Cow by Bear

$$$$ • Bars, American, New American

About Cow by Bear

Cow by Bear offers an intimate and unique dining experience. Guests meet at a separate location, Nolita Hall, where they can enjoy a pre-dinner drink off a special menu. Afterward, they are walked across the street to a house that looks like it’s dedicated to intimate dinner parties. The space features ornately decorated tables and a lively ambiance filled with music, creating an exclusive feeling as guests arrive, often greeted with cocktails, wine, or beer. The culinary experience, led by Chef Bear and her team, includes a stunning table setting and an impressive five-course menu with wine pairings, mostly from Italy, which many find exciting and new. The menu offers different options, including vegetarian and carnivore choices, with some dishes shared and others unique to each. The wines are carefully selected and pair wonderfully with each course, enhancing the flavors.

Throughout the meal, each course is explained in detail, and the dishes are flavorful and well-presented. The first course features a squash dish with spiced pepitas and tahini, paired with a Chardonnay. The second course is a pasta with porcini mushrooms and a Parmesan truffle cream sauce, complemented by a white wine. The third course is a lamb cigar—shreds of lamb inside an egg roll-like wrapper, served with lemon and herbs, paired with red wine. The fourth course includes two pieces of filet mignon with pink peppercorn sauce, asparagus, and baked potato, paired with Cabernet. For dessert, there is a spice cake with pear cider and whipped cream, enjoyed with a cocktail.

Guests often mingle, share laughs, and learn about each other's stories between courses. Service is friendly, making it suitable for special occasions or just a fun night out. The experience is fun, memorable, and a great way to make new friends while enjoying excellent food and wine pairings. Many guests feel the experience is a bit different from what they expected, as they rarely see Chef Bear or watch him cooking, since he works in a kitchen not visible from the dining area. Overall, Cow by Bear is a truly special place to dine, offering a combination of great food, an engaging atmosphere, and the chance to enjoy a unique culinary adventure.