Aug 24, 2009 I think that this restaurant has opened recently and is trying to build a following. Quaint donwntown location. Food ranges from gourmet burgers to more hearty fare and was quite good. The server tried hard to please. ...
Amazing!
Nov 2, 2009 We drive from Catharpin to BBB just for the appetizer menu alone! We've been three times since opening and can't wait to come back! Last night had the best clam dip I've ever eaten in my life and the cauliflower/goat cheese soup is worth every gallon of gas to get there. The waiter was patient with our antics and had a great attitude. Great local produce, cheese, wine... And the patio downstairs is dog friendly!!!!!! We love love love this place!Henry S.
Warrenton, VA
9/20/2009
Been there twice now, once solo for lunch to scout the place out, and once with the wife and (3) kids. Both times I've had great, friendly, service and they've gone out of their way to keep us/me happy. The only have Virginia beers on tap, and they few I tried were good. (EDIT: They do have a selection of bottled beers - corona, coors, miller lite, etc.) For my lunch visit, had the soup (red bean and bacon) and the oyster/wings combo appetizer, and it was very good. I really like the diverse menu - not your typical ruby-apple-beni-fridays corporate stuff, but food that you can tell is actually made on the premises. As another review mentioned, prices are reasonable, and the portions are generous. For our dinner visit, kids had the spaghetti and meatballs ($5 per kids meal), and their plates would have filled me up. The wife and I kept their leftovers for lunch the next day. The meatballs were real handmade ones, not the processed stuff you get at most places, which was a pleasant surprise, even if they kids didn't appreciate it. My wife liked her soup and salad, and I liked my steak sub - I mentioned the same thing to my wife as another reviewer - actual real steak, not steak-um stuff, and locally produced cheese. Very very good steak sub, and the bun was nicely toasted.
We tried out the new(ish) Black Bear Bistro for the first time last night. We weren't fans of the restaurant that it replaced in that space (Crescendo) so we weren't sure what to expect. We were definitely pleasantly surprised. We're big on eating local foods and this is a local foodies dream! Most of the menu items seemed to contain at least one local ingredient and some were almost entirely local. Entrees were reasonably priced ($12-18) and they had a very respectable sandwich menu for even cheaper ($7-9). We had a local beer and a cranberry juice to drink, shared the local goat cheese bake as an appetizer, a hummus wrap, the prime rib special and a french bread pizza (for our son off the "cub's menu") all for $45. Service was fairly friendly, if a little slow. We weren't in a hurry, so this was no problem. The set-up of the restaurant is nice. There's the pub-like dining room at street level that you walk into. Through a set of doors and down some stairs is the Sweeny's Cellar Martini Bar as well as two additional dining rooms. They put us in one of the downstairs dining rooms which was perfect as we had a 10-month old dining with us and the downstairs rooms were all but deserted. Additionally, they have a "dog-friendly" patio out back. I did notice people smoking on the patio, which always bothers me because I love to sit outside, but prefer not to have to do it with people smoking next to my baby It's a pet peeve I guess, but I prefer restaurants to not allow smoking on the patio. Overall a nice place that we definitely intend to return to!
My family and I were in downtown Warrenton over the weekend and decided to stop in at the new place Black Bear Bistro. The upstairs was decorated with bears everywhere even on the fan pull chains. I guess they like bears, but not that that was a bad thing, was cute. We were there at the height of the lunch hour and every table filled up, not that the upstairs is very large. Has a bar area too. I ordered the cheese steak sandwich and it was excellent, bread was toasted and they used real slices of steak, not steakums. Nicely melted cheese with grilled onions, perfect. I can't quite remember what my wife ordered, but she said it was very good also. The kids split a triple decker PB & J, used all natural peanut butter and looked like low sugar jelly. Healthy, but probably most kids wouldn't enjoy it. Very good experience, will definitely go back. Didn't go downstairs to see the cellar dining area, but I think they offer a little more upscale dining in the evenings there. Plus there is an outside patio dining area which was closed at the time also.
Wonderful Food - amanda - Jul 14, 2009 The Black Bear Bistro on Main St. in Warrenton, Va is now one of my favorites. Although, they are fairly recent, and have only been open for 3 weeks time now, with a grand opening on Thursday, I wouldn't have guested it. Their service is absolutely phenomenal. I ate downstairs on the patio in the evening. The wine, and appetizers were wonderful. They are serving all local Virginia food, and wines, which is nice, to give back to the local farms and communities means alot to me. I support that 100%. And the prices for the food is well priced, deffinately not overpriced. You can eat at Black Bear Bistro, and Sweeney's Martini Bar and restaurant and have a much better experience and dinner than anywhere else on Main St. The Black Bear Bistro has the perfect family environment, with professional staff and owners. I will be a regular customer.
- mscaseycurl - Jul 17, 2009 I agree with Amanda! Tonight (7/16) was the “grand opening” (we saw an ad in the paper), and everything was absolutely perfect. The food is amazing! We loved the fact that we had two menus from which to choose too – one featured specials based on what was available from local farmers, and you can't get any fresher than that! I, personally, found the prices more than reasonable – prime rib was less expensive than steak house chains, and SO much better with generous portions too. Can't comment on the Martinis since I didn't order one (we had a lovely bottle of Virginia wine though) , but I was told it is coming – can't wait. We found the staff to be friendly, professional, and knowledgeable as well. You guys have a definite repeat customer here. Even my husband was happy, and he is REALLY picky. Whew, nice to have a, now, old standby close to home. Thanks! We'll be back soon
Can't Say Enough About this Place! - L - Aug 2, 2009 I΄ve become a regular of this place since its opening day. They offer the best burger in town, and the local cheeses are nothing short of addictive. The owner/staff dynamic is incredible, and the staff provide an atmosphere and quality of service that makes it entertaining to be there even if you΄re dining alone at the bar. The bartenders in particular are solicitous and attentive. I had a killer creamy garlic-jalapeño soup this week, and love the fried green tomatoes. They accommodate special orders -- such as a slice of blueberry pie I had with that crackling sharp Oak Springs sharp cheddar, yum! I can΄t say enough good things about this place, and the food will just get better as they grow with their customer base. You΄re missing out if you don΄t make a point to drop by at least once.
