This week we explore some of the quick and casual options on Bellevue’s Fairfield Avenue, a street with endless options for food, drink and dessert. From breakfast to dinner, there’s something for everyone.
Elusive Cow Cafe
The Elusive Cow Cafe offers great variety for those wanting healthful choices in a casual, classic, Americana atmosphere. Of course, it still offers favorites like burgers and fries, but it also has ample options for all diets.
Start with nachos or loaded fries to share with the table before delving into sandwiches. The bulk of the menu covers the Elusive Cow’s famous sandwiches, inspired by cuisines all over the world. There’s caprese for a taste of Italy, falafel pita for a Mediterranean flare, a veggie wrap, burgers, chicken and club sandwiches. Of 13 choices, nearly half are either vegetarian, vegan or pescatarian.
In addition to sandwiches, entrees include tacos, fish and vegetable stir fry.
The drink menu focuses on canned beers and bottled wine, but it also has a full service bar to craft up a cocktail to pair with guests’ meals.
Siam Orchid
Siam Orchid has a blend of Asian flavors on its menu. The Thai-based meals are some of the best around. Don’t let the small interior fool you: The massive menu has abundant offerings.
Siam Orchid has arguably (well, in my humble yet correct opinion) the best Thai iced coffee in the area. (Believe me, I’ve tried almost all of them.) Coffee may not seem to be the best pairing for dinner, but trust me when I say order the Thai iced coffee (or Thai iced tea for non coffee drinkers). These drinks, made with sweetened, condensed milk, are like a pre-dinner dessert and a good balance to many of the savory dishes.
For starters, one can never go wrong with steamed dumplings or spring rolls, but Siam Orchid’s crab puffs with cream cheese, crab and shrimp are delectable and bite sized – ideal for sharing.
Entrees include a variety of stir fry dishes, noodles, fried rice and curries. Although the pad thai is deservedly a favorite, some other dishes deserve the same recognition. Chicken basil fried rice or pineapple fried rice are excellent options for those wanting familiar flavors while still trying something new. As the months get colder, kuy teav, a chicken thai noodle soup, will be sure to warm guests up on even the coldest days.
Bellevue Bistro
There are few things in life as satisfying as a quality, hearty breakfast with a cup of hot coffee. Bellevue Bistro has nailed that combination, making it the go-to spot for breakfast and brunch in the area. Like its neighbors listed above, it’s also a small establishment – an ideal cozy spot to begin your day.
Its claim to fame – and what newcomers cannot skip ordering – are the breakfast bakes. Served in skillets with breakfast potatoes as the base and topped with two fried eggs, they come in a variety of flavors. The Bellevue Bake comes with goetta, cheddar jack cheese and sauteed onions. The veggie or Mediterranean are great choices for vegetarians, and the surf and turf will satisfy meat lovers.
Besides breakfast bakes, the bistro has a variety of breakfast benedicts and hot browns, a fun way for out-of-towners to experience true Kentucky cooking. Those with a sweet tooth should opt for French toast, created with homemade cinnamon bread and topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream and a choice of chocolate sauce or, for adults, peanut butter-bourbon caramel sauce. Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast?
Although breakfast is what made it a local legend, the bistro’s lunches are equally delectable. Choices of French onion panini, cranberry turkey wrap and goetta grilled cheese make it nearly impossible to order just one item.
For refreshments, keep it cozy with a coffee or spice it up with a bloody mary. Whatever your vibe, Bellevue Bistro has it.
What To Know If You Go
Elusive Cow Cafe
Location: 519 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Website: theelusivecow.com
Phone: 859-291-0269
Siam Orchid
Location: 511 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m., Sunday closed.
Website: siamorchidbellevueky.com
Phone: 859-694-7700
Bellevue Bistro
Location: 313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wednesday, closed; Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Website: bellevuebistro.com/
Phone: 859-581-5600