I was looking for someplace to eat before heading to the airport, and Black Creek was easy to access from the freeway. I'm not the least bit disappointed in having stopped there. Now there are a couple menu items that when I see them in any restaurant I would label a chump items. Chump because you really should feel like a sucker if you pay entree prices for something that costs so little to make -- like a grilled cheese or BLT. Well, Black Creek proved me wrong. I ordered the BLT, and it was seriously worth the price. Of course, that wonderfully thin layer of salmon on there is what pushed it over the top. Another feather in their cap is the beer selection. I didn't get to sample it like I wish I could have, but there are excellent beers available here. I'll certainly keep this place in mind next time I'm in town and need to catch a meal before or after the airport.
(4)
Kenley M.
The food at Black Creek was good, but I wouldn't say "great." My lamb lollipops were all about this funky glaze that somewhat distracted from the meat rather than complimenting it. (When I order the lamb, it's because I want to taste the lamb. "Lollipop" or no.) I tried bites of other things that were pretty good to quite good, but nothing blew me away. As for atmosphere, Black Creek is warmly lit and thoughtfully arranged - small but not cramped. Some tables are pretty close together, so you hear others' conversations. Mostly, everyone is talking about the premise of the restaurant, that there is a farm outside Columbus that supplies a lot of the ingredients. ("Have you accepted heirloom beets as your personal lord and savior?") That information is also printed on the menu, which the servers make sure not to let you miss. I sort of wanted to start singing "Old MacDonald" and acting out the parts of happy animals, beans and artichokes. (What sound does an artichoke make? I think they squeak when you rub ripe ones together. Or is that eggplants? I'm not a farmer.) Overall, a pleasant and self-satisfied atmosphere. What else? Service was fine. Cocktails were fine. There was wine, on a list, and it was fine. Black Creek was a good experience, but Columbus has better restaurants. I am unlikely to make it a habit.
(4)
Ray G.
I have been to Black Creek Bistro many times over the last few years for both lunch and dinner. I like the fact that Kent sources most ingredients from his own farm. Their menu constantly changes based on ingredients and lunch specials are pretty good values. My most recent trip was after Cocktails at the Conservatory and our group tried the pumpkin ravioii, pasta, tuna medallions and risotto. Everyone's meal was great! Service is consistently good and the waiter made a great wine suggestion.
(4)
Lisa S.
I can hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth now as I give Black Creek Bistro, named Best New Restaurant of 2007, only 3 stars. But I implore you to hear me out. My dining companions and I managed to slip in at the end of Happy Hour on a Monday, which allowed us to partake in special Happy Hour pricing. All appetizers were discounted to $5, Martini's were only $5, special beers only $3, and the dinner special was a meager $10. Let me state now, that if you ever wanted to try Black Creek Bistro, Happy Hour (which runs until 7pm) is the time to do so. I sampled the Fried Calamari which was thick cut instead of the tiny squiggly squid at most restaurants. It was delicious and even better when dipped in the provided sauce, something along the lines of duck sauce and lemon juice. At $5 during Happy Hour pricing, I would order this dish every time, but at $9 it feels like a waste because there are only 8 or so good thick pieces of calamari on your plate. Another friend started with the House Salad, pecans, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinegar dressing topped a spring salad mix. I snuck a few bites and was very pleased with the sweetness the goat cheese provided. In typical dinner fashion, we were provided with dinner rolls before our meals started. Herbed bread with an even better herbed butter. This provided us some moments of reflection in the dining room. The walls and tables were pristine white, with dark trim and exceptional lighting throughout. The dining room is small, seating something like 30 or 40 maximum, but a large window opens onto the street providing lots of natural light to flood in. The overall feeling I got was one of crispness and naturalness, which goes along with the theme of Black Creek. Dinner arrived and the trance was broken with the smell of my delicious plate. After careful examination of the dinner menu, I had ordered the Lamb Lollipop which was two ancho chili rubbed lamb chops with a drizzle of roasted red pepper honey placed artfully on top of a bed of season vegetables (in this case cauliflower). The portion of lamb was tiny, however the meat was prepared in a quality manner and I can't get over that red pepper honey. And I was a little over zealous about the cauliflower, not that there was anything special, it had just been so long since I had any cauliflower. My dining mates were not as thrilled with their dishes as I was with mine. One friend, on a newly started health kick ordered the cornmeal dusted tofu. The tofu was just two slabs placed in a pile of black bean puree. Slimy on top of more slimy. It wasn't a well thought out dish. My other friend ordered the $10 dinner special which changes from day to day. On Monday it happened to be the Penne Carbonara. Grilled chicken, mushrooms, some bacon, all in a carbonara sauce which reportedly was on the oily side. Also go ahead and scratch off "grilled" chicken and write in "blackened". It wasn't bad, but it's a good thing it was only $10. Now, the waiter we had was absolutely the pinnacle of hospitality. He alone should receive 5 stars. When he noticed the tofu plate had barely been touched, he asked if there was anything wrong. My friend replied "No, it just turns out I'm not as big of a fan of tofu as I thought I might be". He immediately offered to replace the plate with something else on the menu. Now that's a good indicator of service! I'm leaving my review at 3 stars, but I would like to return for lunch at Black Creek sometime soon because they have a completely different lunch menu. Hopefully that will boost them to 4 stars, but I don't think I could ever go to 5 stars. I think Black Creek is a little overpriced and I'll only be hitting them up for dinner before 7pm.
(3)
Ashli H.
My experience with Black Creek Bistro was mixed. We were celebrating my boyfriend's birthday, which I had informed them prior to our arrival. I am a little disappointed that they never even acknowledged it. Its not that I expected singing and a cake, but I thought at least a Happy Birthday. Its a cute building and has a nice feel with the artwork on the walls. Also, some have mentioned it not being in a great location. No fears, completely safe and bright lighting with parking across the street. As for the food, we made it for happy hour and had two appetizers, which were a great price ($5) and tasty: Duck Tostada and a special of the day. They were both tasty, nothing too exciting. For dinner, we each had salads, which were very disappointing. I am never one to complain about price. But it was $6 for a very small plate of wilted, old, and warm salad. Our entrees were much better. He had the duo of lamb and I had the Salmon over Ravioli. Both were quite nice and we finished our plates. Overall, ,the food was good but nothing that left you craving more. I would easily return except for one major problem. The service. When we arrived there were three tables in the restaurant and bar. After being sat, it took the waitress 10 minutes before she returned. Once she took our drink order, it was almost 15 minutes more before she took our order and then she couldn't even remember what we ordered. By the end of our meal, there were only 5 tables and there were two servers, but she barely acknowledged that we were there. She didn't seem busy or overwhelmed just bored. She wouldn't even glance at our table so that we could get her attention. I never mind when good food takes some time, but when the server won't even fill your glass, you wonder why you are even there. I would like to say we would go back because the food overall was good, but there wasn't enough wow to make up for the service.
(2)
Denise Y.
Delicious food. I came with a large party and the restaurant was incredibly accommodating. For appetizer, I split the special with my boyfriend--salmon carpaccio--which was well portioned and excellent. In fact, another person at the table got it as an entree. For the main, my boyfriend ordered the Steak Frites and we requested the truffled fries to be brought out with the appetizer, and I couldn't stop eating them. His steak was done perfectly. As for my food, it was still good but not as good as his. I ordered Bengal Spice Rubbed Lamb from the small plate menu and the Summer Bistro salad for my main. The lamb was well cooked but I didn't taste too much of the spice, the portion was also smaller than I expected, definitely 1/3 of the portion of the large entree. As for the salad... I never received it but I felt I didn't need it after eating the appetizer. I would definitely go back, but maybe be a little more selective about what I order. I want to go back and try them for lunch for sure.
(4)
Jodi S.
One of my favorite restaurants! Creative and delicious food, good prices, friendly staff. My favorite is the nightly small plate specials. M-R (I think) you can get the small plate special plus 2 more courses for $20. It's an awesome deal and the food is always amazing.
(5)
David L.
Since I live right down the street, I have always wanted Black Creek Bistro to succeed. However, I'm not sure how they can. I have been there four times since they opened and have yet to have a good experience. Their food may be prepared from mostly local ingredients, but the dishes are poorly conceived and executed amateurishly. The service I have gotten there has been consistently bad, and so has the food. To their credit, I had a decent sandwich there once for lunch, but everything else I have had has been marginal at best. The owner walks around wearing the most ridiculous hat you've ever seen with a big toothy grin. Get a job, jerk! It's nice to see people coming into the neighborhood, but it would be even better if Black Creek Bistro could deliver a decent meal.
(2)
Joye P.
Fantastic restaurant offers food directly from owners' organic farm. Care is taken on every detail of the wonderful food served there. Price points are excellent: two can have dinner and a cocktail for $65. I had gnocchi with a homemade butternut squash puree sauce; my companion had salmon. Ambiance is intimate and beautiful. This is the best food that I ate during my 6-week stay in Columbus. This quality of food, in other cities, would cost double. I highly recommend.
(5)
Britnee N.
Excellent. Fantastic service, extremely attentive without being overbearing. We ordered Fried Brie, and Warm Olives for an app, loved the Brie, Olives were good, not quite up my alley but good. I had the Bistro Salad and it was perfectly dressed. My Husband had the Pork Mole and he ate every bite! I ordered the ribeye, my only complaint would be that I ordered it medium, and it arrived med. well/well. The overall flavor was excellent. Loved the veggie risotto that was served with our entree. We both had cocktails and they were also awesome! We are looking forward to our next visit!
(4)
Nbdy U.
Finally made it here for lunch, sat at the bar, nice staff...but the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because he informed me (fortunately before I ordered) that the lunch burgers could only be made medium well. Usually foodies snicker if you order medium-well, and here the restaurant is mandating it? And he led me to understand it was mostly a convenience thing with them, that it's just easier than cooking to order. How hard is it just cook it less? I was really disappointed that day because I REALLY wanted a burger and had been thinking about it all day. But the roast beef sandwich, nice and pink, was good and I would go back. I guess they are moving across the street and will soon have draught beer, FYI.
(4)
Liz C.
I went to Black Creek Bistro a couple of weeks ago and had a great experience. I had been hearing about this place for a while but since I live on the other side of town I had never checked it out. I suggested to the rest of my dinner party that we give this place a try. We had made reservations so we were seated as soon as we arrived. I really like the local artwork they have on the walls. I will say that it was a bit warm inside the restaurant. The restaurant is in an older building and I am sure that it was warm because the A/C simply could not keep up with the unseasonably warm weather we were experiencing. None the less we enjoyed ourselves with some white wine and water. We ordered a couple of appetizers for the group: the bistro fries, the fried brie, and the pancetta pear crisps. All were delicious! For dinner I had the BLT Strip steak which was very tastey. We had a couple of desserts as well but I cannot remember what they were! All I know is that everything we had was yummy! I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because I feel it lacked just a tad on the ambiance but I will definitely be back!
(4)
Korrina T.
So, yeah, everything here is wonderful. The service is prompt AND personable. The atmosphere is comfortable--unpretentious. The cocktails are delicious, the beer and wine selection is good, and the food is fantastic! It's a feel good, leave happy kind of place.
(5)
N D.
Whenever I travel in America I like to look up farm-to-table dining and check it out. We were not disappointed with Black Creek Bistro. My in-laws moved to Columbus a few years ago and so we are still discovering nice places to eat. We took my in-laws there in celebration of my father-in-laws 90th birthday and had a wonderful evening. The fun artwork and spacious seating and attentive wait-staff made for a pleasant summer night out. The food was delicious. For appetizers we had the fries, tostada and something else. They were all great. I had the gnocci and as others have raved about here, I thought they were fantastic and to-die-for, but very rich. My hubby had the steak and it was cooked just the way he likes it - well done. Most restaurants never get it cooked enough, but they did a good job and he enjoyed the flavor. My father in law is not a big eater so he had a black bean soup and salad. They were the least exciting dishes, which is too bad since it was his birthday, but he was happy enough. The linguini was very well done but paled compared to the gnocchi. The lemongrass creme brulee was outstanding, as was the strawberry dish and butterscotch pudding. It is nice to be able to find such quality food in Ohio.
(4)
Kathy G.
This is one of my Columbus favorites. The menu tells their story - they are committed to locally grown food and sustainable practices - and I LOVE the food. They offer substantial (for me) small plates along with their entrees. The menu changes seasonally... and the ONLY time I did not like my meal it was because it was pretty spicy - I should have asked the waiter I have eaten here many times, and I have found the service to be outstanding (one waiter actually apologized for not remembering my husband's usual drink order)! They are knowledgeable and quite honest about the food. Favorites - the duck gnocchi and sometimes the daily risotto. Lunch is a real bargain.
(4)
Leah W.
I love this place. Local ingredients cook to perfection. Love it.
(5)
Emily H.
Finally visited after hearing tons of good hype about Black Creek Bistro (and living almost within walking distance for months) and I'm very pleased that we finally went. The atmosphere is great - the walls are full of art for sale, so it has the interest of dining in an art gallery with none of the stuffiness and not as echoey as a gallery would be. Whoever hung the art has a good eye and grouped the photos by subject: sailboats on one wall, farm-inspired art on another, cute wine-related cartoons in the bathroom. There was a decent crowd there at 7:00 but it didn't feel crowded. Everything is very homey and simple - with the exception of a digital photo frame in the entryway that showcases photos of the farm. Foodwise, everything was pretty good. Boyfriend had a Caesar salad, which he says was pretty good (and had some awesome looking Parmesan crisp on top), and the short ribs, which were a little fatty but very tender. I had 2 small plates, the cornmeal crusted tofu and the squash Parmesan (one of the evenings specials). The crust on the tofu was a little thin and it was a little bland, but the mashed black beans beneath were delicious - it had the texture of black bean hummus but tasted better. The squash Parmesan was not at all what was expected - little fried bits of artichoke on top of a bed of yellow squash strips (that closely resemble linguine) in a roasted tomato sauce. Delicious. I could eat it all day. We finished off with the cheesecake, which was extremely creamy. Service was friendly, food was good and the atmosphere was great. I'm looking forward to going back when the menu changes, or to try to catch one of their $10 bistro features during the week.
(5)
Cindy R.
The main idea here of farm fresh is not new, but the concept is great and I would give them 5 stars for that, but as in food taste it's A-OK. I can't say that my dinner had a "wow" factor to it, and if I was in the neighborhood and wanted to eat then I would stop by here, but I wouldn't plan a special dinner date when you really want everything to say "wow".
(3)
Ashton L.
Went there for a birthday dinner in a group of four. The food was alright. It was by no means bad, but it wasn't anything special. The service was good and our waitress was really nice. I probably won't go back though, but not because it was bad. We had a solid meal. It was just a little boring.
(3)
Melanie J.
Have been to the Black Creek for lunch a few times and have always been very pleased with the food. I'm not usually in Olde Towne (does it really need e's on the end of both words?) at dinner time, but I might have to make a trip there one of these days. But, what I can say about everything I've tried there, is that it has been delicious with a capital D. The salads were great and the Hummus and Tabouli sandwich and the Portobello wraps were so, so good. I'm a veg so I can't say anything as to the meat items on the menus but my lunch compadres always seem pleased with their selections. On my last visit I shared a dessert and seriously it was so good, I contemplated grabbing it and running down the street so I didn't have to share. It was a cheescake on a shortbread cookie with cherries and there was lime in there somewhere. (My mouth is watering right now) The ambience inside the restaurant is relaxing, clean and crisp (crisp?) although this time of year. the patio is even better for lunch.
(4)
Jeffrey H.
Six of use dined at this charming bistro on a Saturday night. The crowd was lively, but not unpleasant. All of us enjoyed our meals, with tastes ranging from the conventional (steak and fries) to the more adventuresome. I had the peanut butter and jelly duck, which left me wanting more. The "peanut butter" was a thai peanut sauce with noodles, the "jelly" a preserve used to create a sauce for the duck. The group shared appetizers, and gave high marks to the french fries. The zucchini soup was excellent, nicely balance with cream and pepper. The cholate and lemon deserts were also shared, and enjoyed. The unanimous verdict of the group was that this is a place to which we would all return.
(5)
michael c.
I love the Black Creek Bistro. Making the most of their corner outpost at Oak and Parsons, they've been bringing fairly priced sustanable food to the near east side for several months now. While they had some rough edges in the first few months after their opening, they appear to be hitting their stride. The menu is fairly solid with some changes every few weeks, (point of disagreement with 1st review), it is of note that the specials list is generally large and can change daily, and other standard menu items are "as available". It is also worth noting that BCB is very reasonable in price. Often lunch specials are in the 5-6 dollar range, and dinners can be had for $10-15 per person with the addition of happy hour drink and appetizer specials. I think this already great bistro will continue to improve. Watch this space!
(5)
Chelsea P.
I went to Black Creek Bistro for the second time yesterday for lunch... I went there when it first opened and have not been back until now. I just never think about going there even though I live right around the corner. Some of my friends rave about it, but, it is just never top of mind for me. Anyway, I met two people there for a lunch meeting at 12pm sharp... We all arrived within a few minutes of each other... Our server took our drink order, dropped off our drinks, asked if we were ready to place our order, however, we were not ready because we were catching up.... Let's just say... I think our server forgot about us. When he finally came back to the table he was very apologetic about neglecting us and explained that he thought he had put in our order... My sandwich was fantastic! I had the Pulled Chicken Salad sandwich with a side bistro salad (also very good). My dining companions both enjoyed the Bistro salad with grilled chicken (although they were both missing the balsamic glazed walnuts). Our quick lunch turned into an hour and thirty minute marathon lunch with very simple items, but, the quality of the food was excellent. Just happy we were not in a big hurry. I will definitely go back because the food was good... I just hope my last experience isn't an indication of the service.
(3)
Chris H.
Consistently "okay" food. I usually get the salmon BLT. Always perfectly cooked with a great chipotle lime sauce.
(3)
Samantha M.
Even though I've only been once so far, I have a feeling Black Creek Bistro is hit-or-miss, despite its mania-producing premise of local ingredients grown by the very people that cook your food. Look, it's a trend that sometimes pays off, that's all. Just remember: when you feel the siren call of gastronomical responsibility and elitism, you have to DO something GOOD with GOOD ingredients to get GOOD food. Just saying. I was lucky enough to be dining with 5 others (total of 3 couples), so I was able to try 3 different appetizers and 3 entrees. (Boys don't share with the table, you know) First, we tried the Sauteed Mushroom appetizer. Served in a clear coffee mug with a spoon, the Crimini mushrooms in garlic oil were nothing to complain about. The mushrooms were the perfect texture, piping hot and flavorful. I couldn't help thinking, however, that I could easily have made this at home and that it felt more like an ingredient than a dish in itself. Not bad, but certainly not 7-dollars-good. One companion ordered the Bistro Fries with a Duo of Sauces. The fries were just right: steamy and fluffy on the inside, crispy and flavorful on the outside. These were the sort of fries that you just want to continuously shovel into your mouth. Then you are reminded by the artful presentation of the accompanying grown-up sauces that you ought to savor each fry individually. The first sauce is a spicy ketchup. It was a sharp burn, one that then lingers pleasantly. The other sauce was a white truffle sauce. Frankly, it was bland. I don't recall detecting much of the earthy, satisfying truffle flavor I was expecting. Overall an easy way to start the meal, though. By far, the biggest disappointment of the evening was my choice of entree, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Duck. The dish was described as duck breast served with thai peanut noodles, cabernet demi-glace and fresh berries. Taken in by the whimsical name and my craving for duck, I had high hopes for this creative sounding dish. After being assured the duck would come out medium rare, my plate arrived with 4 or 5 artfully sliced rubbery duck-pucks. Now, the waiter could not have been more accommodating. He immediately put in a new order and, having overheard me exclaiming over the house-made gravlox on my companion's plate, brought out a heaping plate of it while I waited. It made no difference, this dish was just terrible. The mushy noodles tasted like they were drowned in an entire jar of cheap peanut butter. And that was it. You could not taste anything else. I fished out some shriveled-up strawberries (I think) and even they tasted like Jiffy. What a great idea for duck, what a lamentable execution. I separated off the now perfectly cooked duck and ate just that. It was good. There were a couple of near-wins, however. My date's 'Salmon Three Ways' was not entirely disappointing: DELICIOUS gravlox, boring filet, predictable salmon cake. A friend's hummus plate was both refreshing and satisfying. I'll go back again. One meal does not a reputation make. So far, however, this restaurant is overrated.
(3)
Tony D.
First time sat night . Food very good. Wine list creative and wine is priced to sell. A great thing! Go !!!
(4)
Rick W.
in my top 5
(4)
Tim F.
I was encouraged to go here because of the Locavore nature of the food and the food was just okay. The wine and beer list was pedestrian at best with only a few selection from Great Lakes to placate me. The service was okay, although I only sat at the bar. My only real gripe was that the food was just mediocre. I had the scallops and the server was nice enough to enquire as to their freshness (it was Monday) but they were a little raw in the center. The emulsion sauces that came on the side came apart as the meal progressed, though still tasted okay. Would give this place another chance but was underwhelmed the first time around. The wine list needs to look less like a monument to grocery store wine selections.
(2)
Tony T.
This is a new Columbus gem. It's only been open since June of '08. A great wine list, menu is simple without ovewhelming options. A great happy hour from 4-7. Located in the Olde East area just south of Broad. They use the freshest ingredients...some grown on the owners farm. A great story about the restaurant is on the back of the menu...which changes daily. They also feature great local art and the proceeds from any piece sold goes directly to the artist, they collect no commission or showing fee. Outside seating is available and ample parking is located in the Buckeye Boys Ranch parking lot. Easily located just south of Broad on Parsons.
(4)
Brian B.
The Black Creek Bistro is just minutes from our home and yet we had not heard about it till looking at gift certificates at Dine Originals Columbus and figured it would be worth a shot. Their food was reasonably priced and interesting. Their wine selection is varied and reasonably priced. The service was polite and attentive which is a big plus in my book. Every Friday you can get catfish made with a spicy blackened sauce which was very enjoyable for only 10. Their similar specials throughout the week do not appear as appealing. We are going to have to go back to try their slow roasted duck gnocchi.
(4)
Fred M.
The restaurant was clean, the wait staff fairly friendly, and everything seemed to be made pretty much from scratch; those are the positives. The negatives about Black Creek Bistro were the very long wait for our food, the small portions sizes and the so-so taste of the food. I got the Turkey Dagwood sandwich, which one would think would be full of meats and cheeses piled high on top of one another, but the sandwich was actually more like an appetizer with more of a bread taste to it since it lacked much of anything else. Here is the description on their menu: Turkey Dagwood-slow-roasted breast of turkey, sliced thin & piled high gh, "Dagwood Style" with cheddar, lettuce, tomato & cranberry preserve mayonnaise on toasted country bread. Nothing was piled high at all, I believe that there was no more than one slice of each item on the sandwich and even with the salad that came with it, it was hardly worth $8.00. Other members of my party had "The Famous Roast Beef Sandwich", which turned out to be another disspointment. The sandwich was served cold (which is not mentioned on the menu) and was no larger than the Turkey Dagwood. Others got "Dave's Chicken Train Wreck" which received a more positive review. I tried a bite of it and found it decent but nothing that I would come back for, and finally the Salmon B.L.T. which was also enjoyed, but again not a great value for the money. We shared a pumpkin dessert, which was the only thing that stood out as above average in the whole place. It was $8.00 for a very small piece but I enjoyed it more than the meal. I wish I could remember the name of this dessert but it was like a mini pumpkin pie but much lighter tasting. I doubt I would ever go back to Blackcreek, not because it was necessarily "bad" but the value for the money is bad and the food is just ok at best.
(2)
Jesse S.
Lots of great things to say about this friendly little bistro. First, happy hour goes till 7, and there are some great deals (3 courses for $20 and $5 apps). We had the hand cut fries and pear pancetta appetizers - simple, flavorful, great presentation and delicious! The roast beef manhattan is like Sunday roast beef dinner, full with delicious gravy. There were several more entrees we'd live to try the next time we go back. Great service, easy parking, good beverage list. A few critiques - the dining room was hot and stuffy (although it was 95 outside). The Caesar Salad was, meh. And the decor and music didn't quite mesh. Small critiques for an otherwise wonderful meal. Nothing that would keep us away from the restaurant. A great addition to the neighborhood.
We came to Black Creek Bistro based on its great Yelp reviews and were a little disappointed by the food they served. We came for the much raved about duck gnocchi. We came here primarily because we love both duck and gnocchi and because the people of Yelp seemed to love the dish. The gnocchi dumplings themselves were pretty terrible - gnocchi are supposed to be light and puffy little pillows, and the ones served here are dense chunks of potatoes. What's worse is that on the night we went the "seasonal summer vegetables" in the gnocchi were mostly bell peppers whose strong flavor overpowered everything else and ruined the dish. We also had the "confused mussels" which were described as classic buttery garlic mussels infused with basil, mint, and lemongrass. The mussels were unfortunately bland and lacked the garlic-ness that usually makes mussels taste so good. The broth/sauce on the noodles had so much basil in it that it tasted like I was eating a thistle - I couldn't taste any of the other herbs because the basil was far too strong. The only thing we really liked here was a good selection of beer and wine at great prices. Maybe we caught them on an off night, but we felt pretty let down by the food that came out of the kitchen.
I don't like to think of myself as a 5 star giver, but BCB you've earned them on all scores: food, service and drinks...all 5's! Honestly the one dish I'd never order again I ate, it was just too spicy. I got a glass of milk and kept eating. YUM! This is the only place where I have Drinks, Appetizers., pre-dinner drinks, Dinner, post dinner drinks, per-dessert drinks, Dessert and after dinner drinks and felt classy & not Trashy. Top points too because I currently have their boat " The Seeker" on my bookshelf. I think they're a part of Dine Original (but I don't follow).
(5)
Matt W.
Why oh why didn't I go here a long time ago? When I arrived at Black Creek, the first thing that surprised me was how easy it was to get there. Unlike many downtown restaurants, parking was no hassle at all, with ample street space and a lot across the street for patrons. Upon entering, it felt like a comfortable evening at a gorgeous home. The beautiful bar area was quiet and the bartender invited me to sit while I waited for my group. I couldn't help but try their Ohio Honey martini (made with both Bros. Drake mead and the OYO honey vanilla vodka!), and when I went to pay for my drink, the bartender simply smiled and told me he'd add it to my bill when I finished eating. While I waited for my party, the lead waitress, maitre'd and owner / head chef all stopped over to make sure I was taken care of, and once we were seated, we were given an unhurried but respectful chance to decide on drinks and meals. Even in the context of the Dine Originals Week menu, which allowed me to eat about two tax brackets higher than normal, the levels of choice were exceptional. I ended up settling on the small but appetizing BLT salad, with excellent crispy pork belly, just large enough to give me a good taste of everything without being overwhelming. Next up was the mushroom quesadilla with chile de arbol sauce (REAL chile de arbol! Yay!), and a bit of fresh greens and goat cheese to kill the chile burn while the mushrooms added a great earthy undertone. My (awesome) entree was the kalua pork, which came out of the banana leaf almost melting away on the tongue, seasoned just enough to let the pork speak for itself, and well complimented by the carrots and mashed parsnips / potatoes. Finally, for dessert, I called an audible and our server was good enough to let me get away with it - instead of going with one of the Dine Originals desserts (both of which looked quite tasty, I admit, but...) I asked if I could get a dessert that had caught my eye on the specials board - Apple & Chai Pot Pie. With a pleased twinkle in his eye, he granted my wish, and more than satisfied my curiosity. The apples and chai spices blended perfectly under a crispy, flaky crust, with a tiny bit of vanilla ice cream on top to round things out. I also have to mention the beautiful job that BCB did with the portions - each course was just big enough to be enjoyable and satisfying without leaving you wanting more or feeling like you had too much to finish before the next course would arrive. A fantastic balancing job. It was a fantastic meal and a great experience, and I look forward to going back again.
(5)
Jacob I.
Maybe it doesn't deserve five stars for the food but it's the first really great dining experience we had in Columbus. The atmosphere was nice, the service was good, the meal was great but not ridiculously extravagant. The price was fair. Etc. We split truffle fries and I had a root vegetable soup that was just amazing as well as a risotto that was good - flavorful, but not too much so. My girlfriend got the duck which was also great. But there was something indefinable about the place that's escaping this review, a feel that made the gf's eyes glow a little. I think it may have been the first time I've seen her be really excitedly happy since we moved here. It reminded us of various places in Houston that all have the same kind of casual/fancy feel. The place where you can wear that black sweater but a suit and tie would be a little much. It's great food without having to get all pretentious about it. This place just does it right. And while it's not something I can afford all the time - and the patrons are definitely a generation removed from us - we'll be back.
(5)
Tony C.
What a great little hidden spot! I'm definitely never in this part of town but this trip was worth it. We went for dinner on a Saturday night and it was fantastic. To start off all the servers were very friendly even when you can tell they have their work cut out for them! Helping one another out here and there, it was great! For dinner I ordered the Ohio Pork Loin Chop with the apricot sauce topping it and with potatoes and zucchini on the side. It was wonderful! The pork chop was cooked perfectly and the apricot sauce was ADDICTING! The potatoes and zucchini were also very delicious with a nice buttery flavor. My friend ordered the Roasted Duck Gnocchi and she gave it a "melt in my mouth" review : ) For dessert we opted for a Mock Chocolate Root Beer Float. Lets just say it was put on the table and then it was gone. It tasted great, especially the carmel in there, and it had such a great presentation! With great service, great food, and a great atmosphere you should definitely check this place out sometime. My final suggestion is if you're heading in during prime hours make a reservation so you know you'll have a table. The place isn't too big and will most likely be busy! Stay hungry
(5)
Michael G.
Moved it up to 5*. They do a great job overall; appetizers sides, main courses, especially deserts. Now that the crops are in season, they do it even better. Lunch, happy hour, dinner, no matter; Kent and his team got it going. I heard they will be moving soon, across the street to the old Music Hall; a much planned move put aside by the recession. Easy does it on that, it's a much bigger place. One problem is the very high noise level. Tables are very close together, just like NYC. Great before a show with the good service and easy parking. We are big big fans and you should check it out.
(5)
Brad W.
I went to Black Creek Bistro last night with my family and some friends. I had never been there before, but my sister had and she had recommended it. We were all going for drinks and apps. The service was great for a Friday night and we were seated with very little wait. The table was nice, but the noise level was loud, maybe it's because it was Friday, though, and people were coming for drinks. The drink selection was great! Black Creek Bistro has a full bar as well as a great wine list and beer selection. I ordered a Bitburger beer to drink and others had things such as scotch, Kahlua, wines, and ales. I loved the taste of the Bitburger! I had never had one before and it was a great new beer that I'm going to add to my favorites! We all ordered different apps to share. I ordered the Bistro fries. I also tried their duck app. The food was great and very well prepared. The only downside was the noise level, which made it tough to hear some friends as well as the waitress. I still had a great time, though. I plan to return to try their meals for lunch or something. Black Creek Bistro was a great new find!
(4)
Kylie F.
Desserts are Amaze :) never had the food. But I had some Sort of cheesecake with berries that was magic.
(4)
Laura P.
went for happy hour - loved the ambiance. Drink prices were reasonable and the appetizers were fantastic. I highly recommend the baked fontina appetizer!!
(4)
Kate D.
Took a friend here for lunch after a field trip to Kelton House. I'd been before, but she'd never heard of it. Had a great lunch and think I may have convinced my friend that its worthwhile to leave UA every once in awhile, especially for a unique meal at Black Creek.
(3)
Ken G.
A really impressive find in Columbus. I had been in Columbus for a few days and all my restaurant/food experiences had been awesome - the same can be said for this place. The restaurant was elegant, but quaint with friendly staff members and we were nicely welcomed. The food was great - I had the Pumpkin Ravioli, which was outstanding - slightly sweet pumpkin filled tasty pasta, but everything was balanced with the savory cream sauce and slight spiciness from the chili pepper flakes. It was definitely a filling dish and I left very satisfied. My companion had their special of the day, which was grilled fish on a bed of fresh greens, which tasted very fresh and healthy. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're looking for great, quality food for reasonable prices.
Finally got here the other day, after driving by dozens of times. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was looking forward to good, local food, and that's what I got. We went for lunch, and prices were lower than I expected for such a place: $7-10 for big sandwiches with a side. I got the pork "burrrrito" and was very happy. Fresh, tasty fillings, and almost too much to finish. My friend got the roast beef sandwich, which was also pretty big. Minor quibbles: no horseradish sauce on the sandwich, and though I ordered the Thai coleslaw I apparently got the standard version; it was just cabbage and carrots. No sign of dressing. The dessert descriptions were tempting, but we didn't have room or time. The decor is very nice- lots of light, decent seating. The service was pretty good. As for the food: it was good, but I was hoping for a bit better. Still, I'll be back because it was tasty and there are other things I'd like to try.
(3)
Samantha G.
We first went to Black Creek Bistro about a year ago when we were looking for places to have our rehearsal dinner. The food is amazing! It quickly became one of our favorite restaurants in Columbus. My favorite things from the menu are Duck Tostadas and the Seared Day Boat Scallops. They also have a good happy hour with $5 apps. Only down side is that it can get loud in there on busy nights.
Honestly, I don't know why I don't hear more people talking about this place. So great on so many levels, and I'm so glad to have discovered it today! Perk #1- They source as much of their veggies and meats locally as they can - hell, they have their own farm for a lot of it! When the owner was explaining this, he actually seemed sad that, due to it being winter here, not 100% of vegetables were local. FTW. Perk #2 The ambiance of the place is just fantastic, and they have really cool art on the wall. Perk #3 OMGZ THE FOOD IS SO GOOD. And a fantastic variety of delicious vegetarian dishes to boot. Appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts, the variety I tried was incredible. Perk #4 The chef was showing me pictures of his recent "Bistro specials" and I was drooling on his iPhone... Monday-Thursday they offer these special dishes for just $10! Perk #5 Everyone who worked here was super friendly, but, given the following disclaimer, I can't attest to this being an "always" thing. The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is because the food I had was free, and presented to us especially by the chef - they posted on Twitter that they wanted their followers to come sample their Restaurant Week menu, so a few friends and I took them up on it! I'll be going back soon, and as soon as I pay for my food and am not being treated special in any way, I'm pretty confident I'll be updating this to 5 stars. YUM. Pending another visit, I think this may be my new date night restaurant.
(4)
Michael H.
Delicious. As much locally produced items as possible. Sustainable restauranteering. Very knowledgable and helpful wait staff. The Bartender knows his stuff. The menu changes frequently with specials and always the freshest ingredients.
(4)
Raymond S.
Good Martinis, great food. The restaurant is rather small, but what they lack in size, they make up for with their food. Great tastes and great textures. Knowing this is a full circle restaurant doesnt hurt one bit either. Black Creek will have a spot on my list of favorite columbus spots!
(4)
N S.
This has become our new hangout, after only one visit. Fine ingredients carefully prepared and cleverly presented. Wonderful staff. Warm atmosphere. Reasonable prices (especially at Happy Hour and for the daily special!!). What's not to love?
(4)
Caralyn O.
My sister and I went to Black Creek Bistro for the Dine Originals week, and I left pleasantly surprised by the food. We each tried a three course combo off of the week's price fixe menu. Although I'm unsure that these items hit the regular menu, they're worth mentioning: Highlights that we fought over included a lamb-apricot stew served in half butternut squash, caramel pudding with candied pecans, and a black eyed pea cake as an appetizer. I can't say enough about each of the dishes - so I'll just say this: try them if you have the opportunity. Lowlights included a creole beef dish with grits. Though the precise name of the dish has escaped me, I was disappointed with the flavor as it got lost in the texture of the ultra-creamy (basically soupy) grits. I grew up on this Southern staple, so it's possible I'm just spoiled, but the texture threw me for a loop, not to mention the fact that really complex (and delicious might I add) flavor of the beef was just drowned out by the pool of grits it swam in. What we could rescue, we loved, and while I wasn't enthralled with the cheesy grits, they did temporarily satisfy my taste for them until our next trip back to grit-motherland. I appreciated the fact that the food was really well thought out: presentation, ingredient quality, and originality were all pretty fantastic. After becoming accustomed to a new restaurant every 50 ft while living in Manhattan, I naively had low expectations for the Columbus restaurant scene. How wrong I was! Though there's lots of good eats around, I've still found that this tri-fecta is pretty hard to come by. The restaurant was surprisingly empty, although it was a weeknight. The service was prompt if not overbearing - however, I'm sure that this is also attributable to the relatively empty dining room. Our waiter, though I think he was attempting to be friendly, largely came off as condescending. If the lamb apricot stew were less tasty, I might have minded his bad humor more, however, he stands between Black Creek Bistro and my fifth star.
(4)
Jason S.
The local, farm-to-plate concept espoused by Black Creek Bistro provides a variety of positive and negative attributes. On the one hand, we could all imagine the pork, game hen, and lamb were from stock raised not far from where we sat enjoying our meal. We could chomp on the tasty bistro fries (served with both a rich truffle-infused aioli and an average not-so-spicy ketchup) and make jokes that the vegetable oil used to cook them was off fueling a tractor somewhere in Canal Winchester. But we also had to sigh with relief that the roasted beet and apple salad actually contained beets (which it hadn't earlier in the week), and sat wondering whether the advertised pistachios in said salad were replaced with toasted pine nuts or diminutive pumpkin seeds. Those concerns aside, our table was served a series of well prepared dishes, portioned to deliver the right amount of food for the Dine Originals format. The bistro frog legs were the lowlight of my meal. Advertised as "pan seared to perfection", they tasted closer to baked and lacked much defined flavor on their own. The tomato concasse was bright and fresh, adding the right amount of acid to coax the legs into becoming a more complete bite. The cream of duck soup was richly flavored but lacked any actual pieces of duck, besides perhaps the few microscopic scraps that settled at the bottom of the cup. Its robust flavor still managed to get me excited for what was yet to come. Knocking me back and making me want to return most was the shepherd's pie, its coarse mirepoix perfectly accentuating the savory lamb, parsnip puree and shredded potato base. A late audible landed the peanut butter & jelly bread pudding in front of me rather than the chocolate mousse cake. Presented with crumbled peanuts and a ring of jelly-like sauce (hell, it could have just been jelly), it playfully and accurately represented a moist, decadent version of the sandwich itself. Black Creek Bistro is full of good ideas, good food, and good people. Theirs is a concept that will keep Columbus dining on the map and advance it as far as the local community is willing to take it.
(4)
David B.
The Green Cat was excellent. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a veggie sandwich. It's lite - yet full of flavor. The sandwich and soup as a side was a perfect lunch combo. It's a cozy place. Plenty of parking across the street. For a weekday lunch - arrive a little early, before the noon crowd. For dinner - make a reservation.
(4)
Elaine M.
Yum! Blackcreek Bistro has a great menu of stuff I don't eat often (like duck gnocchi for example) that turned out to by quite delish, and some more usual stuff (like fried brie) that also turned out to be quite delish! My 3 friends and I ordered about half the menu and shared everything. Got to try a lot of good stuff and (with 2 happy hour martinis) only paid about $30/each. It would be 5 stars for me if it wasn't so pricey. My fave items were the salmon over ravioli, fried brie, salmon cakes, & apple salad. OH and almost forgot about the AMAZING chocolate stout creme brulee. Tasted like brownie batter. Great way to end the night.
(4)
Colleen K.
Recently rediscovered BCB--I'd been for dinner a few years ago and liked it (these were my pre-yelp days) just kind of forgot about it. But now I'm working downtown so happened upon it for lunch and was totally smitten! The sandwiches are really tasty, the salads inventive, didn't have soup but it sounds delish. Local ingredients and good prices. Solid lunch choice!
(3)
Nush C.
Went there for happy hour on a monday night for the first time. I liked the decor. It was very comforatble and the service was great. For the most part I liked the food. I had (all appetizers) the bistro fries with duo of sauces, firecracker shrimp, and the duck tostada. The fries were decent. The white truffle aioli was devine. The firecracker shrimp actually had a decent kick to it which I liked and it was a nice size portion. The duck tostada was good but my avacado was all oxidized. It had a funny taste too. That greatly surprised me. I ate it anyways since the rest of it tasted good and I knew it couldn't hurt me. I would definitely recommend it for happy hour. All the apps are $5 and there are some drink specials. I had a glass of wine. I only wish they would put the vintage on the wine list as well. All in all it was a good experience. We shared a dessert of lavendar creme brulee and a bavarian custard. Both good but their desserts were all somewhat the same texturally. The other choice was a mint chocolate semi-fredo. Still they were delicious! I was worried about hte location and I would have to say that if it was later at night I might be more concerned, but around 5:30PM it seemed fine.
(4)
Katie S.
Went here to meet a friend who lives in the area. It was a cute resturant, clean and trendy. The menu was a bit different from what I normally eat so it was challenging for me to find something. I didnt want to be boring and just order the steak but I ended up doing so. I wasnt familar with much else on the menu so I wanted to be safe. The ceasar salad I got was pretty good. The steak I wasnt much a fan of. I like the fries a lot. The steak needed more flavor. My coworkers lamb was almost raw. So I dont know, I should have gotten something else. The waitress was very nice.
(3)
Christina C.
A delightful little surprise in a less-frequented area of town! I am so excited to share this place with everyone now that I've finally eaten here! First thing's first: the food is awesome. We started with the firecracker shrimp and I opted for the duck gnocchi by the recommendation of a friend who's also a waiter here. Both were mouthwatering and I'm so glad I opted for the gnocchi since it was cold and rainy outside. Second: They're known for infusing their own boozes. Habanero tequila anyone? Yes please! They must really like the spicy pepper family too because the jalapeno butter they give you to put on your dinner rolls was a nice tasty surprise as well! Third: I wish I would've saved room for dessert because the options were too much. They didn't have a menu to read but the server descriptions were so good I wouldn't have even needed to see a photo. Last: The interior was so quaint and intimate, it was hard not to feel comfortable. It was like a cross between country and contemporary and the photographs lining the walls made for great conversation starters. Word on the street is they have one killer happy hour too: $5 martinis... I'm there!
(4)
Jeff P.
I think the duck gnocchi was one of the best dishes I've had anywhere in a looooong time. The roasted chicken was awesome as well. This is a great spot for great cocktails and fantastic artisan meals. Service was great too.
(5)
Jessica T.
After taking in a matinee at the Lincoln Theatre yesterday, my family and I decided to get lunch/dinner somewhere in the neighborhood, and settled on Black Creek Bistro, which was only a short walk away. The atmosphere of the restaurant is charming and cozy, with gallery-style art covering the walls and what appeared to be old church pews serving as booths. It was a little bit noisy, but I think that owes to the small size of the place and the proximity of the kitchen to the dining area. The restaurant works on a "fresh-local-sustainable" model, creating dishes from ingredients sourced from the proprietor's farm in Canal Winchester and other local farmers and vendors. Understanding this, I expected the food to be carefully prepared and very tasty, and I was not disappointed. We ordered an appetizer of hummus with warm pita and veggies, which I acknowledge is not really venturing out on a culinary limb. Still, the hummus was fresh and flavorful, was not too garlicky, and was served with a nice spread of pita and sliced vegetables. Next, we were served warm, dense bread from the Angry Baker. It came with a side of strawberry mint butter, the flavors of which were so delicate they were unfortunately lost in the hearty bread. The entrees were spectacular. My mother-in-law and I both got the pumpkin ravioli, which paired a nicely spiced pumpkin filling with a cream sauce featuring mushrooms and walnuts. Evoking feelings of fall, it was the perfect dish for a rainy Saturday afternoon. My husband ordered the duck gnocchi. Served with a garlic-cream sauce, cranberries, and goat cheese, it was so heavenly that I sneaked several tastes from his plate. The duck, described as "slow-roasted" on the menu, was moist and flavorful. Paired with the gnocchi, the dish was an elegant take on meat-and-potatoes. My sister-in-law had the Risotto du Jour, which that day was a creamy but still light risotto with goat cheese and chives. All of the dishes were full of complex flavors and well-executed. Unfortunately, I can't say that the service blew me away as much as the food did. I realize that any restaurant is not on its A-game at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon. It's not prime time, it's grandma hour, and we were the only people in the restaurant when we walked in. However, we waited a couple of minutes to be seated, several minutes to be greeted by our server, and a fair amount of time for each course to come out. Considering that there were no other diners in the place at this point, that was a little frustrating. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive, but he came off just a bit snarky, mentioning a couple of times how much he was refilling my husband's water glass and making multiple comments on our table's professed enjoyment of goat cheese. I think he was trying to make friendly banter with us, but some of it fell flat and made me feel like he was poking fun at us. Overall, I had a great meal at the Black Creek Bistro, and I'd definitely return. I think if we go during regular hours, the service will be faster, and the waiters will be too busy to care about our water intake!
(4)
Rachel C.
My fellow minimum wage foodie and I ventured out to splurge at Black Creek for restaurant week. Our goal for the upcoming year is to experience each of the Dispatch's top 10 restaurants in Columbus, and Black Creek was the only one out of the four or five that were participating in restaurant week that had a vegetarian option on their fixed-price menu, so it was the obvious choice. On top of that, they offered a four-course menu, instead of the typical three-course. Thus, Black Creek started out having won my heart a little, by allowing me to truly participate in the glory of restaurant week. By the end of the night, it had won my heart completely. THE PROS: the food. oh my god, the food. most of the time when I go out and am impressed by a meal, the innovation of the dishes plays a large part. "hmm!" I think. "this is so tasty and I would have never thought to make this combination of flavors!" Black Creek only did that to me sparingly. there was a smoky tomato vinaigrette that was very different from what I'm used to, and the mushroom ceviche was unfamiliar to me. however, Black Creek truly wowed with execution. I was eating potatoes prepared the same way that my mother has prepared them for my entire life, but I felt like I had never experienced anything a tenth as delicious in my entire life. I normally do not enjoy "American" cuisine, but this was absolutely fantastic. my dinner partner and I did not talk the entire drive home. I can't speak for her reasons, but I know that for me, it was because I was mentally walking myself back through the entire meal while it was still fresh in my mind. the service. our server was very nice and helpful. he was not the most professional, but he substituted friendliness for professionalism, and that fit the overall feel of the restaurant. when I mentioned at the end of the meal that I had fallen in love with the food but that we were students, he pointed me to the lunch menu, which is very reasonably priced, at about $8-10 for a sandwich and side. the ambiance. Black Creek is loud, friendly, and has a setup that encourages talking to your neighbors without mandating it. the tables are close together, but in a way that I found cozy, as opposed to claustrophobic. we got good advice on which dessert to pick from our next-door neighbor on one side (polenta with plum sauce!!!!), but did not disturb our neighbors on the other side. that polenta deserves a special mention. my friend commented that, on its own, it justified the $30 menu. THE (potential) CONS: the restaurant was a bit loud and very casual. it's not necessarily a con, but it is definitely something to keep in mind. I am in LOVE with Black Creek. I will absolutely be back, even when there is no restaurant week deal, and eat my way through the vegetarian options. highly, highly recommended
(5)
Greg S.
I've been to Black Creek several times for Happy Hour (I have yet to eat dinner there.) The bar area is cozy, without being crowded and I enjoy the outside eating area. It reminds me of a street cafe you'd find in a larger city. Service is top notch. Their happy hour specials are nice: half priced drinks and $5 appetizers. They have several speciality martinis as well as a wide wine selection and full bar. I'd sampled all the appetizers, all of which are really good. I like their bistro fries and truffle dipping sauce as well as their hummus. Someday I'll make it there for dinner as their entrees all look phenomenal. Great place to meet up for after work drinks.
(4)
F Z.
Black Creek Bistro (BCB) was one of the few restaurants that fell under my "highly anticipated" list. When Restaurant Week rolled around, it gave me a chance to catch up with some girlfriends I hadn't seen in a while while seeing what BCB was all about. A couple folks were running late and Happy Hour was happening ($5 Martinis and $5 appetizers), so a friend and I ordered the Bistro Fries with spicy ketchup and white truffle and the Hummus Plate. While the fries were gone in an instant, the hummus left a lot to be desired. It was edible at first bite, but a strong fishy aftertaste hit seconds later. As for the Restaurant Week part of dinner, there were highlights... and there were lowlights. For my first course, I went with the corn nicoise salad. Bland salad featuring one lone anchovy drizzled with lemon basil vinaigrette didn't exactly bode well for the upcoming courses. Next up was the scallop ceviche, which again was a letdown, since it was lacking flavor in general. Thankfully, my main (grilled quail with raspberry mole sauce) and dessert (watermelon shaved ice) evened out the aforementioned two starters. The tender quail surprisingly paired well with the mole sauce, and the shaved ice served at the conclusion of dinner served more as an excellent palate refresher than cleanser. My friends who ordered the trio of chilled soup shooters as starters and lamb as their entrees didn't fare so well. Two of the three soups were off in the sense that they were bland, and the lamb was served lukewarm with blueberry "chutney." Calling the sauce chutney was an overstatement, imo. The rabbit, on the other hand, was phenomenal and marinated to the point where the grassy smell was eliminated while preserving its juiciness. The other dessert option -- corn creme brulee -- was a fabulously executed one too. I would have never thought that the words corn and creme brulee could be used side-by-side until I tried BCB's take on the classic dessert. For some odd reason, BCB decided to offer dishes on the Restaurant Week menu that are not part of the regular menu. The actual menu might be more substantial but for now, BCB stands as a-okay in my book. Service was on the slow side, but with Happy Hour and Restaurant Week occurring alongside, it was understandable. Megan, our server for the night, was personable and incredibly patient with our indecisiveness and minor complaints. Free parking in the lot directly across the restaurant is definitely another plus to BCB.
(3)
Michael U.
Close to where I live so I go there often. Love sitting at the bar and chatting up the other regulars. Great happy hour specials, 5 buck appetizers and drinks.
(5)
Marcia E.
I've been to the Black Creek Bistro several times. My dinner there was a pretty good pasta dish and a salad. It was solid, tasty food and worth the price. Lunch has been another story. The first time I went they were out of my choice and I went with a pulled pork burrito. It was pretty much just a lot of food and not very well seasoned. Honestly, you'd do better at Chipotle. My second try for lunch was their open faced roast beef sandwich which actually was not very good either. The meat looked like deli-counter beef and the gravy tasted like it came from a jar. It was okay, but not the quality that I would expect from the hype. I'd go back for dinner, but I'll skip lunch here in favor of a more reliable and cheaper alternative.
(3)
Marsh W.
At Black Creek for dinner sponsored by Brothers Drake meadery...this is going to be fun. It was a great evening and our first exposure to mead as well as to Black Creek. The meal was incredibly well done and designed to be a fixed service to pair foods with the selected meads from Brothers Drake. We were fortunate enough to get time with Kent, the owner, and Michael the chef. I love everything about what they are trying to do. The short version is local foods prepared very well for the local market. The owner actually uses much from his own farm and what he cannot source there he gets locally. It's old school, local and just a great experience. Some of the highlights were: - Duck pastrami - Lamb bacon - Incredibly well grilled cobia (O.K. so it was fresh from the Gulf since we can't get it locally... We will definitely go back to tray the regular menu, but in the greatest words of praise I can offer: damn, it didn't suck!
(5)
Big Baby Jesus C.
I really struggled to assign stars to this place, 3 or 4, tough to decide. First off, I think a little bit of an exposition is in order. I met a friend here for dinner when they first opened. It's located at the corner of Oak and Parsons. He explained the concept to me, that the proprietors own a farm where they try to produce as much of the ingredients for the restaurant as possible. Great, was my thought. I had duck confit for dinner, and a lovely bottle of Chimney Rock. I thought the wine was reasonably priced, and the bartender who waited on us was great. However, I thought the preparation did not begin to do justice to the quality of ingredients they had to begin with. My duck confit was greasy, and I didn't enjoy it, so I haven't been back since. And, yes, for the record, I know confit means boiled in fat. I have had duck confit elsewhere that wasn't greasy, just tender and yummy. OK, now on to the restaurant week review. I ate here last night, because my better half chose this spot off the list of options. She has never been here before, and I was ready to see how they are doing now that they're settled in a bit better. Our server was good. We ordered a bottle of Beaujolais. All of the wine served is at state minimum, no corking fee. What a wonderful approach, impossible to be a better deal. That said, at $34 a bottle, the Beaujolais was an expensive one (for Beaujolais), and pretty awful. So this is an area where more work needs to be done, whoever is picking out the wine needs to work harder, or they need a new sommelier. We ordered and more or less split all of the following: root vegetable salad, poached pear salad, pork eggroll, duck confit tostada, seared scallops, stuffed beef tenderloin, chocolate bread pudding, and "banana-misu". So, OK, it was $35/person here for restaurant week, and I notice that the entrees were $17-23 or so on the menu. I watched the woman next to me get served a giant half of a chicken while drinking my wine, so I was really disappointed with the joneser portions we were served of everything, except dessert. The bread was good, warm and fresh. It came with carrot and ginger infused butter. Were it not for the orangish color, I would've thought it was plain butter. No discernable taste of ginger or carrot. The salads came on tiny bread plates, and were difficult to eat as a result. They were both very good tasting though, and the ingredients undeniably fresh. The bread plates are back, this time mine has a fat eggroll on it, hers two tortilla chips. I am sorry, two tortilla chips with stuff on them does not a tostada make my friend. Her plate looked really anemic. I stole a little piece of the duck confit off of one of the chips, and it wasn't greasy this time, so the food preparation is improving. When our entrees showed up, I started to get really sad. I got a whopping TWO scallops. Sorry bro, that's an appetizer, not a meal. She got two tiny pieces of filet. Both came with parsnips and carrots and some roasted potatoes. We thought everything tasted good though, especially the veggies. Dessert comes, and we finally got a normal sized serving of something it looks like. The chocolate bread pudding was great. The "banana-misu" was dry, and only faintly tasted of bananas. Ended up leaving half of that, and that never happens, leftover dessert. So they need to scrap that recipe or improve it. I felt weird leaving. I think this is the first time I have went somewhere for restaurant week and felt ripped off for ordering the restaurant week specials rather than ordering off the regular menu. I am also back where I was when I left last time. I like the place, want them to succeed, strongly support the concept, but feel like I have no reason to drive back there and eat again. Improve the quality of wines you are selling, improve the desserts, and hook up people for restaurant week, don't slight them--might be the only opportunity you have to win over their business.
(3)
Darrah C.
I will never go back to Black Creek. I went with a birthday party. Food was ok... but the service was horrible! I tried to cash out and I had to remind the waiter 3 times, then I actually got up and spoke to the owner and explained I needed to leave. Even after asking the owner - it took another 15 minutes before I got cashed out. It overall took me 45 min just to pay and leave! When I addressed it via email to the owner afterward, I was treated rudely!! Never again! Disappointed since I like their story of local, seasonal food....
(1)
J Bradford L.
Been here a couple of times and now have moved my office within a couple of blocks - coincidence? Maybe, maybe not! What else can really be said about this little place and its outstanding concept and food. Mostly home grown and locally sourced ingredients, clearly great chefs, and worth every penny of the slightly higher, but still reasonable prices. Got a little something called the "Dave's Chicken Train Wreck". Chicken, cheese, onions, french fries and mala string beans grilled on toast. WOW! one of the craziest and best sandwiches I've ever had. Ridiculously good. Salads are fresh and made to order, decor is classy with some "folk art" on the walls. Waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Well not really a single bad thing comes to mind about this place, I hope I can still get into it without waiting. A must see.
(5)
Tom M.
This is a great little restaurant. We enjoyed our experience. The service was very good and our waitress was excellent. The food was fantastic. Our appetizers, the Bistro salad and our entrees (roasted duck with gnocchi and the pasta dish) were all very good. The martinis were awesome! We got out of their for about $77 (without tip) and we had 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 entrees, 3 martinis and 1 22oz beer. Tip - go during happy hour for $5 martinis and appetizers!
(5)
Sumit B.
Fantastic and friendly staff. Creative and inspiring dishes worthy of being called food porn. Vegetarian friendly although my favorite dishes are any which include the locally and organically raised swine or duck.
(5)
Robert T.
I kind of liked the restaurant that was previously in this location, Elemental, but Black Creek Bistro is better. It would have gotten another star from me - making it a 4 star review, but the lighting in this place is terrible. I took David their for his birthday and it was like the place was owned by the electric company. A little lower wattage and some candles would have been nice - I mean the guy isn't getting any younger help him out some! My meal consisted of a Cesar Salad (are you all noticing a trend) that could have used better greens, and Salmon Cakes. The Salmon Cakes were excellent. Cooked to perfection and served with a creole mustard sauce on a bed of spinach David had the Salmon, and he ate it all - maybe because he was hungry, but I am not sure he loved it. I like the fact that this is a sustainable restaurant that grows their own, etc, and that it is a neighborhood place. I look forward to going back and seeing other items that they offer.
(3)
Nick S.
I've been to Black Creek Bistro a few times and never had anything but a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is always great, and the food is always good. Tonight we discovered the happy-hour specials everyone else has mentioned here. For $20 you get the dinner special plus your choice of two additional courses (appetizer, soup, salad, or dessert). This has got to be one of the best dinner values in Columbus. We decided to split the fried Brie appetizer to start. This was every bit as good as you imagine fried Brie would be. The only complaint here is that the toast was a little burnt. Next up were the salads: I had the spinach salad and my wife had the caesar. Both were well done but nothing really outstanding about either of them. The dinner was an outstanding lamb and duck stew. The meat was as tender as could be. The flavor was deep and rich. It was immensely satisfying. It struck me more as a fall dish, but given the cold, overcast weather tonight it was perfect. If this were on the menu, I would go back for it regularly. For dessert we split the rhubarb tart with strawberry ice cream. The filling was perfectly balance tart and sweet. The crust was a little dry, but overall I'd get this dessert again. Black Creek is really close to getting a fifth star from me, it's just the minor complaints that really hold it up. I do always have a wonderful time at Black Creek. And now that I know about the Happy Hour special I imagine I'll be going there a lot more.
(4)
Linda M.
We did not care for Black Creek Bistro. Like others, a few of us felt the waiter was very snippy, fresh almost. The food did not live up to the hype and it certainly wasn't worth the price. Very disappointing.
(2)
Cat F.
Often it feels too pricey for my wallet, but the food is so darn good, the atmosphere is comforting, the food is good, the food is good, the food is good. Oh, and the food is also, as much as possible, locally grown. How can it get any better than that? Gourmet food. And did I mention that it's delicious?
(5)
Zach W.
Kicked things off right with the pork delights and bistro fries for the appetizers, both very delicious. Girlfriend and I got the BLT strip and the Pasture raised Ohio rib-eye for our entrees. Both were mighty tasty, but would have to say the Rib-eye was the best out of the two. Service was good.
I'm so glad that Jason S. created an event at this great restaurant for dine originals week! It wasn't even on my radar, but after Luke T. told me about how they grow a lot of their own stuff, use a lot of locally sourced products, and even use leftover vegetable oil to run their trucks, I was sold! When I arrived, Matt W., Luke T., and Jason S. Had already ordered some fries with white truffle aioli. After learning that pretty much all truffle oil is either mostly or all artificially flavored, I'm a little skeptical of anything truffle flavored, but this stuff tasted great! Just like the Rolands truffle oil I use at home (which has truffles in the bottle). Since it was dine originals, I ordered the 4 course meal for $30, and a Murphy's stout. The first course was a mixed green salad with beets, nuts, and a spectacular dressing with just a hint of horseradish. It was tough not to order the creamy duck soup, but I needed some greens. For my appetizer, I got the frog legs. These were fairly large and they seemed like they were poached in butter or something. They had a very minimalist flavor, but when paired with the skinned tomato, the acid cut through well and balanced it out nicely. The main course was the highlight of my evening. I had a terrible experience with shepherd's pie at an Irish Pub not long ago, and I was so happy to see it on the menu! It was made with actual lamb, had a nice mix of veggies (carrots, celery, onions, parsnips) cooked to a caramelized perfection, and of course, topped with great mashed potatoes! Unfortunately, the final piece to my meal was not as stellar as the rest. The two options were a peanut butter and grape reduction bread pudding (which Luke was kind enough to let me try and was great), or a chocolate something or other with caramel bananas on top. I opted for the chocolate as I hadn't yet ingested my daily value of cocoa, and this was the last meal of the day. It tasted like a dense, poorly flavored, chocolate cupcake with a mealy texture. The "caramel" sauce was part of the problem as it was way too thin, and way too sweet, and the bananas weren't any good either. Alright, so they're not perfect, but still damn good. I left very satisfied, and the portions were perfect. I can't wait to come back and try some of their duck dishes.
(4)
Courtney E.
I had a fantastic time at Black Creek Bistro. It's a great place for foodies who want to try something new. We went in for Columbus Dine Originals because they had prepared a 4 course meal for $30 that looked very interesting. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed and felt very inviting but still had an upscale quality. As an appetizer the frog legs were great for my first time trying them! My entree was fantastic....pork that steamed in a banana leaf with a side mashed potatoes and a carrot/turnip groton that was AMAZING. Probably one of the best side dishes I've had in a while. The lovely waitress said that they make the groton about once a week. I like how the menu changes regularly to incorporate fresh and exciting items. I definitely would go back. From what I saw they had a great happy hour special between 5-7. My Pomegranate Martini was a little weak but definitely worth multiple visits back. I can't wait to try more!
(5)
Yvonne R.
What a wonderful hidden gem! The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because of the location. I was skeptical when friends suggested it because of the neighborhood, but let me tell you, I am so glad I went. Everything (and I do mean everything) was outstanding! From the service to the wine list, salads and entrees. Local, organic offerings from the owners farm set this place apart. My husband had the special which was an ancho rubbed pork loin with blackberry BBQ sauce and an amazing potato salad. I had another special which was the lamb Wellington served with truffle mashed potatoes. With both started with a bistro salad and we were not disappointed. The food exceeded our expectations and the service was wonderful. We will visit this place again!
(4)
Matt H.
This is probably my favorite lunch stop. The sandwiches are great. I had one of their specials which was basically a ham and cheese with a fried egg best sandwich I have ever had. The deserts are expensive though so be sure to ask the price.
(5)
Dee M.
You shouldn't judge a restaurant solely by its service, which is why Black Creek Bistro gets 4 stars in my book. The food was phenomenal. My date and I shared the Duck Tostada and the Salmon Cakes, which we both raved about. I had an Olde Towncar martini, which was incredible. Sweet, but with a powerful whiskey flavor. I loved it. That being said, the service was atrocious. My date and I arrived at 5pm, solely for the happy hour, which we had heard was phenomenal. Our waitress escorted us to our seats and didn't even bring out a happy hour menu until we specifically asked for one. She had no idea what beers were on tap and was unable to answer questions about the cocktail menu. She rarely came to the table to check on us or ask if there was anything else that we would like. All and all, I'd come for the atmosphere, stay for the food, and tolerate the service.
(4)
Staci A.
Great food + drinks! I demote one star for service. While she was sweet, she lacked the initiative to create a fine dining experience while rushing us to order, once we asked if we could take our time she disappeared w out asking if we would like a drink refreshment or how our appetizer was. Once she came back you could tell she disappeared for a smoke break. Maybe management could work on their hospitality bc their food and drink is on point. The fontina appetizer was out of this world! We tried multiple cocktails, all fresh and well concocted. My husband had duck gnocchi, while not amazing, it was good. I was too full from fontina app so I had pork bites app as my meal which was perfect. I recommend trying this little gem tucked away in Old Towne E, it's nice to get away from high street and try something different.
(4)
Amanda G.
This is a cozy place with a menu full of delicious options for everybody. Fresh salads and lighter fare along with burgers and sumptuous sandwiches. Truly something for everybody. I came in for lunch and had a tough time deciding! I ordered the Bistro Turkey sandwich. It's got this great cranberry sauce and is on some tangy toasted sourdough. Very good! The fries here are also really delicious.
(4)
Jen R.
My husband and I saw this place has amazing happy hour deals. We've been wanting to try BCB for awhile so stopped in last night. We sat at the bar and immediately felt welcome. The bartender (I forgot to ask his name) was so friendly and attentive. The way that people were greeted by staff when they came in was very accommodating and I could tell by the way the staff worked together, that there is some great camaraderie there that I like to see! Now, onto the food and drinks! I had the house infused liquors (both of them) which were peach habanero infused tequila and blackberry infused tequila. Both were incredibly flavorful and smooth. My husband had the 51 Manhattan (I think that's what it's called...). We love our rye Manhattans so we like to try them when a restaurant looks like they have a good one on the menu. This one was made with rye and walnut bitters. So so tasty. We split the fried brie and salmon cake appetizers and they were both delicious. I definitely want the recipe for that brie. Yum!
(5)
Gina M.
My roommate and I were looking for somewhere different to go to dinner, so naturally I went to Yelp to find a good place. Black Creek Bistro had decent reviews, so despite never having been to a restaurant in Olde Towne East, we gave it a try. First impression: not the greatest. More than half empty restaurant at 7PM on a Friday night and no one to greet us as we walked in the door. After a minute of awkwardly looking around, someone then appeared and got us seated, taking our drink orders. From there, things went smoothly, although I did feel rushed through the meal. We were brought our entrees before I was even finished eating my salad. This place regained some stars for the food though. I chose the linguini and clams and my roommate had the lamb as entrees, and I also had a beet salad to start. Every piece of my meal was fresh and I could tell that care was put into every step of the process. The beets on my salad tasted like they had pickled them right in the restaurant which was awesome, and even the butter they served with the bread was flavored by hand in-house. Overall I would recommend this place for a good quality dinner out if you find yourself in the Olde Towne East area, but it's not worth driving a long distance for.
(4)
Andrea D.
Went here for lunch this afternoon and it was fantastic! The whole Menu looked great but I highly recommended the salmon blt!
(5)
Joyce X.
My boyfriend was in town while Restaurant Week was happening, so we really wanted to try someplace new. We had never heard of Black Creek Bistro, but their Restaurant Week menu sounded pretty good so we decided to give it a try. The restaurant itself is located in a less-bustling area, a bit southeast of Downtown. I think there was a parking lot across the street, but we found a spot on the street right outside of the entrance. The restaurant is also on the smaller side, so if you plan on arriving during peak dinner hours, a reservation definitely helps. Otherwise, it's totally fine to wait in their bar room and enjoy one of their many beers and wines. Black Creek Bistro advertises itself as a seasonal, farm-to-table restaurant (I believe our waiter says they get most of their produce from a farm outside of Canal Winchester). Because it was Restaurant Week, their special menu had a tropical theme to it. For my courses, I ordered the Shrimp Ceviche, Cabbage Apple and Papaya Salad, Caribbean Rubbed Chicken Quarter, and one of their seasonal desserts (which was described to us as a play on s'mores and moon pies). My boyfriend also had the Caribbean Chicken as his entree, but ordered the Teriyaki Wings, Curry Potato Salad, and the other dessert choice, which was a Bavarian Lime Custard. Everything was very fresh and delicious. By the time we got to the dessert course, we barely had room in our stomachs! The only complaint I have is that the chicken quarters were cooked inconsistently. While my chicken was underdone and had a bit of a rubbery texture, my boyfriend's chicken was a little bit dry and overcooked. Other than that, it was a very satisfying meal. In addition to the great food, we also had a great waiter! He was super friendly and joked around with us, and really added to the already great experience we were having. I'll definitely have to go back sometime to try some items on their normal menus!
(4)
Sandy W.
Was there last Monday with friends! We all had a delicious meal. I ordered from the $20 3 course dinner. Had the avocado stuffed with fresh salmon and panko fried , fried Brie and arugula salad with cranberries and roasted nuts! OMG everything was so delicious ! So excited to go back
I stopped her per the recommendation of a colleague. Really friendly staff who got me seated right away. I ordered a Caesar salad and a turkey sandwich. I was really excited for the salad but I have to say I was a bit disappointed. I'm not sure if it was a fluke, but it appeared all the lettuce used was that last little white/light green/yellow part found at the very core of lettuce. Ew. The sandwich was ok but nothing to write home about. With this said, based on all of the other stellar reviews, it seems like my experience was out of the norm, which is something to keep in mind. The restaurant is located in a cute little neighborhood and I was able to park on the street just a few blocks away.
(3)
Mark H.
When I'm in Columbus on business, I always stop at the Black Creek Bistro. The challenge I have is knowing what to order because it may be months before I return. Some how some way Chef Andy always figures out a way to produce an incredible meal! Have the Risotto, Ribeye, but don't forget the duck tostada! Leave room for dessert! Their service is untouchable!
(5)
Tim D.
Amazing food and wine. Great service and you must try the duck appetizers. Parking was easy and free.
Absolutely loved this restaurant. I had the lamb shank and it was so tender it fell off the bone.
(4)
Carla D.
I love the food here, although I've only eaten lunch here a few times. Their salmon BLT and Green Cat sandwiches are AMAZING. Their French fries are probably some of the best in the city. They have a big sandwich menu! I plan to keep coming back until I try them all! 5 stars for the food, minus one star for the service. I frequently eat alone, and the few times I've been here, the servers acted annoyed that I was hogging up a table for one person.
(4)
Mike K.
This is one of the most disappointing restaurants in the city because everyone always raves how good it is, but both times I have gone it has been awful. My first experience was six years ago. I went there with a friend and we both ordered the nightly special which was fried catfish. The catfish arrived still frozen on the inside and we obviously sent it back. The kitchen cooked the catfish through and sent it back out again! And we still got charged full price. This is perhaps the single worst restaurant experience I have ever had. A few years later I return with another friend. It's happy hour so I ordered off that menu. I got the duck tostada, pulled pork nachos and a roast beef concoction served over mashed potatoes and sourdough. The duck and pork was completely bland and flavorless. The pork was served on guacamole that was awful. The roast beef tasted horrible but the mashed potatoes were pretty good. A positive point of the night was my friend's mussels. So bottom line: this place sucks and you shouldn't go.
(2)
Bobby S.
Quiet place in a historic part of the city. Glad to see more places opening in Olde Towne East. Appetizers are all $5 during happy hour. We had the fried Brie and the pancetta pear crisps. The pancetta pear crisps had amazing flavor, just wish there was a little more to them. Not a lot of food here. The Brie was tasty too - served with a berry medley and toast. For dinner I had the gnocchi with shredded duck. Delicious! Lots of flavor in a broth, not a cream sauce. Definitely worth the price! Plenty of parking across the street.
Excellent food and friendly service, though you definitely pay for it. I've been here a number of times and have never been disappointed. A great place for a fancier date or special occasion.
The menu sounded so good in print. And I admit I only ate there once, and only tried 3 things. However, the fries were limp and greasy, the salmon cakes were very salty, and the Caesar just barely passed muster. Sorry, I like the farm to table format and it's a cute place, but I expected more.
(3)
Steve S.
Great food ,great service, great wine selection prices were great as well.
(5)
C G.
Have been there twice. The service is friendly and the they seem to try hard - but they miss the mark. Food is okay - but inconsistent. Some dishes like the duck gnocchi are excellent, while others, like the beef tenderloin I had last night, are just meh. (BTW - I had to send my steak back the first time. I ordered it medium but it came out very rare - still cool in the middle). A lot of potential and nice people, but with all the competition, they are getting left behind.
(2)
Danielle D.
This place was amazing. My boyfriend and I have been driving cross-country and had been driving for 7 hours and really wanted a hot meal. Driving around Columbus, we saw Black Creek Bistro on Yelp and made the decision to go there. Amazing choice! It's small but quaint. There's plenty to look at on the walls with a great atmosphere. I got a glass of Cabernet and my boyfriend was recommended an IPA. The waiter was super helpful. I ordered the lamb shank with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Honestly, it was cooked perfectly. The meat fell right off the bone. My boyfriend got the slow-roasted, shredded duck gnocchi. It was really good though I'm not a fan of gnocchi. He really liked it though. We got the bill. Surprisingly inexpensive. It's fine-dining food for an affordable price. Everything here was worth it. Ambience, service, food, beverage. Definitely worth checking out.
(5)
Heather H.
Nice little gem of a place for happy hour. If you're looking for an upgrade from typical happy hour appetizer specials, this is your place. From 4-7 M-F ALL appetizers are $5. We ordered Duck Tostada, Pork Delights, Hummus Trio and Pancetta Pear Crisps. All were wonderful BUT our favorite was the Pancetta Pear Crisps - very interesting taste. We would order all again, but with 4 other appetizer choices left on the menu we plan to use our next trip to try those. Go early and sit at the bar. We got there around 6 PM on a Friday and that seemed to be good. After 7 PM it will start to fill up. They also had some nice craft beer choices.
(4)
Amanda M.
Definitely a hidden gem in Columbus. Amazing staff, great atmosphere, awesome wine and beer list. I had the scallops which were cooked perfectly and delicious.
(4)
LouCindy A.
Fantastic place in a historic part of town. Great food, interesting combinations that you would never guess could be possible. They will delight your taste buds and make you glad you stopped in. I had the duck gnocchi which I thought would be a cream sauce. Nope! Stock with sweet potatoes and mushrooms and it was simply amazing. Great old charming restaurant. Hope you enjoy!!
(5)
Lindy K.
I took my friend here for her birthday and was definitely pleased. It has a nice intimate atmosphere, the service was great, the wine list is expansive and reasonably priced and the food was really good. We had the pancetta pear crisps, duck gnocchi, and smoked salmon with arugula- all of which I would order again. We also got a free desert since it was her birthday, bacon creme brulee- sooo good.
(4)
dan c.
Yikes! We were totally disappointed. We called ahead to see if it was kid friendly. They said yes and that they could give them cheeseburgers. They didn't say they would be $9.50 each! Want milk? $3. Of course this isn't an obvious choice for a family, but my wife and I wouldn't come back alone. We could think of 20 places we would go on a date night before here. The menu was limited. Nothing really sounded good, so I went with a roasted chicken, which I never order since it is so boring, but that was the best choice. I would compare the menu to the pearl, which has a way better atmosphere and better food. In comparison we love Hae Paul's on 4th.
(1)
Midas K.
I went here for lunch on recommendation while I was getting mt tires changed. Simple, reasonably priced and absolutely excellent food.
(5)
Adam W.
Everyone was very friendly when we entered though it took a few minutes to find someone to seat us (we had reservations). We had the pancetta pear spears for an hors d'oeuvre, it turned out to be a dish that looked and tasted like something I make after work for a snack. My wife had the duck gnocchi as a main course, it was entirely one consistency and my lamb shank desperately needed the simplest of seasoning. She loved her Riesling and I enjoyed the variety of beers both local and abroad. The service was cloying and even pushy at the end. I cannot believe the rave reviews on here. It was, simply put, a bad experience.
(2)
Alex K.
Had been hearing great things about this place for a while and boy did it not disappoint. Got there a little ahead of my party and sat at the bar and had a beer, Coke Oven Stout by Rust Belt Brewing out of Youngstown. Great recommendation by the bartender, who was extremely knowledgeable and definitely a classic bartender in the sense. My group was seated in the bar room, but it was still very quiet. The menu was a little overwhelming, but our server did great at explaining everything to us. The prices aren't inexpensive, but I have definitely been to pricier places than this. When the food started coming out, price was the last thing on any of our minds. I started with the Duck Tostada, which was only 5$ (during Happy Hour all appetizers are $5). It was incredible, the duck was cooked perfectly, super juicy and tender. The avocado and pickled onions were a great mix as well. I ordered the Seared day boat scallops and it will be a tough decision to ever get anything else there. It was one of the best dishes I have ever had the pleasure of eating. They were served with mushroom risotto, which was cooked perfectly. I'm not a big foodie food type of person, but this place is definitely working me over. The service is great and the atmosphere and pricing certainly do not reflect the quality of food, in a good way. It feels like you are just in a local restaurant or someones house until you see the food start to come out and it looks like something on the Food Network. There wasn't that pretentious feel that you get when you go to other fine dining restaurants. I definitely recommend giving this place a try.
(5)
Angie K.
FTC event at black creek! It was pretty good. Appetizer: Sprouts are awesome. Main Dish: Confused Mussels was bland. My friend got the basil tomato noodle dish and it was awesome I was jealous. The deserts: the chocolate mousse was more like a dense dry cake. The chocolate crème brulee was AMAZING. Stick with that selection Wine selection: awesome and very reasonably priced. Service: Super. The waiter was great.
(4)
Jessica H.
Flew solo here to experience a Restaurant Week menu offering. The experience is always lovely! I sat at the bar and had fun conversation with the other patrons. Tried a rosemary infused vodka with tomato juice. Really savory and lovely. The white bean soup was hands down my favorite element! So very yummy and just the right amount of salt. I got the salad offering as my starter with a catch-all of ingredients: corn, dried cranberries (I think), spiced walnuts, goat cheese and beets (I think). Then I tried the yucca bruschetta chips with an olive type tapenade. The chips were great! The topping was a little too spicy for me. My entree was a beet risotto served in a halved and baked acorn squash and topped with feta and corn. Pretty delicious (see photo) and was even better the second day! I love the place! It is a "special occasion" price-point destination.
(4)
Jeff G.
Very cool restaurant. They have a great wine list and sell everything at state minimum pricing!!!! That alone makes this place one of my favorites. We started with the appetizer menu and never got to the entrees. I can't wait to come back and have dinner. The service was great too. Thanks!
(5)
Joe G.
Only regret is I wish I knew about this place sooner! Went to Black Creek Bistro for the first time as part of an office lunch. You would never know such a cool place existed if you base your opinion on the surrounding neighborhood. Once you step inside the doors, it feels a lot like a cafe in German Village: Simple, historic and full of character, without losing it's modern feel. The walls featuring the work of local artists! For lunch I had the Turkey Bistro sandwich. It was spectacular! The turkey meat was so so fresh and there was a delicious cranberry (i think?) flavored sauce that really highlighted the sandwich. I wouldn't say the service was fast, but we did have a group of 8 and the restaurant was pretty full when we went. Probably waited about 20 minutes for food - I almost feel like I'm nit picking. Overall, a great restaurant. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu. I've heard they have great Happy Hour specials, but have not tried yet.
(5)
Anna H.
We took my parents here for dinner Sat night for Mom's birthday. It was her choice given they live within walking distance and like it very much. I've been another time for lunch, but this was my first time for dinner. It's very cozy and feels special. Our server was top-notch; she knew the menu and was very warm. The fried brie appetizer was so good and I ate most of it since everyone else stopped. My bistro salad was wonderful as was my bistro pasta (a bit spicy due to crushed red pepper, but still good). I was a clean-plater. The rolls was excellent too. Everyone enjoyed their dinner and it was a nice evening. I think they work very hard to create a good menu and pleasant atmosphere. It works.
(4)
Christine L.
Went in for lunch wasn't very busy. Great service. Husband and I both ordered sandwiches and both were delightful.love the decor.
(4)
Eric F.
Great place to go for happy hour! Great selection of $5 appetizers and even better selection of drink specials! Lots of craft beers to choose from! Great atmosphere and great service! Cant wait to go back!
I went to Black Creek Bistro for the first time Friday for Happy Hour. Their specials are great. Martinis and house-infused vodka and gin drinks and appetizers for just $5 each. We got the bistro fries, baked fontina, pork delights, and duck tostada. The fries and the cheese were the real stand outs here. I got a pomegranate martini and then a gin infused with peaches. Both were great, and the gin was very flavorful and strong. The bartender was very helpful and accommodating. I'll definitely go back for dinner, but the Happy Hour was a great way to test this place out.
(4)
Charmy G.
Yummmmmy, yummy! I will give this place 5/5 because it's truly worth your money and this is called great dining. Such lovely food. They also have good wine collection. You will not be dissatisfied . I promise :-)
(5)
Luke T.
I hadn't been back to Black Creek since 2008, when I lived off Long in the KLD and Carabar was my bar. When I saw it on the Dine Originals list, it immediately jumped to the top of mine, right above the numerous restaurants I've never tried before. I was glad others expressed interest, and a party of six proved to be about the perfect size for BCB. I admit that I am a green nerd. I go out of my way to consider the environmental impact of my decisions and adjust accordingly.[1] That said, one of the things I remembered most about Black Creek was that they have a farm where they grow as much of the produce and livestock used in the preparation of their menu as possible. In fact, the Black Creek farm existed BEFORE the restaurant. I'll limit my discussion of their sustainable practices to that,[2] but suffice it to say, these practices have influenced my review to the tune of one star. Those of you that follow my reviews are probably aware I am a pescetarian (a fishetarian, as I've been saying lately, or a vegequarium, as the waiter said tonight). You may not know why though. I gave up red meat and pork after my father had a massive heart attack in '03. He passed in '05, and I gave up chicken shortly after, when I moved back to Ohio, where the vegetarian options are far greater than rural WV. My secondary reasons are environmental in nature. I'm not against the killing of animals (sorry PETA, et al.) when it's done sustainably and humanely (given the circumstances). Couple that with the fact that I like to try new things, and I decided to break my diet tonight, something I hadn't done since Burgundy Room a few years back. My four course meal:[3] - Roasted Beet and Apple Salad (featuring a nut that definitely WASN'T pistachios [as advertised]). - Bistro Frog Legs - Game Hen Surprise - PB and J Bread Pudding In addition, I had a glass of Riesling,[4] a featured honey martini,[5] and some bistro fries provided thanks to the generosity of Matt W. The bistro fries were salty/spicy, but in a good way. The beet and apple salad could have used some more apples, but was a sweet, fresh start to my meal. Whatever those nuts were (consensus was pine or pumpkin), they added a perfect, toasted note to the salad. Frog legs were a new one for me. I'd been debating whether they broke my diet or not. From a conscientious point of view, I feel like they did. And when you look at them, I don't care what you say, sucking the meat off a frog's leg bone ain't the same as eating a fillet of salmon. Either way, they were interesting. The meat DID have a seafood-like hint to it, particularly in the thicker pieces. They were paired to perfection with a tomato concasse and a buttery sauce. Once I'd decided on the frog legs, it was easy to solidify the deal with the game hen. The hen was served with some lightly mashed taters (that is to say, they were pretty darn chunky) and a mild chili sauce. It was the highlight of the night, and not gamy at all. Far less creepy looking than the frog legs. Hah! The tender hen was fantastic alongside the soft mashers...I have no regrets! As for the PB and J bread pudding, I'll simply say that while it was good, I've had better elsewhere (Cap City comes to mind). One thing that would help would be slightly more of the "J" drizzled around the plate. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. I realize it's a bit steep for some of my fellow yelper's budgets, but I think it's the sort of place we should all support more frequently if we can manage. The fact that you can have food THIS good, and do so in a responsible and sustainable way, OUGHT to be affecting the entire industry on a much larger scale. Change is too slow. A note to the owners, should they happen to read this: a considerably cheap change to save utility costs and be more sustainable - bargain-outlets.com/cata… . I hope next time I dine (which hopefully isn't so far in the future), I find you've upgraded. [1] PM for a more exhaustive list: - Quit driving six years ago - Ride a bike daily roughly 48-49 weeks/yr - Installed a dual flush toilet in my house - Use 40+% less electricity than my neighbors (thanks AEP) - Take the stairs! - Shopping for an old diesel to convert to SVO (only way I'll start driving again) [2] blackcreekbistro.com/Our… [3] dineoriginalscolumbus.co… - $30/person [4] Ferrante - Grand River Valley, Ohio $6 (all wines at state minimum pricing) [5] Featuring OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka and Brothers Drake Bergamot Blue Mead $11 (both made right here in Columbus, Ohio)
(5)
Brian S.
Best scallops in town, fun atmosphere, and great service! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. They support local vendors which is always a plus.
(5)
Patrick C.
BCB is a wonderful place to have a meal. Every time I go I always enjoy the food, the atmosphere and the staff. When you first walk up to it you will notice that it sits at the corner of Parsons and parking can be kind of a challenge. The first room you walk into is the bar section, where they have a wall of wines as well as a few beers on tap. this is the waiting room as you wait to be seated. (call in advance and make reservations. they seem to prefer that) When we were seated we were welcomed by our friendly waiter. Who went on to tell us details about the menu as well as the wine list. I always appreciate it when the waiters are able to really dish out the information about their plates so when it comes time to choose its not so hard. We had ordered the Duck gnocchi and man oh man. that was soooo good. My GF's mom ordered the steak and that was also pretty legit. the wine was good. I really cant complain about any of the dishes I've had there. Always impressed. When the bill came around it wasn't that bad either. So all and all I really enjoy my time at BCB. I will be back. Only reason they get 4 stars is because at the time they sat us next to a wall that had construction done on it, and it was in the winter so our seats were really cold... and there were plenty of other seats available away from that wall.
(4)
Ruby D.
I don't know if I am qualified to write a review yet for Black Creek Bistro, but I'm going to anyway because I had a good experience. We went for happy hour and sat at the bar. We ordered the fried brie and the bistro fries (both only $5 each--what a special!) and discounted pints of tasty IPAs. The food really fulfilled my munchies and one of the beers was relatively rare. The bar tender was knowledgable, prompt and friendly. He knew when to chat with us and when to leave us alone. We felt welcomed but not smothered. The interior is warm and pleasant. We enjoyed being there and will definitely go back.
(4)
Ryan D.
The best restaurant in Columbus. Everything my girlfriend and I have ordered here has been amazing and exceeded our expectations without fail. Even the free bread and butter is worth the drive out here. The venue is a great combination of classy and cozy with friendly service. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu and the prices are all reasonable, but if you're looking for a steal, try the $20 three-course dinner Monday-Thursday.
(5)
Regan F.
One of the best meals I've had. Scallops & risotto were perfect. My friend had duck gnocchi. Both were divine.
(5)
Johnny G.
It had been a while since we'd been here - big mistake to stay away for so long. We had an early dinner with our daughter and everything was great. It's nice they open at 4:00 and we almost had the place to ourselves. Drinks came quickly as did our appetizer of bistro fries. Firehouse cocktail amazing. Great looking cocktail menu. Diet Coke (daughter) was flat. Bistro fries weren't exactly crispy but they were hot and the white truffle aioli hit the spot. My bistro pasta was really good. The noodles were fresh and the flavor of the tomatoes was excellent. Minor issue: I asked to leave the cheese off but it came anyway. The Bistro salad was great and came out without cheese as requested by my daughter. Her trio of hummus was also very good and the abundance of veggies over pita bread was appreciated. I knew my wife would order the duck gnocchi when I saw the menu and I was right. It was the most unique and complex item we ordered and a big hit. Very well thought out dish. Surprisingly, my daughter loved it and ended up eating quite a bit of it! Everybody was very friendly and the service was excellent. The surrounding area keeps getting better and parking across the street was easy.
(4)
R J.
I used look at this place all the time while turning right to go to Yellow Brick Pizza. How did I miss coming here for the past year? We now have a new favorite resto in Columbus! Happy hour $5 apps and martinis plus awesome service. This is an ideal dining experience. We loved our ribeye and the scallops main courses. Our server Michael is a real pro -we will be back again and again. This was better and far less expensive than Lindey's and GMichael's. for the same quality and level of food/drink.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Michael D.
I was looking for someplace to eat before heading to the airport, and Black Creek was easy to access from the freeway. I'm not the least bit disappointed in having stopped there. Now there are a couple menu items that when I see them in any restaurant I would label a chump items. Chump because you really should feel like a sucker if you pay entree prices for something that costs so little to make -- like a grilled cheese or BLT. Well, Black Creek proved me wrong. I ordered the BLT, and it was seriously worth the price. Of course, that wonderfully thin layer of salmon on there is what pushed it over the top. Another feather in their cap is the beer selection. I didn't get to sample it like I wish I could have, but there are excellent beers available here. I'll certainly keep this place in mind next time I'm in town and need to catch a meal before or after the airport.
(4)Kenley M.
The food at Black Creek was good, but I wouldn't say "great." My lamb lollipops were all about this funky glaze that somewhat distracted from the meat rather than complimenting it. (When I order the lamb, it's because I want to taste the lamb. "Lollipop" or no.) I tried bites of other things that were pretty good to quite good, but nothing blew me away. As for atmosphere, Black Creek is warmly lit and thoughtfully arranged - small but not cramped. Some tables are pretty close together, so you hear others' conversations. Mostly, everyone is talking about the premise of the restaurant, that there is a farm outside Columbus that supplies a lot of the ingredients. ("Have you accepted heirloom beets as your personal lord and savior?") That information is also printed on the menu, which the servers make sure not to let you miss. I sort of wanted to start singing "Old MacDonald" and acting out the parts of happy animals, beans and artichokes. (What sound does an artichoke make? I think they squeak when you rub ripe ones together. Or is that eggplants? I'm not a farmer.) Overall, a pleasant and self-satisfied atmosphere. What else? Service was fine. Cocktails were fine. There was wine, on a list, and it was fine. Black Creek was a good experience, but Columbus has better restaurants. I am unlikely to make it a habit.
(4)Ray G.
I have been to Black Creek Bistro many times over the last few years for both lunch and dinner. I like the fact that Kent sources most ingredients from his own farm. Their menu constantly changes based on ingredients and lunch specials are pretty good values. My most recent trip was after Cocktails at the Conservatory and our group tried the pumpkin ravioii, pasta, tuna medallions and risotto. Everyone's meal was great! Service is consistently good and the waiter made a great wine suggestion.
(4)Lisa S.
I can hear the weeping and gnashing of teeth now as I give Black Creek Bistro, named Best New Restaurant of 2007, only 3 stars. But I implore you to hear me out. My dining companions and I managed to slip in at the end of Happy Hour on a Monday, which allowed us to partake in special Happy Hour pricing. All appetizers were discounted to $5, Martini's were only $5, special beers only $3, and the dinner special was a meager $10. Let me state now, that if you ever wanted to try Black Creek Bistro, Happy Hour (which runs until 7pm) is the time to do so. I sampled the Fried Calamari which was thick cut instead of the tiny squiggly squid at most restaurants. It was delicious and even better when dipped in the provided sauce, something along the lines of duck sauce and lemon juice. At $5 during Happy Hour pricing, I would order this dish every time, but at $9 it feels like a waste because there are only 8 or so good thick pieces of calamari on your plate. Another friend started with the House Salad, pecans, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinegar dressing topped a spring salad mix. I snuck a few bites and was very pleased with the sweetness the goat cheese provided. In typical dinner fashion, we were provided with dinner rolls before our meals started. Herbed bread with an even better herbed butter. This provided us some moments of reflection in the dining room. The walls and tables were pristine white, with dark trim and exceptional lighting throughout. The dining room is small, seating something like 30 or 40 maximum, but a large window opens onto the street providing lots of natural light to flood in. The overall feeling I got was one of crispness and naturalness, which goes along with the theme of Black Creek. Dinner arrived and the trance was broken with the smell of my delicious plate. After careful examination of the dinner menu, I had ordered the Lamb Lollipop which was two ancho chili rubbed lamb chops with a drizzle of roasted red pepper honey placed artfully on top of a bed of season vegetables (in this case cauliflower). The portion of lamb was tiny, however the meat was prepared in a quality manner and I can't get over that red pepper honey. And I was a little over zealous about the cauliflower, not that there was anything special, it had just been so long since I had any cauliflower. My dining mates were not as thrilled with their dishes as I was with mine. One friend, on a newly started health kick ordered the cornmeal dusted tofu. The tofu was just two slabs placed in a pile of black bean puree. Slimy on top of more slimy. It wasn't a well thought out dish. My other friend ordered the $10 dinner special which changes from day to day. On Monday it happened to be the Penne Carbonara. Grilled chicken, mushrooms, some bacon, all in a carbonara sauce which reportedly was on the oily side. Also go ahead and scratch off "grilled" chicken and write in "blackened". It wasn't bad, but it's a good thing it was only $10. Now, the waiter we had was absolutely the pinnacle of hospitality. He alone should receive 5 stars. When he noticed the tofu plate had barely been touched, he asked if there was anything wrong. My friend replied "No, it just turns out I'm not as big of a fan of tofu as I thought I might be". He immediately offered to replace the plate with something else on the menu. Now that's a good indicator of service! I'm leaving my review at 3 stars, but I would like to return for lunch at Black Creek sometime soon because they have a completely different lunch menu. Hopefully that will boost them to 4 stars, but I don't think I could ever go to 5 stars. I think Black Creek is a little overpriced and I'll only be hitting them up for dinner before 7pm.
(3)Ashli H.
My experience with Black Creek Bistro was mixed. We were celebrating my boyfriend's birthday, which I had informed them prior to our arrival. I am a little disappointed that they never even acknowledged it. Its not that I expected singing and a cake, but I thought at least a Happy Birthday. Its a cute building and has a nice feel with the artwork on the walls. Also, some have mentioned it not being in a great location. No fears, completely safe and bright lighting with parking across the street. As for the food, we made it for happy hour and had two appetizers, which were a great price ($5) and tasty: Duck Tostada and a special of the day. They were both tasty, nothing too exciting. For dinner, we each had salads, which were very disappointing. I am never one to complain about price. But it was $6 for a very small plate of wilted, old, and warm salad. Our entrees were much better. He had the duo of lamb and I had the Salmon over Ravioli. Both were quite nice and we finished our plates. Overall, ,the food was good but nothing that left you craving more. I would easily return except for one major problem. The service. When we arrived there were three tables in the restaurant and bar. After being sat, it took the waitress 10 minutes before she returned. Once she took our drink order, it was almost 15 minutes more before she took our order and then she couldn't even remember what we ordered. By the end of our meal, there were only 5 tables and there were two servers, but she barely acknowledged that we were there. She didn't seem busy or overwhelmed just bored. She wouldn't even glance at our table so that we could get her attention. I never mind when good food takes some time, but when the server won't even fill your glass, you wonder why you are even there. I would like to say we would go back because the food overall was good, but there wasn't enough wow to make up for the service.
(2)Denise Y.
Delicious food. I came with a large party and the restaurant was incredibly accommodating. For appetizer, I split the special with my boyfriend--salmon carpaccio--which was well portioned and excellent. In fact, another person at the table got it as an entree. For the main, my boyfriend ordered the Steak Frites and we requested the truffled fries to be brought out with the appetizer, and I couldn't stop eating them. His steak was done perfectly. As for my food, it was still good but not as good as his. I ordered Bengal Spice Rubbed Lamb from the small plate menu and the Summer Bistro salad for my main. The lamb was well cooked but I didn't taste too much of the spice, the portion was also smaller than I expected, definitely 1/3 of the portion of the large entree. As for the salad... I never received it but I felt I didn't need it after eating the appetizer. I would definitely go back, but maybe be a little more selective about what I order. I want to go back and try them for lunch for sure.
(4)Jodi S.
One of my favorite restaurants! Creative and delicious food, good prices, friendly staff. My favorite is the nightly small plate specials. M-R (I think) you can get the small plate special plus 2 more courses for $20. It's an awesome deal and the food is always amazing.
(5)David L.
Since I live right down the street, I have always wanted Black Creek Bistro to succeed. However, I'm not sure how they can. I have been there four times since they opened and have yet to have a good experience. Their food may be prepared from mostly local ingredients, but the dishes are poorly conceived and executed amateurishly. The service I have gotten there has been consistently bad, and so has the food. To their credit, I had a decent sandwich there once for lunch, but everything else I have had has been marginal at best. The owner walks around wearing the most ridiculous hat you've ever seen with a big toothy grin. Get a job, jerk! It's nice to see people coming into the neighborhood, but it would be even better if Black Creek Bistro could deliver a decent meal.
(2)Joye P.
Fantastic restaurant offers food directly from owners' organic farm. Care is taken on every detail of the wonderful food served there. Price points are excellent: two can have dinner and a cocktail for $65. I had gnocchi with a homemade butternut squash puree sauce; my companion had salmon. Ambiance is intimate and beautiful. This is the best food that I ate during my 6-week stay in Columbus. This quality of food, in other cities, would cost double. I highly recommend.
(5)Britnee N.
Excellent. Fantastic service, extremely attentive without being overbearing. We ordered Fried Brie, and Warm Olives for an app, loved the Brie, Olives were good, not quite up my alley but good. I had the Bistro Salad and it was perfectly dressed. My Husband had the Pork Mole and he ate every bite! I ordered the ribeye, my only complaint would be that I ordered it medium, and it arrived med. well/well. The overall flavor was excellent. Loved the veggie risotto that was served with our entree. We both had cocktails and they were also awesome! We are looking forward to our next visit!
(4)Nbdy U.
Finally made it here for lunch, sat at the bar, nice staff...but the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because he informed me (fortunately before I ordered) that the lunch burgers could only be made medium well. Usually foodies snicker if you order medium-well, and here the restaurant is mandating it? And he led me to understand it was mostly a convenience thing with them, that it's just easier than cooking to order. How hard is it just cook it less? I was really disappointed that day because I REALLY wanted a burger and had been thinking about it all day. But the roast beef sandwich, nice and pink, was good and I would go back. I guess they are moving across the street and will soon have draught beer, FYI.
(4)Liz C.
I went to Black Creek Bistro a couple of weeks ago and had a great experience. I had been hearing about this place for a while but since I live on the other side of town I had never checked it out. I suggested to the rest of my dinner party that we give this place a try. We had made reservations so we were seated as soon as we arrived. I really like the local artwork they have on the walls. I will say that it was a bit warm inside the restaurant. The restaurant is in an older building and I am sure that it was warm because the A/C simply could not keep up with the unseasonably warm weather we were experiencing. None the less we enjoyed ourselves with some white wine and water. We ordered a couple of appetizers for the group: the bistro fries, the fried brie, and the pancetta pear crisps. All were delicious! For dinner I had the BLT Strip steak which was very tastey. We had a couple of desserts as well but I cannot remember what they were! All I know is that everything we had was yummy! I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because I feel it lacked just a tad on the ambiance but I will definitely be back!
(4)Korrina T.
So, yeah, everything here is wonderful. The service is prompt AND personable. The atmosphere is comfortable--unpretentious. The cocktails are delicious, the beer and wine selection is good, and the food is fantastic! It's a feel good, leave happy kind of place.
(5)N D.
Whenever I travel in America I like to look up farm-to-table dining and check it out. We were not disappointed with Black Creek Bistro. My in-laws moved to Columbus a few years ago and so we are still discovering nice places to eat. We took my in-laws there in celebration of my father-in-laws 90th birthday and had a wonderful evening. The fun artwork and spacious seating and attentive wait-staff made for a pleasant summer night out. The food was delicious. For appetizers we had the fries, tostada and something else. They were all great. I had the gnocci and as others have raved about here, I thought they were fantastic and to-die-for, but very rich. My hubby had the steak and it was cooked just the way he likes it - well done. Most restaurants never get it cooked enough, but they did a good job and he enjoyed the flavor. My father in law is not a big eater so he had a black bean soup and salad. They were the least exciting dishes, which is too bad since it was his birthday, but he was happy enough. The linguini was very well done but paled compared to the gnocchi. The lemongrass creme brulee was outstanding, as was the strawberry dish and butterscotch pudding. It is nice to be able to find such quality food in Ohio.
(4)Kathy G.
This is one of my Columbus favorites. The menu tells their story - they are committed to locally grown food and sustainable practices - and I LOVE the food. They offer substantial (for me) small plates along with their entrees. The menu changes seasonally... and the ONLY time I did not like my meal it was because it was pretty spicy - I should have asked the waiter I have eaten here many times, and I have found the service to be outstanding (one waiter actually apologized for not remembering my husband's usual drink order)! They are knowledgeable and quite honest about the food. Favorites - the duck gnocchi and sometimes the daily risotto. Lunch is a real bargain.
(4)Leah W.
I love this place. Local ingredients cook to perfection. Love it.
(5)Emily H.
Finally visited after hearing tons of good hype about Black Creek Bistro (and living almost within walking distance for months) and I'm very pleased that we finally went. The atmosphere is great - the walls are full of art for sale, so it has the interest of dining in an art gallery with none of the stuffiness and not as echoey as a gallery would be. Whoever hung the art has a good eye and grouped the photos by subject: sailboats on one wall, farm-inspired art on another, cute wine-related cartoons in the bathroom. There was a decent crowd there at 7:00 but it didn't feel crowded. Everything is very homey and simple - with the exception of a digital photo frame in the entryway that showcases photos of the farm. Foodwise, everything was pretty good. Boyfriend had a Caesar salad, which he says was pretty good (and had some awesome looking Parmesan crisp on top), and the short ribs, which were a little fatty but very tender. I had 2 small plates, the cornmeal crusted tofu and the squash Parmesan (one of the evenings specials). The crust on the tofu was a little thin and it was a little bland, but the mashed black beans beneath were delicious - it had the texture of black bean hummus but tasted better. The squash Parmesan was not at all what was expected - little fried bits of artichoke on top of a bed of yellow squash strips (that closely resemble linguine) in a roasted tomato sauce. Delicious. I could eat it all day. We finished off with the cheesecake, which was extremely creamy. Service was friendly, food was good and the atmosphere was great. I'm looking forward to going back when the menu changes, or to try to catch one of their $10 bistro features during the week.
(5)Cindy R.
The main idea here of farm fresh is not new, but the concept is great and I would give them 5 stars for that, but as in food taste it's A-OK. I can't say that my dinner had a "wow" factor to it, and if I was in the neighborhood and wanted to eat then I would stop by here, but I wouldn't plan a special dinner date when you really want everything to say "wow".
(3)Ashton L.
Went there for a birthday dinner in a group of four. The food was alright. It was by no means bad, but it wasn't anything special. The service was good and our waitress was really nice. I probably won't go back though, but not because it was bad. We had a solid meal. It was just a little boring.
(3)Melanie J.
Have been to the Black Creek for lunch a few times and have always been very pleased with the food. I'm not usually in Olde Towne (does it really need e's on the end of both words?) at dinner time, but I might have to make a trip there one of these days. But, what I can say about everything I've tried there, is that it has been delicious with a capital D. The salads were great and the Hummus and Tabouli sandwich and the Portobello wraps were so, so good. I'm a veg so I can't say anything as to the meat items on the menus but my lunch compadres always seem pleased with their selections. On my last visit I shared a dessert and seriously it was so good, I contemplated grabbing it and running down the street so I didn't have to share. It was a cheescake on a shortbread cookie with cherries and there was lime in there somewhere. (My mouth is watering right now) The ambience inside the restaurant is relaxing, clean and crisp (crisp?) although this time of year. the patio is even better for lunch.
(4)Jeffrey H.
Six of use dined at this charming bistro on a Saturday night. The crowd was lively, but not unpleasant. All of us enjoyed our meals, with tastes ranging from the conventional (steak and fries) to the more adventuresome. I had the peanut butter and jelly duck, which left me wanting more. The "peanut butter" was a thai peanut sauce with noodles, the "jelly" a preserve used to create a sauce for the duck. The group shared appetizers, and gave high marks to the french fries. The zucchini soup was excellent, nicely balance with cream and pepper. The cholate and lemon deserts were also shared, and enjoyed. The unanimous verdict of the group was that this is a place to which we would all return.
(5)michael c.
I love the Black Creek Bistro. Making the most of their corner outpost at Oak and Parsons, they've been bringing fairly priced sustanable food to the near east side for several months now. While they had some rough edges in the first few months after their opening, they appear to be hitting their stride. The menu is fairly solid with some changes every few weeks, (point of disagreement with 1st review), it is of note that the specials list is generally large and can change daily, and other standard menu items are "as available". It is also worth noting that BCB is very reasonable in price. Often lunch specials are in the 5-6 dollar range, and dinners can be had for $10-15 per person with the addition of happy hour drink and appetizer specials. I think this already great bistro will continue to improve. Watch this space!
(5)Chelsea P.
I went to Black Creek Bistro for the second time yesterday for lunch... I went there when it first opened and have not been back until now. I just never think about going there even though I live right around the corner. Some of my friends rave about it, but, it is just never top of mind for me. Anyway, I met two people there for a lunch meeting at 12pm sharp... We all arrived within a few minutes of each other... Our server took our drink order, dropped off our drinks, asked if we were ready to place our order, however, we were not ready because we were catching up.... Let's just say... I think our server forgot about us. When he finally came back to the table he was very apologetic about neglecting us and explained that he thought he had put in our order... My sandwich was fantastic! I had the Pulled Chicken Salad sandwich with a side bistro salad (also very good). My dining companions both enjoyed the Bistro salad with grilled chicken (although they were both missing the balsamic glazed walnuts). Our quick lunch turned into an hour and thirty minute marathon lunch with very simple items, but, the quality of the food was excellent. Just happy we were not in a big hurry. I will definitely go back because the food was good... I just hope my last experience isn't an indication of the service.
(3)Chris H.
Consistently "okay" food. I usually get the salmon BLT. Always perfectly cooked with a great chipotle lime sauce.
(3)Samantha M.
Even though I've only been once so far, I have a feeling Black Creek Bistro is hit-or-miss, despite its mania-producing premise of local ingredients grown by the very people that cook your food. Look, it's a trend that sometimes pays off, that's all. Just remember: when you feel the siren call of gastronomical responsibility and elitism, you have to DO something GOOD with GOOD ingredients to get GOOD food. Just saying. I was lucky enough to be dining with 5 others (total of 3 couples), so I was able to try 3 different appetizers and 3 entrees. (Boys don't share with the table, you know) First, we tried the Sauteed Mushroom appetizer. Served in a clear coffee mug with a spoon, the Crimini mushrooms in garlic oil were nothing to complain about. The mushrooms were the perfect texture, piping hot and flavorful. I couldn't help thinking, however, that I could easily have made this at home and that it felt more like an ingredient than a dish in itself. Not bad, but certainly not 7-dollars-good. One companion ordered the Bistro Fries with a Duo of Sauces. The fries were just right: steamy and fluffy on the inside, crispy and flavorful on the outside. These were the sort of fries that you just want to continuously shovel into your mouth. Then you are reminded by the artful presentation of the accompanying grown-up sauces that you ought to savor each fry individually. The first sauce is a spicy ketchup. It was a sharp burn, one that then lingers pleasantly. The other sauce was a white truffle sauce. Frankly, it was bland. I don't recall detecting much of the earthy, satisfying truffle flavor I was expecting. Overall an easy way to start the meal, though. By far, the biggest disappointment of the evening was my choice of entree, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Duck. The dish was described as duck breast served with thai peanut noodles, cabernet demi-glace and fresh berries. Taken in by the whimsical name and my craving for duck, I had high hopes for this creative sounding dish. After being assured the duck would come out medium rare, my plate arrived with 4 or 5 artfully sliced rubbery duck-pucks. Now, the waiter could not have been more accommodating. He immediately put in a new order and, having overheard me exclaiming over the house-made gravlox on my companion's plate, brought out a heaping plate of it while I waited. It made no difference, this dish was just terrible. The mushy noodles tasted like they were drowned in an entire jar of cheap peanut butter. And that was it. You could not taste anything else. I fished out some shriveled-up strawberries (I think) and even they tasted like Jiffy. What a great idea for duck, what a lamentable execution. I separated off the now perfectly cooked duck and ate just that. It was good. There were a couple of near-wins, however. My date's 'Salmon Three Ways' was not entirely disappointing: DELICIOUS gravlox, boring filet, predictable salmon cake. A friend's hummus plate was both refreshing and satisfying. I'll go back again. One meal does not a reputation make. So far, however, this restaurant is overrated.
(3)Tony D.
First time sat night . Food very good. Wine list creative and wine is priced to sell. A great thing! Go !!!
(4)Rick W.
in my top 5
(4)Tim F.
I was encouraged to go here because of the Locavore nature of the food and the food was just okay. The wine and beer list was pedestrian at best with only a few selection from Great Lakes to placate me. The service was okay, although I only sat at the bar. My only real gripe was that the food was just mediocre. I had the scallops and the server was nice enough to enquire as to their freshness (it was Monday) but they were a little raw in the center. The emulsion sauces that came on the side came apart as the meal progressed, though still tasted okay. Would give this place another chance but was underwhelmed the first time around. The wine list needs to look less like a monument to grocery store wine selections.
(2)Tony T.
This is a new Columbus gem. It's only been open since June of '08. A great wine list, menu is simple without ovewhelming options. A great happy hour from 4-7. Located in the Olde East area just south of Broad. They use the freshest ingredients...some grown on the owners farm. A great story about the restaurant is on the back of the menu...which changes daily. They also feature great local art and the proceeds from any piece sold goes directly to the artist, they collect no commission or showing fee. Outside seating is available and ample parking is located in the Buckeye Boys Ranch parking lot. Easily located just south of Broad on Parsons.
(4)Brian B.
The Black Creek Bistro is just minutes from our home and yet we had not heard about it till looking at gift certificates at Dine Originals Columbus and figured it would be worth a shot. Their food was reasonably priced and interesting. Their wine selection is varied and reasonably priced. The service was polite and attentive which is a big plus in my book. Every Friday you can get catfish made with a spicy blackened sauce which was very enjoyable for only 10. Their similar specials throughout the week do not appear as appealing. We are going to have to go back to try their slow roasted duck gnocchi.
(4)Fred M.
The restaurant was clean, the wait staff fairly friendly, and everything seemed to be made pretty much from scratch; those are the positives. The negatives about Black Creek Bistro were the very long wait for our food, the small portions sizes and the so-so taste of the food. I got the Turkey Dagwood sandwich, which one would think would be full of meats and cheeses piled high on top of one another, but the sandwich was actually more like an appetizer with more of a bread taste to it since it lacked much of anything else. Here is the description on their menu: Turkey Dagwood-slow-roasted breast of turkey, sliced thin & piled high gh, "Dagwood Style" with cheddar, lettuce, tomato & cranberry preserve mayonnaise on toasted country bread. Nothing was piled high at all, I believe that there was no more than one slice of each item on the sandwich and even with the salad that came with it, it was hardly worth $8.00. Other members of my party had "The Famous Roast Beef Sandwich", which turned out to be another disspointment. The sandwich was served cold (which is not mentioned on the menu) and was no larger than the Turkey Dagwood. Others got "Dave's Chicken Train Wreck" which received a more positive review. I tried a bite of it and found it decent but nothing that I would come back for, and finally the Salmon B.L.T. which was also enjoyed, but again not a great value for the money. We shared a pumpkin dessert, which was the only thing that stood out as above average in the whole place. It was $8.00 for a very small piece but I enjoyed it more than the meal. I wish I could remember the name of this dessert but it was like a mini pumpkin pie but much lighter tasting. I doubt I would ever go back to Blackcreek, not because it was necessarily "bad" but the value for the money is bad and the food is just ok at best.
(2)Jesse S.
Lots of great things to say about this friendly little bistro. First, happy hour goes till 7, and there are some great deals (3 courses for $20 and $5 apps). We had the hand cut fries and pear pancetta appetizers - simple, flavorful, great presentation and delicious! The roast beef manhattan is like Sunday roast beef dinner, full with delicious gravy. There were several more entrees we'd live to try the next time we go back. Great service, easy parking, good beverage list. A few critiques - the dining room was hot and stuffy (although it was 95 outside). The Caesar Salad was, meh. And the decor and music didn't quite mesh. Small critiques for an otherwise wonderful meal. Nothing that would keep us away from the restaurant. A great addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Kelli L.
I had high hopes for this place especially after reading so many reviews. Wine list is great. Bistro fries with the aioli were yummy. Ceasar salad was disgusting, not sure why but both my fiancé and I thought it had a strange taste, and hardly any dressing, plus for the price... Really? Fiancé loves Brussel sprouts and got their Brussel sprout salad which was nothing impressive and again overpriced for the portion size. Lamb shank was incredibly tender but the flavorless mashed potatoes and unseasoned zucchini ruined the entree for me. How hard is it to slightly season the vegetables? He had a seared duck with risotto which was not cooked well and was a disappointment, way too many cherries in the risotto which ruined what little flavor there was otherwise. Service was poor. Everyone around us was given bread and butter and we were not offered. Server rushed us to either finish our bottle of wine or let the him take it away and put in a bag for us to take it home. Disappointing meal when you consider the price, I really expected much better food. With all of the great restaurants in columbus I doubt I'll waste my time coming back here.
(3)Andres F.
We came to Black Creek Bistro based on its great Yelp reviews and were a little disappointed by the food they served. We came for the much raved about duck gnocchi. We came here primarily because we love both duck and gnocchi and because the people of Yelp seemed to love the dish. The gnocchi dumplings themselves were pretty terrible - gnocchi are supposed to be light and puffy little pillows, and the ones served here are dense chunks of potatoes. What's worse is that on the night we went the "seasonal summer vegetables" in the gnocchi were mostly bell peppers whose strong flavor overpowered everything else and ruined the dish. We also had the "confused mussels" which were described as classic buttery garlic mussels infused with basil, mint, and lemongrass. The mussels were unfortunately bland and lacked the garlic-ness that usually makes mussels taste so good. The broth/sauce on the noodles had so much basil in it that it tasted like I was eating a thistle - I couldn't taste any of the other herbs because the basil was far too strong. The only thing we really liked here was a good selection of beer and wine at great prices. Maybe we caught them on an off night, but we felt pretty let down by the food that came out of the kitchen.
(2)Maria S.
Another 5-star review for Black Creek Bistro hardly seems necessary, but I will write one anyway just to pay homage to this Columbus culinary gem. The first time I visited Black Creek was actually for the rehearsal dinner of our wedding, courtesy of my new in-laws. Everyone was extremely impressed by the food (even my brother-in-law, who is a notoriously picky eater), and I was also thrilled with the service. The owner paid a visit to our table to congratulate us, and the servers kept everyone's wine glasses full. I also particularly like that this place has a dedicated parking lot since I am the world's worst parallel parker. My husband and I finally returned yesterday evening with a gift certificate we've been holding on to since Christmas. We had planned to use it to celebrate the purchase of our first house in Merion Village (right down the road from Black Creek), but when that window had passed, we intended to go for our first anniversary. Missed that one, too, so we ended up using it for a random date night! Since we had some "free money" to burn, we went all out with cocktails, an appetizer, entrees, and dessert (can't remember the last time I got all that in one meal!). Husband ordered the Thyme Gimlet, which he totally bogarted despite the fact that I generously let him sip my St. Grandview cocktail (Watershed gin & St. Germain Elderflower liqueur). I think it's safe to say both drinks were great! We then ordered the Pancetta Pear Crisps as an appetizer, which were the perfect start to the meal. There are four crisps on the plate, which was great for the two of us. There is nothing particularly Spanish about this appetizer, but it still reminded me of tapas we got in Madrid, and I got nostalgic. When it came to meal time, I ordered the Duo of Lamb while Husband opted for the Seared Day Boat Scallops. I don't get to eat lamb that often (a fact that torments me daily), so I had the server recommend how to have it cooked (medium rare). The lamb was fantastic with the reduction, and came with mashed potatoes and zucchini as sides. I'll admit, I wish the sides were a bit more interesting, but they were not bad by any means. Husband was feeling generous enough to give me a substantial piece of one of his three large, perfectly cooked scallops. I had the rest of my lamb meal boxed up so I could save room for dessert. Our server (who I finally decided bore an uncanny resemblance to Trip van der Bilt of Gossip Girl, but with facial hair), recommended their "special" dessert, a bacon bourbon crème brûlée. It was wonderful, though I didn't get the "bacon" flavor. A great end to the meal! Our bill came to around $90 before tip with all of that, which I think is completely worth it for the quality of meal and service we received. We will have to go back for the fixed price dinner Monday-Thursday when we don't have a gift card handy! My only regret is that I accidentally left my boxed lamb meal on the table when we left! I've been consoling myself by telling myself it wouldn't have been as good reheated... right?! Sigh.
(5)Toine R.
I don't like to think of myself as a 5 star giver, but BCB you've earned them on all scores: food, service and drinks...all 5's! Honestly the one dish I'd never order again I ate, it was just too spicy. I got a glass of milk and kept eating. YUM! This is the only place where I have Drinks, Appetizers., pre-dinner drinks, Dinner, post dinner drinks, per-dessert drinks, Dessert and after dinner drinks and felt classy & not Trashy. Top points too because I currently have their boat " The Seeker" on my bookshelf. I think they're a part of Dine Original (but I don't follow).
(5)Matt W.
Why oh why didn't I go here a long time ago? When I arrived at Black Creek, the first thing that surprised me was how easy it was to get there. Unlike many downtown restaurants, parking was no hassle at all, with ample street space and a lot across the street for patrons. Upon entering, it felt like a comfortable evening at a gorgeous home. The beautiful bar area was quiet and the bartender invited me to sit while I waited for my group. I couldn't help but try their Ohio Honey martini (made with both Bros. Drake mead and the OYO honey vanilla vodka!), and when I went to pay for my drink, the bartender simply smiled and told me he'd add it to my bill when I finished eating. While I waited for my party, the lead waitress, maitre'd and owner / head chef all stopped over to make sure I was taken care of, and once we were seated, we were given an unhurried but respectful chance to decide on drinks and meals. Even in the context of the Dine Originals Week menu, which allowed me to eat about two tax brackets higher than normal, the levels of choice were exceptional. I ended up settling on the small but appetizing BLT salad, with excellent crispy pork belly, just large enough to give me a good taste of everything without being overwhelming. Next up was the mushroom quesadilla with chile de arbol sauce (REAL chile de arbol! Yay!), and a bit of fresh greens and goat cheese to kill the chile burn while the mushrooms added a great earthy undertone. My (awesome) entree was the kalua pork, which came out of the banana leaf almost melting away on the tongue, seasoned just enough to let the pork speak for itself, and well complimented by the carrots and mashed parsnips / potatoes. Finally, for dessert, I called an audible and our server was good enough to let me get away with it - instead of going with one of the Dine Originals desserts (both of which looked quite tasty, I admit, but...) I asked if I could get a dessert that had caught my eye on the specials board - Apple & Chai Pot Pie. With a pleased twinkle in his eye, he granted my wish, and more than satisfied my curiosity. The apples and chai spices blended perfectly under a crispy, flaky crust, with a tiny bit of vanilla ice cream on top to round things out. I also have to mention the beautiful job that BCB did with the portions - each course was just big enough to be enjoyable and satisfying without leaving you wanting more or feeling like you had too much to finish before the next course would arrive. A fantastic balancing job. It was a fantastic meal and a great experience, and I look forward to going back again.
(5)Jacob I.
Maybe it doesn't deserve five stars for the food but it's the first really great dining experience we had in Columbus. The atmosphere was nice, the service was good, the meal was great but not ridiculously extravagant. The price was fair. Etc. We split truffle fries and I had a root vegetable soup that was just amazing as well as a risotto that was good - flavorful, but not too much so. My girlfriend got the duck which was also great. But there was something indefinable about the place that's escaping this review, a feel that made the gf's eyes glow a little. I think it may have been the first time I've seen her be really excitedly happy since we moved here. It reminded us of various places in Houston that all have the same kind of casual/fancy feel. The place where you can wear that black sweater but a suit and tie would be a little much. It's great food without having to get all pretentious about it. This place just does it right. And while it's not something I can afford all the time - and the patrons are definitely a generation removed from us - we'll be back.
(5)Tony C.
What a great little hidden spot! I'm definitely never in this part of town but this trip was worth it. We went for dinner on a Saturday night and it was fantastic. To start off all the servers were very friendly even when you can tell they have their work cut out for them! Helping one another out here and there, it was great! For dinner I ordered the Ohio Pork Loin Chop with the apricot sauce topping it and with potatoes and zucchini on the side. It was wonderful! The pork chop was cooked perfectly and the apricot sauce was ADDICTING! The potatoes and zucchini were also very delicious with a nice buttery flavor. My friend ordered the Roasted Duck Gnocchi and she gave it a "melt in my mouth" review : ) For dessert we opted for a Mock Chocolate Root Beer Float. Lets just say it was put on the table and then it was gone. It tasted great, especially the carmel in there, and it had such a great presentation! With great service, great food, and a great atmosphere you should definitely check this place out sometime. My final suggestion is if you're heading in during prime hours make a reservation so you know you'll have a table. The place isn't too big and will most likely be busy! Stay hungry
(5)Michael G.
Moved it up to 5*. They do a great job overall; appetizers sides, main courses, especially deserts. Now that the crops are in season, they do it even better. Lunch, happy hour, dinner, no matter; Kent and his team got it going. I heard they will be moving soon, across the street to the old Music Hall; a much planned move put aside by the recession. Easy does it on that, it's a much bigger place. One problem is the very high noise level. Tables are very close together, just like NYC. Great before a show with the good service and easy parking. We are big big fans and you should check it out.
(5)Brad W.
I went to Black Creek Bistro last night with my family and some friends. I had never been there before, but my sister had and she had recommended it. We were all going for drinks and apps. The service was great for a Friday night and we were seated with very little wait. The table was nice, but the noise level was loud, maybe it's because it was Friday, though, and people were coming for drinks. The drink selection was great! Black Creek Bistro has a full bar as well as a great wine list and beer selection. I ordered a Bitburger beer to drink and others had things such as scotch, Kahlua, wines, and ales. I loved the taste of the Bitburger! I had never had one before and it was a great new beer that I'm going to add to my favorites! We all ordered different apps to share. I ordered the Bistro fries. I also tried their duck app. The food was great and very well prepared. The only downside was the noise level, which made it tough to hear some friends as well as the waitress. I still had a great time, though. I plan to return to try their meals for lunch or something. Black Creek Bistro was a great new find!
(4)Kylie F.
Desserts are Amaze :) never had the food. But I had some Sort of cheesecake with berries that was magic.
(4)Laura P.
went for happy hour - loved the ambiance. Drink prices were reasonable and the appetizers were fantastic. I highly recommend the baked fontina appetizer!!
(4)Kate D.
Took a friend here for lunch after a field trip to Kelton House. I'd been before, but she'd never heard of it. Had a great lunch and think I may have convinced my friend that its worthwhile to leave UA every once in awhile, especially for a unique meal at Black Creek.
(3)Ken G.
A really impressive find in Columbus. I had been in Columbus for a few days and all my restaurant/food experiences had been awesome - the same can be said for this place. The restaurant was elegant, but quaint with friendly staff members and we were nicely welcomed. The food was great - I had the Pumpkin Ravioli, which was outstanding - slightly sweet pumpkin filled tasty pasta, but everything was balanced with the savory cream sauce and slight spiciness from the chili pepper flakes. It was definitely a filling dish and I left very satisfied. My companion had their special of the day, which was grilled fish on a bed of fresh greens, which tasted very fresh and healthy. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're looking for great, quality food for reasonable prices.
(4)C S.
This is ranked as one of Columbus' top restaurants for a reason... And that is because of their duck gnocchi. It's a must-try. Also order the chocolate creme brûlée for desert if you have room!
(4)Mark K.
Finally got here the other day, after driving by dozens of times. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was looking forward to good, local food, and that's what I got. We went for lunch, and prices were lower than I expected for such a place: $7-10 for big sandwiches with a side. I got the pork "burrrrito" and was very happy. Fresh, tasty fillings, and almost too much to finish. My friend got the roast beef sandwich, which was also pretty big. Minor quibbles: no horseradish sauce on the sandwich, and though I ordered the Thai coleslaw I apparently got the standard version; it was just cabbage and carrots. No sign of dressing. The dessert descriptions were tempting, but we didn't have room or time. The decor is very nice- lots of light, decent seating. The service was pretty good. As for the food: it was good, but I was hoping for a bit better. Still, I'll be back because it was tasty and there are other things I'd like to try.
(3)Samantha G.
We first went to Black Creek Bistro about a year ago when we were looking for places to have our rehearsal dinner. The food is amazing! It quickly became one of our favorite restaurants in Columbus. My favorite things from the menu are Duck Tostadas and the Seared Day Boat Scallops. They also have a good happy hour with $5 apps. Only down side is that it can get loud in there on busy nights.
(5)Sherry P.
As always a great dinner at Black Creek! Finding a reasonably priced but "nice" place where my meat eating but lactose intolerant husband and I, an "almost" vegetarian can agree on is never simple. BCB is the rare place that makes us both happy. Tonight I had the bistro salad followed by a risotto that was creamy and delicious. He had a white bean and spinach soup that I almost had despite the chicken stick base, followed by a game hen that was supposed to be over brown butter mashed potatoes. The chef substituted sautéed veggies and potatoes. We skipped dessert so we could stop at Jeni's Splendid (which was quite splendid). The only negative was the noise level.
(4)Cheryl H.
Honestly, I don't know why I don't hear more people talking about this place. So great on so many levels, and I'm so glad to have discovered it today! Perk #1- They source as much of their veggies and meats locally as they can - hell, they have their own farm for a lot of it! When the owner was explaining this, he actually seemed sad that, due to it being winter here, not 100% of vegetables were local. FTW. Perk #2 The ambiance of the place is just fantastic, and they have really cool art on the wall. Perk #3 OMGZ THE FOOD IS SO GOOD. And a fantastic variety of delicious vegetarian dishes to boot. Appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts, the variety I tried was incredible. Perk #4 The chef was showing me pictures of his recent "Bistro specials" and I was drooling on his iPhone... Monday-Thursday they offer these special dishes for just $10! Perk #5 Everyone who worked here was super friendly, but, given the following disclaimer, I can't attest to this being an "always" thing. The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is because the food I had was free, and presented to us especially by the chef - they posted on Twitter that they wanted their followers to come sample their Restaurant Week menu, so a few friends and I took them up on it! I'll be going back soon, and as soon as I pay for my food and am not being treated special in any way, I'm pretty confident I'll be updating this to 5 stars. YUM. Pending another visit, I think this may be my new date night restaurant.
(4)Michael H.
Delicious. As much locally produced items as possible. Sustainable restauranteering. Very knowledgable and helpful wait staff. The Bartender knows his stuff. The menu changes frequently with specials and always the freshest ingredients.
(4)Raymond S.
Good Martinis, great food. The restaurant is rather small, but what they lack in size, they make up for with their food. Great tastes and great textures. Knowing this is a full circle restaurant doesnt hurt one bit either. Black Creek will have a spot on my list of favorite columbus spots!
(4)N S.
This has become our new hangout, after only one visit. Fine ingredients carefully prepared and cleverly presented. Wonderful staff. Warm atmosphere. Reasonable prices (especially at Happy Hour and for the daily special!!). What's not to love?
(4)Caralyn O.
My sister and I went to Black Creek Bistro for the Dine Originals week, and I left pleasantly surprised by the food. We each tried a three course combo off of the week's price fixe menu. Although I'm unsure that these items hit the regular menu, they're worth mentioning: Highlights that we fought over included a lamb-apricot stew served in half butternut squash, caramel pudding with candied pecans, and a black eyed pea cake as an appetizer. I can't say enough about each of the dishes - so I'll just say this: try them if you have the opportunity. Lowlights included a creole beef dish with grits. Though the precise name of the dish has escaped me, I was disappointed with the flavor as it got lost in the texture of the ultra-creamy (basically soupy) grits. I grew up on this Southern staple, so it's possible I'm just spoiled, but the texture threw me for a loop, not to mention the fact that really complex (and delicious might I add) flavor of the beef was just drowned out by the pool of grits it swam in. What we could rescue, we loved, and while I wasn't enthralled with the cheesy grits, they did temporarily satisfy my taste for them until our next trip back to grit-motherland. I appreciated the fact that the food was really well thought out: presentation, ingredient quality, and originality were all pretty fantastic. After becoming accustomed to a new restaurant every 50 ft while living in Manhattan, I naively had low expectations for the Columbus restaurant scene. How wrong I was! Though there's lots of good eats around, I've still found that this tri-fecta is pretty hard to come by. The restaurant was surprisingly empty, although it was a weeknight. The service was prompt if not overbearing - however, I'm sure that this is also attributable to the relatively empty dining room. Our waiter, though I think he was attempting to be friendly, largely came off as condescending. If the lamb apricot stew were less tasty, I might have minded his bad humor more, however, he stands between Black Creek Bistro and my fifth star.
(4)Jason S.
The local, farm-to-plate concept espoused by Black Creek Bistro provides a variety of positive and negative attributes. On the one hand, we could all imagine the pork, game hen, and lamb were from stock raised not far from where we sat enjoying our meal. We could chomp on the tasty bistro fries (served with both a rich truffle-infused aioli and an average not-so-spicy ketchup) and make jokes that the vegetable oil used to cook them was off fueling a tractor somewhere in Canal Winchester. But we also had to sigh with relief that the roasted beet and apple salad actually contained beets (which it hadn't earlier in the week), and sat wondering whether the advertised pistachios in said salad were replaced with toasted pine nuts or diminutive pumpkin seeds. Those concerns aside, our table was served a series of well prepared dishes, portioned to deliver the right amount of food for the Dine Originals format. The bistro frog legs were the lowlight of my meal. Advertised as "pan seared to perfection", they tasted closer to baked and lacked much defined flavor on their own. The tomato concasse was bright and fresh, adding the right amount of acid to coax the legs into becoming a more complete bite. The cream of duck soup was richly flavored but lacked any actual pieces of duck, besides perhaps the few microscopic scraps that settled at the bottom of the cup. Its robust flavor still managed to get me excited for what was yet to come. Knocking me back and making me want to return most was the shepherd's pie, its coarse mirepoix perfectly accentuating the savory lamb, parsnip puree and shredded potato base. A late audible landed the peanut butter & jelly bread pudding in front of me rather than the chocolate mousse cake. Presented with crumbled peanuts and a ring of jelly-like sauce (hell, it could have just been jelly), it playfully and accurately represented a moist, decadent version of the sandwich itself. Black Creek Bistro is full of good ideas, good food, and good people. Theirs is a concept that will keep Columbus dining on the map and advance it as far as the local community is willing to take it.
(4)David B.
The Green Cat was excellent. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a veggie sandwich. It's lite - yet full of flavor. The sandwich and soup as a side was a perfect lunch combo. It's a cozy place. Plenty of parking across the street. For a weekday lunch - arrive a little early, before the noon crowd. For dinner - make a reservation.
(4)Elaine M.
Yum! Blackcreek Bistro has a great menu of stuff I don't eat often (like duck gnocchi for example) that turned out to by quite delish, and some more usual stuff (like fried brie) that also turned out to be quite delish! My 3 friends and I ordered about half the menu and shared everything. Got to try a lot of good stuff and (with 2 happy hour martinis) only paid about $30/each. It would be 5 stars for me if it wasn't so pricey. My fave items were the salmon over ravioli, fried brie, salmon cakes, & apple salad. OH and almost forgot about the AMAZING chocolate stout creme brulee. Tasted like brownie batter. Great way to end the night.
(4)Colleen K.
Recently rediscovered BCB--I'd been for dinner a few years ago and liked it (these were my pre-yelp days) just kind of forgot about it. But now I'm working downtown so happened upon it for lunch and was totally smitten! The sandwiches are really tasty, the salads inventive, didn't have soup but it sounds delish. Local ingredients and good prices. Solid lunch choice!
(3)Nush C.
Went there for happy hour on a monday night for the first time. I liked the decor. It was very comforatble and the service was great. For the most part I liked the food. I had (all appetizers) the bistro fries with duo of sauces, firecracker shrimp, and the duck tostada. The fries were decent. The white truffle aioli was devine. The firecracker shrimp actually had a decent kick to it which I liked and it was a nice size portion. The duck tostada was good but my avacado was all oxidized. It had a funny taste too. That greatly surprised me. I ate it anyways since the rest of it tasted good and I knew it couldn't hurt me. I would definitely recommend it for happy hour. All the apps are $5 and there are some drink specials. I had a glass of wine. I only wish they would put the vintage on the wine list as well. All in all it was a good experience. We shared a dessert of lavendar creme brulee and a bavarian custard. Both good but their desserts were all somewhat the same texturally. The other choice was a mint chocolate semi-fredo. Still they were delicious! I was worried about hte location and I would have to say that if it was later at night I might be more concerned, but around 5:30PM it seemed fine.
(4)Katie S.
Went here to meet a friend who lives in the area. It was a cute resturant, clean and trendy. The menu was a bit different from what I normally eat so it was challenging for me to find something. I didnt want to be boring and just order the steak but I ended up doing so. I wasnt familar with much else on the menu so I wanted to be safe. The ceasar salad I got was pretty good. The steak I wasnt much a fan of. I like the fries a lot. The steak needed more flavor. My coworkers lamb was almost raw. So I dont know, I should have gotten something else. The waitress was very nice.
(3)Christina C.
A delightful little surprise in a less-frequented area of town! I am so excited to share this place with everyone now that I've finally eaten here! First thing's first: the food is awesome. We started with the firecracker shrimp and I opted for the duck gnocchi by the recommendation of a friend who's also a waiter here. Both were mouthwatering and I'm so glad I opted for the gnocchi since it was cold and rainy outside. Second: They're known for infusing their own boozes. Habanero tequila anyone? Yes please! They must really like the spicy pepper family too because the jalapeno butter they give you to put on your dinner rolls was a nice tasty surprise as well! Third: I wish I would've saved room for dessert because the options were too much. They didn't have a menu to read but the server descriptions were so good I wouldn't have even needed to see a photo. Last: The interior was so quaint and intimate, it was hard not to feel comfortable. It was like a cross between country and contemporary and the photographs lining the walls made for great conversation starters. Word on the street is they have one killer happy hour too: $5 martinis... I'm there!
(4)Jeff P.
I think the duck gnocchi was one of the best dishes I've had anywhere in a looooong time. The roasted chicken was awesome as well. This is a great spot for great cocktails and fantastic artisan meals. Service was great too.
(5)Jessica T.
After taking in a matinee at the Lincoln Theatre yesterday, my family and I decided to get lunch/dinner somewhere in the neighborhood, and settled on Black Creek Bistro, which was only a short walk away. The atmosphere of the restaurant is charming and cozy, with gallery-style art covering the walls and what appeared to be old church pews serving as booths. It was a little bit noisy, but I think that owes to the small size of the place and the proximity of the kitchen to the dining area. The restaurant works on a "fresh-local-sustainable" model, creating dishes from ingredients sourced from the proprietor's farm in Canal Winchester and other local farmers and vendors. Understanding this, I expected the food to be carefully prepared and very tasty, and I was not disappointed. We ordered an appetizer of hummus with warm pita and veggies, which I acknowledge is not really venturing out on a culinary limb. Still, the hummus was fresh and flavorful, was not too garlicky, and was served with a nice spread of pita and sliced vegetables. Next, we were served warm, dense bread from the Angry Baker. It came with a side of strawberry mint butter, the flavors of which were so delicate they were unfortunately lost in the hearty bread. The entrees were spectacular. My mother-in-law and I both got the pumpkin ravioli, which paired a nicely spiced pumpkin filling with a cream sauce featuring mushrooms and walnuts. Evoking feelings of fall, it was the perfect dish for a rainy Saturday afternoon. My husband ordered the duck gnocchi. Served with a garlic-cream sauce, cranberries, and goat cheese, it was so heavenly that I sneaked several tastes from his plate. The duck, described as "slow-roasted" on the menu, was moist and flavorful. Paired with the gnocchi, the dish was an elegant take on meat-and-potatoes. My sister-in-law had the Risotto du Jour, which that day was a creamy but still light risotto with goat cheese and chives. All of the dishes were full of complex flavors and well-executed. Unfortunately, I can't say that the service blew me away as much as the food did. I realize that any restaurant is not on its A-game at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon. It's not prime time, it's grandma hour, and we were the only people in the restaurant when we walked in. However, we waited a couple of minutes to be seated, several minutes to be greeted by our server, and a fair amount of time for each course to come out. Considering that there were no other diners in the place at this point, that was a little frustrating. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive, but he came off just a bit snarky, mentioning a couple of times how much he was refilling my husband's water glass and making multiple comments on our table's professed enjoyment of goat cheese. I think he was trying to make friendly banter with us, but some of it fell flat and made me feel like he was poking fun at us. Overall, I had a great meal at the Black Creek Bistro, and I'd definitely return. I think if we go during regular hours, the service will be faster, and the waiters will be too busy to care about our water intake!
(4)Rachel C.
My fellow minimum wage foodie and I ventured out to splurge at Black Creek for restaurant week. Our goal for the upcoming year is to experience each of the Dispatch's top 10 restaurants in Columbus, and Black Creek was the only one out of the four or five that were participating in restaurant week that had a vegetarian option on their fixed-price menu, so it was the obvious choice. On top of that, they offered a four-course menu, instead of the typical three-course. Thus, Black Creek started out having won my heart a little, by allowing me to truly participate in the glory of restaurant week. By the end of the night, it had won my heart completely. THE PROS: the food. oh my god, the food. most of the time when I go out and am impressed by a meal, the innovation of the dishes plays a large part. "hmm!" I think. "this is so tasty and I would have never thought to make this combination of flavors!" Black Creek only did that to me sparingly. there was a smoky tomato vinaigrette that was very different from what I'm used to, and the mushroom ceviche was unfamiliar to me. however, Black Creek truly wowed with execution. I was eating potatoes prepared the same way that my mother has prepared them for my entire life, but I felt like I had never experienced anything a tenth as delicious in my entire life. I normally do not enjoy "American" cuisine, but this was absolutely fantastic. my dinner partner and I did not talk the entire drive home. I can't speak for her reasons, but I know that for me, it was because I was mentally walking myself back through the entire meal while it was still fresh in my mind. the service. our server was very nice and helpful. he was not the most professional, but he substituted friendliness for professionalism, and that fit the overall feel of the restaurant. when I mentioned at the end of the meal that I had fallen in love with the food but that we were students, he pointed me to the lunch menu, which is very reasonably priced, at about $8-10 for a sandwich and side. the ambiance. Black Creek is loud, friendly, and has a setup that encourages talking to your neighbors without mandating it. the tables are close together, but in a way that I found cozy, as opposed to claustrophobic. we got good advice on which dessert to pick from our next-door neighbor on one side (polenta with plum sauce!!!!), but did not disturb our neighbors on the other side. that polenta deserves a special mention. my friend commented that, on its own, it justified the $30 menu. THE (potential) CONS: the restaurant was a bit loud and very casual. it's not necessarily a con, but it is definitely something to keep in mind. I am in LOVE with Black Creek. I will absolutely be back, even when there is no restaurant week deal, and eat my way through the vegetarian options. highly, highly recommended
(5)Greg S.
I've been to Black Creek several times for Happy Hour (I have yet to eat dinner there.) The bar area is cozy, without being crowded and I enjoy the outside eating area. It reminds me of a street cafe you'd find in a larger city. Service is top notch. Their happy hour specials are nice: half priced drinks and $5 appetizers. They have several speciality martinis as well as a wide wine selection and full bar. I'd sampled all the appetizers, all of which are really good. I like their bistro fries and truffle dipping sauce as well as their hummus. Someday I'll make it there for dinner as their entrees all look phenomenal. Great place to meet up for after work drinks.
(4)F Z.
Black Creek Bistro (BCB) was one of the few restaurants that fell under my "highly anticipated" list. When Restaurant Week rolled around, it gave me a chance to catch up with some girlfriends I hadn't seen in a while while seeing what BCB was all about. A couple folks were running late and Happy Hour was happening ($5 Martinis and $5 appetizers), so a friend and I ordered the Bistro Fries with spicy ketchup and white truffle and the Hummus Plate. While the fries were gone in an instant, the hummus left a lot to be desired. It was edible at first bite, but a strong fishy aftertaste hit seconds later. As for the Restaurant Week part of dinner, there were highlights... and there were lowlights. For my first course, I went with the corn nicoise salad. Bland salad featuring one lone anchovy drizzled with lemon basil vinaigrette didn't exactly bode well for the upcoming courses. Next up was the scallop ceviche, which again was a letdown, since it was lacking flavor in general. Thankfully, my main (grilled quail with raspberry mole sauce) and dessert (watermelon shaved ice) evened out the aforementioned two starters. The tender quail surprisingly paired well with the mole sauce, and the shaved ice served at the conclusion of dinner served more as an excellent palate refresher than cleanser. My friends who ordered the trio of chilled soup shooters as starters and lamb as their entrees didn't fare so well. Two of the three soups were off in the sense that they were bland, and the lamb was served lukewarm with blueberry "chutney." Calling the sauce chutney was an overstatement, imo. The rabbit, on the other hand, was phenomenal and marinated to the point where the grassy smell was eliminated while preserving its juiciness. The other dessert option -- corn creme brulee -- was a fabulously executed one too. I would have never thought that the words corn and creme brulee could be used side-by-side until I tried BCB's take on the classic dessert. For some odd reason, BCB decided to offer dishes on the Restaurant Week menu that are not part of the regular menu. The actual menu might be more substantial but for now, BCB stands as a-okay in my book. Service was on the slow side, but with Happy Hour and Restaurant Week occurring alongside, it was understandable. Megan, our server for the night, was personable and incredibly patient with our indecisiveness and minor complaints. Free parking in the lot directly across the restaurant is definitely another plus to BCB.
(3)Michael U.
Close to where I live so I go there often. Love sitting at the bar and chatting up the other regulars. Great happy hour specials, 5 buck appetizers and drinks.
(5)Marcia E.
I've been to the Black Creek Bistro several times. My dinner there was a pretty good pasta dish and a salad. It was solid, tasty food and worth the price. Lunch has been another story. The first time I went they were out of my choice and I went with a pulled pork burrito. It was pretty much just a lot of food and not very well seasoned. Honestly, you'd do better at Chipotle. My second try for lunch was their open faced roast beef sandwich which actually was not very good either. The meat looked like deli-counter beef and the gravy tasted like it came from a jar. It was okay, but not the quality that I would expect from the hype. I'd go back for dinner, but I'll skip lunch here in favor of a more reliable and cheaper alternative.
(3)Marsh W.
At Black Creek for dinner sponsored by Brothers Drake meadery...this is going to be fun. It was a great evening and our first exposure to mead as well as to Black Creek. The meal was incredibly well done and designed to be a fixed service to pair foods with the selected meads from Brothers Drake. We were fortunate enough to get time with Kent, the owner, and Michael the chef. I love everything about what they are trying to do. The short version is local foods prepared very well for the local market. The owner actually uses much from his own farm and what he cannot source there he gets locally. It's old school, local and just a great experience. Some of the highlights were: - Duck pastrami - Lamb bacon - Incredibly well grilled cobia (O.K. so it was fresh from the Gulf since we can't get it locally... We will definitely go back to tray the regular menu, but in the greatest words of praise I can offer: damn, it didn't suck!
(5)Big Baby Jesus C.
I really struggled to assign stars to this place, 3 or 4, tough to decide. First off, I think a little bit of an exposition is in order. I met a friend here for dinner when they first opened. It's located at the corner of Oak and Parsons. He explained the concept to me, that the proprietors own a farm where they try to produce as much of the ingredients for the restaurant as possible. Great, was my thought. I had duck confit for dinner, and a lovely bottle of Chimney Rock. I thought the wine was reasonably priced, and the bartender who waited on us was great. However, I thought the preparation did not begin to do justice to the quality of ingredients they had to begin with. My duck confit was greasy, and I didn't enjoy it, so I haven't been back since. And, yes, for the record, I know confit means boiled in fat. I have had duck confit elsewhere that wasn't greasy, just tender and yummy. OK, now on to the restaurant week review. I ate here last night, because my better half chose this spot off the list of options. She has never been here before, and I was ready to see how they are doing now that they're settled in a bit better. Our server was good. We ordered a bottle of Beaujolais. All of the wine served is at state minimum, no corking fee. What a wonderful approach, impossible to be a better deal. That said, at $34 a bottle, the Beaujolais was an expensive one (for Beaujolais), and pretty awful. So this is an area where more work needs to be done, whoever is picking out the wine needs to work harder, or they need a new sommelier. We ordered and more or less split all of the following: root vegetable salad, poached pear salad, pork eggroll, duck confit tostada, seared scallops, stuffed beef tenderloin, chocolate bread pudding, and "banana-misu". So, OK, it was $35/person here for restaurant week, and I notice that the entrees were $17-23 or so on the menu. I watched the woman next to me get served a giant half of a chicken while drinking my wine, so I was really disappointed with the joneser portions we were served of everything, except dessert. The bread was good, warm and fresh. It came with carrot and ginger infused butter. Were it not for the orangish color, I would've thought it was plain butter. No discernable taste of ginger or carrot. The salads came on tiny bread plates, and were difficult to eat as a result. They were both very good tasting though, and the ingredients undeniably fresh. The bread plates are back, this time mine has a fat eggroll on it, hers two tortilla chips. I am sorry, two tortilla chips with stuff on them does not a tostada make my friend. Her plate looked really anemic. I stole a little piece of the duck confit off of one of the chips, and it wasn't greasy this time, so the food preparation is improving. When our entrees showed up, I started to get really sad. I got a whopping TWO scallops. Sorry bro, that's an appetizer, not a meal. She got two tiny pieces of filet. Both came with parsnips and carrots and some roasted potatoes. We thought everything tasted good though, especially the veggies. Dessert comes, and we finally got a normal sized serving of something it looks like. The chocolate bread pudding was great. The "banana-misu" was dry, and only faintly tasted of bananas. Ended up leaving half of that, and that never happens, leftover dessert. So they need to scrap that recipe or improve it. I felt weird leaving. I think this is the first time I have went somewhere for restaurant week and felt ripped off for ordering the restaurant week specials rather than ordering off the regular menu. I am also back where I was when I left last time. I like the place, want them to succeed, strongly support the concept, but feel like I have no reason to drive back there and eat again. Improve the quality of wines you are selling, improve the desserts, and hook up people for restaurant week, don't slight them--might be the only opportunity you have to win over their business.
(3)Darrah C.
I will never go back to Black Creek. I went with a birthday party. Food was ok... but the service was horrible! I tried to cash out and I had to remind the waiter 3 times, then I actually got up and spoke to the owner and explained I needed to leave. Even after asking the owner - it took another 15 minutes before I got cashed out. It overall took me 45 min just to pay and leave! When I addressed it via email to the owner afterward, I was treated rudely!! Never again! Disappointed since I like their story of local, seasonal food....
(1)J Bradford L.
Been here a couple of times and now have moved my office within a couple of blocks - coincidence? Maybe, maybe not! What else can really be said about this little place and its outstanding concept and food. Mostly home grown and locally sourced ingredients, clearly great chefs, and worth every penny of the slightly higher, but still reasonable prices. Got a little something called the "Dave's Chicken Train Wreck". Chicken, cheese, onions, french fries and mala string beans grilled on toast. WOW! one of the craziest and best sandwiches I've ever had. Ridiculously good. Salads are fresh and made to order, decor is classy with some "folk art" on the walls. Waitstaff is friendly and attentive. Well not really a single bad thing comes to mind about this place, I hope I can still get into it without waiting. A must see.
(5)Tom M.
This is a great little restaurant. We enjoyed our experience. The service was very good and our waitress was excellent. The food was fantastic. Our appetizers, the Bistro salad and our entrees (roasted duck with gnocchi and the pasta dish) were all very good. The martinis were awesome! We got out of their for about $77 (without tip) and we had 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 entrees, 3 martinis and 1 22oz beer. Tip - go during happy hour for $5 martinis and appetizers!
(5)Sumit B.
Fantastic and friendly staff. Creative and inspiring dishes worthy of being called food porn. Vegetarian friendly although my favorite dishes are any which include the locally and organically raised swine or duck.
(5)Robert T.
I kind of liked the restaurant that was previously in this location, Elemental, but Black Creek Bistro is better. It would have gotten another star from me - making it a 4 star review, but the lighting in this place is terrible. I took David their for his birthday and it was like the place was owned by the electric company. A little lower wattage and some candles would have been nice - I mean the guy isn't getting any younger help him out some! My meal consisted of a Cesar Salad (are you all noticing a trend) that could have used better greens, and Salmon Cakes. The Salmon Cakes were excellent. Cooked to perfection and served with a creole mustard sauce on a bed of spinach David had the Salmon, and he ate it all - maybe because he was hungry, but I am not sure he loved it. I like the fact that this is a sustainable restaurant that grows their own, etc, and that it is a neighborhood place. I look forward to going back and seeing other items that they offer.
(3)Nick S.
I've been to Black Creek Bistro a few times and never had anything but a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is always great, and the food is always good. Tonight we discovered the happy-hour specials everyone else has mentioned here. For $20 you get the dinner special plus your choice of two additional courses (appetizer, soup, salad, or dessert). This has got to be one of the best dinner values in Columbus. We decided to split the fried Brie appetizer to start. This was every bit as good as you imagine fried Brie would be. The only complaint here is that the toast was a little burnt. Next up were the salads: I had the spinach salad and my wife had the caesar. Both were well done but nothing really outstanding about either of them. The dinner was an outstanding lamb and duck stew. The meat was as tender as could be. The flavor was deep and rich. It was immensely satisfying. It struck me more as a fall dish, but given the cold, overcast weather tonight it was perfect. If this were on the menu, I would go back for it regularly. For dessert we split the rhubarb tart with strawberry ice cream. The filling was perfectly balance tart and sweet. The crust was a little dry, but overall I'd get this dessert again. Black Creek is really close to getting a fifth star from me, it's just the minor complaints that really hold it up. I do always have a wonderful time at Black Creek. And now that I know about the Happy Hour special I imagine I'll be going there a lot more.
(4)Linda M.
We did not care for Black Creek Bistro. Like others, a few of us felt the waiter was very snippy, fresh almost. The food did not live up to the hype and it certainly wasn't worth the price. Very disappointing.
(2)Cat F.
Often it feels too pricey for my wallet, but the food is so darn good, the atmosphere is comforting, the food is good, the food is good, the food is good. Oh, and the food is also, as much as possible, locally grown. How can it get any better than that? Gourmet food. And did I mention that it's delicious?
(5)Zach W.
Kicked things off right with the pork delights and bistro fries for the appetizers, both very delicious. Girlfriend and I got the BLT strip and the Pasture raised Ohio rib-eye for our entrees. Both were mighty tasty, but would have to say the Rib-eye was the best out of the two. Service was good.
(4)Stacey T.
Very cute little restaurant. Great laid back atmosphere with interesting artwork on the walls. Casual with outstanding food. Only complaint is being scrunched in to a table against the wall that our waiter had to bump into other people to get to us. Had a hard time choosing an appetizer as they all sounded amazing. Went with the fried Brie which was everything I hoped it would be....absolutely delicious. I went with the Brussels sprout salad which my husband and I couldn't stop talking about. My hubby doesn't love Brussels sprouts like I do but still decided that was the best part of our whole meal. He got the lamb shanks and I got the roast chicken. Both were very good however we both felt like we had better elsewhere. We got creme brûlée for dessert which was just OK. Nothing special. The drink menu had a great variety of high quality drinks. Overall we left very happy to get a delicious at a reasonable price. To be exact it was 98 dollars for an appetizer, two salads, two main dishes, a dessert, two beers and two glasses of wine.
(4)Heather D.
Maybe they were having a bad day? Maybe they have had a few bad days recently? The last two times I have been to Black Creek it has been inconsistent at best. The Warm Spiced Olives were delicious (although I believe that they should be served with bread.) The Olde Town Fried Shrimp was good, but it tasted more frozen (less fresh) than my previous visit. I had the spinach salad and risotto of the day for my entrée. The salad was wonderful. Tangy, delicious dressing, crispy apples, fresh spinach. Very good overall. I would order it again. The risotto was gross. The texture of the rice was too firm. It was not creamy at all. It tasted old, like the risotto was cooked too fast and too hot (not al dente, not creamy, not well-stirred) and then heated in the microwave. Was it made in the microwave? Or leftover from last week? That's what it seemed like to me (except that the texture was underdone, not what you would expect from rice that has been cooked and reheated.) To top off the strange risotto, was a huge glug of EVOO. Too much oil, it separated the cheese and made what may have once been a creamy texture, greasy and oily. It was gross. I was sadly disappointed. I ate about 4 bites. I feel that the new(ish) chef at Black Creek is more imaginative with the specials and bistro dinners but at what cost? For Valentine's Day 3 years ago, I had the best beet risotto that has ever past my lips from Black Creek (different chef to be sure!) Where is that chef? My companion had a chicken with risotto bistro. The chicken was raw and had to be sent back. It was not good. Very gamey and the sauce was weird with the chicken. Tasted too bitter, too acidic to be balanced. The risotto had a similar problem to mine although it was a different flavor. What is happening? Where is the quality control? I love this place and want to love it. But help me here. It was not good. I was not happy. Next time I hope it is wonderful and blows me away. Otherwise, we might stay away for good.
(2)Seth D.
I'm so glad that Jason S. created an event at this great restaurant for dine originals week! It wasn't even on my radar, but after Luke T. told me about how they grow a lot of their own stuff, use a lot of locally sourced products, and even use leftover vegetable oil to run their trucks, I was sold! When I arrived, Matt W., Luke T., and Jason S. Had already ordered some fries with white truffle aioli. After learning that pretty much all truffle oil is either mostly or all artificially flavored, I'm a little skeptical of anything truffle flavored, but this stuff tasted great! Just like the Rolands truffle oil I use at home (which has truffles in the bottle). Since it was dine originals, I ordered the 4 course meal for $30, and a Murphy's stout. The first course was a mixed green salad with beets, nuts, and a spectacular dressing with just a hint of horseradish. It was tough not to order the creamy duck soup, but I needed some greens. For my appetizer, I got the frog legs. These were fairly large and they seemed like they were poached in butter or something. They had a very minimalist flavor, but when paired with the skinned tomato, the acid cut through well and balanced it out nicely. The main course was the highlight of my evening. I had a terrible experience with shepherd's pie at an Irish Pub not long ago, and I was so happy to see it on the menu! It was made with actual lamb, had a nice mix of veggies (carrots, celery, onions, parsnips) cooked to a caramelized perfection, and of course, topped with great mashed potatoes! Unfortunately, the final piece to my meal was not as stellar as the rest. The two options were a peanut butter and grape reduction bread pudding (which Luke was kind enough to let me try and was great), or a chocolate something or other with caramel bananas on top. I opted for the chocolate as I hadn't yet ingested my daily value of cocoa, and this was the last meal of the day. It tasted like a dense, poorly flavored, chocolate cupcake with a mealy texture. The "caramel" sauce was part of the problem as it was way too thin, and way too sweet, and the bananas weren't any good either. Alright, so they're not perfect, but still damn good. I left very satisfied, and the portions were perfect. I can't wait to come back and try some of their duck dishes.
(4)Courtney E.
I had a fantastic time at Black Creek Bistro. It's a great place for foodies who want to try something new. We went in for Columbus Dine Originals because they had prepared a 4 course meal for $30 that looked very interesting. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed and felt very inviting but still had an upscale quality. As an appetizer the frog legs were great for my first time trying them! My entree was fantastic....pork that steamed in a banana leaf with a side mashed potatoes and a carrot/turnip groton that was AMAZING. Probably one of the best side dishes I've had in a while. The lovely waitress said that they make the groton about once a week. I like how the menu changes regularly to incorporate fresh and exciting items. I definitely would go back. From what I saw they had a great happy hour special between 5-7. My Pomegranate Martini was a little weak but definitely worth multiple visits back. I can't wait to try more!
(5)Yvonne R.
What a wonderful hidden gem! The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because of the location. I was skeptical when friends suggested it because of the neighborhood, but let me tell you, I am so glad I went. Everything (and I do mean everything) was outstanding! From the service to the wine list, salads and entrees. Local, organic offerings from the owners farm set this place apart. My husband had the special which was an ancho rubbed pork loin with blackberry BBQ sauce and an amazing potato salad. I had another special which was the lamb Wellington served with truffle mashed potatoes. With both started with a bistro salad and we were not disappointed. The food exceeded our expectations and the service was wonderful. We will visit this place again!
(4)Matt H.
This is probably my favorite lunch stop. The sandwiches are great. I had one of their specials which was basically a ham and cheese with a fried egg best sandwich I have ever had. The deserts are expensive though so be sure to ask the price.
(5)Dee M.
You shouldn't judge a restaurant solely by its service, which is why Black Creek Bistro gets 4 stars in my book. The food was phenomenal. My date and I shared the Duck Tostada and the Salmon Cakes, which we both raved about. I had an Olde Towncar martini, which was incredible. Sweet, but with a powerful whiskey flavor. I loved it. That being said, the service was atrocious. My date and I arrived at 5pm, solely for the happy hour, which we had heard was phenomenal. Our waitress escorted us to our seats and didn't even bring out a happy hour menu until we specifically asked for one. She had no idea what beers were on tap and was unable to answer questions about the cocktail menu. She rarely came to the table to check on us or ask if there was anything else that we would like. All and all, I'd come for the atmosphere, stay for the food, and tolerate the service.
(4)Staci A.
Great food + drinks! I demote one star for service. While she was sweet, she lacked the initiative to create a fine dining experience while rushing us to order, once we asked if we could take our time she disappeared w out asking if we would like a drink refreshment or how our appetizer was. Once she came back you could tell she disappeared for a smoke break. Maybe management could work on their hospitality bc their food and drink is on point. The fontina appetizer was out of this world! We tried multiple cocktails, all fresh and well concocted. My husband had duck gnocchi, while not amazing, it was good. I was too full from fontina app so I had pork bites app as my meal which was perfect. I recommend trying this little gem tucked away in Old Towne E, it's nice to get away from high street and try something different.
(4)Amanda G.
This is a cozy place with a menu full of delicious options for everybody. Fresh salads and lighter fare along with burgers and sumptuous sandwiches. Truly something for everybody. I came in for lunch and had a tough time deciding! I ordered the Bistro Turkey sandwich. It's got this great cranberry sauce and is on some tangy toasted sourdough. Very good! The fries here are also really delicious.
(4)Jen R.
My husband and I saw this place has amazing happy hour deals. We've been wanting to try BCB for awhile so stopped in last night. We sat at the bar and immediately felt welcome. The bartender (I forgot to ask his name) was so friendly and attentive. The way that people were greeted by staff when they came in was very accommodating and I could tell by the way the staff worked together, that there is some great camaraderie there that I like to see! Now, onto the food and drinks! I had the house infused liquors (both of them) which were peach habanero infused tequila and blackberry infused tequila. Both were incredibly flavorful and smooth. My husband had the 51 Manhattan (I think that's what it's called...). We love our rye Manhattans so we like to try them when a restaurant looks like they have a good one on the menu. This one was made with rye and walnut bitters. So so tasty. We split the fried brie and salmon cake appetizers and they were both delicious. I definitely want the recipe for that brie. Yum!
(5)Gina M.
My roommate and I were looking for somewhere different to go to dinner, so naturally I went to Yelp to find a good place. Black Creek Bistro had decent reviews, so despite never having been to a restaurant in Olde Towne East, we gave it a try. First impression: not the greatest. More than half empty restaurant at 7PM on a Friday night and no one to greet us as we walked in the door. After a minute of awkwardly looking around, someone then appeared and got us seated, taking our drink orders. From there, things went smoothly, although I did feel rushed through the meal. We were brought our entrees before I was even finished eating my salad. This place regained some stars for the food though. I chose the linguini and clams and my roommate had the lamb as entrees, and I also had a beet salad to start. Every piece of my meal was fresh and I could tell that care was put into every step of the process. The beets on my salad tasted like they had pickled them right in the restaurant which was awesome, and even the butter they served with the bread was flavored by hand in-house. Overall I would recommend this place for a good quality dinner out if you find yourself in the Olde Towne East area, but it's not worth driving a long distance for.
(4)Andrea D.
Went here for lunch this afternoon and it was fantastic! The whole Menu looked great but I highly recommended the salmon blt!
(5)Joyce X.
My boyfriend was in town while Restaurant Week was happening, so we really wanted to try someplace new. We had never heard of Black Creek Bistro, but their Restaurant Week menu sounded pretty good so we decided to give it a try. The restaurant itself is located in a less-bustling area, a bit southeast of Downtown. I think there was a parking lot across the street, but we found a spot on the street right outside of the entrance. The restaurant is also on the smaller side, so if you plan on arriving during peak dinner hours, a reservation definitely helps. Otherwise, it's totally fine to wait in their bar room and enjoy one of their many beers and wines. Black Creek Bistro advertises itself as a seasonal, farm-to-table restaurant (I believe our waiter says they get most of their produce from a farm outside of Canal Winchester). Because it was Restaurant Week, their special menu had a tropical theme to it. For my courses, I ordered the Shrimp Ceviche, Cabbage Apple and Papaya Salad, Caribbean Rubbed Chicken Quarter, and one of their seasonal desserts (which was described to us as a play on s'mores and moon pies). My boyfriend also had the Caribbean Chicken as his entree, but ordered the Teriyaki Wings, Curry Potato Salad, and the other dessert choice, which was a Bavarian Lime Custard. Everything was very fresh and delicious. By the time we got to the dessert course, we barely had room in our stomachs! The only complaint I have is that the chicken quarters were cooked inconsistently. While my chicken was underdone and had a bit of a rubbery texture, my boyfriend's chicken was a little bit dry and overcooked. Other than that, it was a very satisfying meal. In addition to the great food, we also had a great waiter! He was super friendly and joked around with us, and really added to the already great experience we were having. I'll definitely have to go back sometime to try some items on their normal menus!
(4)Sandy W.
Was there last Monday with friends! We all had a delicious meal. I ordered from the $20 3 course dinner. Had the avocado stuffed with fresh salmon and panko fried , fried Brie and arugula salad with cranberries and roasted nuts! OMG everything was so delicious ! So excited to go back
(5)Robert D.
It's been a few years since I've been to Black Creek. I'm a meat and potatoes guy. Tonight I had one of their 3 course meals, Salad, Chicken and Couscous, and Brûlée. It's never too late to try new things and this was a great experience. In a month I'll be 80! But I still like trying new stuff. Only comment- service a bit slow but I was in no hurry. I'll be back there soon.
(4)Kim K.
I stopped her per the recommendation of a colleague. Really friendly staff who got me seated right away. I ordered a Caesar salad and a turkey sandwich. I was really excited for the salad but I have to say I was a bit disappointed. I'm not sure if it was a fluke, but it appeared all the lettuce used was that last little white/light green/yellow part found at the very core of lettuce. Ew. The sandwich was ok but nothing to write home about. With this said, based on all of the other stellar reviews, it seems like my experience was out of the norm, which is something to keep in mind. The restaurant is located in a cute little neighborhood and I was able to park on the street just a few blocks away.
(3)Mark H.
When I'm in Columbus on business, I always stop at the Black Creek Bistro. The challenge I have is knowing what to order because it may be months before I return. Some how some way Chef Andy always figures out a way to produce an incredible meal! Have the Risotto, Ribeye, but don't forget the duck tostada! Leave room for dessert! Their service is untouchable!
(5)Tim D.
Amazing food and wine. Great service and you must try the duck appetizers. Parking was easy and free.
(5)Bethany K.
Yelp does it again! My husband and I were interesting in trying something new, and yelp definitely delivered! My husband and I began with the pulled pork 'nachos', and also each ordered a bistro salad. Both were AMAZING! The nachos were thick ~~ like homemade vs purchased, and the pork was perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked. I ordered the duck gnocchi. It was very good, a little more soupy than I was expecting (per description and other yelp pics), but still good... however, I think I'll choose something different next time. My husband chose the lamb shank. He described it was succulent, and perfect. He was very satisfied. The zucchini the accompanied the lamb was amazing. I don't know how they seasoned it, but they were phenomenal. We finished the meal with the creme brûlée (irish whiskey, I believe)... holy nuts! Definitely worth the calories! In addition to an amazing meal, the service is fantastic! Our server was on top of everything, even when she was sat with another party of 30 ~ no exaggeration, and all the other employees were just as helpful. Everything is sourced from Ohio, which is an additional bonus... and to add an additional factor, they have art from local artists for sale. We will definitely be back! Maybe this weekend :-)
(5)Cortney L.
Absolutely loved this restaurant. I had the lamb shank and it was so tender it fell off the bone.
(4)Carla D.
I love the food here, although I've only eaten lunch here a few times. Their salmon BLT and Green Cat sandwiches are AMAZING. Their French fries are probably some of the best in the city. They have a big sandwich menu! I plan to keep coming back until I try them all! 5 stars for the food, minus one star for the service. I frequently eat alone, and the few times I've been here, the servers acted annoyed that I was hogging up a table for one person.
(4)Mike K.
This is one of the most disappointing restaurants in the city because everyone always raves how good it is, but both times I have gone it has been awful. My first experience was six years ago. I went there with a friend and we both ordered the nightly special which was fried catfish. The catfish arrived still frozen on the inside and we obviously sent it back. The kitchen cooked the catfish through and sent it back out again! And we still got charged full price. This is perhaps the single worst restaurant experience I have ever had. A few years later I return with another friend. It's happy hour so I ordered off that menu. I got the duck tostada, pulled pork nachos and a roast beef concoction served over mashed potatoes and sourdough. The duck and pork was completely bland and flavorless. The pork was served on guacamole that was awful. The roast beef tasted horrible but the mashed potatoes were pretty good. A positive point of the night was my friend's mussels. So bottom line: this place sucks and you shouldn't go.
(2)Bobby S.
Quiet place in a historic part of the city. Glad to see more places opening in Olde Towne East. Appetizers are all $5 during happy hour. We had the fried Brie and the pancetta pear crisps. The pancetta pear crisps had amazing flavor, just wish there was a little more to them. Not a lot of food here. The Brie was tasty too - served with a berry medley and toast. For dinner I had the gnocchi with shredded duck. Delicious! Lots of flavor in a broth, not a cream sauce. Definitely worth the price! Plenty of parking across the street.
(4)Megan V.
Black Creek Bistro gets my approval. The restaurant and bar possess a unique charm in an unassuming location in Olde Towne East. The craft beer selection is great serving Fat Head's Bumble Berry Honey Blueberry Ale. The classic baked fontina appetizer is a cheese lover's dream served with deliciously crisp and seasoned crostini. I ordered the seared day boat scallops for an entrée. The scallops were succulent served on a rich bed of risotto and tomato base. My friend ordered the ribeye with shoestring fries. I tried a few fries with the truffle aioli, which was very delectable. Overall, the food and drink selection is superb for a modest atmosphere.
(4)Andrew G.
Excellent food and friendly service, though you definitely pay for it. I've been here a number of times and have never been disappointed. A great place for a fancier date or special occasion.
(5)Gwen W.
This establishment is fine dining. However, there is a way to taste some of their food and drinks, and still have money to spare for the week! During this restaurant's Happy Hour (5-7 pm, Mon-Thurs), they offer a special menu that, when picked from, has dishes at $10. And, if you're feeling extra hungry, you can get a three course meal during the HH for just $20 - a fabulous deal folks!! This night, the restaurant was rather full. Apparently, this establishment gets a decent amount of business throughout the week - thus, they have been able to stay open for many years. Our waiter was polite and explained the HH specials. I decided to splurge, and went for the $20 special. For my appetizer I got two small smoked salmon cakes with a white, pickled/horseradish tasting dipping sauce on the side. The cakes were great, no "frozen fish" taste! The pork join, mashed potatoes, and a curry gravy on top was not hot - more lukewarm. The pork was good. For dessert I got the Creme Brûlée. It was a different texture from what I know of cb. However, it was still very good. The consistency of the dessert was more like a thickish pudding. Yum, indeed!!
(3)Barbara L.
The menu sounded so good in print. And I admit I only ate there once, and only tried 3 things. However, the fries were limp and greasy, the salmon cakes were very salty, and the Caesar just barely passed muster. Sorry, I like the farm to table format and it's a cute place, but I expected more.
(3)Steve S.
Great food ,great service, great wine selection prices were great as well.
(5)C G.
Have been there twice. The service is friendly and the they seem to try hard - but they miss the mark. Food is okay - but inconsistent. Some dishes like the duck gnocchi are excellent, while others, like the beef tenderloin I had last night, are just meh. (BTW - I had to send my steak back the first time. I ordered it medium but it came out very rare - still cool in the middle). A lot of potential and nice people, but with all the competition, they are getting left behind.
(2)Danielle D.
This place was amazing. My boyfriend and I have been driving cross-country and had been driving for 7 hours and really wanted a hot meal. Driving around Columbus, we saw Black Creek Bistro on Yelp and made the decision to go there. Amazing choice! It's small but quaint. There's plenty to look at on the walls with a great atmosphere. I got a glass of Cabernet and my boyfriend was recommended an IPA. The waiter was super helpful. I ordered the lamb shank with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Honestly, it was cooked perfectly. The meat fell right off the bone. My boyfriend got the slow-roasted, shredded duck gnocchi. It was really good though I'm not a fan of gnocchi. He really liked it though. We got the bill. Surprisingly inexpensive. It's fine-dining food for an affordable price. Everything here was worth it. Ambience, service, food, beverage. Definitely worth checking out.
(5)Heather H.
Nice little gem of a place for happy hour. If you're looking for an upgrade from typical happy hour appetizer specials, this is your place. From 4-7 M-F ALL appetizers are $5. We ordered Duck Tostada, Pork Delights, Hummus Trio and Pancetta Pear Crisps. All were wonderful BUT our favorite was the Pancetta Pear Crisps - very interesting taste. We would order all again, but with 4 other appetizer choices left on the menu we plan to use our next trip to try those. Go early and sit at the bar. We got there around 6 PM on a Friday and that seemed to be good. After 7 PM it will start to fill up. They also had some nice craft beer choices.
(4)Amanda M.
Definitely a hidden gem in Columbus. Amazing staff, great atmosphere, awesome wine and beer list. I had the scallops which were cooked perfectly and delicious.
(4)LouCindy A.
Fantastic place in a historic part of town. Great food, interesting combinations that you would never guess could be possible. They will delight your taste buds and make you glad you stopped in. I had the duck gnocchi which I thought would be a cream sauce. Nope! Stock with sweet potatoes and mushrooms and it was simply amazing. Great old charming restaurant. Hope you enjoy!!
(5)Lindy K.
I took my friend here for her birthday and was definitely pleased. It has a nice intimate atmosphere, the service was great, the wine list is expansive and reasonably priced and the food was really good. We had the pancetta pear crisps, duck gnocchi, and smoked salmon with arugula- all of which I would order again. We also got a free desert since it was her birthday, bacon creme brulee- sooo good.
(4)dan c.
Yikes! We were totally disappointed. We called ahead to see if it was kid friendly. They said yes and that they could give them cheeseburgers. They didn't say they would be $9.50 each! Want milk? $3. Of course this isn't an obvious choice for a family, but my wife and I wouldn't come back alone. We could think of 20 places we would go on a date night before here. The menu was limited. Nothing really sounded good, so I went with a roasted chicken, which I never order since it is so boring, but that was the best choice. I would compare the menu to the pearl, which has a way better atmosphere and better food. In comparison we love Hae Paul's on 4th.
(1)Midas K.
I went here for lunch on recommendation while I was getting mt tires changed. Simple, reasonably priced and absolutely excellent food.
(5)Adam W.
Everyone was very friendly when we entered though it took a few minutes to find someone to seat us (we had reservations). We had the pancetta pear spears for an hors d'oeuvre, it turned out to be a dish that looked and tasted like something I make after work for a snack. My wife had the duck gnocchi as a main course, it was entirely one consistency and my lamb shank desperately needed the simplest of seasoning. She loved her Riesling and I enjoyed the variety of beers both local and abroad. The service was cloying and even pushy at the end. I cannot believe the rave reviews on here. It was, simply put, a bad experience.
(2)Alex K.
Had been hearing great things about this place for a while and boy did it not disappoint. Got there a little ahead of my party and sat at the bar and had a beer, Coke Oven Stout by Rust Belt Brewing out of Youngstown. Great recommendation by the bartender, who was extremely knowledgeable and definitely a classic bartender in the sense. My group was seated in the bar room, but it was still very quiet. The menu was a little overwhelming, but our server did great at explaining everything to us. The prices aren't inexpensive, but I have definitely been to pricier places than this. When the food started coming out, price was the last thing on any of our minds. I started with the Duck Tostada, which was only 5$ (during Happy Hour all appetizers are $5). It was incredible, the duck was cooked perfectly, super juicy and tender. The avocado and pickled onions were a great mix as well. I ordered the Seared day boat scallops and it will be a tough decision to ever get anything else there. It was one of the best dishes I have ever had the pleasure of eating. They were served with mushroom risotto, which was cooked perfectly. I'm not a big foodie food type of person, but this place is definitely working me over. The service is great and the atmosphere and pricing certainly do not reflect the quality of food, in a good way. It feels like you are just in a local restaurant or someones house until you see the food start to come out and it looks like something on the Food Network. There wasn't that pretentious feel that you get when you go to other fine dining restaurants. I definitely recommend giving this place a try.
(5)Angie K.
FTC event at black creek! It was pretty good. Appetizer: Sprouts are awesome. Main Dish: Confused Mussels was bland. My friend got the basil tomato noodle dish and it was awesome I was jealous. The deserts: the chocolate mousse was more like a dense dry cake. The chocolate crème brulee was AMAZING. Stick with that selection Wine selection: awesome and very reasonably priced. Service: Super. The waiter was great.
(4)Jessica H.
Flew solo here to experience a Restaurant Week menu offering. The experience is always lovely! I sat at the bar and had fun conversation with the other patrons. Tried a rosemary infused vodka with tomato juice. Really savory and lovely. The white bean soup was hands down my favorite element! So very yummy and just the right amount of salt. I got the salad offering as my starter with a catch-all of ingredients: corn, dried cranberries (I think), spiced walnuts, goat cheese and beets (I think). Then I tried the yucca bruschetta chips with an olive type tapenade. The chips were great! The topping was a little too spicy for me. My entree was a beet risotto served in a halved and baked acorn squash and topped with feta and corn. Pretty delicious (see photo) and was even better the second day! I love the place! It is a "special occasion" price-point destination.
(4)Jeff G.
Very cool restaurant. They have a great wine list and sell everything at state minimum pricing!!!! That alone makes this place one of my favorites. We started with the appetizer menu and never got to the entrees. I can't wait to come back and have dinner. The service was great too. Thanks!
(5)Joe G.
Only regret is I wish I knew about this place sooner! Went to Black Creek Bistro for the first time as part of an office lunch. You would never know such a cool place existed if you base your opinion on the surrounding neighborhood. Once you step inside the doors, it feels a lot like a cafe in German Village: Simple, historic and full of character, without losing it's modern feel. The walls featuring the work of local artists! For lunch I had the Turkey Bistro sandwich. It was spectacular! The turkey meat was so so fresh and there was a delicious cranberry (i think?) flavored sauce that really highlighted the sandwich. I wouldn't say the service was fast, but we did have a group of 8 and the restaurant was pretty full when we went. Probably waited about 20 minutes for food - I almost feel like I'm nit picking. Overall, a great restaurant. I can't wait to go back and try more of their menu. I've heard they have great Happy Hour specials, but have not tried yet.
(5)Anna H.
We took my parents here for dinner Sat night for Mom's birthday. It was her choice given they live within walking distance and like it very much. I've been another time for lunch, but this was my first time for dinner. It's very cozy and feels special. Our server was top-notch; she knew the menu and was very warm. The fried brie appetizer was so good and I ate most of it since everyone else stopped. My bistro salad was wonderful as was my bistro pasta (a bit spicy due to crushed red pepper, but still good). I was a clean-plater. The rolls was excellent too. Everyone enjoyed their dinner and it was a nice evening. I think they work very hard to create a good menu and pleasant atmosphere. It works.
(4)Christine L.
Went in for lunch wasn't very busy. Great service. Husband and I both ordered sandwiches and both were delightful.love the decor.
(4)Eric F.
Great place to go for happy hour! Great selection of $5 appetizers and even better selection of drink specials! Lots of craft beers to choose from! Great atmosphere and great service! Cant wait to go back!
(4)Kim P.
My fiancé and I stumbled upon this place and I'm glad we did. From the outside it doesn't look so appealing but it is definitely worth walking into. My fiancé and I had the hand cut shoestring fries to start with and they were quite good. He said the spicy ketchup was different, in a good way. I thought the white truffle aoli was quite flavorful. We were then delivered a variety of fresh baked rolls with their unique, butter of the day-this time being pear butter. It was the best butter we've ever tasted. The hint of pear was so subtle but amazingly delicious. For our entrees, I had the scallops which were served with a unbelievably tasty charred tomato emulsion and portobello risotto. YUM!! He had the lamb shank which was braised and served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The lamb was tender and meaty, not gamey at all. There was no room for dessert but on another note, the service was excellent, attentive and fast. This was definitely one of my favorite meals since moving to Columbus.
(5)Brieanna H.
I went to Black Creek Bistro for the first time Friday for Happy Hour. Their specials are great. Martinis and house-infused vodka and gin drinks and appetizers for just $5 each. We got the bistro fries, baked fontina, pork delights, and duck tostada. The fries and the cheese were the real stand outs here. I got a pomegranate martini and then a gin infused with peaches. Both were great, and the gin was very flavorful and strong. The bartender was very helpful and accommodating. I'll definitely go back for dinner, but the Happy Hour was a great way to test this place out.
(4)Charmy G.
Yummmmmy, yummy! I will give this place 5/5 because it's truly worth your money and this is called great dining. Such lovely food. They also have good wine collection. You will not be dissatisfied . I promise :-)
(5)Luke T.
I hadn't been back to Black Creek since 2008, when I lived off Long in the KLD and Carabar was my bar. When I saw it on the Dine Originals list, it immediately jumped to the top of mine, right above the numerous restaurants I've never tried before. I was glad others expressed interest, and a party of six proved to be about the perfect size for BCB. I admit that I am a green nerd. I go out of my way to consider the environmental impact of my decisions and adjust accordingly.[1] That said, one of the things I remembered most about Black Creek was that they have a farm where they grow as much of the produce and livestock used in the preparation of their menu as possible. In fact, the Black Creek farm existed BEFORE the restaurant. I'll limit my discussion of their sustainable practices to that,[2] but suffice it to say, these practices have influenced my review to the tune of one star. Those of you that follow my reviews are probably aware I am a pescetarian (a fishetarian, as I've been saying lately, or a vegequarium, as the waiter said tonight). You may not know why though. I gave up red meat and pork after my father had a massive heart attack in '03. He passed in '05, and I gave up chicken shortly after, when I moved back to Ohio, where the vegetarian options are far greater than rural WV. My secondary reasons are environmental in nature. I'm not against the killing of animals (sorry PETA, et al.) when it's done sustainably and humanely (given the circumstances). Couple that with the fact that I like to try new things, and I decided to break my diet tonight, something I hadn't done since Burgundy Room a few years back. My four course meal:[3] - Roasted Beet and Apple Salad (featuring a nut that definitely WASN'T pistachios [as advertised]). - Bistro Frog Legs - Game Hen Surprise - PB and J Bread Pudding In addition, I had a glass of Riesling,[4] a featured honey martini,[5] and some bistro fries provided thanks to the generosity of Matt W. The bistro fries were salty/spicy, but in a good way. The beet and apple salad could have used some more apples, but was a sweet, fresh start to my meal. Whatever those nuts were (consensus was pine or pumpkin), they added a perfect, toasted note to the salad. Frog legs were a new one for me. I'd been debating whether they broke my diet or not. From a conscientious point of view, I feel like they did. And when you look at them, I don't care what you say, sucking the meat off a frog's leg bone ain't the same as eating a fillet of salmon. Either way, they were interesting. The meat DID have a seafood-like hint to it, particularly in the thicker pieces. They were paired to perfection with a tomato concasse and a buttery sauce. Once I'd decided on the frog legs, it was easy to solidify the deal with the game hen. The hen was served with some lightly mashed taters (that is to say, they were pretty darn chunky) and a mild chili sauce. It was the highlight of the night, and not gamy at all. Far less creepy looking than the frog legs. Hah! The tender hen was fantastic alongside the soft mashers...I have no regrets! As for the PB and J bread pudding, I'll simply say that while it was good, I've had better elsewhere (Cap City comes to mind). One thing that would help would be slightly more of the "J" drizzled around the plate. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. I realize it's a bit steep for some of my fellow yelper's budgets, but I think it's the sort of place we should all support more frequently if we can manage. The fact that you can have food THIS good, and do so in a responsible and sustainable way, OUGHT to be affecting the entire industry on a much larger scale. Change is too slow. A note to the owners, should they happen to read this: a considerably cheap change to save utility costs and be more sustainable - bargain-outlets.com/cata… . I hope next time I dine (which hopefully isn't so far in the future), I find you've upgraded. [1] PM for a more exhaustive list: - Quit driving six years ago - Ride a bike daily roughly 48-49 weeks/yr - Installed a dual flush toilet in my house - Use 40+% less electricity than my neighbors (thanks AEP) - Take the stairs! - Shopping for an old diesel to convert to SVO (only way I'll start driving again) [2] blackcreekbistro.com/Our… [3] dineoriginalscolumbus.co… - $30/person [4] Ferrante - Grand River Valley, Ohio $6 (all wines at state minimum pricing) [5] Featuring OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka and Brothers Drake Bergamot Blue Mead $11 (both made right here in Columbus, Ohio)
(5)Brian S.
Best scallops in town, fun atmosphere, and great service! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. They support local vendors which is always a plus.
(5)Patrick C.
BCB is a wonderful place to have a meal. Every time I go I always enjoy the food, the atmosphere and the staff. When you first walk up to it you will notice that it sits at the corner of Parsons and parking can be kind of a challenge. The first room you walk into is the bar section, where they have a wall of wines as well as a few beers on tap. this is the waiting room as you wait to be seated. (call in advance and make reservations. they seem to prefer that) When we were seated we were welcomed by our friendly waiter. Who went on to tell us details about the menu as well as the wine list. I always appreciate it when the waiters are able to really dish out the information about their plates so when it comes time to choose its not so hard. We had ordered the Duck gnocchi and man oh man. that was soooo good. My GF's mom ordered the steak and that was also pretty legit. the wine was good. I really cant complain about any of the dishes I've had there. Always impressed. When the bill came around it wasn't that bad either. So all and all I really enjoy my time at BCB. I will be back. Only reason they get 4 stars is because at the time they sat us next to a wall that had construction done on it, and it was in the winter so our seats were really cold... and there were plenty of other seats available away from that wall.
(4)Ruby D.
I don't know if I am qualified to write a review yet for Black Creek Bistro, but I'm going to anyway because I had a good experience. We went for happy hour and sat at the bar. We ordered the fried brie and the bistro fries (both only $5 each--what a special!) and discounted pints of tasty IPAs. The food really fulfilled my munchies and one of the beers was relatively rare. The bar tender was knowledgable, prompt and friendly. He knew when to chat with us and when to leave us alone. We felt welcomed but not smothered. The interior is warm and pleasant. We enjoyed being there and will definitely go back.
(4)Ryan D.
The best restaurant in Columbus. Everything my girlfriend and I have ordered here has been amazing and exceeded our expectations without fail. Even the free bread and butter is worth the drive out here. The venue is a great combination of classy and cozy with friendly service. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu and the prices are all reasonable, but if you're looking for a steal, try the $20 three-course dinner Monday-Thursday.
(5)Regan F.
One of the best meals I've had. Scallops & risotto were perfect. My friend had duck gnocchi. Both were divine.
(5)Johnny G.
It had been a while since we'd been here - big mistake to stay away for so long. We had an early dinner with our daughter and everything was great. It's nice they open at 4:00 and we almost had the place to ourselves. Drinks came quickly as did our appetizer of bistro fries. Firehouse cocktail amazing. Great looking cocktail menu. Diet Coke (daughter) was flat. Bistro fries weren't exactly crispy but they were hot and the white truffle aioli hit the spot. My bistro pasta was really good. The noodles were fresh and the flavor of the tomatoes was excellent. Minor issue: I asked to leave the cheese off but it came anyway. The Bistro salad was great and came out without cheese as requested by my daughter. Her trio of hummus was also very good and the abundance of veggies over pita bread was appreciated. I knew my wife would order the duck gnocchi when I saw the menu and I was right. It was the most unique and complex item we ordered and a big hit. Very well thought out dish. Surprisingly, my daughter loved it and ended up eating quite a bit of it! Everybody was very friendly and the service was excellent. The surrounding area keeps getting better and parking across the street was easy.
(4)R J.
I used look at this place all the time while turning right to go to Yellow Brick Pizza. How did I miss coming here for the past year? We now have a new favorite resto in Columbus! Happy hour $5 apps and martinis plus awesome service. This is an ideal dining experience. We loved our ribeye and the scallops main courses. Our server Michael is a real pro -we will be back again and again. This was better and far less expensive than Lindey's and GMichael's. for the same quality and level of food/drink.
(5)Ryan B.
BCB is fabulous. First time I have eaten there and was completely satisfied. Started off with Duck Tostada- so succulent moving swiftly into the warm brussel sprout salad (sauté w bacon and topped w balsamic reduction) nuff said; Girlfriend had the scallops (wonderful) and the best part of the evening I had the "Shankuver emuch" which is pronounced as SH-ankKu-ver-Emuch" hah its unbelievably savory and flavorful... also came with fresh rolls and mint butter BCB has a great alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) selection as well Service is outstanding Restaurant is bigger than i had imagined Desserts looked fantastic didn't venture... will next time
(5)