Bistro One

We had a wonderful experience last night. We are on a special diet. The server was very understanding and the chef made us an exemplary dinner just as we needed. It tasted awesome. Nic is great!

Awesome food and service. The hummus is to die for we had Mahi Mahi that was cooked perfectly to perfection and the vegetables were cooked in a Copper skillet was great the staff very friendly and very good service next time were in town we will go again definitely 5 stars! Cindy our server was very friendly and attentive.

I have lived in Madison, our small town all my life. My husband and I wandered into Nick’s one of the first nights he opened and have returned weekly (at least).
The menu changes but Chef Nick has not changed. He is a unique individual!!!
Reservations are taken by phone but they are not required. The staff will honestly tell you if there will be a wait.
The staff is wonderful. They are very attentive. All dress in black and white, very clean.
The restaurant is cozy and charming. Though it appears upscale it is very affordable. It isn’t an expensive night, but there are higher end items available.
We usually start with the salad. I am a Ranch Dressing kind of girl, or I thought I was until I tasted the Bistro dressing. So good… Fresh bread and butter is served at this time and I could fill up on the warm bread and salad.
Of late, my husband has been ordering the Shrimp and Grits. The grits are creamy, cheesy they are topped with sausage and shrimp with a light tomato sauce. He keeps ordering it so it must be fantastic.
I order the Steak Diana which is a New York Strip that is grilled to order (always just the way I like it, tender and juicy.) and has a creamy demi mushroom sauce. The steak is cooked to perfection and the sauce is to die for! I can’t get enough.
If not as hungry, then I get a small plate Petit Filet, perfectly cooked or they would fix it immediately with a bourbon sauce that makes you want more. You are also served green beans and potatoes.
The Entrees come with a «Skillet», which includes pasta, green beans, potatoes that have been cubed, fried, grilled, and the sweet red cabbage that is all great!!!
If anything is the way you like the staff checks in often to help in anyway.
The wine selection is very good and the make some good mixed drinks.
I have nothing to complain about!
If we can’t get to the Bistro we have ordered carry out. I like eating there better but we don’t always get what we want.

Excellent and cordial staff. We came in on a busy Sat. night without reservations and we were quickly seated at a window table. Our server and the hostess were very attentive. The appetizer, salad, bread, and main course came quickly considering the placed was packed. The pork medallions were tender, juicy and tasty. The Mediterranean chicken and shrimp was delicious. The tapenade and pita was great.
We even had a brief visit from chef Nick at our table.
Will definitely come back here the next time we are in Madison!

The talapia fish here is excellent. Large portion, perfectly prepared with an awesome sauce. Mushroom soup was good but not as favorful as some that I’ve tried. The house salad was fresh with a wonderful dressing. Service was good.
If you get past the quirky wall paper, it is a nice place for date night. Call ahead for a reservation.

The waitress had warned us that the chef/​owner was Moody and typically he does yell from time to time. It happened that evening, he became upset at a different waitress and dropped a few F bombs in front of everyone. I was shocked that he would belittle someone that way in front of his patrons. I probably won’t go back because of his behavior towards his staff.

We knew that «Chef» Nicos was having a bad day when we sat down and began yelling at our waitress. After we ordered our wine, my wife’s White Zinfandel tasted a little off and was discolored. Now let me say this is the first time I can remember that we ever sent back wine. Well «Chef» Nicos would have no part of this. Not only were we counseled on how this costs him money, we were also informed about his greatness throughout the world. We sat there amazed that «Chef» Nicos could exhibit that level of hostility towards his customers. After the lecture, he charged us for the bad glass of wine. We did not argue or dispute, we just gave this petty little man his victory as his staff went out of his way to apologize for his behavior. We have always enjoyed going there in the past, but his victory cost «Chef» Nicos this customer loyalty.

The Cobb salad was insanely big. Very good. Very very good. Wings were perfect. But… we only got 9 wings not 10. Funny!

I love this restaurant. The owner always comes out to make sure that the dishes are up to your standard. They have delicious food and you can taste the freshness that they cook with. This is one of my favorite restaurants to go to when we are looking for a delicious fillet.
Anything that you get here you can guarantee it to be wonderful. The food is really worth what you spend on it. I have never had a bad experience at this restaurant.

great Greek salad and deserts.
we had a great and helpful waitress with question about the area – did not get her name,
would recommend this place.

For some reason it took an hour and 15 minutes to get our meals. We sat as others came in after us, we seated, fed and left and we still didnt have our food. Once it got there it was good. Loved the potatoes.

Needless pretension in this good but not great venue. The signage promises upscale dining, which is a matter of opinion. My dish was too laden with salt or Msg, neither good. Take the excellent ratings with a «grain of salt».

Excellent Meditteranean Fare! Owner Nico is a Cypriot Greek with a flare for cooking both menu staples and seasonal dishes that fit the particular day you’re there. Example: On a particularly hot day, cold melon soup — unforgettable! Best restaurant in town, hands down.

Great little place in downtown Madison. Mediterranean themed. Good libations. Great food. Romantic setting.

Nick and his staff were really sweet (and funny!) the food was AMAZING! Try the mushroom bisque soup if you can! So many flavors in our main courses, good beer and romantic atmosphere :)

Extremely enjoyable dining experience!

We heard Bistro One was excellent and it was.
We were not dressed for such a nice place but on a freezing Thursday night they welcomed us and made us feel like valued customers.
We started with the cheese and proscuitto stuffed mushrooms. There were five of them and they were outstanding. The house salad comes with an interesting Greek dressing, a nice tomato wedge and marinated onions. It was very good.
Steve had the Kalamatra Chicken topped with spinach and tomatoes and he loved it. I had the lemon shrimp and it was outstanding. The entrees come with a shared ‘copper pan’ of starch and vegetables. The served linguine, a perfect accompaniment to the shrimp, potatoes, glazed carrots and steamed broccoli. We could not even finish the copper pot and my ‘I don’t eat cooked vegetables’ husband loved the carrots.
The wine selection was nice and I had two Chianti at $ 6.25 each. Steve ordered baklava and it must have been good because I didn’t even get a taste!
The bill was $ 71 plus tip and worth every penny!
The staff was gracious and the owner Nick was adorable. He came out and chatted several times and said he loved me as I left. I love him too and if I ever get back to Madison, Nick’s charming Bistro One is #1 on my list.

ONE Bistro that is no doubt NUMBER ONE !!
After walking in and dashing out of another establishment before even ordering we made our way back downtown to find «different» food.
A couple of trips hopping across the street we landed at Bistro One based on the posted menu outside the door. We had a 15 minute wait before they opened for dinner so we visited the next door book store.
They recommended Bistro as the best and said to tell Nick the owner hello.
Walking in we were greeted by none other than Nick ! I passed along the well wishes and we were seated in the «best» seat in the house…(my opinion).
In this small Ohio River town I was blown away by the menu, the hospitality and the FOOD. Nick is not only the owner but the chef. and his Greek heritage comes out not only in his accent but his food.
The special of the night was «Chicken Virginia»…okay, I’ll bite and boy was I glad I did… chicken with Prosciutto, cheese, mushrooms and a special Alfredo sauce… Wonderful. The «Copper Pan Vegetables» a specialty of the house you don’t want to miss added a candied sauteed red cabbage, linguine, broccoli, and Greek potatoes. My daughter had the tilipia rolled in a special walnut crusted coating and sauteed perfectly.
Add the wonderful food to the most generous pour of wine I have seen in a long time and you have a meal that takes you to heaven on puffy soft clouds. We indulged dessert, the best Tiramisu I have had this side of the Atlantic…
Have I sung enough praises for this place yet??? In my opinion NO. I would drive the two hours just to have dinner here again.
Now in closing —- the cost — Amazing !!! All of the above, including wine and coffee and we left for under $ 30 dollars each. I have paid more than that and scoffed at the meal.
I promise this is a place you will not want to miss if you are headed down to Madison, or anywhere on the Ohio… go out of your way. You won’t be disappointed… and tell Nick I said Hello.

Yet an other very good meal with fun and friendly folks at Bistro One… superb calimari… amazing soup… watermelon something seafood stuff which was inventive and decicious… almost lebanese ??
Madison has some terrific independents… check em out !
A terrific mini vacation to be had in this area… lots to do… friendly locals… localy owned hotels and businesses… well worth your time and support

This was the perfect place for a fun yet romantic dinner.
We loved everything we ate. We ordered the saganaki appetizer which is a flaming greek cheese. The staff sings when they bring it out. The house salads come with a greek dressing. I ordered the Chicken Schnitzel and my husband ordered the Kalamata Chicken.
I wish we were staying in Madison longer so we could eat here more. The food was excellent and there were so many things to choose from.