A Sunday afternoon drive to pick up friends from Pensacola International Airport resulted in an epicurean pleasure by way of George Bistro + Bar on 9th Avenue in “The City of Five Flags.“ Very close to the airport, I did the right thing by making a reservation because, at 5:30 p.m. on a Sunday, it was bustling! 

The Southern charm is evident from the moment you approach the front door where a lovely porch has tables for outside dining and even a porch swing for relaxing. The hostess sent us to the bar to wait for our table and we perused the cocktail menu and chatted with a new father waiting for takeout for his wife who was in the hospital with a new baby and very hungry for a meal from George!  

George is George Lazi, who was born and raised in Soviet Georgia and spent much of his youth in the family kitchen learning to appreciate feeding his family and his soul. At 19, he immigrated to New York City, after graduating from Dental School. He was immediately drawn back to his true passion which was cooking and he began working in a deli in Queens. 

Eventually graduating from Culinary School, he worked his way into several prestigious restaurant positions and finally was Head Corporate Chef of a Mediterranean restaurant, Fig and Olive. In 2013, he and his wife, Luba. moved to Northwest Florida, and George took his career to the next level and opened his first restaurant.

After a few sips of a delicious Chateau Du Campuget Rose, our table was ready and we were seated in a cozy booth in the main dining room. The menu was enticing and George calls his food “ South meets South '' fusion combining the best of his travels to the South of France with fresh local ingredients found in the Florida Panhandle. 

We skipped the appetizers, but I was certainly tempted by Green Curry Pei Mussels and Fig + Pear Ricotta. For our entrees, I had Seared Scallops, butternut squash puree, and crispy brussel sprouts with bacon. The sweet flavor of the squash blended with the salty scallop was a match made in heaven. I had a bite of my husband's Short Ribs with Wild Mushroom Parmesan Ravioli, and it had a succulent earthy, creamy taste. 

Our friends had everyone’s favorite Shrimp and Grits and Local Grouper with roasted spaghetti squash. The service was excellent as well and we were so excited with our dinner that we ordered dessert, pumpkin spice creme brulee, and turtle cheesecake with four spoons of course!

Next time you are coming or going to the Airport, or having a stay in Pensacola, I highly recommend a visit to George Bistro+ Bar at 6205 North 9th Avenue. They are open seven days a week for lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner. According to their website, George and Luba have another heralded restaurant called Pearl & Horn at the Garden at Palafox and Main. It’s at the top of my list on my next visit to Pensacola!