Bistro Margot Shoots for a May 10 Opening

If you've wandered along SW Morrison Street lately, you might've wondered what was going on in the old Marmo space at the corner of 11th Avenue, where, for weeks, the windows have been lined with butcher paper.

Well, it looks like that butcher paper will be coming down soon, unveiling Bistro Margot, a new morning pastry and lunchtime restaurant that could open as early as May 10.

Over the weekend, we spoke with the bistro's owner, lifelong industry veteran Mike Piper, who also owns the nearby Elysian Ballroom.

Piper says he aims to quietly open his 30-seat space next month in order to give his staff the time to dial in both its recipes and its service.

Once it does open, expect pastries and Stumptown Coffee drinks in the morning, followed by lunchtime and afternoon sandwiches (tri tips, ham and Swiss, vegetarian), salads (Cobbs, capreses, Niçoise), and snacks (daily soups, deviled eggs, ceviche). There will also be a pastry case where you can find desserts, as well as grab-and-go items for the perpetually rushed.

Once his staff find its sea legs, Piper says the bistro will stay open later for dinner, allowing the kitchen will put out a menu of mains and sides (with dishes like coq au vin and beef bourguignon), and the bartenders to mix and stir up a menu of a classic and signature cocktails that runs 22 drinks deep.

Piper says he also plans to open on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch in the coming weeks.

If all goes according to plan, Bistro Margot could open as early as May 10.

Stay tuned.

Bistro Margot: 1037 SW Morrison St., 503-222-0725