Close by the moat of Matsuyama Castle stand the offices of both Ehime Prefecture and Matsuyama City government, and at twelve o’clock you can see streams of civil servants heading earnestly towards Baden Bistro for lunch. Working on the theory that what the locals eat can’t be bad, I joined the crowd at the popular Bistro.
The word ‘bistro’ is said to originate from the Russian occupation of Paris in 1815 when the rude Cossacks sat in cafés and yelled bystro—quickly! But despite the throng at Baden Bistro, you don’t have to wait long, and there’s no need to shout bystro!, especially if you order the daily special for 680 yen. You can see a sample of the lunch at the counter, and you pay when you order. The friendly staff ask if you’d like an extra large portion of rice, for which no extra charge is levied. The lunch is served up right away on a tray, and you can either take a seat at the counter table downstairs, or head upstairs where there are tables for four or more. The bistro is surrounded by large trees which partially obscure the second floor windows, creating a beautiful green shade. Birds often come and sit in the trees and I had the joy of watching a glossy black crow at close quarters, oblivious to the diners just inches away.
I’ve lunched at Baden Bistro several times and the set lunch has always been excellent. Last time I went, there was a rich, cream stew with spicy meatballs, a large bowl of rice, minestrone soup, a green salad, and a salad of beans and capsicum peppers. The price includes coffee and tea, and you can have as many refills as you like. There are other menu items besides the set lunch, including ham and sausage hors d'oeuvre reflecting the German theme of the bistro, sandwiches, pizza and pasta.
The bistro is also open in the evening offering an à la carte menu and a good range of German wines and beers. It’s located on the ground floor of a tall building and the entrance is set back in a little plaza, making it easy to miss. But if you need a good, cheap lunch, or a tasty German-themed dinner, you wouldn’t want to miss Baden Bistro.
Name in Japanese
ビストロバーデン bisutoro baaden Baden Bistro
