Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, informal restaurant: A bistro is a small, casual dining establishment, often with a cozy atmosphere.
   • A place that serves wine: A bistro typically offers a selection of wine, often alongside simple meals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We had a lovely dinner at the little bistro on the corner.
  • This bistro is famous for its house wine and rustic bread.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Connotation: The term often evokes a European, particularly French, style of casual dining, suggesting a focus on straightforward, classic food and drink in a relaxed setting.
  • The film's setting was a charming Parisian bistro.

Variants and Related Words

• Bistrot (n): An alternative spelling, especially in French contexts.
  • The menu at the traditional bistrot was written on a chalkboard.

Synonyms

• Café: A small restaurant selling light meals and drinks.
• Brasserie: A type of French restaurant with a relaxed setting, often serving drinks and meals all day; typically larger and more bustling than a bistro.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

Noun

1. a small informal restaurant; serves wine