This hole in the wall was empty (we arrived at 5pm) and filled up between 6 and 6:30. The food was creative and delightful, portions were generous, service was attentive without being overbearing. The cost was higher than our average, but worth it. I don't recommend sitting at the window table even with the shades pulled. It appears that there was no A/C and it got quite warm. I see this as a special occasion stop in cooler months. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ken cubala
As a longtime vegan, it can still be tough to get a meal at some places, but these fine folks took care of me quite nicely. The chef even fixed me a desert that should be added to the menu, for my dining partners liked it as much as what they had ordered. Aside from the excellent dishes served, the staff are very courteous and personable. We had the fortune of having Olenna assigned to our table. She is a cheerful and intelligent part of an already cool place. She got answers to questions about menu items and made things work for us. Budmo (Cheers) to Olenna.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
mimi Lu
The environment was very cozy and the waitress was super friendly! I really loved the food especially the deserts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
nubia bonilla
We had such a wonderful experience here , the food was amazing and so unique can’t wait to be back !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pat Dunn
My husband and I decided to try a new (to us) restaurant last night and found The Black Bear Bistro to be a wonderful choice. We started off with mocktails that our helpful waitress offered to modify any drink for us from the cocktail menu. We appreciated this accommodation and the drink was a handcrafted version of a spicy Margarita that was great. The menu had a unique and large variety of items and specials. Trip of soups was a great appetizer choice and the squash with crab was the best and a “must try”. I loved the wide variety of yummy veggies in my vegetarian jambalaya and my husband’s lamb was delicious with just a touch of sweet date sauce. He raved about the cheesy mushroom risotto on mixed veggies side. The waitress and owner were helpful and added both a personal and professional touch to our dinner. I will be back to try more interesting dishes. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca Z
Very accommodating for vegans. The chef is so kind!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Szolek
The food did not meet our expectations, and the interior decor requires significant improvement. On a positive note, the waitress provided excellent and attentive service.
Katie French
we spent our night tonight there together just myself and my fiance. we had an absolutely wonderful experience. The owners were the most wonderful people. It was nice and quiet just him and I with a little music in the background with nice dim lighting. The food was out of this world! Very generous food portions! we will definitely be thinking about this place for a while!!! Honestly I don't think we could have had a better night! Thank you for making our night special
katie french
Omg we couldn't say enough good about this place. The service was out of this world, the atmosphere was perfect it was just us there, and the food was mouthwatering. We are going to be thinking of this place for such a long time. Definitely suggest coming on in and giving them a try!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nels Horan
The food is incredible. The service is great. It’s all around fantastic. Everyone must check this place out!
Loved this place, such a special place to celebrate accomplishments and milestones. The food was amazing and the service just as good. The couple owning the place are in every part and do an amazing job running the place. Looking forward to visiting them again soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna Tartare
Andrew Mokhur
I do not understand why the reviews are so high for The Black Bear Bistro. Tuna Tartare gave off a taste of ground. Grilled Calamari with chutney served with mashed potatoes… Why the potatoes? Poblano peppers stuffed with lobster and shrimp with cheese. Served with quinoa veggies and … mashed potatoes… disappointed with bland taste and waste of seafood. Sesame Crusted Swordfish is sesame drizzled swordfish served with undercooked wild rice risotto veggies and… mashed potatoes… with a burnt reduction sauce. I don’t know whether I am more appalled by the incoherent pairing for sides, abysmal quality of dishes, or the fact that somehow this bistro has, at the moment, 326 reviews with 4.5 star average. Thankfully the light drinks were half decent and helped water down the aftertaste. Small place with a few-item menu should have the dishes perfected. To each their own but I am not planning on coming back here again. $210 for food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Fish, Grilled Calamari
Nick Rodriguez
Absolutely amazing, the food was amazing, every item we ordered was spectacular including the wine pairing suggested by the chef. Service was phenomenal. Hands down the best restaurant in the NW suburbs and greater Chicagoland area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
William R Charles
Grill calamari is the best to die for and the snapper with that sauce they put over it is a bomb. Love it great chef. Was there for dinner 10th oct
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Caitlyn Wiley
The most delicious dinner and kind service!! I love how creative the menu is. The food is so yummy and the presentation is beautiful. Can’t wait to go again!!
This hole in the wall was empty (we arrived at 5pm) and filled up between 6 and 6:30. The food was creative and delightful, portions were generous, service was attentive without being overbearing. The cost was higher than our average, but worth it. I don't recommend sitting at the window table even with the shades pulled. It appears that there was no A/C and it got quite warm. I see this as a special occasion stop in cooler months. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As a longtime vegan, it can still be tough to get a meal at some places, but these fine folks took care of me quite nicely. The chef even fixed me a desert that should be added to the menu, for my dining partners liked it as much as what they had ordered. Aside from the excellent dishes served, the staff are very courteous and personable. We had the fortune of having Olenna assigned to our table. She is a cheerful and intelligent part of an already cool place. She got answers to questions about menu items and made things work for us. Budmo (Cheers) to Olenna.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The environment was very cozy and the waitress was super friendly! I really loved the food especially the deserts.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had such a wonderful experience here , the food was amazing and so unique can’t wait to be back !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I decided to try a new (to us) restaurant last night and found The Black Bear Bistro to be a wonderful choice. We started off with mocktails that our helpful waitress offered to modify any drink for us from the cocktail menu. We appreciated this accommodation and the drink was a handcrafted version of a spicy Margarita that was great. The menu had a unique and large variety of items and specials. Trip of soups was a great appetizer choice and the squash with crab was the best and a “must try”. I loved the wide variety of yummy veggies in my vegetarian jambalaya and my husband’s lamb was delicious with just a touch of sweet date sauce. He raved about the cheesy mushroom risotto on mixed veggies side. The waitress and owner were helpful and added both a personal and professional touch to our dinner. I will be back to try more interesting dishes. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very accommodating for vegans. The chef is so kind!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food did not meet our expectations, and the interior decor requires significant improvement. On a positive note, the waitress provided excellent and attentive service.
we spent our night tonight there together just myself and my fiance. we had an absolutely wonderful experience. The owners were the most wonderful people. It was nice and quiet just him and I with a little music in the background with nice dim lighting. The food was out of this world! Very generous food portions! we will definitely be thinking about this place for a while!!! Honestly I don't think we could have had a better night! Thank you for making our night special
Omg we couldn't say enough good about this place. The service was out of this world, the atmosphere was perfect it was just us there, and the food was mouthwatering. We are going to be thinking of this place for such a long time. Definitely suggest coming on in and giving them a try!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is incredible. The service is great. It’s all around fantastic. Everyone must check this place out!
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved this place, such a special place to celebrate accomplishments and milestones. The food was amazing and the service just as good. The couple owning the place are in every part and do an amazing job running the place. Looking forward to visiting them again soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna Tartare
I do not understand why the reviews are so high for The Black Bear Bistro. Tuna Tartare gave off a taste of ground.
Grilled Calamari with chutney served with mashed potatoes… Why the potatoes?
Poblano peppers stuffed with lobster and shrimp with cheese. Served with quinoa veggies and … mashed potatoes… disappointed with bland taste and waste of seafood.
Sesame Crusted Swordfish is sesame drizzled swordfish served with undercooked wild rice risotto veggies and… mashed potatoes… with a burnt reduction sauce.
I don’t know whether I am more appalled by the incoherent pairing for sides, abysmal quality of dishes, or the fact that somehow this bistro has, at the moment, 326 reviews with 4.5 star average. Thankfully the light drinks were half decent and helped water down the aftertaste. Small place with a few-item menu should have the dishes perfected. To each their own but I am not planning on coming back here again. $210 for food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Fish, Grilled Calamari
Absolutely amazing, the food was amazing, every item we ordered was spectacular including the wine pairing suggested by the chef. Service was phenomenal. Hands down the best restaurant in the NW suburbs and greater Chicagoland area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grill calamari is the best to die for and the snapper with that sauce they put over it is a bomb. Love it great chef. Was there for dinner 10th oct
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
The most delicious dinner and kind service!! I love how creative the menu is. The food is so yummy and the presentation is beautiful. Can’t wait to go again!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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