Bistro

A bistro or bistrot (/ˈbiːstroʊ/), in its original Parisian form, is a small restaurant serving moderately priced, simple meals in a modest setting.

[1] In a 2007 survey of national cuisines, a bistro is characterised as typically: A Paris newspaper in 1892 referred to dishes served at a bistro, including escargots, veal with sauce ravigote, navarin of lamb, hachis Parmentier, eggs, sausages and hot roast chicken.

[6] The word was used to describe a drinking establishment, estaminet or small popular local restaurant[6] where alcoholic beverages were served.

An early appearance of the term in print is in Les deux gosses by Pierre Decourcelle, published in 1880.

[n 3] A popular folk etymology, not attested by the Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, claims that the word originated among Russian troops who, following the Battle of Paris in March 1814, occupied the city and visited these tiny places to drink a coffee.

At the Bistro , Jean Béraud
Plaque about the legend of the origin of the word "Bistro" at La Mère Catherine , 6, place du Tertre, Paris. (English: On March 30, 1814, the Cossacks were the first to launch their very famous "bistro" here and, on the hill, the worthy ancestor of our bistros was born. 180th anniversary. Tourist Office of Old Montmartre)