Maple Street Bistro: A Culinary Gem in Florence, OR

Travel to Europe by eating here…seriously. Get pampered with delicious meals that are made to order, not mass-produced. Substitutions are not only allowed but actually welcome—how rare! Let the Monika the Polish chef & owner get creative & offer you what she thinks you’ll like. She’ll help you with wine pairings, best sides with your entree, and more. Perhaps she’ll even sit with you and chat about her travels or how she bakes her amazing olive and cheese bread—what a treat! Oh, and don’t forget her husband Joe’s efforts to keep your wine glass refilled, your table spotless, and your leftovers neatly arranged in your to-go box (because they will try to overfeed you, like any proper European…the portions are huge!). At the end of your meal (you will overstay your welcome and like any European place, that’s totally ok! Have another glass of wine!), you will feel you visited with old friends rather than just went out to eat. The table next to me had a couple who come here regularly from Seattle. Now I will be coming here regularly from California. So worth it! PS. Start with their amazing soups!

The salmon tartare was the best I've ever had! It was so good—fresh and delicious! Monika gave us lots of salmon, really worth the price. The fried chicken was very good, and the flowers in front of the house are very pretty!

Having traveled throughout Europe the last 25 yrs, to have an Austrian and Italian dining experience in a small Oregon coastal community was a surprise. Besides the dining experience, we had an enjoyable conversation with Monika(chef/owner) and John. The warm pear, pine nut, gargonzola bruschetta was delightful. The bread was in-house made. My wife dined on a smoked salmon/shrimp paparadelle entree. My entree was pork loin slices covered with a cream chanterelle leek sauce. I was asked if I would like mashed potatoes or noodles for my starch. My choice was mashed potatoes. They were smooth and buttery and added a background for the sauce. The restaurant is a converted home and has that coziness that accompanies a warm comforting meal. Well worth a visit if you are in Florence seeking a continental dining experience.

I just had one of the best meals of my life here. We started with a beet and goat cheese appetizer that was almost too beautiful to eat. The beets were sliced thin, layered with creamy goat cheese, figs, pine nuts, and a drizzle of balsamic—every bite was silky, bright, and perfectly balanced. Then came the dill pickle soup. I had never tried anything like it, and I’m convinced I may never taste something that delicious again. Imagine the comforting warmth of a chicken soup, but with a deeper, richer flavor and an incredible tang from the pickles. Absolutely unforgettable. For our entrées, we shared the duck ragu, slow-cooked for hours in red wine. The meat was so tender it melted in my mouth, served over fresh, homemade pasta that soaked up every bit of the sauce. Truly outstanding. We also had a pear and Gorgonzola salad, and genuinely, I’ve never seen a salad this beautiful. Pears, Gorgonzola, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, raspberries, honey and balsamic over fresh greens—perfectly balanced and stunningly presented. The chef and owner is Michelin-star-level talented, yet warm, funny, and deeply passionate about her craft. Talking with her was as memorable as enjoying her food. And Joseph, who served us, was wonderful—attentive, personable, and kind. Important to know: This is not Taco Bell. You do not rush this meal. Plan to be here at least two hours and let yourself sink into the experience. Excellence takes time—and it’s worth every minute. This was more than dinner—it was an experience. I cannot recommend this place enough.

The food is amazing, everything is fresh and prepared when you order it. The bread is made in house as well. Never had anything I didn’t like from Monika. She will help steer you towards what is best that day too. You are encouraged to make reservations and prepare to stay a few hours. Since she does all the cooking and the stove isn’t massive, it’s an experience. There is NO place like it in town. They won’t take more people than they can serve so if they tell you they’re full, believe them.

Summary: drive out of your way to eat here. Seriously. Details: The proprietor wants you to leisurely enjoy your meal and conversation, be that with your dinner companion or other friendly diners, so plan to stay a little longer than usual. You’ll want to relax and chew slowly to savor the homemade bread (if you are on a “no bread” kick, put that on pause for this meal), see if you can guess what makes the soup so exceptional (do NOT skip soup…we had the dill pickle and could’ve easily left in bliss having ate just it and the bread), and give yourself time to contemplate how she made the mushrooms in the Asian prom tenderloin dish melt in your mouth. Fresh ingredients, perfectly balanced sauces, and each dinner made to order…who knew you could get food like this in such a wee (and delightful, I might add) coastal Oregon town? You can and you should! The restaurant is small so make a reservation or enjoy a bottle of wine while you wait; it’s worth it. (I withheld 1 star on atmosphere because the tables are spartan and belie the caliber of the cuisine. Linen table cloths and a candle or fresh flowers would better prepare your mind for the taste sensation that awaits!)

This small restaurant does require reservations, however we called ahead to see if they could accommodate 2 more. She was delighted to have us. I recognized the owners accent. A Polish descent and the food was incredible. All home-made. Down to the pasta. Which is why she needs to know how much to make. As I have a friend from Warsaw also, we enjoyed her history.

Absolutely incredible! In an age where most restaurants seem to get all their dishes from Cisco, few dare to take a stand. Monika is over here doing things the old way, the right way and making everything from scratch with local ingredients that are ethically sourced. Now that alone should warrant a trip here but she doesn’t stop, not only are her recipes authentic they are also delicious. I stopped in and had a bowl of borscht on the faithful day her culinary expertise graced my palate. A simple meal of soup, bread, pâté, and pickled pumpkin touched my soul in a way no meal has in many years. If you find yourself hungry for more than food but life itself, I invite you to join Monika for a meal of culture and heart.