Restaurant In A Car Dealership Food Review (Part 2): F-1 Bistro/Ferrari-Maserati/Redwood City

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F-1 Bistro

Address: 2750 El Camino Real, Redwood City

Last week, I reviewed Bistro 33 at a Mercedes dealership near Sacramento. Today, I will review F-1 Bistro inside a Ferrari-Maserati dealership in Redwood City.

Let me just start by saying that the food at F-1 Bistro is light years better than Bistro 33. I may have been a tad generous with my assessment of Bistro 33.

F-1 Bistro is an integral part of Ferrari and Maserati of Silicon Valley. It is right next to the receptionist’s desk and gift shop. It consists of a small open kitchen (very residential), a small bar with a few stools facing the kitchen, and five small tables. I am quite astounded by the kitchen fan’s power and lack of noise as the smell of food does not end up in the showroom at all.

I am greeted by a stand-offish cook. He is a one-man team and acts as the waiter, cashier, and maitre d’. First impressions are deceiving. He is actually a decent bloke and quite a talented chef.

I had the pan seared chicken breast ($18.99). It was the best chicken I’ve had in years. The skin was crispy but not crunchy. The large piece of meat, which included a leg, was tender, lean, and moist. It was served atop spinach and a white bean ragout. The portion seemed large when presented but was appropriate. A very fresh and healthy meal. My only small complaint was that it was a bit white wine-heavy.

My companion had the sausage and peppers with polenta ($12.99). I am not a polenta fan so I am not qualified to judge it. The sausage, though, was excellent.

When we went, there were only a few other diners. I don’t know how well the chef can handle a full house by himself. All in all, though, this is an excellent restaurant that just happens to be in a car dealership.

From the bistro, you can barely make out one of the cars in the showroom. But throughout our meal, we could hear the rumbling of V12s in the parking lot. I’m not a big fan of modern Ferraris (anything from the last two decades), so I didn’t check out the showroom after the meal.

Next stop: The Horseless Carriage at the Galpin dealership in L.A., which I will visit after The Best of France And Italy this Sunday.