The Bistro Garden Celebrates 20 Years in Studio City

"I was blessed to be raised with a good work ethic," said Carolyn Niklas Pappas, who co-owns The Bistro Garden  in Studio City with her husband of nearly 25 years, Greg Pappas.

Known for its elegant décor and classic cuisine, The Bistro Garden is celebrating 20 years in its Studio City location with a public fundraiser on Sept. 24 for the Concern Foundation and special menu through Oct. 3 (details below).

"We're having offering some of our classic dishes at the original prices," confirmed Greg.

The history of The Bistro Garden is a family legacy. Carolyn grew up in the kitchen of the original Bistro in Beverly Hills that was owned by her father, Kurt Niklas.

"I worked in every area of the restaurant so I could learn the business," expained Carolyn.

The work ethic she speaks about comes from her father, a German immigrant who loved food so much that as a small child he used to take charcoal from the street and sketch out the restaurant that he dreamed of owning one day.

Coming to the America with only a small suitcase, he worked his way up through restaurant kitchens in Los Angeles, ultimately landing as maitre 'd at the very tony Romanov in Beverly Hills, making friends with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Billy Wilder. When Mike Romanov decided to close his restaurant, he encouraged Niklas to open his own place and generously offered him his liquor license  (which at that time could be bought and sold).

According to Carolyn, her father's vision for his restaurant was a European winter garden with a glamourous open air feel.  When Niklas saw the Billy Wilder film, Irma La Douce,  he was so taken with the set design that Wilder  told him go the prop room and pick whatever he wanted for  the original Bistro.  Some of the art in the Studio City restaurant remains today.

Bistro opened in 1960 to much fanfare, becoming a legendary fine dining establishment for celebrities, diplomats and the society crowd.   Niklas flew in chefs from Europe to play in his kitchen.  One of those chefs, Chef Roget from the Hotel Esplanade in Vienna, came to create the chocolate soufflé, which as a dessert, was the talk of the town—and is the dessert that has been copied, but never perfected—at numerous eateries.

Niklas followed this success with the Beverly Hills Bistro Garden in 1980.  Bistro closed in 1990 and The Bistro Garden  Beverly Hills closed in 1985 when the family sold the lease to Wolfgang Puck for Spago.

Then in 1990, the elder Niklas handed over the reigns of the family business to Carolyn and Greg, who also has a family history in food and restaurants.  But this time the business would be in Studio City at Coldwater and Ventura boulevards.  Many of the same employees are still working today, including the chefs and some of the wait staff. Bartender Tomas Guddarama has been there for 40 years.

The Bistro Garden is known to be one of the most beautiful in Los Angeles. The main dining room has 30-foot ceilings, glass latticework and expansive skylights that evoke the feeling of being outdoors. 

Paintings, sculptures from France and Italy adorn the walls. Linens cover the tables and bud vases with flowers decorate each.  The Fireside room, which is used for private parties and expanding the dining room, has the feel of a manor estate — complete with the original fireplace, antiques and crystal chandeliers that Niklas imported from Italy.

Keeping with the tradition of the original Bistro, The Bistro Garden Studio City has seen its share of celebrity clientele, including legends such as Marlon Brando and Paul McCartney, who have lived nearby.  In recent years, the restaurant has been used as a location for film and TV productions, including Valentine's Day, Liar Liar, The Office and Desperate Housewives.

Carolyn and Greg work tirelessly to keep The Bistro Garden running. Greg is responsible for the employees and the day-today operations, while Carolyn mans the kitchen and the appearance of the restaurant. Following the family legacy, they are grooming the eldest of their three children, to eventually run the restaurant.  Christina, 22, is a business student with a love of the culinary arts and already works in the accounting office.

"She has the gusto that we've always had — she's the one," says Carolyn about her daughter.

And so, in commemoration of the 20-year anniversary — remembering the past and celebrating the present with an eye on the future, the special menu with original prices (1960-1980) starts on Friday, Sept. 24 as a fundraiser with 20 percent of the proceeds going to the Concern Foundation (one night only). The menu continues through Oct. 3. 

Some of the favorite offerings include: Chicken Hash ($12.95), Cannelloni Bistro with Veal, Sausage, Spinach and Garlic  ( $14.95), Goujonettes of Sole with Pommes Frites and Vegetables ($15.25), Roasted Half Duckling Maxime   ($16.95) Pot-Au-Feu made with Boiled Short Ribs, Chicken, Parsnips, Turnips and Bone Marrow  ($16.95) and Veal Snitzle Holstein, Roasted Potatoes and Vegetables ($17.95).  And of course, the dessert choices include the chocolate soufflé with fresh whipped cream.

For further information about the Special 20th Anniversary celebration, plus Happy Hour, Prix Fixe lunch and dinner, Sunday brunch,a special wine deal and getting dessert soufflés "to-go," visit www.bistrogarden.com  12950 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604  818.505.0202