Everett’s Bistro Vino offers lively dining

  • By Anna Poole / Herald Restaurant Critic
  • Thursday, August 12, 2004 9:00pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

EVERETT – It doesn’t seem like a month since I stopped by Bistro Vino and painters were putting the final touches on the restaurant’s name, but this lively eatery’s been open for almost four weeks.

We visited Friday night and realized that many others had also discovered this new addition to Everett’s ever-expanding downtown scene.

Bistro Vino owner Nick Webster grew up in the restaurant business. His family owned restaurants in London and Spain for 30 years. He worked in restaurants in Barcelona and Seattle before bartending at Lombardi’s in Everett.

BISTRO VINO

1801 Hewitt Ave., Everett 425-252-4214

Specialty: International favorites

Hours: Breakfast pastries and coffee, 6 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday; Lunch 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; Dinner 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday

Price range: moderate

Liquor: full bar

Smoking: non-smoking

Reservations: recommended for parties of six or more

Disabled accessibility: no apparent barriers

Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa

Webster said it was time for him to go out on his own, and he looked at restaurant locations from La Conner to Seattle before settling on the historic building on Hewitt Avenue that’s home to Bistro Vino.

The windows run the length of the building, giving the dining room an open-to-the-street feeling. The earthquake retrofitting demanded that two poles be installed, which the staff work around without effort. The newly installed, sleek and highly polished wood bar combines with the historic ceiling, lighting and setting for a chic, big-city feel.

Webster created the international menu that includes chicken satay with Thai peanut sauce ($11.50), Polish sausage, chicken and apple skewers ($11) and Swedish meatballs ($11).

Webster’s fiancee is Swedish and he borrowed her family’s recipe for the restaurant. The pork-beef meatballs are mild, not spicy like those served in an Italian restaurant, and served with ligonberry sauce, potatoes and gravy. There’s also Pacific Northwest seafood such as wild king salmon ($15) and Dungeness crab cocktails ($8).

My friend and I chose the next to the last empty table and commented on how busy it was at 9 at night. We reviewed the wine list, which includes glasses from Washington, Oregon, California, Italy, Spain and New Zealand. My friend selected a Leaping Lizard chardonnay from California ($5.50). I chose the BV Beaulieu Vineyard Zinfandel from California ($6.50) because I thought I was ordering the wild king salmon.

Then, our server said there was one serving of grilled halibut with roasted red potatoes and steamed vegetables left. I didn’t care that I was going to end up drinking red wine with halibut. And, I didn’t ask the price so I can’t tell you how much it cost.

The roasted potatoes accented with herbs were very tasty although a couple cubes were a little rubbery. The vegetables were perfectly steamed. But it was the halibut that won my heart. It had beautiful cross-hatching from the grill and was perfectly – not 10 seconds under or over cooked – but perfectly grilled.

Saltimboca is traditionally made with thin rolls of veal that are covered by a smaller slice of prosciutto and a sage leaf. My friend’s chicken saltimboca substituted a skinless chicken breast for the veal and was slit lengthwise for the insertion of ham. My bite didn’t have any ham but I thought that was due to it being near the end.

My friend said she didn’t find any ham and was also unhappy with the sauce that covered the chicken. I thought it was an appealing accent. Her saffron-laced rice was delicious and her steamed vegetables were like mine.

For dessert, my dining companion ordered cheesecake with strawberry coulis ($4.95) and I selected the ultimate chocolate cake ($6.50). Both are house-made and it was difficult for us to decide which one was better. My chocolate cake was like birthday cake, only better, and the cheesecake was creamy, light and perfect for a summer night.

As we finished our dessert, more customers arrived and ordered dinner. It reminded us of San Francisco, where dinner is served until very late.

Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs. You can e mail her at features@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Everett P. Fog, 15, in front of an Everett mural along Colby Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hello, Everett! No escape when your name is same as the town

Everett P. Fog, 15, sees and hears his first name wherever he goes. His middle name is also epic.

2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek edition (Provided by Nissan).
2025 Nissan Rogue has new Rock Creek edition

Enhanced outdoor capability is a boon for the more adventurous.

Futuristic Kona Limited Photo Provided By Hyundai Newsroom.
2025 Hyundai Kona Limited SUV Gets Roomier

All-Wheel Drive Option Add To All Trims

Children play and look up at a large whale figure hanging from the ceiling at the Imagine Children’s Museum (Olivia Vanni / The herald)
Fun for all ages: The best places for family adventures

From thrilling activities to relaxing outings, here’s where to make unforgettable family memories!

Jared Meads takes a breath after dunking in an ice bath in his back yard while his son Fallen, 5, reads off the water temperature on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chill out: Dive into the cold plunge craze

Plungers say they get mental clarity and relief for ails in icy water in tubs, troughs and clubs.

Schack exhibit to highlight Camano Island watercolorists

“Four Decades of Friendship: John Ebner & John Ringen” will be on display Jan. 16 through Feb. 9.

XRT Trim Adds Rugged Features Designed For Light Off-Roading
Hyundai Introduces Smarter, More Capable Tucson Compact SUV For 2025

Innovative New Convenience And Safety Features Add Value

Sequoia photo provided by Toyota USA Newsroom
If Big Is Better, 2024 Toyota Sequoia Is Best

4WD Pro Hybrid With 3-Rows Elevates Full-Size

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser revives its roots

After a 3-year hiatus, the go-anywhere SUV returns with a more adventurous vibe.

Enjoy the wilderness in the CX-50. Photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 Mazda CX-50 Adds Hybrid Capability to Turbo Options

Line-Up Receives More Robust List Of Standard Equipment

Practical And Functional bZ4X basks in sunshine. Photo provided by Toyota Newsroom.
2024 bZ4X Puts Toyota Twist On All-Electric SUV’s

Modern Styling, Tech & All-Wheel Drive Highlight

Photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus Hatch Delivers Value

Plus Functionality of AWD And G-Vectoring

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.