French Food In Greensboro? Oui, Le Print-Works Bistro!

C'est le Print Works!

Who the Hell names a French restaurant "Print Works?" What the heck does it all mean? I mean, there's the Print Works in Manchester England, an entertainment complex in the place of a former print shop and press... but why for a French restaurant in Greensboro? There's not even a "Le" in front of it! The only answer I can come up with is, is that it's a disguise to keep the social classless rednecks such as myself completely ignorant to the fact Greensboro has a French food restaurant. I mean, after all, you don't want me showing up in jeans and a shirt demanding to be served quality food. I might realize there's more to life than K&W Cafeteria and revolt. I mean the place doesn't even print the prices on the menu, so how is the less than average person such as myself decided if they can even afford it while begging for change on some corner of Martin Luther King JR Drive?

En Greensboro, Ouais!

I've watched enough television to know, if you have to ask the price then the place isn't for you. Unfortunately for them we didn't quite care, and went anyways. If the credit card gets declined, then "Oh well", what are they going to do- pump my stomach? I mean, I was dying for some French food. My go-to cheap French place in Cary was too far to drive, and literally if I didn't do something fast I might have stabbed someone with a baguette if I didn't get some NOW!

Located in one of the world's most eco-friendly hotels: The Proximity (also the greenest Restaurant in America) we walked in and were seated outside by a tiny stream, (may have been a decorated sewage run-off) under an umbrella table with French music playing. It's upscale and faux French. Don't get me wrong, it's nice- just not very French. In France, they'd face you toward the road... and you'd observe people cursing, dogs crapping, and children crying. Here there were butterflies, and several well-dressed executives giving us dirty looks as we ordered without their snoberish accent. Luckily our waiter garnered a bit of respect when we correctly pronounced "frites" instead of "FRY-TEZ" or worse "French fries".... and that's where the tables began to turn. Our Garcon (waiter) wasn't very French, heck, he didn't even have an accent. Sure he was nice, attentive, and everything you could ever want in a waiter... but he wasn't French. In fact other than the food, I was clearly the most French thing there. I really wanted to order in French... but I didn't think he'd understand. After-all he was just somebody from Greensboro paid to be nice. It was a job, not a lifestyle. He probably leaves in his Camaro to watch American football and protest with the Tea-Party. Let's up the ante Proximity, and buy this guy Rosetta Stone. Teach him a few French phrases. S'il vous plait?

Steak and Frites. 

But lets not dwell on that. What the Chef has done here is offer many, what would be, rather cheap French street (or cafe) foods, and make them "upscale". Steak and frites, croque monsieur, and quiche lorraine all available for a rather reasonable price that taste amazing. The seared hanger steak in my dish was probably the best steak I've ever had in my life. Shannon's pan seared bacon wrapped scallops were enough for her to claim she had a mouth orgasm. I was a bit disappointed to not find a Le Americain (or a shawarma baguette) just to blow my mind a bit; but, whatever they're doing here, food-wise, is perfect. A bit pricey, ($37 for us two) as expected, (Somebody has to pay for the London taxi out front.) but cheap enough that even us average people can afford it. (At least on lunch.) Since it's the only place in town serving real (Americanized) French food... that's really good... I'd say it's a bargain. Technically this might be the best restaurant in Greensboro. Seriously. I can't wait to go back.

Print Works Bistro
702 Green Valley Road,
Greensboro, NC 27408
336-379-0699