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Category: French
120 N Topanga Canyon BlvdTue thru Fri. between 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. we'll take 15% off your entire bill! (Includes alcohol). Join us for an early bird dinner!
Tue-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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surprise surprise
Despite its ultra casual ambiance, canyon bistro serves upscale, thoughtful cuisine. The lunch menu is extensive and includes starters like grilled artichoke and sides of truffle mac & cheese. I loved the mussels and clams in white wine/saffron broth. I could actually see the saffron!
The chicken with mashed potatoes was cooked perfectly. Crispy skin and tender, juicy meat.
I will definitely come back here after a hike or an adventure in nearby Hidden Treasures.
Only drawback, they need to put out some yellowjacket traps. We were pestered the entire meal!
On a nice fall day, what a beautiful place to sit outside and enjoy the sun. But...ultimately the food was okay but not exceptional, the service was good natured but sloppy, and it is expensive, particularly when you consider the average food.
Our grilled artichoke was tough...and when we mentioned it to the waitress she said "Oh I've never heard anyone complain before." Okay, but it is still a tough old artichoke.
My son had the steak which he liked. It was a good sized portion and nicely cooked. I had a salad with various squashes which was nice. Excellent fries, a decent dessert and very nice latte were notable.
Lower your expectations and you'll be happy. Lunch for two was $50.
I live in the canyon and just tried this place out for the first time after a little trepidation. Sometimes dining in the canyon can be daunting because you expect poor service (except at Abuelita's), not many choices, some attitude from the servers, and a little confusion. I was completely wrong on all counts at the Bistro!
I had the seared tuna tartine sandwich and it was incredible. My friend got the mushroom raviolis (I don't like mushrooms, yet was salivating at the sight of them) and then we both had some dessert- the apple cobbler for me and the creme brulee for her. Delicious!
The prices were a little steep, but the service was amazing and the ambiance is peaceful and serene (which may not be the case when there is construction happening on the new library). I will definitely be going back and am planning on trying the Sunday brunch soon!
Where shall I start?!! Glorious ambiance, fine service, top of the line wine selection, unique dishes such as Truffled mac and cheese. Condiments such as spicy Siracha! and wait... the fact that it is in beautiful Topanga!!!
This is a place for special dinners, one you would have with family, a close friend, it is cozy and unique. An absolute must. If you want to escape Calabasas, here is an easy solution, spend an evening here, have a few glasses of Malbec wine.
Peace, love, topanga canyon bistro
The place was nice, inside and out. Unfortunately, there was construction going on out on the main street, so we had to sit inside just to hear ourselves. We went for lunch. I had a burger and Katie had a sandwhich, neither of which were anything exceptional. Unfortunately, Katie got a pretty rough stomach ache after the food and even felt a little nauseous. We weren't sure the cause, but we were fairly sure she ate something a bit rough for her stomach.
In the end, I am sure it is not a bad experience for dinner and probably one of the better options in the area. However, it was not a great experience for us and I don't think we'll be going back.
Although the food was great, I cannot justify the price (minus one star for the rip).
We both got hanger steak & eggs, which came with potatoes. See, that's JayChan's hand holding a fork, poised over his food, waiting..... while I took a pic...haha...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I was able to sub salad for the starch on mine. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
For these meals: $18 bucks each! And we drank only water. Add tax and you've got almost 40 bucks, add tip and you're close to 50.
The only thing I encountered today that was steeper than these prices was the ride up Fernwood, in Topanga, after we ate. As usual, Jay scared the living bejezus outta me. I have never been at a higher elevation anywhere in LA.
Every damn part of LA was visible. All you had to do was look straight down over the edge. The narrow 2-lane road with hairpin turns had no guardrail.
Yes, I was screaming. And hyperventilating. And cussing. I was planning all the ways I would kill Jay if we ever did get down alive.
When I covered my head with my sweatshirt, he figured he could drive faster cuz I couldn't see. There will be hell to pay for this.
The good news: I did not throw up my $18 breakfast, but it was a close call.
Dammit.
All that being said, Canyon Bistro loses one star for being overpriced, as I said, and another star for lousy service.
We waited almost 40 minutes for our food, although the place was not real crowded. I think it may have had somethinng to do with our server, because people at surrounding tables, who had a different server, and who were seated after us, were served well before us.
When I questioned our server about this, she said they were probably trying to cook our steaks just right.
Lame.
BUT......damn, that food was good.
When it finally did arrive, I tasted my browned eggs over easy, and they were delicious. The steak was tender like butter, and full of flavor.
The meal was overall amazing.
I like the setting, too. We sat on the outdoor patio with nice views of the canyon's green hills. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I might go back sometime for the $11 Angus burger. That seemed more reasonably priced than what we got today. But you do have to pay extra for cheese, caramelized onions, etc. (*cough*rip)......
They close at 3pm on Sundays, and people were arriving near that time and being turned away. If it were my restaurant, and customers were willing to pay those prices in this sucky ecomony, I'd be staying open much later on Sunday........just sayin'.......
Monday, 5/4:
One day after our brunch, I received some additional info via a nice note from Canyon Bistro's owner. He told me, by way of explaining the price of our meal, that the hanger steak "is grass fed, prime (nothing better) certified Angus using sustainable practices to insure longevity of the herd and employment for those working the farms. ....It is an 8 ounce steak, portioned in house then marinated....."
Well. No wonder that was the best piece of beef I ever ate! I am hugely supportive of environmentally responsible farming, so have decided to add back one star to my review.
Maya Angelou's quote comes to mind: "When we know better, we do better."
Some kind of livin' !
After twenty years in LA it's easy to find things to hate about city life but it you take a little time to explore you'll find millions of reasons to love being here. Enter the Sunday Adventures in Canyon Exploration, SACE for short.
I really needed to get out and and enjoy the day. With the temps nearing 80 degrees, a gentle breeze making it fell more like 77, the shade of umbrellas making it fell more like 76.5 how could you complain about our perfect weather? The spring flowers were in bloom, the sky was a perfect shade of blue, the allergy pill was ingested and the top neatly stowed in the trunk. Today we'll shoot the canyons topless!
I met Joan at the Canyon Bistro in the heart of Topanga Village. The bistro inhabits a cute corner of an artsy little complex right on the north edge of the BIG sweeping curve through the villiage.
We decided to sit on the patio and enjoy the breeze playing with all the amazing flowers and trees. I finally understood the message carried by locals on their back bumpers, "I Slow Down Thru Town, Don't Bother Honkin' " It was not really a safety message I'd been reading all these years but one of, "I'm going to enjoy this beautiful drive even if you don't!"
Our server handed us Sunday brunch menus and asked if we wanted to start with a drink, hmmm I really wanted to have a glass of bubbly or a mimosa but I also really wanted to challenge the twisties of Fernwood Pacifico after brunch. Everything looked great but it was when the server announced a special of hanger steak and eggs the menus went down and the forks warmed up. Unfortunately it took over 38 minutes for the food to arrive while our forks started tapping out the nervous rhythm of anticipation turned to frustration. The sad part is our server never checked up on us, I had to stop her and ask when our food "might" arrive. We noticed two tables empty and and refill with new diners and both tables received their food about 10 minutes before we did. On a good note, the buss boy was diligent about keeping our water glasses full.
When the food arrived i again reminded myself of the yellow bumper stickers' message.....slow down! The steak was perfectly cooked with a light char on the outside and a nice pink middle. The house potatoes were crisp and flavorful but the eggs, oh the eggs! Over easy came out over fantastic! The edges were lightly crispy surrounding fluffy whites and golden runny centers. I was so hungry I wanted to power through the plate but at the same time I wanted to really savor everything. Judging from the comments overheard coming from the surrounding tables everyone was enjoying the food.
I'm an avid brunch'er and I have to say the prices are on the high side of what you expect from the casual bistro style even though I understand and appreciate good food when I taste it. Take into account the rather slow and unspectacular service and you might not want to give the Canyon Bistro a second visit. However that darn bumper sticker keeps reminding me this is Topanga, stop honking, slow down and enjoy it.
Now I wonder what they do for brunch in Indiana?
HA!
Any place you can get sweet potato fries is on my list to try. And this bistro did not disappoint. Not only were the fries fantastic, the roasted vegetable sandwich was so good it had me doing the happy dance. The pesto-aioli was the perfect flavor complement to the open face sandwich with portobello mushroom, roasted bell pepper, tomato, melted mozzarella, and arugula. A bit of balsamic vinegar made its way onto my sweet potato fries and opened up a whole new flavor combination for me.
Relaxing in the patio seating area is perfect on a sunny day with a cool breeze. Large umbrellas ensure everyone at the table has shade and soothing music is playing faintly in the background.
My only regret is that I didn't have room to try the Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta with lavender cream and candied lemon. Of course this mean I'll have to go back!
Went here for my mom's birthday. The place is small and we were a party of 7, but we were seated right away because it wasn't a busy night. Ordered the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Hangar Steak with sweet potato fries, and chocolate bread pudding. Everything was perfect! The tuna was so fresh with the sauces it comes with, the steak was cooked perfectly and not fatty at all, the fries were amazingly delicious, and the famous chocolate bread pudding was to die for. I will definitely be back to try to brunch menu!
This place is highly recommended if you don't mind paying a little more than normal for a great atmosphere where you're dining and dishes that impress.
Fantastic little place hidden in one of the coolest communities in LA. The dishes are wonderfully tasty and also very healthy. My favorite is the Autumn Squash Salad (Roasted Kabocha, Acorn and Butternut Squash, Baby Spinach, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Pomegranate, Sherry Vinaigrette) and the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, that I split with someone else. They are also incorporating more veggie/vegan options, which is awesome. The fare is healthy, light and you never leave with a tummy ache!
My bf and I recently visited - it was his first time - and he loved it, so it's not just for veggie lovers. He ordered the Grilled Scottish Salmon. We are definitely coming back, since it's close and it's the best.
Food was excellent. Service was great. I had the grilled artichoke appetizer as well as the halibut sashimi to start with. That was fantastic. I asked the waiter which was better; the chicken or the steak. He quickly said the chicken. How right he was. That chicken was delicious. A bit pricey but great for a special occasion. And a great reason to go to Topanga!!!
This restaurant just opened a few months ago and I met a friend here for dinner one weekday night. It was empty, we were the only table for almost the whole time we were there and one person came in for takeout. Our server said he had been there since the beginning but didn't seem to know the menu very well. The owner was sitting in the corner and although when I was introduced to him he was very nice he didn't seem to be in a very good mood.
The decor is warm and minimalist. A rich yellow for the walls, good lighting and a touch of art made it feel comfortable. The menu had a good selection and its my own fault I got a cheesy appetizer and a cheesy entree - the goat cheese and fried tomato tower was very very good and by then I should've been cheesed out yet I went for the truffled mac and cheese.
We brought in our own wine, I believe they are working on a beer and wine license and I don't believe we were charged a corkage fee which was very nice.
I think once word gets around this place could be busier, believe me I have seen far worse succeed.
This spot embodies all that is charming and awesome about little bistros. Nestled in a cozy corner deep in Topanga, this place just cant be beat. You can either sit outside to enjoy the canyon breeze, or recline inside amidst the eclectic art and relaxing setup. Their selections of interesting wines, such as Malbec, and yummy imported beers really help impress. Their menu is also both delicious and full of interesting twists on classic meals. For example: Truffle MacN'Cheese or Sweet Potato french fries. Everything from their Fish N Chips with Jalapeno Tartar Sauce to their Sauteed Duck Lettuce Cups is just damn delicious. So in a nutshell: Canyon Bistro is savory, sensual, and simply charmingly perfect..........OH, and if your going for dinner DO NOT! and i repeat DO NOT leave without having the Chocolate bread pudding with Vanilla Bean creme. It'll knock your socks off.
The canyon so needed a place like this. During a visit home this past weekend, my dad, boyfriend and I came here for lunch. It was raining so we sat inside- cute and cozy with about 5 or so tables. If it was nice out we would've definitely been outside on the large patio.
My dad ordered the grilled vegetables, despite the fact that id sounded boring, since he is on a diet. But when it came- it looked like it was right out of a 5 star kitchen! It was beautifully displayed, with mushrooms, eggplant, spinach and goat cheese. Super tasty. My boyfriend ordered the eggs and duck hash which also looked very appealing with a huge side salad, which he ate til the last bite. And I had the fish n chips, which i rarely order, but it sounded really good on the menu and it was! Came with a chipotle tartar sauce and a green pea puree. We also got an order of sweet potato fries to share. It was all tasty. It's still clear that the place is new and starting out... but I am sure it will catch up, because it seems there is a market for a little bistro like this in Topanga. I'd def come again.
This place has changed a lot since they first opened. For starters, they hired a new head chef, who shook up the menu and I really like what he serves up. It's slightly more expensive than I normally spend, but the food is all extremely high quality.
I've eaten the Croque Madame, which is a great lunch item, but fairly heavy. It has a wonderful sauce, that I probably would eat by itself. I've had their cheddar-broccoli soup, which has a great presentation, and is delicious. Finally I've had their burger with caramelized onions, which I thought would be so-so, but turned out to be really well done. For $13, their burger costs more than average, but is worth the extra money.
I tend to avoid this place for dinner as it is more expensive per plate, but if you want to go on a nice date, go for it. This is the best place in the canyon in my opinion for dinner, and that's coming from someone who's ate everywhere there is to eat in the canyon.
The bistro is hands down the best dining spot in the canyon. Sitting on the patio on a lazy Sunday afternoon, enjoying sparkling wine and the truffle mac n' cheese with the frisee and lardon salad is simply sublime.
The atmosphere is as easy and laid-back as the food is wonderfully prepared and presented. Classics include a hearty nicoise salad, divine beet and goat cheese tart, salmon cooked to perfection and steak frites (with a choice of 'regular', sweet potato or truffle fries!). The specials are always tasty (scallops wrapped in bacon was a recent treat) and the staff is fun and friendly.
I've brought family and friends from NY, London, H'wood etc and all have been wonderfully surprised ("can't believe this is Topanga"). If you're one of many commuters cruising through the canyon, do yourself and your stomach a favor and stop for a bite.
What an intimate little spot. I enjoyed my experience from the beginning when greeted by our server to our departure. I had the Mufalato, cuban pork sandwich and the Bistro Truffled Fries. Myyyyy goodness are those fries good. Nice crunch with the steaming softness of a perfectly cooked fry on the inside; a bit salty, but oh so good. I tasted the Fish N Chips and couldn't believe how good green peas could taste when I dared to taste the green pea puree. Wowww, with the flavor of carmelized onions...not bad AT all. The fish batter could stand a bit of seasoning. For us too, the sweet potato fries were a hit. I even think they created a monster in my friend, he's ready to stop by there every time we pass through the canyon. Overall, very good lunch. Easy parking in the plaza with other businesses. Great patio seating, but bring a medium weight jacket...the shade at lunch time makes an otherwise sunny day a bit chilly there. Even enjoy some bird watching while dining. A beautiful florist sits right across from the patio dining area - fellas, keep this in mind if you're going on a date there. :) Clean, upbeat staff with a menu of well thought out entrees. You'll enjoy. They didn't have the soup of the day and the Pissaladiere, so just be ready to pick something else from their limited BUT tasty menu. :) They can accomodate small groups, I don't recommend parties larger than five because it could get a bit challenging to interact and get around in the intimate setting. Bon Appetit.
Since we moved to the canyon we'd been looking for a good place to have brunch. The Canyon Bistro is the perfect place! My favorite dish by FAR is the croque madame sandwich - it's heavy and you have to be really hungry to finish it, but it's amazing. The flavors are fabulous, and it's one of the more reasonably priced items on the menu. The burgers are also great, and the sweet potato fries blow any other fries out of the water! Good coffee, good service, and a nice location. The people who work there are all very cool, and we've had a great experience every time we've gone there! I've never gone for dinner, but will definitely recommend brunch and lunch there.
Genuinely friendly, helpful staff. Delicious food!! (they get the sweet potato fries right!) So far the best food I've had in the Canyon!
I'm a big fan of the Canyon Bistro and truth be told a bit of a regular. If you're in the canyon and looking for good food and a mellow vibe this is the place. Even if you're not in the canyon but passing through or even miles away it's worth a stop. They recently added a great selection of beer and wine to the menu. Chef Robert and Manager Nigel always take good care of us. I've never had a bad experience here. Things to try are the Wild Mushroom Ravioli, the delicious Nicoise Salad (with Yellowfin Tuna), the Wild Scottish Salmon I hear is wonderful and the Steak Frites (with Hangar Steak) is fantastic! +1 on the Croque Madame... it is rich but amazing. They sometimes have specials as well that have been very good. They have a wonderful Chocolate Souffle but note to self it will take a bit to make as it is made to order. I gave it $$ as you can get away with a good meal for less than $30. But if you're like me and prefer to imbibe with your meal I'd give it $$$. Check it out if you haven't already... it's worth it!
A welcome new addition to the canyon, The Canyon Bistro is an American Bistro with French flare. It is upscale, yet laid back maintaining the sleepy small-town feel that makes Topanga Canyon such a gem. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu has something for everyone- including the kids menu. There is an outdoor patio as well as a few tables inside. The 3 egg omelet offers a la carte selections to create exactly what you want and is really a hybrid between a frittata and an omelet with a brown crispy shell. Their mixed greens side salad is of the best quality lettuces and the shredded carrots and sultanas is a new variation on an old southern classic. I'll look forward to my next lazy Sunday in the canyon at The Canyon Bistro.
Topanga, CA
Category: Coffee & Tea
Topanga, CA
Category: Restaurants
Topanga, CA
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Topanga, CA
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Encino
Category: French
Where views are to die for, and hippies are alive…
