breakfast and it's always a treat when I get to order it and don't have to spend the time making it at home . I could put hollandaise on everything! The standard pricing at any given restaurant is around $11 + dollars. I'm a grad on a budget but I don't mind occasionally shelling out the cash for some quality eggs benny. When poaching eggs, vinegar is commonly used to help keep the egg together while it's cooking but it's very important that the vinegar doesn't change the flavor of the egg. Unfortunately, someone used way too much vinegar and my entire dish was overpowered. I haven't returned since this happened but I might give it another shot in the future.
(2)
Hilda V.
When I ordered my entrees and they kept surprising me with free salad and bread. The most important thing is that it was amazing dinner even surprising when I was eating and realizing how deliciously my dinner was! It's a must for you to go!
(5)
Regina N.
I am so glad I disregarded the negative reviews here and ate at The Village Bistro yesterday, it was AMAZING!!! My mom and I were having a nice day out and went there for brunch on a Sunday. We could not have had a better experience. First off, they have great coffee. I can't tell you how many nice cafes I've been disappointed with because of their poor quality coffee! I believe the server said it's from Naked Coffee on Broadway. Excellent choice! I ordered the blueberry pancakes with sausage (skipped the eggs that come with it) and my mom got the spinach & crimini frittata, she was able to sub goat cheese since she can't have regular cheese. She also got a side of bacon. The pancakes were delicious and cooked perfectly. Two huge (6" or so?) fluffy pancakes, and refreshingly unique tasting, instead of tasting like the usual diner pancakes. Fantastic recipe, I hope they don't change it. My mom's frittata had very nice subtle and complimentary flavors, she loved it and I enjoyed the taste I had. The breakfast meats (both sausage & bacon) were top-notch quality. All the food was cooked to perfection. Our server, a young man whose name escapes me, was very attentive and friendly and professional. We will definitely be back. Ignore any negative reviews and give this place a try!
(5)
Matt H.
This place was very good! Cute little cafe in Old Fair Oaks. Only beef was the portions, kinda meager...but still very passable food. Everything else was excellent, maybe another try will yield a better experience. But for the first try, this place ranked a solid 4 :-)
(4)
L O.
Recently stopped in for lunch with my neighbor. It was a real treat to be in "the Village" and enjoy the community. My friend and I each ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich with extra jam....ok ok many many calories and cholesterol later...it was well worth the splurge!! Sometimes you just have to save up all of those "calorie/cholesterol" credits and spend them on a good cause!! The Monte Cristo at the Village Bistro is a good cause! Service was slow but I preferred to have the mind set of "relaxed"...not the place to go if you are in a hurry. Will go back again the next time I get to splurge!
(4)
APRIL W.
Village Bistro is one of our favorite spots for exceptional food at a reasonable price. Their fish is always prepared perfectly, lamb shank is tender and delicious, and soup and salad options are very good. If you want dessert, order early as they often run out. Lovingly prepared by Chef Gerard, who always has a warm welcome for us. Wine list usually has several good options. Cozy atmosphere.
(5)
Daniel L.
My partner and I visited this place on a Sunday early afternoon. We were greeted by the chef and he took our drink orders. I had an ice tea, water, and a mimosa. My partner had ice tea and water. We looked through the menu and the first thing that entered my mind was the care the chef took in maintaining a comfortable temperature in the restaurant. It was refreshingly cool. We forgot it was hot outside and considered going on a river stroll until we left. Changed our minds promptly. The decor is quaint. Maybe a dozen tables and all decorated with live flowers. The chef had to make some decisions on his kitchen organization and I can't believe how he managed to fit everything in. The food was marvelous. The pictures I posted should indicate the quality. I had the eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce was DELICIOUS and the eggs were perfectly poached. English muffin wasn't chewy at all, but perfectly toasted. He included a side of roasted potatoes that complimented the egg dish perfectly. They were also hot! My partner had the monte cristo sandwich. Loved it. It's tasted very fresh and he didn't over sweeten the sandwich at the end. For dessert I had the creme caramel. It's a flan dish that tasted great and the sauce had hints of coffee flavor and possibly a bit of alcohol, but I couldn't put my finger on it. It was a complex enough flavor where I literally brought the dish to my mouth and slurpped the remainder at the end. It was well worth the visit and for the CUTE-AS-HELL Old Fair Oaks Village, it fits. One thing I regret was missing out on the coffee. I've heard through the grapevine that they serve great coffee but I didn't partake. Next time. Highly recommend this bistro. And, if you ever have Friday night tickets to see a play across the street, stop in prior to the show for a great dinner to start the evening. You won't regret it. Be sure to check out my uploaded images from the experience. Images 20-22.
(4)
Jen W.
After living in Fair Oaks for almost three years, I finally found this place via Yelp. Hubby and I have a couple of favorite brunch places - both of which require a bit of a drive. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to try The Village Bistro (less than a mile from our house). When we walked in the door on a Sunday morning, we had a choice of only two tables. One seated four and the other (in front of the door) seated two. We could kind of tell by the hostess' facial expressions that they didn't want us to take the four-seater. (I totally understood...) The only problem with our table in front of the door? The door opened and closed CONSTANTLY...and it was a bit chilly outside. I didn't think it was a big deal until... Our waitress took our drink orders, delivered them promptly, took our breakfast order...and then we basically never saw her again. Oh wait! We did see her seating other tables and taking orders, but she never actually came back to our table to check up on us. (No drink refills until we got our food, which was about a 30 minute wait.) In walks a single customer who has no choice, but to sit outside. He's out there no more than 10 minutes when his order is delivered to him (and I was able to keep tabs on this while I was sitting next to the front door which opened & closed constantly). At this point, I started to get a bit irritated. The outside customer ordered the Steak & Eggs, which is what my hubby ordered. I asked for the Blueberry Pancakes. We had been sitting at our table almost for a solid half hour before we got our food...while the single customer walks in, gets his food and was gone before we even had a bite of ours. We also noticed other tables getting their food before ours. I really can't figure out what we ordered that was so different from every one else's...and it would have been okay had our waitress attempted to let us know what was going on. The food finally shows up and it was a bit underwhelming. My hubby summed it up best by saying, "We could have gone to Mel's Diner, paid half the price and had the same food." I'd love to give The Village Bistro a second visit, but the hubby was so annoyed, he told me I'll have to bring a friend because he's not going back.
(2)
Pamela G.
A little walk from a friends bungalow, even in the heat was a pleasure in Fair Oaks Village! So quaint with it's little shops and treasure trove of lovely restaurants tucked away. The Village Bistro was wonderful! Greeted as we walked in on this summer Friday evening with a smile and wave from chef Gerard, was a delightful introduction. The server was sweet and efficient and the Chicken Curry melts in your mouth! I'm uncertain if I'll ever order anything else... this meal left such an impression I'll have to live it over and over. With no room for dessert I'll have to save the details on that till my next visit!
(4)
James C.
Had breakfast here, loved the atmosphere not to mention the lovely meal. Prices were good and the waitress was very quick to fill my coffee. The only down note I had is the eggs could have used a little more seasoning but were still pretty good
(4)
Alice D.
Don't go if you are hungry or in a hurry. The service was amazing, very courteous, and efficient....the food however was subpar and we waited for 45 minutes for egg Benedict in a half-full restaurant.
(2)
Javier V.
Best pancakes in town!!! If you love breakfast you have to try this place. Great service and even better food.
(5)
Theresa D.
We went for dinner here a couple times and it was GROSS both times! The last time I went, I took our food to go. My husband couldn't even swallow it! The meat tasted rotten! Someone seems to be cutting corners and I tasted it too and it was BAD/SPOILED food! I'm surprised they're still open! Can't wait to try the new brewery/pub a few doors down. This place is going to kill someone with food poisoning! YUCK!
(1)
Steffanie B.
I took my grandma here for lunch today. We both got the eggplant portebello sandwhich. It was easily the best sandwhich we both had ever eaten. The service was impeccable, and the setting was quiet and peaceful. I will eat here again, my new favorite spot.
(5)
Laurie B.
I have been coming to this place for years. It is one of my favorites. Located in the quaint yet beautiful Fair Oaks Village. Gerard, the chef is absolutely the best. Everything I have ordered has been outstanding. Breakfast here is my favorite but lunch and dinner are also great. What amazes me the most is that almost everything he makes is from scratch and he is the only one doing the cooking. With that being said, you may wait a little longer for your meal but I promise it's worth it!!!
(5)
Duane H.
I'm a little embarrassed that its taken me so long to write a review of VB. Stormy and I have been enjoying this little gem for weeks. Is it perfect? No. Its a little dingy and they could clean the tablecloths outside once and a while. The coffee is only passable (though I admit I haven't tried their espresso drinks.) The one thing that is really going for this place is that the chef can actually cook. This is somewhat rare in a small place like this but he's actually French and knows his way around a kitchen. I've got to get in here for dinner.
(4)
Jolene P.
Excellent food! This is my second visit. French toast on both occasions with fresh fruit and a fantastic presentation. Husband had the monte cristo on the first visit and found it a bit rich in flavor so was a bit disappointed. On the second visit, he had a ham and cheese omelet and loved it. I almost didn't come to this fantastic hidden gem because of the negative reviews. This place deserves a chance. Yes, the decor is extremely outdated, the table linens a bit worn, and overall a little plain. However, I came back because of its unique charm. Also, the service was great. Very prompt and accomodating. This is a place to visit for the food and service!
(5)
Vickee R.
Split the steak salad and chicken quesadilla with my cousin. Both were really good and filled us up. The place had outdoor seating and a few people had dogs out there so I assume it's allowed, good to know I'll bring mine next time . Waitress was very friendly and nice. For our two meals and one iced tea it was $26. I would go back again for sure because I enjoy old town fair oaks.
(4)
Patrick C.
I live in Fair Oaks and would call myself a semi-regular of the Bistro. It's a good bet for breakfast or lunch, with both food and service being good probably 7-8 times out of 10. Every once in a while there are some issues with food or service (what place doesn't?), but rarely a big deal. Tip -- don't go when it is crowded
(4)
Cat B.
A new place to hangout with my hubby and baby! They're very accommodating!!! Even if space is limited you can still enjoy their food. It's probably because service is great! So far we've tried their French toast, frittata, eggplant lasagna (I think that's what it was) and they're all amazing! Enjoy!!!
The food was good, but hard to enjoy while we were freezing cold! I don't understand why restaurant owners don't realize that people want to be comfortable while they eat. We had breakfast here on a very cold Sunday. The temperature outside was 32 degrees. When we first entered the restaurant seemed warm by comparison, but that quickly changed. There were three of us, and the only available table was right next to the door. I have a phone with a temperature sensor built in, and the restaurant averaged about 64 degrees or less. Every time the door opened we were blasted with more frigid air. After a while,and before our food arrived another table opened up slightly away from the door, but near the window. This is an old building without good insulation, and the temperature was in the low 60s at the new table. At least we didn't get the intermittent blast of arctic air when the door was opened. When our food finally arrived, the waitress asked us if we needed anything else. I said "heat"! She acknowledged that it was cold in the restaurant, and that our previous table was "brutal", but offered no relief! As far as the food went, the only exceptional item to me was the biscuits and gravy, mostly because of the flavorful gravy full of chunks of sausage. This wasn't the thick library paste like gravy that usually accompanies biscuits.
(2)
Dylan B.
Great food, great staff, great place to meet cool people in old fairoaks. I enjoy coming on Sunday's with my family for a nice little breakfast and then some coffee after. Great place to bring the dog and to just enjoy your day. The food in my opinion is very good and everything is worth trying. I recommend the French toast and the bacon. Great place to take the whole family.
(5)
Margaret L.
This place is just a short walk along the river away from my parents' house, so I'm a big fan of taking a weekend stroll over to Fair Oaks to grab brunch here. If you're not familiar with the area, this whole "Old Town Fair Oaks" neighborhood is the place to be if you like quaint little parks, antique shops, a token dive bar, and freely roaming chickens. I like how much this place makes me slow down; sitting outside opposite the park and sipping on one of VB's killer cappuccinos (trust me on this), I don't mind the wait as the chef, working alone inside, whips up a consistently delicious brunch. I oscillate between the spinach and cremini frittata and the blueberry pancakes (or hell, just get 'em both). The homemade jam is DIVINE and you should smother it on anything carb-y on the table (except for your potatoes. leave those things alone and eat 'em with ketchup, like a goddamn American).
(4)
Diane R.
This is a casual little restaurant that we visited on a Thursday afternoon for a late lunch. There were several other tables occupied but it was a very quiet atmosphere, very nice. It would have been lovely to sit outside but it was a little too hot outside when we visited. Our waiter took our drink order right away while we looked over the menu - I decided on the crab sandwich and my daughter ordered the hamburger. They were both presented very nicely with the freshest salad greens ever - they tasted like they had just been picked from a garden outdoors. Our waiter was very attentive, refilling our drink glasses before they were empty and bringing us extra napkins without us asking. The sandwiches were great (the chef is quite a good cook), the service was fabulous and we will definitely be back!
(5)
Karen K.
First time I ordered to pick up. I ordered pancakes which come with two sides. So I got eggs over easy and bacon. I went in about 11:30 about 2 customers inside picked up my order and went home. I dont know how they messed up my order so bad. They gave me scrambled instead of over easy and sausage instead of bacon. They messed up 2 out of 3. So I called to tell them id be coming right back. The food was ready when I got there the young boy said sorry. It looked like management or someone higher up then him was behind him and they just looked at me. They looked annoyed. The food was good but probably wont go back.
(2)
Jay S.
We got there at 7:55am. The place was empty as they were not open for business till 8am, however the door was open and the staff were busy getting ready. The place smelled of a pungent smell of cleaner which I cannot complain about since they just opened and it seemed to go away after we stepped in. It's a beautiful neighborhood on a crisp morning with wild chickens and roosters cruisen around town. Not sure why that was the case but it was cool to watch. We were the only ones as they finally ushered us in a minute before 8am. The waiter was a serious fellow, attentive but very unemotional. I ordered coffee and then quickly asked 'what was the MOST popular item on the menu'. "Spock" responded announcing the popularity of the Crimini and Spinach Frittata. If you don't know, and I didn't, Crimini is a mushroom. Without hesitation I ordered the popular dish with wheat toast "Gangum Style" (Egg white only). Finding that the breakfast potatoes do not come with onions, I requested onions be cooked in my potatoes and was pleased to hear that "Lurch" obliged without an issue. My business associate ordered coffee only and commented to it's heavier qualities. When I received my fritatta is looked fantastic. It was awash in beautiful mushrooms and the appearance of fresh spinach. The size of the platter was substantial and the breakfast potatoes were nicely crisp with onions. The wheat toast came with a strawberry jam which I of course mistook for Ketchup. My initial taste was that of satisfaction, however, it seemed this was the result of inconsistent seasoning. The whole dish was somewhat bland and the potatoes would have been extremely bland had they not received a bit of flavor from the onions. In the end I ate the whole thing and was satisfied enough, however, if you are looking for a standout breakfast, this isn't it. That being said, this was the evaluation of a single dish with flawless, yet somewhat staid service. To his credit it was 8am on a Sunday. I would give 3 1/2 if I could so I will lean to 4 stars since they were so accommodating to my "Sally" like ordering style.
(4)
John C.
We were out running errands and had to kill some time before the post office opened so we decided to run and have breakfast. We didn't want anything too heavy so we took to yelp. We located The Village Bistro and we were on our way to old Fair Oaks. The location is cool and for whatever reason I was really impressed with the chickens wandering the streets. Once inside we were greeted by a nice waiter and provided menus. First item I see on the menu is biscuits & gravy and let me tell you I am a sucker for biscuits and gravy. The food came out quickly. This order of biscuits and gravy was like nothing I had ever seen before. A bowl with 3 biscuits floating in what I can only describe a cream gravy soup. The biscuits warm and soft and very tasty. The gravy was very creamy and had very large chunks of sausage in it. I wish the gravy was just a tad thicker but overall it was a good meal. I will go back again. I want to try the eggs benedict.
(4)
Becky C.
My absolute favorite place in a half-hour radius for breakfast. Their coffee is deliciously bold and rich and mixed with the cream and Splenda it leaves a Starbucks coffee in the dust. The biscuits and gravy dish is absolutely delicious - very fatty though, so if you're on a diet, forget about it. My go-to dishes for breakfast are the Village Wrap (like a breakfast burrito) - the homemade salsa perfectly sets this off; or the frittatas - thin and perfectly filling - especially with the feta. Mmm. For lunch or dinner, my favorite is the Cajun type (can't remember the name, sorry) pasta. It has andouille and cilantro in it and it is just divine. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the chef knows his stuff. I'm a regular and proud to be as such! Go!
(5)
Shamsie E.
Yuck. My husband and I left hungry, slightly nausous and felt like we needed a shower.
(1)
Sheryce S.
A quait spot in Fair Oaks to grab a great brunch to enjoy outside while listening and watching the chickens, roosters, dogs, ducks, and squirrels! It's a place to sit and watch the world slowly go by. I've had two breakfasts here now and enjoyed both experiences. This time around I ordered some good coffee and french toast! The french toast was delicious however, the downfall of the meal was the chicken apple sausage...which I actually paid a dollar or so to upgrade to. I didn't enjoy the taste of it. Next time I'll just stick to the regular sausage or bacon. The man in my life enjoyed a veggie omelette. It's a great spot that's not to be missed! Reasonable prices, great food, and nice servers.
I have known about this place for awhile so sorry that I haven't shared because this place is a spectacular hidden away in the nice little chill town of chickens Fair Oaks. If you want a place to go to have the delectably delicious food that this place offers and homey kind of feel that let's you enjoy atmosphere this is the place. I had the biscuts and gravy and my girlfriend had the bluberry pancakes all I can say "Oh Mother of Great Oden this is scrumptulescent(I made this up)" since I pretty ate everything including hers because I am a fat kid Seriously though check it out, that meal ran me about 30 bucks with coffee,tip, and food. Later skaters
(5)
Smelly C.
Fair Oaks Village. They have a couple tables outside with a lot of cuckoo-ing roosters and chickens running around. Inside, they have tables small and large with a small open kitchen. The decor is like putting french bistro decorations in a dirty strip mall store with fresh flowers on the tables. Our host and server was very nice and courteous. We came in for breakfast and I was delighted to find they serve STASH tea. The menu looked great. I opted for the Monte Cristo which was good. I've had better but this was still good. It came with fruit. Most of the fruit was partially mushed like bruised or aging so it wasn't appealing at all. It's a quaint little place and we had great service. The food.. It had it's highs and low points but it was an overall good experience so, we'll be back.
(3)
Joe D.
A small,intimate, comfortable and unique spot. No loud noise. Great servers. Great breakfasts. Try the blueberry pancakes. Sit on the side walk and watch the chickens go by. My wife loves the veggies and eggs. Dinners are perfect. I love the chef's and owner's onion soup. The best in town. It has a short list of entries, but all done well. My wife's groups have met there for dinner a bunch of times. But call for a reservation.
(5)
Stephan H.
My wife and I went here for a Sunday breakfast. Had never been here before but thought it looked nice. Overall it passed what most breafast places need to do the trick, but for what we paid, the food was not worth the trip. I had the eggs benedict and my wife had the pancakes. The hollandaise on the Benedict was bland and basically just tasted like yolk. The potatoes were the highlight as they were nice and peppery without being too overseasoned. My wife complained that the fresh fruit was warm and would have been better off served in a separate dish than the hot pancakes.. The one gem to our trip was the nice strong coffee. Overall, we were disappointed with breakfast. Don't think we will be returning anytime soon.
(3)
Liz J.
We had a fabulous dinner here tonight. My curried chicken was so tender you could cut it with a fork - delicious. Our server was very sweet and attentive also. I really hope to go back and try out some of the other dishes, but that curried chicken is so tempting to order again. My only negative comment - and it's a very small one - is that the place could have just a little more ambiance, maybe different lighting .... But loved the meal and plan to return.
(4)
Melvin J.
Holy smokes this place is the hidden gem! Order the biscuits and gravy I swear your head will spin. The coffee is awesome, I believe they use a French press.
(5)
Michele N.
It's a small restaurant that could be very charming with updating of the decor, it's a little plain. The Village Bistro does have good food and service. It took awhile to be seated (people were camping out) but the wait staff took our order right away and came by often. I enjoyed that your able to see the chief cooking from your table. I was impressed with the variety of dishes that were offered, the spinach frittata is one of the best that I've had and looking forward to trying the stroganoff.
(3)
Randy G.
We went in for Sunday breakfast. The food is great and it's a very quaint place. We love biscuits and gravy. The proprietor certainly offers a great breakfast menu, but we didn't care for the biscuits and gravy. The gravy was very creamy and sweet. We like the more traditional sausage based peppery gravy. I'd try it again but the biscuits and gravy aren't what we we are used to.
(3)
North B.
First time I have been here....my breakfast date has been here many times before....I ordered the Eggs Benedict...delicious...best sauce ever...eggs cooked to perfection....wonderful bold coffee....now this is what a breakfast out should be.....Will go back again and bring friends here for sure....may try the Monte Cristo next time :)
My friend and I ate here last night before attending a play in the park across the street. We had a nice, leisurely dinner while sharing the Bruschetta appetizer, the Valley Salad, and the Pear Walnut Pasta (made with fresh pasta) along with some nice wine. I had my doubts about pears in a pasta, but I'm a believer now! Everything was absolutely delicious, and even their homemade french bread was wonderful too. Our waiter was very nice and responsive without hovering. They were willing to split the salad and entree for us without a problem, which is nice because you can try more things before you get full. All-in-all, it was a positive experience. I will definitely go back. However, I do recommend that you don't go there if you are in a hurry (which we weren't). Plan to spend 1-1/2 hour there, and you will be fine.
(5)
Deb N.
Went on a Sunday morning around 10:30ish with my friend Paul, who is a local and my friend Stacy and I. Was pretty full but didn't have to wait. What a small, friendly breakfast place. village-bistro.com Had the white tablecloths and goblets for juice. Breakfast entrees ran $9-12, limited selected but yummy. The staff was busy, did have to get the staff's attention to get our check. Very nice atmosphere for an out of the way breaky place. The place is open for lunch and dinner too. Lunches look like it ran $10-15 and dinners around $15-25. Definitely tell it was a local place, everyone seemed to know each other. I like that. Smaller place with street parking.
(4)
Jaimie P.
this place was okay i woke up craving some of moms biscuits and gravy, so decided to give this place a shot the biscuits and gravy tasted like straight butter. that was the only thing i could taste . the biscuits were crumbled possibly? I'm not sure but it looked much more like a soup. got the blueberry pancakes-also doused with butter. the butter leaked onto the eggs so all i could taste was butter on the eggs (as you can tell, I don't like things doused with butter..although i know some people might like the idea of it) Also added two dollars for the chickens sausage.. nothing special. dude got the works scramble. he said he liked it a lot. tasted it and the ham was really good in it . the toast was dry and crispy/crunchy... not very tasty. bloody marys were all right. orange juice was good. service was great, very nice waitress.. don't think ill be coming back though :/
(3)
Charlie S.
I searched yelp in hope to find a great jambalaya place near work. I saw that the reviews were pretty average, but other people have raved about jambalaya, so I drove literally 15 miles to get there. We ordered Jambalaya and Louisiana Pasta. Let's start with Jambalaya. The rice were half cooked, so it was really really hard. It had no flavor and was really bland. It was overall very disappointing. Louisiana Pasta. Only good thing about it was that they give healthy portion. After that, I wasn't exactly sure which part of it was supposed to be Louisiana. Just because you put bunch of spices together, it does NOT mean it's Louisiana pasta. *sigh*. Also, when I went to the restaurant, the music was on REALLY loud, enough for my eardrums to hurt, so a) would never go back there again unless chef changes b) even if i went back, and it's 100 degrees outside, I'll most likely eat outside since music is on too loud. Search is on, once again for a great jambalaya, which I'm sure is out there.
(1)
Ali F.
After reading a review in the Sac Bee, my mum took me & the hubbs here for my b-day breakfast. Mum knows I love a good Monte Cristo & the reviewer raved about this one. It was ok. The rest of my group liked their meals, but I didn't see what was so "rave worthy" by the Sac Bee fella. Maybe I should try this place for dinner.
(2)
Katie A.
They have sort of slid a bit. The biscuits and gravy use to be really good a few years ago. Now? watery and seasonless. I don't care for their portabella mushroom burger either, but my vegetarian friend likes them okay. Also, their blueberry pancakes are good but could use more blueberry's.. I see they are not open as many hours in the day.. Obviously due to lack of business. It was really superb when they first opened. I'll still go there. Their salads are really, really good too. Parking is a bear in Old Fair Oaks.. All business suffer because of that. I guess I would recommend though.
(4)
rachelle S.
DISAPPOINTED- We chose this place because of the positive reviews and we truly regretted it. My husband had the biscuits and gravy which were 3 biscuits sitting in sausage soup- literally. The gravy was unbelievably runny. I ordered the blueberry pancake breakfast with eggs and bacon. The pancakes were ok, but served with Mrs. Butterworth's type syrup, which considering the price is absurd. The bacon tasted off, an experience I have never encountered. The service was mediocre at best. The food took a ridiculous amount of time to arrive, especially considering there were only 3 other tables which had already been served. The 2 breakfasts with coffee, tax and tip ran us $30. We will not be back.
(2)
William T.
The sausage and veggie frittata is Amazing ! Try the Duck Confit w/ Cherry Sauce on the dinner Menu , or the Strogonoff , both delicious . Jambalaya wasn't on the menu , but some dude on a Segue ?!?! came up , ordered some to go , and got it . Oh yeah... he has house made Jam for your toast , or for the Monte Christo , which I forgot to mention that my wife ordered , and was one Kick Ass Sandwich .
(4)
Shannon B.
wow where to start. I have waited tables on and off for almost 6 years now and have worked at a couple dive restraunts but this bistro is the pits. It really belongs on one of those disaster kitchen shows on TV. I arived with my five guests for breakfast and waited 20mins to have the table set when there was no wait and a large table open. The table presentation definately could use some work. Dirty plastic table-tops with paper napkins and poorly aranged flatwear. The waitress was quite kind, took our orders and quickly brought out our drinks. Then the real wait began. After sitting, It took over an hour and a half to get 6 breakfast meals out. Though full (8-10 tables) only 2 meals made it out to other tables in that time. I mean its eggs, a 2 minute cook at any resturant I've worked. The cook was so slow our waitress went to help scramble eggs for him. This would explain why an hour in, we were looking at empty glasses and no refills on a hot afternoon with a 3 year old. My brother approached the cook/owner and asked what was the hold up, only to be yelled at that he(chef) could not anticipate a full resturant ... ? Most resturants anticipate a crowd to fill an establishment and this place had no wait and some tables still open and most tables had already been served. We then were given chance for coffe refills and all requested water wich only made it to two of our party earlier. Toast came out and was left to sit for another 15mins while we waited for our meals. They came out 2 then the next 2 then 1 and 1 over a 5 minute period. The food was not worth the wait. Of six seperate dishes I received 5 seperate complaints on the meals. My meal was over-easy eggs with hash and bacon, pretty standard. Toast was cold eggs(runny whites) and hash were gross yet the bacon was awesome. Upon finishing the meal the bill included a tip(obviously undeserved) because apparently 6 is the magic number; even though 1 was a 3 year old who shared his mothers meal. Upon reurning home, a line promptly formed at our bathroom, and my stomach was gurgling until my turn. I had heard good things about this location but would have to aggree with the negative comments on this site. There was nothing worth seeing or eating here. The owner/chef even yelled at my guests and a large tip was included on a terrible dinning experience. If you cannot serve 8 tables (2 at a time) lower the seating in the resturaunt or hire another chef. Tips should reflect service and waitresses should not be cooking. I have never done a review before on a resturaunt knowing alot of what goes on; but we had such a negative experience I felt it neccesary to warn others of this soon to be under buisness. The only patron I recommend for this place is the producers of Hell's Kitchen because it is in serious need of help.
(1)
Carly B.
Amazing food! Cute little hole in the wall in old town Fair Oaks. Service was okay, but the food was fabulous!
(5)
Patrick B.
Come for the food and stay for the chickens.
(3)
Yoshi D.
This is a modest place, but the spinach omlette and the pancakes have been a hit with us (we've only eaten breakfast there). There are other nice touches like "jam" that really is a puree of fresh strawberries.
(4)
John C.
it's an obvious clue a review is planted if there is noting constructive said about their experience, yelp is your chance to be constructive. with that said , their jam had no flavor. other than that i had the best biscuits and gravy ever. and my fiance had the Crimini & Spinach Frittata which was awesome as well. the food was great, the decor was appropriate, and the overall experience was great. we will go back for sure.
(4)
B A.
This place is all about the food and great service. Eggs Benedict is awesome! The cheese burger is even better! And they have Tapatio, YES! When they get rid of the flourecent lighting, I'll give them another star.
(4)
San M.
I was recommended by a friend to have breakfast as the eggs benedict were great. I looked it up on line and noticed a wide variety of ratings in Yelp. Instead of breakfast my wife and I went for dinner and sat outside. I noticed the restaurant to be very clean and appreciated that I could see into the kitchen and food prep areas and they too were equally clean. It is a small restaurant they maximize the use of space. I also noticed there was not a lot of staff roaming about. The restaurant was packed on this thursday night and we waited on in an appropriate amount of time. This is not fast food and not intended so. I want to enjoy my meal and not feel rushed. I had the Beef Stroganoff and my wife the lamb shank. Both were outstanding and the salad was perfect. While some reviewers thought service was slow, I thought it fine. I would rather take my time rather than to feel rushed and pay for extra servers to save 10-15minutes. We returned on Sunday and had breakfast, specifically the eggs benedict. The restaurant was packed inside and out. The breakfast was very good and service was the same. Efficient use of staff and don't be in a rush. If you're in a rush, don't go and expect a fast turnaround as they might at Denny's or Coco's. Some reviewers didn't like the coffee. yes it is strong and rich. It's European as simply as that, have hot tea instead. I think overall it is a charming relaxed restaurant who do very well at preparing excellent food, reasonably priced, each meal prepared to order and good service Looking forward to my next dinner and breakfast. I'm looking forward to the biscuits and gravy which are european style and not country style as we're accustomed to here in the US.
(4)
Kevin G.
It's small; it's generally busy. It's beseiged by chickens and roosters. But it's doggone good! I've been here for weekend breakfast at least 4 times. It's great every time. Service is pretty slow, because there's one chef and one server. But the food is fresh and delicious, the coffee is strong and hot, and the prices are fair. If you live downtown/midtown, bring a date on a nice tour of old Fair Oaks. Walk the bridge, feed the chickens, visit the bike shop down the street. But don't miss this place. I'll have to hit you back about lunch or dinner.
(4)
J. M.
Delicious food! They catered a holiday party I had for my business and everything was absolutely delcious! Very unique flavors! Everyone raved. A little pricey but quality costs I suppose!
(4)
Cara H.
Yum! Had a wonderful breakfast here! It was perfectly cooked, so tasty. I really love supporting local restaurants and I think this is a great one! A simple cafe, relaxed service and good food. Wish I lived closer!
(4)
Michelle B.
There's something very special about this charming hole in the wall. Fantabulous service, yummy cuisine with dashing heritage radiating from it's porcelain plates . Sat out on the patio and gawked at the chickens running rampant in the park, sipped a mimosa and successfully obtain a cool Friday morning buzz. Spinach Frittata and Monte Cristo hit the spot in a beautifly way.
(5)
shelley m.
WONDERFUL Is all I can say about the food at the Village Bistro! I love duck confit and have had it all over the world, and I have to say this was the best I have had. My husband had the short ribs which he also felt was the best ever. Sure, the service might be a little slow as some have said, but if you want fast service with mediocre food go to Chiles or some place else. But if you want wonderful french country style food cooked and served by the charming owners try this place. Enjoy a bottle of wine while you wait, enjoy the company you are with, and pretend you are in a little village restaurant in France where eating is not a get in and get out experience, but someplace to relax and slowly enjoy the experience. No fancy atmosphere, just great food in a little local place which makes you almost feel like you are back in France.
(5)
Jason E.
I had breakfast here with a party of 5 the morning after Christmas Day. We were the first ones to arrive but within a few minutes the entire place was filled with eager hungry customers. Most of the clientele appeared to be frequent visitors. The Food: I ordered pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs. The pancakes were fluffy and tasted homemade. The bacon had to have been from a local butcher - it was thick, juicy, and full of flavor. My brother had potatoes on his plate - I sneaked in a taste and they were incredible! Everyone who ordered toast had a selection of homemade fruit preserves - this time it was raspberry preserves. According to the waiter, the owner makes the preserves himself. The Service: The waiter was very prompt in attending to our needs. Now, this is something you must consider when eating at this place. GOOD FOOD TAKES TIME! Just as you learn in Europe, the chef puts his heart into making quality food and it really shows in the overall experience. I could not believe that there was only one chef working in the kitchen for that many people in the dining area. Nevertheless, the food came out a lot quicker than expected.
(4)
Dora D.
Relax, you're in France. I've been to the Village Bistro several times and, despite some flaws as noted in other reviews, will continue to go back. I think anyone who's expecting trendy decor and haute cuisine, something that the VB does not possess, needs an attitude adjustment. The place is funky, homey and that's part of the charm. It's funky the way a lot of small, mom-and-pop, country restaurants are in France. All that's missing is the tacky flocked wallpaper and a server shuffling around in slippers. Speaking of service, it's more or less European style. Translate: they'll take care of you in a relaxed manner and this ain't McDonald's. The staff is friendly, they will remember you and we've had nothing but good service. The food has been Americanized portion-wise: not exactly mass quantities, but more than the smaller Euro norm. The food is good, more home cooking than trendy and priced fairly enough. So relax, take your time and enjoy it. If you want speed, noise and flat-screen TVs to distract you from either the food or your dining companion, go elsewhere. Ici, c'est comme chez soi!
(4)
Richard T.
Breakfast is great but a little overpriced.
(4)
MIKE S.
went here for fathers day and the service was terrible. one chef and a server that was less than interested. waiting for almost one hour for our food our drinks were left un-attended to. either the previous reviews were on days when there was no business, or they are planted reviews, because this was not as i anticipated from the reviews posted. although the food was pretty good, this guy should really think about hiring people to help him on the weekends. great potential but with service this bad, it takes away from the overall experience. chef gerard, do yourself a favor, and hire someone to help you in the kitchen.
(2)
Paprika P.
This place is a treasure! It's a little bit of France right here at home. If you sit near the open kitchen you can hear the chef's adorable French accent. The restaurant is not very big and has a few tables out front, weather permitting. We went on a slow night and the service was excellent. There were two servers when we arrived. Our server seemed to be a pro, just the right balance of attention and leaving-alone. Whatever caused the problem for the reviewer back in June seems to be resolved. The menu is not extensive but there is something for everyone. My husband and I shared the Ramaki and it was delicious--fresh and savory. Our salads and entrees were also wonderful. The prices were very reasonable for a dinner of this quality. This review is turning out rather gushy and glowing, but we just had such a delightful meal at the Village Bistro, there is nothing negative to say! I even love the name.
(5)
Gaye E.
had a great lunch..Denver omelet was perfect, and my husband loved the Monte cristo sandwich. very friendly staff...truly enjoyable.
(4)
A B.
The Village Bistro is a hidden gem inside the heart of Old Town Fair Oaks. I have been there for over a yerar and have had almost everything on the menu, and everything on the menu is as good as it gets. From breakfast to dinner they do it all. I recommend the bistro burger, jambalaya or maybe for dinner the braised ribs!!!! The potatoes that come with dinner are similar to a scalloped or augratin but 100 times better. The breakfast I would recommend would be the crimini and spinach fritata. The overall restaraunt is very small so I would expect a small wait to get a seat as the place gets packed quick. The staff is all very friendly, professional and very quick. I have been to almost all restaraunts in Sacramento, Las Vegas and several 5 stars in NY and SF (such as Gary Danko's and French Laundry) and I would consider myself a 100% foodie and know great food. I have read all of the top reviewed restaurants on Yelp for Sacramento and this need to be up there. Give it a try.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street 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 : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
David S.
Been three years since I have ate here, and the great quality has not changed. Had the Pork Scallopini, great cut of meat and the combination of the tomato concassé and melted Swiss on top really made for a great dish. It also comes with a side of linguini tossed in oil and fresh parmesan. My friend loved the Chicken Adobo and was a healthy portion. The starter salad is simple, but the dressing is amazing, same with the fresh bread. As I remember the breakfast is just as good as the dinner, and need to get over there soon. The owners are great and treat you well.
(5)Tyler Y.
Ok, but forgettable... I really wanted to love this place, so I gave them two chances and both times they fell short. Today I was served dried out potatoes that were probably left over from breakfast. Unpalatable. The rest of my meal was good, but did not justify the $15.00 I spent on it. I love old fair oaks, and I think this place has a lot of potential, but they have to step up their game a little.
(3)Darlene R.
Great place for brunch or lunch. Quality food, nice setting. I give it 4 stars only because the wait staff is hit or miss on friendliness.. But they still get the job done . We frequent this place monthly. Have not tried the dinner menu yet.
(4)Jazmine D.
Was here not too long ago and it was not too bad. I sat outside and ordered the fettuccine Alfredo which probably not the best thing for a first time experience with a new restaurant. It wasn't the best I had, but it wasn't the worst either. I enjoyed my view of the park and watching the chickens from my outdoor seat and that was a good thing. I will probably be back sometime this month to give it a new review and hopefully more stars.
(3)Jen Y.
Awful service. Waitress obviously forgot to put in our order. Then lied and said there was a big party before us. There were only couples when we got there and we were the only new table. We will not be returning.
(1)JoAnna E.
We return time and time again for their amazing pancakes and friendly down to earth service. A hidden family friendly gem in the heart of old Fair Oaks. 4 + stars
(4)Gem M.
I wanted to like this quaint little place, I really did. I'm on a hunt for a local breakfast place to go on weekends. It's a nice cozy little place with a fairly limited breakfast menu starting at around $9 and goes up from there. I wanted to try just a basic breakfast to see how they faired, plus some biscuits and gravy. I ordered eggs with breakfast potatoes and bacon with a biscuits and gravy on the side. The waiter asked what type of toast I wanted, to which I replied "the buiscut". He insisted I couldn't do that and had to buy the biscuit with the gravy as a side. So I ordered sour dough.... The kitchen was a little slow but nothing horrible. The problem came when the food arived. The eggs were good The bacon was literally cold The potatoes were black, like from sitting out to long. They weren't fried well. They looked and tasted gross The gravy was really a butter sauce. It was NOT breakfast gravy, I couldn't even eat it, yuck. Basically I paid over $16 for 2 eggs and toast. I was really dissapointed because I was hoping it would become a favorite breakfast place. I don't know how in the world they could serve those potatoes with any sense of pride.
(2)Heather S.
Such a good little place for breakfast. Came here on a Tuesday for my husband's birthday brunch. Everything tasted amazing. I had the eggs Benedict and he had the frittata. Good mimosas as well!!
(4)Greg F.
My wife and I ate here for Valentine's Day. We made a day trip on bicycles from West Sacramento and decided to give them a try. Very quaint spot located in the Fair Oaks Village area. Parking is available on the curb or across the street. Dining is outside or inside. The food is very good and prepared with care. The servers were a delight and I would highly recommend for a nice evening out...don't forget you get a free serenade from the resident roosters!
(5)Brian M.
Chef Robert and his exceptional staff keep us coming back. The Village Bistro has been mine and my wife's favorite breakfast/brunch spot for years. The food is always delicious and the service is the best. I cannot say enough about the eggs Benedict...hands down, the best around. If you are looking for a great little spot in a great little area then this is the place for you.
(5)Nancy H.
This was my first time here. I met a friend for lunch and we sat out front to enjoy the weather and the view of the park and the sounds of roosters. I got the salad with walnuts, craisins, feta, etc. It was very yummy and thank you for not drowning it in dressing, but even for me, the portion size was a little small. The iced tea is unsweetened, but flavorful. (Fyi, sugar doesn't dissolve well in iced tea). Server was pleasant and helpful. We will probably go again. The mushroom/eggplant sandwich sounded good.
(4)Binky E.
I love old Fair Oaks...cute little cafe that could use some redecorating. But, hey,..we're here for food, right?! Had the blueberry pancakes. Very yummy, large, with large fresh blueberries. Hubby had The Works - a tasty egg scramble. It was nicely done, fresh bell pepper and onions, but a bit on the bland side. He asked for salsa, which you should do as well, because it's fresh and was just what it needed. Toast was like white bread trying to act wheat but the fresh, healthy strawberry spread made it taste great. All in all a decent little place.
(4)Laurel A.
My experience here was brief and limited. I dropped my foster pup off at the vet's and was wanting to try more of the Fair Oaks businesses that I had yet to explore. I had decided to stay and have breakfast at one of the local cafes. When I entered the Bistro no one was there: no other customers, and no sign of an employee. I started looking at a menu that was posted near the entrance and saw that breakfast items began at something over $9 and went up from there. Then an employee came out from the back. He saw me, I saw him, but he did not acknowledge my presence in any way with a "Hi", or "Good morning" or 'May I help you?" before disappearing into the back again. I left.
(2)Kim D.
This cafe is tucked away in the village and I was really surprised when I noticed it. I'm not sure if it's relatively new or I'm just blind. The service was good and I like the outside tables that look out on the park. I'm sad to say I didn't have the best experience with the food when I last went here. I came in on a slow morning and ordered the eggs benedict. This dish is my absolute favorite thing to eat for breakfast and it's always a treat when I get to order it and don't have to spend the time making it at home . I could put hollandaise on everything! The standard pricing at any given restaurant is around $11 + dollars. I'm a grad on a budget but I don't mind occasionally shelling out the cash for some quality eggs benny. When poaching eggs, vinegar is commonly used to help keep the egg together while it's cooking but it's very important that the vinegar doesn't change the flavor of the egg. Unfortunately, someone used way too much vinegar and my entire dish was overpowered. I haven't returned since this happened but I might give it another shot in the future.
(2)Hilda V.
When I ordered my entrees and they kept surprising me with free salad and bread. The most important thing is that it was amazing dinner even surprising when I was eating and realizing how deliciously my dinner was! It's a must for you to go!
(5)Regina N.
I am so glad I disregarded the negative reviews here and ate at The Village Bistro yesterday, it was AMAZING!!! My mom and I were having a nice day out and went there for brunch on a Sunday. We could not have had a better experience. First off, they have great coffee. I can't tell you how many nice cafes I've been disappointed with because of their poor quality coffee! I believe the server said it's from Naked Coffee on Broadway. Excellent choice! I ordered the blueberry pancakes with sausage (skipped the eggs that come with it) and my mom got the spinach & crimini frittata, she was able to sub goat cheese since she can't have regular cheese. She also got a side of bacon. The pancakes were delicious and cooked perfectly. Two huge (6" or so?) fluffy pancakes, and refreshingly unique tasting, instead of tasting like the usual diner pancakes. Fantastic recipe, I hope they don't change it. My mom's frittata had very nice subtle and complimentary flavors, she loved it and I enjoyed the taste I had. The breakfast meats (both sausage & bacon) were top-notch quality. All the food was cooked to perfection. Our server, a young man whose name escapes me, was very attentive and friendly and professional. We will definitely be back. Ignore any negative reviews and give this place a try!
(5)Matt H.
This place was very good! Cute little cafe in Old Fair Oaks. Only beef was the portions, kinda meager...but still very passable food. Everything else was excellent, maybe another try will yield a better experience. But for the first try, this place ranked a solid 4 :-)
(4)L O.
Recently stopped in for lunch with my neighbor. It was a real treat to be in "the Village" and enjoy the community. My friend and I each ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich with extra jam....ok ok many many calories and cholesterol later...it was well worth the splurge!! Sometimes you just have to save up all of those "calorie/cholesterol" credits and spend them on a good cause!! The Monte Cristo at the Village Bistro is a good cause! Service was slow but I preferred to have the mind set of "relaxed"...not the place to go if you are in a hurry. Will go back again the next time I get to splurge!
(4)APRIL W.
Village Bistro is one of our favorite spots for exceptional food at a reasonable price. Their fish is always prepared perfectly, lamb shank is tender and delicious, and soup and salad options are very good. If you want dessert, order early as they often run out. Lovingly prepared by Chef Gerard, who always has a warm welcome for us. Wine list usually has several good options. Cozy atmosphere.
(5)Daniel L.
My partner and I visited this place on a Sunday early afternoon. We were greeted by the chef and he took our drink orders. I had an ice tea, water, and a mimosa. My partner had ice tea and water. We looked through the menu and the first thing that entered my mind was the care the chef took in maintaining a comfortable temperature in the restaurant. It was refreshingly cool. We forgot it was hot outside and considered going on a river stroll until we left. Changed our minds promptly. The decor is quaint. Maybe a dozen tables and all decorated with live flowers. The chef had to make some decisions on his kitchen organization and I can't believe how he managed to fit everything in. The food was marvelous. The pictures I posted should indicate the quality. I had the eggs benedict. The hollandaise sauce was DELICIOUS and the eggs were perfectly poached. English muffin wasn't chewy at all, but perfectly toasted. He included a side of roasted potatoes that complimented the egg dish perfectly. They were also hot! My partner had the monte cristo sandwich. Loved it. It's tasted very fresh and he didn't over sweeten the sandwich at the end. For dessert I had the creme caramel. It's a flan dish that tasted great and the sauce had hints of coffee flavor and possibly a bit of alcohol, but I couldn't put my finger on it. It was a complex enough flavor where I literally brought the dish to my mouth and slurpped the remainder at the end. It was well worth the visit and for the CUTE-AS-HELL Old Fair Oaks Village, it fits. One thing I regret was missing out on the coffee. I've heard through the grapevine that they serve great coffee but I didn't partake. Next time. Highly recommend this bistro. And, if you ever have Friday night tickets to see a play across the street, stop in prior to the show for a great dinner to start the evening. You won't regret it. Be sure to check out my uploaded images from the experience. Images 20-22.
(4)Jen W.
After living in Fair Oaks for almost three years, I finally found this place via Yelp. Hubby and I have a couple of favorite brunch places - both of which require a bit of a drive. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to try The Village Bistro (less than a mile from our house). When we walked in the door on a Sunday morning, we had a choice of only two tables. One seated four and the other (in front of the door) seated two. We could kind of tell by the hostess' facial expressions that they didn't want us to take the four-seater. (I totally understood...) The only problem with our table in front of the door? The door opened and closed CONSTANTLY...and it was a bit chilly outside. I didn't think it was a big deal until... Our waitress took our drink orders, delivered them promptly, took our breakfast order...and then we basically never saw her again. Oh wait! We did see her seating other tables and taking orders, but she never actually came back to our table to check up on us. (No drink refills until we got our food, which was about a 30 minute wait.) In walks a single customer who has no choice, but to sit outside. He's out there no more than 10 minutes when his order is delivered to him (and I was able to keep tabs on this while I was sitting next to the front door which opened & closed constantly). At this point, I started to get a bit irritated. The outside customer ordered the Steak & Eggs, which is what my hubby ordered. I asked for the Blueberry Pancakes. We had been sitting at our table almost for a solid half hour before we got our food...while the single customer walks in, gets his food and was gone before we even had a bite of ours. We also noticed other tables getting their food before ours. I really can't figure out what we ordered that was so different from every one else's...and it would have been okay had our waitress attempted to let us know what was going on. The food finally shows up and it was a bit underwhelming. My hubby summed it up best by saying, "We could have gone to Mel's Diner, paid half the price and had the same food." I'd love to give The Village Bistro a second visit, but the hubby was so annoyed, he told me I'll have to bring a friend because he's not going back.
(2)Pamela G.
A little walk from a friends bungalow, even in the heat was a pleasure in Fair Oaks Village! So quaint with it's little shops and treasure trove of lovely restaurants tucked away. The Village Bistro was wonderful! Greeted as we walked in on this summer Friday evening with a smile and wave from chef Gerard, was a delightful introduction. The server was sweet and efficient and the Chicken Curry melts in your mouth! I'm uncertain if I'll ever order anything else... this meal left such an impression I'll have to live it over and over. With no room for dessert I'll have to save the details on that till my next visit!
(4)James C.
Had breakfast here, loved the atmosphere not to mention the lovely meal. Prices were good and the waitress was very quick to fill my coffee. The only down note I had is the eggs could have used a little more seasoning but were still pretty good
(4)Alice D.
Don't go if you are hungry or in a hurry. The service was amazing, very courteous, and efficient....the food however was subpar and we waited for 45 minutes for egg Benedict in a half-full restaurant.
(2)Javier V.
Best pancakes in town!!! If you love breakfast you have to try this place. Great service and even better food.
(5)Theresa D.
We went for dinner here a couple times and it was GROSS both times! The last time I went, I took our food to go. My husband couldn't even swallow it! The meat tasted rotten! Someone seems to be cutting corners and I tasted it too and it was BAD/SPOILED food! I'm surprised they're still open! Can't wait to try the new brewery/pub a few doors down. This place is going to kill someone with food poisoning! YUCK!
(1)Steffanie B.
I took my grandma here for lunch today. We both got the eggplant portebello sandwhich. It was easily the best sandwhich we both had ever eaten. The service was impeccable, and the setting was quiet and peaceful. I will eat here again, my new favorite spot.
(5)Laurie B.
I have been coming to this place for years. It is one of my favorites. Located in the quaint yet beautiful Fair Oaks Village. Gerard, the chef is absolutely the best. Everything I have ordered has been outstanding. Breakfast here is my favorite but lunch and dinner are also great. What amazes me the most is that almost everything he makes is from scratch and he is the only one doing the cooking. With that being said, you may wait a little longer for your meal but I promise it's worth it!!!
(5)Duane H.
I'm a little embarrassed that its taken me so long to write a review of VB. Stormy and I have been enjoying this little gem for weeks. Is it perfect? No. Its a little dingy and they could clean the tablecloths outside once and a while. The coffee is only passable (though I admit I haven't tried their espresso drinks.) The one thing that is really going for this place is that the chef can actually cook. This is somewhat rare in a small place like this but he's actually French and knows his way around a kitchen. I've got to get in here for dinner.
(4)Jolene P.
Excellent food! This is my second visit. French toast on both occasions with fresh fruit and a fantastic presentation. Husband had the monte cristo on the first visit and found it a bit rich in flavor so was a bit disappointed. On the second visit, he had a ham and cheese omelet and loved it. I almost didn't come to this fantastic hidden gem because of the negative reviews. This place deserves a chance. Yes, the decor is extremely outdated, the table linens a bit worn, and overall a little plain. However, I came back because of its unique charm. Also, the service was great. Very prompt and accomodating. This is a place to visit for the food and service!
(5)Vickee R.
Split the steak salad and chicken quesadilla with my cousin. Both were really good and filled us up. The place had outdoor seating and a few people had dogs out there so I assume it's allowed, good to know I'll bring mine next time . Waitress was very friendly and nice. For our two meals and one iced tea it was $26. I would go back again for sure because I enjoy old town fair oaks.
(4)Patrick C.
I live in Fair Oaks and would call myself a semi-regular of the Bistro. It's a good bet for breakfast or lunch, with both food and service being good probably 7-8 times out of 10. Every once in a while there are some issues with food or service (what place doesn't?), but rarely a big deal. Tip -- don't go when it is crowded
(4)Cat B.
A new place to hangout with my hubby and baby! They're very accommodating!!! Even if space is limited you can still enjoy their food. It's probably because service is great! So far we've tried their French toast, frittata, eggplant lasagna (I think that's what it was) and they're all amazing! Enjoy!!!
(5)Tammi B.
My daughter and I enjoy trying (new to us) restaurants together. We were driving near old Fair Oaks at dinner time, so we "yelped" restaurants in the area. The Village Bistro came up with decent reviews, so we gave it a try. The décor is quaint and simple; the seating warm and cozy. Service was excellent and so was the food!
(4)Terri S.
The food was good, but hard to enjoy while we were freezing cold! I don't understand why restaurant owners don't realize that people want to be comfortable while they eat. We had breakfast here on a very cold Sunday. The temperature outside was 32 degrees. When we first entered the restaurant seemed warm by comparison, but that quickly changed. There were three of us, and the only available table was right next to the door. I have a phone with a temperature sensor built in, and the restaurant averaged about 64 degrees or less. Every time the door opened we were blasted with more frigid air. After a while,and before our food arrived another table opened up slightly away from the door, but near the window. This is an old building without good insulation, and the temperature was in the low 60s at the new table. At least we didn't get the intermittent blast of arctic air when the door was opened. When our food finally arrived, the waitress asked us if we needed anything else. I said "heat"! She acknowledged that it was cold in the restaurant, and that our previous table was "brutal", but offered no relief! As far as the food went, the only exceptional item to me was the biscuits and gravy, mostly because of the flavorful gravy full of chunks of sausage. This wasn't the thick library paste like gravy that usually accompanies biscuits.
(2)Dylan B.
Great food, great staff, great place to meet cool people in old fairoaks. I enjoy coming on Sunday's with my family for a nice little breakfast and then some coffee after. Great place to bring the dog and to just enjoy your day. The food in my opinion is very good and everything is worth trying. I recommend the French toast and the bacon. Great place to take the whole family.
(5)Margaret L.
This place is just a short walk along the river away from my parents' house, so I'm a big fan of taking a weekend stroll over to Fair Oaks to grab brunch here. If you're not familiar with the area, this whole "Old Town Fair Oaks" neighborhood is the place to be if you like quaint little parks, antique shops, a token dive bar, and freely roaming chickens. I like how much this place makes me slow down; sitting outside opposite the park and sipping on one of VB's killer cappuccinos (trust me on this), I don't mind the wait as the chef, working alone inside, whips up a consistently delicious brunch. I oscillate between the spinach and cremini frittata and the blueberry pancakes (or hell, just get 'em both). The homemade jam is DIVINE and you should smother it on anything carb-y on the table (except for your potatoes. leave those things alone and eat 'em with ketchup, like a goddamn American).
(4)Diane R.
This is a casual little restaurant that we visited on a Thursday afternoon for a late lunch. There were several other tables occupied but it was a very quiet atmosphere, very nice. It would have been lovely to sit outside but it was a little too hot outside when we visited. Our waiter took our drink order right away while we looked over the menu - I decided on the crab sandwich and my daughter ordered the hamburger. They were both presented very nicely with the freshest salad greens ever - they tasted like they had just been picked from a garden outdoors. Our waiter was very attentive, refilling our drink glasses before they were empty and bringing us extra napkins without us asking. The sandwiches were great (the chef is quite a good cook), the service was fabulous and we will definitely be back!
(5)Karen K.
First time I ordered to pick up. I ordered pancakes which come with two sides. So I got eggs over easy and bacon. I went in about 11:30 about 2 customers inside picked up my order and went home. I dont know how they messed up my order so bad. They gave me scrambled instead of over easy and sausage instead of bacon. They messed up 2 out of 3. So I called to tell them id be coming right back. The food was ready when I got there the young boy said sorry. It looked like management or someone higher up then him was behind him and they just looked at me. They looked annoyed. The food was good but probably wont go back.
(2)Jay S.
We got there at 7:55am. The place was empty as they were not open for business till 8am, however the door was open and the staff were busy getting ready. The place smelled of a pungent smell of cleaner which I cannot complain about since they just opened and it seemed to go away after we stepped in. It's a beautiful neighborhood on a crisp morning with wild chickens and roosters cruisen around town. Not sure why that was the case but it was cool to watch. We were the only ones as they finally ushered us in a minute before 8am. The waiter was a serious fellow, attentive but very unemotional. I ordered coffee and then quickly asked 'what was the MOST popular item on the menu'. "Spock" responded announcing the popularity of the Crimini and Spinach Frittata. If you don't know, and I didn't, Crimini is a mushroom. Without hesitation I ordered the popular dish with wheat toast "Gangum Style" (Egg white only). Finding that the breakfast potatoes do not come with onions, I requested onions be cooked in my potatoes and was pleased to hear that "Lurch" obliged without an issue. My business associate ordered coffee only and commented to it's heavier qualities. When I received my fritatta is looked fantastic. It was awash in beautiful mushrooms and the appearance of fresh spinach. The size of the platter was substantial and the breakfast potatoes were nicely crisp with onions. The wheat toast came with a strawberry jam which I of course mistook for Ketchup. My initial taste was that of satisfaction, however, it seemed this was the result of inconsistent seasoning. The whole dish was somewhat bland and the potatoes would have been extremely bland had they not received a bit of flavor from the onions. In the end I ate the whole thing and was satisfied enough, however, if you are looking for a standout breakfast, this isn't it. That being said, this was the evaluation of a single dish with flawless, yet somewhat staid service. To his credit it was 8am on a Sunday. I would give 3 1/2 if I could so I will lean to 4 stars since they were so accommodating to my "Sally" like ordering style.
(4)John C.
We were out running errands and had to kill some time before the post office opened so we decided to run and have breakfast. We didn't want anything too heavy so we took to yelp. We located The Village Bistro and we were on our way to old Fair Oaks. The location is cool and for whatever reason I was really impressed with the chickens wandering the streets. Once inside we were greeted by a nice waiter and provided menus. First item I see on the menu is biscuits & gravy and let me tell you I am a sucker for biscuits and gravy. The food came out quickly. This order of biscuits and gravy was like nothing I had ever seen before. A bowl with 3 biscuits floating in what I can only describe a cream gravy soup. The biscuits warm and soft and very tasty. The gravy was very creamy and had very large chunks of sausage in it. I wish the gravy was just a tad thicker but overall it was a good meal. I will go back again. I want to try the eggs benedict.
(4)Becky C.
My absolute favorite place in a half-hour radius for breakfast. Their coffee is deliciously bold and rich and mixed with the cream and Splenda it leaves a Starbucks coffee in the dust. The biscuits and gravy dish is absolutely delicious - very fatty though, so if you're on a diet, forget about it. My go-to dishes for breakfast are the Village Wrap (like a breakfast burrito) - the homemade salsa perfectly sets this off; or the frittatas - thin and perfectly filling - especially with the feta. Mmm. For lunch or dinner, my favorite is the Cajun type (can't remember the name, sorry) pasta. It has andouille and cilantro in it and it is just divine. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the chef knows his stuff. I'm a regular and proud to be as such! Go!
(5)Shamsie E.
Yuck. My husband and I left hungry, slightly nausous and felt like we needed a shower.
(1)Sheryce S.
A quait spot in Fair Oaks to grab a great brunch to enjoy outside while listening and watching the chickens, roosters, dogs, ducks, and squirrels! It's a place to sit and watch the world slowly go by. I've had two breakfasts here now and enjoyed both experiences. This time around I ordered some good coffee and french toast! The french toast was delicious however, the downfall of the meal was the chicken apple sausage...which I actually paid a dollar or so to upgrade to. I didn't enjoy the taste of it. Next time I'll just stick to the regular sausage or bacon. The man in my life enjoyed a veggie omelette. It's a great spot that's not to be missed! Reasonable prices, great food, and nice servers.
(4)Ken G.
A really disappointing spot. I ordered Biscuits and Gravy and also requested a side of Scrambled Eggs. The biscuits were actually small balls of dough that were swimming in "gravy" - it was bit orange and unlike any gravy I've had before (someone posted a picture of it on Yelp). This dish did not taste good, just very fatty. The eggs I ordered were horrible - I don't even think they were real eggs, but rather egg product because the taste was completely off and the texture was very different from normal eggs. Honestly, it's hard to believe this place gets so many good reviews...besides the bland and bad food, the décor was pretty bad - worn-out table cloths and absolutely no charm...they had what looked like humidifiers in the main dining area as well as a storage cooling unit for beverages that was also sitting in the same area...it all just really looked messy and ghetto. I find it hard to believe that all those things can't be put in better areas in the restaurant or, actually, completely out of sight. I will not be coming back again. Despite the very bad food, I will say the service and staff were friendly.
(1)Adam K.
I have known about this place for awhile so sorry that I haven't shared because this place is a spectacular hidden away in the nice little chill town of chickens Fair Oaks. If you want a place to go to have the delectably delicious food that this place offers and homey kind of feel that let's you enjoy atmosphere this is the place. I had the biscuts and gravy and my girlfriend had the bluberry pancakes all I can say "Oh Mother of Great Oden this is scrumptulescent(I made this up)" since I pretty ate everything including hers because I am a fat kid Seriously though check it out, that meal ran me about 30 bucks with coffee,tip, and food. Later skaters
(5)Smelly C.
Fair Oaks Village. They have a couple tables outside with a lot of cuckoo-ing roosters and chickens running around. Inside, they have tables small and large with a small open kitchen. The decor is like putting french bistro decorations in a dirty strip mall store with fresh flowers on the tables. Our host and server was very nice and courteous. We came in for breakfast and I was delighted to find they serve STASH tea. The menu looked great. I opted for the Monte Cristo which was good. I've had better but this was still good. It came with fruit. Most of the fruit was partially mushed like bruised or aging so it wasn't appealing at all. It's a quaint little place and we had great service. The food.. It had it's highs and low points but it was an overall good experience so, we'll be back.
(3)Joe D.
A small,intimate, comfortable and unique spot. No loud noise. Great servers. Great breakfasts. Try the blueberry pancakes. Sit on the side walk and watch the chickens go by. My wife loves the veggies and eggs. Dinners are perfect. I love the chef's and owner's onion soup. The best in town. It has a short list of entries, but all done well. My wife's groups have met there for dinner a bunch of times. But call for a reservation.
(5)Stephan H.
My wife and I went here for a Sunday breakfast. Had never been here before but thought it looked nice. Overall it passed what most breafast places need to do the trick, but for what we paid, the food was not worth the trip. I had the eggs benedict and my wife had the pancakes. The hollandaise on the Benedict was bland and basically just tasted like yolk. The potatoes were the highlight as they were nice and peppery without being too overseasoned. My wife complained that the fresh fruit was warm and would have been better off served in a separate dish than the hot pancakes.. The one gem to our trip was the nice strong coffee. Overall, we were disappointed with breakfast. Don't think we will be returning anytime soon.
(3)Liz J.
We had a fabulous dinner here tonight. My curried chicken was so tender you could cut it with a fork - delicious. Our server was very sweet and attentive also. I really hope to go back and try out some of the other dishes, but that curried chicken is so tempting to order again. My only negative comment - and it's a very small one - is that the place could have just a little more ambiance, maybe different lighting .... But loved the meal and plan to return.
(4)Melvin J.
Holy smokes this place is the hidden gem! Order the biscuits and gravy I swear your head will spin. The coffee is awesome, I believe they use a French press.
(5)Michele N.
It's a small restaurant that could be very charming with updating of the decor, it's a little plain. The Village Bistro does have good food and service. It took awhile to be seated (people were camping out) but the wait staff took our order right away and came by often. I enjoyed that your able to see the chief cooking from your table. I was impressed with the variety of dishes that were offered, the spinach frittata is one of the best that I've had and looking forward to trying the stroganoff.
(3)Randy G.
We went in for Sunday breakfast. The food is great and it's a very quaint place. We love biscuits and gravy. The proprietor certainly offers a great breakfast menu, but we didn't care for the biscuits and gravy. The gravy was very creamy and sweet. We like the more traditional sausage based peppery gravy. I'd try it again but the biscuits and gravy aren't what we we are used to.
(3)North B.
First time I have been here....my breakfast date has been here many times before....I ordered the Eggs Benedict...delicious...best sauce ever...eggs cooked to perfection....wonderful bold coffee....now this is what a breakfast out should be.....Will go back again and bring friends here for sure....may try the Monte Cristo next time :)
(4)Amy E.
I don't understand why this place doesn't have all 5 star reviews. In my opinion, it is the best restaurant for the price in the Fair Oaks area. For anything equally good, you need to go downtown. The food is delicious and unlike most restaurants that serve gourmet fare, a salad or soup is included with the entrée; and the entrée prices are reasonable. I just had the curry chicken there tonight and it was delicious - I've also had the beef stroganoff and several of their brunch items and I'm never disappointed. I also find the chef to be delightfully charming. Overall, a wonderful dining experience. :)
(5)Marcia B.
My friend and I ate here last night before attending a play in the park across the street. We had a nice, leisurely dinner while sharing the Bruschetta appetizer, the Valley Salad, and the Pear Walnut Pasta (made with fresh pasta) along with some nice wine. I had my doubts about pears in a pasta, but I'm a believer now! Everything was absolutely delicious, and even their homemade french bread was wonderful too. Our waiter was very nice and responsive without hovering. They were willing to split the salad and entree for us without a problem, which is nice because you can try more things before you get full. All-in-all, it was a positive experience. I will definitely go back. However, I do recommend that you don't go there if you are in a hurry (which we weren't). Plan to spend 1-1/2 hour there, and you will be fine.
(5)Deb N.
Went on a Sunday morning around 10:30ish with my friend Paul, who is a local and my friend Stacy and I. Was pretty full but didn't have to wait. What a small, friendly breakfast place. village-bistro.com Had the white tablecloths and goblets for juice. Breakfast entrees ran $9-12, limited selected but yummy. The staff was busy, did have to get the staff's attention to get our check. Very nice atmosphere for an out of the way breaky place. The place is open for lunch and dinner too. Lunches look like it ran $10-15 and dinners around $15-25. Definitely tell it was a local place, everyone seemed to know each other. I like that. Smaller place with street parking.
(4)Jaimie P.
this place was okay i woke up craving some of moms biscuits and gravy, so decided to give this place a shot the biscuits and gravy tasted like straight butter. that was the only thing i could taste . the biscuits were crumbled possibly? I'm not sure but it looked much more like a soup. got the blueberry pancakes-also doused with butter. the butter leaked onto the eggs so all i could taste was butter on the eggs (as you can tell, I don't like things doused with butter..although i know some people might like the idea of it) Also added two dollars for the chickens sausage.. nothing special. dude got the works scramble. he said he liked it a lot. tasted it and the ham was really good in it . the toast was dry and crispy/crunchy... not very tasty. bloody marys were all right. orange juice was good. service was great, very nice waitress.. don't think ill be coming back though :/
(3)Charlie S.
I searched yelp in hope to find a great jambalaya place near work. I saw that the reviews were pretty average, but other people have raved about jambalaya, so I drove literally 15 miles to get there. We ordered Jambalaya and Louisiana Pasta. Let's start with Jambalaya. The rice were half cooked, so it was really really hard. It had no flavor and was really bland. It was overall very disappointing. Louisiana Pasta. Only good thing about it was that they give healthy portion. After that, I wasn't exactly sure which part of it was supposed to be Louisiana. Just because you put bunch of spices together, it does NOT mean it's Louisiana pasta. *sigh*. Also, when I went to the restaurant, the music was on REALLY loud, enough for my eardrums to hurt, so a) would never go back there again unless chef changes b) even if i went back, and it's 100 degrees outside, I'll most likely eat outside since music is on too loud. Search is on, once again for a great jambalaya, which I'm sure is out there.
(1)Ali F.
After reading a review in the Sac Bee, my mum took me & the hubbs here for my b-day breakfast. Mum knows I love a good Monte Cristo & the reviewer raved about this one. It was ok. The rest of my group liked their meals, but I didn't see what was so "rave worthy" by the Sac Bee fella. Maybe I should try this place for dinner.
(2)Katie A.
They have sort of slid a bit. The biscuits and gravy use to be really good a few years ago. Now? watery and seasonless. I don't care for their portabella mushroom burger either, but my vegetarian friend likes them okay. Also, their blueberry pancakes are good but could use more blueberry's.. I see they are not open as many hours in the day.. Obviously due to lack of business. It was really superb when they first opened. I'll still go there. Their salads are really, really good too. Parking is a bear in Old Fair Oaks.. All business suffer because of that. I guess I would recommend though.
(4)rachelle S.
DISAPPOINTED- We chose this place because of the positive reviews and we truly regretted it. My husband had the biscuits and gravy which were 3 biscuits sitting in sausage soup- literally. The gravy was unbelievably runny. I ordered the blueberry pancake breakfast with eggs and bacon. The pancakes were ok, but served with Mrs. Butterworth's type syrup, which considering the price is absurd. The bacon tasted off, an experience I have never encountered. The service was mediocre at best. The food took a ridiculous amount of time to arrive, especially considering there were only 3 other tables which had already been served. The 2 breakfasts with coffee, tax and tip ran us $30. We will not be back.
(2)William T.
The sausage and veggie frittata is Amazing ! Try the Duck Confit w/ Cherry Sauce on the dinner Menu , or the Strogonoff , both delicious . Jambalaya wasn't on the menu , but some dude on a Segue ?!?! came up , ordered some to go , and got it . Oh yeah... he has house made Jam for your toast , or for the Monte Christo , which I forgot to mention that my wife ordered , and was one Kick Ass Sandwich .
(4)Shannon B.
wow where to start. I have waited tables on and off for almost 6 years now and have worked at a couple dive restraunts but this bistro is the pits. It really belongs on one of those disaster kitchen shows on TV. I arived with my five guests for breakfast and waited 20mins to have the table set when there was no wait and a large table open. The table presentation definately could use some work. Dirty plastic table-tops with paper napkins and poorly aranged flatwear. The waitress was quite kind, took our orders and quickly brought out our drinks. Then the real wait began. After sitting, It took over an hour and a half to get 6 breakfast meals out. Though full (8-10 tables) only 2 meals made it out to other tables in that time. I mean its eggs, a 2 minute cook at any resturant I've worked. The cook was so slow our waitress went to help scramble eggs for him. This would explain why an hour in, we were looking at empty glasses and no refills on a hot afternoon with a 3 year old. My brother approached the cook/owner and asked what was the hold up, only to be yelled at that he(chef) could not anticipate a full resturant ... ? Most resturants anticipate a crowd to fill an establishment and this place had no wait and some tables still open and most tables had already been served. We then were given chance for coffe refills and all requested water wich only made it to two of our party earlier. Toast came out and was left to sit for another 15mins while we waited for our meals. They came out 2 then the next 2 then 1 and 1 over a 5 minute period. The food was not worth the wait. Of six seperate dishes I received 5 seperate complaints on the meals. My meal was over-easy eggs with hash and bacon, pretty standard. Toast was cold eggs(runny whites) and hash were gross yet the bacon was awesome. Upon finishing the meal the bill included a tip(obviously undeserved) because apparently 6 is the magic number; even though 1 was a 3 year old who shared his mothers meal. Upon reurning home, a line promptly formed at our bathroom, and my stomach was gurgling until my turn. I had heard good things about this location but would have to aggree with the negative comments on this site. There was nothing worth seeing or eating here. The owner/chef even yelled at my guests and a large tip was included on a terrible dinning experience. If you cannot serve 8 tables (2 at a time) lower the seating in the resturaunt or hire another chef. Tips should reflect service and waitresses should not be cooking. I have never done a review before on a resturaunt knowing alot of what goes on; but we had such a negative experience I felt it neccesary to warn others of this soon to be under buisness. The only patron I recommend for this place is the producers of Hell's Kitchen because it is in serious need of help.
(1)Carly B.
Amazing food! Cute little hole in the wall in old town Fair Oaks. Service was okay, but the food was fabulous!
(5)Patrick B.
Come for the food and stay for the chickens.
(3)Yoshi D.
This is a modest place, but the spinach omlette and the pancakes have been a hit with us (we've only eaten breakfast there). There are other nice touches like "jam" that really is a puree of fresh strawberries.
(4)John C.
it's an obvious clue a review is planted if there is noting constructive said about their experience, yelp is your chance to be constructive. with that said , their jam had no flavor. other than that i had the best biscuits and gravy ever. and my fiance had the Crimini & Spinach Frittata which was awesome as well. the food was great, the decor was appropriate, and the overall experience was great. we will go back for sure.
(4)B A.
This place is all about the food and great service. Eggs Benedict is awesome! The cheese burger is even better! And they have Tapatio, YES! When they get rid of the flourecent lighting, I'll give them another star.
(4)San M.
I was recommended by a friend to have breakfast as the eggs benedict were great. I looked it up on line and noticed a wide variety of ratings in Yelp. Instead of breakfast my wife and I went for dinner and sat outside. I noticed the restaurant to be very clean and appreciated that I could see into the kitchen and food prep areas and they too were equally clean. It is a small restaurant they maximize the use of space. I also noticed there was not a lot of staff roaming about. The restaurant was packed on this thursday night and we waited on in an appropriate amount of time. This is not fast food and not intended so. I want to enjoy my meal and not feel rushed. I had the Beef Stroganoff and my wife the lamb shank. Both were outstanding and the salad was perfect. While some reviewers thought service was slow, I thought it fine. I would rather take my time rather than to feel rushed and pay for extra servers to save 10-15minutes. We returned on Sunday and had breakfast, specifically the eggs benedict. The restaurant was packed inside and out. The breakfast was very good and service was the same. Efficient use of staff and don't be in a rush. If you're in a rush, don't go and expect a fast turnaround as they might at Denny's or Coco's. Some reviewers didn't like the coffee. yes it is strong and rich. It's European as simply as that, have hot tea instead. I think overall it is a charming relaxed restaurant who do very well at preparing excellent food, reasonably priced, each meal prepared to order and good service Looking forward to my next dinner and breakfast. I'm looking forward to the biscuits and gravy which are european style and not country style as we're accustomed to here in the US.
(4)Kevin G.
It's small; it's generally busy. It's beseiged by chickens and roosters. But it's doggone good! I've been here for weekend breakfast at least 4 times. It's great every time. Service is pretty slow, because there's one chef and one server. But the food is fresh and delicious, the coffee is strong and hot, and the prices are fair. If you live downtown/midtown, bring a date on a nice tour of old Fair Oaks. Walk the bridge, feed the chickens, visit the bike shop down the street. But don't miss this place. I'll have to hit you back about lunch or dinner.
(4)J. M.
Delicious food! They catered a holiday party I had for my business and everything was absolutely delcious! Very unique flavors! Everyone raved. A little pricey but quality costs I suppose!
(4)Cara H.
Yum! Had a wonderful breakfast here! It was perfectly cooked, so tasty. I really love supporting local restaurants and I think this is a great one! A simple cafe, relaxed service and good food. Wish I lived closer!
(4)Michelle B.
There's something very special about this charming hole in the wall. Fantabulous service, yummy cuisine with dashing heritage radiating from it's porcelain plates . Sat out on the patio and gawked at the chickens running rampant in the park, sipped a mimosa and successfully obtain a cool Friday morning buzz. Spinach Frittata and Monte Cristo hit the spot in a beautifly way.
(5)shelley m.
WONDERFUL Is all I can say about the food at the Village Bistro! I love duck confit and have had it all over the world, and I have to say this was the best I have had. My husband had the short ribs which he also felt was the best ever. Sure, the service might be a little slow as some have said, but if you want fast service with mediocre food go to Chiles or some place else. But if you want wonderful french country style food cooked and served by the charming owners try this place. Enjoy a bottle of wine while you wait, enjoy the company you are with, and pretend you are in a little village restaurant in France where eating is not a get in and get out experience, but someplace to relax and slowly enjoy the experience. No fancy atmosphere, just great food in a little local place which makes you almost feel like you are back in France.
(5)Jason E.
I had breakfast here with a party of 5 the morning after Christmas Day. We were the first ones to arrive but within a few minutes the entire place was filled with eager hungry customers. Most of the clientele appeared to be frequent visitors. The Food: I ordered pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs. The pancakes were fluffy and tasted homemade. The bacon had to have been from a local butcher - it was thick, juicy, and full of flavor. My brother had potatoes on his plate - I sneaked in a taste and they were incredible! Everyone who ordered toast had a selection of homemade fruit preserves - this time it was raspberry preserves. According to the waiter, the owner makes the preserves himself. The Service: The waiter was very prompt in attending to our needs. Now, this is something you must consider when eating at this place. GOOD FOOD TAKES TIME! Just as you learn in Europe, the chef puts his heart into making quality food and it really shows in the overall experience. I could not believe that there was only one chef working in the kitchen for that many people in the dining area. Nevertheless, the food came out a lot quicker than expected.
(4)Dora D.
Relax, you're in France. I've been to the Village Bistro several times and, despite some flaws as noted in other reviews, will continue to go back. I think anyone who's expecting trendy decor and haute cuisine, something that the VB does not possess, needs an attitude adjustment. The place is funky, homey and that's part of the charm. It's funky the way a lot of small, mom-and-pop, country restaurants are in France. All that's missing is the tacky flocked wallpaper and a server shuffling around in slippers. Speaking of service, it's more or less European style. Translate: they'll take care of you in a relaxed manner and this ain't McDonald's. The staff is friendly, they will remember you and we've had nothing but good service. The food has been Americanized portion-wise: not exactly mass quantities, but more than the smaller Euro norm. The food is good, more home cooking than trendy and priced fairly enough. So relax, take your time and enjoy it. If you want speed, noise and flat-screen TVs to distract you from either the food or your dining companion, go elsewhere. Ici, c'est comme chez soi!
(4)Richard T.
Breakfast is great but a little overpriced.
(4)MIKE S.
went here for fathers day and the service was terrible. one chef and a server that was less than interested. waiting for almost one hour for our food our drinks were left un-attended to. either the previous reviews were on days when there was no business, or they are planted reviews, because this was not as i anticipated from the reviews posted. although the food was pretty good, this guy should really think about hiring people to help him on the weekends. great potential but with service this bad, it takes away from the overall experience. chef gerard, do yourself a favor, and hire someone to help you in the kitchen.
(2)Paprika P.
This place is a treasure! It's a little bit of France right here at home. If you sit near the open kitchen you can hear the chef's adorable French accent. The restaurant is not very big and has a few tables out front, weather permitting. We went on a slow night and the service was excellent. There were two servers when we arrived. Our server seemed to be a pro, just the right balance of attention and leaving-alone. Whatever caused the problem for the reviewer back in June seems to be resolved. The menu is not extensive but there is something for everyone. My husband and I shared the Ramaki and it was delicious--fresh and savory. Our salads and entrees were also wonderful. The prices were very reasonable for a dinner of this quality. This review is turning out rather gushy and glowing, but we just had such a delightful meal at the Village Bistro, there is nothing negative to say! I even love the name.
(5)Gaye E.
had a great lunch..Denver omelet was perfect, and my husband loved the Monte cristo sandwich. very friendly staff...truly enjoyable.
(4)A B.
The Village Bistro is a hidden gem inside the heart of Old Town Fair Oaks. I have been there for over a yerar and have had almost everything on the menu, and everything on the menu is as good as it gets. From breakfast to dinner they do it all. I recommend the bistro burger, jambalaya or maybe for dinner the braised ribs!!!! The potatoes that come with dinner are similar to a scalloped or augratin but 100 times better. The breakfast I would recommend would be the crimini and spinach fritata. The overall restaraunt is very small so I would expect a small wait to get a seat as the place gets packed quick. The staff is all very friendly, professional and very quick. I have been to almost all restaraunts in Sacramento, Las Vegas and several 5 stars in NY and SF (such as Gary Danko's and French Laundry) and I would consider myself a 100% foodie and know great food. I have read all of the top reviewed restaurants on Yelp for Sacramento and this need to be up there. Give it a try.
(5)