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| A '''bistro''', sometimes spelled '''bistrot''', is, in its original ]ian incarnation, a small ] serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods they serve. |
A '''bistro''', sometimes spelled '''bistrot''', is, in its original ]ian incarnation, a small ] serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods they serve. Home cooking with robust earthy dishes, and slow-cooked foods like ] are typical. <ref>{{citation | last1=Porcelli | first1=Joey | year=2006 | title=The Gyros Journey: Affordable Ethnic Eateries Along the Front Range | last2=Fong | first2=Clay | publisher=Fulcrum Publishing | isbn=9781555915797 | page=98 }}</ref> | ||
| Bistros likely developed out of the basement kitchens of Parisian apartments where tenants paid for both room and board. Landlords could supplement their income by opening their kitchen to the paying public. Menus were built around foods that were simple, could be prepared in quantity and would keep over time. Wine and coffee were also served. The limited space for diners in these cramped corners prompted the tradition of adding table service to the footpath.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} As the idea caught hold, architecture and menus both became more specific.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} | Bistros likely developed out of the basement kitchens of Parisian apartments where tenants paid for both room and board. Landlords could supplement their income by opening their kitchen to the paying public. Menus were built around foods that were simple, could be prepared in quantity and would keep over time. Wine and coffee were also served. The limited space for diners in these cramped corners prompted the tradition of adding table service to the footpath.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} As the idea caught hold, architecture and menus both became more specific.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} | ||
| The word ''bistro'' may derive from the ] быстро (bystro) which means ''quickly.'' According to an urban legend, it entered the French language during the ]. Russian ] who wanted to be served quickly would shout "''bystro''." However, this etymology is not accepted by several French linguists as there is, surprisingly, no occurrence of this word until the end of the 19th century.<ref>''Le Grand Robert de la langue française'', 8 vol., 2001, p.1445</ref><ref>], ''Dictionnaire historique de la langue française'', 2 vol., 1995, p. 226.</ref><ref>''Petit Larousse'' dictionary</ref> | The origins of the word ''bistro'' are uncertain. Some say that it may derive from the ] быстро (bystro) which means ''quickly.'' According to an urban legend, it entered the French language during the ]. Russian ] who wanted to be served quickly would shout "''bystro''." However, this etymology is not accepted by several French linguists as there is, surprisingly, no occurrence of this word until the end of the 19th century.<ref>''Le Grand Robert de la langue française'', 8 vol., 2001, p.1445</ref><ref>], ''Dictionnaire historique de la langue française'', 2 vol., 1995, p. 226.</ref><ref>''Petit Larousse'' dictionary</ref> Others say the name comes from a type of aperitif served in some reasonably priced restaurants. | ||
| Another version is that it is an abbreviation of ''bistrouille''<ref>''Le Grand Robert de la langue française'', 8 vol., 2001, p.1445</ref>, a French term for ] mixed with ]. | Another version is that it is an abbreviation of ''bistrouille''<ref>''Le Grand Robert de la langue française'', 8 vol., 2001, p.1445</ref>, a French term for ] mixed with ]. | ||
Revision as of 12:39, 17 July 2011
This article is about the type of restaurant. For other uses, see Bistro (disambiguation).
A bistro, sometimes spelled bistrot, is, in its original Parisian incarnation, a small restaurant serving moderately priced simple meals in a modest setting. Bistros are defined mostly by the foods they serve. Home cooking with robust earthy dishes, and slow-cooked foods like cassoulet are typical.
Bistros likely developed out of the basement kitchens of Parisian apartments where tenants paid for both room and board. Landlords could supplement their income by opening their kitchen to the paying public. Menus were built around foods that were simple, could be prepared in quantity and would keep over time. Wine and coffee were also served. The limited space for diners in these cramped corners prompted the tradition of adding table service to the footpath. As the idea caught hold, architecture and menus both became more specific.
The origins of the word bistro are uncertain. Some say that it may derive from the Russian быстро (bystro) which means quickly. According to an urban legend, it entered the French language during the Russian occupation of Paris in 1815. Russian cossacks who wanted to be served quickly would shout "bystro." However, this etymology is not accepted by several French linguists as there is, surprisingly, no occurrence of this word until the end of the 19th century. Others say the name comes from a type of aperitif served in some reasonably priced restaurants.
Another version is that it is an abbreviation of bistrouille, a French term for brandy mixed with coffee.
References
- Porcelli, Joey; Fong, Clay (2006), The Gyros Journey: Affordable Ethnic Eateries Along the Front Range, Fulcrum Publishing, p. 98, ISBN 9781555915797
- Le Grand Robert de la langue française, 8 vol., 2001, p.1445
- Alain Rey, Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, 2 vol., 1995, p. 226.
- Petit Larousse dictionary
- Le Grand Robert de la langue française, 8 vol., 2001, p.1445