Wonderful service; efficient hostess and reservations policies. Let's talk food: the beef tartare was AMAZING!! My husband and daughter had the pot pie, which was completely cleaned before cleared. My husband had the pork duo cooked to perfection. My son had the wagyu hamburger, which was also cooked to perfection and extremely well seasoned. I had the grilled Romaine for my main dish and it was SO GOOD!! This place serves delicious food with friendly service in extremely comfortable surroundings... Well done! ...And the desserts couldn't be passed up either!
(5)
Rob P.
My gripe with this restaurant has a few levels. Our initial approach was a friendly greeting and an offer to sit at the kitchen bar. We were happy to be seated quickly and took the option. From that point it took at least 10 minutes to get a drink order and another 10 before we were asked what we would like. As the food came out we were underwhelmed - the beat salad consisted of a few bites of stewed beets with a pinch of greens and a drizzle of sauce. For $10 I want to feel like I got something - this fell short. The mussels were also bland and lacking in originality. Finally there was the steak - this was actually quite good, but the roughly 5oz cut for $41 felt off. My biggest complaint is one of value. 3 appetizers, 1 entree, 2 glasses house red and 2 cocktails = $140.
(2)
Catherine G.
I was very excited to go and try out Bistro C.V. after hearing rave reviews about it from my hosts in Steamboat. In fact, I went with yelper Scott J. who had previously given the restaurant a rating of five and described it as the "best in Steamboat." The food was good, but the service was not only lacking, but overly pretentious. A member of our dinner party mentioned to the waitress that some of his gnocchi were frozen and/or cold, but that otherwise the dish was good. Her response was to take his plate back to the kitchen and march back to our table with a "basic version" of the dish to "educate the diner." This "education" was carried out in front of our dinner party and the aim was clear- to humiliate the diner who had given the feedback on the food. Really, if you plan on spending $600+ on a nice meal out, pick a place where the staff act with more respect toward the customers. The servers attitude ruined what would have been an acceptable meal. I won't be back.
(2)
Lisa T.
We just left Bistro C.V. and disappointed doesn't begin to describe our experience. Our party of 7 were promptly seated at our reserved time of 7:30. From there, the experience tragically declined. Our server was arrogant and condescending, this was a collective consensus from the entire table. We sat with nothing but water and menus in front of us for 35 minutes. The restaurant was about 40% full. We received our first cocktail at 8:05pm. Menus still remained on the table, we were never offered bread and butter drinks were brought to our table in pairs or singles. Once we received our first course, we were very pleased with the quality of the steak tartare, grilled romaine and beets. Excellent preparation. Our entrees were average at best. High in salt, and this is coming from a salt-a-holic....We passed on desserts and paid our nearly $600 tab, tip inclusive which was about 15% and we are typically a 20-25% tipping group. We have been looking forward to this dinner since we booked this trip in October. Completely disappointed.
Wow - this place blew me away. Went for a group dinner last night (11 of us). Service was impeccable, but the real star was the food. The menu changes daily and is all locally sourced or flown in daily. We tried: Scallop tataki - perfectly seared with citrus. Freshest I've ever had. Chicken pot pie - this was my least favorite but the corn bread taste was outstanding. Burger - amazing. Perfect. Huge. So good! Pork duo - tenderloin and pork belly. Great choice of flavor sand beautiful presentation Charcuterie and cheese - let your served do the selection. The duck prosciutto was outstanding. Ashley, our server was a delight. The views of the bar and kitchen were great. The ambience is not too stuffy, very comfortable. This will be an annual dinner when we visit. Cheers!!
(5)
G M.
Unbelievable. Top three meals of my life. Everything from the appetizer to the desert was a unreal experience. I will be back every time I'm in steamboat!!
(5)
Melon D.
We came here per many recommendations from locals this last Wednesday night. It was fabulous! Great atmosphere, good wine selection, very nice service and the food... I struggle to find a word worthy of it's excellence. Fresh, gorgeous plating and perfect portions. The preparation of the food was indeed masterful. Zero complaints, in fact, on my list of top 5 best meals of my life. If you are in the area, check this place out! We will return!
(5)
Bill F.
We had a fixed course dinner for valentines and everything about the experience was amazing. We will be back soon to check out the regular menu
(5)
Mike R.
Before I start this review, I just want to mentioned that everything I ate was ordered for me, so if I am a little off on what an item was, I apologize. We started with the taco appetizer which was amazing. A light flaky shell filled with a citrusy tuna...amazing. Then there were the mussels...The Mussels!!! The most fresh tasting delightfulness in a corn chowder type broth! Amazing!!! Then the Burger! One of the top 5 best burgers I have ever had. I think I tasted a hint of foie gras in the patty! It came with this amazing aioli and phenomenal onions. My one critique was that the bun was mediocre. On a great bun, this would be the best burger hands down. We finished with a red velvet dessert. It came with pistachio ice cream and some sort of cheesecake type item. It was fantastic! Even the bread with the salted butter at the beginning of the meal was great! I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Noah P.
As someone who tends to critique almost everything about dining out, it is rare when I give that experience five stars. This was my first time visiting Bistro C.V., but it certainly will not be my last. Let me start with the service. I called ahead to assure a table, and even though my family and I showed up 15 minutes early they managed to have us seated in no time. The hostess and waitress tended to my parents and I with the same equality as if a celebrity was in the room. Every detail of our order was accommodated to wonderfully from the split glass of wine, to substituting certain ingredients in my meal to suit my pescetarian diet. Bravo wait staff, easily some of the best I've seen in this town. The food was marvelous. We ordered a small plate for an appetizer to split, which consisted of mushrooms in a magnificent broth, with a poached egg on the side topped with a garlic and oil baguette. It's a good thing they also brought bread to the table, because we soaked up every drop of that broth. From the time we finished our appetizer we had a moment to enjoy our wine and local beer from Butcherknife Brewery. My father had the half chicken main course, that from the look of his face seemed incredible. My mother had a medium plate order of mussels in a white wine broth, that we also ended up polishing off the broth of with another side of baguette our server kindly brought over. My scallops were incredible... Served over a black bean puree, which normally would be served with a chorizo vinaigrette reduction, but due to my diet the chef kindly made a custom sauce to serve on the side made of fennel that was to die for. Some of the top food I've had in this town for sure. The chefs were incredible, and a real treat to watch. Their skills with cooking were shown wonderfully through the presentation of the dishes. Not to mention the combinations of flavors I had never tasted before that they were able to share with me I will certainly remember for a long time. And I strongly recommend you try. The only ding I would say is the price range... However, it is still worthy of a five star rating, because I would gladly pay my bill again to enjoy the meal I just received. Bistro is great to treat your family, bring a date, or hell... I would even sit at the chef bar and watch great chefs prepare my meal alone to taste some of this food again. Highly recommend this joint. If any of you work at Bistro C.V. and happen to read this, thank you very very much! I will definitely be back.
(5)
Gabriella L.
Let's start off with how terrible the service was... yes, it was Terrible. We had a reservation and had too still wait 20 minuets. So we got some cocktails from the bar. They were good but over priced. I mean $25 dollars is a joke. We were finally sat, the waiter was rude and clearly thought it was okay to act this way. Appetizers were great! Dinner course was okay. Basically the same size as the appetizers were. Dessert was good. But, Wasn't filled when we left. I would suggest going for appetizers, dessert and drinks. Don't get scammed on over priced entrees. There are some way better options for dinner in town :)
(2)
Mary S.
To all the nay sayer reviews, this is not country buffet! We found the service friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Just because they know what they are doing, doesn't make them pretentious. It is expensive but, no more than any other gourmet restaurant. No they don't pile the food on your plate so that you can't see across the table, however, it is more than adequate and not the point of this dining experience. The dishes were beautifully plated and delicious! A fantastic place for a special occasion.
(5)
Nathan G.
I went here with friends for dinner and sat at the chef's table / bar. We had an unreal meal. It is hard for me to put into words how great of a meal this was. Every dish was *flawless*. The chefs kept the food flowing: Hand picked (by the chef) wild mushrooms & sorrel from Rabbit Ears Pass Escargot Chicken & chorizo pot pie. Mussels and clam chowder in one dish. Yellowfin crudo Steak tartar. Lamb entree and sausage. Hanger steak. Whole wheat pasta with mild mushrooms. The grilled head of Romaine is unreal. All veggies were super fresh and cooked perfectly al dente. All of the food paired with awesome wines (loved the Turley Zin). This is one of the top meals I've ever had.
(5)
Mike E.
I wanted to take my girlfriend somewhere nice to celebrate her birthday a couple of Fridays ago so I did some research on Yelp and found Bistro CV. We arrived 10-15 minutes early for our reservation but were still seated right away in a mostly full restaurant. The hostess dropped us with the menus and a couple of waters, saying our server would be right with us. However it was a good 10 minutes of watching servers handling other tables before our waitress showed up. While we were waiting we were trying to guess which one was going to be helping us, we both guessed right based on the fact that she didn't make any eye contact with us. Everything seemed very organized so maybe she was waiting for our reservation time to start the proceedings? Regardless, it was the not-so-low-point of a great evening. We felt like doing a tasting style dinner so we split several items, starting with an order of escargot. The thing that made them different is they supposedly were only fed basil leaves. The basil flavor was strong but not overwhelming, a good start. Next we had the duck rillette, which was one of the best dishes I've had in a while. The duck came in a large shot glass, with a stack of crostini. Perfect presentation to go with great flavors - wicked good! Our next dish was the butter poached lobster, which was just OK. It came with smoked gouda creamed corn that wasn't as good as it sounds. The lobster seemed to be overcooked, as it was a little on the rubbery side. For the main dish we split the wagyu hanger steak and it was incredibly good. Cooked to a perfect medium rare it melted in our mouths, and was sided with cheese grits and sauteed spinach with trumpet mushrooms. One of the better steaks I've had in some time for sure. Bistro CV is easy to find - as it's on the main drag, and there is parking readily availiable in the area. I read that the attire was "dressy" but that's not the case at all. Jeans seemed to be just fine, and I even saw some dude in a t-shirt, so no stress on that front. Overall we had a great time and I know we'll be back the next time we're in town.
The grilled romaine is as good as it gets. You have to try this. The cv burger was perfect The mussels were fresh and tasty in a light broth. There was a red beet dish ( I can't remember the name of it) which was creamy and fluffy... The cocktails were amazing! Presentation and service were excellent.
(4)
Cathy B.
Surprised to find this quality of dining in Steamboat Springs, the restaurant scored on all areas: food quality, presentation, service, ambience, and dishes with just the right amount of uniqueness to them. I would highly recommend the Roasted Romaine Salad w/white anchovies. The Lamb was the best I've ever had and the dessert of strawberry rhubarb cobbler was amazing. Everyone in our party was ecstatic about the food they chose. The waiter was knowledgeable about the wine and the food. His service was spot on which was a refreshing change from the usual ski lift operator, working as a restaurant waiter, caliber of server found at many Steamboat restaurants. The presentation alone of the food makes it worth checking out bistro cv.
(5)
Alden G.
Raised review to five stars; should have done that awhile ago! Consistently one of the top restaurants in town.
(5)
J K.
Outstanding food and cocktails. Nice wine list also. We are foodies and tough critics generally. We have nothing but accolades for this restaurant.
(5)
Holly S.
ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE. Bistro cv could make it in nyc no doubt about it. We sit at the chefs bar and just watch in awe. Kitchen runs like a well oiled machine and the chefs are so kind and willing to chat. The food is unbelievably fresh, beautifully displayed, and SO flavorful. If you come to the boat looking for a real treat, this is the place to be!
(5)
Rob D.
this is likely the best food in dreamboat. i took one star away for no soup.how can they not offer a gourmet soup for 7 dollars. the portions are small but very good. the room is bad no atmosphere. if you sit out side in the summer prepare for loud trucks and lots of dust and dirt from main st. cv will go away just like all the ones before it [ antares]. cafe diva is ok but to get a great meal of value try Denver.
(4)
David J.
A real score for Steamboat. Can't wait to get back here. Service was great and the food delicious. The lamb was excellent.
(5)
Matthew W.
Trendy, expensive, cutesy. Yes the food is delicious. These dishes are complex, full of tiny additions that take hours to prepare. This is the place to go in Steamboat for a gastronomic journey, a leisurely sail through a culinary Caribbean. But, if you just want the best food in town without any fu-fu, go to Cafe Diva.
(4)
J R.
Do not go here snobby waitresses! And lots of sand in the morel mushrooms We will always be going to diva! I'm sorry I strayed ..food was ok at best
(2)
Geoff And Jenni G.
We have eaten here several times over the years and it is always fabulous... The food is fantastic... absolutely delicious (never had anything that even came close to being OK - always superb!)... Honestly, it's the best restaurant in Steamboat hands down (in our humble opinion!) :-) Highly highly recommend a visit if you are in Steamboat... Enjoy! :-)
(5)
Jess G.
After going to Bistro C.V. two years ago, my boyfriend and I have always said that it is the best meal we have ever had together. Our most recent visit this winter just reconfirmed that! Bistro C.V. is not great just in comparison to the other restaurants in Steamboat; it would be great in any major city. Everything done in this restaurant is done to the highest standards - the service, the food, the wine...it's all great. And the best part? It's not that expensive and you can usually get a table pretty easily...including seats at the counter where you can watch the chefs at work! For both of our Bistro C.V. dinners, we have sat at the counter to watch the chefs while enjoying our food. It's fascinating to see them at work and even to get to ask questions if they're not too busy. We enjoy trying to guess what everything is as well :) Bistro C.V. has a great wine menu and the sommelier was very helpful this past trip when we couldn't decide what we wanted. He asked about our tastes and recommended a red blend that was within our price range. It was great! The hostess and the waiter were very friendly as well. To start, bread and butter is brought out -- the bread is nice and soft and the butter has a tiny bit of salt to add to the flavor. We then ordered two appetizers to split - the beef tartare and fried bone marrow. I never thought I would ever eat either one of those items, but after trying the beef tartare two years ago at the recommendation of a close friend, we were hooked. I used to eat my beef well done...I have since accepted medium...but raw? I never thought that would happen. I'm still not sure I'll get it anywhere else, but Bistro C.V.'s beef tartare is my favorite thing on the menu. It is chopped up so finely and mixed with spices and other items (to be honest, I'm not sure what exactly) that you don't even realize it's raw. It's served with a quail egg on top that adds a very nice touch and some finely chopped red onion and pepper on the side. I recommend putting it all together on the toasted bread as you're supposed to -- the whole combination is amazing. I could really talk about the beef tartare forever... I guess I should move on though! Given that we liked the tartare so much, my boyfriend (who grew up ordering buttered noodles at restaurants...not generally an adventurous eater) wanted to be daring and try the fried bone marrow. We had no idea what to expect and honestly didn't know what we were looking at when it arrived; however, just as with the beef tartare, we put all the components together on a little toast and ate it! It wasn't as great as the tartare, but it was very flavorful. We cleaned the plate, so obviously it wasn't bad! We also split a salad with pears, sunflower seeds, and a spicy chipotle vinaigrette that was a nice light addition. For our entree, we split the burger. The burger is simple but done to perfection - great quality meat, a grilled bun, pickled onions, and a garlic aioli. The mashed potatoes on the side are also amazing - they're incredibly buttery and smooth. I don't even want to think about the amount of butter that must be in them... It may not seem like enough food for two people, but we were actually almost too full after the meal (although still no complaints). Their portions are big and the food is all very filling. The bottle of wine didn't hurt either ;-) Despite being full though, my boyfriend insisted on trying a dessert, so we switched from our usual chocolate obsession to try a pot de creme with brown sugar, candied ginger, and diced cooked apples (that also had some sort of special preparation), as well as gingersnaps on the side. It was served in a wide-mouthed mason jar and was really good -- unfortunately I was too full at that point so I let my boyfriend eat most of it! Bistro C.V. now has our top two meals....I recommend it for anyone in Steamboat or nearby. It's great for special occasions, but I'd probably also go all the time if I lived there!
(5)
lee s.
Meh.
(3)
Maria W.
Outstanding all around, nothing else to say.
(5)
Casey P.
We've come here frequently and the food is always different and good. They have some staple meals that stay on the menu but there is just enough variety that we don't get bored. It is a more formal atmosphere but I wouldn't feel uncomfortable in jeans/t-shirt. Great service, great food, good atmosphere - you get what you pay for, though. The food is not cheap, but worth it!
(5)
Yuri V.
This restaurant deserves Michelin stars. Most of our sentiments were captured in some of the other reviews that delineated the virtues of this restaurant. I could not imagine that a restaurant of this quality could be found anywhere in Colorado. This is as good as it gets in top restaurants. Even the wine list is cool - DRC, Krankle's SQN, Other CA cults....I recommend flying to Steamboat for dinner at C.V. Bistro.
(5)
Eric T.
We came here with a large group (20+ people) on vacation, so the fact that they were able to accommodate us and keep the alcohol flowing is already a +1 in my book. As far as the food goes, I can only speak to what my wife and I ordered and the bites we tried of other items. Fried bone marrow with salsa verde - I love almost anything bone marrow these days. This was slightly different, not so much because it was fried, but because the bone marrow had already been taken out of the bone and was setup as a spread for the bread. The charred lemon on the side added nice touch of acidity/smoke. ? tartare - This is probably going to be the most useless part of my review. I only had a bite of my wife's tartare order, and clearly my drinking during this trip has affected my memory, because I can't even remember if it was steak or tuna. I didn't end up sick afterwards, so whatever it was, it was apparently fresh at least. Scallop tataki - I stole a couple of bites of this from another person at the table, and it was delicious. The scallop was briefly seared and then sliced thinly and served with some accompaniments. Berkshire pork duo - This was my main dish which was comprised of aged pork loin and braised pork belly. Both were prepared well, and for the pork loin in particular, this was a good measuring stick since a lot of places will overcook pork loin for fear of it appearing even a little bit on the pink side. This was cooked perfectly. Pork belly is pork belly ... mmmmmmmm. Duck breast - I'm unfortunately going to be sparse on details again here, but the bite of this dish that I had seemed to be cooked well. Red velvet cake - Probably the most disappointing item of the meal. I love me a big old piece of red velvet cake slathered in cream cheese frosting. This was tiny bites of cake with dollops of cream cheese frosting on top. It tasted fine, but it's anti-climactic if you're expecting a slice of cake. Service was friendly without being overbearing. Our waiter seemed pretty knowledgeable about the wine list, and when they discovered that they were out of the wine we ordered, he provided us with the option of an upgraded wine at the same price. The only minor quibble I had with the service was that when our main dishes came out, a number of people had the wrong dish put down in front of them (understandable given the number of people we had, but not really what you would expect when you're paying $30-40 per dish). After a brief game of musical plates though, everyone had their food in front of them and was happy. Overall, I'd happily come back here for a meal if I'm in Steamboat again.
(4)
Alvin W.
I've been there many times and the food is always excellent. This was the first time we'd been there and they were out of three things. Since Craig left, I'm not sure who is doing the wine list but the list is out of balance with most wines over $100. There are way too many pinots over $125. There are so many great restaurant wines from all over the world representing good value and they're absent. Southern Italy, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, Australia are either unrepresented or absent completely. I'd rather pay 50 bucks for something new and interesting than over pay for a cult Pinot. On the other hand, an Aubert Chardonnay for $110 is a steal.
(4)
Linda S.
Our favorite restaurant, hands down, anywhere. We love the chef's bar. The food is fresh, innovative and beautifully prepared. Mountain food can be very heavy, but while you can get lots of hearty options, you can also get light, flavorful options throughout the menu. Too many favorites to mention. My one complaint for management is that we used to get amazing micro herbs and greens. The Chocolate cheese cake with fresh micro basil or mint was absolutely to die for. We understand that the micro greens are no longer being grown in house. PLEASE BRING THEM BACK!!!
(5)
Lori S.
I would almost drive to Steamboat just to eat here. This is a must-do restaurant. Their grilled Romaine salad is off the chart. Who knew grilled lettuce could be so decadent. Their peak seasonal food mixed with their clever chemistry gastronomic skills will leave you happy and satisfied. Their is nothing on the menu that is not "to die for". Ask the wait staff for recommendations; they are very helpful and knowledgeable. Enjoy!
(5)
Michelle B.
WORSE owners & staff in all of Steamboat!!! They offer gift cards for 'bad' experiences & when u go back to redeem it they don't HONOR them! THIS RESTAURANT IS A JOKE!!!!!!! Most places want to make it 'right' but not this one!! Do not waste your time or money!!!!! Oh & watch out for FOOD POISONING!!!!!!!!
(1)
Kristina T.
There are restaurants in ski towns where you pay a lot of money for atmosphere or cache, and then there are those that truly deliver. The menu was imaginative, the food was delicious and the service was attentive but never overbearing or overfamiliar. A special dining experience well worth the price.
(5)
Mark L.
Loved the tomato dish for a starter, mixing yogurt and pistachio's was a good touch. The cheese with pate was well cheese and pate, how can you go wrong with this. The beef main dish with potato puree was mmmmm and filling as well. Steak tartar and chicken pot pie were fair. I was expecting more flavor, something to jump out at me, but it was just plain. Good wine selection. Ended up spending quite a bit, but enjoyed the time. Good service.
(4)
Wil R.
Fine dining in Steamboat, a must try!
(5)
Lola F.
Incredible meal. The grilled romaine salad made my night. The charcuterie was very well prepared, great wine, great atmosphere, and great entrees. The service was attentive and down to earth. My boyfriend and I often get the "young treatment" while dining in upscale establishments as we are both 22, yet both in the industry and know our stuff. We felt very at ease and extremely satisfied from beginning to end with the experience. I would highly recommend for a foodie!
(5)
Beth Y.
We tried Bistro CV on the recommendation of some friends, and had an enjoyable meal. We each ordered three courses - a starter, a main, and a dessert. That was plenty of food, and we could have done with a bit less - maybe splitting a starter and dessert would have been enough in addition to a main entree. The highlight of my meal was a green gazpacho with an avocado cream and edible flower garnish. Fresh, cool, with cucumber and mint, it was a great summer choice and something I will remember. My friend's fried bone marrow was not so great - tough and fried in chunks rather than the buttery goodness of marrow that we have enjoyed in other places. My husband liked his steak tartare - nothing special but nicely presented and tasty. The main courses included a lovely house made ramp pasta vegetarian dish - a nice portion size (not too big) and tasty with morels and sun dried tomatoes. My friend's chicken dish actually would have been just as good without the chicken! The combinations of flavors in the corn puree, sweet onion chutney, and other bits on the plate were beautifully prepared and presented. My husband's halibut was ok - nothing special but good. The other highlight of the meal was an apple and tart cherry crumble with house made vanilla ice cream. Amazing end to the evening! The other desserts we tried (coffee ice cream and something chocolate), were good also but the crumble was memorable! Overall we had a lovely dinner. If I had one critique, it would be that the service is not on par with the food. Our server was bordering on unfriendly - never smiled, never offered suggestions on the menu, and generally looked like she was uninterested in our table. She was not that way at other tables where she clearly recognized some of the customers. We did not let this spoil an otherwise lovely evening, and will keep Bistro CV in our list of places to go in Steamboat.
(4)
Alvarez W.
Very good food. I highly recommend sitting at the bar in front of the line where the chef and line cooks are working. The food has been consistent the two times I've gone there. The service is great. Drinks are very balanced and well prepared. I love everything about this place. I will go there every time I visit Steamboat...hands down.
(4)
Gregory Z.
Definitely the standout meal I had during my time in Steamboat. The adventurous menu changes nearly daily based on the ingredients on hand, with a focus on items from small farm operations in the U.S. With a menu like this place has the service can easily veer in pretentiousness, but it was friendly and accessible. I took a chance on something I had never even seen on a menu much less tasted before, the elk loin. It was awesome - like a very light filet mignon. It came with pureed parsnip (something else I had never had) and a huckleberry jus. A delicious flavor combination when put together. Appetizers for the group incuded a plate of three cheeses (including an awesome bleu), grilled romaine salad, and steak tartare with quail egg. Other entrees included the mussels, duck breast, and flat iron steak. Everyone raved about their meals. A bit expensive, but well worth the cost.
(5)
Kristi E.
We enjoyed our meal, but it was nothing particularly outstanding. We started with the veal pate with cherries and pistachios. Although it had good flavor, the texture was chunky and hard to spread on the thin slices of toasted bread that came with it. My beet trio was underseasoned; I couldn't detect any flavor in the sauce and it lacked salt. My husband had the mussels, which were delicious. My main dish was the lamb. There were slices of lamb loin which were perfectly prepared and delicious, and then there was some kind of a shredded lamb that was just odd and again, underseasoned. My husband had the scallops, which were well-prepared. The dessert -- peanut butter molten chocolate cake -- was fabulous! Loved the homemade toasted marshmallow. Although our waiter was perfectly pleasant and competent, he didn't engage in any of the niceties you would expect of a fine restaurant. Did not welcome us to the restaurant, explain the menu, apologize that the appetizers took quite a long time to arrive, check to see if the food was to our liking, or thank us when he brought the check. So I would rate the service as perfunctory. Although it was a pleasant meal, I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)
Heather K.
I've neglected yelp hardcore this year - lots of travels! First up - C.V. Bistro. in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I was in Steamboat for 1 week and I ate here 3 times. No joke. I think this place is absolutely wonderful. First up, drinks! Great wine list, great margaritas, and a basil lemon martini. Second, beet trio with fennel is AMAZING, if you love beets, and I do, oh so much. Salmon tartare, so great. Third and the best of all... caesar salad. The romaine is grilled with truffle-garlic dressing and a side of parmesan custard. Honestly, one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life. Lastly, I tried a root vegetable pasta. The portion was small but it was exactly right. Food aside, the staff was great. We had two little girls with us and they were very accommodating to the shrills and kobe beef hot dog consumption. Too bad the mountain is closed... I don't know if I can wait a whole year for that salad...
(5)
Scott J.
Hands down, the best food in Steamboat. Bistro c.v. easily would hold its own against restaurants in cities such as SF or New York. A number of restaurants have come and gone at this location. A Japanese / sushi place that I never checked out. More recently, a Chinese joint which happened to serve margaritas that I stopped into once with my girls Kate and Marie. So when I saw a new sign hanging out front, I wanted to check it out. My first time here was with my family, and by the time we finished our appetizers we already knew we found something special and would return. I forget exactly what we had for our appetizers, but the main dishes were fantastic. Around the table we had two takers for the c.v. burger - made with wagyu beef and foie gras. My dad had the foxfire farms lamb rack, and I had the yukon gold potato gnocchi. Our server was Brandon, and he was wonderful. My dad and I came back before the end of the week. I started my meal with Ingrid's mussels per Joe B's review, and I was not disappointed. I went with the burger that I missed the last time for my main dish, and my dad had the maine diver scallops. He chose well, and the scallops were the best either one of us had ever had. A+. I think our server that night was Lisa, and she was great and had insightful details about the 75 Wine Company Cabernet which was a perfect choice that reminded us both of a Rafanelli cab. I can't wait to come back for round three.
(5)
Sandy Z.
My wife and I recently dined here - As I was choosing a wine for dinner I saw that the wine list had a bottle of Romanee Conti and to be honestI was a bit shocked. However, after experiencing one of the best meals that we have had in a long time - I told the waiter that the food deserved the wine list! The chicken liver pate was amazing and the balance of the meal met that same level of quality, taste, and presentation. Truly a gratifying experience - We live in SF and dine all over the world and have to say - This meal was in our top five of the year. Congrats to the team there.
(5)
Autumn S.
Service was excellent!!! Our water never went below half full and our waiter was very attentive. However, the food was lackluster. It was ok, but nothing stood out or was memorable. Between myself and my four dining companions, I don't remember anyone walking away saying, wow, dinner was great; especially given the expectations the ambitious tastings oriented menu set. I tried to like Bistro C. V. becasue the servers were excellent and I always appreciate a place that tries to keep things seasonal and fresh, but I just left feeling like the food could have been so much better.
(3)
Kenneth T.
We had a very nice meal beginning with bruschetta and Ingrid's mussels then a hake (fish) entree and an even better cream less Alfredo pasta. Dessert also excellent- I thought a proscecco and watermelon sorbet was superb and wife liked a deconstructed peach cobbler- nice and helpful waitress (good advice etc). Nice local alcohol- leopold's gin, stranahans whiskey. For aficionados they had some del maguey sgl village mescal and van winkle 'b' small batch bourbon. A top dinner pick in steamboat!
(4)
Brian S.
My girlfriend took me to Bistro CV recently for my birthday celebration. After checking out the menu online, I was weary. While I am a lover of good food, I hate pretentiousness, and their menu smacks of it. To my pleasant surprise both the feel of the restaurant and the staff were exactly opposite my fears and were very down to earth. Throughout the entire meal the staff bent over backwards to accommodate our EVERY need. We began our meal with the tar tar, and it was nice, not that I have too many to compare it to. Next came the mixed green salad and their signature chicken pot pie. Salad was over dressed and very salty. Pot pie was salty as well, and only contained dark meat chicken and gravy. Some veggies would have been a nice addition. I ordered the Elk tenderloin as my main dish, while the elk was cooked to perfection, I felt it was bland and in need of some sauce, seasoning or some kinda love. My lady ordered the fried chicken, and again prepared well, but lacking personality I would expect for a $26 chicken breast. Overall we had a great time, the wine and beer list was very interesting, and the entire staff was top notch. Maybe we were there on the chef's day off or they had some new kids in the kitchen, I don't know? Would have been a 2 or 3 if it wasn't for the pleasant experience with their laid back, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Check it out.
(4)
Michelle B.
Best restaurant in SS! Very creative menu, hard to choose what not to try. I usually can't get past the small plates. Most memorable dish last week was the yellowtail crudo. Husband thought burger was great. Good wine list, attentive staff, if you have a chance sit at the chef's bar and watch them in action!
(5)
Katie R.
AMAZING. This was one of the highlights for my husband and I while we were staying in Steamboat. The happy hour is fantastic (especially the pork belly, the steak tartare and the duck rillette), the wines were delicious (the august west pinot was amazing) and you just HAVE to order the grilled romaine salad because you're really missing out if you don't. The service was amazing. Table service is not typically for happy hour but we had reservations and they gave us great service and the happy hour prices (5-6:30 I believe). The hostess was the only downside, she was unfriendly and short and at the end of our dinner it took 10 minutes to get our coats from the coat rack. But Brandon was an awesome server and should we have the chance we will be back again!
(5)
Julie H.
Well, I've had better. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised to discover Steamboat Springs is a bit of a foodie town. We went to Bistro CV, from a local's recommendation, and were initially impressed by the feel and decor. But, you go to a restaurant to eat, and the food wasn't anything special. The meal started well: The steak tartare was pretty good, and the chicken chorizo pot pie was delicious. Then the entrees came. My husband's Wagyu pork chop, which was described as the pork version of kobe beef, was mediocre, especially considering the "kobe" sell, and his accompanying risotto was undercooked. My entree was unmemorable--I can't even remember what I ordered. The service followed the same pattern. Our waiter seemed decent, considering he doesn't have any previous experience (he's a friend of the chefs/owners), but he disappeared after our entrees arrived; we refilled our own wine glasses throughout dinner and didn't have any opportunity to mention that the risotto was undercooked. We didn't see him again until he took away our plates, at which point I made a comment about the risotto (still piled high on the plate). He gave me a spiel about how the chef spent some time in Italy and insinuated that I don't know how risotto should be prepared. (There is a difference between al dente and hard.) But he shared our feedback with the chef and returned with an admission from the chef that it was undercooked. I'm not sure what, but I expected a little more than that empty response. One exception to the service level was the girl refilling water glasses, who was observant and attentive--it was like she could read my mind. Overall, Bistro CV is fine. But who really wants something just "fine" when you're expecting, and paying for, "fine dining"?
(2)
Joey A.
Happy Hour here is a must as their small plates are to die for. Every year it's a toss up between Cafe Diva and Bistro C.V. For the best Date Night. This year Bistro won my vote!
(4)
Katherine S.
This is a good choice in Steamboat for very good food and service. We wanted a restaurant with very good food a nice wine choice and not pretentious-after reading other reviews of the top rated restaurants in Steamboat we chose Bistro C.V. And were not disappointed. we split the mussels and they were delicious-this is a good item to split because the sauce is a cream sauce and rich, enough for two. We had the halibut and the whole wheat pasta with fresh morels. The sauces were light and very well spiced-it is nice when salt is not the main ingredient. This restaurant is not inexpensive but you leave feeling that you got what you paid for...
(4)
Lori A.
My husband and went skiing for a long weekend, from Naples, Fl and had a nice dinner out at Bistro CV and wow! We were very impressed right from the door! Cozy and classy place! The food was 5star and unique! I feel bad for not doing this review when we were there in March, as I have now forgotten the name of our server,(maybe Brandon) who was great! They pamper you, as the place isn't big and they spend time with you,if you desire this type of dinner! If you don't, you can be out in a fashionable time also. It is a casual classy ski town restaurant. You can wear jeans but have the respect and dress them up with some nice shoes and shirt. The Salmon Tartare was the best I have had and my husband and I eat in fine restaurants often. The organic vodka (from San Francisco) martini's with stuffed olives were yummy! I had the duck that day, the menu changes daily, loved it! They get all the food locally or organic, when they can. The two guys who own/run the place are there behind the line cooking in front of you, with the open kitchen, and they make a good team. Book your reservation, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Jan H.
Went to Bistro C.V. for our 24th wedding anniversary. The owner brought us 2 glasses of champagne to celebrate, this started the night off right and we felt very special. The meal was incredible from beginning to end. We were there for something they call "date night" a 3 course meal for $25. I had the grilled romaine/ truffle-garlic dressing/ parmesan cream/ Bentons ham and white anchovy. I have never had grilled lettuce but it was really good! For dinner my husband had the C.V. burger/ Wagyu beef/ la belle farms foie gras/ garlic aioli/ potatoe puree. This beef was so tasty with the duck liver foie gras inside and the garlic mayo. I had the salmon which was very tender and tasty served with risotto and a foam parmesan. the presentation was beautiful. There was a vegetable under the salmon on top of the risotto I think it was called fiddlehead but I'm not sure. It was nice had a slight crunch to it. It tasted somewhat like asparagus. Total bill with tip was only $87. Not bad for fine dining.
(5)
Leo O.
It is rare to have a restaurant of this quality in LA, let alone in a ski town. Been to Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride, Aspen, Jackson Hole, Deer Valley and can't find anything comparable. Had 5 course tasting menu of a variety of seafood, meat, pasta on Christmas day and the food quality, creativity and presentation are just superb. Reason enough to go back to Steamboat Springs for skiing.
(5)
Sammi P.
One of the best places to eat fine dinning downtown. The hostess is fantastic and super friendly. She always makes sure you are having a great time.
(5)
Kira H.
There's better in town. I've been several times and every time I've walked away having an okay meal. Food always struck me as bland and kind of boring. However that ambience and service were quite nice.
(3)
Holly S.
The grilled romaine salad is the best--you must order it. The main dishes were less impressive compared to the awesome small plates. I had the homemade pasta for the main dish so perhaps the other mains would live up to the other plates.
I was in Steamboat with clients for a conference last weekend and obsessed over which restaurant we were going to dine at..... good options in Steamboat. I finally decided on Bistro C.V. and boy am I glad we did! It was AMAZING!! The food is ridiculous! Faves from the table were : the mussels, grilled romaine salad, the duck, and the hangar steak w/ veal sweetbreads! For dessert it was the cantaloupe sorbet and the fresh huckleberry pie (OMG the crust!) Service was fab, ambiance was great and the bill was reasonable. YAY!!
(5)
Kelly N.
This was by far the dining highlight of our trip to Steamboat, and one of the highlights of the trip as a whole. The food was a superb blend of flavors and textures, starting with the compressed melon & prociutto salad (bursting with sweetness) and the steak tartar (meaty and delicate at the same time) up through the lamb rack (perfectly pink and velvety, on a bed of creamy risotto and plump abalone mushroom). The molten chocolate-peanut butter ended the evening on a sweet note. The wait staff was friendly and good-natured, without any pretense, even when we had to adjust our reservation at the last minute. We would (and likely will) go back the next time we're in town!
(5)
Anna G.
Snooty food and small portions do not mix well with a mountain experience. My pasta dish had too many flavors--pistou, truffles, flowers, mushrooms...it was not well balanced though it clearly was an attempt at being creative! If I went back, I would probably order mussels and a burger. The service was excellent and attentive, but I think the food could be improved by simplifying the flavors! There were wonderful truffle shavings on my dish and their taste was completely lost in the mix. The atmosphere was classy and the restaurant handled the reservations well.
(3)
Bradley C.
I agree its the best food in Steamboat. The dishes are nice and light, and have great flavor. They have some very innovative takes on classics such as the BLT (think 24 hour pork belly and lobster). One caveat is that their ambiance and waitstaff seem to be somewhere between a 5 star restaurant and a ski town pub. As a result you can get great advice on the wine list, but they might also tell you about the big party they had last night and how hungover they were in the morning.
(4)
Susan F.
My favorite place in Steamboat! I could eat their grilled romaine salad every single day. A lot of the menu changes frequently so you will always find something fresh and creative. Sit at the open kitchen bar for a more casual experience and talk to the owner/chef and staff, very friendly and willing to share cooking tips. Service is great. Summer happy hour is very affordable and makes for a great light meal. Definitely make reservations during ski season.
(5)
Eric S.
Amazing food!!! More of a trendy bistro with large plates and smaller portions but menu is amazing and diverse. Great service and outdoor seating.
(4)
LEE H.
I could not recommend this restaurant to anyone. My wife called this restaurant to make a reservation and somebody put the phone down on her. She called back a little later and left a voicemail leaving contact information. Nobody bothered to call back. An email was sent. Nobody replied. Not sure who is running this place, if it has any management or if they couldn't care less about their customers. Perhaps it's a combination of all three! Hello... there is a recession, do you not want customers? Plenty of other restaurants to choose from in Steamboat so give this one a miss. If they can't even manage the front of the house you can imagine what's going on out back!
(1)
joe b.
One of the best in Steamboat! Comfortable/hip setting with open kitchen, knowledgeable staff, short but well-selected wine list, and constantly-changing menu. Some regular items on the menu include: wagyu beef and fois gras hamburger; grilled romaine salad with melt-in-your-mouth parmigiana flan, shaved "bacon," and a Caesar-type salad spiked with truffle oil; and a signature chicken pot pie. Desserts are great if you still have room. Note: If the "Ingrid's Mussels" are available, you really must try them.
(5)
Liz k.
Oh hello Pot Pie.
(5)
Zach A.
Well, the wine was good (a Melville Pinot Noir...) Our reservation for 8:30 was pushed back until 8:45--though we arrived early. While we were waiting, we noticed a curious parade of patrons to the unmarked door to the right of the hostess' stand. Apparently, the restrooms lay beyond these doors. An underwhelming and overambitious menu awaited us at our table. The art was in similar taste, a garish repetition of a checkerboard or calendar motif; I, too, can draw squares. The restaurant's chairs were uncomfortable, forcing one to slouch forward, as their backs end below the shoulderblades. As stated, the wine was fabulous--a fruity, full-bodied red with nice legs. Still, we sat puzzled at the menu, left to wonder whether the flavor combinations listed would actually please the palate. We waited for fresh bread to bake after ordering; for our four-person table, we chose beef tartare, duck liver pate, and grilled romaine salad. Each were decently palatable, the beef tartare the standout of the selection--not that it had much competition against a neutral, rather bland pate and lettuce with a dressing that seemed in want of a decent Caesar dressing. Served with a puzzling parmesan custard that was ostensibly more for show than for satisfaction, the salad was boosted by the addition of a few tiny shards of smoked ham. After at least thirty minutes, our entrees arrived, the much-lauded burger dwarfing the other plates. The burger was indeed fantastic--and the pot holding its side of potato puree was quite quaint. I wish I could say the same for the other dishes, which appeared scant yet overwrought on their plates. The beef duo was unappealing, though its potato puree was as decent as any. First taste called for salt and pepper; I believe one should not need to season meat at a restaurant of this "caliber." The white truffle potato gnocchi arrived with vegetables unlisted on the dish's description and felt gritty, starchy, and heavy, their tomato sauce served all too lightly on the edge of the plate. No one at our table would offer to finish this dish. Last--and perhaps least, though it was the priciest item on the menu--was the elk loin. Adorned with a reasonably delightful huckleberry jus and decent radish puree, its side of pickled cabbage was an uncomplimentary addition. As for the meat itself, I was advised to order it medium rare, though I guessed I would prefer such a gamey meat medium. I was also told it would be peppered. On my plate, it appeared unseasoned, blood-red, and dry. I had to ask for pepper to boost the flavor of the elk, which could not stand alone, requiring much seasoning--sadly, I was given but a smudge of huckleberry jus on my plate. With the application of this or other sauces, the meat was salvaged. We couldn't leave soon enough--not even for the banana-foamed and brown butter-powdered desserts (what?!) Ambitious. But truly, truly a letdown.
(2)
DJ B.
I am salt fiend, however I was disappointed with the extreme over salting of just about every dish we had, especially the chicken pot pie appetizer, YUCK! Perhaps it was the chefs night off or there was a new kid in the kitchen with a severe tong burn. If the staff was not so amazing this restaurant would have gotten two stars.
(3)
Charlie D.
Another classy bistro in Steamboat. Great food and nice atmosphere. The place is welcoming and service is above Steamboat standard.
(4)
Urbane S.
Insane good food served in an honest atmosphere by knowledgable people. They take great local and seasonal ingredients and let them shine by not overworking them. My highlights were the duck breast, the wine list, and the pork belly. Don't forget about happy hour deals and the great $25 per person Sunday specials. Eat here
(5)
Tom B.
I'm going to come off like a crank. If this place was half as good as it thinks it already is, it would be a worthwhile place to eat. We waited for more than an hour for three burgers and a pot pie. Our waiter explained that they were "really busy". Please... The place was not full, and there were only four other entrees for the kitchen to deal with--one was the boring and bone-dry chicken chorizo pot pie. The burgers were served on brioches, which always fall apart and eventually necessitate a knife and fork, which is fine. My friends and I had to ask for knives... each of us... separately. Finally, medium rare doesn't mean cool in the middle.
(1)
Liam W.
I love this place. So cozy and clean! The food is outstanding as well! It may be hard to get a table some nights so a reservation is recommended. Super friendly staff! our waitress was a bit inattentive but not something to be outraged about. Definitely coming back for more!
(4)
Matt C.
Excellent food and service in a great setting. The holiday crowd didn't even phase the staff. I highly reccomend them!
(5)
Bo H.
I've had a select few really great dinners in my life. Provence in Chicago comes to mind, as does Hidden Valley in Albuquerque. I may have given Bistro C.V. in Steamboat only 4 stars out of 5, but it isn't from their lack of trying. We went with another couple for a mid-week splurge and walked out afterwards in the gauzy haze that comes only from good food and good friends. The house cured duck prosciutto and copa were crazy good. My entree of wagyu beef duo was expertly executed, as was my wife's andouille chicken fettuccine, though don't expect to see them on menu again anytime soon- the menu changes every week to reflect their emphasis on farm to table dining. Now, for the twist-the most mind blowing course of the evening was the salad. Not just any salad, though. It's called "The Grilled Romaine" and is two halves of romaine (the server had them spit it after overhearing that we wanted to share it- we didn't even have to ask) grilled, topped with prosciutto and delicate amount of truffle oil (a risky choice if you ask me as I find truffles over used and heavy handed). The salad is finished with a small parmesean cheese curd to be used as desired. Trust me, it was desirous. So, if you've read this much of the review you're probably asking yourself why not give the 5th star? Here's my honest answer- after being blown away with the duck prosciutto and grilled salad, the main entree had a difficult time living up to previous courses. I'm not saying anything was wrong, it was all great! I just can't stop thinking about everything else. I'll go back for sure, and I'll do my best to give the entree the attention it surely deserves.
(4)
a b.
I have been to Bistro CV twice and it qualifies as one of my favorite restaurants in the world (the other two are in Italy and Greece)! I appreciate their dedication to using quality ingredients and the wines on the wine list are well selected. The grilled romaine salad is one of my favorites. Often there is some sort of game on the menu, if you are feeling adventurous (the anelope last february was delicious). I will make it a point to eat at Bistro CV each time I am in Steamboat!
(5)
S G.
This restaurant has a wonderful location and eclectic atmosphere. I could not recommend this restaurant for dinner unless you plan to spend alot of money and leave hungry. Great fresh ingredients, satisfactory wait staff and completely unacceptable portion sizes. There are much better restaurants in the area for the price.
(1)
Steve A.
Great quality and good variety from the other must go restaurants in Steamboat. We don't find ourselves going here as often but enjoy their presentation and interesting dishes every time.
(5)
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Address :345 Lincoln Ave
Steamboat Springs, CO, 80477
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jen V.
Wonderful service; efficient hostess and reservations policies. Let's talk food: the beef tartare was AMAZING!! My husband and daughter had the pot pie, which was completely cleaned before cleared. My husband had the pork duo cooked to perfection. My son had the wagyu hamburger, which was also cooked to perfection and extremely well seasoned. I had the grilled Romaine for my main dish and it was SO GOOD!! This place serves delicious food with friendly service in extremely comfortable surroundings... Well done! ...And the desserts couldn't be passed up either!
(5)Rob P.
My gripe with this restaurant has a few levels. Our initial approach was a friendly greeting and an offer to sit at the kitchen bar. We were happy to be seated quickly and took the option. From that point it took at least 10 minutes to get a drink order and another 10 before we were asked what we would like. As the food came out we were underwhelmed - the beat salad consisted of a few bites of stewed beets with a pinch of greens and a drizzle of sauce. For $10 I want to feel like I got something - this fell short. The mussels were also bland and lacking in originality. Finally there was the steak - this was actually quite good, but the roughly 5oz cut for $41 felt off. My biggest complaint is one of value. 3 appetizers, 1 entree, 2 glasses house red and 2 cocktails = $140.
(2)Catherine G.
I was very excited to go and try out Bistro C.V. after hearing rave reviews about it from my hosts in Steamboat. In fact, I went with yelper Scott J. who had previously given the restaurant a rating of five and described it as the "best in Steamboat." The food was good, but the service was not only lacking, but overly pretentious. A member of our dinner party mentioned to the waitress that some of his gnocchi were frozen and/or cold, but that otherwise the dish was good. Her response was to take his plate back to the kitchen and march back to our table with a "basic version" of the dish to "educate the diner." This "education" was carried out in front of our dinner party and the aim was clear- to humiliate the diner who had given the feedback on the food. Really, if you plan on spending $600+ on a nice meal out, pick a place where the staff act with more respect toward the customers. The servers attitude ruined what would have been an acceptable meal. I won't be back.
(2)Lisa T.
We just left Bistro C.V. and disappointed doesn't begin to describe our experience. Our party of 7 were promptly seated at our reserved time of 7:30. From there, the experience tragically declined. Our server was arrogant and condescending, this was a collective consensus from the entire table. We sat with nothing but water and menus in front of us for 35 minutes. The restaurant was about 40% full. We received our first cocktail at 8:05pm. Menus still remained on the table, we were never offered bread and butter drinks were brought to our table in pairs or singles. Once we received our first course, we were very pleased with the quality of the steak tartare, grilled romaine and beets. Excellent preparation. Our entrees were average at best. High in salt, and this is coming from a salt-a-holic....We passed on desserts and paid our nearly $600 tab, tip inclusive which was about 15% and we are typically a 20-25% tipping group. We have been looking forward to this dinner since we booked this trip in October. Completely disappointed.
(2)Brooke B.
I took a nice get away mini vaca to Steamboat with my fiancé. This place was where he picked to take me right after he purposed to me. They had a pretty long wait but it was a Friday... And we decided to sit at the bar and grab a drink, little did we know they have a table ready for possibly a no call no show on a reservation. so we got right in. I absolutely loved the table centerpieces. It was very romantic in there, not to loud, lighting was perfect. The menu was like another language to me, because I didn't understand what most of it was but the server was very knowledgeable on everything including the wine selection. The food I ordered was great!! We hope to be back when we go to visit... Thank you!
(5)Meredith P.
Wow - this place blew me away. Went for a group dinner last night (11 of us). Service was impeccable, but the real star was the food. The menu changes daily and is all locally sourced or flown in daily. We tried: Scallop tataki - perfectly seared with citrus. Freshest I've ever had. Chicken pot pie - this was my least favorite but the corn bread taste was outstanding. Burger - amazing. Perfect. Huge. So good! Pork duo - tenderloin and pork belly. Great choice of flavor sand beautiful presentation Charcuterie and cheese - let your served do the selection. The duck prosciutto was outstanding. Ashley, our server was a delight. The views of the bar and kitchen were great. The ambience is not too stuffy, very comfortable. This will be an annual dinner when we visit. Cheers!!
(5)G M.
Unbelievable. Top three meals of my life. Everything from the appetizer to the desert was a unreal experience. I will be back every time I'm in steamboat!!
(5)Melon D.
We came here per many recommendations from locals this last Wednesday night. It was fabulous! Great atmosphere, good wine selection, very nice service and the food... I struggle to find a word worthy of it's excellence. Fresh, gorgeous plating and perfect portions. The preparation of the food was indeed masterful. Zero complaints, in fact, on my list of top 5 best meals of my life. If you are in the area, check this place out! We will return!
(5)Bill F.
We had a fixed course dinner for valentines and everything about the experience was amazing. We will be back soon to check out the regular menu
(5)Mike R.
Before I start this review, I just want to mentioned that everything I ate was ordered for me, so if I am a little off on what an item was, I apologize. We started with the taco appetizer which was amazing. A light flaky shell filled with a citrusy tuna...amazing. Then there were the mussels...The Mussels!!! The most fresh tasting delightfulness in a corn chowder type broth! Amazing!!! Then the Burger! One of the top 5 best burgers I have ever had. I think I tasted a hint of foie gras in the patty! It came with this amazing aioli and phenomenal onions. My one critique was that the bun was mediocre. On a great bun, this would be the best burger hands down. We finished with a red velvet dessert. It came with pistachio ice cream and some sort of cheesecake type item. It was fantastic! Even the bread with the salted butter at the beginning of the meal was great! I highly recommend this place!
(5)Noah P.
As someone who tends to critique almost everything about dining out, it is rare when I give that experience five stars. This was my first time visiting Bistro C.V., but it certainly will not be my last. Let me start with the service. I called ahead to assure a table, and even though my family and I showed up 15 minutes early they managed to have us seated in no time. The hostess and waitress tended to my parents and I with the same equality as if a celebrity was in the room. Every detail of our order was accommodated to wonderfully from the split glass of wine, to substituting certain ingredients in my meal to suit my pescetarian diet. Bravo wait staff, easily some of the best I've seen in this town. The food was marvelous. We ordered a small plate for an appetizer to split, which consisted of mushrooms in a magnificent broth, with a poached egg on the side topped with a garlic and oil baguette. It's a good thing they also brought bread to the table, because we soaked up every drop of that broth. From the time we finished our appetizer we had a moment to enjoy our wine and local beer from Butcherknife Brewery. My father had the half chicken main course, that from the look of his face seemed incredible. My mother had a medium plate order of mussels in a white wine broth, that we also ended up polishing off the broth of with another side of baguette our server kindly brought over. My scallops were incredible... Served over a black bean puree, which normally would be served with a chorizo vinaigrette reduction, but due to my diet the chef kindly made a custom sauce to serve on the side made of fennel that was to die for. Some of the top food I've had in this town for sure. The chefs were incredible, and a real treat to watch. Their skills with cooking were shown wonderfully through the presentation of the dishes. Not to mention the combinations of flavors I had never tasted before that they were able to share with me I will certainly remember for a long time. And I strongly recommend you try. The only ding I would say is the price range... However, it is still worthy of a five star rating, because I would gladly pay my bill again to enjoy the meal I just received. Bistro is great to treat your family, bring a date, or hell... I would even sit at the chef bar and watch great chefs prepare my meal alone to taste some of this food again. Highly recommend this joint. If any of you work at Bistro C.V. and happen to read this, thank you very very much! I will definitely be back.
(5)Gabriella L.
Let's start off with how terrible the service was... yes, it was Terrible. We had a reservation and had too still wait 20 minuets. So we got some cocktails from the bar. They were good but over priced. I mean $25 dollars is a joke. We were finally sat, the waiter was rude and clearly thought it was okay to act this way. Appetizers were great! Dinner course was okay. Basically the same size as the appetizers were. Dessert was good. But, Wasn't filled when we left. I would suggest going for appetizers, dessert and drinks. Don't get scammed on over priced entrees. There are some way better options for dinner in town :)
(2)Mary S.
To all the nay sayer reviews, this is not country buffet! We found the service friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Just because they know what they are doing, doesn't make them pretentious. It is expensive but, no more than any other gourmet restaurant. No they don't pile the food on your plate so that you can't see across the table, however, it is more than adequate and not the point of this dining experience. The dishes were beautifully plated and delicious! A fantastic place for a special occasion.
(5)Nathan G.
I went here with friends for dinner and sat at the chef's table / bar. We had an unreal meal. It is hard for me to put into words how great of a meal this was. Every dish was *flawless*. The chefs kept the food flowing: Hand picked (by the chef) wild mushrooms & sorrel from Rabbit Ears Pass Escargot Chicken & chorizo pot pie. Mussels and clam chowder in one dish. Yellowfin crudo Steak tartar. Lamb entree and sausage. Hanger steak. Whole wheat pasta with mild mushrooms. The grilled head of Romaine is unreal. All veggies were super fresh and cooked perfectly al dente. All of the food paired with awesome wines (loved the Turley Zin). This is one of the top meals I've ever had.
(5)Mike E.
I wanted to take my girlfriend somewhere nice to celebrate her birthday a couple of Fridays ago so I did some research on Yelp and found Bistro CV. We arrived 10-15 minutes early for our reservation but were still seated right away in a mostly full restaurant. The hostess dropped us with the menus and a couple of waters, saying our server would be right with us. However it was a good 10 minutes of watching servers handling other tables before our waitress showed up. While we were waiting we were trying to guess which one was going to be helping us, we both guessed right based on the fact that she didn't make any eye contact with us. Everything seemed very organized so maybe she was waiting for our reservation time to start the proceedings? Regardless, it was the not-so-low-point of a great evening. We felt like doing a tasting style dinner so we split several items, starting with an order of escargot. The thing that made them different is they supposedly were only fed basil leaves. The basil flavor was strong but not overwhelming, a good start. Next we had the duck rillette, which was one of the best dishes I've had in a while. The duck came in a large shot glass, with a stack of crostini. Perfect presentation to go with great flavors - wicked good! Our next dish was the butter poached lobster, which was just OK. It came with smoked gouda creamed corn that wasn't as good as it sounds. The lobster seemed to be overcooked, as it was a little on the rubbery side. For the main dish we split the wagyu hanger steak and it was incredibly good. Cooked to a perfect medium rare it melted in our mouths, and was sided with cheese grits and sauteed spinach with trumpet mushrooms. One of the better steaks I've had in some time for sure. Bistro CV is easy to find - as it's on the main drag, and there is parking readily availiable in the area. I read that the attire was "dressy" but that's not the case at all. Jeans seemed to be just fine, and I even saw some dude in a t-shirt, so no stress on that front. Overall we had a great time and I know we'll be back the next time we're in town.
(5)Kathie D.
We went here last night for a belated Valentine's dinner. As new residents of the 'Boat, we have been looking for a true fine dining experience. We live part time here, and also in Southern California and have experienced incredible meals all over the world. Of course, we were sent to Café Diva, but if you truly want great food, go downtown to bistro c.v.! My husband and I shared the artichoke and asparagus salad which was subtle and outstanding. He then had the pork trio which he enjoyed immensely and I had the quail which was out of this world. (He agreed that as usual, I did better in food selection!) Afterwards, his glass of port was like candy - no need for dessert. Home run in our home town!
(5)Alicia N.
My husband took me to dinner at Bistro CV to celebrate our anniversary. We sat at the Chef's counter, and had a great view of the kitchen, Chef Brian Vaughn and his staff. He and his wife Katy do an amazing job with this restaurant - she runs the front, he runs the kitchen - the restaurant has a wonderful air of hospitality despite being upscale. The staff was incredible attentive, and the service was so good, I felt like we were the only customers there (we weren't the place was packed) - such incredible attention to detail - we were wowed! We had chance to talk to Chef and it's quite apparent how much he loves food - and the mountains - the reason he and his wife settled in Steamboat, CO. He trained under some of the best chefs, including Daniel Boulud, but the menu is all his own. Bistro CV's dishes are carefully orchestrated to maximize flavour. The grilled romaine salad is delicious with just the right amount of tangy-ness. I had the potato-white truffle gnocchi with spinach and wild mushrooms, with a white cheddar béchamel. Truly the best gnocchi I've ever had in my life. My mouth is watering just thinking about it... My hubby had the beef hanger - cooked to perfection. The pot de creme was delicious as well. I haven't enjoyed a meal like this in a long time. This young Chef is one of the reasons the food scene in Colorado is getting so much attention.
(5)M B.
The grilled romaine is as good as it gets. You have to try this. The cv burger was perfect The mussels were fresh and tasty in a light broth. There was a red beet dish ( I can't remember the name of it) which was creamy and fluffy... The cocktails were amazing! Presentation and service were excellent.
(4)Cathy B.
Surprised to find this quality of dining in Steamboat Springs, the restaurant scored on all areas: food quality, presentation, service, ambience, and dishes with just the right amount of uniqueness to them. I would highly recommend the Roasted Romaine Salad w/white anchovies. The Lamb was the best I've ever had and the dessert of strawberry rhubarb cobbler was amazing. Everyone in our party was ecstatic about the food they chose. The waiter was knowledgeable about the wine and the food. His service was spot on which was a refreshing change from the usual ski lift operator, working as a restaurant waiter, caliber of server found at many Steamboat restaurants. The presentation alone of the food makes it worth checking out bistro cv.
(5)Alden G.
Raised review to five stars; should have done that awhile ago! Consistently one of the top restaurants in town.
(5)J K.
Outstanding food and cocktails. Nice wine list also. We are foodies and tough critics generally. We have nothing but accolades for this restaurant.
(5)Holly S.
ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE. Bistro cv could make it in nyc no doubt about it. We sit at the chefs bar and just watch in awe. Kitchen runs like a well oiled machine and the chefs are so kind and willing to chat. The food is unbelievably fresh, beautifully displayed, and SO flavorful. If you come to the boat looking for a real treat, this is the place to be!
(5)Rob D.
this is likely the best food in dreamboat. i took one star away for no soup.how can they not offer a gourmet soup for 7 dollars. the portions are small but very good. the room is bad no atmosphere. if you sit out side in the summer prepare for loud trucks and lots of dust and dirt from main st. cv will go away just like all the ones before it [ antares]. cafe diva is ok but to get a great meal of value try Denver.
(4)David J.
A real score for Steamboat. Can't wait to get back here. Service was great and the food delicious. The lamb was excellent.
(5)Matthew W.
Trendy, expensive, cutesy. Yes the food is delicious. These dishes are complex, full of tiny additions that take hours to prepare. This is the place to go in Steamboat for a gastronomic journey, a leisurely sail through a culinary Caribbean. But, if you just want the best food in town without any fu-fu, go to Cafe Diva.
(4)J R.
Do not go here snobby waitresses! And lots of sand in the morel mushrooms We will always be going to diva! I'm sorry I strayed ..food was ok at best
(2)Geoff And Jenni G.
We have eaten here several times over the years and it is always fabulous... The food is fantastic... absolutely delicious (never had anything that even came close to being OK - always superb!)... Honestly, it's the best restaurant in Steamboat hands down (in our humble opinion!) :-) Highly highly recommend a visit if you are in Steamboat... Enjoy! :-)
(5)Jess G.
After going to Bistro C.V. two years ago, my boyfriend and I have always said that it is the best meal we have ever had together. Our most recent visit this winter just reconfirmed that! Bistro C.V. is not great just in comparison to the other restaurants in Steamboat; it would be great in any major city. Everything done in this restaurant is done to the highest standards - the service, the food, the wine...it's all great. And the best part? It's not that expensive and you can usually get a table pretty easily...including seats at the counter where you can watch the chefs at work! For both of our Bistro C.V. dinners, we have sat at the counter to watch the chefs while enjoying our food. It's fascinating to see them at work and even to get to ask questions if they're not too busy. We enjoy trying to guess what everything is as well :) Bistro C.V. has a great wine menu and the sommelier was very helpful this past trip when we couldn't decide what we wanted. He asked about our tastes and recommended a red blend that was within our price range. It was great! The hostess and the waiter were very friendly as well. To start, bread and butter is brought out -- the bread is nice and soft and the butter has a tiny bit of salt to add to the flavor. We then ordered two appetizers to split - the beef tartare and fried bone marrow. I never thought I would ever eat either one of those items, but after trying the beef tartare two years ago at the recommendation of a close friend, we were hooked. I used to eat my beef well done...I have since accepted medium...but raw? I never thought that would happen. I'm still not sure I'll get it anywhere else, but Bistro C.V.'s beef tartare is my favorite thing on the menu. It is chopped up so finely and mixed with spices and other items (to be honest, I'm not sure what exactly) that you don't even realize it's raw. It's served with a quail egg on top that adds a very nice touch and some finely chopped red onion and pepper on the side. I recommend putting it all together on the toasted bread as you're supposed to -- the whole combination is amazing. I could really talk about the beef tartare forever... I guess I should move on though! Given that we liked the tartare so much, my boyfriend (who grew up ordering buttered noodles at restaurants...not generally an adventurous eater) wanted to be daring and try the fried bone marrow. We had no idea what to expect and honestly didn't know what we were looking at when it arrived; however, just as with the beef tartare, we put all the components together on a little toast and ate it! It wasn't as great as the tartare, but it was very flavorful. We cleaned the plate, so obviously it wasn't bad! We also split a salad with pears, sunflower seeds, and a spicy chipotle vinaigrette that was a nice light addition. For our entree, we split the burger. The burger is simple but done to perfection - great quality meat, a grilled bun, pickled onions, and a garlic aioli. The mashed potatoes on the side are also amazing - they're incredibly buttery and smooth. I don't even want to think about the amount of butter that must be in them... It may not seem like enough food for two people, but we were actually almost too full after the meal (although still no complaints). Their portions are big and the food is all very filling. The bottle of wine didn't hurt either ;-) Despite being full though, my boyfriend insisted on trying a dessert, so we switched from our usual chocolate obsession to try a pot de creme with brown sugar, candied ginger, and diced cooked apples (that also had some sort of special preparation), as well as gingersnaps on the side. It was served in a wide-mouthed mason jar and was really good -- unfortunately I was too full at that point so I let my boyfriend eat most of it! Bistro C.V. now has our top two meals....I recommend it for anyone in Steamboat or nearby. It's great for special occasions, but I'd probably also go all the time if I lived there!
(5)lee s.
Meh.
(3)Maria W.
Outstanding all around, nothing else to say.
(5)Casey P.
We've come here frequently and the food is always different and good. They have some staple meals that stay on the menu but there is just enough variety that we don't get bored. It is a more formal atmosphere but I wouldn't feel uncomfortable in jeans/t-shirt. Great service, great food, good atmosphere - you get what you pay for, though. The food is not cheap, but worth it!
(5)Yuri V.
This restaurant deserves Michelin stars. Most of our sentiments were captured in some of the other reviews that delineated the virtues of this restaurant. I could not imagine that a restaurant of this quality could be found anywhere in Colorado. This is as good as it gets in top restaurants. Even the wine list is cool - DRC, Krankle's SQN, Other CA cults....I recommend flying to Steamboat for dinner at C.V. Bistro.
(5)Eric T.
We came here with a large group (20+ people) on vacation, so the fact that they were able to accommodate us and keep the alcohol flowing is already a +1 in my book. As far as the food goes, I can only speak to what my wife and I ordered and the bites we tried of other items. Fried bone marrow with salsa verde - I love almost anything bone marrow these days. This was slightly different, not so much because it was fried, but because the bone marrow had already been taken out of the bone and was setup as a spread for the bread. The charred lemon on the side added nice touch of acidity/smoke. ? tartare - This is probably going to be the most useless part of my review. I only had a bite of my wife's tartare order, and clearly my drinking during this trip has affected my memory, because I can't even remember if it was steak or tuna. I didn't end up sick afterwards, so whatever it was, it was apparently fresh at least. Scallop tataki - I stole a couple of bites of this from another person at the table, and it was delicious. The scallop was briefly seared and then sliced thinly and served with some accompaniments. Berkshire pork duo - This was my main dish which was comprised of aged pork loin and braised pork belly. Both were prepared well, and for the pork loin in particular, this was a good measuring stick since a lot of places will overcook pork loin for fear of it appearing even a little bit on the pink side. This was cooked perfectly. Pork belly is pork belly ... mmmmmmmm. Duck breast - I'm unfortunately going to be sparse on details again here, but the bite of this dish that I had seemed to be cooked well. Red velvet cake - Probably the most disappointing item of the meal. I love me a big old piece of red velvet cake slathered in cream cheese frosting. This was tiny bites of cake with dollops of cream cheese frosting on top. It tasted fine, but it's anti-climactic if you're expecting a slice of cake. Service was friendly without being overbearing. Our waiter seemed pretty knowledgeable about the wine list, and when they discovered that they were out of the wine we ordered, he provided us with the option of an upgraded wine at the same price. The only minor quibble I had with the service was that when our main dishes came out, a number of people had the wrong dish put down in front of them (understandable given the number of people we had, but not really what you would expect when you're paying $30-40 per dish). After a brief game of musical plates though, everyone had their food in front of them and was happy. Overall, I'd happily come back here for a meal if I'm in Steamboat again.
(4)Alvin W.
I've been there many times and the food is always excellent. This was the first time we'd been there and they were out of three things. Since Craig left, I'm not sure who is doing the wine list but the list is out of balance with most wines over $100. There are way too many pinots over $125. There are so many great restaurant wines from all over the world representing good value and they're absent. Southern Italy, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, Australia are either unrepresented or absent completely. I'd rather pay 50 bucks for something new and interesting than over pay for a cult Pinot. On the other hand, an Aubert Chardonnay for $110 is a steal.
(4)Linda S.
Our favorite restaurant, hands down, anywhere. We love the chef's bar. The food is fresh, innovative and beautifully prepared. Mountain food can be very heavy, but while you can get lots of hearty options, you can also get light, flavorful options throughout the menu. Too many favorites to mention. My one complaint for management is that we used to get amazing micro herbs and greens. The Chocolate cheese cake with fresh micro basil or mint was absolutely to die for. We understand that the micro greens are no longer being grown in house. PLEASE BRING THEM BACK!!!
(5)Lori S.
I would almost drive to Steamboat just to eat here. This is a must-do restaurant. Their grilled Romaine salad is off the chart. Who knew grilled lettuce could be so decadent. Their peak seasonal food mixed with their clever chemistry gastronomic skills will leave you happy and satisfied. Their is nothing on the menu that is not "to die for". Ask the wait staff for recommendations; they are very helpful and knowledgeable. Enjoy!
(5)Michelle B.
WORSE owners & staff in all of Steamboat!!! They offer gift cards for 'bad' experiences & when u go back to redeem it they don't HONOR them! THIS RESTAURANT IS A JOKE!!!!!!! Most places want to make it 'right' but not this one!! Do not waste your time or money!!!!! Oh & watch out for FOOD POISONING!!!!!!!!
(1)Kristina T.
There are restaurants in ski towns where you pay a lot of money for atmosphere or cache, and then there are those that truly deliver. The menu was imaginative, the food was delicious and the service was attentive but never overbearing or overfamiliar. A special dining experience well worth the price.
(5)Mark L.
Loved the tomato dish for a starter, mixing yogurt and pistachio's was a good touch. The cheese with pate was well cheese and pate, how can you go wrong with this. The beef main dish with potato puree was mmmmm and filling as well. Steak tartar and chicken pot pie were fair. I was expecting more flavor, something to jump out at me, but it was just plain. Good wine selection. Ended up spending quite a bit, but enjoyed the time. Good service.
(4)Wil R.
Fine dining in Steamboat, a must try!
(5)Lola F.
Incredible meal. The grilled romaine salad made my night. The charcuterie was very well prepared, great wine, great atmosphere, and great entrees. The service was attentive and down to earth. My boyfriend and I often get the "young treatment" while dining in upscale establishments as we are both 22, yet both in the industry and know our stuff. We felt very at ease and extremely satisfied from beginning to end with the experience. I would highly recommend for a foodie!
(5)Beth Y.
We tried Bistro CV on the recommendation of some friends, and had an enjoyable meal. We each ordered three courses - a starter, a main, and a dessert. That was plenty of food, and we could have done with a bit less - maybe splitting a starter and dessert would have been enough in addition to a main entree. The highlight of my meal was a green gazpacho with an avocado cream and edible flower garnish. Fresh, cool, with cucumber and mint, it was a great summer choice and something I will remember. My friend's fried bone marrow was not so great - tough and fried in chunks rather than the buttery goodness of marrow that we have enjoyed in other places. My husband liked his steak tartare - nothing special but nicely presented and tasty. The main courses included a lovely house made ramp pasta vegetarian dish - a nice portion size (not too big) and tasty with morels and sun dried tomatoes. My friend's chicken dish actually would have been just as good without the chicken! The combinations of flavors in the corn puree, sweet onion chutney, and other bits on the plate were beautifully prepared and presented. My husband's halibut was ok - nothing special but good. The other highlight of the meal was an apple and tart cherry crumble with house made vanilla ice cream. Amazing end to the evening! The other desserts we tried (coffee ice cream and something chocolate), were good also but the crumble was memorable! Overall we had a lovely dinner. If I had one critique, it would be that the service is not on par with the food. Our server was bordering on unfriendly - never smiled, never offered suggestions on the menu, and generally looked like she was uninterested in our table. She was not that way at other tables where she clearly recognized some of the customers. We did not let this spoil an otherwise lovely evening, and will keep Bistro CV in our list of places to go in Steamboat.
(4)Alvarez W.
Very good food. I highly recommend sitting at the bar in front of the line where the chef and line cooks are working. The food has been consistent the two times I've gone there. The service is great. Drinks are very balanced and well prepared. I love everything about this place. I will go there every time I visit Steamboat...hands down.
(4)Gregory Z.
Definitely the standout meal I had during my time in Steamboat. The adventurous menu changes nearly daily based on the ingredients on hand, with a focus on items from small farm operations in the U.S. With a menu like this place has the service can easily veer in pretentiousness, but it was friendly and accessible. I took a chance on something I had never even seen on a menu much less tasted before, the elk loin. It was awesome - like a very light filet mignon. It came with pureed parsnip (something else I had never had) and a huckleberry jus. A delicious flavor combination when put together. Appetizers for the group incuded a plate of three cheeses (including an awesome bleu), grilled romaine salad, and steak tartare with quail egg. Other entrees included the mussels, duck breast, and flat iron steak. Everyone raved about their meals. A bit expensive, but well worth the cost.
(5)Kristi E.
We enjoyed our meal, but it was nothing particularly outstanding. We started with the veal pate with cherries and pistachios. Although it had good flavor, the texture was chunky and hard to spread on the thin slices of toasted bread that came with it. My beet trio was underseasoned; I couldn't detect any flavor in the sauce and it lacked salt. My husband had the mussels, which were delicious. My main dish was the lamb. There were slices of lamb loin which were perfectly prepared and delicious, and then there was some kind of a shredded lamb that was just odd and again, underseasoned. My husband had the scallops, which were well-prepared. The dessert -- peanut butter molten chocolate cake -- was fabulous! Loved the homemade toasted marshmallow. Although our waiter was perfectly pleasant and competent, he didn't engage in any of the niceties you would expect of a fine restaurant. Did not welcome us to the restaurant, explain the menu, apologize that the appetizers took quite a long time to arrive, check to see if the food was to our liking, or thank us when he brought the check. So I would rate the service as perfunctory. Although it was a pleasant meal, I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Heather K.
I've neglected yelp hardcore this year - lots of travels! First up - C.V. Bistro. in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I was in Steamboat for 1 week and I ate here 3 times. No joke. I think this place is absolutely wonderful. First up, drinks! Great wine list, great margaritas, and a basil lemon martini. Second, beet trio with fennel is AMAZING, if you love beets, and I do, oh so much. Salmon tartare, so great. Third and the best of all... caesar salad. The romaine is grilled with truffle-garlic dressing and a side of parmesan custard. Honestly, one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life. Lastly, I tried a root vegetable pasta. The portion was small but it was exactly right. Food aside, the staff was great. We had two little girls with us and they were very accommodating to the shrills and kobe beef hot dog consumption. Too bad the mountain is closed... I don't know if I can wait a whole year for that salad...
(5)Scott J.
Hands down, the best food in Steamboat. Bistro c.v. easily would hold its own against restaurants in cities such as SF or New York. A number of restaurants have come and gone at this location. A Japanese / sushi place that I never checked out. More recently, a Chinese joint which happened to serve margaritas that I stopped into once with my girls Kate and Marie. So when I saw a new sign hanging out front, I wanted to check it out. My first time here was with my family, and by the time we finished our appetizers we already knew we found something special and would return. I forget exactly what we had for our appetizers, but the main dishes were fantastic. Around the table we had two takers for the c.v. burger - made with wagyu beef and foie gras. My dad had the foxfire farms lamb rack, and I had the yukon gold potato gnocchi. Our server was Brandon, and he was wonderful. My dad and I came back before the end of the week. I started my meal with Ingrid's mussels per Joe B's review, and I was not disappointed. I went with the burger that I missed the last time for my main dish, and my dad had the maine diver scallops. He chose well, and the scallops were the best either one of us had ever had. A+. I think our server that night was Lisa, and she was great and had insightful details about the 75 Wine Company Cabernet which was a perfect choice that reminded us both of a Rafanelli cab. I can't wait to come back for round three.
(5)Sandy Z.
My wife and I recently dined here - As I was choosing a wine for dinner I saw that the wine list had a bottle of Romanee Conti and to be honestI was a bit shocked. However, after experiencing one of the best meals that we have had in a long time - I told the waiter that the food deserved the wine list! The chicken liver pate was amazing and the balance of the meal met that same level of quality, taste, and presentation. Truly a gratifying experience - We live in SF and dine all over the world and have to say - This meal was in our top five of the year. Congrats to the team there.
(5)Autumn S.
Service was excellent!!! Our water never went below half full and our waiter was very attentive. However, the food was lackluster. It was ok, but nothing stood out or was memorable. Between myself and my four dining companions, I don't remember anyone walking away saying, wow, dinner was great; especially given the expectations the ambitious tastings oriented menu set. I tried to like Bistro C. V. becasue the servers were excellent and I always appreciate a place that tries to keep things seasonal and fresh, but I just left feeling like the food could have been so much better.
(3)Kenneth T.
We had a very nice meal beginning with bruschetta and Ingrid's mussels then a hake (fish) entree and an even better cream less Alfredo pasta. Dessert also excellent- I thought a proscecco and watermelon sorbet was superb and wife liked a deconstructed peach cobbler- nice and helpful waitress (good advice etc). Nice local alcohol- leopold's gin, stranahans whiskey. For aficionados they had some del maguey sgl village mescal and van winkle 'b' small batch bourbon. A top dinner pick in steamboat!
(4)Brian S.
My girlfriend took me to Bistro CV recently for my birthday celebration. After checking out the menu online, I was weary. While I am a lover of good food, I hate pretentiousness, and their menu smacks of it. To my pleasant surprise both the feel of the restaurant and the staff were exactly opposite my fears and were very down to earth. Throughout the entire meal the staff bent over backwards to accommodate our EVERY need. We began our meal with the tar tar, and it was nice, not that I have too many to compare it to. Next came the mixed green salad and their signature chicken pot pie. Salad was over dressed and very salty. Pot pie was salty as well, and only contained dark meat chicken and gravy. Some veggies would have been a nice addition. I ordered the Elk tenderloin as my main dish, while the elk was cooked to perfection, I felt it was bland and in need of some sauce, seasoning or some kinda love. My lady ordered the fried chicken, and again prepared well, but lacking personality I would expect for a $26 chicken breast. Overall we had a great time, the wine and beer list was very interesting, and the entire staff was top notch. Maybe we were there on the chef's day off or they had some new kids in the kitchen, I don't know? Would have been a 2 or 3 if it wasn't for the pleasant experience with their laid back, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Check it out.
(4)Michelle B.
Best restaurant in SS! Very creative menu, hard to choose what not to try. I usually can't get past the small plates. Most memorable dish last week was the yellowtail crudo. Husband thought burger was great. Good wine list, attentive staff, if you have a chance sit at the chef's bar and watch them in action!
(5)Katie R.
AMAZING. This was one of the highlights for my husband and I while we were staying in Steamboat. The happy hour is fantastic (especially the pork belly, the steak tartare and the duck rillette), the wines were delicious (the august west pinot was amazing) and you just HAVE to order the grilled romaine salad because you're really missing out if you don't. The service was amazing. Table service is not typically for happy hour but we had reservations and they gave us great service and the happy hour prices (5-6:30 I believe). The hostess was the only downside, she was unfriendly and short and at the end of our dinner it took 10 minutes to get our coats from the coat rack. But Brandon was an awesome server and should we have the chance we will be back again!
(5)Julie H.
Well, I've had better. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised to discover Steamboat Springs is a bit of a foodie town. We went to Bistro CV, from a local's recommendation, and were initially impressed by the feel and decor. But, you go to a restaurant to eat, and the food wasn't anything special. The meal started well: The steak tartare was pretty good, and the chicken chorizo pot pie was delicious. Then the entrees came. My husband's Wagyu pork chop, which was described as the pork version of kobe beef, was mediocre, especially considering the "kobe" sell, and his accompanying risotto was undercooked. My entree was unmemorable--I can't even remember what I ordered. The service followed the same pattern. Our waiter seemed decent, considering he doesn't have any previous experience (he's a friend of the chefs/owners), but he disappeared after our entrees arrived; we refilled our own wine glasses throughout dinner and didn't have any opportunity to mention that the risotto was undercooked. We didn't see him again until he took away our plates, at which point I made a comment about the risotto (still piled high on the plate). He gave me a spiel about how the chef spent some time in Italy and insinuated that I don't know how risotto should be prepared. (There is a difference between al dente and hard.) But he shared our feedback with the chef and returned with an admission from the chef that it was undercooked. I'm not sure what, but I expected a little more than that empty response. One exception to the service level was the girl refilling water glasses, who was observant and attentive--it was like she could read my mind. Overall, Bistro CV is fine. But who really wants something just "fine" when you're expecting, and paying for, "fine dining"?
(2)Joey A.
Happy Hour here is a must as their small plates are to die for. Every year it's a toss up between Cafe Diva and Bistro C.V. For the best Date Night. This year Bistro won my vote!
(4)Katherine S.
This is a good choice in Steamboat for very good food and service. We wanted a restaurant with very good food a nice wine choice and not pretentious-after reading other reviews of the top rated restaurants in Steamboat we chose Bistro C.V. And were not disappointed. we split the mussels and they were delicious-this is a good item to split because the sauce is a cream sauce and rich, enough for two. We had the halibut and the whole wheat pasta with fresh morels. The sauces were light and very well spiced-it is nice when salt is not the main ingredient. This restaurant is not inexpensive but you leave feeling that you got what you paid for...
(4)Lori A.
My husband and went skiing for a long weekend, from Naples, Fl and had a nice dinner out at Bistro CV and wow! We were very impressed right from the door! Cozy and classy place! The food was 5star and unique! I feel bad for not doing this review when we were there in March, as I have now forgotten the name of our server,(maybe Brandon) who was great! They pamper you, as the place isn't big and they spend time with you,if you desire this type of dinner! If you don't, you can be out in a fashionable time also. It is a casual classy ski town restaurant. You can wear jeans but have the respect and dress them up with some nice shoes and shirt. The Salmon Tartare was the best I have had and my husband and I eat in fine restaurants often. The organic vodka (from San Francisco) martini's with stuffed olives were yummy! I had the duck that day, the menu changes daily, loved it! They get all the food locally or organic, when they can. The two guys who own/run the place are there behind the line cooking in front of you, with the open kitchen, and they make a good team. Book your reservation, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Jan H.
Went to Bistro C.V. for our 24th wedding anniversary. The owner brought us 2 glasses of champagne to celebrate, this started the night off right and we felt very special. The meal was incredible from beginning to end. We were there for something they call "date night" a 3 course meal for $25. I had the grilled romaine/ truffle-garlic dressing/ parmesan cream/ Bentons ham and white anchovy. I have never had grilled lettuce but it was really good! For dinner my husband had the C.V. burger/ Wagyu beef/ la belle farms foie gras/ garlic aioli/ potatoe puree. This beef was so tasty with the duck liver foie gras inside and the garlic mayo. I had the salmon which was very tender and tasty served with risotto and a foam parmesan. the presentation was beautiful. There was a vegetable under the salmon on top of the risotto I think it was called fiddlehead but I'm not sure. It was nice had a slight crunch to it. It tasted somewhat like asparagus. Total bill with tip was only $87. Not bad for fine dining.
(5)Leo O.
It is rare to have a restaurant of this quality in LA, let alone in a ski town. Been to Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride, Aspen, Jackson Hole, Deer Valley and can't find anything comparable. Had 5 course tasting menu of a variety of seafood, meat, pasta on Christmas day and the food quality, creativity and presentation are just superb. Reason enough to go back to Steamboat Springs for skiing.
(5)Sammi P.
One of the best places to eat fine dinning downtown. The hostess is fantastic and super friendly. She always makes sure you are having a great time.
(5)Kira H.
There's better in town. I've been several times and every time I've walked away having an okay meal. Food always struck me as bland and kind of boring. However that ambience and service were quite nice.
(3)Holly S.
The grilled romaine salad is the best--you must order it. The main dishes were less impressive compared to the awesome small plates. I had the homemade pasta for the main dish so perhaps the other mains would live up to the other plates.
(4)Greg M.
What a disappointment after hearing such wonderful reviews about this place. We were very excited about trying the place out. The first thing I noticed entering the restaurant was the seating arrangement. The tables are right next to the kitchen, where you can hear the loud clatter of the cooking instruments. It is even worse if you are sitting at one of the closest tables to the kitchen (precisely where we were), where it's literally a few feet away from you and you can feel the steam and stink from the cooking sinking into your skin, and the heavy panting of the waitresses racing in and out carrying food over your head. Not the best atmosphere for a night with your girlie. Nevertheless, we sat down and scanned the menus. I got a glass of their pear cocktail (tasted like dressed up sprite). My child surprisingly took interest in the liver paté, so we ordered one of those (it was only $5 because it was a 'small plate'). My wife ordered two appetizers (or as they call them middle courses), some cooked pork belly and mussel soup. My child ordered a potato-white truffle gnocchi, and I ordered a beef flat-iron steak. To satisfy our veggie cravings, we also ordered a baby herb salad. Bread came as we waited for our orders. The butter looked deformed, but the bread looked decent, so we gobbled it all up. We asked for some more, as well as refills of the waters that we had jugged down. They didn't pay the least bit of attention to that, and when our orders came, they shoved all of the food onto the table. The steak was okay, not amazing, but the bad interior really degraded the experience. I wasn't surprised that my child made a face upon trying the liver, but ohhh the mussel soup was the worst! It was overloaded with this heavy, creamy sauce and sausage. The salad was alright, but the size was not worth the price ($15?? come on, it was just over the size of a baseball, and they said it could be split by two or three people??!) The gnocchi...hmmm... the green sauce was not admirable. And the pork belly--- it was alright to me, but for those of you anti-oily fans like my wife, don't go for it. In my opinion this place is not worth the price.
(2)Kristen M.
I was in Steamboat with clients for a conference last weekend and obsessed over which restaurant we were going to dine at..... good options in Steamboat. I finally decided on Bistro C.V. and boy am I glad we did! It was AMAZING!! The food is ridiculous! Faves from the table were : the mussels, grilled romaine salad, the duck, and the hangar steak w/ veal sweetbreads! For dessert it was the cantaloupe sorbet and the fresh huckleberry pie (OMG the crust!) Service was fab, ambiance was great and the bill was reasonable. YAY!!
(5)Kelly N.
This was by far the dining highlight of our trip to Steamboat, and one of the highlights of the trip as a whole. The food was a superb blend of flavors and textures, starting with the compressed melon & prociutto salad (bursting with sweetness) and the steak tartar (meaty and delicate at the same time) up through the lamb rack (perfectly pink and velvety, on a bed of creamy risotto and plump abalone mushroom). The molten chocolate-peanut butter ended the evening on a sweet note. The wait staff was friendly and good-natured, without any pretense, even when we had to adjust our reservation at the last minute. We would (and likely will) go back the next time we're in town!
(5)Anna G.
Snooty food and small portions do not mix well with a mountain experience. My pasta dish had too many flavors--pistou, truffles, flowers, mushrooms...it was not well balanced though it clearly was an attempt at being creative! If I went back, I would probably order mussels and a burger. The service was excellent and attentive, but I think the food could be improved by simplifying the flavors! There were wonderful truffle shavings on my dish and their taste was completely lost in the mix. The atmosphere was classy and the restaurant handled the reservations well.
(3)Bradley C.
I agree its the best food in Steamboat. The dishes are nice and light, and have great flavor. They have some very innovative takes on classics such as the BLT (think 24 hour pork belly and lobster). One caveat is that their ambiance and waitstaff seem to be somewhere between a 5 star restaurant and a ski town pub. As a result you can get great advice on the wine list, but they might also tell you about the big party they had last night and how hungover they were in the morning.
(4)Susan F.
My favorite place in Steamboat! I could eat their grilled romaine salad every single day. A lot of the menu changes frequently so you will always find something fresh and creative. Sit at the open kitchen bar for a more casual experience and talk to the owner/chef and staff, very friendly and willing to share cooking tips. Service is great. Summer happy hour is very affordable and makes for a great light meal. Definitely make reservations during ski season.
(5)Eric S.
Amazing food!!! More of a trendy bistro with large plates and smaller portions but menu is amazing and diverse. Great service and outdoor seating.
(4)LEE H.
I could not recommend this restaurant to anyone. My wife called this restaurant to make a reservation and somebody put the phone down on her. She called back a little later and left a voicemail leaving contact information. Nobody bothered to call back. An email was sent. Nobody replied. Not sure who is running this place, if it has any management or if they couldn't care less about their customers. Perhaps it's a combination of all three! Hello... there is a recession, do you not want customers? Plenty of other restaurants to choose from in Steamboat so give this one a miss. If they can't even manage the front of the house you can imagine what's going on out back!
(1)joe b.
One of the best in Steamboat! Comfortable/hip setting with open kitchen, knowledgeable staff, short but well-selected wine list, and constantly-changing menu. Some regular items on the menu include: wagyu beef and fois gras hamburger; grilled romaine salad with melt-in-your-mouth parmigiana flan, shaved "bacon," and a Caesar-type salad spiked with truffle oil; and a signature chicken pot pie. Desserts are great if you still have room. Note: If the "Ingrid's Mussels" are available, you really must try them.
(5)Liz k.
Oh hello Pot Pie.
(5)Zach A.
Well, the wine was good (a Melville Pinot Noir...) Our reservation for 8:30 was pushed back until 8:45--though we arrived early. While we were waiting, we noticed a curious parade of patrons to the unmarked door to the right of the hostess' stand. Apparently, the restrooms lay beyond these doors. An underwhelming and overambitious menu awaited us at our table. The art was in similar taste, a garish repetition of a checkerboard or calendar motif; I, too, can draw squares. The restaurant's chairs were uncomfortable, forcing one to slouch forward, as their backs end below the shoulderblades. As stated, the wine was fabulous--a fruity, full-bodied red with nice legs. Still, we sat puzzled at the menu, left to wonder whether the flavor combinations listed would actually please the palate. We waited for fresh bread to bake after ordering; for our four-person table, we chose beef tartare, duck liver pate, and grilled romaine salad. Each were decently palatable, the beef tartare the standout of the selection--not that it had much competition against a neutral, rather bland pate and lettuce with a dressing that seemed in want of a decent Caesar dressing. Served with a puzzling parmesan custard that was ostensibly more for show than for satisfaction, the salad was boosted by the addition of a few tiny shards of smoked ham. After at least thirty minutes, our entrees arrived, the much-lauded burger dwarfing the other plates. The burger was indeed fantastic--and the pot holding its side of potato puree was quite quaint. I wish I could say the same for the other dishes, which appeared scant yet overwrought on their plates. The beef duo was unappealing, though its potato puree was as decent as any. First taste called for salt and pepper; I believe one should not need to season meat at a restaurant of this "caliber." The white truffle potato gnocchi arrived with vegetables unlisted on the dish's description and felt gritty, starchy, and heavy, their tomato sauce served all too lightly on the edge of the plate. No one at our table would offer to finish this dish. Last--and perhaps least, though it was the priciest item on the menu--was the elk loin. Adorned with a reasonably delightful huckleberry jus and decent radish puree, its side of pickled cabbage was an uncomplimentary addition. As for the meat itself, I was advised to order it medium rare, though I guessed I would prefer such a gamey meat medium. I was also told it would be peppered. On my plate, it appeared unseasoned, blood-red, and dry. I had to ask for pepper to boost the flavor of the elk, which could not stand alone, requiring much seasoning--sadly, I was given but a smudge of huckleberry jus on my plate. With the application of this or other sauces, the meat was salvaged. We couldn't leave soon enough--not even for the banana-foamed and brown butter-powdered desserts (what?!) Ambitious. But truly, truly a letdown.
(2)DJ B.
I am salt fiend, however I was disappointed with the extreme over salting of just about every dish we had, especially the chicken pot pie appetizer, YUCK! Perhaps it was the chefs night off or there was a new kid in the kitchen with a severe tong burn. If the staff was not so amazing this restaurant would have gotten two stars.
(3)Charlie D.
Another classy bistro in Steamboat. Great food and nice atmosphere. The place is welcoming and service is above Steamboat standard.
(4)Urbane S.
Insane good food served in an honest atmosphere by knowledgable people. They take great local and seasonal ingredients and let them shine by not overworking them. My highlights were the duck breast, the wine list, and the pork belly. Don't forget about happy hour deals and the great $25 per person Sunday specials. Eat here
(5)Tom B.
I'm going to come off like a crank. If this place was half as good as it thinks it already is, it would be a worthwhile place to eat. We waited for more than an hour for three burgers and a pot pie. Our waiter explained that they were "really busy". Please... The place was not full, and there were only four other entrees for the kitchen to deal with--one was the boring and bone-dry chicken chorizo pot pie. The burgers were served on brioches, which always fall apart and eventually necessitate a knife and fork, which is fine. My friends and I had to ask for knives... each of us... separately. Finally, medium rare doesn't mean cool in the middle.
(1)Liam W.
I love this place. So cozy and clean! The food is outstanding as well! It may be hard to get a table some nights so a reservation is recommended. Super friendly staff! our waitress was a bit inattentive but not something to be outraged about. Definitely coming back for more!
(4)Matt C.
Excellent food and service in a great setting. The holiday crowd didn't even phase the staff. I highly reccomend them!
(5)Bo H.
I've had a select few really great dinners in my life. Provence in Chicago comes to mind, as does Hidden Valley in Albuquerque. I may have given Bistro C.V. in Steamboat only 4 stars out of 5, but it isn't from their lack of trying. We went with another couple for a mid-week splurge and walked out afterwards in the gauzy haze that comes only from good food and good friends. The house cured duck prosciutto and copa were crazy good. My entree of wagyu beef duo was expertly executed, as was my wife's andouille chicken fettuccine, though don't expect to see them on menu again anytime soon- the menu changes every week to reflect their emphasis on farm to table dining. Now, for the twist-the most mind blowing course of the evening was the salad. Not just any salad, though. It's called "The Grilled Romaine" and is two halves of romaine (the server had them spit it after overhearing that we wanted to share it- we didn't even have to ask) grilled, topped with prosciutto and delicate amount of truffle oil (a risky choice if you ask me as I find truffles over used and heavy handed). The salad is finished with a small parmesean cheese curd to be used as desired. Trust me, it was desirous. So, if you've read this much of the review you're probably asking yourself why not give the 5th star? Here's my honest answer- after being blown away with the duck prosciutto and grilled salad, the main entree had a difficult time living up to previous courses. I'm not saying anything was wrong, it was all great! I just can't stop thinking about everything else. I'll go back for sure, and I'll do my best to give the entree the attention it surely deserves.
(4)a b.
I have been to Bistro CV twice and it qualifies as one of my favorite restaurants in the world (the other two are in Italy and Greece)! I appreciate their dedication to using quality ingredients and the wines on the wine list are well selected. The grilled romaine salad is one of my favorites. Often there is some sort of game on the menu, if you are feeling adventurous (the anelope last february was delicious). I will make it a point to eat at Bistro CV each time I am in Steamboat!
(5)S G.
This restaurant has a wonderful location and eclectic atmosphere. I could not recommend this restaurant for dinner unless you plan to spend alot of money and leave hungry. Great fresh ingredients, satisfactory wait staff and completely unacceptable portion sizes. There are much better restaurants in the area for the price.
(1)Steve A.
Great quality and good variety from the other must go restaurants in Steamboat. We don't find ourselves going here as often but enjoy their presentation and interesting dishes every time.
(5)