Willows Bistro

A new local eatery has popped up in Ballston Spa, offering a casual dining experience right in the village.
Willow’s Bistro, owned by Sandra James and Kiersten Houck, opened earlier this month at 11 Prospect St. in the village of Ballston Spa. Houck, who is the chef, previously operated a food truck called The Lunch Brake for three years on Bath Street in Ballston Spa and at Saratoga Winery in Saratoga Springs.
The co-owners both had longtime dreams of owning a restaurant and bar, and decided when they checked out the vacant Prospect Street rental space that they’d found the right place to try it out.
Houck sold the food truck and the duo invested in their first brick and mortar business.
With a completely different menu from The Lunch Brake, Willow’s Bistro offers casual dining in a small 15-seat restaurant.
The most popular menu item so far is the lobster mac and cheese topped with white truffle oil.
Guests have also been enjoying appetizers like the smoked mozzarella stuffed meatball and the bourbon and brown sugar shrimp served over three cheese polenta.
By far, the biggest hit on the dessert list is the lavender honey scented creme brulee.
In all of the dishes, Houck said, “We only use the freshest of everything here. Everything is made from scratch.”
Appetizers start at $10 and entrees range from $15 to $26.
Willow’s Bistro was awaiting its fermentables license, but is happy to announce that they are NOW SERVING WINE & BEER.
The atmosphere at Willow’s Bistro is both cozy and classy. Since remodeling started in December, Houck’s father custom built much of the eatery’s interior, and her mom made decor items like the curtains and pillows in the lounge area.
On the walls, Willow’s Bistro currently features art from local photographers, which is also for sale.
Outdoor bistro tables will be available in front of the restaurant this coming spring, and the owners hope to possibly open a side patio by summer.
“A lot of people say when they come here it feels like home to them and they never want to leave,” James said. “It’s nice comfortable place where they can eat, talk.”
Jazz and classical music is often playing throughout the dining area, setting a relaxing mood.
Customers appreciate that there’s no television in the restaurant. The bistro even has a sign at its entrance asking patrons to silence their cell phones.
James and Houck are currently the only staff members at the restaurant, but they expect to expand in the future. For now, however, they make a good team. “She’s strong where I’m not and vice versa. So it works out well for both of us,” Houck said.
Willow’s Bistro is open for dinner only from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The owners may begin offering Sunday brunch mid March of 2017.
Reservations are suggested. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Willow’s Bistro also offers catering for weddings and parties.
For more information visit the Willows Bistro Facebook page, Saratoga.com or call the restaurant at 518-288-3419.