BISTRO EUROPA

Bistro Europa in downtown Greenville SC is a must for the person looking for the total package in dining out. Chef and owner Ben Gold takes pride not only in his cuisine but making sure you feel welcome. His level of service defines the term "Southern Hospitality".

His cuisine is prepared with the finest ingredients, many of them organic whenever possible. The style of cuisine at Bistro Europa is Southern regional with an international influence.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and when the weather is fair you can enjoy your visit at Bistro Europa dining outside on Main Street in beautiful downtown Greenville.

Moderate prices, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere make Bistro Europa a must when dining out in downtown Greenville.

Be sure to let Chef Ben know you found his restaurant on CarolinaDining.net!

CHEF & OWNER BEN GOLD



Executive Chef: BEN GOLD

Chef Ben Gold's love of regional southern ingredients comes from memories of his mothers and grandmothers dining tables. ''On Sundays in the summer my mother always had home made pimento cheese and celery sticks on the table. It never failed, they were always plated up beautifully and ready for eating. That picture will always be with me ". The love and dedication to her family that went into that simple dish is the foundation of his culinary philosophy .

His culinary journey began in 1986 at the age of 16 where he started working at a local Italian restaurant and deli. He spent his nights selling sausages, and cheeses, and filling cannolis. In 1990, he moved to New Orleans to follow his passion for photography, but the call of the kitchen was just to strong.

For 3 years, he studied and worked for some of the city’s best known chefs and with what free time he had, he spent dining in the city’s other restaurants “I remember saving every dime I could, so I could go out to a new restaurant every chance I had. I would treat myself to places like Antoine’s, Peristyle, Commanders, Bon-Tons, and this little grocery store right outside Audubon Park that sold The Best shrimp salad Po-Boys.” Other travels took him to San Francisco, Jackson Hole, and the high mountains of Colorado, where he spent 6 years backpacking and climbing outside of Nederland, Colorado. Never losing focus and love for the cuisine that captured his heart and palate as a young boy, Ben returned to SC in 2000 and continued to follow his vision. Through hard work he was able to bring Greenville an unpretentious upscale restaurant in Bistro Europa.

At Bistro Europa southern staples such as stoned ground grits, country ham, and collard greens meet with French and Creole sauces and technique to create flavorful and elegantly balanced dishes. The Bistro’s seasonal changing menu strives to incorporate the foods of the region, fresh seafood, local organic produce, locally roasted coffee, beef, pork, and poultry bought from sustainable farms. Chef Ben’s philosophy is based on “simplicity and cooking with only the finest ingredients, but most importantly putting your heart, mind, and knowledge 100% into all of your dishes.

BISTRO EUROPA PHOTO GALLERY