I love the duo activity here of dinner and museum, or vice versa. Great cocktails and butcher's plate. Mediocre entrees (chili rubbed rib eye and Berkshire pork chop). They praise any menu items that are fired up and believe me, the fire looks a bit too big for safety from what I saw in their open kitchen. Both meat items were overcooked and bland in my opinion. The ambiance is contemporary, just like the museum and hotel surrounding it. Service is also great even though they screwed up my friend's dish twice.
(3)
Virginia C.
Inside the 21C Hotel, this is a pretty modern place for lunch. If you also want a Penguin (yes, Penguin) to join you for brunch, then just ask. The menu and food was absolutely fantastic. This is only not a 5 star review, because the service was just slow - not awful and friendly, but I despise my counterpart getting their meals before mine by 20 minutes. The Bostonian in me is super impatient when appetizers come out after meals and meals are not served at the same time with their parties. With that said, it was worth the wait. Pros: Atmosphere, no line Fried Chicken, Grits, and Biscuits (LIKE THE BEST THING ON THE MENU) Fried Catfish (pretty cool except you couldn't compare this to the Fried Chicken). Bacon/Sausage, etc. everything brunch Cons: Inconsistent timing of service For some reason, I thought Bentonville was a dry county when visiting in the area - but they have a full bar and pretty decent cocktails. I had a non-alcoholic Veruca Salt (includes japanese, honey, lime, and fresh genadine) - but next time one must add a splash of vodka.
(4)
Amy C.
I wanted to be impressed by this place, but instead was underwhelmed. The decor/atmosphere is open, hip, and comfortable, even with the obnoxious green penguins randomly scattered around. And no, I don't want one close to my table. They're creepy and most likely a waste of the poor servers' time to move around. The drinks: I don't remember the names of our cocktails, but both were made with bourbon for "bourbon appreciation month" or something. We initially asked our server if the bartender could just "make us something awesome" off the menu, but were told that wasn't a thing. Really? When is that not a thing? Whatever. The drinks were still very good -- well-balanced and not too heavy on the bourbon. The food: Summer Vegetable Gazpacho appetizer Seared Diver Scallops Berkshire Hog Chop The Gazpacho was the opposite of interesting. It was nicely chilled, but a little gritty and one-noted. The garnishes did nothing to add to or vary the flavors. Though we were unimpressed, we were committed to finishing the dish. Sadly, every 5 minutes someone came by to try to clear the dish, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE STILL EATING IT. CLEARLY. This happened at least 3 times. Super weird. When we asked the server for entree recommendations, they gave us the most mundane/popular dishes -- scallops and pork chop. I was disappointed at the lack of insight or interest in the menu, but we ended up ordering those anyway because we were curious. The Scallops came nicely seared ON ONE SIDE. The other side just barely touched the fire. Super sad. The beans/pork/breadcrumbs they came with seemed more like an afterthought than an accompaniment. The Chop was overdone. Dry on the outside but super tasty close to the bone -- like 2 bites worth. The apples/carrot/green beans did nothing to add to the dish, but I ate them anyway. Again, the server and others came by multiple times to try to clear my plate before I was finished. I got the feeling at this point that they were just doing their best to get a quick turnaround on tables. Thanks a lot for making me feel rushed. That's my favorite thing during a dinner with pricey food. Love that. We didn't order any desserts, but the weird cotton candy came anyway. What's the deal with the cotton candy? It doesn't make any sense, just like the penguins. And that's my impression of this place -- kind of weird, inconsistent, poor execution of what should be amazing food, and service more concerned with quantity than quality. Good luck!
(3)
Mark H.
A lovely place!!! The Hive is cool, funky and upscale, without being stuffy and pretentious. Service is impeccable and I appreciated the attentiveness of EVERYONE on staff. What is most notable is the fact that all staff members regard every patron in the room as their own customer. So, the busy bar tender who didn't take my order, or fashion my cocktail, still took a moment to change out my beverage napkin and refill my water glass. I geek out over superb service, so I was totally digging the Hive...and this staff! In addition to this tremendous staff, the food (especially the Pimento Cheese served with bacon jam) was superbly sublime! The small plate appetizers complemented my fantastic cocktails -- especially the Queen Anne, not to be confused with the legendary cocktail served at the Algonquin Hotel, but a version served with El Dorado 12 Demerara Rum, and a coconut house syrup. It was a light and refreshing summer afternoon rum cocktail (I was just missing a veranda for my cocktail sipping). All-in-all, this experience was beyond expectations, and expectations were rather high! I look forward to my return visit to The Hive!!!
(5)
Ralphie S.
This just became one of my favorite places. I visited 21c Hotel a year ago to see a very fun collection of contemporary art, including large piece installations of cars and beds and electrical pieces and video. This trip i timed it so I could have lunch also. The Hive incorporates the art and those pesky green penguins to give a sleek yet open feel. I had the Griddled Pimento cheese that was melt in your mouth delicious and sampled my buddies Pork Shwarma wrap. Tasty! The place was pretty slow, so our waiter spent a lot of time at our table and 2 others nearby. I could say that he was borderline pretentious and annoying, but that would be a disservice to his true knowledge and passion for what he was doing. He treated his job as an art form, he educated his customers on Australian wine, food preparation equipment, Muslim culture, rice growing, Indian art...A true showman... "Our chefs not only use locally sourced organics, but other bio-dynamic ingredients", ok that settles that , give me a side of the locally sourced and crunch up the bio dynamics right on top. Not trying to mock, just enjoyed the deep intelligence and unique presentation. Next trip to NWA I will come for dinner and dig deeper into the menu, and hope I get the same "pretentious" waiter!
(5)
Kelly S.
This was a great little gem of a find! Food was presented nicely. The pork belly was awesome. After dinner I was able to browse the art gallery. Had a lovely evening out after long travel and work day!
We extensively researched restaurant options for our three day weekend in NW Arkansas and settled on The Hive for our last brunch before hitting the road. The space is weird. Giant green penguins everywhere - do you like dining with a toddler sized penguin all up in your business? The dining room was empty. We were one of three tables eating over a 90 minute span. Regardless, service was slow. The brunch menu didn't seem particularly special but a few dishes stood out. The smoked trout appealed to us and though I didn't order it I was stoked to try a bite of my neighbors in exchange for some BMF (buttermilk milk fried) chicken on a biscuit. Our server came out a few minutes later to tell us that they were out of trout. Dude settled on a burger, medium rare, instead. Strike 1. This might be a bummer of a review so let me start with the good: bloody mary. Though not well adorned, the flavor was nice (very brine forward) and vodka generous. The shandy with Ozark APA stole the show. The entire show. And the fries and potatoes. Solid. But no more solid than my favorite greasy spoons. The bad: The burger was not even close to medium rare. Medium well-ish. If you can't cook an expensive burger to order what do you have left? Strike 2. The chicken on a biscuit states "secret spice." I'm not sure....but it might be honey. It was crazy sweet with a touch of vinegar. All I could taste was honey. The dark meat was great but I felt like the sweetness took away from any positive aspects of the dish. Strike 3. Everything we ate was mediocre at best. It was a bit disconcerting to eat Sunday brunch as one of only two parties in the joint. And I'm bummed that the highlight of my $20+ tab was a $7 bloody mary...
(2)
Teresa C.
We went in for breakfast recently. My husband was fondly remembering their breakfast sausage-there was no greeter ready at the door, and it took quite a while to be given menus and coffee. Several parties arrived after us, and they experienced the same wait. The food was good, but not remarkable. On this little staycation, I could've been talked into a Mimosa or something really interesting.
(3)
Jessica B.
Fun atmosphere and a great place to grab a cocktail. Interesting menu with lots of options. A more mature crowd, but that's a good thing. A must see in Bentonville!
(4)
Barbara P.
Great atmosphere in the 21C Hotel! The unique feature was the presence of a large green penguin who joined us in the middle of our meal, after dining with some other patrons. Another interesting piece was the green cotton candy that was brought at the end of our meal....The lagnape. The radicchio with the 25 minute egg was special.
(3)
Jason H.
Wow, a little piece of heaven tucked away in the Ozark Mountains. As a Dallas resident, I can honestly say the meals I had at or from The Hive over my two day stay were as good, if not better, than just about any of the top restaurants in Dallas.
(5)
John K.
Decent food with great drinks. The menu changes, but I have had very decent ox tail and gamey meats, which is rare. The place is very trendy too. Good for drinks and appetizers more than dinner.
(4)
Jake M.
A better name would be "The Hype." The food here is average at best, with a lot of safe new-american fare that won't impress your palette. The cocktails are probably the most inventive part of the restaurant, although they are fully leaning-in on the handlebar mustache mixologist cliche that swept the nation 5 years ago. Probably the most offensive aspect of the restaurant has been the service. On our last visit, the host sung the praises of our waiter being a master sommelier who would dazzle us with his knowledge of food and wine and make our night truly special. When he finally showed up, fedora and all, he curtly took our order and scampered off before we could order an appetizer. His attitude remained that way throughout the meal, doing the bare minimum required. If the restaurant operated at a lower price point and didn't have some of the most pretentious wait staff in the area, I might give a higher review. Consider me un-dazzled.
(1)
Ken B.
We have eaten at The Hive at least five different times (one being room service while at 21c Museum Hotel) and every time it has been excellent. If you are from Kansas City, the comparison I would give is the restaurant Rye. It's elevated comfort food done with a modern sensibility. Every cocktail we have had has been tastefully made. My favorite is The Pineapple Express (rum, dark rum, & a pineapple-espresso shrub)....... stupidly good. Every appetizer, entree and dessert have been fantastic. If not in the mood for an entree, the Hive Burger is topped with home made pimento cheese and is pretty frickin spectacular, too. The pecan pie doesn't look like anything special, but it's quiet fantastic and I would highly recommend. The service has been knowledgeable, friendly and attentive on every single visit. A manager has stopped by the table to check in on us on every visit. The decor is clean and modern, fitting within the walls of the modern hotel that it sits. If visiting Bentonville, driving through Bentonville or even close to Bentonville, stop by The Hive and have a great experience.
(5)
Mark L.
Mixed experiences here on the food. Craft drinks are great but take time to get service at bar. Had a fatty tough pork belly which I don't recommend. Needed a major steak knife to break it up so it could be tasted. Server agreed it was tough but kept it on the bill. Servers are a tad arrogant on occasion and service can be spotty at the bar. Grouper was overcooked, tough and bland. Previous experiences with food was better. But $80.00 bucks for two drinks and this poor meal was not worth the spend. Hope they can be more consistent in the future. Love the museum hotel art as well.
(2)
Anne P.
Very pleasantly surprised at this Bentonville restaurant in the heart of the town. The food, the service and the atmosphere were marvelous. If you didn't know you were in Bentonville, this restaurant could be located in Manhattan with a bill three times the price. It was so good for dinner that we went back for a wonderful breakfast. I even hesitate to write such a good review since I want to be able to get a reservation next time I am in town. A gem!
(5)
Silvana S.
They only get points for ambiance. Very well decorated but that is all there is. The food is mediocre (and the prices are just not justified based on what you get). Don't bother unless you are only looking for ambiance. If you want good food - just go somewhere else.
(2)
Riccardo S.
I'm very torn in this review. Different aspects of my experience at The Hive varied so wildly, from the bar, to the food, to the disappointing service that I could score it 4 ways - but ultimately the customer interaction failed. Upon arrival, the welcome was very cold. I'd booked via OpenTable, and upon giving my name, the hostess confirmed that I did have a reservation but that I needed to take a seat elsewhere because "we run a tight operation here". Hmm...10 minutes early, and a strange way to put it. OK - off to the bar. Now - the bartender. Wish I could remember his name, but look for the guy with the cool and heavily waxed mustache. Great Sazerac production - with attention to detail, showmanship, and a fantastic product. Really wish we'd decided to stay at the bar... Juuuust as I sat down, hostess comes back and asks "Are you ready?" *sigh* OK... As my colleague and I are settled into our table, squeezing into the first booth, we are greeted by...nobody. Bit of abandonment, not a good sign. Daniel comes over to introduce himself, asks about water, and takes note of my colleague drinking a Dr. Pepper. Now - Daniel is probably the only other service high note of the night, as during the meal, without prompting, a Dr. Pepper appeared as my colleague's drink ran low. Unbidden, no mistake - good service on the busser side. He tells us the story of the penguins, and in short order brings one to our tableside to be our dining companion. Very cool! Daniel then tells us that Holly will be over shortly to take our order and get us started. *crickets* Hostess drops a candle in the middle of the dining room. Glass explodes all over the floor and isn't fully cleaned up. *crickets* One of the managers comes over, introduces himself (Joe?), and takes our order. Butcher's plate to share, and a cavatelli with shiitake mushrooms for me while my colleague orders the shrimp and grits. Holly finally comes over with the butcher's plate, and I ask after the cornbread I see everyone else's table adorned with. "Oh, did nobody bring you any? Be right back!" So far, the cornbread is a bit of a letdown but the butcher's plate is amazing. Foie gras, a chicken liver spread, and a pork+everything else hunter's sausage, with excellent grainy mustard and a candied apricot side compote. Needed a few more toast points to enjoy each of the flavours independently, but that would take a little longer to flag down the attention of the staff. Main dishes come, while the butcher's plate is still only half-finished in front of us. OK...bad communication between kitchen and floor staff, but it's not a huge deal. The cavatelli were quite good, with just the right level of al dente and some interesting nuts and veggies in with the shiitake mushrooms. My colleague loved her shrimp and grits and things were going well again. Holly came by again to try to convince us of dessert, but after two passes by the table while we thought about it, we decided to pass and asked for the bill. With the bill we get a delicious glass full of sour apple cotton candy, which rounds out the meal very well and I'm sure would go well with a sorbet. Alas - I guess I'll have to settle for pure sugar. While I don't dine and dash, I think I could have given the lack of attention being given to us while waiting for someone to come get my credit card. Finally, seeing Holly speaking to her manager (Joe?) at length in the middle of the floor, I had to get up and bring the folio to them. The Hive puts itself into a dining category well above where the floor staff are able to operate. The kitchen put out a good product, and the bar some very well-made drinks, but I'm not going to spend the amount per person for a service level which leads me to get up and hand my credit card to the staff like a diner.
(2)
N.C. F.
Solid dinner at The Hive after a trip to Crystal Bridges. The hotel and restaurant decor are what you expect if you've seen any pictures-- ultra contemporary, bordering absurd, but a welcome change from any other restaurants in this part of the country. Started with the Butcher plate (I think that's what it was called). Some assembly of pates with whole grain mustard, pickles, and crostini. All was quite good. I really appreciated that the crostini was fresh and not one of those so-hard-I'm about to break a tooth types. I like the idea of the complimentary cornbread to go with the modern Southern theme, but it wasn't well executed. Yes, one of the tricks to cooking good cornbread is to pour the batter into an already-hot pan. But in this case, I think the pan was just too hot. Ended up with hard, burnt edges and gummy center. Disappointing and hopefully just a problem with our batch. I went with the burger, and my husband had the pork chop. Burger and fries were very good. I think I ordered burger medium and it came medium rare, but it didn't bother me a bit. Very juicy with a perfectly toasted bun. The fries were amazing, and I loved the pickles served with the burgers. Husband's pork chop wasn't quite as good. It appeared to have quite a bit of fat on it and lacked the caramel-y color I typically like to see on a good pork chop. We ordered the s'mores cake for dessert. Cake itself was a delicious moist, dense, almost flourless chocolate cake with a single marshmallow bruleed on top. I would have liked to see a larger scoop of ice cream on the side to balance out the serving size and richness of the cake. Overall, a solid dessert but not exactly to-die-for. Service was excellent, and plates were cleared in a prompt and professional manner. We did have one of the chefs standing very near our table talking to a guest from the party room for about 20 minutes during our meal. He probably didn't realize we could hear every word they said, and it was very distracting. If this had been some other customers doing this, I would have shrugged it off as "what can you do," but in this case, I thought it was a bit unprofessional for a chef to stand for so long so close to a couple's table in the middle of the dining room during service. In terms of what to expect from other diners, this was a well-heeled crowd that seemed to come from all over the country. I saw various levels of dress, including a mother with her children, all wearing flip-flops, shorts, and wet hair during dinner on a Saturday night. I think dressy casual would be more appropriate, but the restaurant--like the surrounding art--doesn't take itself too seriously. Not sure what's up with the green penguins that they position at some tables, but the kids seemed to enjoy it.
(4)
Samira J.
Always a gem! Ever Changing menu.. Delicious & unique meals w/ impeccable service regardless of the season, day, or time. Love this place - the food is absolutely delicious and the menu is not what you would expect ... A truly unique and lovely experience.. Every single time !! A must try for business or personal.
(5)
Brad R.
This is a cool place. Totally different than any other place you could go in NW Arkansas. There is a ton of contemporary art that is pretty cool. Oh yeah and there burger is the best burger I have ever had. I have been back about five times to get it. Bar is cool and service is great. Isn't the cheapest place in town but you get what you pay for here. Highly recommended!
(5)
Bev B.
Reasonably priced and featuring excellent food, we ate twice at the Hive while staying at the 21C Hotel. Once for a light meal at the bar with drinks and again in the dining room for a more formal dinner. For the meal in the bar area, we first sat across from some other folks, as the bar was pretty busy that night. A lack of service (and a perceived long wait before we'd see the one roving waitress) prompted a quick move to the bar, the moment two seats opened up. Once there, service was prompt. We shared the Butcher Plate and Cheese Plate over drinks and found both of them to be excellent. The deviled ham on the butcher plate gets a mention as do the candied pecans on the cheese plate as being particularly good. Our second meal was also very good. We had a six p.m. reservation and were seated immediately. Service was prompt and we were offered a choice of sparkling, still or tap water immediately. We repeated the Cheese plate for an appetizer and our entrees were the ribeye and the shrimp offerings. I would recommend a look at the menu online before you choose to dine here as it's not exactly extensive. There is complimentary cornbread with sorghum butter offered, both were delicious. The food was well prepared and the steak was cooked as ordered. Portions were appropriately sized, not the overwhelming volume that some places pass off as "value" to justify the menu price, a pet peeve of mine. Water and wine service was handled well, the bottles for both were kept at the waiter's station, but no glass was ever empty. We shared a dessert, the chocolate cake, which was served with a highly carmelized nut brittle and coffee ice cream. The ambience of the restaurant as a whole has a slightly noisy and energetic vibe. The music went off for a brief stretch and the volume level dropped significantly. During the late meal in the bar, conversation was manageable, but you had to speak up to be heard. All in all, we enjoyed both experiences and felt the restaurant was both a good value and a fun place to dine.
(5)
Margaret C.
The Hive exudes Southern charm and grace for many reasons. The walls are lined with contemporary artwork that is kitschy and quirky. Seating is comfortable. Service is deft and all staff attentive. We were seated at the chef's table facing the open kitchen, although any seat is high on the list for gracious dining. While the atmosphere is relaxed, there's a thoroughly pleasant formality. A menu of limited offerings provides unlimited potential for discriminating diners. The barbequed quail and veal marrow bones, both appetizers that were tempting enough to make a meal, caught one diner's eye. She reported that both were stunningly tasty, however the plates for the marrow bone appetizer were passed out after the appetizer was consumed. Another appetizer of tomato gazpacho infused with nectarines, olive oil and chervil was a huge portion that was easily spilt by two. The texture was smooth and piquant. Another diner had a predilection for first-rate protein i.e. a strip steak. Unfortunately, the steak he ordered cooked medium arrived at the table overcooked and cold. A serious flaw, it was quickly remediated, sent back to be replaced by a perfectly grilled substitute -- deep vibrant rosy color, one of the best steaks the diner said he'd ever tasted. A sparkling rose (cava) from Spain - Segura Viudas made from pinot noir grapes, complemented the meal perfectly and because of the earlier faux pas, was comped by James, the hotel's affable and gracious food and beverage manager. Overall, the dining experience was fun, pleasant and delicious.
(4)
Hallie A.
Food was blah. Not much to choose from for breakfast, definitely a hotel restaurant. We saw a Brunch menu online, but just breakfast at 10:30 Sunday morning. Maybe they do a Monday Brunch?? Service was good or would have been one stars. I had "Poached Eggs" and the description on the menu sounded better than the meal. They were served with (on) a small bowl of "Bacon Cheddar Grits" with a "Tomato Jam". The grits, although house made, not instant, had NO flavor. No bacon or cheese at all, just grits. The tomato jam tasted very much like their strawberry jam. Too sweet and did not go well with the eggs. Eggs were perfectly poached. I was expecting bacon in the grits, but couldn't even find any tiny pieces. This "Entree" was 12.50, I think. It came with nothing else. My husband had the Hive Breakfast. Sausage was burned on one side and under cooked. Interesting technique! He ordered his eggs over medium, but got poached. Potatoes were deep fried and crunchy, although underseasoned, and his house made biscuit was delicious. Not sure, but I think they served their homemade strawberry jam with margarine. It was NOT butter, whatever it was. While writing this review they returned a call and explained Brunch starts at 11:00 on Saturday and Sunday. May give them another try for brunch, although I prefer mine a little earlier in the day.
(2)
Bill J.
Nice wine assortment but the high price makes most of them a pass. The affordable options are not great. Weird food menu options and really $26 for chicken? Kumquats are not grown within 1,000 miles of here and pears are not yet in season!! You needs lots on money ,time and low expectations to enjoy this experience. It could be an awesome place but it's not.
(1)
Jenny C.
We were coming from a ball game, we were a bit underdressed.... The servers seemed a little snobby.... We had to ask the hostess to seat us, basically ignored us. Atmosphere was cool... A little pricy for some basic stuff... The food was great... I wished they would have had some liter options. Seemed like an Andy Warhol painting
(3)
Aubrey W.
The Hive is by far one of the coolest places in Bentonville. Located inside 21c just off the downtown square, it's like having happy hour in an art installation. It's modern, sleek, and hip. The cocktails are some of the best I've ever had. The refreshing drink I had was called the Windsor, and I will be forcing Duke to recreate it for me soon. It was the perfect drink for a hot summer night: Absolut Ruby Red, St. Germaine, fresh lemon juice, and grapefruit juice. Divine. My coworkers had some incredible bourbon concoctions that were delightfully strong but brilliant as well. The Hive is also prime people-watching territory, especially those wandering through the 24-hour museum galleries. More museums should have top-notch bars in them.
My tip here is to enjoy the ambiance and valet parking. Do not expect great food. There's parking structure and plenty of street parking nearby. Just before the Hive. Another tip is to enjoy the museum located on the same floor as the restaurant. Despite 10 people telling me not to eat here, I still went. Another bad sign was the restaurant was more then half empty on a nice weather weekend. I regret not reading Yelp reviews about the bland food. I came here for brunch with 6 friends. It's all our first time here. We each ordered a variety of breakfast and lunch items. I had their Hive burger and don't have anything good to say about it. Definitely not worth what I paid for. The rest of my group did not enjoy theirs as well. The coffee was not even good.
(1)
Ashley K.
We ate at The Hive today for our first time and were lucky enough to catch the brunch menu. We started out with bloody marys that had the perfect amount of zing and spice. I tried the tomato gazpacho and it was very fresh and cooling on this hot morning. My husband and I had a difficult time deciding so we shared the eggs Benedict and the pimento cheese burger. We both agreed they were some of the best we have tried. We also had the pleasure of sampling the waffles and they were divine with raisin butter and fresh fruit. Chef Dominic came out and chatted with us and was very amiable and informative. We will definitely add this to our brunch hot spots in the area and will be back. It was very nice to find a local restaurant that serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday, a definite plus for us. Our server, Andrew, was very attentive and helpful in our food choices.
(5)
Ana Z.
I have been to The Hive at least 6 times and I have never been disappointed! This last time I went for brunch with 7 other friends (not including me) and everyone was satisfied. All but 1 of my friends had never been there and they were surprised but delighted over the experience. I asked the server if they were serving The Hive Burger but it turns out it was not on the menu.., To my surprise the chef still had it made for me. This was also my birthday and I was given a free dessert! Will definitely recommend this place for anyone visiting the Bentonville area!! I will be returning soon...
(5)
Richard I.
First time here second time in Bentonville. Great dining space inside an even better concept - hotel, museum and farm-to-fork dining. Started with pimento cheese appetizer. Simple but savory. Summer salad with fruit and tomato (no leafy stuff) was light and cold. Shared the ricotta cavatelli (cured pork, mint, milled tomato). Perfect flavor. So many entree options hard to choose. Settled on the seared diver scallops (saffron, field peas, tomato broth) and yogurt marinated local chicken (crispy potatoes, charred carrots, peppers). Both solid dishes but didn't fit our pallets. Enjoyed nonetheless. Finished w dessert, s'mores, much like traditional fare but refined. Better than expected. Wait staff informative and respectful, not pushy with their ideas for dinner. Afterward, strolled the galleries with after dinner drinks in hand. Best part of stroll, met Ben, front desk manager (hotel lobby, galleries, restaurant converge in same place). With warmth and charm he described the hotel concept, the history, the people, the plans for other properties, and the flavor of the local scene. And like so many people we've met in Bentonville, he made us feel like friends. What a night cap to a great evening.
(4)
Harry D.
The Good: good ambience, open space The Bad: It says on yelp that they are open till 12am and since I got late for dinner and all other places were closed or closing, I drove 3 miles to this place only to find out that their menu switches to just bar-menu at 9:30 and there is nothing much to eat as dinner in that menu. There were 4 or 5 tables occupied and it was taking over 10 minutes for a simple jack n coke and also the waitress got into a conversation with a guest and forgot to get my check for 15 minutes. I had to then go to counter to get the check as my pick up was waiting. They charged $23 for a cup full of pasta with only pasta sauce, no veggies, no meat nothing... The Ugly: nothing ugly though apart from the fact that I couldnt get a nice meal or service.
(2)
A P.
The bar and the fantastic bartenders are the only reason to come here. The food in the restaurant is mediocre at best-especially if you're vegetarian or care that your food is hot. Only come here for the atmosphere.
(2)
Katherine H.
This place is consistently good. The cocktails are amazing. The burger and fries are delicious and probably the best in the entire state so it is worth the price. The menu changes seasonally but they usually keep my favorite appetizers. The pimento cheese is delectable! Their breakfast is amazing but Bentonville doesn't seem to have figured that out yet.
(5)
Deborah W.
I really enjoyed dinner with my family here. We were visiting from San Diego, CA and wanted an upscale meal. Everything was wonderful. The service was warm and friendly, craft cocktails a must! The menu was fresh and inviting. I had the shrimp, they were cooked perfectly. Others dined on the burger (large and cooked to order temp) and the chicken. What a wonderful treat the cotton candy puff at the end! I cannot remember the last time i had cotton candy. The flavor to me was between a melon and a green apple, DIVINE! Dining room was large but the lighting was perfect and we felt very cozy. A+++ to the attention to detail that the owners placed on the art in the dining room and how everything flowed just wonderful into the gallery. I will for sure be going back next time we visit, the lounge looked like fun!
(5)
Danielle M.
I want to give this five stars so badly. The service was outstanding. My husband & I both couldn't think of a time we have ever had server as superior as ours was last night. He went above and beyond. When I ordered a drink no longer on the menu (thanks Yelpers), he didn't give the typical server response of "we don't serve that anymore" or "I'll have to ask the bartender." Instead he said "Of course we can make that for you." His name was Matt. Ask for his section. The food was exceptional! We had the cheese plate (including a second serving of the goat cheese that our server brought me after I raved about it), pork belly, grouper and chicken. Now I am pretty easy going. I just enjoy good food. However, my husband is a total snob that can find fault in ANYTHING on his plate. Nothing. Crickets. He couldn't even open his mouth to speak because he was so busy filling it. Our only regret was eating so quickly that we didn't have room for dessert. Now... the con. The one reason why this isn't five stars. The photos we sat across from. I refuse to call these photos art, because it's just not. Instead it is fairly provocative pictures of mostly naked children. I'm all for thought provoking pieces, but not pictures that if found on someone's computer would send them to jail and end up on a national registry. I highly encourage the hotel manager (or whoever is in charge of commissioning the "art" to take a short trip north to 609 in Joplin, MO. They always have very unique, local art pieces that would fit in at The Hive easily. We will return, but I will tour the entire dining room first so that I can find a spot where I don't have to be weirded out by naked 7 year olds.
(4)
Jennifer P.
Breakfast here is fresh and tasty but in general I feel that the menu is very limited if you are not a big meat eater. There is a great Italian restaurant and a Latin/tapas restaurant within walking distance of the Hive which are much better priced and better tasting. One extra star to The Hive because I love the surrounding museum and classy decor.
(3)
Sarah Farmer E.
Mother's day brunch. Even though it was Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, with the Bentonville Film Festival in full swing, the dining room was not very busy. We had a reservation for 6 and were seated right away. I was delighted to see that they had brunch menu, even though their website indicated that brunch was only on Sundays. We all ordered something different, and we were all very pleased with our meals The Hive Benedict was beautifully prepared, eggs were perfect, although a little more sauce might have been appreciated as the biscuits underneath were pretty thick (but most excellent biscuits, they were!). Our waiter Dylan was efficient and attentive enough, if a little slower to return than we might have liked given how unbusy it was, but he patiently answered all our questions, kept our water glasses full, and was very sweet. The spring pea soup was excellent (which they kindly split into two bowls for mom and me to share, without asking), the potatoes that came with the chicken & biscuits were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with just a little bit of spice. The pancakes and waffles were enormous, the side of bacon and homemade sausage was very generous. And a full brunch for six people (with extras, but no cocktails) came to less than $100, which for an LA girl seems reasonable indeed. The free valet parking on a rainy day was also a very nice touch.
(4)
James M.
This was my first time and the food was excellent. Our server was one of the best I've had in a long time. They encourage you to try something you might not be comfortable ordering at your usual spot and let me tell you that it is absolutely worth it. Everything they make is thoughtful, artfully crafted, and very tasty. There are two reasons why it's not a 5 star review: first is the art. The 21C Hotel is known for its showcase of art in the lobby, but it's no Crystal Bridges. Much more of what is on display is of the post-modern, avant guard variety, which is hit and miss for me. I did not enjoy sitting across from a portrait of a child in a gas mask carrying a mouse trap with a rat in it. Major culinary buzz kill. The second reason is a perhaps my own cowardice and lack of cool, but the style of the entire experience is very contemporary and hip. Presently, that's fine. But there is a point where I think trendy clashes with comfortable and I am not confident that I will always find The Hive on the right side of that for me. I certainly enjoyed my experience this time and hope to again, but the confidence I have in the quality of future experiences is too low to give a fifth star.
(4)
Adriana F.
My husband picked me up from the airport, I was arriving from Chicago, and I desired a drink, not just a beer but a nice cold cocktail. We settled for a few minutes at his hotel (he is in Bentonville for a 6 months project) and we decided to try this place. We enjoyed the environment, set inside of an art gallery in quaint downtown Bentonville. Getting to be seated was a little disorganized. Someone approached us asked us if he could help, we stated we would like to have dinner, and then the conversation turned blurry, we were not sure if they accepted walk-in or not. This man left staying he was going to find out... we were not sure what, and minutes later a second person approached us. For a restaurant of this caliber it seems they should have the seating process together. Our waiter was excellent, he was very helpful and had an excellent drink recommendation "The Belle Gone Bad". It was very tasty and spiced with homemade jalapeno syrup, my husband rename it "Instant Sore Throat" because it does has a pretty good kick. We were served a small slice of corn bread as we waited for our server. They never asked us if would like another serving, boo hoo. We order Veal Marrow Bones to share as an appetizer. We like unusual things and we both have good childhood memories of eating marrow at our homes (his in Chicago, mine in Buenos Aires). For the not-so-faint at heart and adventurous person this was an excellent choice. Plenty of marrow to be spread over French bread toast and a peach chutney if you like a little sweet. For entre my husband had the Grilled Pork Chop served with fried pickles, zucchini and cranberry beans. I had the Tomato Panisse served with chickpeas, sweet corn, and basil. The pork chop was excellent, one of the best that we had (we always share), thick, evenly cooked over wood fire, and tender. The panisse was an unexpected surprise and texture, reminecent of polenta but made of chicpeas. We were satisfied and could not forced ourselves to try their desserts. Instead we had some of their delicious Sour Apple Cotton Candy served generously overflowing a glass that serves as a vase for the candy. Overall we give them 3 and 1/2 stars but that is not an option on Yelp, so 4 will do. Oh, we found the pinguings that they set at some tables odd and amusing. It would have been fun to see a theme. Pinguins are lime green, the serves having lime green shirts, etc.
I don't really understand some of the other reviews that are five star, and then list various complaints. I couldn't quite bring myself to give four stars, but it is easy for me to give three - and I did enjoy it well enough. This seems to be a trendy/popular place with a lot of non-hotel patrons. It has a fun atmosphere with the openness, abounding art, and young waitstaff. As you may have seen from the pictures of the place, tables get four-foot green penguins as dining guests. Turns out they are a limited run. numbered (up to 200) set. The menu is pretty limited, but seems to have enough different types of entrees to find one you would like. Some of the details got changed from what was actually served - some of which the waiter pointed out would happen, and some of which he forgot. But it was mainly small things like having kale as my greens, rather than green beans. Fortunately, the kale was pretty good. My grilled pork chop was good, but not like I couldn't get somewhere else that knows how to do chops. The wife's salad, locally sourced, consisted of beets, zucchini & squash slices, a creamy cow cheese (forget the name), radishes, and tomatoes. While it looked fairly sparse, she said it was really filling. And the items all were fresh and tasty. Her chilled soup was similar in that it was filling and quite good, while not being overly large. The daughter's hive burger (pimento cheese, tomato jam, house pickles, and french fries), while over-priced at $15, was actually pretty excellent. Beef was very juicy, while still seemingly lean, and the tomato jam added an interesting sweetness. Finally, the aunt's "pasture raised" chicken (with various local vegetables), was a good meal according to her. Again, not real large, but filled her up. Almost forgot! When asked about dessert, we passed. Then they bring out the green apple cotton candy. It was fun and sweet-sour. But it seemed like they wait to see if you will order dessert first - so that you don't just skip straight to the free cotton candy.
(3)
Michael P.
I am a huge fan of 21c. This place did not let me down.... Yea I came to see the art, have a drink, eat some food, check out the crowd, and feel "at home." Art: brilliant, but you knew that Drinks: perfect, but you knew that. $9 wines by the glass (not +15 and up) ! Staff/Service: welcoming and helpful without trying to be your friend - my favorite. Trained without that corporate edge, "have you been here before?" My second favorite Food: simple, southern with a twist, superbly executed - but you knew that. Oh gosh, he sold me the cheesecake- I'm a cheesecake snob: I ATE IT ALL and licked the fork. Crowd: Disappointing, I expected more and cuter. Is everyone sleeping in this town at 8pm? Ok- well y'all missed out on meeting me. Can't wait to go back and next time I will bring my entourage.
(4)
Dean H.
Very high quality and fresh. The menu is very limited. The Chef has created some of the most creative eclectic fare around here. Nice atmosphere for a friends' lunch.
(4)
Kevin G.
The food was just okay. I got a burger medium and the meat came really raw. We had to send it back, the service was excellent though
(3)
Maitreyee R.
Fan of the service and the ambiance here. The drinks menu is interesting and makes you want more ;) But, the food I am not sure, for a place like this it did not blow my mind!
(3)
Cassie M.
I found the Hive to be a bit odd for a bar mainly becaue I felt like I was in a Starbucks that happened to serve alcohol. The bar has a lot of sky lights a well as sits with large windows that face the street so it is extremely "bright" for a bar, especially at happy hour and also considering it does not get dark in the summer until 9pm. Perhaps it has a different "feel" in the late evening. Seating is stiff couches and chairs. I can't say I was comfortable at all. We ordered a signature cocktail-the "Arkansawyer" which is Hendricks gin, homemade lavendar syrup and lemon juice. Refreshing and good (I had two) but not at $10 a pop at 5:30 on a Tuesday. Ouch. We tried a cheese plate which was ok but nothing too exciting. I hae been more impressed at the cheeseplate offered by the Pressroom on the opposite end of the square. Bigger and you can choose your cheese selection. We also attempted the spicy sweet fries after seeing another patron chow down on them. They were good at first. I never tasted any "spicy" but drizzled in I assume honey, they were sweet. After a few however, they just seemed greasy. It was a busy place with lots of people visiting, drinking wine, some working on laptops, etc. I would probably try the restaurant (Attached) for lunch maybe but again the atmpsphere was less than appealing, to me. Too sterile and cafeteria like. I do like that the 21c signature green penguins just appear sometimes out of no where. My favorite part of this visit was walking around the art galleries in the lobby and surrounding halls of the hotel. Some interesting pieces to say the least. Not sure I will be back for cocktails. I'd much rather relax and visit at the Pressroom or Table Mesa.
(2)
Jonathan R.
Without a doubt, this is the best restaurant in Arkansas. After eating at endless chains, gimicky restaurants, and flat out terrible eateries in the area, I was amazed at how authentic, delicious, and beautiful the food at The Hive was. The atmosphere is light, classy, and intriguiging. The staff is friendly and attentive. Also, there are giant green penguins.
WOW! My party and I had a fantastic experience! Fantastic food, awesome decor, attentive and knowledgeable waitress. We had food allergies in our party and the waitress knew her stuff. The chef came to our table to wish a happy birthday and check on our satisfaction with the food. I can't say enough about what a delightful experience this meal was. The pork chop I had was unreal, so melt in your mouth good. Their coffee is also the best I have ever had in a restaurant.
(5)
Sarah W.
Yesterday was my second visit for Sunday Brunch. The menu is limited but good, though with few savory vegetarian options. We started with the house made donuts which are light, flaky and delicious. I wanted an egg dish to go with my mimosa. Egg white omelet? Nope, I can make that easily at home. Eggs Benedict? You betcha! Now, the dish comes with tasso (a version of ham) which I requested to not be put on my dish. On my first visit the chef added some spinach; on this visit, the kitchen neglected to respond to my request and I had to send it back to the kitchen for my "vegetarian version". The dish that was set before me was a bland bunch of mush. That said, the summer salad consisted of watermelon, boiled peanuts, feta cheese and onions. It was just the right mix of spice and fruit. We finished off the meal with the berry cobbler which was served with lavender ice cream. Both of those dishes were wonderful. Now about the servers. We had reservations for 1:00 pm and were seated promptly. The restaurant manager took our drinks order and said our server would be right with us. The restaurant manager then came to take our food order as our server was overwhelmed with his six tables. Really? Then we overheard the waitstaff complaining about the kitchen staff, seemingly to make it the kitchen's fault that the service was so slow. Oh, did I mention that it took 25 minutes for us to be served our meal? I know that the benedict has a 25 minute egg but... Plus, the table next to use got their meal served within 15 minutes of being seated. I really want to like The Hive, but it is not the restaurant that it wants to be.
(2)
Trish L.
This is probably 3 stars in Southern Cal but for Bentonville I'll give it 4. I travel here regularly and this is probably the best meal I've had here. Nice space and ambiance. Menu is nice and the food was good. Wine list is way too high end for this place. Very few bottles under $50. Service was just okay unfortunately.
(4)
Frank J.
The trendy place to eat in town. Food was excellent, service is a bit college aged eager rather than well trained. The long black aprons when turned around show a huge variety of interesting young garb. The food is good, and it's innovative. Dinner is lively and each choice was excellent. The place hops during the evening, there is a lot of service staff so it is a pleasure to dine there. As this is a hotel restaurant it is open for breakfast. The breakfast is limited and the service is dreadful. We are talking 40 minutes for an omlet in an empty restaurant at 8:30. Bring a protein bar and have the excellent coffee in your room. The bar is hopping, service is good. All in all a great restaurant where you would not expect to find one.
(5)
Stephanie P.
This place is awesome! Make sure you order the pimento cheese spread! And the brown butter ice cream....yum!
(5)
Mary P.
As another reviewer said "The Hive is not the restaurant it wants to be." I've eaten at the one in Cincinnati and it was lovely. And we have taken out-of-state guests several times to the Hive in the past and it was great. But 2 of us went last Sunday and it was such a disappointment. The menu seemed blah and after spending over $40 we wished we had waited and eaten at the museum. The staff just couldn't be bothered. Our waiter didn't know what kind of tea you had and didn't care to check. The waitstaff were dressed like they worked at a fast-food joint. And all this could have been overlooked it they were the least bit friendly. It took forever to get the check and we never saw our waiter again after he took our order.
(2)
Brian W.
Had a great late afternoon with John at the bar and the other bar staff. Good conversation around sports, cocktails and Spirits history and current events. Thanks.
(4)
David M.
We had a wonderful dinner highlighted by a friendly and entertaining staff. The Pimento Cheese starter is killer with a bacon marmalade topping. I had the Hanger Steak and my wife had the Pork Chop, which were both fantastic. The Corporate Manhattan was so good, I had two. It uses High West Rye with fantastic cherries. As good as the food, was the staff. Our waiter Jefferson was very friendly with great recommendations. Plus, everyone else at the restaurant was great. A number of people kept stopping by to check on us. You can tell how excited they are to work at such a fun place. Finally, the atmosphere was an added bonus. The hotel lobby and restaurant is also a modern art gallery. I recommend getting one of those manhattan's and checking out the artwork after your meal. It is fun, interactive, and approachable, not pretentious. Great night. The hotel rooms are great too.
(5)
G D.
Have wanted to try this place for a while, so decided to go for lunch one day last week. The decor, service, and ambience are top-notch, and the food was very good, if a little pricey. We had the burger and a chicken salad, and both were quite yummy, though a little on the smallish side. And if you get lonely at your table, or would just like an additional dining companion, the staff will slide a little green penguin up to join you at your table! Whether you go for lunch or dinner, make sure to allow time to walk around the entire 21C hotel lobby! There are art exhibits of various media (paintings, electronic/projection, computer generated, sculptures) throughout the first floor. Definitely worth a peek.
(4)
Tracy L.
My husband and I had a great night out there when they first opened. The menu is fresh and original and the ambiance makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable. I had the corporate manhattan, quail, rabbit and dumplings, and toffee pudding, my husband, who is gluten-free, had the five and dime, 25 minute egg, pork chop and chocolate custard and we split a bottle of brazin lodi old vine zin. The whole dining experience takes about 90 minutes, or possibly 2 hours on a busy friday or saturday night, but it's worth it, and if you course out the meal and have some good company, you don't even notice the time passing. If things start to get backed up in the kitchen (as is bound to happen in a new restaurant), they encourage you to take your drinks and wander the galleries :) I'm a foodie at heart and this place warms the cockles. Go try it!
(5)
Alison C.
In town from LA and decided to have a meal here after a foodie I trust directed us to the Hive. Great call. Pork chop was a little fatty but tasted great. Burger was under cooked as my wife asked for medium well and got rare, but I love rare burgers and she loves pork chops so we switched and everybody's happy. Started with the butcher plate and it was Amazing toast points with pork pate and andouille sausage. Next was a spin on French onion soup which was ok and I could have skipped but our friend ordered emulsified egg over kale and rice and it was also amazing. Skipped dessert as we were late for a movie but they sent us away with green apple cotton candy. I will definitely be back as this is hands down the best restaurant I have ever eaten at in Arkansas.
(4)
John D.
Attended private event last night. Food was ok, service poor. Was to be 630-830 and had to chase down waiter to get check just before 10pm, who gave me attitude. If not a group gratuity, I would have stiffed the waiter.
(2)
Monica C.
Located in Bentonville's new 21c Museum Hotel, The Hive features refined country cooking by chef and Arkansas native Matthew McClure. The menu showcases the unique culinary identity of Arkansas, using the region's freshest ingredients at their peak. A tribute to the High South, McClure's menu focuses on regional farmers and producers with ingredients such as black walnuts, freshly milled corn meal, hickory smoked hams, peaches, melons and sweet onions. Be sure to make time to explore the galleries at 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville. They are free and open to the public 24/7.
(5)
K B.
Recently came here for dinner with my girlfriend. We are both transplants from large cities and this is the best food we've had since coming to the area. Our server was knowledgeable about the food and very attentive and the food was excellent. We tried the pork chop, which I highly recommend. The cabbage that comes along with it is delicious! We also had a special (brisket with red wine and root vegetables). The sauce and vegetables were delicious, but the meat was dry and tough. We also had the sous vide egg which was a great dish. I think that I would give The Hive 5 stars if the brisket had been better (I'd honestly give the meat in the dish 1 star), but the rest of our experience was so positive that I can't knock this place too much.
(4)
Rob C.
Be bold in what you order. Chef is one of the best!
(5)
Philip C.
Consistently great food. Everything is thought through, well presented. The French fries are notably great.
(5)
F S.
Given the positive reviews and word of mouth about the new restaurant at the 21c Hotel, I had high expectations when going to The Hive for brunch. To be fair, The Hive only recently opened for brunch, but, to me, brunch is often an indication of the success of a restaurant during their regular core business hours. If a brunch is simply okay, chances are the restaurant overall is simply okay. Why would a good restaurant risk its reputation with any sub-par moments of truth with their diners? Every moment counts. So here goes, the overall rating for brunch today: C minus. And value? A solid D. I will break the rating down into every part of the meal, so that you can understand the overall rating. Brunch for two: 1. Host: Grade A. Arriving at 11:30 AM, the staff was very gracious and immediately seated us. The restaurant ambiance is eclectic and spacious, but do note that this not a place for private, romantic dinners. 2. The Menu: Grade C minus. The current brunch menu is an incoherent amalgam of relatively few items--17 to be exact, of which 7 are categorized as entrees. I observed diners looking at the front of the menu and then turning to the back of menu looking for more options. Additionally, the choices are remarkably unremarkable. Do we want to offer more lunch or more breakfast items or neither? Would you like Pea soup or a goat cheese salad with your pancake entree? The Hive doesn't know what to offer, because they don't stand for anything yet. 3. Service: Grade B. The entire staff is eager to please and were certainly a pleasant part of the meal. At least six people approached us today seeking feedback, except the kitchen staff. They WANT to help you, but there is only so much they can do, if the meal is so-so, and the kitchen is unaware of their food issues. The staff is friendly, yet slightly green, like the penguins. 4. The meal: a. Virgin Bloody Mary: Grade C-minus. Have you ever had a SWEET Bloody Mary? Well, for me this was a first, and I was not thrilled with the taste. b. Cappuccino: Grade B. The coffee was fine. c. Citrus and Berries with pecan crumbles and honey: Grade D. A sad, undistinguished plate of ten small pieces of fruit and a forgettable presentation of crumbs. d. Pancakes: Grade B-plus. For this $13 entree, you receive two pancakes with a slightly crisp texture and thick (albeit globular) maple syrup. The pancakes were quite good and served as the appetizer for the meal, as the fruit dish itself suffered (see c). e. Frittata with chorizo and spinach: Grade D. Expecting a moist, spicy or tangy dish, I was very disappointed to receive a dull-tasting frittata that happened to be very dry--like NWA in August. The dish is small, so I encourage you to order sides, if you're a normal eater. f. Bacon: Grade B. Produced in house, the bacon was flavorful (again, very dry) and complemented the frittata well. g. War Eagle Grits: Grade B. These tasty, cheesy grits were the most substantial portion of the meal (and moist), and helped to complete the meal. However, if you do not like grits, you can choose skillet potatoes, which I did not try. h. Chocolate Custard Dessert: Grade C. You would think by now that we would have been full, but I assure you, you will not feel that way as you proceed through the course of the meal. With this dessert, we received four little refrigerated chocolate custard mounds the size of small marshmallows, I'm sure a lot of effort went into creating this dish, as well as the others, from scratch, but the dessert was unimaginative and punctuated the entire disillusionment with the restaurant. One hundred dollars later, I am disappointed to see another promising restaurant fail the standards of basic chain restaurants--reliability, menu options, and value (not cheap, just value commensurate to their pricing). I WANT to support these local establishments, but I'm afraid this moment of truth has made me reluctant to return to The Hive for other meals. Your moments of truth may vary.
(2)
Akshay V.
If your a Connoisseur, passionate about Art, and would like to meet like minded people, I don't think there any other place than the hive at 21c around NWA, Certainly a very moment creating and a special place. Have fun, be good!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes
Shannon L.
I love the duo activity here of dinner and museum, or vice versa. Great cocktails and butcher's plate. Mediocre entrees (chili rubbed rib eye and Berkshire pork chop). They praise any menu items that are fired up and believe me, the fire looks a bit too big for safety from what I saw in their open kitchen. Both meat items were overcooked and bland in my opinion. The ambiance is contemporary, just like the museum and hotel surrounding it. Service is also great even though they screwed up my friend's dish twice.
(3)Virginia C.
Inside the 21C Hotel, this is a pretty modern place for lunch. If you also want a Penguin (yes, Penguin) to join you for brunch, then just ask. The menu and food was absolutely fantastic. This is only not a 5 star review, because the service was just slow - not awful and friendly, but I despise my counterpart getting their meals before mine by 20 minutes. The Bostonian in me is super impatient when appetizers come out after meals and meals are not served at the same time with their parties. With that said, it was worth the wait. Pros: Atmosphere, no line Fried Chicken, Grits, and Biscuits (LIKE THE BEST THING ON THE MENU) Fried Catfish (pretty cool except you couldn't compare this to the Fried Chicken). Bacon/Sausage, etc. everything brunch Cons: Inconsistent timing of service For some reason, I thought Bentonville was a dry county when visiting in the area - but they have a full bar and pretty decent cocktails. I had a non-alcoholic Veruca Salt (includes japanese, honey, lime, and fresh genadine) - but next time one must add a splash of vodka.
(4)Amy C.
I wanted to be impressed by this place, but instead was underwhelmed. The decor/atmosphere is open, hip, and comfortable, even with the obnoxious green penguins randomly scattered around. And no, I don't want one close to my table. They're creepy and most likely a waste of the poor servers' time to move around. The drinks: I don't remember the names of our cocktails, but both were made with bourbon for "bourbon appreciation month" or something. We initially asked our server if the bartender could just "make us something awesome" off the menu, but were told that wasn't a thing. Really? When is that not a thing? Whatever. The drinks were still very good -- well-balanced and not too heavy on the bourbon. The food: Summer Vegetable Gazpacho appetizer Seared Diver Scallops Berkshire Hog Chop The Gazpacho was the opposite of interesting. It was nicely chilled, but a little gritty and one-noted. The garnishes did nothing to add to or vary the flavors. Though we were unimpressed, we were committed to finishing the dish. Sadly, every 5 minutes someone came by to try to clear the dish, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE STILL EATING IT. CLEARLY. This happened at least 3 times. Super weird. When we asked the server for entree recommendations, they gave us the most mundane/popular dishes -- scallops and pork chop. I was disappointed at the lack of insight or interest in the menu, but we ended up ordering those anyway because we were curious. The Scallops came nicely seared ON ONE SIDE. The other side just barely touched the fire. Super sad. The beans/pork/breadcrumbs they came with seemed more like an afterthought than an accompaniment. The Chop was overdone. Dry on the outside but super tasty close to the bone -- like 2 bites worth. The apples/carrot/green beans did nothing to add to the dish, but I ate them anyway. Again, the server and others came by multiple times to try to clear my plate before I was finished. I got the feeling at this point that they were just doing their best to get a quick turnaround on tables. Thanks a lot for making me feel rushed. That's my favorite thing during a dinner with pricey food. Love that. We didn't order any desserts, but the weird cotton candy came anyway. What's the deal with the cotton candy? It doesn't make any sense, just like the penguins. And that's my impression of this place -- kind of weird, inconsistent, poor execution of what should be amazing food, and service more concerned with quantity than quality. Good luck!
(3)Mark H.
A lovely place!!! The Hive is cool, funky and upscale, without being stuffy and pretentious. Service is impeccable and I appreciated the attentiveness of EVERYONE on staff. What is most notable is the fact that all staff members regard every patron in the room as their own customer. So, the busy bar tender who didn't take my order, or fashion my cocktail, still took a moment to change out my beverage napkin and refill my water glass. I geek out over superb service, so I was totally digging the Hive...and this staff! In addition to this tremendous staff, the food (especially the Pimento Cheese served with bacon jam) was superbly sublime! The small plate appetizers complemented my fantastic cocktails -- especially the Queen Anne, not to be confused with the legendary cocktail served at the Algonquin Hotel, but a version served with El Dorado 12 Demerara Rum, and a coconut house syrup. It was a light and refreshing summer afternoon rum cocktail (I was just missing a veranda for my cocktail sipping). All-in-all, this experience was beyond expectations, and expectations were rather high! I look forward to my return visit to The Hive!!!
(5)Ralphie S.
This just became one of my favorite places. I visited 21c Hotel a year ago to see a very fun collection of contemporary art, including large piece installations of cars and beds and electrical pieces and video. This trip i timed it so I could have lunch also. The Hive incorporates the art and those pesky green penguins to give a sleek yet open feel. I had the Griddled Pimento cheese that was melt in your mouth delicious and sampled my buddies Pork Shwarma wrap. Tasty! The place was pretty slow, so our waiter spent a lot of time at our table and 2 others nearby. I could say that he was borderline pretentious and annoying, but that would be a disservice to his true knowledge and passion for what he was doing. He treated his job as an art form, he educated his customers on Australian wine, food preparation equipment, Muslim culture, rice growing, Indian art...A true showman... "Our chefs not only use locally sourced organics, but other bio-dynamic ingredients", ok that settles that , give me a side of the locally sourced and crunch up the bio dynamics right on top. Not trying to mock, just enjoyed the deep intelligence and unique presentation. Next trip to NWA I will come for dinner and dig deeper into the menu, and hope I get the same "pretentious" waiter!
(5)Kelly S.
This was a great little gem of a find! Food was presented nicely. The pork belly was awesome. After dinner I was able to browse the art gallery. Had a lovely evening out after long travel and work day!
(4)Adam S.
First time eating at The Hive. Had the grilled chicken breast with couscous and spiced carrot purée, which was very good. The other four people in my party all had The Hive Burger, which they liked very much. The fresh cut fries were such a big hit, one of the guys said he "didn't want to mess up the taste of the fries with ketchup". For a Monday around noon, there were only a few tables occupied. That said, I would expect more prompt and attentive service than we received. I wouldn't say the service was poor, just that it should have been better.
(4)Sarah G.
We extensively researched restaurant options for our three day weekend in NW Arkansas and settled on The Hive for our last brunch before hitting the road. The space is weird. Giant green penguins everywhere - do you like dining with a toddler sized penguin all up in your business? The dining room was empty. We were one of three tables eating over a 90 minute span. Regardless, service was slow. The brunch menu didn't seem particularly special but a few dishes stood out. The smoked trout appealed to us and though I didn't order it I was stoked to try a bite of my neighbors in exchange for some BMF (buttermilk milk fried) chicken on a biscuit. Our server came out a few minutes later to tell us that they were out of trout. Dude settled on a burger, medium rare, instead. Strike 1. This might be a bummer of a review so let me start with the good: bloody mary. Though not well adorned, the flavor was nice (very brine forward) and vodka generous. The shandy with Ozark APA stole the show. The entire show. And the fries and potatoes. Solid. But no more solid than my favorite greasy spoons. The bad: The burger was not even close to medium rare. Medium well-ish. If you can't cook an expensive burger to order what do you have left? Strike 2. The chicken on a biscuit states "secret spice." I'm not sure....but it might be honey. It was crazy sweet with a touch of vinegar. All I could taste was honey. The dark meat was great but I felt like the sweetness took away from any positive aspects of the dish. Strike 3. Everything we ate was mediocre at best. It was a bit disconcerting to eat Sunday brunch as one of only two parties in the joint. And I'm bummed that the highlight of my $20+ tab was a $7 bloody mary...
(2)Teresa C.
We went in for breakfast recently. My husband was fondly remembering their breakfast sausage-there was no greeter ready at the door, and it took quite a while to be given menus and coffee. Several parties arrived after us, and they experienced the same wait. The food was good, but not remarkable. On this little staycation, I could've been talked into a Mimosa or something really interesting.
(3)Jessica B.
Fun atmosphere and a great place to grab a cocktail. Interesting menu with lots of options. A more mature crowd, but that's a good thing. A must see in Bentonville!
(4)Barbara P.
Great atmosphere in the 21C Hotel! The unique feature was the presence of a large green penguin who joined us in the middle of our meal, after dining with some other patrons. Another interesting piece was the green cotton candy that was brought at the end of our meal....The lagnape. The radicchio with the 25 minute egg was special.
(3)Jason H.
Wow, a little piece of heaven tucked away in the Ozark Mountains. As a Dallas resident, I can honestly say the meals I had at or from The Hive over my two day stay were as good, if not better, than just about any of the top restaurants in Dallas.
(5)John K.
Decent food with great drinks. The menu changes, but I have had very decent ox tail and gamey meats, which is rare. The place is very trendy too. Good for drinks and appetizers more than dinner.
(4)Jake M.
A better name would be "The Hype." The food here is average at best, with a lot of safe new-american fare that won't impress your palette. The cocktails are probably the most inventive part of the restaurant, although they are fully leaning-in on the handlebar mustache mixologist cliche that swept the nation 5 years ago. Probably the most offensive aspect of the restaurant has been the service. On our last visit, the host sung the praises of our waiter being a master sommelier who would dazzle us with his knowledge of food and wine and make our night truly special. When he finally showed up, fedora and all, he curtly took our order and scampered off before we could order an appetizer. His attitude remained that way throughout the meal, doing the bare minimum required. If the restaurant operated at a lower price point and didn't have some of the most pretentious wait staff in the area, I might give a higher review. Consider me un-dazzled.
(1)Ken B.
We have eaten at The Hive at least five different times (one being room service while at 21c Museum Hotel) and every time it has been excellent. If you are from Kansas City, the comparison I would give is the restaurant Rye. It's elevated comfort food done with a modern sensibility. Every cocktail we have had has been tastefully made. My favorite is The Pineapple Express (rum, dark rum, & a pineapple-espresso shrub)....... stupidly good. Every appetizer, entree and dessert have been fantastic. If not in the mood for an entree, the Hive Burger is topped with home made pimento cheese and is pretty frickin spectacular, too. The pecan pie doesn't look like anything special, but it's quiet fantastic and I would highly recommend. The service has been knowledgeable, friendly and attentive on every single visit. A manager has stopped by the table to check in on us on every visit. The decor is clean and modern, fitting within the walls of the modern hotel that it sits. If visiting Bentonville, driving through Bentonville or even close to Bentonville, stop by The Hive and have a great experience.
(5)Mark L.
Mixed experiences here on the food. Craft drinks are great but take time to get service at bar. Had a fatty tough pork belly which I don't recommend. Needed a major steak knife to break it up so it could be tasted. Server agreed it was tough but kept it on the bill. Servers are a tad arrogant on occasion and service can be spotty at the bar. Grouper was overcooked, tough and bland. Previous experiences with food was better. But $80.00 bucks for two drinks and this poor meal was not worth the spend. Hope they can be more consistent in the future. Love the museum hotel art as well.
(2)Anne P.
Very pleasantly surprised at this Bentonville restaurant in the heart of the town. The food, the service and the atmosphere were marvelous. If you didn't know you were in Bentonville, this restaurant could be located in Manhattan with a bill three times the price. It was so good for dinner that we went back for a wonderful breakfast. I even hesitate to write such a good review since I want to be able to get a reservation next time I am in town. A gem!
(5)Silvana S.
They only get points for ambiance. Very well decorated but that is all there is. The food is mediocre (and the prices are just not justified based on what you get). Don't bother unless you are only looking for ambiance. If you want good food - just go somewhere else.
(2)Riccardo S.
I'm very torn in this review. Different aspects of my experience at The Hive varied so wildly, from the bar, to the food, to the disappointing service that I could score it 4 ways - but ultimately the customer interaction failed. Upon arrival, the welcome was very cold. I'd booked via OpenTable, and upon giving my name, the hostess confirmed that I did have a reservation but that I needed to take a seat elsewhere because "we run a tight operation here". Hmm...10 minutes early, and a strange way to put it. OK - off to the bar. Now - the bartender. Wish I could remember his name, but look for the guy with the cool and heavily waxed mustache. Great Sazerac production - with attention to detail, showmanship, and a fantastic product. Really wish we'd decided to stay at the bar... Juuuust as I sat down, hostess comes back and asks "Are you ready?" *sigh* OK... As my colleague and I are settled into our table, squeezing into the first booth, we are greeted by...nobody. Bit of abandonment, not a good sign. Daniel comes over to introduce himself, asks about water, and takes note of my colleague drinking a Dr. Pepper. Now - Daniel is probably the only other service high note of the night, as during the meal, without prompting, a Dr. Pepper appeared as my colleague's drink ran low. Unbidden, no mistake - good service on the busser side. He tells us the story of the penguins, and in short order brings one to our tableside to be our dining companion. Very cool! Daniel then tells us that Holly will be over shortly to take our order and get us started. *crickets* Hostess drops a candle in the middle of the dining room. Glass explodes all over the floor and isn't fully cleaned up. *crickets* One of the managers comes over, introduces himself (Joe?), and takes our order. Butcher's plate to share, and a cavatelli with shiitake mushrooms for me while my colleague orders the shrimp and grits. Holly finally comes over with the butcher's plate, and I ask after the cornbread I see everyone else's table adorned with. "Oh, did nobody bring you any? Be right back!" So far, the cornbread is a bit of a letdown but the butcher's plate is amazing. Foie gras, a chicken liver spread, and a pork+everything else hunter's sausage, with excellent grainy mustard and a candied apricot side compote. Needed a few more toast points to enjoy each of the flavours independently, but that would take a little longer to flag down the attention of the staff. Main dishes come, while the butcher's plate is still only half-finished in front of us. OK...bad communication between kitchen and floor staff, but it's not a huge deal. The cavatelli were quite good, with just the right level of al dente and some interesting nuts and veggies in with the shiitake mushrooms. My colleague loved her shrimp and grits and things were going well again. Holly came by again to try to convince us of dessert, but after two passes by the table while we thought about it, we decided to pass and asked for the bill. With the bill we get a delicious glass full of sour apple cotton candy, which rounds out the meal very well and I'm sure would go well with a sorbet. Alas - I guess I'll have to settle for pure sugar. While I don't dine and dash, I think I could have given the lack of attention being given to us while waiting for someone to come get my credit card. Finally, seeing Holly speaking to her manager (Joe?) at length in the middle of the floor, I had to get up and bring the folio to them. The Hive puts itself into a dining category well above where the floor staff are able to operate. The kitchen put out a good product, and the bar some very well-made drinks, but I'm not going to spend the amount per person for a service level which leads me to get up and hand my credit card to the staff like a diner.
(2)N.C. F.
Solid dinner at The Hive after a trip to Crystal Bridges. The hotel and restaurant decor are what you expect if you've seen any pictures-- ultra contemporary, bordering absurd, but a welcome change from any other restaurants in this part of the country. Started with the Butcher plate (I think that's what it was called). Some assembly of pates with whole grain mustard, pickles, and crostini. All was quite good. I really appreciated that the crostini was fresh and not one of those so-hard-I'm about to break a tooth types. I like the idea of the complimentary cornbread to go with the modern Southern theme, but it wasn't well executed. Yes, one of the tricks to cooking good cornbread is to pour the batter into an already-hot pan. But in this case, I think the pan was just too hot. Ended up with hard, burnt edges and gummy center. Disappointing and hopefully just a problem with our batch. I went with the burger, and my husband had the pork chop. Burger and fries were very good. I think I ordered burger medium and it came medium rare, but it didn't bother me a bit. Very juicy with a perfectly toasted bun. The fries were amazing, and I loved the pickles served with the burgers. Husband's pork chop wasn't quite as good. It appeared to have quite a bit of fat on it and lacked the caramel-y color I typically like to see on a good pork chop. We ordered the s'mores cake for dessert. Cake itself was a delicious moist, dense, almost flourless chocolate cake with a single marshmallow bruleed on top. I would have liked to see a larger scoop of ice cream on the side to balance out the serving size and richness of the cake. Overall, a solid dessert but not exactly to-die-for. Service was excellent, and plates were cleared in a prompt and professional manner. We did have one of the chefs standing very near our table talking to a guest from the party room for about 20 minutes during our meal. He probably didn't realize we could hear every word they said, and it was very distracting. If this had been some other customers doing this, I would have shrugged it off as "what can you do," but in this case, I thought it was a bit unprofessional for a chef to stand for so long so close to a couple's table in the middle of the dining room during service. In terms of what to expect from other diners, this was a well-heeled crowd that seemed to come from all over the country. I saw various levels of dress, including a mother with her children, all wearing flip-flops, shorts, and wet hair during dinner on a Saturday night. I think dressy casual would be more appropriate, but the restaurant--like the surrounding art--doesn't take itself too seriously. Not sure what's up with the green penguins that they position at some tables, but the kids seemed to enjoy it.
(4)Samira J.
Always a gem! Ever Changing menu.. Delicious & unique meals w/ impeccable service regardless of the season, day, or time. Love this place - the food is absolutely delicious and the menu is not what you would expect ... A truly unique and lovely experience.. Every single time !! A must try for business or personal.
(5)Brad R.
This is a cool place. Totally different than any other place you could go in NW Arkansas. There is a ton of contemporary art that is pretty cool. Oh yeah and there burger is the best burger I have ever had. I have been back about five times to get it. Bar is cool and service is great. Isn't the cheapest place in town but you get what you pay for here. Highly recommended!
(5)Bev B.
Reasonably priced and featuring excellent food, we ate twice at the Hive while staying at the 21C Hotel. Once for a light meal at the bar with drinks and again in the dining room for a more formal dinner. For the meal in the bar area, we first sat across from some other folks, as the bar was pretty busy that night. A lack of service (and a perceived long wait before we'd see the one roving waitress) prompted a quick move to the bar, the moment two seats opened up. Once there, service was prompt. We shared the Butcher Plate and Cheese Plate over drinks and found both of them to be excellent. The deviled ham on the butcher plate gets a mention as do the candied pecans on the cheese plate as being particularly good. Our second meal was also very good. We had a six p.m. reservation and were seated immediately. Service was prompt and we were offered a choice of sparkling, still or tap water immediately. We repeated the Cheese plate for an appetizer and our entrees were the ribeye and the shrimp offerings. I would recommend a look at the menu online before you choose to dine here as it's not exactly extensive. There is complimentary cornbread with sorghum butter offered, both were delicious. The food was well prepared and the steak was cooked as ordered. Portions were appropriately sized, not the overwhelming volume that some places pass off as "value" to justify the menu price, a pet peeve of mine. Water and wine service was handled well, the bottles for both were kept at the waiter's station, but no glass was ever empty. We shared a dessert, the chocolate cake, which was served with a highly carmelized nut brittle and coffee ice cream. The ambience of the restaurant as a whole has a slightly noisy and energetic vibe. The music went off for a brief stretch and the volume level dropped significantly. During the late meal in the bar, conversation was manageable, but you had to speak up to be heard. All in all, we enjoyed both experiences and felt the restaurant was both a good value and a fun place to dine.
(5)Margaret C.
The Hive exudes Southern charm and grace for many reasons. The walls are lined with contemporary artwork that is kitschy and quirky. Seating is comfortable. Service is deft and all staff attentive. We were seated at the chef's table facing the open kitchen, although any seat is high on the list for gracious dining. While the atmosphere is relaxed, there's a thoroughly pleasant formality. A menu of limited offerings provides unlimited potential for discriminating diners. The barbequed quail and veal marrow bones, both appetizers that were tempting enough to make a meal, caught one diner's eye. She reported that both were stunningly tasty, however the plates for the marrow bone appetizer were passed out after the appetizer was consumed. Another appetizer of tomato gazpacho infused with nectarines, olive oil and chervil was a huge portion that was easily spilt by two. The texture was smooth and piquant. Another diner had a predilection for first-rate protein i.e. a strip steak. Unfortunately, the steak he ordered cooked medium arrived at the table overcooked and cold. A serious flaw, it was quickly remediated, sent back to be replaced by a perfectly grilled substitute -- deep vibrant rosy color, one of the best steaks the diner said he'd ever tasted. A sparkling rose (cava) from Spain - Segura Viudas made from pinot noir grapes, complemented the meal perfectly and because of the earlier faux pas, was comped by James, the hotel's affable and gracious food and beverage manager. Overall, the dining experience was fun, pleasant and delicious.
(4)Hallie A.
Food was blah. Not much to choose from for breakfast, definitely a hotel restaurant. We saw a Brunch menu online, but just breakfast at 10:30 Sunday morning. Maybe they do a Monday Brunch?? Service was good or would have been one stars. I had "Poached Eggs" and the description on the menu sounded better than the meal. They were served with (on) a small bowl of "Bacon Cheddar Grits" with a "Tomato Jam". The grits, although house made, not instant, had NO flavor. No bacon or cheese at all, just grits. The tomato jam tasted very much like their strawberry jam. Too sweet and did not go well with the eggs. Eggs were perfectly poached. I was expecting bacon in the grits, but couldn't even find any tiny pieces. This "Entree" was 12.50, I think. It came with nothing else. My husband had the Hive Breakfast. Sausage was burned on one side and under cooked. Interesting technique! He ordered his eggs over medium, but got poached. Potatoes were deep fried and crunchy, although underseasoned, and his house made biscuit was delicious. Not sure, but I think they served their homemade strawberry jam with margarine. It was NOT butter, whatever it was. While writing this review they returned a call and explained Brunch starts at 11:00 on Saturday and Sunday. May give them another try for brunch, although I prefer mine a little earlier in the day.
(2)Bill J.
Nice wine assortment but the high price makes most of them a pass. The affordable options are not great. Weird food menu options and really $26 for chicken? Kumquats are not grown within 1,000 miles of here and pears are not yet in season!! You needs lots on money ,time and low expectations to enjoy this experience. It could be an awesome place but it's not.
(1)Jenny C.
We were coming from a ball game, we were a bit underdressed.... The servers seemed a little snobby.... We had to ask the hostess to seat us, basically ignored us. Atmosphere was cool... A little pricy for some basic stuff... The food was great... I wished they would have had some liter options. Seemed like an Andy Warhol painting
(3)Aubrey W.
The Hive is by far one of the coolest places in Bentonville. Located inside 21c just off the downtown square, it's like having happy hour in an art installation. It's modern, sleek, and hip. The cocktails are some of the best I've ever had. The refreshing drink I had was called the Windsor, and I will be forcing Duke to recreate it for me soon. It was the perfect drink for a hot summer night: Absolut Ruby Red, St. Germaine, fresh lemon juice, and grapefruit juice. Divine. My coworkers had some incredible bourbon concoctions that were delightfully strong but brilliant as well. The Hive is also prime people-watching territory, especially those wandering through the 24-hour museum galleries. More museums should have top-notch bars in them.
(4)Joy K.
Tonight was my second visit. The first was about a year ago and my husband and I spent the next 36 hours violently ill but I decided to try it again. With high hopes that the first experience was just a fluke, I went with an open mind. The drinks are ok, food is alright, but the service was just poor. She was relatively prompt but knew little about the menu and didn't seem to care that we wanted to know more. She never smiled or made eye contact and we had to ask her to clear dishes after each course. We just seemed to be an obstacle to her work day. The bussers just stood over us when we were done as if to say, "leave already, would ya?" The food is better at Theo's or Bordino's so if probably choose one of those over The Hive. If you must go, sit in the bar and have a few appetizers but skip the entrées. They are over priced for what you get-nothing special.
(2)Lesley K.
My tip here is to enjoy the ambiance and valet parking. Do not expect great food. There's parking structure and plenty of street parking nearby. Just before the Hive. Another tip is to enjoy the museum located on the same floor as the restaurant. Despite 10 people telling me not to eat here, I still went. Another bad sign was the restaurant was more then half empty on a nice weather weekend. I regret not reading Yelp reviews about the bland food. I came here for brunch with 6 friends. It's all our first time here. We each ordered a variety of breakfast and lunch items. I had their Hive burger and don't have anything good to say about it. Definitely not worth what I paid for. The rest of my group did not enjoy theirs as well. The coffee was not even good.
(1)Ashley K.
We ate at The Hive today for our first time and were lucky enough to catch the brunch menu. We started out with bloody marys that had the perfect amount of zing and spice. I tried the tomato gazpacho and it was very fresh and cooling on this hot morning. My husband and I had a difficult time deciding so we shared the eggs Benedict and the pimento cheese burger. We both agreed they were some of the best we have tried. We also had the pleasure of sampling the waffles and they were divine with raisin butter and fresh fruit. Chef Dominic came out and chatted with us and was very amiable and informative. We will definitely add this to our brunch hot spots in the area and will be back. It was very nice to find a local restaurant that serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday, a definite plus for us. Our server, Andrew, was very attentive and helpful in our food choices.
(5)Ana Z.
I have been to The Hive at least 6 times and I have never been disappointed! This last time I went for brunch with 7 other friends (not including me) and everyone was satisfied. All but 1 of my friends had never been there and they were surprised but delighted over the experience. I asked the server if they were serving The Hive Burger but it turns out it was not on the menu.., To my surprise the chef still had it made for me. This was also my birthday and I was given a free dessert! Will definitely recommend this place for anyone visiting the Bentonville area!! I will be returning soon...
(5)Richard I.
First time here second time in Bentonville. Great dining space inside an even better concept - hotel, museum and farm-to-fork dining. Started with pimento cheese appetizer. Simple but savory. Summer salad with fruit and tomato (no leafy stuff) was light and cold. Shared the ricotta cavatelli (cured pork, mint, milled tomato). Perfect flavor. So many entree options hard to choose. Settled on the seared diver scallops (saffron, field peas, tomato broth) and yogurt marinated local chicken (crispy potatoes, charred carrots, peppers). Both solid dishes but didn't fit our pallets. Enjoyed nonetheless. Finished w dessert, s'mores, much like traditional fare but refined. Better than expected. Wait staff informative and respectful, not pushy with their ideas for dinner. Afterward, strolled the galleries with after dinner drinks in hand. Best part of stroll, met Ben, front desk manager (hotel lobby, galleries, restaurant converge in same place). With warmth and charm he described the hotel concept, the history, the people, the plans for other properties, and the flavor of the local scene. And like so many people we've met in Bentonville, he made us feel like friends. What a night cap to a great evening.
(4)Harry D.
The Good: good ambience, open space The Bad: It says on yelp that they are open till 12am and since I got late for dinner and all other places were closed or closing, I drove 3 miles to this place only to find out that their menu switches to just bar-menu at 9:30 and there is nothing much to eat as dinner in that menu. There were 4 or 5 tables occupied and it was taking over 10 minutes for a simple jack n coke and also the waitress got into a conversation with a guest and forgot to get my check for 15 minutes. I had to then go to counter to get the check as my pick up was waiting. They charged $23 for a cup full of pasta with only pasta sauce, no veggies, no meat nothing... The Ugly: nothing ugly though apart from the fact that I couldnt get a nice meal or service.
(2)A P.
The bar and the fantastic bartenders are the only reason to come here. The food in the restaurant is mediocre at best-especially if you're vegetarian or care that your food is hot. Only come here for the atmosphere.
(2)Katherine H.
This place is consistently good. The cocktails are amazing. The burger and fries are delicious and probably the best in the entire state so it is worth the price. The menu changes seasonally but they usually keep my favorite appetizers. The pimento cheese is delectable! Their breakfast is amazing but Bentonville doesn't seem to have figured that out yet.
(5)Deborah W.
I really enjoyed dinner with my family here. We were visiting from San Diego, CA and wanted an upscale meal. Everything was wonderful. The service was warm and friendly, craft cocktails a must! The menu was fresh and inviting. I had the shrimp, they were cooked perfectly. Others dined on the burger (large and cooked to order temp) and the chicken. What a wonderful treat the cotton candy puff at the end! I cannot remember the last time i had cotton candy. The flavor to me was between a melon and a green apple, DIVINE! Dining room was large but the lighting was perfect and we felt very cozy. A+++ to the attention to detail that the owners placed on the art in the dining room and how everything flowed just wonderful into the gallery. I will for sure be going back next time we visit, the lounge looked like fun!
(5)Danielle M.
I want to give this five stars so badly. The service was outstanding. My husband & I both couldn't think of a time we have ever had server as superior as ours was last night. He went above and beyond. When I ordered a drink no longer on the menu (thanks Yelpers), he didn't give the typical server response of "we don't serve that anymore" or "I'll have to ask the bartender." Instead he said "Of course we can make that for you." His name was Matt. Ask for his section. The food was exceptional! We had the cheese plate (including a second serving of the goat cheese that our server brought me after I raved about it), pork belly, grouper and chicken. Now I am pretty easy going. I just enjoy good food. However, my husband is a total snob that can find fault in ANYTHING on his plate. Nothing. Crickets. He couldn't even open his mouth to speak because he was so busy filling it. Our only regret was eating so quickly that we didn't have room for dessert. Now... the con. The one reason why this isn't five stars. The photos we sat across from. I refuse to call these photos art, because it's just not. Instead it is fairly provocative pictures of mostly naked children. I'm all for thought provoking pieces, but not pictures that if found on someone's computer would send them to jail and end up on a national registry. I highly encourage the hotel manager (or whoever is in charge of commissioning the "art" to take a short trip north to 609 in Joplin, MO. They always have very unique, local art pieces that would fit in at The Hive easily. We will return, but I will tour the entire dining room first so that I can find a spot where I don't have to be weirded out by naked 7 year olds.
(4)Jennifer P.
Breakfast here is fresh and tasty but in general I feel that the menu is very limited if you are not a big meat eater. There is a great Italian restaurant and a Latin/tapas restaurant within walking distance of the Hive which are much better priced and better tasting. One extra star to The Hive because I love the surrounding museum and classy decor.
(3)Sarah Farmer E.
Mother's day brunch. Even though it was Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, with the Bentonville Film Festival in full swing, the dining room was not very busy. We had a reservation for 6 and were seated right away. I was delighted to see that they had brunch menu, even though their website indicated that brunch was only on Sundays. We all ordered something different, and we were all very pleased with our meals The Hive Benedict was beautifully prepared, eggs were perfect, although a little more sauce might have been appreciated as the biscuits underneath were pretty thick (but most excellent biscuits, they were!). Our waiter Dylan was efficient and attentive enough, if a little slower to return than we might have liked given how unbusy it was, but he patiently answered all our questions, kept our water glasses full, and was very sweet. The spring pea soup was excellent (which they kindly split into two bowls for mom and me to share, without asking), the potatoes that came with the chicken & biscuits were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with just a little bit of spice. The pancakes and waffles were enormous, the side of bacon and homemade sausage was very generous. And a full brunch for six people (with extras, but no cocktails) came to less than $100, which for an LA girl seems reasonable indeed. The free valet parking on a rainy day was also a very nice touch.
(4)James M.
This was my first time and the food was excellent. Our server was one of the best I've had in a long time. They encourage you to try something you might not be comfortable ordering at your usual spot and let me tell you that it is absolutely worth it. Everything they make is thoughtful, artfully crafted, and very tasty. There are two reasons why it's not a 5 star review: first is the art. The 21C Hotel is known for its showcase of art in the lobby, but it's no Crystal Bridges. Much more of what is on display is of the post-modern, avant guard variety, which is hit and miss for me. I did not enjoy sitting across from a portrait of a child in a gas mask carrying a mouse trap with a rat in it. Major culinary buzz kill. The second reason is a perhaps my own cowardice and lack of cool, but the style of the entire experience is very contemporary and hip. Presently, that's fine. But there is a point where I think trendy clashes with comfortable and I am not confident that I will always find The Hive on the right side of that for me. I certainly enjoyed my experience this time and hope to again, but the confidence I have in the quality of future experiences is too low to give a fifth star.
(4)Adriana F.
My husband picked me up from the airport, I was arriving from Chicago, and I desired a drink, not just a beer but a nice cold cocktail. We settled for a few minutes at his hotel (he is in Bentonville for a 6 months project) and we decided to try this place. We enjoyed the environment, set inside of an art gallery in quaint downtown Bentonville. Getting to be seated was a little disorganized. Someone approached us asked us if he could help, we stated we would like to have dinner, and then the conversation turned blurry, we were not sure if they accepted walk-in or not. This man left staying he was going to find out... we were not sure what, and minutes later a second person approached us. For a restaurant of this caliber it seems they should have the seating process together. Our waiter was excellent, he was very helpful and had an excellent drink recommendation "The Belle Gone Bad". It was very tasty and spiced with homemade jalapeno syrup, my husband rename it "Instant Sore Throat" because it does has a pretty good kick. We were served a small slice of corn bread as we waited for our server. They never asked us if would like another serving, boo hoo. We order Veal Marrow Bones to share as an appetizer. We like unusual things and we both have good childhood memories of eating marrow at our homes (his in Chicago, mine in Buenos Aires). For the not-so-faint at heart and adventurous person this was an excellent choice. Plenty of marrow to be spread over French bread toast and a peach chutney if you like a little sweet. For entre my husband had the Grilled Pork Chop served with fried pickles, zucchini and cranberry beans. I had the Tomato Panisse served with chickpeas, sweet corn, and basil. The pork chop was excellent, one of the best that we had (we always share), thick, evenly cooked over wood fire, and tender. The panisse was an unexpected surprise and texture, reminecent of polenta but made of chicpeas. We were satisfied and could not forced ourselves to try their desserts. Instead we had some of their delicious Sour Apple Cotton Candy served generously overflowing a glass that serves as a vase for the candy. Overall we give them 3 and 1/2 stars but that is not an option on Yelp, so 4 will do. Oh, we found the pinguings that they set at some tables odd and amusing. It would have been fun to see a theme. Pinguins are lime green, the serves having lime green shirts, etc.
(4)David S.
Wow, where do I begin..... Let's just start out by saying the best part of the night was when the valet attendant opened us the door on the way out. I guess I will just lay it all out in this review on different levels. First, we can talk about the décor, which is the only reason this place deserves a star. The art in and outside of the restaurant is beautiful and really fun to look at. On to the initial walk-in and greeting by the hostess. We walked in and made our way through the bar, and it was a little difficult to find the host stand, but we found it around the corner. We made reservations on opentable and noted that one of us was celebrating a birthday, and before we were seated I could tell the hostess read this note, but not one person ever acknowledged the birthday to us in any way. Food-BLAND! BLAND! BLAND! I get a little worried when a restaurant has salt and pepper grinders on the table when they are charging $25+ per entrée. We should have saw the red flags right there, but we were already committed. The server said they are a farm to table restaurant where they make everything in house besides the ketchup, mayo, and mustard. Must be some pretty weak chefs if they can't make any in house condiments. For an appetizer we had the smoked pork belly with a fried green tomato. There was absolutely no smoke flavor whatsoever, and the pork belly was so tough that it took a lot of force to cut it with knife. The breading on the green tomato was not binding to the tomato at all, so it was pretty much like a green tomato with a side of breading. For entrees we got the scallops and the red grouper. This is where the lack of flavor shines through. The grouper was tough and overcooked with zero flavor at all. The scallops which were medium size at best were also tough and overcooked. If I am going to pay $27 and $30 for these dishes then I expect to be wowed. To top it off there were only three scallops on the dish, which I could understand if they were jumbo size scallops. No dessert, but I did order a cappuccino, in which I had to send back because it was ice cold. I just requested it be taken off the bill. Service-Very slow and not personable at all. Again, the birthday was never mentioned to us at all. One thing that really bothered me is that the server places a spoon and a fork on your table after dinner and pretty much tries to pressure you into ordering dessert. I understand the sales technique, but at least present the menus first. It truly just felt like we were not wanted there. We definitely realized after we saw all night every table ending their meal with a complimentary jar of cotton candy that was brought to each table with the check. Guess what??? No cotton candy for us! Just an overall bad birthday dinner that I will never forget. If you are going to call yourself a southern style cooking restaurant then have more southern food on the menu besides a side of grits or collard greens. Don't even think about responding to this review if you are a manager working there because I wouldn't go back to your establishment for any reason. Thank you for ruining my birthday dinner.
(1)Doug M.
I don't really understand some of the other reviews that are five star, and then list various complaints. I couldn't quite bring myself to give four stars, but it is easy for me to give three - and I did enjoy it well enough. This seems to be a trendy/popular place with a lot of non-hotel patrons. It has a fun atmosphere with the openness, abounding art, and young waitstaff. As you may have seen from the pictures of the place, tables get four-foot green penguins as dining guests. Turns out they are a limited run. numbered (up to 200) set. The menu is pretty limited, but seems to have enough different types of entrees to find one you would like. Some of the details got changed from what was actually served - some of which the waiter pointed out would happen, and some of which he forgot. But it was mainly small things like having kale as my greens, rather than green beans. Fortunately, the kale was pretty good. My grilled pork chop was good, but not like I couldn't get somewhere else that knows how to do chops. The wife's salad, locally sourced, consisted of beets, zucchini & squash slices, a creamy cow cheese (forget the name), radishes, and tomatoes. While it looked fairly sparse, she said it was really filling. And the items all were fresh and tasty. Her chilled soup was similar in that it was filling and quite good, while not being overly large. The daughter's hive burger (pimento cheese, tomato jam, house pickles, and french fries), while over-priced at $15, was actually pretty excellent. Beef was very juicy, while still seemingly lean, and the tomato jam added an interesting sweetness. Finally, the aunt's "pasture raised" chicken (with various local vegetables), was a good meal according to her. Again, not real large, but filled her up. Almost forgot! When asked about dessert, we passed. Then they bring out the green apple cotton candy. It was fun and sweet-sour. But it seemed like they wait to see if you will order dessert first - so that you don't just skip straight to the free cotton candy.
(3)Michael P.
I am a huge fan of 21c. This place did not let me down.... Yea I came to see the art, have a drink, eat some food, check out the crowd, and feel "at home." Art: brilliant, but you knew that Drinks: perfect, but you knew that. $9 wines by the glass (not +15 and up) ! Staff/Service: welcoming and helpful without trying to be your friend - my favorite. Trained without that corporate edge, "have you been here before?" My second favorite Food: simple, southern with a twist, superbly executed - but you knew that. Oh gosh, he sold me the cheesecake- I'm a cheesecake snob: I ATE IT ALL and licked the fork. Crowd: Disappointing, I expected more and cuter. Is everyone sleeping in this town at 8pm? Ok- well y'all missed out on meeting me. Can't wait to go back and next time I will bring my entourage.
(4)Dean H.
Very high quality and fresh. The menu is very limited. The Chef has created some of the most creative eclectic fare around here. Nice atmosphere for a friends' lunch.
(4)Kevin G.
The food was just okay. I got a burger medium and the meat came really raw. We had to send it back, the service was excellent though
(3)Maitreyee R.
Fan of the service and the ambiance here. The drinks menu is interesting and makes you want more ;) But, the food I am not sure, for a place like this it did not blow my mind!
(3)Cassie M.
I found the Hive to be a bit odd for a bar mainly becaue I felt like I was in a Starbucks that happened to serve alcohol. The bar has a lot of sky lights a well as sits with large windows that face the street so it is extremely "bright" for a bar, especially at happy hour and also considering it does not get dark in the summer until 9pm. Perhaps it has a different "feel" in the late evening. Seating is stiff couches and chairs. I can't say I was comfortable at all. We ordered a signature cocktail-the "Arkansawyer" which is Hendricks gin, homemade lavendar syrup and lemon juice. Refreshing and good (I had two) but not at $10 a pop at 5:30 on a Tuesday. Ouch. We tried a cheese plate which was ok but nothing too exciting. I hae been more impressed at the cheeseplate offered by the Pressroom on the opposite end of the square. Bigger and you can choose your cheese selection. We also attempted the spicy sweet fries after seeing another patron chow down on them. They were good at first. I never tasted any "spicy" but drizzled in I assume honey, they were sweet. After a few however, they just seemed greasy. It was a busy place with lots of people visiting, drinking wine, some working on laptops, etc. I would probably try the restaurant (Attached) for lunch maybe but again the atmpsphere was less than appealing, to me. Too sterile and cafeteria like. I do like that the 21c signature green penguins just appear sometimes out of no where. My favorite part of this visit was walking around the art galleries in the lobby and surrounding halls of the hotel. Some interesting pieces to say the least. Not sure I will be back for cocktails. I'd much rather relax and visit at the Pressroom or Table Mesa.
(2)Jonathan R.
Without a doubt, this is the best restaurant in Arkansas. After eating at endless chains, gimicky restaurants, and flat out terrible eateries in the area, I was amazed at how authentic, delicious, and beautiful the food at The Hive was. The atmosphere is light, classy, and intriguiging. The staff is friendly and attentive. Also, there are giant green penguins.
(5)Ed H.
Great atmosphere. Service was top notch. Not very hungry so just had small plates. I had the Cauliflower Soup and Short Rib. My fiancée had the Beet Salad and Quail. All were delicious! The Pimento Cheese app was also fantastic. My only criticism was the complimentary cornbread at the beginning of the meal. Not sweet, not buttery, not warm. Need I say more? The wine list was very appealing, but opted for cocktails. Both were very nice, but I had to immediately order a second Arkansawyer - it was that good. Desserts looked fantastic, but too full to try them. I'll definitely try 1 or 3 of them during my next visit.
(4)Jesse W.
WOW! My party and I had a fantastic experience! Fantastic food, awesome decor, attentive and knowledgeable waitress. We had food allergies in our party and the waitress knew her stuff. The chef came to our table to wish a happy birthday and check on our satisfaction with the food. I can't say enough about what a delightful experience this meal was. The pork chop I had was unreal, so melt in your mouth good. Their coffee is also the best I have ever had in a restaurant.
(5)Sarah W.
Yesterday was my second visit for Sunday Brunch. The menu is limited but good, though with few savory vegetarian options. We started with the house made donuts which are light, flaky and delicious. I wanted an egg dish to go with my mimosa. Egg white omelet? Nope, I can make that easily at home. Eggs Benedict? You betcha! Now, the dish comes with tasso (a version of ham) which I requested to not be put on my dish. On my first visit the chef added some spinach; on this visit, the kitchen neglected to respond to my request and I had to send it back to the kitchen for my "vegetarian version". The dish that was set before me was a bland bunch of mush. That said, the summer salad consisted of watermelon, boiled peanuts, feta cheese and onions. It was just the right mix of spice and fruit. We finished off the meal with the berry cobbler which was served with lavender ice cream. Both of those dishes were wonderful. Now about the servers. We had reservations for 1:00 pm and were seated promptly. The restaurant manager took our drinks order and said our server would be right with us. The restaurant manager then came to take our food order as our server was overwhelmed with his six tables. Really? Then we overheard the waitstaff complaining about the kitchen staff, seemingly to make it the kitchen's fault that the service was so slow. Oh, did I mention that it took 25 minutes for us to be served our meal? I know that the benedict has a 25 minute egg but... Plus, the table next to use got their meal served within 15 minutes of being seated. I really want to like The Hive, but it is not the restaurant that it wants to be.
(2)Trish L.
This is probably 3 stars in Southern Cal but for Bentonville I'll give it 4. I travel here regularly and this is probably the best meal I've had here. Nice space and ambiance. Menu is nice and the food was good. Wine list is way too high end for this place. Very few bottles under $50. Service was just okay unfortunately.
(4)Frank J.
The trendy place to eat in town. Food was excellent, service is a bit college aged eager rather than well trained. The long black aprons when turned around show a huge variety of interesting young garb. The food is good, and it's innovative. Dinner is lively and each choice was excellent. The place hops during the evening, there is a lot of service staff so it is a pleasure to dine there. As this is a hotel restaurant it is open for breakfast. The breakfast is limited and the service is dreadful. We are talking 40 minutes for an omlet in an empty restaurant at 8:30. Bring a protein bar and have the excellent coffee in your room. The bar is hopping, service is good. All in all a great restaurant where you would not expect to find one.
(5)Stephanie P.
This place is awesome! Make sure you order the pimento cheese spread! And the brown butter ice cream....yum!
(5)Mary P.
As another reviewer said "The Hive is not the restaurant it wants to be." I've eaten at the one in Cincinnati and it was lovely. And we have taken out-of-state guests several times to the Hive in the past and it was great. But 2 of us went last Sunday and it was such a disappointment. The menu seemed blah and after spending over $40 we wished we had waited and eaten at the museum. The staff just couldn't be bothered. Our waiter didn't know what kind of tea you had and didn't care to check. The waitstaff were dressed like they worked at a fast-food joint. And all this could have been overlooked it they were the least bit friendly. It took forever to get the check and we never saw our waiter again after he took our order.
(2)Brian W.
Had a great late afternoon with John at the bar and the other bar staff. Good conversation around sports, cocktails and Spirits history and current events. Thanks.
(4)David M.
We had a wonderful dinner highlighted by a friendly and entertaining staff. The Pimento Cheese starter is killer with a bacon marmalade topping. I had the Hanger Steak and my wife had the Pork Chop, which were both fantastic. The Corporate Manhattan was so good, I had two. It uses High West Rye with fantastic cherries. As good as the food, was the staff. Our waiter Jefferson was very friendly with great recommendations. Plus, everyone else at the restaurant was great. A number of people kept stopping by to check on us. You can tell how excited they are to work at such a fun place. Finally, the atmosphere was an added bonus. The hotel lobby and restaurant is also a modern art gallery. I recommend getting one of those manhattan's and checking out the artwork after your meal. It is fun, interactive, and approachable, not pretentious. Great night. The hotel rooms are great too.
(5)G D.
Have wanted to try this place for a while, so decided to go for lunch one day last week. The decor, service, and ambience are top-notch, and the food was very good, if a little pricey. We had the burger and a chicken salad, and both were quite yummy, though a little on the smallish side. And if you get lonely at your table, or would just like an additional dining companion, the staff will slide a little green penguin up to join you at your table! Whether you go for lunch or dinner, make sure to allow time to walk around the entire 21C hotel lobby! There are art exhibits of various media (paintings, electronic/projection, computer generated, sculptures) throughout the first floor. Definitely worth a peek.
(4)Tracy L.
My husband and I had a great night out there when they first opened. The menu is fresh and original and the ambiance makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable. I had the corporate manhattan, quail, rabbit and dumplings, and toffee pudding, my husband, who is gluten-free, had the five and dime, 25 minute egg, pork chop and chocolate custard and we split a bottle of brazin lodi old vine zin. The whole dining experience takes about 90 minutes, or possibly 2 hours on a busy friday or saturday night, but it's worth it, and if you course out the meal and have some good company, you don't even notice the time passing. If things start to get backed up in the kitchen (as is bound to happen in a new restaurant), they encourage you to take your drinks and wander the galleries :) I'm a foodie at heart and this place warms the cockles. Go try it!
(5)Alison C.
In town from LA and decided to have a meal here after a foodie I trust directed us to the Hive. Great call. Pork chop was a little fatty but tasted great. Burger was under cooked as my wife asked for medium well and got rare, but I love rare burgers and she loves pork chops so we switched and everybody's happy. Started with the butcher plate and it was Amazing toast points with pork pate and andouille sausage. Next was a spin on French onion soup which was ok and I could have skipped but our friend ordered emulsified egg over kale and rice and it was also amazing. Skipped dessert as we were late for a movie but they sent us away with green apple cotton candy. I will definitely be back as this is hands down the best restaurant I have ever eaten at in Arkansas.
(4)John D.
Attended private event last night. Food was ok, service poor. Was to be 630-830 and had to chase down waiter to get check just before 10pm, who gave me attitude. If not a group gratuity, I would have stiffed the waiter.
(2)Monica C.
Located in Bentonville's new 21c Museum Hotel, The Hive features refined country cooking by chef and Arkansas native Matthew McClure. The menu showcases the unique culinary identity of Arkansas, using the region's freshest ingredients at their peak. A tribute to the High South, McClure's menu focuses on regional farmers and producers with ingredients such as black walnuts, freshly milled corn meal, hickory smoked hams, peaches, melons and sweet onions. Be sure to make time to explore the galleries at 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville. They are free and open to the public 24/7.
(5)K B.
Recently came here for dinner with my girlfriend. We are both transplants from large cities and this is the best food we've had since coming to the area. Our server was knowledgeable about the food and very attentive and the food was excellent. We tried the pork chop, which I highly recommend. The cabbage that comes along with it is delicious! We also had a special (brisket with red wine and root vegetables). The sauce and vegetables were delicious, but the meat was dry and tough. We also had the sous vide egg which was a great dish. I think that I would give The Hive 5 stars if the brisket had been better (I'd honestly give the meat in the dish 1 star), but the rest of our experience was so positive that I can't knock this place too much.
(4)Rob C.
Be bold in what you order. Chef is one of the best!
(5)Philip C.
Consistently great food. Everything is thought through, well presented. The French fries are notably great.
(5)F S.
Given the positive reviews and word of mouth about the new restaurant at the 21c Hotel, I had high expectations when going to The Hive for brunch. To be fair, The Hive only recently opened for brunch, but, to me, brunch is often an indication of the success of a restaurant during their regular core business hours. If a brunch is simply okay, chances are the restaurant overall is simply okay. Why would a good restaurant risk its reputation with any sub-par moments of truth with their diners? Every moment counts. So here goes, the overall rating for brunch today: C minus. And value? A solid D. I will break the rating down into every part of the meal, so that you can understand the overall rating. Brunch for two: 1. Host: Grade A. Arriving at 11:30 AM, the staff was very gracious and immediately seated us. The restaurant ambiance is eclectic and spacious, but do note that this not a place for private, romantic dinners. 2. The Menu: Grade C minus. The current brunch menu is an incoherent amalgam of relatively few items--17 to be exact, of which 7 are categorized as entrees. I observed diners looking at the front of the menu and then turning to the back of menu looking for more options. Additionally, the choices are remarkably unremarkable. Do we want to offer more lunch or more breakfast items or neither? Would you like Pea soup or a goat cheese salad with your pancake entree? The Hive doesn't know what to offer, because they don't stand for anything yet. 3. Service: Grade B. The entire staff is eager to please and were certainly a pleasant part of the meal. At least six people approached us today seeking feedback, except the kitchen staff. They WANT to help you, but there is only so much they can do, if the meal is so-so, and the kitchen is unaware of their food issues. The staff is friendly, yet slightly green, like the penguins. 4. The meal: a. Virgin Bloody Mary: Grade C-minus. Have you ever had a SWEET Bloody Mary? Well, for me this was a first, and I was not thrilled with the taste. b. Cappuccino: Grade B. The coffee was fine. c. Citrus and Berries with pecan crumbles and honey: Grade D. A sad, undistinguished plate of ten small pieces of fruit and a forgettable presentation of crumbs. d. Pancakes: Grade B-plus. For this $13 entree, you receive two pancakes with a slightly crisp texture and thick (albeit globular) maple syrup. The pancakes were quite good and served as the appetizer for the meal, as the fruit dish itself suffered (see c). e. Frittata with chorizo and spinach: Grade D. Expecting a moist, spicy or tangy dish, I was very disappointed to receive a dull-tasting frittata that happened to be very dry--like NWA in August. The dish is small, so I encourage you to order sides, if you're a normal eater. f. Bacon: Grade B. Produced in house, the bacon was flavorful (again, very dry) and complemented the frittata well. g. War Eagle Grits: Grade B. These tasty, cheesy grits were the most substantial portion of the meal (and moist), and helped to complete the meal. However, if you do not like grits, you can choose skillet potatoes, which I did not try. h. Chocolate Custard Dessert: Grade C. You would think by now that we would have been full, but I assure you, you will not feel that way as you proceed through the course of the meal. With this dessert, we received four little refrigerated chocolate custard mounds the size of small marshmallows, I'm sure a lot of effort went into creating this dish, as well as the others, from scratch, but the dessert was unimaginative and punctuated the entire disillusionment with the restaurant. One hundred dollars later, I am disappointed to see another promising restaurant fail the standards of basic chain restaurants--reliability, menu options, and value (not cheap, just value commensurate to their pricing). I WANT to support these local establishments, but I'm afraid this moment of truth has made me reluctant to return to The Hive for other meals. Your moments of truth may vary.
(2)Akshay V.
If your a Connoisseur, passionate about Art, and would like to meet like minded people, I don't think there any other place than the hive at 21c around NWA, Certainly a very moment creating and a special place. Have fun, be good!
(5)