Terrific Takeout: Bistro Cassis Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Owner of Bistro Cassis, Eric Machado
Fresh Origins is America’s leading producer of Microgreens and Edible Flowers. Combining the benefits of an ideal climate with a deep passion for quality and innovation, Fresh Origins products are sought after by the finest restaurants and top chefs. The farm is located in the picturesque rolling hills of San Diego County, where the near perfect weather allows for production and harvest all year. Fresh Origins produces almost 400 Microgreens, Petitegreens, Edible Flowers, Shoots, Tiny Veggies™ and related items. Many are not available anywhere else, with new introductions nearly every month. Fresh Origins products are on top of the finest cuisine in the world! Fresh Origins supplies distributors of specialty produce who serve fine dining restaurants and resorts nationwide. There are also a few online sources of their products available to private chefs and home cooks. Read our first Culinary Queen interview with Kelly Sasuga:
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Recently, we were delighted to visit Bistro Cassis for the first time. It is the sister restaurant of Bistro Citron, which has been previously featured. Owned by Eric Machado along with his father Fabio and brother Jason, Rest Star Inc. owns these two Manhattan restaurants and a third here we have yet to feature along with seven restaurants in Long Island. This group began in the mid-1980's, and Bistro Cassis opened in 2000. Jason Machado studied in France (Eric studied in Italy), and the names of the three Manhattan restaurants came from posters collected by this family in their European travels. Cassis is a blackcurrant...and currently it is one of the stars of our French culinary venues!
Please meet the Salade de Crabe, one of the best salads you can have this summer! Succulent crab salad dances among Boston Lettuce, uber-popular avocado, and truly fresh tomatoes in a smashing cilantro aioli. We loved the quality of the crab and those tomatoes really are in season and a rich true red as well-not underripe like you find at lesser venues.
We're not sure we've seen a better presentation of mussels. Mussels are a staple of French bistros, bien sur mes amies! At Bistro Cassis, you have a choice of mussels four different ways, and the one we chose was Provencale: fresh tomatoes and roasted garlic. (You may also choose Mariniere, Pernod and Espagnole). We'll let the pictures speak for themselves!
It's a generous portion but the quality far outshines the quantity. The full serving of these could be your meal, and the mussels are so fresh and do a perfect waltz in this sublime sauce. You'll give into the temptation to soak gorgeous french bread into every last drop of the sauce, and if you think the musical acts in Lincoln Center are the final word in music, wait until you taste this symphony of flavor.
We were most impressed with our entree: Fricasee de Crevettes et St Jacques: Pan seared shrimp and scallops, tomato leak fricassee, noisette potatoes and truffle cream sauce. You'll revel in its pure decadence and divine flavor. A side of Haricots Verts is its perfect companion. The menu changes twice a year at Bistro Cassis, and this is an item not to miss. French food with an American twist, Bistro Cassis also boasts waiters that speak French and they are happy to cater to what their clientele desires. 60 wines are offered by the bottle, 14 by the glass and there's diversity in region and the lists are regularly enhanced.
A simple chocolate mousse is a lovely ending!
Bistro Cassis is Terrific Takeout.
