Two-Bit Bistro: Not Just a One-Hit Wonder

Two-Bit Bistro | 2510 Washington Blvd, Ogden
(801) 393-1225 | twobitbistro.com
Mon-Fri: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. | Sat: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. | Sun: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Standing proudly on a busy city corner of Ogden’s Washington Boulevard is The Bigelow, a historic hotel from the 1920s turned apartment building. But the spirit of the ‘20s and its lush art deco sensibilities still live on in the locally-owned Two-Bit Bistro. The restaurant and its predecessor, Two-Bit Cafe, have been a part of Ogden’s history for the past two decades. The heart and soul of the cafe lives on in its new location.

Two-Bit Bistro hosts a variety of events, usually focusing on live music. Beyond the music nights, there are also events like Dungeons & Dragons, book clubs and tarot readings. I made the journey up to Ogden from our cherished Salt Lake City on a Wednesday evening to hear the Ogden Jazz Jam hosted by Alan & Pepper. The round concrete steps on the corner lead you up into the space and the windows on the west side of the building boast proud, extravagant arches with enormous panes of glass looking out onto the street. I was seated at an ideal table for viewing the show while maintaining enough distance to remain an observer.

I ordered the French Dip sandwich ($13) with a side salad rather than the standard “Chips & Slaw.” I had been hoping to try their Sunrise Salad ($12), which artfully combines fruits, vegetables and even spiced nuts. Sadly, it was unavailable that night, so I enjoyed a Caesar Salad (+$2) instead. While lacking the experimental combinations of the Sunrise Salad, the Caesar was a passable substitute. The salad itself was overdressed, but the lettuce was crunchy and juicy, and the croutons were not overly garlicky — thank goodness. My sandwich arrived on a toasted bun, golden with just the right amount of crunch for a dipping sandwich. Between the bun were tasty layers of roast beef with the au jus served on the side, allowing me to dip as frequently or as infrequently, as deeply or as briefly as I would like — customizing the sandwich experience. Though not taking any risks, the meat itself was well-cooked and seasoned appropriately. It was a comforting, crowd-pleasing sandwich to enjoy with the show.

The show was the true meal of the night. Once the music began, it was clear my drive was worth every minute. The instrumentalists were very skilled and worked perfectly in sync, adapting to changes on the fly and shifting between multiple instruments when called for. There were a variety of vocalists due to the free-form nature of open jam night — a night in which guests are invited to join the band and play together. The music was great already, but the variety of musicians and vocalists who performed together created a unique experience, an organic collaborative exploration of music that truly embodied the spirit of jazz.

But the living, breathing organism of Wednesday jazz night isn’t the only unique experience you can have at Two-Bit Bistro, as their drink menu also boasts “Utah’s first legal Absinthe Verte.” This is more than a simple spirit that you order; it is an experience. I had the pleasure of witnessing a tasting of that legendary green fairy. The spirit was served in a triangular glass, paired with two sugar cubes and a slotted spoon bearing a three-faced man. The ritual involves fixing the spoon over the mouth of the glass, placing a sugar cube over the slotted area and slowly pouring miniscule amounts of water over the sugar cubes to dissolve them into the spirit. The 99 proof absinthe itself bore a cloying licorice aroma that made my throat sting just from smelling it, but any beverage that comes with a mindful ritual is always going to gain favor in my book.

This delight can be experienced any Wednesday or Friday night. Find out more about their upcoming events at twobitbistro.com or visit them at @twobitbistro on Instagram.

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