BL Bistro is locally owned and operated by Brian & Lizzie Mason.  Brian also acts as head chef and menu creator. Brian was born and raised in Amarillo and began his work in the restaurant business at 15 years old at the Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse on Western Street in Amarillo, with Tadamichi Tayama. After Kabuki, he moved on to various other jobs, moved to California and then back to Amarillo. In 1997, Brian moved to Dallas to attend culinary school, but shortly after moving there, he ran into some old friends from Kabuki. Teiichi Sakurai and Masayuki Otaka took Brian under their wings and gave him the opportunity to work in the kitchen at the best sushi restaurant in Dallas, Teppo Yakitori and Sushi Bar. After a couple of years at Teppo, Sakurai got the itch to open a new restaurant and took Brian with him. Tei Tei Robata Bar gave Brian the chance to work in every aspect of the business. He worked with the construction, in the kitchen, waiting tables, bartending and as Manager.  In May of 2000, Brian packed up to move back to Amarillo with his fiance, Lizzie. They were married in July and opened BL Bistro at 2916 Wolflin Ave. on August 16, 2000. Five years later BL Bistro had outgrown its location on Wolflin.  Brian then had an incredible opportunity to relocate to a vacant bank drive-up facility.  After a few city commission meetings and even a dead lock decision, BL Bistro finally was awarded the location on Austin Street.  Construction began in the Spring of 2005 and the doors opened  August 3, 2005.  Many wonder how to turn an old bank into a state of the art restaurant, but with Brian's talent and vision there is no doubt it would be spectacular! Since August 2000, BL Bistro has been named by Amarillo's Accent West Magazine, "Best New Restaurant,"  "Best Desserts,"  "Most Romantic," and "Best Gourmet Food," just to name a few...  The letters "BL" stand for Brian and Lizzie!
		Return to Home