Urban Bistro Serves Up An Urban Oasis

As I mentioned in the , I visited Urban Bistro after my first (unsuccessful) trip to , and I have been anxious to gush to you about it since.

When I first heard about Urban Bistro coming to town, I will admit that it went in one ear and out the other. A few weeks later while picking up a Vietnamese sandwich at , I saw a sign across the street for San Francisco Soup Company, and that got my attention (creator of the best matzoh ball soup on the planet, though I'm sure plenty of you will argue your grandmother's is better. I'm here to tell you, it's not).

After a brief investigation, I learned that the owners of San Francisco Soup Company were set to open Urban Bistro, a casual but classy spot serving fresh, homemade, healthy specialties. Finally, someone figured it out.

With today's modern menu turning to simple fare and organic ingredients, over-using current buzzwords like “hyper local” and “farm-to-table,” it's a wonder that Burlingame's health-conscious consumers haven't demanded this type of establishment sooner. But it was worth the wait.

Urban Bistro screams fresh from every aspect, starting with the expansive patio. Outdoor space seems hard to come by along the Avenue, but with ample seating and (this may sound strange, but) beautiful heat lamps, Urban Bistro has created an urban oasis. And what's an oasis without a little flora? Problem solved: a living wall. Urban Bistro brings progressive and unique design elements to the former – and stuffy – Nectar Wine Bar space.

The sleek design continues inside with smooth lines and a full wall of gorgeous tile, giving the interior a natural ambiance. The expansive menu hangs on the wall near the open kitchen, almost mocking you as you eat one thing but continue to drool at the thought of another.

A selection of classic San Francisco Soup Company favorites kicks off the menu, followed by a variety of salads of organic greens, homemade croutons and homemade dressings. Fabulous flatbreads, scrumptious sandwiches, and enticing entrees fill the rest of the menu, making your order the most difficult decision you'll have to make that day.

While I find it nearly impossible to pick just one highlight about Urban Bistro, I will say that I find their “make a meal” to be one of the best deals in town. For under $15 choose any cup of soup, any salad, any entree and a side for a hearty yet healthy meal. Spectacular.

Needless to say, being the lover of all-things-food that I am, I had to order a full meal: Grandma Mary's chicken soup, Cesar salad (at the recommendation of the owner—he was right), turkey meatloaf with sundried tomato spread, quinoa and a generous glass of Mark West Pinot Noir.

Unreasonably expecting a turkey meatloaf to be on the dry side, I was surprised to find it to be very flavorful, moist and tender. And in case you are wondering, yes, I ate the whole thing. Every. Last. Bite.

 Urban Bistro is what Burlingame has been missing. A casual, clean, healthy, affordable, on-trend restaurant fit for friends and families alike, where you can run by to grab a quick meal to go, or make an evening of it and enjoy the patio with a little ambiance. Welcome to the neighborhood, Urban Bistro.