Shop for frocks, then flock to Café Bistro

Published 8:49 am Thursday, February 28, 2008

It can often be a challenge to find time to dine out during the hectic holidays, especially when shopping takes precedence, but this dilemma can be avoided by having a bite to eat at Nordstrom’s Café Bistro.

Dining out at a place that also offers great shopping, literally right outside, can be quite a time-saving strategy for shoppers at heart and on the go.

I, for one, had never considered dining at Nordstrom’s Café Bistro, located at Alderwood Mall, but after a suggestion by my co-worker, who also was my dining companion for the afternoon, I agreed to give it a try.

Located on the second floor of Nordstrom, Café Bistro was conveniently right next to the Savvy and B.P. departments. Because these just so happen to be my favorite shopping sections, Café Bistro appeared to be in the midst of it all.

Rather than having to sit at a table and wait to order, as is the usual restaurant ritual, Café Bistro is designed so customers order their food the moment they walk through the door. Or, for indecisive people like me, they can order as soon as they make up their mind.

After much debate, I finally settled on a sandwich, the turkey and rosemary focaccia, to be exact. I often eat sandwiches for lunch, due to the fact that I am a creature of habit. However, this one actually sounded good for a change.

Almost before my dining companion and I could sit down, our food was in front of us. My friend had ordered the Cilantro Lime Shrimp, which she assured me was one of “her usuals.” She also commented on the fact that the new Café Bistro is much improved. The atmosphere is much better and she said: “It is not like a food court.”

My sandwich loomed in front of me, much larger than expected, and I wondered if I could even manage to eat half. But somehow, I guess I’ll never really know how, I managed to eat the entre thing. And, I even tried my side of slaw, which was good.

In addition to being huge, my sandwich contained caramelized onions, tomatoes, baby greens and rosemary aioli — ingredients my home-made sandwiches often lack.

As I ate, I looked at the clientele. Even though the restaurant was in a shopping mall, and actually in a department store for that matter, the diners did not appear to be only female. There were, in fact, several men dining as well.

Even if you are not prepared to shop ‘till you drop, apparently you are still allowed to dine at Nordstom’s Café Bistro.

Known for being trendy and upscale, Nordstrom’s dining lived up to the reputation of its shopping counterpart.

Now that the holidays are just around the corner, it really does not get more convenient than Café Bistro. Shopping really is just right around the corner from this restaurant.