The Bistro at Just Baked-Topsail Island, NC

Friends, I apologize for being MIA the last few weeks.  It was my birthday, and between my new hubby, my family, my in-laws, and my friends, I ended up having a birthday month that has finally ended!   I am not complaining.  I had an amazing birthday, but I shamefully got caught up in all the fun and neglected my blog.  

I am back with a vengeance; however!  The beauty of a birthday and of getting out of town is all the restaurant visiting you get to do.  I have several reviews underway, the first one being of The Bistro at Just Baked in Topsail Island. 

My husband took me to Topsail for the weekend leading up to my birthday, and to be honest, there aren’t a whole lot of restaurant options on the island.  Whenever we go, we visit the Deli everyday (look for their upcoming review) and then we usually cook the rest of the time because the majority of the restaurants there aren’t worth your money.  They’re either dingy or afflicted with average food. 

The Bistro; however, has changed that.  Sporting a farm-to-table philosophy, the restaurant owners run a farm where they grow over 60 different types of fruit, vegetables, and herbs, all organically grown without chemicals or pesticides.  Bistro is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the place gets packed on the days it is open, so I strongly suggest that you make a reservation. 

When I walked in with my husband, I noticed the restaurant was small, but the owners managed to get creative with the space they had and provide plenty of seating.  The lighting was slightly dim, generating a cozy ambiance.  The hostesses were very pleasant and welcoming, and although the bistro was full of people, we managed to get a table nestled behind a mini sheer curtain which separated our table from the one next to us.  It added a little romance to the experience, which is why I think it’s a great place for a couple looking to have a nice night out while they’re in Topsail.

We started with an appetizer, the Crab Dip with Herb Crostini.  I always get a little nervous when I order crab dip because a lot of times you get too much breading or too much mayo, and not enough lump crab.  The Bistro did not disappoint me though.  The dip was full of crab, and the artichoke mixed in added a tangy flavor that also cut through the cream cheese, allowing the dip to maintain it’s seafood taste.  There were thick bread crumbs and parmesan sprinkled on top, and just a little bit of green onion which gave the appetizer a delightful, yet subtle kick.  Personally, I prefer my crab dip on pita bread simply because of the softness of the bread.  The crostini worked just fine; however, and I believe that this really comes down to preference.  The crostini was crunchy and buttery and complimented the dip nicely.  I was completely satisfied with the crab dip, and I would suggest it to anyone on the island who’s in the mood for some “crabby” crab dip.

The special for the day was Blackened Grouper served on a bed of Rice and Asparagus, with a Goat Cheese-Avocado Polenta.  As soon as the words came out of our waitress’ mouth, my husband turned to me and said “that’s all you baby.”  I love blackened fish, I love goat cheese, and avocado was a staple in my house growing up.  Naturally, I ordered the special and the hubby ordered the 14 Spice Crusted Rib-eye with mixed seasonal vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes. 

My grouper was great.  It was soft, it was flakey, and it was completely encrusted in pepper which had me on Cloud 9.  The real star of the show; however, was the polenta.  My gosh, the polenta!  The goat cheese gave it a pungent flavor that was completely balanced out and sweetened by the avocado.  Every now and then I would get a few bites of roasted red pepper whose smoky flavor added a great deal of depth to the blackened fish.  At first I was combining the polenta with the rice, but then I started pouring the polenta on the grouper, and that’s when the meal went from enjoyable to scrumptious.  

 

 I took a break to have a few bites of Carney’s dish.  The garlic mashed potatoes were perfect, they were fluffy and oozing of nothing but garlic.  Simply put, the mashed potatoes were delicious.  I wasn’t impressed by the steak.  The 14 Spice Crusted Rib-eye lacked about 13 of those spices.  There was nothing outstanding in the flavor profile or in the way it was cooked.  If you're looking for a good steak, Bistro is not the place to go for it.  

 

 Overall, our experience at The Bistro on TOPSAIL ISLAND was excellent.  I emphasize the name of the island because if you have frequented this island, or if you live on it, you know how hard it is to find a satisfying place to eat.  The Bistro is a little pricier than one would normally expect to pay in Topsail, but if you’re looking for a nice night out and for a meal that isn’t underwhelming, this is definitely the place to visit.  Try and stick with their seafood dishes, and if any entree comes with the Goat Cheese-Avocado Polenta, order it immediately.  

 Visit The Bistro's page!