Bistro Pasqual: In the Middle of Nowhere

Posted on May 3, 2008

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Bistro Pasqual in City of Industry, Calif. French bistros are usually located in upscale areas where the clientele would have both the bucks and the appetite for Gallic cuisine, but I found a place called Bistro Pasqual in a strip mall in an otherwise shabby neighborhood in, of all places, City of Industry, Calif.

I found the place while scoping out the Feng Shui-designed McDonald’s down the street (see my last posting). Pasqual is located next to Gale Nails and Jurassic Restaurant, to give you an idea of its obscurity. Next door is a mini-mart, and the outside (pictured) is so plain and obscure as to be almost uninviting.

Inside, the place brightens up with hues of burgundy and tan (also pictured) and tables packed too closely together (one of the drawbacks of bistros).

I arrived at about 11:30 a.m., and the place was empty. When I left about 45 minutes later (this was a Wednesday), one other group of four had arrived and seemed to be regulars. I wanted to return on Mother’s Day to assess the establishment better but was told it wouldn’t be open until evening that day. I assumed that Pasqual pays the bills with its evening crwods.

Inside of Bistro Pasqual I had a Black and Bleu Hamburger, which was–natch–covered with bleu cheese, along with the thickest bacon imaginable. It was fine but not something I’d return for. I also had the house salad of basil and lettuce, which was quite good, along with the garlic french fines, also fine.