Bistro Vendome

I was fortunate enough to go to Paris many years ago (and am committed to getting there again, as God is my witness!). I was left with more than memories, it was a feeling, an essence, an aura of what it is to be in that charming city. There’s nothing else quite like it, but Bistro Vendome comes close.

I have been to the restaurant, tucked into a courtyard on Historic Larimer Square, for lunch with friends, a romantic anniversary dinner, for dessert and coffee apres theater and now for weekend brunch. The latter coincided with visiting Le Jardin Secret, Larimer Square’s Saturday, foodie market, another very French thing! I’ve enjoyed each of my visits to Bistro Vendome, each one making me want to return for more, more, more – more delicious food and more of the very Parisian atmosphere, including the menu written on tilted mirrors – love that!

The brunch menu is very reasonably-priced which is a happy surprise. There are appetizers, pastries, a cheese plate, salads, sandwiches, breakfast dishes and desserts. We started with a French press carafe of coffee for two, presented with cream and two turbinado sugar cubes. My companion ordered the Crepe du Jour with a base of red wine-poached chicken, vegetables and a hollandaise sauce drizzled with red wine reduction. It was earthy and elegant.

I had the Croque Vendome, with Gruyere cheese, sliced ham and pickled onion within golden brioche bread which was the perfect thickness and texture to handle the fillings. The sandwich is served with a Bernaise sauce which is good but isn’t really necessary. For $1 more, add a fried egg to the sandwich and dig in with a knife and fork. No, wait, don’t “dig in,” savor the flavors and enjoy, thinking Parisian thoughts, while also enjoying the salad that comes with it. All for $12. Because we are bacon worshippers, we ordered a side of Bacon with a Honey-Thyme Glaze which I thought was going to be candied bacon. Instead it was just drizzled with honey and flecked with tiny thyme leaves. For $6.50, realizing that I could buy a pound of bacon and do this myself, I was, at first a little disappointed. But the flavors were so wonderful and it was a perfect accompaniment to both of our meals.

Every experience we’ve had so far at Bistro Vendome has been lovely and I use that word on purpose. It is an elegant place but very approachable, reasonable and deliberate. So if you go, absorb the atmosphere, notice the details, linger over your food and drink, languish in it all, for the full experience that it is.

Bistro Vendome is located at 1420 Larimer, within Larimer Square.