Belle Vie European Bistro
1244 Alverser Plaza
Midlothian, VA 23113
804-379-3338
We arrived at Belle Vie on a Friday at about 7:00 PM. We were greeted warmly by two staff members upon entry. We were seated moments later.
We had been inside this building in the past when it was the Bookbinders restaurant. We thought the new look was well executed given the previous buildings cosmetic limitations. They did a good job giving the place a European flare with simple fabric, lighting, and miscellaneous decor.
We opened with Tomato Basil soup. It was good but definently different then we are accustomed to around the city. For me it was really thin. It tasted like it was diluted heavily with water. As a result I felt as if the taste was diluted as well. Rhonda enjoyed it.
I ordered the Orange Glazed Duck with potatoes au gratin and veggies. I chose the duck because there was not a chicken entree on the menu. Rhonda suggested I be a bit adventurous so I went for it! I liked the orange glaze more so than the duck. To be fair I’m not really a duck fan. I did have several bites and despite not really caring for the dish, I have to say that had a been more of a duck person, I think I would have really enjoyed it. Our waiter said it was one of their most popular dishes. The potatoes were VERY hot but also very bland for my tastes. I asked for sour cream but was told they didn’t have any. The veggies were mixed and had more onion than anything else. They were also cut in thin strips making it hard to get a bite without all the over powering onion. The salad however was extremely tasty. The mixture of greens and the special house dressing was an excellent combination. I really enjoyed it.
Rhonda had the Pork Tenderlin with Belgian mustard sauce. She said it was nicely balanced and seasoned well. It was light but very tasty. We shared the veggies and potatoes. Rhonda enjoyed the potatoes but agreed with me on the veggies. We both enjoyed the bread as well.
We enjoyed this restaurant and will return in the future. We recommend it. The menu is diverse. They offer unique entrees and multiple deserts. A full bar and ample seating inside as well as a patio outside make this an interesting place worth a look. Our meal was $72.22 and we rate ir 3.75 out of 5 stars. When you go be sure to come back to this blog and let us know how you liked it!
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