Everything about Bistro Moulin is classy: the food is some of the best I've had, the owners are kind and polite, and the restaurant itself is clean and atmospheric. I can't recommend Bistro Moulin enough, get their steak au poivre and arugula salad, but there isn't a bad bite anywhere on the menu! read more

This was our first time dining at Bistro Moulin, and it completely exceeded our expectations. From the moment we were seated, the service was exceptional, our server was extremely kind, informative, and attentive, checking on us several times and offering a detailed explanation of the menu and specials, which we really appreciated. The food was outstanding. My husband and I were scraping our plates by the end of the meal. Everything was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, but the standout for us was the lamb chop lollipops with yogurt sauce, they were absolutely delightful, tender, and incredibly well balanced. I cannot overstate how flavorful and fresh the food tasted. The ambience added to the experience, with a warm, cozy atmosphere that truly makes this place feel like a cute gem in Monterey. We would absolutely recommend Bistro Moulin and are already looking forward to returning. This is a place we will be visiting again very soon. read more

Bistro Moulin - Pastry puffs - Wine Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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We were really looking forward to our meal, but unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. The mussels had a strong, unpleasant odor that concerned us. I felt bad about sending them back and was apologetic when we brought it to the owner's attention. He was responsive, explained that it was the natural smell of the sea, and kindly showed us the invoice proving they were purchased that day. He also offered to check with the vendor. While we appreciated his efforts, the smell was off-putting enough that we decided to order something else. We tried the lamb lollipop special instead. For $42, the portion was quite small--just five thin, uneven pieces--and the lamb was overcooked and overly salty. When we gently mentioned this to our server, she responded with an eye roll, which was disappointing. We genuinely dislike leaving negative feedback, especially for small independent restaurants, but the overall experience left us quite disappointed. Hoping they can improve these items, as the restaurant has potential. read more

We had a lovely experience at Bistro Moulin a few nights ago. The owner, Fredrico, was the was the former General Manager at the Pocket in Carmel. In the last three or four years, he's done an amazing job at the Bistro. If you wanna feel like you're in Italy, just go to the restaurant. It's amazing. First the restaurant.-lives up to a setting for a typical bistro. But so many nice touches that are typically left out today. Tablecloths on every table cloth napkins, pretty flowers not pretentious just very comfortable. Even to the point that when you order a soup like dish, it comes on a plate with a napkin on the plate so your bowl won't move around. These guys think of everything. The food I could go on and on and on about the entrées, we ate, but suffice to say they were all delicious homemade pastas, great local fish cooked in an Italian style All with the detail and care of an owner. He spends a lot of time with his patrons, laughing talking communicating, but nothing invasive. It's really it's really about you not about him. He just wants to do everything he can to give you a great experience. And he does I wouldn't hesitate to go here in fact I'm disappointed that it took me so long to actually get there. If not for a friend recommendation a week ago I might not have gone I don't know why but I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to to taste his food and we are definitely read more

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If you're visiting Monterey, I highly recommend stopping by Bistro Moulin. Plenty of parking in front of the restaurant and also free parking behind the building. The restaurant didnt seem too busy on a Thursday evening, however, its a small restaurant so I'd imagine reservations would be needed for the busier times of the week. The staff and owners seemed very friendly and attentive and this clearly is also a popular spot for the locals. Everything on the menu sounded good! Settled on their French Onion Soup and the Seafood Risotto special. First, the soup... it came out super quick and was piping hot. Diving under the lovely blanket of browned, bubbly melted cheese and toasted baguette, was a tasty and rich broth with perfectly cooked onions...utterly delicious! The risotto was cooked perfectly and loaded with fresh seafod (shrimp, mussels & clams (in the shells) and served in an amazing broth full of depth and flavor. It was so good I had to mop up the remnants with some of the bread on the table! Didnt have any room for dessert, however, when Im back in the area I will have to visit again! read more

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A quiet restaurant away from the more touristy spots on Cannery Row and near the wharf, Bistro Moulin is the perfect spot for casual, relaxed dining. The staff were very nice and ready to answer any questions about their menu. The charcuterie board was very good but also a lot of food. read more

Bistro Moulin - Interior - Wine Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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There is much to like about this cute restaurant in Monterey. The atmosphere is lovely with soft music, nice lighting and well spaced tables. The service is top notch, friendly and non obtrusive. The food is very good. The only minus here is the price. It is very expensive. We ordered the fish of the day and the chicken special. The chicken was a quarter roasted chicken with some mashed potatoes and veggies. no salad, no dessert and no wine or drinks were ordered. The bill with tip was $125. If you have money to splurge this is a nice place. Otherwise go elsewhere. ps no outdoor tables here read more

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The hospitality and service were outstanding.. The food beyond expectations.. The wine list is will blow your mind!! Federico the owner is a licensed sommelier and knows his wines! A place that we will be returning to! read more

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low quality food. We selected based on Yelp reviews and were surprised by their low quality on all main dishes.

While we arrived early we were pleasantly seated right away. Place is cute and our server was very friendly and welcoming! Once seated a basked of bread and breadsticks was brought over. While enjoying the table bread, we decided to order the fish of the day which was halibut and seafood risotto. The fish was one of the best we ever had. Seafood risotto was delicious as well but our fav was the halibut. We moved on to dessert and got crème brûlée cheesecake which was also finger licking good! Would return and recommend! read more

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Do not skip this place!! If you're in Monterey and have the chance to make a reservation here, do it!! Family owned and operated, small restaurant with the coziest atmosphere and the most delicious meals. My friend and I were visiting and found this gem and came for dinner, and were so glad we did. I didn't take pictures of my friends dish, but she got the short rib and thought it was delicious. We shared the escargot, and I had the most delicious seafood risotto that I could not stop eating. Go go, the owners are Italian and so kind. read more

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We had a group of 10 people yesterday, and everyone's food was ok. All of us thought that for the cost, there are better restaurants in town. My steak was overdone, and while the other food was ok, it wasn't worth the cost. For the prices charged, the food should be extraordinary, which can be found in other Italian restaurants in Monterey, Carmel, and even Pebble Beach for cheaper. I'll also note that my group wasn't asked if we wanted bottled water or tap water, and was then hit with $120 bill for bottled water we didn't want. The owner did end up taking it off, but not without first getting quite angry and leaving a bitter taste in our mouths. I doubt any of our group will be back. read more

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Absolutely loved it here. It felt like a very European dining experience. Service was great, they accommodated our reservation including letting our dog sit inside. Everything was clean and well organized. The food was delicious. We started off with the frito misto, it's a very generous serving and the ideal level of breading on the calamari. We also shared the eggplant pasta which was cooked perfectly al dente and finished off with a dessert, I don't recall what it was called but it was a puff pastry texture with whipped cream and berries. They have an extensive wine list and we picked an Italian red with our meal which paired very well. Highly recommend! read more

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A Slice of Europe just a block from the Aquarium. I can't recommend this place enough! Bistro Moulin is hands-down the best food on the Monterey Peninsula. Owners Federico and Sabrina (who are originally from Capri, Italy) truly bring the heart of Europe to our coast. I never thought I'd be a fan of trout until I tried their special--it was a total game-changer. Their Caesar salad is also easily the best I've ever had, and the pasta dishes are as authentic as it gets. To top it off, we sat at one of the outside tables with a beautiful view of the ocean. It's an absolute must-see--spread the word read more

Absolutely phenomenal dining experience at Bistro Moulin! Amazing service !! From start to finish, every dish was a delight. The escargot was unforgettable, perfectly tender and swimming in rich, buttery garlic that begged to be sopped up with fresh bread. We also tried the special peach salad with buffalo burrata, prosciutto, and arugula, and it was the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy, summer on a plate. The salmon carpaccio was another standout: light, fresh, and beautifully seasoned. The flavors, presentation, and cozy French bistro charm all made this a meal to remember. We will definitely be coming back! Highly recommend for anyone looking for an elevated yet approachable dining experience in Monterey. read more

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The best mussels we have ever eaten. Great ambience and service. Everything on the menu looked delicious. Do yourself a favor and arrive hungry. Excellent and home feeling dinner spot. read more

Small restaurant with a nice homey feel. The service friendly and cordial, but on the slow side. Many times, we were either ready to order or ready to pay the bill and the staff walked by or stood there without acknowledging our needs. But this could be because they have a "not in a rush, relax and enjoy your experience & food slowly" mentality. In terms of food, I believe they underwent a change in ownership a few years ago and now the food is more Italian than French. 1. French Onion Soup (5/5) A true classic - the soup was not too sweet from the caramelized onions, yet it was full of richness, and the oh so gooey cheese was slightly crispy from being baked and at the same time, melty when mixed with the hot soup. One of the best french onion soups I have had. 2. Pappardelle al Cinghiale (5/5) Wild boar ragu topped with parmigiano reggiano on a bed of ribbon stye pasta. The wild boar was very mild in taste, not gamey at all. Noodles were very chewy and cooked well. The rage tomato sauce was very well balanced and not too tart or sweet. The dish was very, very satisfying. 3. Gnocchi aux Epinard (4.5/5) Their spinach gnocchi with parmesan cream sauce. I felt the gnocchi was bit too soft, as I prefer it more chewy, but my partner loved it as she prefers them soft, so I guess it depends on your preference. The parmesan cream sauce was deliciously creamy and cheesy ... great for dipping the dry complimentary baguette in. 4. Risotto Pescatore (4.5/5) A seafood risotto dish where they were not skimpy on the seafood. The dish had a well-balanced flavor, and the creaminess the risotto was there, but could been more creamy. 5. Special Dessert of the Day - Cream Puff (3/5) Comes with 5 puffs with whip cream and chocolate drizzles on top. Honestly, we it was nothing special. It tasted like Costco's cream puffs, but maybe a tad less sweet. 6. Ricotta Pistachio Cake (4/5) Basically, it is a layer of ricotta cream and pistachio cream separated by a layer of sponge cake topped with crushed pistachios and dusted with powdered sugar. I appreciate the good amount of pistachio bits in the cake as it added more pistachio flavor (but not overwhelming) and a bit of crunch to the texture, which otherwise, is just light, airy, silky, and creamy. The ricotta is very light and creamy. It was very enjoyable, especially with a cup of cappuccino 7. Pinot Grigio (5/5) Fruity, crisp, and clean taste. Goes well with any of their dishes, especially seafood. Overall, a good experience if you want a laid back environment to enjoy your dinner with a special someone. I would give it a 4.5/5, but since I cannot do decimals, I rounded it up. read more

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In Monterey wanted an experience so decided French was it. Ordered the French onion soup which was wonderful. Also the escargot which was fine needed salt maybe. Ordered a glass of wine so overall the dinner was exactly what I was looking for in Monterey. The prices are high especially the wine. 5 stars for food 3 stars for prices. Some street parking and a parking lot next door. Reservations may be needed for weekends, it is a small cosy perfect date night place. read more

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SO great. The service was quick and sweet. The ambiance was cozy and intimate. The wine was delicious. Prices were fair. For food we got the spinach gnocchi and the fish of the day. Both were phenomenal and good portions. Very rich. We also got the chocolate ice cream for desert which was also yummy. Would recommend for a date night read more

Bistro Moulin - Desert - Wine Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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Love this place, very cute interior but i prefer sitting outside. The food is delicious but i wouldn't come super hungry. You will be getting FLAVOR though. The servers are also very friendly and did not take too terribly long read more

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食物踩雷 + 服务歧视 意面涩口，酱汁寡淡；焗饭水多如米糊，蜗牛还少一只！最离谱是服务，对黄种人态度极差。吃饭途中未打招呼直接搬我们桌椅；结账时拿走信用卡拖了近半小时。强烈不推荐！ Avoid this place! Pasta was dry, sauce bland. Risotto watery like porridge, one escargot missing. Staff moved our table without asking mid-meal, held credit card for 30 mins. Rude to Asian customers. Do not recommend. read more

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What a charming little spot with some of the best food we've had in a while. We started with the scallop appetizer which was to die for, then moved on to the peach and arugula salad, which was equally delicious. For our main, we split the seafood risotto, which was so incredibly tasty. This little gem of a restaurant is producing some incredibly tasty food. And the service, wow. This is a family run establishment, and the owner served us our meals and assisted us through the evening. If you're in the Monterey area stop in and support this wonderful restaurant. read more

Bistro Moulin - Scallop appetizer - Wine Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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We visited this restaurant when there were many empty tables. There were two of us and we are both women. A male staff member named Federico who turned out to be the owner and a white female host were extremely unfriendly. We walked in and stood there but they completely ignored us. They focused only on other guests and did not acknowledge us or make any eye contact. We waited for over ten minutes. Even after politely saying excuse me several times there was no response at all. They appeared visibly irritated only toward us. When we finally said that we had been waiting for a long time Federico became hostile. He pointed his finger at us and shouted what is the big deal about ten minutes. The issue was not the waiting time. The issue was the blatant rudeness of treating us like we did not exist. We were not even told to wait or given any explanation. If they were busy or not accepting more guests they should have said so clearly. Federico glared at us with his eyes wide open. The way he behaved toward us as young Asian women felt aggressive and threatening. It felt very clear that we were treated this way because we were the only Asians there. The behavior was racist. In 2025 in the United States this kind of conduct is embarrassing and childish. As you can see many people have left positive reviews here. However it is very difficult to find positive reviews written by customers from minority racial backgrounds. read more

After Ashton left the restaurant and a new owner took over I will not return. Bistro Moulin used to be my favorite restaurant when Monterey, which is usually three to four times a year. So much so my brother had purchased gift cards for me to when there. When the new owner took over he decided to keep the name, Bistro Moulin to keep return customers. But on the other hand he refused to honor the gift cards. He actually called me after I wrote a negative review. He went to explain that if he honored the gift cards he would lose money. I explained to him, so its ok use the same name to get return customers, making more money. But not honor Bistro Moulin gift cards how is that right? I finished the conversation with, there are many other restaurants in Monterey that would be happy with having me as their customer. Btw, the food was not the same. read more

Came here for dinner and this place was not quite a 4 star place. After hearing the specials I got excited about the seafood risotto and it fell short drastically. It did not taste like a risotto at all. It was not al dente at all. The seafood was cooked well but other than that it was very disappointing. It also needed something to give it the freshness. Tasted much like a cioppino minus the stew. The fish of the day was also ok. It could use a bit more citrus and the risotto on this dish was also not cooked well. We did enjoy the escargot. It was buttery and garlicky and the snail itself were so tender. Wish we ordered more it. It was nice to have the bread to go along with the escargot. Service was good and friendly. The ambiance was nice and quiet. read more

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I am finding reviews I had missed to complete, so this one is from a visit a few years back. We were passing through Pacific Grove and figuring out something for dinner. It was between seafood or French. We were happy to find this little spot. We did not have reservations and they were only seating half their dining room, but it was not a problem. They seated us at a quiet, intimate table for two. Our food server started us off with a complimentary taste of what I might call a carrot hummus. Unfortunately, I missed what she had said, but it was delicious. We shared the betteraves rôties (roasted beets salad) and ordered from Chef's suggestions menu, boeuf bourguignon (boneless short ribs) and poisson du marché (filet of sole) and the suggested wine pairing with each entree. All of our food was well prepared and delicious. We were quite satisfied with our portions, even had room for dessert. We chose their homemade tiramisu which was a nice end to a lovely meal. Service was attentive, everyone was friendly and professional. So happy for this find, and will keep it in rotation whenever we visit the area. read more

Bistro Moulin - poisson du marché (filet of sole) - Wine Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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Dinner was amazing. Great location and view. I would highly recommend the Bistro for dinner when in Monterey.

What a wonderful, small, intimate restaurant with delicious food! My wife and I came in to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The couple that owns the restaurant are extremely hospitable, kind and polite. After an absolutely delicious meal of coq au vin and duck confit. The the meal was so delicious with generous portions. My wife and I could only finish half. The kind,generous owners offered us a dessert to celebrate our anniversary. We replied that we were too full to eat anymore. They suggested that we have the dessert boxed up to take home with our other half of our meal to enjoy the following night. The dessert was just as good as everything else there absolutely fabulous! It tasted like something you would've definitely gotten out of Italy ,not too sweet ,very delicate with exquisite flavor. Thank you very much again and look forward to a return visit. read more

Another outstanding evening at Bistro Moulin Restaurant. Without question one of our peninsula favorites: intimate setting, inviting owners, superb service and unparalleled cuisine. Sabrina and Frederico are to be commended for their singular culinary and hospitality excellence; and for their commitment to making one feel as though you are the most important diner in the world! read more

Great food and service. Cozy, warm environment. Owner very friendly checks to make sure all is good. Will be back

If you want the absolute BEST in Monterey this is the spot. A French Bistro with an Italian flare. The food is out of this world. Fredrico the owner is awesome. Super fresh food made with the finest ingredients, a true pleasure every time we come to Monterey. HIGHLY recommend!! Get the Lasagna or the cannelloni if they have it. read more

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The food is AMAZING! The owners, Federico and Sabrina hail from Capri, in the south of Italy. Federico is a 30 year proven chef on the Monterey peninsula and a sommelier. We were having a wide variety of dishes and needed his expertise to choose a wine (115) that would go well will all. It was perfect! The Day boat scallops on the appetizer menu can be shared because they are so rich. The French onion soup was superb! My husband's steak a poive was the best he's ever had. The dessert with chocolate hazelnut gelato with zabiagone was decadent. The ambiance is French Bistro style and the art work is reflective of the food's origin, French and Italian. We'll be back. read more

Not worth the money at all. So disappointed! Food simply didn't taste fresh. The bread they brought to our table was old and cold, not worth eating. Average entree was more than 50bucks before tax, at least I expect to have some decent food. The gnocchi tasted ok, other dishes were mediocre at best. The escargot tasted a bit bitter and rubbery. Mussels had little to eat from the shells--another evidence that they were not fresh ones. My 3 day boat scallops--the highlight of my 50bucks pasta dish were very salty, why? I know fresh day boat scallops usually have a sweet taste. Don't call these ones "day boat scallops" cause they're not! This restaurant used to be my favorite. Still remember how the lady (owner's wife I guess) treated us with care and love. Every dish tasted really good that time. ChatGPT says there was possibly ownership change in 2023. That explains everything. Not going to this restaurant ever again. read more

Bistro Moulin is another new restaurant to me. We've driven past more times than I can count, but finally made a reservation to dine in before a member event at the Monterey Aquarium. I wish my pictures were better because they do not do the food justice. First impressions - looks like a little French cafe from the outside. It's small, but welcoming and cozy inside. There are white tablecloths on each table with a small kitchen area separating the two main dining areas. We were warmly welcomed and seated quickly. The staff was extremely friendly and professional. While Vanessa was our main server, others cleared plates and made sure we had fresh plates and silverware for each course. Great teamwork! This was definitely a splurge experience, mostly because we wanted to try a variety of their offerings. Prices definitely reflected great food in a touristy environment, but the food and atmosphere were anything but touristy. Portions were generous so we could have gotten away with an appetizer or two and sharing an entree, but instead we took. Home our delicious leftovers. We started with the French Onion Soup, probably the best I've had in quite a while. Classic onion soup with the croutons and cheese. The onion and broth had a slight sweetness to it that was reminiscent of a touch of brandy. Delicious and comforting on a slight chilly Friday evening. We also decided to try the Carpaccio. Theirs was done with cured beef rather than raw. It had the texture and saltiness of prosciutto, topped with Dijon mustard, peppery arugula and shaved parmigiana. A couple of slices of lemon to drizzle was all that was needed to complete the flavor profile. This dish went so well with the Burgundy wine that Vanessa recommended. For entrees, I chose one of the specials - the Beef Bourguignon. The beef was braised in red wine with carrots, onions and mushrooms and served atop potato purée. It was fall apart tender and so delicious. Marty chose the Cannelloni Tartufi, baked pasta filled with beef tenderloin, ricotta & truffle topped with pink vodka sauce. He enjoyed it quite a bit, but thought it was bit heavy on the garlic. My taste (I love garlic) was delicious. While we were so full and could not finish our meals (yay leftovers!), we decided to share a dessert and enjoy an after dinner espresso. While the dessert menu was tempting, Vanessa raved about the dessert brought in by the owner - a light cream cake with a crumbly crust and topping served with a tart raspberry chocolate smear and fresh fruit. Delicious! I highly recommend a stop. This is definitely a special occasion stop if you order as many items as we did. However, portions are generous and we could have easily gotten away with splitting one or two apps and an entree, making the whole visit more affordable. Bottome line, the food was delicious, the service was first class and we will return! read more

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Amazing find. We wanted something special and were so over the tourist traps. Beautiful little spot. Excellent service. Food was incredible. Fantastic mussels and pomme frites as well. The perfect meal!!! read more

Although we have been to Monterey many, many times, Bistro Moulin had somehow escaped our notice. That was a HUGE mistake... Thanks to a new friend, we had the opportunity to visit this lovely little cafe for the first time. We were greeted by Chef Federico and his wonderful team, welcoming us into this cozy spot, perfect for a date night or an intimate dinner with friends and family. The menu is a combination of French and Italian dishes, all prepared with love and care. From the Prosecco to the starters, salads to mains and finally dessert and cappuccinos... nothing should be missed. As a former manager and server, I appreciated the hospitality and promptness that transformers a dinner into an experience. The entire wait staff was responsive and knowledgeable, but it was Federico whose personal attention really elevated our whole experience. When you go to a place like Bistro Moulin, you have that special joy of anticipating your next visit before you've finished your first. There are so many dishes that must be sampled, so many lovely drinks to be drunk. My recommendation is to just relax and let Chef Federico guide your experience. If you're not sure where to start or whether you'll get a second chance, make sure to have the lasagna (if available), it is the quintessence of quality and comfort. The gnocchi is also a decadent delight. Thinking about it now, I'm already planning our return. Bon appétit! read more

Bistro Moulin - House-made Lasagna (a special) - Wine Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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Came here on a Friday evening with a reservation. The place was busy but no wait needed for walk in. The ambiance and service were great, and it reminded me of my time back in Europe. We chose to have the mussels and fries as a starter, followed by Pappardelle Chinghiale and Pappardelle Funghi for our entrees. The food tasted great, but what lowered the stars for us were an intense bout of food poisoning. Unfortunately, much pain followed. We don't know the exact culprit, but we suspect it was the creaminess of the funghi dish. We hope for a better experience for everyone else though. read more

Bistro Moulin - Pappardelle Funghi - Wine Bars Near Me - Monterey, California

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Our first time eating at Bistro Moulin and it did not disappoint. The service and food were both amazing. Highly recommend giving it a try. read more

We have lived here for 2.5 years and truly sad we did not try Bistro Moulin sooner! I went with a friend last Friday night and the food was excellent. We both had specials - trout for her, Coq au vin for me and we shared a salad. Everything was perfect including the wine recommendations... the Sancerre was excellent! I know I should have had red with that meal but sadly can't drink red anymore. We already have reservations to go back! read more

Outstanding Service! Very professional and so friendly! They were running everywhere to please you. Amazing food here so fresh and tasty! We absolutely love the Appetizers ... The Gratinée à L'Oignon classic french onion soup "au gratin" and the Caesar Salad Romaine lettuce, frisee, treviso radicchio, endive, croutons, shaved dop parmigiano Reggiano, portuguese white anchovies! For the main course ... The pasta was perfectly cooked ...Al dente! The wine list is a must! Do not miss this place ...A GEM read more