Al fresco dining at Pranzo Bisto

Pranzo Bistro is a popular restaurant and hang-out spot in La Floresta perhaps best known as a go-to place for al fresco dining. 

Open only Wednesday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Pranzo started in the spring of 2010 and has been going strong ever since. Conveniently located, its offers attentive and friendly service and the talents of chefs Monica Araceli Zarate Cruz, Carlos Medina and Luis Gorgonio. 

Breakfast selections include eggs, waffles, French toast and omelettes, as well as Mexican specialties such as chilaquiles — prepared three different ways — or a Spanish torta. Breakfast on Sundays is very popular with Tapatios and lakesiders.

I love to have lunch at Pranza and especially like their soups and salads. The mushroom soup and the clam chowder are very good and my choices for salad are the shrimp salad, chicken Caesar or their famous Pranzo Salad — this house specialty combines lettuce, red cabbage, red onion, carrots, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, avocado, goat cheese, black olives and pecans. It is worth going to Pranzo Bistro just for this delicious and creative salad. The portion for one is generous, and it is easy to share or to take home and enjoy the next day. 

Also popular are their pizzas, of which they offer six different varieties. Try the Pranzo pizza of salmon, cheese and spinach. 

Another tasty option is crepes with Alfredo sauce, with options of chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, ham, salami, black forest ham, turkey, peppers, onion, pineapple, pepperoni, spinach and ricotta.

Dinner is always good with eleven pastas to choose from, seafood choices and steak. If you like chicken try the chicken parmigiana, grilled or with pesto. The menu here stays the same, but every season a few new items are added. Pranzo Bistro offers daily specials when there is a musical event or performance at the nearby Auditorio de la Ribera.  I can’t wait to go back and try many more things from their great menu.

Pranzo Bistro, Carretera Ote. 103, (376) 766-1668.