YaYa's Euro Bistro: A Patio That Gets Two Thumbs Up!

For our bi-monthly lunch out, Cyndy and I now look for restaurants with the most spacious outdoor patios. This week we went back to her ol’ stompin’ grounds in Chesterfield for one of her favorites: YaYa’s Euro Bistro. It being her birthday week, it was fitting that we go to a place where she felt at home.

The Mediterranean bistro has always been on the front line of innovative cuisine, being among the first to use a wood-burning oven and locally sourced foods

Mediterranean Comfort Food

Salmon with crispy potato topping, walnuts, gorgonzola, local bacon with cranberry vinaigrette

Bill’s Chicken Salad with crispy tenders and honey mustard, egg, tomato, avocado, artichokes, dressed with balsamic vinegar.

YaYa’s has a substantial and growing fan club for a lot of good reasons. First, there’s the eclectic menu. You’d think a restaurant offering American, French, Italian, Spanish and Greek dishes might be having an identity crisis. Let’s just say it’s a broad-spectrum menu, that indulges a wide Mediterranean palate.

When I hear the restaurant name I always think about the book/film with a similar name. But it has nothing to do with The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. The word simply means grandmother in Greek. Think: homey, Mediterranean comfort food.

You know good things are ahead when your bread comes to the table along with YaYa’s signature baba ghanoush. The Mediterranean dip is made with roasted eggplant, garlic, and yogurt topped with herb oil and a sprinkle of za’atar (an Arabic spice blend).

Filo encrusted brownie with ice cream.

A lot better than birthday cake.

The “On-the-House” Birthday Treat

As we finished up the meal, our server brought out a tray of house-made desserts. I casually mentioned that we would need a cake of some sort for Cyndy’s birthday. Our server immediately said that to help in our celebration one dessert was on the house. That was perfect since we usually split dessert.

We scanned the dessert tray, but Cyndy knew already what she wanted. Her favorite: a sauced, brownie wrapped in filo alongside a scoop of ice cream. Good choice! It was uber delish!