You would likely drive right by the industrial-looking strip of shops where my favorite restaurant is located. Its unassuming setting is quickly forgotten when the whimsical bicycle logo and snappy blue entrance come into focus. A decorative blue bicycle is parked in an herb garden. There’s an immediate impression that a delicious surprise is inside.
The Blue Bicycle is a French-inspired dining experience. The décor features a playful mural with a parade of farm animals riding bicycles laden with fresh produce, which fills one wall. Another era, depicted in another room, is a montage of a couple riding a bicycle built for two, a hot air balloon carrying some picnickers, two ladies enjoying tea, and a Frenchman riding a squiggle of a velocipede.
Executive Chef Guy Owen and his wife, Katie, own the restaurant. Opened in 2005, it has been called a culinary diamond in the rough. The 68-seat bistro invites diners to rest, reflect and rejoice—and you’ll be rejoicing with every bite.
The seasonal menu with a Southern touch leads us off at the artsy bistro. The casual but intimate atmosphere is a place where you can relax and enjoy quality, imaginative dishes. Everything is made from scratch, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The bar is fully stocked, and the bartender entices patrons with all manner of drinks, from an innocent lavender mocktail to a Wicked Lady, a Devil’s Smash or The Last Word. A Round for the Kitchen is even available if you’re feeling generous.
An extensive white, pink, red and bubbly wine list is available, and mocktails and cocktails come chilled from the bar. The beer list is extensive. No umbrellas here—these drinks are seriously delicious.
For the meal, I chose the prosciutto-wrapped dates and a crab cake. I’ve had the quiche of the day with their excellent tomato soup and have been pleased The shrimp and grits give a nod to the South, while the steak au poivre and the chicken Provençal remind us of the French influence in the restaurant. Three salads are on the menu to complete the meal Parisian-style. We chose the warm chèvre-topped garden salad…