Restaurant review: Banter in Denton

by Jeph Burton of North Texas Daily , Chris Speight of North Texas Daily

Calm, comforting and cozy are just a few adjectives that come to mind when thinking about Banter, a bistro of sorts.

Banter has a contemporary design that’s not quite minimalist. It is clean and has an open feeling to it.

An edgy, concrete wall takes up the left side. Adorned with abstract, eccentric, “out-there” designs, there are plenty of visual objects to capture attention and start conversations.

Most of the artwork is made up of intricate drawings in stencil, pastel and ink. A feng-shui chain hangs from the ceiling in the corner; it’s interlaced with plastic tubing that drips water into a small pool.

On the bricked right wall, you’ll find the 28-foot-long bar stocked with wine and beer.

The wine selection is limited to say the least, having only two reds and two whites to choose from, but Banter makes up for it with its beer selection, which features a colorful array of some popular beers from around the world.

Jeph started with a glass of merlot and Chris had a Flying Dog Dogtoberfest.

It took 20 minutes for our orders to arrive, but the wait was well worth it.

The Thai chicken salad came in a deep serving dish, filled to the brim with mixed greens and diced chicken. The dressing, an explosively flavorful blend of spice, ginger, peanut butter and soy sauce, was served on the side. Craisins cut the earthiness of the greens and the dressing, adding a fun kick of sweetness to each bite.

The capresi panini was delicious. Imagine grilled panini bread coated with basil-pesto oil, melted slices of mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and add turkey. This will cost you $7.99.

The menu features a wide selection of sandwiches, soups, paninis, and salads, all made with fresh ingredients and cooked to order. Almost every item on the menu features a classic pairing made special by the addition of something unique.

All around us, Banter showcased its universal appeal.

The crowd was a mixed bag, some there to take advantage of the free WiFi, others there merely to hang with friends. In the far back, a comfortable lounge area replete with a small bookcase and an assortment of board games can help you kill time.

Your coffee fix can be sated by a delicious cup of Banter’s house blend or popular espresso beverages like lattes and macchiatos.

The atmosphere keeps everyone completely down-to-earth and invites its staff to do the same. The friendly bartender came to greet us as soon as we hit the bar and was more than happy to make a few drink recommendations.

The food was altogether delicious, but what was most surprising was how easy Banter makes it to just hang out. Having finished our meals, the coffee shop/bar ambiance encouraged us to just lounge around.

It comes as no surprise then that this restaurant with a bit of an identity crisis should also offer live music.

Every Thursday is open-mic night at Banter, while Fridays and Saturdays are normally booked for local bands. The first Tuesday of every month also kicks off a special night called “Hot Klub du Denton,” featuring the music of Django Reinhardt.

Banter is a great stop because it has something for everyone: food, coffee, alcohol, books, games, free WiFi and some very comfortable couches.

It’s a great alternative bistro without too much of a crowd. You don’t need to go with a group to enjoy yourself here.