In October, Fyfe's Corner Bistro celebrated their fifth anniversary of operation at the corner of East Washington Avenue and North Dickenson Street. Started in the fall of '93, Fyfe's owners Keith Bleu and Susan Breitbach wanted their restaurant to be a mainstay of the neighborhood. Using a light pasta and steak menu modeled after one from Bunns Restaurant in Burlingame, CA, Bleu and Breitbach viewed Fyfe's as being a good fit for the near eastside.

In a phone conversation with Paul Hughet from the restaurant, he reported that their operation had far exceeded the original expectations. Starting in the space once occupied by the Washington Host, Fyfe's has seen steady growth according to Hughet. Much of that growth is attributed to the owners' desire to have a hands-on operation and the fact that one or both of the owners are at the business every day.

Another example given by Hughet was the desire to fill the void left by the demise of the Fess. "We saw a real need for accommodating large groups since their closure. So, in May of this year," said Hughet, "we opened our upstairs banquet space. Since that time, we've serviced a large number of events in the space." Hughet added that the upstairs facilities provide a good exposure for their downstairs restaurant and its menu.

Fyfe�s also has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. See their ad in this issue for the groups that will be playing in January and February.

Future plans for the bistro include continuing their rotating display of local art and focusing on their upstairs banquet space, which seats more than 100, by marketing to larger groups than they have in the past.

- David Mandehr

Music Schedule for January and February

Friday, January 8 Ron Wood & Paul Hastil
Saturday, January 9 Jim & Rana Ripp with Joe Dieter

Friday, January 15 Gypsy Life
Saturday, January 16 Greg Boerner

Friday, January 22 Steve Mortrude
Saturday, January 23 Michael Gruber

Friday, January 29 Jim Stadovich
Saturday, January 30 Gypsy Life

Friday, February 5 Kelly DeHaven & Paul Hastil
Saturday, February 6 TBA

Friday, February 12 Steve Mortrude
Saturday, February 13 Jan Wheaton & Harris Lemburg

Friday, February 19 Jim & Rana Ripp with Joe Dieter
Saturday, February 20 Greg Boerner

Friday, February 26 Michael Hanson Jazz Group
Saturday, February 27 Kelly DeHaven & Paul Hastil



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