LJ’s Bistro

LJ’s Bistro
By Bonnie Small

Don’t you love it when you discover a hidden gem? I felt that way recently when I stumbled upon LJ’s Bistro in a shopping center I visit on my weekly rounds. From the outside it’s unassuming, but the edgy urban décor, enormous U-shaped bar and the tasty menu offerings are definitely memorable.

The bar is the focal point as you enter LJ’s. The metropolitan decor featuring charcoal with orange-upholstered barstools beckon you to take a seat and unwind with your favorite libation. After that, it was the concise menu that grabbed my attention. I’m the worst when it comes to making decisions, so I’ve never been a fan of menus with chapters, and though I still struggled to narrow down my choice, it was because everything sounded so good, not because I couldn’t remember what was on page 5.

Our server tantalized us with a delicious daily special of chicken meatballs delicately bathed in a tangy sauce accompanied by a light risotto with kale and sundried tomatoes. We weren’t disappointed and I really loved the delicate veggies that garnished the plate, especially the ultra-thin waffle cut zucchini.

We also tried LJ’s specialty – a pulled pork sandwich served on a warm, airy, ciabatta roll with perfectly prepared coleslaw. The chef’s citrus reduction BBQ sauce made the silky pork sing and we gobbled up every morsel. Also, don’t miss the curry fries! Thinly sliced, double fried, lightly sprinkled with a mixture of curry powder and dill and served with a delicious aioli dipping sauce, they made the experience complete.

LJ’s Bistro is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday – with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Drop by for the daily the daily happy hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m. featuring a $5 specialty martini, $4 well drinks and affordable food selections. LJ’s keeps the fun going with bottomless sparking wine for a mere $7 every day from 4 to 10 p.m.

29971 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel
(949) 495-1453 • www.LJsBistro.com