Read the Reviews

Sacramento Magazine December 2004 Dining Divas

Sacramento Magazine-fresh and local-Wendi Wentink 2005

Sacramento Bee, February 2001 or read August 2001

Sacramento Magazine, October 2001 or read November 2001 or Great New Restaurants

Sacramento News and Review, March 2002

Sunset Magazine-Folsom a bridge to the past

My Folsom.Com and Best of Folsom 2004 AND 2005 Best European Restaurant

Voted best in Folsom by the Sacramento Magazine Readers 2004

Richard and Wendy

Owner Richard Righton has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Originally from England, he worked in some of the best restaurants in London. Two of the highlights of his career in England were serving members of the Royal Family, including the late Princess Diana, and working at Le Chateaubriand in Mayfair, London. He also spent many years working for Anton Mossiman, one of the best chefs in Europe. He also worked for several years in France, where his experience included running his own catering service in the French Alps. Finally, he has managed some of the great restaurants in California, including La Vie en Rose, Elarios of La Jolla, and P.F. Changs China Bistro.

Executive Chef Wendi Mentink graduated with honors from Sacramento's Lederwolff Culinary Academy in 1993. After graduation, Wendi moved to Lake Tahoe, working her way up to serve as Sous Chef and later as Interim Chef of the four-star, Distinguished Restaurants of North America award-winning Summit Restaurant at Harrah's, one of Northern Nevada's most highly praised resturants. Wendi has competed in several culinary competitions, winning three silver and two bronze individual medals as both a student and a professional. In 1996, she was selected to be one of twelve students to apprentice for the United States Culinary Olympic Team which brought home four gold medals and placed fourth at the competition in Berlin, Germany. She is certified as a culinarian by the American Culinary Federation and was named Student Member of the Year by the ACF Sierra Chapter in 1996.

Bistro Philosophy

Open the door to Bidwell Street Bistro, and you are at once embraced by an atmosphere of clamorous activity: busy aproned waiters, the clink of steel to white china, and the steady hum of conversation. Owner Richard Righton has created a restaurant that is a bistro in the true sense of the word. It has neither the stark informality of a cafe nor the luxurious appointments of fine dining, but maintains the intimate and unassuming ambiance of the first bistros in Paris. You will feel welcomed by him and his staff whether you order a bowl of soup and a glass of wine at the bar, or a three-course meal and a great bottle of either French or Californian wine. Their dishes are a balance of contemporary and classic culinary styles. We want to be your "home away from home" restaurant in Folsom, so please drop by and say hello.