Located in Lucerne, Lucerne Euro Market and Bistro sits just across the highway from the glinting waters of Clear Lake. A tall, peaked building rests behind wrought iron fencing, welcoming you in. And once you step inside, you will immediately feel welcomed. Linen tablecloths frame the tables, surrounded by contrasting black chairs and the checked tile floor. The walls are lined with market goods from around the world–spices, teas, oils, and crackers. Blue Zones cookbooks and Bibles rest on a bookshelf. The high ceiling’s exposed beams make the room bright, and as if singing along, the cheerful music playing in the background agrees.
Lucerne Euro Market and Bistro offers a full selection of breakfast and lunch options, from omelets to salads. You can go there any time before 6 PM and be assured of a meal that will reflect the happy atmosphere of the bistro. Plus, many items on the menu are Blue Zones Friendly, so you can be sure to enjoy several healthy choices.
If you go for lunch or an early dinner, plan on a three-course meal. For the first course, try the caprese salad. A true classic, this dish is done perfectly at the bistro. One beauty of the caprese salad is that it’s a perfect balance of flavors. It starts with fresh basil, firm, flavorful tomatoes, and perfectly creamy fresh mozzarella, then is topped by a gentle drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This is a great summer salad, bright, friendly and welcoming, much like the bistro itself.
Once your appetite has been whetted, it’s time to move on to the main course. The bistro offers a full variety of sandwiches, including an impressive vegetarian selection. All are very tasty and good food. If you’re not sure, try the Greek Chicken Sandwich. Served on pita and wrapped in foil, it’s not quite a gyro and not your traditional sandwich either. It’s a combination of chicken, feta, creamy garlic sauce, fresh red onion, and bright tomatoes. The chicken is tender and complements the sauce and brightness of the onion and tomato. It’s a sandwich like no other, and will probably require two or three napkins to eat properly.
If you’re looking for more of a main course, the Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken is a good option. The chicken is rich and flavorful, so tender that you can cut it with a fork. It’s topped with a spectacular garlic sauce, capers, and mushrooms. And yes, you can taste the garlic. This dish melts in your mouth. It’s served with a side of pasta, but that doesn’t mean the pasta is just an accessory. It stands on its own. The rigatoni is perfectly al dente, and the sauce is made in-house. It’s bright, sweet, and with a hint of rosemary and sundried tomatoes. It would be easy to just eat a plate of the pasta if the chicken weren’t so incredible. The dish comes with a fresh garden salad, which is light and tasty, topped with a balsamic vinaigrette.
And if they have any slices available, you have to try their date cake for dessert. It has several layers, with a combination of red velvet cake, Vanilla cake, and fruit, topped with a cream cheese date frosting. The cake is moist through and through because it’s soaked, much like a tres leches cake, in milk. It’s the perfect way to end a wonderful meal.
If you have some time, it’s worth the trip to Lucerne Euro Market and Bistro. You won’t be disappointed. And after you’re done eating, take a few minutes to walk across the highway to the park and fill yourself up with the beauty of the lake, just like you filled yourself with the beauty of your amazing meal.
Lucerne Euro Market and Bistro
6030 E Hwy 20, Lucerne, CA 95458
Phone: (707) 560-9120
