Article Contributed on: 11/22/2007 8:37:16 AM
I had driven past it 100 times before I finally mentioned it to my husband last year.
"You know, there is a new little restaurant -
Chitchat Bistro - that just opened up in the worst location. It is hidden at the end of a mini-strip mall at the corner of Ward and 58th. Maybe we should try it out."
It took a few more weeks for us make it over there with our two small children. It was a blustery winter evening and we were completely alone. We awkwardly debated leaving, but the aroma wafting from the kitchen lured us in.
And I am so glad we stayed because what we found is Arvada's best-kept secret.
I was intrigued with the varied menu that did not include even one mention of Happy Meals or chicken nuggets. The food was varied: an array of soups and salads, a long list of gourmet panini sandwiches, crepes and wraps with perogies and stuffed cabbage (Golabki) to mix things up. This was well-considered fare from a well-appointed chef,
Greg Plewczynski.
Before long, we were delving into scrumptious stile della pizza bruschetta with Romano cheese, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato pesto. The highlight came with our main course - the crema dell'Italia -the best chicken panini I have ever had in my long history of Italian sandwich gluttony.
Despite our memorable dining experience, we did not return again until last week.
And it was better than I remembered.
This time, more tables were occupied, though the ambiance was still a bit stilted and the solo waitress was overworked.
But it was still worth the wait.
And when wrestling two small children, there aren't too many restaurants I would say that about.
Unless there is a Playland present.
Chitchat Bistro
Grade: A-
12500 West 58th Avenue
Arvada
(303) 456-2900
Amber Johnson can also be found blabbering away at her blog
http://www.crazybloggincanuck.com