Gonzales Bistro

Who would think that Gonzales would have such a tony restaurant? We made the 36 mile drive from Seguin to try this new restaurant and found it punching well above its weight.The photo attached gives a hint of the ambiance, but there is also a bar that adds to it. We sat there waiting for our table and had Pisco Sours that transported us back to Peru. Any bar that offers Pisco is a winner in my book.As I often say, you can bet the food will be good if the bread is good, and that held true here also. We had focaccia with prosciutto baked in, dipped in olive oil followed by splitting a steak that was excellent.Gonzales is rich in early Texas history, so dinner at the Bistro followed by an overnight at a historic B&B would be just what the doctor ordered.

Always wonderful food and service. We've celebrated many big events here like milestone birthdays, anniversaries and just regular dinner dates. Today they were open for Thanksgiving and offered a traditional Thanksgiving plate, prime rib or their usual menu. Of course we couldn't turn down the Thanksgiving special. It was wonderful! Thank you to the Chef and staff for providing a wonderful holiday meal for our family. We always look forward to many more meals at the bistro!

I don't know why chef Parind Vora decided to open his classy bistro in Gonzales but I'm so grateful he did! I went tonight to celebrate my birthday and everything was amazing!A good blend of casual and upscale, Gonzales Bistro is located right in downtown Gonzales, a few steps away from Texas Heroes Square. The restaurant's subdued ambiance creates an atmosphere of intimacy and comfort. This is the type of bistro I would expect to see in my hometown of Quebec City, in Montreal, or perhaps New York City. It is a wonderful anomaly to find such an old timey, classical bistro formula in a southern town like Gonzales.Everything we ordered was amazing, from the drinks to the tasty appetizers, the desserts, French press coffee and loose leaf oolong tea. The buffalo cauliflower, the perfectly charred brussel sprouts and the petite shrimp cheesy dip were all perfectly delicious. My husband reports that the lobster bisque and the escargots he ordered and devoured were also fabulous. Prices are not cheap but the food is amazing, so it doesn't sting at all to spend a few extra dollars for a meal that is truly memorable and well put together. The staff was attentive, kind, and very professional. Gonzales Bistro encourages making a reservation before showing up so don't hesitate to use their website to do so before you show up. There are many tables but even on a quiet and slow Wednesday night at least half the room was filled up. I sincerely hope locals support this business as I want to keep enjoying this bistro and its amazing menu! I look forward to my next visit already...

What an incredibly cool little place! I was immediately struck by the ambiance when walking in. The decor is perfect in that it pays the utmost respect the history of the location while still making it chic. Exposed unpainted wood beams, original brick, and old floors with chipped paint contrast perfectly against the deep red walls, row of couches, and black and white photos. The combination of natural light from the street, smooth jazz, and modern fixtures is perfect in the same way. Though relatively new, the restaurant feels long established, without being at all campy or dank. Service was excellent. I was greeted quickly. Both the hostess and my waitress were well spoken and friendly. My glass was always full. The menu is not what you'd expect in a small town. I reviewed it and liked everything I saw, so my only instructions to the waitress were to surprise me with anything but steak and bring a glass of the recommended wine pairing. I was rewarded with a generous serving of fried antelope and decadent mashed potatoes with a perfect glass of Cabernet. I would never have ordered it for myself because I've heard that antelope is terrible, but to my surprise, it was phenomenal. Almost bougie chicken fried steak, but that description insults the sophisticated flavor and the presentation. The mashed potatoes were thick, plentiful, and laced with garlic. Delicious. For dessert, I chose the pears. Fantastic! You must try this dish. I won't bother trying to describe dessert because I can do it no justice. The wordsmith yields to the chef!I don't know what else to say, except that this is the sort of place you drive to the next town-- or the next state for. This is the first time I recall visiting Gonzales, but will not be the last, if for no other reason than THE Bistro.

Ambiance is great. Nice and quiet. Love the decor. Old time cinema pics. Bathrooms are very clean and again they are decorated with pics of the movie stars of the past.

Probably the best place for dinner and drinks in Gonzales. We had a couple of appetizers and shared our entrees.Soup of the day was white beans and bacon soup, although they should just call it "warm comfort soup." A delightful mix of pinto beans with smokey bacon, a few veggies, chicken broth base, and a faint shredded cheese topping. I felt like I was in Tuscany.Salad was heirloom beet. While a very healthy option, I'd prefer to focus on the wonderful inclusion of a goat cheese crouton. The crispy fried exterior contrasts very well with the soft creamy cheese interior.First appetizer was a half dozen Wellfleet oysters. The oysters held up wonderfully on their journey to Gonzales. Wellfleet are medium-sized, nice meatiness, slight creaminess, and strong brine.Second app was fried coconut shrimp. These were jumbo shrimp and could've been a small entree all by themselves. The texture combination of the hand-battered seafood along with the flavor of the pineapple-chipotle aioli dipping sauce is fantastic.First entree was a 14-ounce Akaushi 'prime' ribeye - a boneless cut, so we got all fourteen ounces in the form of melt-in-your-mouth beef and rendered fat. To complement the flavors, Chef drizzled the steak with a poblano Monterrey Jack cheese velouté. Medium-rare. It was cooked true to temperature. The entrée included a generous portion of hand-cut French fries, seasoned perfectly.Second entree was a pan-sauteed, flour-dusted, all-natural boneless chicken breast Piccata with sides. Being pan-sauteed, it had a crispy crust, keeping the interior hot and juicy. To enhance the flavor profile, it is served with a reduction sauce of sweet white wine, sour lemon and salty capers. Think of it as an elevated version of grandma's Sunday afternoon fried chicken.No room for dessert. Maybe next time!

This was an amazing find in a small south Texas town. From the hostess to the wait staff, we were treated like they'd seen a family member. The menu was sufficiently varied to give us a chance to sample several well prepared and flavorful items. Our waiter was helpful and the pace of our meal permitted us to enjoy our food without feeling rushed. 5 star dining!

Gonzales Bistro is a rare fine of fine dining in a small town. It is the best restaurant within a 75 radius and would rival any city fine dining eatery hands down.

What a lucky find for us! Traveling thru town and happened to find this amazing restaurant on Yelp with great reviews. We know why! Was delicious! We had the lamb lollipops, brussel sprouts, and my husband had the wagu steak. Delicious. We will absolutely be back! Next time I'll take pics too.

I thoroughly enjoyed my 70th birthday celebration at this cozy local bistro. Ron provided us with impeccable service, even boxing up our empty oyster shells so I could take them home for an art project. He took our group pic and assisted us at the door when we left. My daughter and I tremendously enjoyed the Cajun Wagyu steak with tasty veggies all sitting on a bed of Lucious grits. Birthday truffles to finish off our fine dining experience. All three of us agreed it was perfection.