Put Charlotte’s Bistro on your list
Put Charlotte’s Bistro on your list
By DAVID THEUS
Charlotte’s Bistro at 200 E. Call Street, 904-964-7006 in historic Starke, Florida is another find for sure. Make sure and put this one on your date night list. The setting is the 1888 circa downtown bank building with the architecturally pleasing corner door front entrance. As soon as you walk in you get the feeling it’s a bistro alright. The floor plan is snug, yet quaint and hospitable.
We were directed to our seating in a back dining area that looked to be an area that once might have been an alley between the bank and its next door neighbor. The floors were giant brick pavers and the walls were exposed brick from what used to be the outside of the bank. As soon as we were seated a very calming sound of music gained my attention; a carefully selected set of instrumental jazz and the sound of a very light water feature in the dining room made for a very calming experience.
The menu is extensive, keep in mind they do a full lunch during the day and dinner during the evening. I quickly glanced at the lunch menu, just in case one day I found myself back in town during lunch. Salads, soups, and plenty of signature sandwiches dot the menu. One of favorites from my childhood at Disney, the Grilled Monte Cristo served with raspberry jam, along with a prime rib sandwich, grilled Reuben, and a French Dip and Philly Cheese Steak to round off the sandwiches. I didn’t even tell you about the deli versions.
Dinner, back to our dinner. I ordered the Grouper, and they offered it blackened with a salad and two sides, that’s a meal. Mine came with green beans, seasoned perfectly, and yellow rice with some grated cheddar melted on top. The Grouper was flaky and full of vigor with its blackened seasoning served perfect. Very tasty.
My wife ordered her favorite dining out meal, Prime Rib. She always orders it medium and served with real horseradish on the side, the hot stuff. She only ordered the fresh salad thinking her meal would be plenty. The steak arrived unfortunately over-cooked, she ordered medium and it came clearly well. Her exact words were: " It’s a great cut of meat, not real fatty and seasoned just right, just slightly over-cooked for my taste".
She made me promise that you knew it was not a bad experience by any means, she just likes her Prime Rim a little red and juicy, other wise the meal was excellent. This location is for a sure a prime location for a date night. The old Florida Twin Theatre is located just down the block. You could eat here and catch the late movie. We grabbed some goodies from the case on the way out, dessert would have to wait till later, we were stuffed.
Ambiance and service and quality of food, I give Charlotte’s Bistro four and one half forks out of five. Starke’s historic downtown has a lot to offer. Make the trip and tell them you heard about it here.
