Bite Bistro in Bellevue assumes new, fresh identity
-
Steak frites with pork fat fries, an asparagus and sprouts salad with foie gras-hollandaise sauce and an ice cream soda at Bite Bistro in Bellevue.
Share with others:
When Sam DiBattista opened Vivo in Bellevue, his multicourse, creative Italian menus quickly became a draw for diners all over the city, especially those that loved BYOB restaurants.
Vivo didn't slip, but the city and trends changed and many more restaurants opened. A drive to Bellevue became a harder sell, and the lack of a liquor license (Bellevue is dry) always frustrated Mr. DiBattista. On Feb. 19, after nearly 11 years of business, the DiBattista family announced it was closing Vivo to re-imagine the restaurant. It will re-open as Vivo Kitchen in Sewickley this summer.
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.
- Basics: An eclectic, casual neighborhood bistro with a wide-ranging creative menu that inspires frequent visits.
- Recommended dishes: Grain salad, snails, asparagus with foiellandaise, roasted beet with charred onion pesto, pork cheeks, vegetarian bread pudding, steak frites; chocolate pot de creme, ice cream soda.
- Prices: Small bites, $3-$8; salads and soups, $4-$11; sandwiches, $6-$12; big bites, $10-$15; sweets, $5.
- Summary: No wheelchair accessible restroom; credit cards accepted; reservations suggested but not required; BYOB, $2 per wine bottle, $1 per beer.
- Noise level: Medium-loud.
Even Vivo's most loyal customers have good reason to embrace the move. While the new Vivo hasn't opened, by April the DiBattistas had filled the Bellevue space with a new restaurant: Bite Bistro. Sam DiBattista is still the executive chef, but chef de cuisine Mike Cutright is the primarily force in the bistro's kitchen, and the DiBattista daughters, Danina and Martina, have taken on ownership roles in the new venture.
They replaced a destination restaurant with a neighborhood spot, but one special enough that a drive to Bellevue is once again in order.
First Published June 16, 2011 12:00 am
