R Bistro: Rebirth in Fairhope
Misty Rider has a passion for feeding people and feeding them really well. She also has a smile for every person who comes in. She owned the small, cozy, very popular R Bistro in the heart of Fairhope for a number of years, took a break to move to New York to be closer to her daughter, and learned that her heart was on the Gulf Coast. She also learned that she was ready for a more ambitious project with more seating. When she arrived back in Fairhope, she discovered exactly the space she had dreamed of, one that had been a restaurant for years, between Fairhope and Point Clear, with ample parking, a spacious interior, and a great covered porch. She jumped right in and got to work making the space her own, with rustic furnishings, and eclectic art, some of it whimsical, some timeless. With help from Hunter Bridges Interiors, she sourced eclectic and unusual items, including a stuffed peacock named Pierre from Ukraine. Dunn Services assisted with roofing and remodeling and made it possible to get open very quickly.
With her typical drive, Misty pulled together a well-qualified staff, a menu that reflected the earlier R Bistro but with new touches here and there, a solid wine and beer list, and a welcoming space with room for fine dining, casual visiting, live music, and even a sweet dance floor. Friends and neighbors come for lunch, have book club gatherings, play cards on the patio, and enjoy a fine evening meal or a casual cocktail. Misty is happiest when her space is being well-utilized, her patrons are happy, and her food is well-received. “I’ve always had a passion for doing this,” she says. “I started baking when I was eleven years old. Before I got into the restaurant business, I was a waitress, a bartender, a line cook, and then a self-taught restaurant chef and owner. It’s the job of my dreams. I am blessed to be able to do what I love and make it successful. I am developing a place that is food-forward, diverse, and never stuffy. I want R Bistro to be filled with the energy and buzz of a Paris bistro, where every guest feels comfortable to congregate and enjoy great food, drink, and friends.”
The menu includes plenty of options, with Misty’s New Orleans-style duck gumbo, crawfish beignets, beef Stroganoff, shrimp and grits, and the famous crawfish gravy with house-made buttermilk biscuits setting the tone. There are beautiful salads, including the classic spinach salad, shrimp and slaw with or without the bonus of two fried oysters, a salade nicoise seared ahi tuna, new potatoes, haricots verts along with kalamata olives, egg, and capers. The bistro salad can be accompanied by housemade quiche, and any of the salads can be embellished with a four-ounce portion of salmon, chicken, or shrimp. A variety of sandwiches round out the lunch menu, including a croque monsieur, croque madame, and tenderloin or salmon sliders. Dinner specials are seasonal, utilizing the freshest local Gulf Coast seafood and produce. The duck confit is made in-house with duck legs shipped straight from the farm.
Beautiful house-made desserts and pastries are always available, and delicious freshly made baguettes are available to take home. Misty’s special house-made smoked tomato glaze is available to take home and is wonderful on grilled meats and on salmon and chicken. The honey mustard dressing and the Bloody Mary Mix are also available to take home.
The wine list is impressive, with imports from Italy, Portugal, Germany, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, plus various areas in France, and the wine-producing parts of California. There are also sparkling wines from France and Italy. Misty offers most wines by the glass so guests can experience flights with their courses. A half-dozen or more draft beers, plus imported bottled beers, and a fully stocked bar round out the beverage selection, and more are added from time to time.
R Bistro hosts live jazz several nights a week which always draws a crowd. They also welcome private parties, special events, and family gatherings. There is a comfortable, casual seating area that looks out on the patio and is perfect for rehearsal dinners, birthday lunches, and celebrations that call for a musical combo and even dancing. The covered patio is ideal for al fresco dining and a great breeze. R Bistro is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm.
R BISTRO
19270 Scenic US 98
Fairhope AL 36532
251-517-7252
rbistrogourmet.com