Bistro Niko brings French fare to Buckhead

I have a confession to make. I visited Paris last summer while backpacking though Europe and did not have one morsel of delicious French food. I’m superbly ashamed to admit that, even though I spent four days in the City of Light, my diet consisted of cheap croissants from a bakery across from our hostel, Thai food, Mexican food and fast food. The reason? Paris was my next-to-the-last stop on my journey. And I was basically broke. Seventy cent croissants are a lot more economical than fresh crepes.

Luckily for me, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s Bistro Niko brings a taste of France to the heart of Buckhead. The B.F. and I went a couple of Tuesdays ago, with hopes of enjoying the last bit of gorgeous weather on Bistro Niko’s amazing patio with Peachtree views. Needless to say, we weren’t the only folks itching for patio dining.

After a confusing conversation with the hostess (quite possibly the dumbest hostess I’ve ever encountered) we settled on a table near the bar, in close proximity to the patio.

The first thing I noticed about the space was how beautiful and classic the décor was. I feel like Buckhead Life restaurants are sometimes over the top when it comes to style (like Pricci, where the late 70s-early-80s décor makes me feel like I’m in a scene from Scarface)but Bistro Niko manages to be quaint and sophisticated.

I’ll admit—I was intimidated by the menu. Though the descriptions were quite clear, I began to sweat at the thought of having to pronounce something called Truite Mi Fumee Amandine. Even though I have taken six collective years of French classes, my pronunciation sounds about how you would expect a girl from Tifton, speaking French, to sound. Thankfully, our server Rebecca was amazing and didn’t laugh at me when I insisted on pointing to, instead of pronouncing the items I wanted to try.

As an appetizer, we had the Croque Monsieur Au Samon—basically a salmon sandwich on grilled brioche. It was delicious, but I think I could have anything between buttery grilled brioche and I’d still devour it.

Our entrees were nothing short of amazing either. The B.F. had dined at Bistro Niko previously and raved about the Coquille St. Jacques Aux Sorrel—Maine scallops served with asparagus. According to him, they were delicious yet again. I was torn between several entrees, but in the end I decided on the Supreme De Volaille Farci Aux Champignons-- basically a mushroom-stuffed chicken, served with sautéed spinach and some type of buttery-delicious-fatty cream sauce. I couldn’t get enough of this meal and I managed to join the clean-plate-club by sopping up the cream sauce with the fresh bread from our third bread basket (I love my carbs).

According to me, the French are known for two things—snootiness and pastries. So you better believe I was going to try dessert at Bistro Niko. Not in the mood for the richness of chocolate or the creaminess of Crème Brulee, we settled on the puff pastry served with ice cream, drizzled in chocolate sauce and topped with slivered almonds. The light, fluffy pastry was the perfect finish to our overindulgent, heavy meal.

I will definitely be a repeat customer at Bistro Niko. The menu is filled with dishes I can’t wait to try—Skate, Boeuf Bourguignon, Tartes (French pizzas) and Steak Frites are just a few that make my mouth water. The wine list is extensive but reasonably priced, and the food prices won’t break the bank either. Our three-course meal with wine came in at around $100, with tip.

If you can, get a seat around the perimeter of the bar—it’s much more private than the bustling, and somewhat crowded dining area. If you can make it on a Sunday, stop in for the brunch—the menu looks insanely delicious. And try to make it in the next couple of weeks, before it’s too cold to enjoy the patio. I am anxiously awaiting springtime, and I can already picture myself on the patio—sipping wine and splurging on puff pastries.


~Blair Branch
Bistro Niko is located at 3344 Peachtree Road in Buckhead.
Bistro Niko is open Sunday for brunch and Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.
404.261.6456