Irving Park's Little Bucharest Bistro, which originally opened in 1970, closed temporarily in 2004. On June 30, the Romanian restaurant reopened in a fresh location with a new chef, Andre Christopher, formerly of Japonais and Pops for Champagne. The entire space can host receptions for 120; several smaller areas are also available for rental.
At the front of the venue, high-top tables and leather armchairs fill an area known as the social room, which can hold 40 for cocktails. Behind the social room, the main dining area seats 69 amid Romanian trappings such as tapestries and stained-glass panels. A beer garden accented with a fountain, flowers, and white fairy lights extends from the sidewalk to the side of the building and can seat 40.
Chef Christopher's menu focuses on sharable plates of American-inflected Romanian fare. Cold plates include cumin-crusted beef carpaccio with horseradish cream and onion rings; baked crab and spinach dip and onion tarts are on the hot plates menu. Other options include flatbreads, entrées, and desserts such as toasted lemon-blueberry cake and a ginger-mousse trifle. For events, Christopher can prepare passed hors d'oeuvres, food stations, or plated dinners.
About seven miles northwest of downtown, the venue can arrange for complimentary limo service to transport guests to the restaurant from office buildings or event spaces.
