Bijou - Stratford

We've been here before, so a disappointment that service was haphazard at best. Things started off ok, but our drink order was not placed, then a request for an additional cracker to go with the very good brie cheese went nowhere. After repeated requests we were told the chef will not allow it. Won't allow an extra cracker? Our entrees were brought out by a different person, with no one following up to ask if we were satisfied. Finally, a third staff person cleared our table to inquire if we wanted dessert. After we were finished, our original server Thomas pulled himself away from a lady friend long enough to bring us our bill. Then we had to hand signal a fourth staffer to pay our bill. We spoke to the manager, who said the restaurant purposely shares table service. I said that was not the case on our previous visits. He was non-apologetic, no surprise to us. With so many very good dining options in Stratford, we will probably not be back. Finally, do not order the duck confit, unless you want 70% of the duck to be skin and fat. The accompanying beets were excellent, but expensive beets at $40. Bijou needs to fix its service issues. Disappointment for sure.

I'll try to keep this brief. Great food, cramped seating, inexperienced waiter (just ours, don't know about others) and if you order the scallops, be prepared to stop somewhere after you leave the Bijou for some food, as you will still be hungry. Three not large scallops, well prepared, three small similar sized potato pucks, and a good sauce. My guess is this is less than a three ounce protein portion. Maybe even two. All of the above are great news for the owner. Pack the customers in, cheap out on hiring experienced staff, and cheap out on the entre size. No jewel in my books. Bon appetite.

We were just dining at the Bijou last month to celebrate our son's graduation. The experience and food were so delicious our boys requested to go back to the Bijou for their birthdays this month. We couldn't say no. To start we had the Shrimp wrap, Beet Salad and Mushroom Tempura. My husband does not like mushrooms but he loved these Fungi's! A must do. Dinner we had the Sirloin, Asparagus Risotto, Scallops the Trout again, it was just that delicate and delicious. Dessert was a must for the occasion and we can not say enough about Vira's Strawberry Swiss Roll. Everything we had was delicious and delectable. Thank you to all the staff and the owners Mark Linda for a lovely evening out! Can't wait for our next visit.

A delightful bistro in downtown Stratford. Excellent server, an imaginative menu, and lovely background music. Made a welcome change from the typical North American fare of burgers, wings, fries, big screen TVs, and loud music.

Always love dining at the Bijou. We brought our family out celebrating our children's graduation. Great service, wonderful staff and always delicious food. We had the Scallops and Trout dishes, loved every bite! Cannot wait to return.