As the sun went down over Forsyth County on a late summer evening, I was excited to be trying a new restaurant with an old friend. Bistro 420 is a unique downtown establishment on West 4th Street, the cultural avenue of the city. Caddy-cornered from the North Carolina School of the Arts’ Stevens Center and next door to the renowned Speak Easy Jazz club, Bistro 420 offers a first row seat to the bright local color.

While certainly an Americanized version of the traditional French bistro, 420 captures the essence of the true bistro dining experience. For example, one may choose to dine outside on the 4th Street sidewalk. This is strongly recommended (weather permitting) and is pleasantly akin to similar dining experiences in Charleston, Key West, and New Orleans. Musically themed sculptures create a makeshift patio, keeping the patrons cozy and the tables near the restaurant’s indoor dining room. The humble interior is predictably creative with French and Italian décor, complimenting the food quite well. It did not take long to get the impression that this restaurant was comfortable with its identity.


The menu is not expansive, a typical characteristic of a bistro. There are no sandwiches or dinner salads. However, the variety of different appetizer and entrée choices makes up for this. The crust-less baked brie and apricot jam starter is served with water crackers. The spinach appetizer is flash-fried with roasted red peppers. 420’s ravioli entree is made with colorful pasta, sun dried tomatoes, and topped with steamed vegetables. Several types of fish including salmon and trout are available. There is a chicken pie with sage gravy and a shrimp and grits entrée made with bacon, onions, and mushrooms. A crisp romaine Caesar salad and warm French bread precede all the main dishes - a detail not lost on my date. “I love a good Caesar salad,” she said while I took mental notes.

One of the distinctive strengths of Bistro 420 is its long list of daily specials. A recent example was a beef filet wrapped around bleu cheese crumbles. The intense flavor was complimented with fluffy mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. Unlike other restaurants, 420 offers several appetizer and entrée specials each day in order to insure a steady interest in the menu choices. Between these daily specials and the everyday menu options, you will certainly find something you like.


The wine list at Bistro 420 deserves mentioning. In fact, there are more wine choices than there are food choices. Whether you like white or red, sweet or dry, there is something for all, even the wine connoisseur.

After a great meal, your server will try to tempt you with a tray of exquisite desserts. It is probably better not to resist. Otherwise, you would miss tasting a slice of Bailey’s chocolate chip cheesecake or German chess pie. On my trip to the Bistro, the rich and creamy cheesecake got a seal of approval. The pastry chef even decorates the plate with chocolate. Presentation is crucial!

The staff is friendly and attentive but not up tight. The bistro is a place where you can feel welcomed and comfortable in jeans or shorts but dressing up is perfectly acceptable too. The owner explained that the restaurant is well attended whenever Wake Forest parents are in town. But do not wait for your parents – go give the bistro a try. The restaurant is fast becoming a cornerstone of the artistic culture of downtown Winston-Salem. In a word, Bistro 420 is confident that its combination of good food and one-of-a-kind locale will make you a loyal diner.