Craving artisanal ramen? Longing to eat lunch while a saxophone rendition of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” quietly serenades you in the background? Bistrozine, State College’s newest Asian fusion restaurant, is waiting for you.
The establishment opened its doors last week, taking over the space at 409 East Calder Way previously occupied by University Dental Care, P.C., right across the street from Peace, Love, and Little Donuts and Baby’s Burger’s and Shakes. The restaurant, appropriately named ‘Bistrozine,” aims to combine a magazine-like menu experience with a variety of classic dishes — all with a twist.
The bistro is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Although there were plenty of booths and tables to dine in, we opted for the trendy swing chairs. Though fun, there were undeniable issues with the lack of lumbar support.
Photo by Ali Richards
The Asian-fusion menu truly does have something for everyone, which became apparent when the booklet chock full of a variety of options was presented to us. The selections ranged from salads to specialty ramen to matcha desserts. Part of the reason the menu was so thick was due to the large, artsy photos included of each meal, which made ordering that much easier. I also found that the photos of the food in the menu closely aligned with what actually came from the kitchen.
Avocado salad with a side of balsamic glaze at Bistrozine. Photo by Ali Richards
I chose the avocado salad, which was reasonably priced, decently sized, and delicious, while my dining companion went with the classic five-spices chicken.
Five Spices Chicken with lettuce and a nori aioli sauce at Bistrozine. Photo by Ali Richards
Between the aesthetic of the restaurant, the tasty food, and the pricing, I was a big fan of the restaurant. It’s not a quick stop for food — rather, more of a destination — but based on the different options available, I’m going to have to come back and try something new.
The Bistrozine website features the entire menu (with some photos!), and based on my experience, this restaurant will be bustling in no time.
