Bistro 313 Novels & Stories

The soft clink of silverware and the murmured conversations of other customers barely reached Maria's ears as she followed Rene through the charming little bistro he had chosen. The place was tucked away on a quiet street... one of those trendy new spots where the lighting was warm, the walls were lined with eclectic art, and the staff treated every customer like royalty. It was the kind of place Rene always gravitated toward... intimate, curated, just a little indulgent. “Here we are,” Rene said gently, pulling her chair out with a flourish. “The best seat in the house.”

Andrea was already seated by the window when I arrived at one-thirty in the afternoon. The bistro occupied the ground floor of an old brownstone two blocks from the court, a place we had been meeting for years whenever one of us needed to talk through something complicated. I had walked past it thousands of times without really seeing it, but this morning every detail seemed hypervisible, from the chipped paint on the doorframe, the barista's tired eyes, the way steam rose from Andrea's cup in urgent spirals.

The front door opened and Greg alighted, then opened the back door. Jasira jumped down and looked around the environs, yeah, it was definitely a bistro. She could hear the jazz music coming from the sound system and tannoy, the posh and luxurious cars driving in and out, the whores hissing and catcalling at men. Everywhere was already getting dark, it was the lights coming from the bistro and other shops around, the streetlights and flashes of lights from vehicles that lit up the day. "My bag," she said and Greg went for it immediately.

he asked hopefully. The cashier was very dejected when I ordered two large magic mochas. I had yet to have one, so I was insanely curious. He also added two goldenberry pastries which reminded me of the old days when Bellamy and I would sneak into the kitchen and steal all of the goldenberry pastries. The bistro was sectioned into two separate parts. The part we were in was the café part. The other part was for lunch or dinner. The café had plenty of comfortable seating. It was filled for the most part, but we were able to snag a corner table.

Daisy laughed at his curse and dropped onto the bench seat beside Ugo. Ben slid behind the wheel and they headed out, breaking into a bottle of expensive champagne on their way. By the time they pulled up to Anchor-Rim, a hot new fusion bistro that had a healthy line out front and energetic music pouring out onto the street, the combination of the champagne and Brett's hot gaze on the nearly indecent hemline of her skirt had Daisy feeling giddy. Ugo slid forward on the seat and stared wide-eyed through the tinted windows. "That's chef's bistro." She mouthed at a surprised Daisy.

Besides, she didn't have anywhere to run to. I scanned the bistro again. Making sure it was still only the two servers sitting in the corner chatting, and the chef whom I could see behind the counter in the tiny spaced off kitchen at the other end. Lannon paced the floors of the bistro, his fury and concern clear in every line of his body. I looked across from me, where Ernouf and Zelda sat together, waiting for go time. Ernouf sat, taking a bloody parfait. Who took parfaits just before midnight?

Maybe as she spent more time with him, things would be different. The restaurant, Bistro Lumière, was an upscale spot with an understated elegance that made it popular among those who preferred sophistication over flash. Its façade was a combination of dark, polished wood and frosted glass windows that allowed only a hint of the warm, ambient lighting within to spill out. A small brass plaque by the door held the restaurant's name in a sleek, minimalist font, illuminated softly from above.

Flora parked her car in the small open lot adjacent to "The Daily Grind," a quaint, family-owned bistro tucked away on a quiet street. The bistro’s charm was undeniable, with its warm yellow exterior and vibrant red awnings that fluttered gently in the morning breeze. A hand-painted sign hung above the entrance, adorned with whimsical depictions of croissants and coffee cups. The sidewalk was lined with lush flower boxes, overflowing with colorful blooms that added to the inviting atmosphere.

His heart did a little flip and he squeezed her hand. “I’ll give you all the time you need,” he said as he squeezed her hand and brought it up to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss along her knuckles which sent shivers through her. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I’ll wait for you for as long as it takes,” he said with heated desire in his voice. She felt her cheeks get warm. “Ahem, sorry to interrupt, sir, but we’re here,” said Taylor. Jerrica peered out the window at the front of the bistro. “This is place looks wonderful!” she exclaimed. Bistro table and chairs lined the sidewalk out front and old timey street lanterns all in row leading up to the door definitely gave it that Paris feel.

He announced smugly. Eliana blinked. She had suspected he was rich but not that rich. He was nearly up to par with her own family. “I don’t mean to pry but what’s your last name again?” Lucian only smiled but didn’t answer. Eliana didn’t push it. They arrived the restaurant in record time. La Bistro was plastered in bold letters at the entrance. There were two security guards stationed on two sides of the door, one read enter and the other read exit.