Vandorin's Bistro
As the most luxurious and in-demand dining establishment on Starbase Bravo, Vandorin's Bistro is exclusive and hard to get into no matter if the docking bay is full or empty. You either have a table at Vandorin's, or you do not. Run by Esterra Vandorin, a Betazoid chef of impeccable taste, the bistro seeks to provide the most evocative gastronomic experience on the station. Unsurprisingly, it is easier for admirals, diplomats, and highly-respected experts to jump the waiting list and enjoy a booking. With white-linen service, fresh food, music provided by a real string quartet, and Esterra herself often on-hand to provide recommendations, dining at Vandorin's is pure joy. This is not the sort of restaurant, however, that exists to cater to the whims of its customers. While any cocktail or spirit can easily provided, ordering food off-menu or requesting substitutions will be met with a flat "no," regardless of your rank or social standing.
Location and Layout
The entry to the Bistro is on Level 3 of the Main Promenade, exactly halfway between two of the cross-over bridges that connect the main wheel to one of the medium docking modules and one of the small docking modules. The grand foyer has seating for those waiting for their parties, and a long counter which is staffed with a half-dozen hosts, hostesses, and the maitre d', who keep a close watch on several terminals showing reservations to make sure that everything runs like clockwork.
The two identical dining rooms flank the foyer, providing seating for about forty people each. They do not have real windows, but rather simulated ones that change with the time of day to show in real-time what the sky looks like from the planet's surface. Each dining room has a mix of tables for different-sized parties, but is mostly set up for parties of two and four at round tables.
Vandorin's also has several private dining rooms on hand for secure meetings over dinner, as Esterra understands her clientele and the need for discretion. These can range from simply providing an oasis within an oasis away from the station's regular population to high-stakes dinners for the top brass, with meticulously-crafted special menus just for the attendees. The private dining rooms are located between the main dining rooms and the station's hull, so they do have viewports looking out into space.
Those not wishing to dine can also take advantage of Vandorin's elaborate cocktail bar
Vandorin's Bistro In-Play
- During the Osiris Initiative, this space was host to several highly exclusive gatherings for the fleet's biggest big wigs. It's the place that you think of when you hear about backroom dealings or agreements hashed out in smoky rooms. If you're a cadet, you're unlikely to get in here.
- Some flag officers use this as either a special treat for visiting captains or their staff or as a way to intimidate the uninitiated. So, if you're invited here for lunch, it either means you're in the 'in crowd', or you're being tormented.