MaineBusiness.com

Restaurant recognized for innovative cuisine and commitment to excellence

Bath, ME – Solo Bistro (www.solobistro.com), located in historic downtown Bath in midcoast Maine, has been named by Santé magazine as the New England 2008 winner of the magazine’s prestigious “Innovative Culinary Hospitality Award.” The only peer-judged restaurant and hospitality competition in North America, the Santé awards, – now in its eleventh year – recognize the highest level of food, wine, and service within the hospitality industry throughout the nation.

Solo Bistro’s award has it joining the ranks of Santé’s 2008 award winners Wolfgang Puck (Restaurateur of the Year), Evan Goldstein (Wine Professional of the Year), and Philadelphia’s Ristorante Panorama (Wine Hospitality Restaurant of the Year).

“We are excited to be able to recognize Solo Bistro with our award for ‘Innovative Culinary Hospitality’ in New England,” said Mark Vaughan, Editor & Publisher at Santé. “Solo’s unique menu and commitment to using only the freshest local ingredients, combined with Chef Esau Crosby's desire to constantly try new techniques and flavor combinations, make Solo Bistro a perfect fit for this award.”

Solo Bistro, the European-style restaurant owned by Will Neilson and his Danish wife, Pia Neilson, opened its doors in 2005 and immediately began making favorable impressions on locals, visitors, visiting celebrities and press. Since its opening, Solo Bistro has caught the attention of a variety of outlets, including The New York Times, Yankee magazine, DownEast, The Boston Globe, National Culinary Review, Maine Home + Design and “Wine Me, Dine Me” Radio.

Will and Pia drew from their own experiences living and working abroad when they opened Solo Bistro, launched with a strong European influence in mind. “We wanted to create something that focused on high-quality ingredients with a genuinely creative approach,” Will noted. “This Santé award is particularly gratifying to us. It’s great to know that what we’re doing is being noticed. We’re especially honored that we’ve been recognized by peers in the industry; it’s a great compliment to our whole team.”

A solid measure of Solo's success can be attributed to Chef Esau Crosby, who consistently demonstrates his flair for innovation. With a passion for using only the freshest, seasonal ingredients, combined with his determination to create inspired dishes that make the most of Maine’s fine produce and seafood, Crosby continues to produce all-new cuisine experiences for Solo Bistro’s loyal fans.

“I’ve always been a fan of trying new flavor combinations, and if I haven't tried a technique or ingredient yet, I'm always on the lookout for a chance to work with it,” said Crosby, who recently was named “Chef of the Month” by Cuisine Noir magazine. “There's potentially something new in the kitchen every day. That’s exciting to me, and that challenge keeps my approach fresh.”

Solo Bistro’s special theme dinners also offer Chef Crosby the chance to offer new combinations. Past Solo dinners have included items such as tender kangaroo steaks at an Australian-themed wine dinner and ragout of venison with chestnuts and mushrooms during a German-themed wine evening. The dinners are open to the public and consistently draw capacity crowds, who enjoy multi-course meals with creative wine pairings from around the world.

Solo Bistro is also celebrated for its welcoming, comfortable ambiance. The restaurant’s European-inspired atmosphere offers gracious hospitality to locals and visitors alike. “We want everyone to feel about Solo as we do,” Will said. “The ideal of hospitality we try to achieve is one where excellent food and wine are provided in informal-but-tasteful comfort, combined with seamless service. Even though fellow diners may be complete strangers, guests leave feeling as though they have just had a great meal in the company of friends.”

The eleventh annual Santé award winners will be recognized during a four-day celebration at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley, California, to take place November 1-4, 2008.

For further information, or to make reservations at Solo Bistro, phone (207) 443-3373.

To subscribe to Solo Bistro’s slightly offbeat, witty Enewsletter, visit www.solobistro.com .

To schedule an interview with Chef Esau Crosby or with Will and Pia Neilson,
contact Thom Householder at (207) 699-5501, thom@frontburnerpr.com .

Solo Bistro
128 Front Street
Bath, Maine
www.solobistro.com

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