I gave my appetizer course of grilled jumbo shrimp with white beans to my friends, but not the 2001 Villa Antinori Tuscana wine, which I could have drunk all night.

After a suitable pause during which Chef Louise discussed the food and the wine experts explained the wine, we ventured into the pasta course of rabbit with pommery pasta and black truffle vinaigrette dressing, served with a 2000 Bottega Vanaia "La Grein" wine. I'm not all that fond of rabbit, but this was a nice treat. Well, we were influenced by the wine. Very fine for sure!

The entree of pan-seared veal chop with risotto, sage, pine nuts, and cheese topped off the main part of our meal and was served with a very special 1997 Tomasi Viticoltore Ca' Florian Amarone.

A good time was had by all as we finished the evening with a selection a very rich desserts and a bottle of Marco Negri Moscato d' Asit.

This isn't the regular dinner menu at the bistro, but it is an example of what Louise can and does do for her customers. Set well into middle Fort Worth in a shopping center, this is a wonderful restaurant for a very fine evening. We save the Bistro for special evenings suitable for celebrations. On this evening, we had a designated driver who didn't have any wine so we all could enjoy the full selection and not worry about how to get home in one piece.

We had a wonderful artichoke starter, $4.95, but the waiter didn't give us time to finish it before our main course showed up!!!

I chose a 'combo' salad plate for lunch, $9.60, pushing off the idea of having the house special, Pecan Chicken, which was more than $20. I liked my salad. Another woman had the Tuscan sandwich, a 3-meat sandwich with homemade vegetable chips, $9.50.

I ordered 'unflavored' coffee, which required that a new pot be made. The usual coffee is a pecan-flavored selection. The ice tea is peach unless you order 'unflavored'.

The atmosphere is lovely, the service can be a bit over the top, but you might want that. It's not an ordinary restaurant. Fifteen minutes from downtown, it's certainly worth the drive. Make a reservation for evenings.

We passed on desserts. It wasn't that big an occasion!

My thanks to the ladies who took me to lunch. I did enjoy it. It was a very nice luncheon.