Everyone has to eat, right? So, why not go somewhere fabulous? The three aspects I find most important in a restaurant are atmosphere, service, and, of course, food. On a Thursday night, I dined at the Moonstone Bistro to put their establishment to the test.
The dimly lit bistro swayed with new wave music despite the crammed seating arrangement. Booths lined the back wall near a large window, which unfortunately viewed a dismal parking lot. To the right, an open kitchen showcased the chef and a small bar where patrons sipped chilled wine or ate happily. The interior boasted a jewel toned décor with glass hanging lights over the each table. On the wall the bistro's not-so-original logo proclaims, "Eat, Drink, Play." The atmosphere had a soothing vibe that made me feel a bit swanky and stylish. The hostess showed me to a seat almost immediately and kindly introduced me to the server. This young man, was polite and accommodating, although somewhat slow to return. After ordering, I bemoaned the 20 to 30 minute wait for actual food. When it arrived, the presentation was sharp on a white square plate in an eye catching pattern.
The silverware features a similar retro style to the overall bistro vibe. Being a salt fanatic, I wasn't surprised to find that my grilled chicken and rice dish need a dash or two. The chicken was buttery and nutty, but still needed a little more flavor. Deciding to try the brown rice mix with asparagus, the buttery sensation from the chicken turns to a blustering overkill on the vegetables. The rice; however, was delicious with a clear and healthy organic taste. At last, dessert arrived: a white chocolate soufflé. Presented aesthetically on a pleasingly clean and sparkling white plate with chocolate drizzled around the edges and cinnamon sprinkled on top. This delight was so scrumptious that it tasted better than its tantalizing looks; it was light in texture quality, but intense in flavor.
Overall, the restaurant was a eight out of ten. They could improve their service with some speedy deliveries and bolster up the flavor of their entrées. Compared to other restaurants in Redding, I would have to say the Moonstone would be on my top five. I would recommend this restaurant to someone with a sensitive pallet and a lot of time.

Wanna check them out for yourself? Go to www.moonstonebistro.com