Right up front I'm going to say I rounded up from a 3.5 to a 4. Why? Because it here in the North Hills, any restaurant that goes to the lengths Bistro 9101 does to do things with the attention to detail that they do, deserves the benefit of the doubt. Besides, the food is solid, it was the bar that was a 3. On to the details.
The atmosphere is quiet on the restaurant side. Dimly lit by candlelight, the tables are spaced for intimate conversation without overhearing your neighbors. I like that!
The service is friendly, unobtrusive and knowledgeable. The staff knows their stuff about food allergy issues and what they don't know, they talk to the chef to get the right info.
How about the food? That is why we go out to eat, right? First, a small loaf of bread is brought to your table along with a whole head of soft, roasted garlic to squeeze out and spreatd onto slices of that warm, crusty bread. Such a lovely beginning!
My dining companion started with a rich and satisfying bowl of a not too creamy tomato basil soup that she said just hit the spot that cool evening. She followed soup with a crisp salad...sorry I don't remember which one, but she enjoyed it!
I wasn't hungry that evening so ordered two small plates instead of a big meal. The pig wings sounded quite interesting. These were small, meaty, very tender individual ribs served with a creamy version of a chimmichuri sauce and small soft corn tortillas. You spread a little sauce on the tortilla, then placed the pig wing on top, then gripped the meat with the tortilla so the meat slid right off the bone leaving the perfect pork and chimmichuri taco. It was almost a magic trick!
When I ordered two appetizers, intending a light meal, I never imagined the long beautiful plate of pig wings! The other small plate was a rich, creamy, delicious mushroom risotto that was prepared just the way risotto should be. I left stuffed, happy, and with leftovers for the next day!
Our return visit was later in the evening after a movie at the new Cinemark theater. This time we enjoyed cocktails and hangar steak quesadillas. The bartender had called in sick, so a server stepped up and filled the role as best he could. I give him credit for trying! He produced one very good Cosmo and one barely acceptable Mrs. McCandless - a specialty gin drink. I'll give a more accurate review of the bar when a real bartender is behind the stick!
One note, if you expect the same corner bar with the same cheap, so-so food and drinks that used to come out of this old building, things have changed for the BETTER! Yes, the new restaurant and new chef are cooking up fine cuisine that is pricier than the old shot and a beer place. That's why they USED to be here. Fine food is a welcome new addition to this old McCandless location. This is my new local go-to spot!