DJ'S BISTRO, Concord

The CSNSC broke all the rules this summer and deliberately deviated from the Asian Culinary Tour by visiting an off-the-beaten track Czech restaurant in Concord. We've heard for years about this Bohemian gem tucked in a mini mall in the East Bay, so we decided it was high time to sample more Eastern European fare, since we just can't get enough of this cuisine. DJ's Bistro is oddly placed in an unsuspecting mini-mall deep in the heart of Contra Costa County. This can be an arduous trek for anyone who's traveling from the other side of the tunnel or the city, but the sleepy inland suburbs allow for easy parking. Visitors do need to keep a careful eye out though because the restaurant is hidden and doesn't have the best signage.


DJ's Bistro has successfully created an European air of sophistication and simplicity. Fresh flowers dressed the tables along with crisp white linen table cloths. The restaurant is tiny and elegant. Posters of beautiful Czech regions grace the walls along with a few reprints from the fantastic Mucha. A huge screen TV looms over the pint-sized bar allowing dining guests and Czech regulars to stay in tune with the latest football news. Displayed behind the bar is an impressive collection of steins and beer mugs, and we each licked our lips at the selection of beers on tap. At the time of our visit, the bar was crowded with a jovial group of what appeared to be ex-pats who were enjoying the cozy confines of a home away from home.

As soon as we stepped in we were greeted with prompt and friendly service. A beautiful waitress took our drink orders and explained the specials of the day. The menu was impressive--however, despite what web reviews may say, DJ's does not cater to vegetarians, unless you count house salads--which we don't. As expected, the menu offered an assortment of saucy and meaty dishes. The liquor selection seemed to be promising, and we weren't sure if it was a typo or just Czech/Slovak humor but the price for a domestic beer read $8.50. This won our approval immediately!

Our meal began with green salads drenched in a tart and creamy dill dressing, accompanied by an assortment of sauerkraut, pickles and a slice of cantaloupe. We had the pleasure of enjoying two different kinds of sauerkraut. The red cabbage variety didn't quite compare to the regular sauerkraut. This appetizer served the excellent task of cleansing our palate for the ample course to come. Our party ordered the special of the day goulash, which was a hearty helping of savory meat and spices. The Slovak brochette, a heavy and tasty dish of marinated chicken in a mushroom sauce, satisfied the discerning palate. One disappointment that surprised our party was the Bohemian sauer braten, which was expected to come with a Czech bread dumpling. The tough meat in this dish also added to the dashed hopes.

A dining party, of course, cannot truly enjoy Czech/Slovak cookery without testing the jaeger schnitzel. This breaded pork cutlet was tender, perfectly crunchy and steeped in a rich, flavorful mushroom sauce. The most gratifying surprise of the evening was the spaetzle that accompanied each dish. The Euro fave came with a chomp. Instead of being boiled and served swimming in cheesy sauce, as some members have had their spaetzle, DJ's seems to fry their's with bits of wonderfully salty and crunchy bacon.

This Bohemian gem turned out to be a great authentic European bistro. And, with football season just around the corner, DJ's offers an ideal locale for catching upcoming games where fans can partake of fine foreign beers and delectable Czech/Slovak fare with a real feel for Euro tradition.


DJ's Bistro
1825 C Sutter Street,
Concord, CA 94520
Phone: (925) 825 3277
http://djsbistro.net/index.html