Bistro
Parisien
5945 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, CA
(408)268-3200
bistroparisien@ibm.net
 | Not far from Highway 85, in the heart of Almaden Valley, lies one of the best bistro restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. When chef Alain Guichard closed L’Horizon several years ago, he took time to fish and open this very small and informal restaurant with a prix fixe menu. The Pork Chop and Lamb Shank are outstanding. When I go to a restaurant, I generally try the "special." The chef sometimes gets bored doing the same old thing, the specials are usually fun for the chef, sometimes for seasonal foods, and you definitely know it is fresh. Alain’s "Rabbit" is outstanding. | ||
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The Professional Wine Society of Santa Clara Valley and Chaine Des Rotisseurs followed him from his restaurant at the airport to this small bistro. I have had many dinners here where Alain has closed the restaurant just for our party. Here is the back page of one of the menu’s that tells the story about this excellent chef: Bistro Parisien has been a dream of Alain Guichard since he was a teenager sent to the marketplace in France to choose the fresh vegetables and bread. He came to California in 1976 to see his idol Elvis Presley perform. Unfortunately, it was the same year "The King" died. Alain found himself in Santa Monica without a job. However, his luck changed when he went to work at Plaza Four in Century City. He found it fun serving movie stars and other celebrities. He decided to stay. Alain's credits include Ma Maison, the Mustache Cafe, Lasserre, and Albions, before he became executive chef at The Plumed Horse in Saratoga. He met Kit Menkin, who helped him open L’Horizon, located at the San Jose Jet Center. Unfortunately, Alain went through a divorce that changed his life, specifically his now ex-wife took over the restaurant. During this time, he single-handedly built and opened Bistro Parisien. He decided to keep it small with only a dishwasher to help him in the kitchen and two waitresses to take care of the 14 tables.
The restaurant not only won raves from the San Jose Mercury and Metro, among others, but became very popular right away with all the local people who lived in the area. He can practice his "hands on" cooking, plus keep costs low and pass this on to his customers. He also has time to develop a private life, plus make time to go camping and fishing with his son. He now enjoys the kitchen more and it reflects in the food he prepares and cooks for his customers; many he knows as his friends.
Alain Guichard, second from left, with his Caterers Extraordinare and hostess Sue Robert; wedding reception for Kit’s daughter Tascha, now married to Russ Mattos. Alain Guichard prepared a twenty course Mardi Gras New Orleans Style Banquet with four decorated food stations and two wine stations. | |||
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Voice: 800-727-3844 Fax: 800-727-3851
Kitm@americanleasing.com