The East West Patio
Last weekend most Americans set our clocks back by one hour. One of the fringe benefits to the time change is the ability to eat a business lunch outside at 12:00 noon during the warmest part of an autumn day. Yesterday, I had that chance to do so on the patio at East West Bistro and it was wonderful.
My lunch partner, the always affable Courtney Redmond from 909 Broad St., and I took the table closest to the intersection of Broad St. and Wall St. One of the benefits of that table is that a beautiful tree blocked the mid-day sun from shining directly on us while we ate. We had a great view of the students as they walked back to their downtown apartments from their classes (presumably), and the skies were cloaked in multiple shades of blue. Nothing quite beats taking a hour to eat slowly and enjoy the fresh air and the sights and sounds of Athens. The porch at East West Bistro provides a front row seat to the action.
Of course, at East West Bistro ambiance is only the proverbial gravy, as the food itself is the real meal. Courtney had the “Blackened Salmon BLT” which is a seasoned salmon filet served with hickory bacon, lettuce and Roma tomato, and a garlic aioli on sourdough bread with sweet potato chips. I had the “Crispy Tofu and Broccoli” with garlic and scallions mixed into a sweet chili oyster sauce served over sticky rice. Our taste buds saluted us for our decisions.
Our server, Nick, made sure that we were served promptly and given ample attention; I can only surmise that his 5 star service was partly because he is a professional and partly because the warm autumn sunshine was appealing to him as well.
As we ate, Courtney and I discussed the happenings at Bulldawg Illustrated, 909 Broad St., and the general happenings around the Classic City.
If there is a better spot to have a noon time business lunch in Athens on a picture perfect November day, I don’t know where it is.
