Bistro De Leon

This review is business etiquette related, which I hold larger than the food itself.
Long story short, I had a family vacation planned in Orlando for a week, and decided to take a day trip up to St Augustine this past Saturday. The sole purpose for this visit was to take my girlfriend to have dinner at Bistro De Leon (which was phenomenal the previous time I was there). Well, and to buy some cigars from JC the cuban! :)
I made a dinner reservation 2 months in advance, and when the day finally arrived, I tried to call them to see if I could bump up the time. No answer, no answer, then I received a call at 5pm (my dinner reservation was at 7pm) stating that they would be closed for the evening due to cleaning.
REALLY?!
In disbelief, I walked to the restaurant and there was a sign saying that they would be closed for cleaning. I am sure this was not a last minute development, was it too much to ask for a call a day or two in advance to give me a proper heads up? They had my number, clearly they could see it was an out of town number, but maybe common sense is not something that comes natural to them.
Needless to say, I will never be back at this place.

This place was recommened, a friend and I wanted to go for dessert. We got there and the guy said they couldn’t seat is inside but we could take a dessert to go. No thanks

I am giving this place one star for several reasons. It was recommended by a local person who is a regular saying that the food and desserts are amazing.
Unfortunately my friend and I were not given that courtesy. We came in around 5 o’clockish with the intention of having dessert and wine and were told we couldn’t get a table if we were not there for dinner.
The restaurant was quasi empty with about 4 guests in total in the whole restaurant.
One star for the rude non professional welcome we got. For all they know we could have changed our minds and eaten dinner there.
We ended up going across the street to Centro Piano Bar where the staff was 100% courteous and professional.

On our way to Biketoberfest and decided to stop in St Augustine for lunch. What a pleasure bistro de Leon was. Had the pork pâté sandwich on a very crusty baguette and it was amazing. Hubby had the Monsieur Ham and cheese sandwich which was amazing as well. They have a great breakfast menu on Saturdays and Sundays we will be back.

I’ve had many different French meals, but the Bistro is by far one of my faves! The owner, a multi– generational chef fresh from Leon, France, is a funny guy with a great taste for food and traditional French service.
If you’ve ever been to France, a basket of fresh bread and butter served with your water is a normal thing. I personally like saving the bread to soak up my French onion soup after I crack the cheese layer. (Which is also the best in town!)
The wine selection is amazing and the espresso is to die for! If you order one, be sure they give you sugar to go with it.
Another favorite on the menu is the escargot. Yes, its snails, but its drowned in garlic and butter. So so so so good!
I’m a chef, graduate of the local school FCTC, and I’ve had a fair share of the local quisine. Bistro is definitely on the top of my list!

Bistro de Leon was not worth passing on the free pirate pancakes at the hostel we stayed at. My friend and I came here last night wanting to take some carb snacks back to the hostel but they were out. Okay, understandable. It was early evening. We came back bright and early this morning fully expecting to be inundated by the fresh aroma of baked goods. What we got instead were excuses about how they were out of croissants and baguettes, essentially half their menu.
Perhaps they weren’t ready for an off peak rush but being in a tourist town I really don’t see it as an excuse.
As much as I wanted to like the French toast, it really was lacking in flavor. I had to drench it with syrup just to bring life to it. The plate also came with two pieces of bacon, both of which were cold. My friend got the croque monsieur. She had neither complaints nor anything spectacular to say about it; except for the fact that it was hot, unlike the rest of our meal. To say the least, I probably won’t be coming back to try the croissants

ok a multi-​generational French chef is what they advertise. I’m with my family and my brother is a chef/​cook at another local place. The ‘cook’ comes out, nice enough guy– friend of my brother??? Where is the French chef.
Dad wants a beer. We are out of beer, busy weekend. I order a Kir– very French, I am served a Kir Royale– ok not a big deal maybe to some but I don’t like champagne.
On we go– limited very very pricey menu. My dad is not a fan of seafood. We all have drinks. Brother and his girlfriend order Filet Mingons. Get to my dad… Filet Mingon– «we are out, those were the last two.
But wait this is Tuesday– you haven’t restocked your food and beer since the «busy weekend»?
I don’t blame the waitress or the cook– and the food was cooked ok. But I had some pasta and seafood dish– I NEVER would order something like that given other choices. Maybe they had the rabbit? I don’t know I don’t want to eat that.
Weird hours– we’ve tried to eat there before, it was never open. I’m thinking well dessert should be good but the pasteries are decimated.
Ok Mr. French chef of multiple generations– get in and visit your restaurant. It may be well placed in the tourist area but I think chef Ramsey would have a field day with you. Take a look at your reviews. «Dog Food» «Mediocre» «Comically Small» portions, «Cranky» waiter.
Suggestions
Salade Nicoise, Soupe a l’ognion gratinee, beouf bourgenogne, maybe some French wines and beer?
One other table so loud we couldn’t hear ourselves talking.
Hell have an «86 board» so that we don’t get seated to find out you are out of what little you have on the menu. I am SURE we would have gone to one of the hundreds of other places.
Such a disappointment! If you are reading this– Columbia– Spanish food, Gypsy Cab Company– fusion amazing food, Ned’s– former Gypsy owner, Prince of Wales– British food, Sangria’s– for tapas, OC White’s– seafood, A1A aleworks– Carribean.
Lots of good choices within 5 minutes of the place.

This place completely made my trip to St. Augustine. The chef is brilliant and the wait staff is 5 star. I usually don’t eat out because of dietary restrictions, but they totally took the time to accommodate. Over the course of 3 days I got a Greek Omelette, shrimp and a flounder/​olive dish — all blew my mind. They’re authentic French and made from scratch (the baguettes are amazing) and fresh ingredients. It was a pleasure dining here and honor to shake the chefs hand.