Piedmont Bistro is the restaurant east Lincoln regulars won’t stop recommending. Chefs Justin Stutzman and Christina Bugay run an upscale-casual bistro menu built for sharing: seared scallops that come up in every review, the spinach gouda dip that starts most tables, charcuterie boards, filets and duck for the main event. It’s consistently good in a way that turns first-timers into regulars — the staff recognizes people, and people notice.
The local notes: the patio is dog-friendly with an actual Canine Cuisine menu, which is exactly as fun as it sounds. Weekend brunch (Friday through Sunday) is a scene — steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy — so reserve. Happy hour draws a crowd, and the Cotner Room handles private gatherings.
Business casual, full bar, and parking in the Piedmont lot. It’s the rare neighborhood restaurant that locals treat as their special-occasion place and their Tuesday place at the same time.