Wow! Our server was amazing! She basically ran the show. She had ten 2 to 5 tops and covered them all! Food was outstanding! $$$, however I give it five stars based on service, food presented well and top notch service. No rush to turn tables, relaxed and tasty.
(5)
Mary Norena M.
I love this place BYOB awesome! The owner is very sweet & very friendly & her daughter is so helpful & adorable! I'm very picky with my food but every time I came here for dinner NEVER disappoint me!! I love there food, everything is delicious!!
(5)
Prof J.
This used to be my favorite place to eat in Phoenixville. After it was sold the customer service went to crap. The hostess is rude and tried to not honor a gift certificate from the business in violation of pa gift certificate law. Upon citing said law and threatening to contact the attorney generals office of consumer affairs they decided to honor it all of the sudden. Food went from awesome to mediocre. It's deeply upsetting to me. :-(. I wish the old owners would come back.
(2)
johnny s.
My dad got terrible food poisoning from this location. When he called to inform the that there was an issue, the person on the phone called him a liar. Not. Okay. Be responsible for your actions and live up to the fact that you did this. He wasn't asking for anything form you, but was just telling you so that you can monitor the situation in the future. Jeee. Zuz.
(1)
Megan R.
Reviewing dinner here this evening. Service: 5/5 polite and helpful while being unobtrusive but not overly friendly. It was a slow night so no hostess - the woman that greeted us at the door was also our server. Ambiance: 5/5 again, slow night, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves but I can see how other reviewers may have felt crammed. If the tables were all filled it could definitely be noisy and crowded feeling. Tonight the ambiance was wonderful, though. Food: 3/5 The dishes we tried were: Maine mussels in vodka sauce, pear/prosciutto/goat cheese crepes, and we each ordered the Bronzino special. The Bronzino was incredible, perfectly cooked and full of flavor - definitely the highlight of the meal. It was accompanied by crisp snow peas and a Parmesan risotto, also wonderful. Mussels were wayyyyy too salty. The crepes were okay, small portion, not a whole lot of flavor (surprising for the tasty ingredients they were made with).. Not too memorable. Overall, a solid 4/5. I would return and recommend.
(4)
Dori H.
Dropped in for Restaurant Week with a friend - it was definitely a great deal. The portions were generous and the selections were great. There was absolutely something for everyone. I have to admit - they knocked it out of the park with the desserts. Delish!
(4)
Sugata T.
Definitely a awesome place to go. Very nice atmosphere inside. Our server was an older, super nice, Asian lady...a bit of a language barrier but you understood her fine. She was very receptive to our questions about vegetarian options as well. She took the time to go back to the kitchen and directly ask questions to the chef about the entrees we were interested in. Albeit the lighting was a bit too bright for my liking but that isn't enough of a draw back to take a star off. Well definitely go back again and suggest this place to friend and family!
(5)
Timothy A.
I have been to this place two times now and it is excellent. When in area look forward to going again. Love the duck. The service is good.
(5)
Jay W.
Their reservation policy is weird, and annoying. They "don't take reservations," but they take your name and number of people and hold a table for you. It seems like they don't keep track of their "reservations" very well, and over book the restaurant. This leads to people waiting long periods of time for their "reservation." There are too many tables cramped into the restaurant, the half wall needs to be removed or take out a table or two. Servers were practically climbing over diners to get food to the tables. People were knocking into my chair throughout the entire meal. That being said, the food was very good. I ordered the braise short ribs with stewed carrots and mashed potatoes. The meat was well cooked and could be pulled apart with a fork. The carrots soaked up the meaty flavoring and were well accompanied by the potato mash. I also tried the shrimp and grits. The flavor was terrific, good heat, well cooked sausage and shrimp. Very good. My only complaint with this dish was that the grits were a bit too watery for my taste. There was also a bit of wilted lettuce in the salad. If attention can be paid to these little things that are overlooked, this could be an excellent restaurant. A bit over priced as it is now. BYOB
(3)
Ellen M.
I really like this place! Most recently I was here for brunch with my girlfriends (BYO champagne!) and we all had a great time. We had made reservations to sit inside, thinking it was going to rain, but it ended up being a beautiful day and the staff was very accommodating when we asked to sit outside. The food was delicious, as it always is every time I go. Very reasonably priced, I'd say. I recommend it all the time!
(4)
Natasha G.
Perhaps it's because I don't live around these parts, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with the Black Lab. This was one of the worst dinners I've had in a while, and after my second meal at this restaurant, I have no desire to come back. Perhaps this place was happening in Phoenixville in 2009, but it has definitely lost any charm that previous reviews ascribe to it. If you like well-executed and thoughtful cuisine, don't bother trying this place. The menu is, in a word, ambitious. The dishes attempt to span several genres and cuisines, and they fall short. Black Lab, you need to pick a niche and stick with it. The menu attempts to do New American bistro, French meat/sauce prep, Spanish tapas, and some "misc Asian" but doesn't quite succeed with any of them. E.g. scallop shu mai sounds incredibly gluey, and calling every sauce a demi-glace doesn't make it French. We've had a selection of dishes here, and some have been less disappointing than others. The octopus with andouille sausage and chickpeas is in a smoked paprika and vinegar sauce that manages to lack any complexity, and the octopus is in slices that taste like Chinese fish cake. Tuna tartare is awful... I've had better tuna/rice combos in supermarket sushi. I did feel fairly positively about the calamari in crispy Chinese five-spice batter but the mango aioli (or whatever it purported to be) was a huge misstep. I think the calamari is the only dish on the menu I can reasonably recommend, but ask for sauce on the side. A dining companion had the lobster bisque and remarked it was notable for its lack of lobster and gluey consistency. The duck breast with scallops was okay, but the sauce was overly sweet. I ordered the rosemary-dijon crusted lamb chops with potato cake, asparagus, and the ubiquitous demi-glace. Lamb is supposed to be tender. This was chewy, lacked any of the claimed herb-mustard flavor, and was not really aided by the sauce. The potato cake was savory, and they didn't mess up the asparagus. The steak frites: essentially inedible, with meat like "airplane food," as my dining companion described it. The frites were fine and very heavily seasoned with 2-4 dithiapentane... but I like the fake taste of "truffle" oil, so these seemed fine to me. Generally, all the sauces are pretty seasoned but still lacking in real flavor. To add insult to all this gastronomic injury, the food is incredibly overpriced. It is nice that they're BYOB, and the service is much warmer and attentive now than in the past. Ambiance is also fine -- I can't really say anything bad about the setup, though it doesn't seem conducive to an intimate date. Seating can be tight in some areas. The art prints on the wall didn't offend me and the layout is basically okay. I gather, from the reviews, that there are better restaurants on this block. If you have any kind of discerning palate, seriously, do not come here. You can find better food at the Cheesecake Factory or Red Lobster.
(2)
Danielle D.
This is a BYOB and one of the only non chain restaurants on the strip. The food is good but not worth the price. I think they charge that much knowing they are the only/few non chain restaurants. The ambiance is very nice. The restaurant is very open space and the decor very nice. I would really be into this place if it was not for the price.
(3)
Eric P.
The food here is ok, nothing special but not bad by any means. I stopped here for brunch and the price was right but the food was average at best, there was no "wow" factor to it. The decor is beautiful so I think that also feeds into the expectation the food will be great. The coffee was terrible though, only real down side. Nice place to check out if you want a quick and easy brunch
(3)
Brian M.
If your accustomed to nicer restaurants, you won't find BLB anything out of the ordinary, but nothing about the food or service is the least bit bad. You'll always get a dependably good meal; but never really great. I found the dinner prices a bit high for what they serve, and thus I'd be more apt to hit it for lunch rather than dinner. But the BYOB aspect is a plus!
(3)
James S.
Decided to give this place a try, food was relativity good, staff was mostly friendly ! I had the black Angus burger and it was cooked well and one of the better burgers I have had . The price was not bad either ! There was a bus boy with red hair who was very very friendly and outgoing and did more than was needed to make my meal Great ! My server was named Kate I believe ,and she was also very out going and a great server we had a conversation and she Evan recommended some things to do that night ! The owner (I think) was very hard to understand and was not very friendly but it could have been worse , I may be back but thanks for a good meal !
(3)
Jan F.
Back to Black Lab and again it didnt disappoint. I had the fixe price for $25. Very fresh greens with shaved carrots, cucumber and a nice light dressing as a start. Then a delicious pan seared tilapia with nice green beans and deep fried polenta. Once again i had the tres leche cake which is outstanding. It's a dense pudding cake served with butterscotch and whipped cream. My mom had a burger and fries. It was cooked as she asked and she thought it was just fine!
(5)
Kathleen K.
I had a great "date" dinner here with one of my girlfriends. It's in her neighborhood so she frequents it often and had her favorite (a steak with bacon mac and cheese). We ordered a baked brie special for an appitizer which was wonderful and came with a fruity jam and some baguette slices. For my meal, I got the butternut squash ravioli. I am not a vegetarian, however, I tend to eat veg. There were no veg options on the menu, but the raviolis were close. They had panchetta along with it. The waitress did, however, ask if the panchetta was ok to include, which I thought was very nice. For dessert, we had banana crepes with ice cream. Fantastic. Loved it. All in all, it's a nice little BYOB and I'd gladly be back again.
(4)
Brian C.
We went here today for a special Father's Day brunch and were treated to bad service by inattentive and rude waitstaff. It took approximately 20 minutes for our waitress to take our order then over an hour for our food to come. When our breakfasts finally arrived they were cold and under cooked. No one ever came back to check on us or to even see if we needed our waters or coffee refilled. We had to flag down the staff members and ask for refills and eventually to speak to the manager. The manager was apologetic and took one meal off of our check, for the father in our group, but it was really too little too late and an overall unpleasant experience. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone.
(2)
Laura R.
My boyfriend and I come here for brunch frequently. The food is always excellent. Brunch menu has a nice variety. Highly recommend
(5)
Erica J.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Every service is better than the last. The staff is super friendly. The food is always wonderful. I look forward to brunch every weekend and it is such a treat when my boyfriend takes me there for dinner. We both just love Black Lab.
(5)
James Y.
It's a bit hard to classify this place. It's got an interesting menu and the food I've had has been very good. Dinner can get pricey if you have appetizers and dessert, but if you're just having an entree it's not bad. And the brunch is inexpensive, unless you are trying to compare it to McD's prices. It looks like a place that should have a liquor license, but it's a BYOB. The wait staff are very friendly, but not always the fastest. I continue to dine there regularly because the food is very good and the staff is friendly.
(4)
Jaime K.
The Black Lab has so many dedicated fans in Phoenixville I continue to try it again and again in hopes that I will love my meal. Perhaps the dedication has more to do with the restaurants longevity in the area than their culinary clout. In general, the dishes all seem expensive for what they are and lack the fresh, made from scratch love that you would expect. Service is kind but generally inexperienced.
(2)
Lynn S.
We stopped by Black Lab Bistro this last Friday. We hadn't been there in a while and were greeted in a very welcoming manner by the new owners. We sat out side and had a very nice meal. We thought it was a little pricy, but never the less enjoyed the food and the Phoenixville evening atmosphere. I had the Veal Marsala special, which was good, and my husband enjoyed the fettuccini with chicken, prosciutto and vegetables that is on the menu. Five hours later I woke to the walls of our bedroom shaking with my husband sick in the bathroom. Food poisoning. Saturday afternoon he called Black Lab to inform them of his situation. We weren't looking for anything other than to make them aware of his plight so that the restaurant had the opportunity to remedy the situation. My husband was kind and told the owner just what I said above, only to be called a liar and that it couldn't be. Needless to say, they lost 2 customers.
(1)
John M.
Eat here, get Fu...d.. Keep going down 76 to phila and have a better meal... for 100 bucks less!! way overpriced!!! Really, 225.00 for two with wine.. your in phoenixville!! Not really worth it..
(1)
Joe C.
We have eaten here many times and always have very good food and service. Lobster bisque and short ribs are outstanding. Never disappointed.
(4)
Javier G.
Brunch was slow and ok and overpriced, no need to say more. There are much better places to go too.
(1)
Mikkimo T.
I had heard great things about them and that the food while $$$$ was good. Well I went there last night with my husband and was very disappointed. Went: Mid Week Busy: Rest was 1/2 full and a few tables outside. Waitstaff: while ok were neither warm and inviting nor overly attentive Food: Ordered Soups & Steaks Lobster Bisque: Very Thick, lacked Lobster but more so was overpowered by a tomato flavor (thinking they used it to give it a orange/red color. Summer Minestrone was also lacking broth and was thick and over seasoned. I ordered a filet Oscar. Crab meat and steak were cooked nicely but the asparagus was replaced with brocolinni and the bernaise was thick enough to hang wall paper with. The demi glace was overpoweringly peppery as it left its mark of spice and heat in the back of my throat. The meal was also lukewarm. My husband ordered a strip steak which was small, thin and again drowning in a redish pepper sauce that completely killed the flavor of everything on the plate and again was lukewarm. Bread that came with dinner was no lie 1/4" thick and only small crostini size half slices of the baguette from whence it came. The butter while soft was again over seasoned. Overall...Thick sauces, over seasoned and small portions for large prices. Skipp this one you can do better.
(2)
Angela S.
Had a small work dinner before the holidays here. I will be going back! Love this place. Relaxed atmosphere, good food, knowledgable staff, and BYOB! Good located with tons of parking a block away. I had the crab cakes and they were amazing!
(5)
Mark T.
I miss the Black Lab of old before the remodel. Used to always be packed. It wasn't fancy but I thought there was just something cool about the place. Went there again tonight and it was basically empty, stood at the hostess station for five minutes no one came out to seat us, we left. I think the poor old black lab has died:(
(1)
Shawn R.
This was my second vist to this bistro. The first being with a coworker. The second on a date. Both times I enjoyed the BYOB aspect of the restaurant as should you. I don't remember what I got the first time but my second experience was not so good. I ordered the Bistro Steak and asked for medium well. Instead, I was given an undercooked piece of meat. I had it sent back and they still returned it undercooked. It was purple. Not good. The thing I found especially frustrating was that the meat was cut so it was not difficult to cook it properly. The fries with seasoning were good. Not that impressed with the place overall.
(2)
V Y.
I had another great Sunday brunch at the Black Lab Bistro today. The owners and wait staff are very friendly and welcoming. My favorite is the shrimp and grits with andouille sausages. It's an explosion of flavor in every bite. My only "criticism" is that the chef can mince up the garlic a little more. It is a BYOB restaurant, so feel free to bring a beverage of your choice. I've never been disappointed with my choice if entrees there. I've been there for brunch and dinner. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the Black Lab! Give it a try the next time you are in PXV.
(5)
Jennifer L.
Had Sunday brunch here about a month ago. It was great! We ate outside and enjoyed our meal. There was a bit of a wait to get our food but it was worth it. I look forward to having dinner here soon--maybe tonight!
(4)
GoBlue G.
Had brunch with Mom, nephew and son, and we enjoied it very much. My andouille sausage omelette was nicely prepared and i customized with a blackened sea scallop....great. Zucchini bread was moist and a nice addition instead of the stanard toasts. Potato wedges were crispy. Mom's spinach salad topped with salmon was just right for her, although i can not for the life of me remember my son's or nephew's meal i know the enjoied them.....sorry no help there. Over all our experience was satisfing and will return.
(4)
Matt K.
I really wanted to give this place 3 stars, it's not bad food or bad service, it's just average. But the prices are much too high for average food. The menu is eclectic and very large, which is a danger signal unless their turnover is high. On this night, it wasn't. The other problem with a huge menu is that the restaurant typically loses any pretense of a theme or a soul. We had a buffalo rib-eye steak and the soft shell crabs special. The rib-eye was so thin, it was practically impossible to cook it medium-rare like I asked. Instead, it came out almost well done. I did not feel like returning it since I knew that the second time around, it would probably be bloody. The kale on the side was tasty, but the ribs had not been removed, and since the greens were al dente, the ribs were rock hard. Rather offputting, to say the least. The potatoes were average. The soft shell crab, however, was very tasty, it was the highlight of the meal. It had some fresh, spicy Asian flavors. But the tempura batter was a bit heavy. Since my rib-eye was so tiny, I was still hungry, and ordered the strawberry rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream. The rhubarb texture was a bit dense, it is hard to do it right, and it wasn't very tart or flavorful. Service was efficient enough, no complaints, but then again, there were only 4 tables occupied so it should have been good.
(2)
Alex W.
A very crowded and noisy place. Our table for 7 was in a corner and foot traffic as constantly going by. I had the lobster bisque. It was good. It didn't have much meat in it and it had a little acidic tang to it. A first for me, I saw striped bass on the menu and I wanted to try it. It was $30 and came with brocolini and lobster risotto. When it arrived I was disappointed with the size of the fish. It was about 2 1/4" by about 3 1/2 inches. I thought that was pretty small especially for $30. It came with the skin on and in one way I liked that cause it looked like striper skin. The fish was OK. It was a little fishy and the seasoning didn't seem to compliment the fish. The vegetable was good and the risotto was excellent. I could have eaten a lot more of the risotto. My wife had the scallops and again, the seasoning didn't go well with the scallops. I've been to Black Lab before and had their short ribs dinner which I really enjoyed. I'll give them a try again even though their food is a little pricier than other restaurants.
(3)
Carolyn G.
Overall, we had good entrees and depressing service. Not sure I would go back because our overall dining experience was just boring. I'm tempted to give a two star rating, but the food was good. Now for the details: It's my mistake that I didn't read the BYOB note so we didn't bring any wine to a Friday lunch. We arrived right after the lunch rush, about 1 PM, and there were only a few parties in the restaurant. Upon arriving we were impressed with the decor and how comfortable the atmosphere was. Menu time...we both considered an appetizer and an entree. Our server was, to say the least, bland. He offered no greeting, no specials, and didn't ask if we wanted anything to drink besides the two glasses of water on the table. I inquired about the soup and the description was delivered so poorly that I didn't want to take a chance; we skipped the appetizers. We both ordered entrees (blackened salmon) and at that point discovered we were in a BYOB...not the server's fault. However, he didn't offer iced-tea, coffee, or an alternative. No bread was served. Our entrees arrived 20 minutes later and they were very good. The portion is perfect, neither too small nor too large, and was well presented on the plate. And that was it...nothing on the table but two glasses of water and our two entrees...no salt and pepper, no decor, nothing. We looked at the dessert menu, declined to order, paid the bill and left; again, without any interaction with our server. This is the first place we've tried in Phoenixville and would probably try another place, probably the Iron Hill pub, before we return to the Black Lab. I like what they are attempting to do but the service is not well executed.
(3)
Brandon G.
People on yelp are way too uptight. Yeah there is a list of rules, it's a joke. Foods awesome. Great atmosphere in a great little town. Not a hush hush with your pinky up kinda spot. Highly recommend lobster bisque and the grilled angus filet oscar Lump Crabmeat, Bearnaise Sauce, Demi-Glace, Whipped Potato, Asparagus delicious! Only complaint is our server, felt a tad bit rushed. Very busy Saturday in his defense.
(4)
Tiffany L.
I would agree with other reviewers that the service is not great. Our waiter was very slow to take our orders and we went on a Sunday around 4:30 so it was very slow in the restaurant. But the assistant waiter and/or bus boy was very prompt with keeping our drinks filled, which is always appreciated since the waiter was not that attentive. Also the waiter was not personable or helpful, came off very snobby and with attitude like he was just going through the motions. BUT the food was FANTASTIC! My husband had the garden salad, filet minion chop steak, and the dolche de leche cake for desert. The salad was so good, the dressing was a kind of vinaigrette but very light and tasty. The steak came with potatoes, which had some sort of blue cheese or Gorgonzola mixed in, very smooth. Also had broccolini nothing to brag about but good. I had the flat bread pita with hummus, feta, and olives. Great light appetizer would recommend. For dinner I had the bolognese baked penne, very good. I would say it was light for a bolognese which I enjoyed because sometimes the sauce can be too heavy. Also had the peanut butter pie, a little to rich I enjoyed the dolche de leche cake much more. It was also over priced I felt. The option we had was a pre-fixed menu that was in addition to their regular menu and it was $25 for three courses. So I felt that was decent pricing but their normal menu will run you probably $40 or more a person for 3 courses, and while the food was great combined with the service I don't think it warrants almost $50 a plate with everything. I will definitely try again because restaurants are always changing and this one has a lot of potential to be great.
(3)
Helen D.
When we were leaving the restaurant I noticed the "LIST OF RULES" on the wall. Oh how I regret not taking that picture. When eateries have "RULES" you can expect mediocrity which is exactly what we experienced. The menu sounded exciting & every special sounded better than the next. The food was ok & I most likely will not go back unless someone else is picking up the tab. It was way overpriced. The service was not friendly or prompt - for me that was a deal breaker. If you want good food & great service this is NOT the place to go. The only "bonus" is that it is byob.
(2)
Ting Ting G.
I love black lab for their great service and wonderful dinner, This time I went for brunch, eggs and bacon don't seem to be their strong point. Crab eggs benedict: I decided to get this because of how great their crab cakes are, the crab was tasty however the poached eggs were way overcooked and the hollandaise sauce was nothing special and had no taste French toast: a lot of toast, I enjoyed the whipped cream cheese topping. Could have used more berries. The french toast was bordering on soggy The coffee and service were fantastic however. Probably not coming back for brunch, dinner is definitely their strong suite.
(3)
Theresa G.
Took reservation, waited over 1 hour and basically left.
(1)
Paul K.
Went for dinner on a Sat night with my wife. Quickly seated, bottle opend fast. Tables are a little tight but overall a great room to eat in. Service was great, not pushy, not rushed but there when you needed them. The foie gras app was pretty weak. Very small compared to other places we have had it. The entrees though were very good, and very well portioned. Great place to go on a date.
(4)
Teresa M.
Ate Sunday brunch here a few weeks ago with my BF. We both ordered omlettes. Both were served with toast and diced hash brown potatoes. My omlette had chorizo sausage and cheese-which were so good together. Interestingly enough, I chose the zucchini bread toast which I had hoped would have tasted a little better (hance 4 stars instead of 5). Our waitress was very attentive and refilled our water and coffee several times. Oh-by the way...the coffee was excellent! We will definitely come for brunch again and possibly stop in for dinner too.
(4)
John R.
Ok....list of rules?! Right off the bat, this sorta ruined it. No restaurant should ever post "rules". It is insulting to patrons! Maybe this is why the place was dead on Saturday night? Maybe it was the fact the menu was way too big or maybe it was the fact the you don't get a lot of food for the price. Who knows... The menu seemed uninspired and lacked creativity. I could tell because my rib steak tasted like something I could have ordered at Outback for half the price. Also, the calamari was rubbery. The service was decent...could have been better since there weren't many people eating. The server we had was very friendly tho. Returning here? Severely doubt it!
(2)
Craig D.
(4) ~ Overall Food & Service OUR MENU: * Water(tap) = (3.5) good * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Calamari = (3.5) good * Butternut Squash Ravioli = (4) very good * Wild Boar Ragu = (3.5) good...it's a BIG portion. * Burger w. American Cheese & Fries = (3.75) good fries & Brioche rolls * Devil's Food Chocolate Cake = (3.5) good * Cinnamon Roll Ice ream Sandwich = (4) very good * Cappucino w. rock candy = (4.5) Very Good * Coffee = (4) very good NOTES: No Reservations on Friday & Saturday; It's First come~First Serve:-)
(4)
Nicolas E.
Best restaurant in Phoenixville. Creative chef has built an impressive menu, it's always a delight to eat here. The service is also excellent.
(5)
John D.
I've been to this place 3 times. The menu was fine. The burgers are large and tasty. They do have a tendency to use a little more grease on their burger but it was not too bad. The salad was great so were the crabmeat and lobster bisque. I took one star away because it gets noisy during busy hours. For a young group of friends, it's not an issue. For a couple looking for a more intimate dinner date, it may be a little distracted. The service was quick and to the point. I'll be back again.
(4)
Rick J.
You lost us at the front door.... My wife and I where perusing a place to eat last Friday night and strolled into this place. It looked busy until you realized that the bar sitting area was not available and several tables were open but not being seated. The hostess seemed more interested in sitting on her perch than greeting walk ins... We gave it 10 minutes and when another table opened up with no response from her we left. There are way too many other restaurants in this town for a place not to be more accommodating to walk ins.. I was thinking that this was too bad as we left since the food smelled good but based on the other reviews that I have now read it doesn't sound like we missed much.
(1)
Pamela K.
The Black Lab is a staple in our restaurant armory! Love the atmosphere, the service is always excellent, and the food consistently delicious. it's our go to for date nights, dinners with friends and treating out of town guests to a great meal.
(5)
Julie C.
Very, very slow service. Food quality does not match the price. Steaks undercooked, burger for a little one was burnt (no childrens menu), ended up with a pitcher of water and sprite combined because the staff did not talk to each other and only had 1 pitcher to share apparently, service so slow, completed 2 appetizers with nothing to drink because no one ever came back to fill or check on status of meal. Offered free dessert and some off the bill to attempt to fix, which was nice, but still a frustrating experience overall.
(2)
James R.
Its a pricey joint, but the steak was perfect and the calamari was the best I have ever had anywhere.
(4)
Mike K.
I have lived in this area for a long time, and have heard good things about this place; after eating there, I can't say I agree. The food is expensive for what it is, everything you order is extra, an 8pm reservation turns into an 8:45 seating, and worst, the wait staff treats you like you are lucky to be eating there at all. I left there wondering; who do these people think they are?
(1)
David M.
Amazing! The food was the highest quality, fresh, delicious, full of flavor with absolutely stunning presentation! Service was quick, flawless and cortious. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a auperb meal in a nice atmosphere!
(5)
Matt O.
Great food, but overpriced. I've been here three times. I've never had a bad dish here, but I do feel that the prices are excessive. If you're looking for a nice evening out in Phoenixville Black Lab is a great place to have dinner, just be prepared to spend more than average on your meal.
(4)
Shelley W.
Mmmmm......sunday brunch! The Black Lab did it right! They were even considerate enough to come up with an option for a friend who was unable to eat dairy. (Note to management: might not be a bad idea to have some butter-substitute or olive oil hiding in the kitchen) Pumpkin Pancakes with dried cranberries and pecans? DON'T MIND IF I DO! The omlette that my friend had looked good and must have been because she didn't share! I'd come back here in a flash
(4)
Er B.
Went back this weekend for dinner. It's been awhile. They were surprisingly busy for 8:00pm on a Sunday, but outside had some empty spots available. We were seated rather promptly by the hostess, given menus, and then waited...and waited....for someone to come by. Not a single server entered/exited the restaurant to check on the other tables, either. About 10 minutes after being seated (and we were just about to get up to leave), a server came over. We were ready to order, but we were told they were out of several dishes. After finding out that one of our entrees was 86-ed, we asked for a moment to revisit the menu while we waited for glassware to be delivered to our table. We placed our order for an appetizer and two entrees. The Crab Louis appetizer came out very quickly; which we enjoyed thoroughly. In previous visits, courses have come out rather quickly and there is little interruption between them (I eat slower, so sometimes I'm still finishing when my entree arrives). I'd say it was between 15 to 20 minutes from the time that our appetizer was cleared and when our entree arrived. Again, I am conceding that the place was unusually busy, but this was now after 9pm, and no new customers had come in. I had ordered the scallops and the mr had ordered the goat cheese gnocchi. I enjoyed my entree, but the mr was disappointed in the gnocchi. There was no flavor of goat cheese and the dish was hopped up on much too much garlic and crushed red pepper. We had received a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant, so dinner (incl. tax and tip) cost less than $20 that evening. We did not get dessert and opted to visit a place nearby for ice cream. Sadly, a place that was such a great go-to restaurant has me thinking that I will probably hesitate about a return visit. I'm bummed about that.
(2)
Melissa S.
(4) ~ Overall Food (1) ~ Service OUR MENU: * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Appetizer = (4) very good * Meals = (4) very good * Desserts (5) excellent The server was terrible. It was not very busy for a Thursday night. He (John) was not interested in us at all. He did not want to accomadate our requests and put his hands on his hips when we had questions. At the end of the evening he tried to scam us when paying separately by taking some of the cash but charging more than should have been on the credit card. Seriously...4 professional women would not check this? Too bad. He made the end of the evening finsh poorly. Jerk.
(3)
Cheryl M.
We stopped at the Black Lab when in the area looking at houses. I had the french toast brioche with berries. It was fantastic. Just the perfect size to fill you up but not too much. The berries were fresh, the cream cheese filling was not too sweet and just complimented the toast perfectly. The plate came with homemade whipped cream. The place was adorable and the service was great. I thought it was a perfect breakfast.
(4)
Gullbritt M.
The food was bottom of the line. The onion soup tasted as made from bouillon cubes, salty and raw. Applebees' hamburger is better and at half the price! The environment very pleasant and service attentive. Going back? Doubt it....
(1)
Stephen W.
Phoenixille Is undergoing a rare transformation from rusty industrial town to a vibrant, entertaining main street of galleries, shops and restaurants. One of the best restaurants is the Black Lab. BL features one of the most interesting and creative menus in the area. The weekend Specials list may be all that you need. A BYOB, we had a nice white wine with their swordfish in puttenesca sauce atop penne with broccoli rabe. Terrific. Black Lab is not inexpensive compared to chain pubs, but the food is far better. Prices are reasonable considering how careful and fresh the selections tend to be. Perfect evening - casual dinner at an outside table at the Black Lab, the cross the street for a small-run indie film at the Colonial Theater.
(4)
Lauren F.
Went to the Black Lab for my birthday dinner last summer. Decided last minute, and I was uber concerned about there being a wait. Only five minutes and we were seated. The place was a pretty packed and a little loud for my taste but the meal and service certainly make up for it. Our server was excellent and so kind. Although I would be too for the prices. I started off with the foie gras (the special that night). Felt like heaven in my mouth. For my entree I ordered the salmon. Really good. The risotto underneath was way better if I do say so. My younger sister ordered the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese and loved it!! The desserts were possibly the best part of the meal. There were four of us and we all decided to order something different for each and split it. The creme brulee, cheesecake, and tiramisu were pretty good but the cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich was out of this world. EAT IT EAT IT! Overall, me likey. Me likey a lot
(5)
Chris H.
Absolutely LOVE this place! Been here several times and have always had an amazing dinner! The calamari with the "sauce" is out of this world! I don't stray too far off what I know and love - the Filet Oscar. You don't need a knife - it is that tender. And the flavor...just an amazing place! Keep it up!
(5)
reviewer m.
I went here for dinner and had the Colossal Lump Crab Cakes....these are not very tasty in my opinion and for the price, I would not go back. The crab did not have a lot of flavor and I was still starving after the meal. The atmosphere was nice and friendly, but it is quite loud and hard to hear people at your table. I'm not really sure why there was a line to eat there considering the quality of the food and ambience were lacking. I think it's mostly locals but not worth the drive. I would not care to return here.
(3)
Holly H.
We've brought another 6 people here last night and had a fab time. I'm glad they're a neighborhood staple.
(5)
Kristine G.
I bookmarked this place awhile ago when I read these beautiful words, "cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich" but on Saturday we finally had the time to go there for lunch. When you first walk in, the entryway is painted like Starry night and there are Van Gogh paintings throughout the restaurant (along with other artists). He's my favorite so instantly I liked the decor. We started with the duck egg rolls for an appetizer. They were tasty, but very small and probably not worth the $8 or $9 we paid. We decided to split their lobster mac n cheese. Now, I can only compare this to Gypsy Saloon's lobster mac n cheese and Gypsy's is definitely better but in a different way. Gypsy's is like a big bowl of comfort mac n cheese with big chunks of lobster. Black Lab's was like a spring lobster mac n cheese. It was light, aromatic, and the lobster was more part of the dish rather than a separate entity. It was topped with panko for a nice crunch, but they did go a little panko happy. Usually we split dessert, but I was set on having the cinnamon bun and Jeff had other ideas (he's not so smart sometimes). He ordered banana foster crepes with vanilla ice cream. First, it wasn't an ice cream sandwich like I normally picture them. It seriously was a cinnamon bun cut in half, piping hot, with all the sugary goodness covered with ice cream. It was awesome. Our waitress was really nice. She even insisted on fixing our wobbly table that neither one of us noticed. Overall, I'm glad that other yelpers led me to bookmark this place. It won't disappoint you.
(4)
Rob R.
I arrived, I went to their bathroom only to find the door hard to close, not a normal lock a bolt lock, very downtrodden. I have to wash may hands because the latch had to be muscled before I could lock the door. had to search the bathroom for the soap, found it up on a shelf. Set it on the sink and it slid down the sink wanting to dump into the sink due to the slanted sinktop. Wash my hands .... the water got too hot to the point of being unsafe. (Dag I really gotta go) ... wash up after using the facility only to step on the garbage pail stomper to find it did not open the lid, I'm like this is like a bad bar bathroom and I thought we stepped into a restaurant for some lunch ... I go back to my table where my wife was seated and I see a few flys about the table on the menus. I just said ... honey we aint staying here, let's go. Down to Molly McGuires where we had a lovely lunch on the outdoor terrace. Best decision we made. This place is dark in the daylight. Sorry Black Lab you missed the cut on first impression.
(2)
Catherine N.
Took mom to Mother's Day brunch here. The food was very good. Mom and hubby had crab cakes and were both happy to find real chunks of crab inside. Our only complaint was that the acoustics, especially with such a large crowd, made talking to each other difficult without shouting. Overall, a nice place and we'll be back.
(3)
Alex C.
This is really 31/2 stars. This is a very cute restaurant and a BYOB (both big pluses), with a looooong menu! It really is overwhelming! The atmosphere is great, it's nice and loud, makes you feel like you're somewhere more hip. But back to the food and the menu. It is one of the longest menus I have ever seen. There are plenty of things that look and sound good but unfortunately my immediate reaction when I see such a large menu is that there is no way everything can be fresh. They did have a specials menu that changes every day so I would suggest sticking to ordering from there, just to be safe! We were a party of four so we all decided to try a couple of different things. We ended up starting with the mussels, oysters, frishee salad and the beet salad, as well as sharing a small order of the lobster mac n cheese. I had the mussels, and it was a HUGE order of mussels with plenty to share between 2 people. The mussels were very good in a tomatoey-vodka sauce. I also sampled the lobster mac n cheese which was good but not as rich as I had hoped but not bad by any means! For our main I tried the "Fisherman's platter" which consisted of small samples of salmon, tilapia, crab cake, and shrimp. It was pretty good, but I wasn't sure how everything fit in together. All the components individually were good, and it's good if you want to sample a lot of different things so next time you can order the one you liked the best! I do have to recommend the crab cakes which was awesome, lots of crab meat. All in all we had a really great dining experience. Dessert was ok, all our our cobblers and pies were cold which was a disspointment but the ice cream was delicious! The loud ceilings makes the dining room loud, in a good way of course! Our waitress was very helpful and nice as well which added to the experience! Lastly, I hadn't been to Phoenixville in a long time, and it truly is going thru a major rejuvenation. That being said, it's still Phoenixville....unfortunately. Give it another 3-5 years and I'm sure not only the buildings but the atmosphere will be just like West Chester.
(3)
cotie s.
Last night was probably our sixth visit and while not completely disappointing a couple items we ordered were mediocre. My sights are set high when we go to Black Lab, so being let down may be too easy. Chicken Livers: Awesome! Best item we had. Chicken livers, onions, bacon, citrus, delicious. Potato Pancakes: Not so much. Kinda weird consistency of the cakes and the lox were okay. The dish did not make a lot of sense. New York Strip: Good, just not great. My wife actually ordered the Rib Eye, which she was told they were out of? Hmmm...the Rib Eye was probably better. The steak was well seasoned, though a little overdone for my tastes and we ordered it medium. Game Trio: Been debating ordering this every time and finally dropped the hammer and ordered. The quail was the highlight. Cooked perfectly and season lightly. Venison medallion, tender well seasoned. Buffalo Rib Eye, tender and well cooked, just under seasoned. Chocolate Ravioli: I really liked theses. They are made with chocolate pasta, filled with chocolate ganache, accompanied with whip cream and raspberries. Served warm with just a little crispiness on the pasta. Mouthwatering. There are enough new menu items to keep us coming back to black lab. Though I would like them to bring back a couple items I've had in the past that were really good.
(4)
Maria W.
Not much selection for vegetarians. Onion soupis amazing! Our server, Jim, was completely disinterested in us- we barely saw him. I had to flag him down for pepper for my salad, and he just tossed it onto the table. On the upside-our busboy was very attentive and helpful!
(3)
Julie S.
We went with friends on a cold, rainy Tuesday night @ 7:30. It was pretty obvious that customers were not clamoring to eat out that night- so I found it a bit bizarre to be asked "did we have a reservation" in lieu of a "good evening, welcome..." We were seated to a 4 top along the chair wall near the door. Those tables are really small and too close together. Calamari with 5 spice and sambal aioli: really tasty, lightly seasoned and dusted, fried to perfection with tentacles and all ( husband was quite happy). Moules with garlic creme: Lacking in any real flavor, did not taste all the layering of garlic, white wine, parsley. Could have used some reduction of the juices with the cream...it was too milky and very watery. House salad: fresh, crunchy and crispy Andouille pasta: All the good ingredients were there, but the tomato creme could have been executed a bit better. Pasta with crabmeat: Looked like marinara with crab in it. The presentation was not an "ooh-ah" moment Diver sea scallops with pecans: The dish tasted great, the pecans were savory with the mashed potatoes and demi glaze. My one disappointment was in the scallops, seared to perfection and left on the heat too long. They were too rubbery by the time they got the table and there was no translucency left in the middle of the scallop. A more gentle hand with them would have been perfection. Shrimp scampi with lemon risotto and spinach: Another great combination, and the seafood just a bit overdone. Great flavors, good presentation. Blueberry creme brulee: Creme brulee with blueberry garnish. Had the perfect "burnt" sugar crust that cracked with my spoon with the creamy, smooth vanilla custard that was perfection. ( I am VERY particular about how creme brulee is made, and made well!) Overall, the service was attentive and not over bearing. The food could use a little tweaking, but all the great flavors and ingredients are there. This has the potential of being something really great and we look forward to them stepping it up a notch on a return visit.
(3)
James M.
Sat down just as they opened at 5 pm on a Saturday. Excellent service, food and the room temperature was perfect. Our table was in a tight-corner: on one side, the 3 chairs were against the wall, on other side, my chair was right up-against a chair behind me. Expensive, $38 per person (water, appetizers and entrees only; no drinks or desserts), but each dish was very good. Note: no reservations on the weekend; don't take Discover Card.
(5)
Percy N.
Always enjoyed grabbing lunch there or an occasional dinner. The freshly made and well executed salads as well as soups and sandwiches make it a favorite lunch destination in the area. The lobster bisque is excellent as is their burger. I feel compelled to warn those who are pressed for time that on more than a few occasions service has been a bit slow, so don't expect a 30 min lunch here unless you sit at the "kitchen bar" area. If you are lucky, you will find street side parking and grab a table outside when the weather is good. They have a private lot behind the store, which is quite small, but luckily there are a few public parking areas nearby.
(4)
Joanna F.
I went with a friend for lunch on Saturday and we arrived 20 minutes before the kitchen closed for the gap between lunch and dinner. Our service was fast and friendly, and we were certainly not made to feel rushed or that we were inconveniencing them, which can be the case at some places. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually thought the prices were decent. I'm not sure if they're worse at dinnertime. Both of us ordered off the specials menu. I had a cuban sandwich that seemed appropriately priced at $10 because it was huge and I got two full meals out of it. It was loaded with meat and homemade pickles and was delicious. My only minor gripe is that there was too much butter on the outside so it was a bit greasy. My friend had the shrimp scampi with risotto, which cost $12 and was delicious except that it had too much garlic (and we are big garlic eaters so that's saying something if we agree that there's too much in a dish. You can't be too careful with all those vampires around, you know). We also split the duck spring rolls as an appetizer which were tasty and had a really good sauce. So basically, some minor issues with the food but overall we agreed that we were happy with the flavor and with the price and that we would definitely go back. Next time I'll bring a bottle of wine though, now that I know it's a byob!
(4)
Katie H.
Amazing food. BYOB. The magic concept of Philadelphia works well here. Great atmosphere and service rounded out all of my experiences here. One thing to think about: I love seafood and almost cried because their carmelized sea scallops were so good. Try them if given the opportunity. The main drawbacks are wait time and food to dollar ratio, but you aren't going to a place like this for three days worth of leftovers.
(4)
Dan P.
I went with a friend and we both had a hard time deciding what to order. We had great service and didnt have to wait long on a friday night at 730. They were very accomodating. The bread and butter was tasty and the first course of salads were fresh. The caesar was tasty and flavorful , I cleaned the plate with a piece of bread. The house salad was finished off by my dining companion. Our Entrees arrived promptly and cooked to order. I had the Ribeye with the mac and cheese and it was really good! The argentinian steak was very flavorful and the cajun spices were not over bearing. Dessert was very tasty the carrot cupcake and the pumpkin cheese cake were both devoured barley leaving the sauce on the plate. I always enjoy my meal at the Black lab.
(5)
Jean H.
Fantastic meal of butterfish - perfectly cooked with a flavorful salsa. Decent service, nice decor. I went with a large group but seems more like a date night restaurant. Will definitely go back.
(3)
Matthew M.
My wife and I love the Black Lab. It's our favorite place in Phoenixville. It's a little more expensive than some other places in town (save Majolica), but it's well worth it. ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere inside is great. It's not an enormous place, I'd say they probably have twenty tables or so. Very nice refurbished room with exposed brick and high ceilings. In the summertime they open the windows and have seating outside. Patrons tend to be well-to-do couples or larger groups of yuppie friends. Dress is casual, but nice. Jeans are acceptable, but I personally wouldn't wear sneakers (not that they'll throw you out if you do). SERVICE: The wait staff is always friendly and attentive, if not phenomenal. Our table was rocking a bit the last time we were there, and the waitress was kind enough to stoop down and prop up one leg with a napkin for us. Very thoughtful. I recently learned from a staff member that they take reservations for dinner during the week, but not on Friday or Saturday nights. If you go on a weekend, be sure to get there around 6 or wait until around 8:30, otherwise you'll likely have to wait for a table. FOOD: We've never had anything bad at the Black Lab. Our most recent visit was a couple weeks ago to celebrate my wife's birthday. She got the crab cakes and I got a pan seared cod on lobster rizzotto, both of which were excellent. I always try and get the lobster bisque if it's available. Excellent! For dessert we ordered the Tiramisu, which rivaled what I have tasted in Florence. The Black Lab is BYOB, but if you happen to forget your wine there is a liquor store conveniently located right down the street. OVERALL: If someone wanted to dine in Phoenixville one time for the rest of his life, I would send him to the Black Lab. Go there. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Phil G.
I give Black Lab a lot of credit for being one of the pioneer restaurants in the new Phoenixville. The atmosphere is great, perfect for the area. The menu is a little formulaic--why are all restaurants in this area obsessed with lobster mac and cheese?--but not too expensive for what it is. I had lunch there recently with a fairly large group. My seared tuna was ok--good conception, good ingredients, but overcooked. Others at my table had the burger, which was good. The crab cake sandwich was also well-liked by my companions. My main criticism? The service was very off-puting. We were there towards the end of the lunch hour, and although the hostess was very cheerful and told us we had plenty of time before closing, the waitress was visibly annoyed at our presence, and reminded us at every interval that they were closing soon. If you don't want to be open, don't be open!
(3)
Jessica A.
Black Lab has become one of my fiance and my favorite spots in the suburbs. Phoenixville is really going through a revolution, and spots like this are helping push that along. The restaurant is small and cozy (and can get loud as a result), but the best feature is definitely the food. Start out with the lobster bisque, which is creamy with just the right amount of sherry. I've had several entrees there, which have never been disappointing. You can't go wrong with any of their steaks, which are always cooked perfectly. And for dessert I would HIGHLY recommend the cinnamon bun sundae. Service can be slow at times, but it's never been an issue for us.
(5)
Vikki C.
We ate dessert here twice, once at a table, and once at the bar. DH had the hot chocolate cake and the creme brulee, both very nicely done. A good solid 8 out of 10, great presentation. I had the banana crepes and the cinnamon bun sundae. The crepes were delightful, possibly the best dessert of the entire trip. I was disappointed in the sundae. Not that it wasn't good, presentation was great, ice cream was excellent. But after you've had (and love) Mr. Sticky's sticky buns nothing else ever compares. And don't get me wrong - the bun was moist and had a cinnamon taste, but I'd expected so much more after the banana crepes...
(4)
Damien V.
After hearing good reviews from friends about this place, my wife and I decided to try it last Friday night. Although there are no reservations on Fridays, we did a call ahead 1 hour before we arrived. Once at the restaurant around 7:30 PM, we waited less than 20 minutes to get seated. No complaints there. When we were seated, we waited around 5 minutes before someone came over to greet us. Not bad considering how busy they were. The waiter approached our table and opened with "Have you decided?" No introduction, no "Can I get you a bucket of ice and a bottle opener for your BYO?" and no explanation of the specials or menu recommendations. The waiter's poor level of service continued throughout the meal and his interaction with us was lacking to the point it was awkward. The guys walking around refilling the water glasses did a better job of taking care of us. Food: Lobster bisque for both, Seafood diablo for me and Teriyaki Salmon pasta for my wife. The bisque was the best part of dinner although not the best I have ever had. Both seafood pasta dinners were overpriced and quality was average. Overall the restaurants "don't care" attitude towards it's customers was the most disappointing aspect. With all of the restaurants and bars in downtown Phoenixville, I see no reason to go back here.
(2)
David F.
Black Lab is consistently very good. They do a great job of maintaining high quality meals with all of the selections they offer. Black Lab is a staple for good food and good times (we love eating here). I just at at Black Lab again and the food was out of this world again. They just continue to serve consistently good food with great service and always seem to put their best foot forward. Bring some friends, bring some wine and bring your appetite.
(4)
Kristina C.
By far one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Brunch, lunch, dinner - I have never had anything I didn't love. My trust in the menu here has caused me to try things I wouldn't normally try and I remain impressed.
(5)
Mark S.
I had a very pleasant and delicious lunch there the other day. My only issue is eating outside is noisy w/ traffic, but it is what it is. Try the shrimp & arugula w/watermelon or the tuna tartar. Very good.
(4)
Charles R.
Really good spot for lunch. Always fresh and they usually have game on the menu. Never been for dinner since they don't take reservations of Fri or Sat. BYO, takes most credit cards and you can go to the Columbia Hotel piano bar after dinner for a drink.
(4)
Jessica H.
I've only ever been here for breakfast, but I always thought that it was fantastic. They used to have weekly specials including pumpkin pancakes, and french toast, eggs benedict; in addition to delicious staples like omelets and their bakery. It's been a while since I've been in P-ville but I still often think about my yummy meals there.
(4)
Statia M.
I believe that this is the same restaurant that's on Bridge street. Unless there's another Black Lab one street over. Anyway, friends of ours have been raving about this place for awhile, and even before we moved back to the area, I've been wanting to try it out. The place is quaint and warm. We were seated quickly and were attended to promptly. One thing I liked about this place is that it wasn't just your average menu. They had pureed parsnips, which I LOVE. They had a very large daily specials menu, which made it incredibly hard for me to choose what I wanted. It's better to have a hard time deciding because it all looks so good, rather than having a hard time deciding what to have because it all looks crappy We decided on a couple of appetizers (artichoke fritters with marscapone dip and duck confit. Both were pretty good. I had the filet and my husband had the striped sea bass, which looked pretty good too, and I don't really like fish. The service was, OK. The wait staff seemed rather annoyed, which, kind of put me on edge. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hopefully it was just an off night. The restaurant is BYO, which is both good and bad. I was aware of it beforehand, so we could stop off and grab a bottle of wine. Sometimes I like BYO, since it tends to make the bill a little more inexpensive, and other times, I'd rather just pay someone to make me a drink. I don't always like to have wine with dinner, but it is what it is. It didn't take away from the restaurant at all. Definitely someplace that I would visit again. There were a lot of things on the menu that I'd like to try.
(4)
Kathy O.
We have never had a bad meal at the Black Lab Bistro in trendy new Phoenixville. My favorites are the Artichoke appetizer and the Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream sandwich dessert. You can never go wrong when they have the Butterfish entree as a special. Would not recommend for large groups as the room is too small. Love when we can sit at the tables on the sidewalk on summer evenings. First Fridays in the summer in Phoenixville are the best, but you have to get there before 6 for a seat.
(5)
M. I.
Black Lab Bistro is a charming little place in the heart of downtown Phoenixville. I have been there a couple of times and will definitely go back. The food is absolutely fantastic (I had the filet mignon last time) and the service is wonderful. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)
Diona S.
My husband and I went for dinner this evening. First the menu is too large and way over priced. I ordered chicken with asparagus, EVOO, and penne. What a horrible experience! I swear that penne must have been microwaved. It was dark brown in color and completely crunchy. Not to mention the fact that the dish was not just a puddle, but a pool of oil! Don't use EVOO like you would red tomato gravy. I had to send it back and the waitress even agreed that she thought the pasta looked overcooked. The excuse we got was that the chef was trying to caramelize the penne..that's why there was so much oil. What? My husband's shrimp were also overcook and complete rubber. I thought it was overpriced when we sat down...it was worse when I experienced the food.
(1)
Henry B.
We had an enjoyable dinner there last Saturday. The food was good, but not as outstanding as others have suggested. I had mussels with Vodka sauce. The sauce was outstanding, but the mussels were dry as was the pasta. My wife had an excellent shrimp dish. The room was very crowded and noisy. The tin ceilings which are attractive make it a very noisy room. Service was very good, but a bit slow. I think it is very good, but over rated.
(3)
JM T.
We have been going to the Black Lab since it first opened. It had a nice atmosphere, great food and was very welcoming. We've been back several times since their remodeling a few years ago but have found it to be much stuffier and don't enjoy it nearly as much. The food is still really good but we rarely go anymore due to the 'stuffiness'.
(3)
Jeff H.
Had my birthday dinner here last week. Very decent food at a fair price. Not a 5 star establishment but the portions are large and the food is very well done. Definitely a place I will return to again and again. Staff was friendly and service was quick. BYOB as well which is a plus.
(4)
Eduardo C.
We were looking for a place to have a nice dinner one night and it came up as a good option. We found this small place cozy and interesting. The menu was diverse and our appetizers and entrees were delicious. For the price range, we thought it was superb. I will be returning to try something else from their great menu. I took away one star because when we called to check for reservations they did not mention that it was BYOB, so my date and I had to settle for diet cokes for dinner. Otherwise, great place with great taste!
(4)
Prasant N.
Got there around 8 o'clock on a Tuesday Night after Christmas with no reservation and they were able to sit us within 10 minutes which was great considering it was pretty full. The only bad thing was it was BYOB and we forgot so we had to order sodas to drink. I had the Chrgrilled Filet and Truffled Mashed Potatoes which was really good I would recommend to anyone. For dessert, I ended up ordering the Cinnamon Bun and Ice Cream which was okay and one of the reasons I am giving it four stars instead of five. Also even though it is a great food it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay. Overall I would recommend this place to someone looking for a good place to eat in Phoenixville.
(4)
Local Guest D.
The Black Lab is the BEST restaurant in Phoenixville for the quality and variety of on the menu! The menu is diverse and unique with specials that would keep you coming back for quite some time! We had the duck breast and scallops and it was out of this world! My guest had the seafood fra diablo - definitely worth every penny!!! The atmosphere was great - wait time was a bit long but well worth it!!! We enjoyed our experience and would STRONGLY recommend to those restaurant goers who don't want to have just an "average" dining experience. The Black Lab is the place for a great meal and night out and hands down is the best in Phoenixville!!!!!
(5)
Donna S.
I ate here a few weeks ago for lunch and it was awesome. We each got a sandwich and we split the fries with blue cheese on them. The fries were to die for and I'm not a huge blue cheese person. But it was good blue cheese, which makes a difference. I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. The atmosphere was great and so was the service.
(5)
Becky N.
my new favorite restaurant! they have a really versatile menu and everything on it is done to perfection. Last time I went I got the Frisee salad to start and then the crepe manicotti. INCREDIBLE. just, wow. Dinner can be a little pricey by their lunch menu can't be beat. Best meal you'll ever get.
(5)
Guy S.
First Time eating here. I took my girlfriend here last Friday night. The service was good and our waiter was friendly. The restaurant is BYOB. We don't drink so don't mind that, but if you drink be prepared. The menu is huge. It can be difficult to pick an entree, but we were never rushed and any questions we had regarding how dishes were prepared were answered well. I tried the $14.00 Lobster Mac & Cheese. It was good but not $14 dollars good. Both of our entrees were delicious. The fish was cook nicely and the sauces paired well and were not drowning out the flavor of the dish. I had the scallops, also very nice, the sauce was sweet and complimented the dish. the atmosphere is busy and loud but it was comfortable and did not make me feel rushed or unwelcome. Our bill was almost $90.00 with tip. I have no problem shelling out cash for gourmet restaurants and high end cuisine but $90.00 in Phoneixville seems a tad much. Next time I would drive to Philly. If you are local and don't mind over paying a little bit for a nice meal I totally recommend this place. Everything was good and satisfying, just felt it could have been priced more reasonably.
(3)
Allison C.
Have been meaning to get to Black Lab Bistro for a couple years now, and I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. Had a wonderful meal! Atmosphere was great, service was great and the food was outstanding. My husband and I split a starter, each had an entree and could barely finish dessert, needless to say food was substantial! It was hard to decide on what to get - too many wonderful choices AND the specials offered more than doubled the menu. Great selection of beef and fish entrees. Can't wait to get back!!!
(5)
Brendan E.
Fantastic place to eat. Great atmosphere, great food. A little pricey for dinner, but definitely worth it. Their brunch is quite reasonable and also quite delicious. The service is lacking...but not enough to downgrade the food.
(5)
Tim F.
The food, atmosphere and service are all A+. A favorite place for us to take friends and family from out of town.
(5)
Jand J.
If I could give this restaurant less than 1 star, I would. Avoid it. The decor is bland, and the food is not much better, although terribly overpriced. I am a vegetarian and mistakenly missed that the dish I ordered had bacon in it. I returned it to the waitress, with my apologies, and was treated nothing short of disdainfully. My meal was replaced with another that clearly was still cooked in bacon. When I explained I needed to return it, I was told I could not. THE WAITRESS would not allow me to return the meal, nor to speak to a manager. I paid $20 for 5 ravioli that I cannot eat. My companion paid $65 for a very mediocre meal. The service is terrible, the food is so-so, and the decor is boring, at best. I highly suggest dining at ANY of the other wonderful restaurants in Phoenixville and avoiding this place at all costs.
(1)
Barb ..
Finally, some sophistication has come to "re-Phurbished" Phoenixville, thanks in part to the newly improved Black Lab Bistro & Bakery. Within the last couple of years Black Lab has "morphed" from a place that strived to be upscale but didn't quite make the mark, into one that finally found itself and delivers. If you are expecting "Mom's Meatloaf" to still be on the menu, there's a new Iron Hill down the block. As for first course selections, you will discover Bella Foie Gras in lieu of cheese fries, Colossal Lump Crab Cake in lieu of potato skins and Calamari in lieu of french onion soup. Sushi Grade Tuna, Veal Tenderlion Medallions, Surf & Turf and Scottish Salmon are among the list of wonderful entree choices. Black Lab is an attractive, cozy little bistro with a decor that boasts exposed brick, bright yellow walls, and contrasting dark woods. The cuisine is carefully prepared and artfully presented. BYO. Entrees range in price from the low $20s to low $30s. Don't overlook the "& Bakery"...save room for dessert.
(4)
Melinda S.
way over priced, poor food selection, vegetarian unfriendly food. we went there for dinner looked at the menu and got up and left. went to iron hill instead!
(1)
reviewer m.
I went here for dinner and had the Colossal Lump Crab Cakes....these are not very tasty in my opinion and for the price, I would not go back. The crab did not have a lot of flavor and I was still starving after the meal. The atmosphere was nice and friendly, but it is quite loud and hard to hear people at your table. I'm not really sure why there was a line to eat there considering the quality of the food and ambience were lacking. I think it's mostly locals but not worth the drive. I would not care to return here.
(3)
Gullbritt M.
The food was bottom of the line. The onion soup tasted as made from bouillon cubes, salty and raw. Applebees' hamburger is better and at half the price! The environment very pleasant and service attentive. Going back? Doubt it....
(1)
Stephen W.
Phoenixille Is undergoing a rare transformation from rusty industrial town to a vibrant, entertaining main street of galleries, shops and restaurants. One of the best restaurants is the Black Lab. BL features one of the most interesting and creative menus in the area. The weekend Specials list may be all that you need. A BYOB, we had a nice white wine with their swordfish in puttenesca sauce atop penne with broccoli rabe. Terrific. Black Lab is not inexpensive compared to chain pubs, but the food is far better. Prices are reasonable considering how careful and fresh the selections tend to be. Perfect evening - casual dinner at an outside table at the Black Lab, the cross the street for a small-run indie film at the Colonial Theater.
(4)
Lauren F.
Went to the Black Lab for my birthday dinner last summer. Decided last minute, and I was uber concerned about there being a wait. Only five minutes and we were seated. The place was a pretty packed and a little loud for my taste but the meal and service certainly make up for it. Our server was excellent and so kind. Although I would be too for the prices. I started off with the foie gras (the special that night). Felt like heaven in my mouth. For my entree I ordered the salmon. Really good. The risotto underneath was way better if I do say so. My younger sister ordered the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese and loved it!! The desserts were possibly the best part of the meal. There were four of us and we all decided to order something different for each and split it. The creme brulee, cheesecake, and tiramisu were pretty good but the cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich was out of this world. EAT IT EAT IT! Overall, me likey. Me likey a lot
(5)
Chris H.
Absolutely LOVE this place! Been here several times and have always had an amazing dinner! The calamari with the "sauce" is out of this world! I don't stray too far off what I know and love - the Filet Oscar. You don't need a knife - it is that tender. And the flavor...just an amazing place! Keep it up!
(5)
Kristine G.
I bookmarked this place awhile ago when I read these beautiful words, "cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich" but on Saturday we finally had the time to go there for lunch. When you first walk in, the entryway is painted like Starry night and there are Van Gogh paintings throughout the restaurant (along with other artists). He's my favorite so instantly I liked the decor. We started with the duck egg rolls for an appetizer. They were tasty, but very small and probably not worth the $8 or $9 we paid. We decided to split their lobster mac n cheese. Now, I can only compare this to Gypsy Saloon's lobster mac n cheese and Gypsy's is definitely better but in a different way. Gypsy's is like a big bowl of comfort mac n cheese with big chunks of lobster. Black Lab's was like a spring lobster mac n cheese. It was light, aromatic, and the lobster was more part of the dish rather than a separate entity. It was topped with panko for a nice crunch, but they did go a little panko happy. Usually we split dessert, but I was set on having the cinnamon bun and Jeff had other ideas (he's not so smart sometimes). He ordered banana foster crepes with vanilla ice cream. First, it wasn't an ice cream sandwich like I normally picture them. It seriously was a cinnamon bun cut in half, piping hot, with all the sugary goodness covered with ice cream. It was awesome. Our waitress was really nice. She even insisted on fixing our wobbly table that neither one of us noticed. Overall, I'm glad that other yelpers led me to bookmark this place. It won't disappoint you.
(4)
Rob R.
I arrived, I went to their bathroom only to find the door hard to close, not a normal lock a bolt lock, very downtrodden. I have to wash may hands because the latch had to be muscled before I could lock the door. had to search the bathroom for the soap, found it up on a shelf. Set it on the sink and it slid down the sink wanting to dump into the sink due to the slanted sinktop. Wash my hands .... the water got too hot to the point of being unsafe. (Dag I really gotta go) ... wash up after using the facility only to step on the garbage pail stomper to find it did not open the lid, I'm like this is like a bad bar bathroom and I thought we stepped into a restaurant for some lunch ... I go back to my table where my wife was seated and I see a few flys about the table on the menus. I just said ... honey we aint staying here, let's go. Down to Molly McGuires where we had a lovely lunch on the outdoor terrace. Best decision we made. This place is dark in the daylight. Sorry Black Lab you missed the cut on first impression.
(2)
Catherine N.
Took mom to Mother's Day brunch here. The food was very good. Mom and hubby had crab cakes and were both happy to find real chunks of crab inside. Our only complaint was that the acoustics, especially with such a large crowd, made talking to each other difficult without shouting. Overall, a nice place and we'll be back.
(3)
Alex C.
This is really 31/2 stars. This is a very cute restaurant and a BYOB (both big pluses), with a looooong menu! It really is overwhelming! The atmosphere is great, it's nice and loud, makes you feel like you're somewhere more hip. But back to the food and the menu. It is one of the longest menus I have ever seen. There are plenty of things that look and sound good but unfortunately my immediate reaction when I see such a large menu is that there is no way everything can be fresh. They did have a specials menu that changes every day so I would suggest sticking to ordering from there, just to be safe! We were a party of four so we all decided to try a couple of different things. We ended up starting with the mussels, oysters, frishee salad and the beet salad, as well as sharing a small order of the lobster mac n cheese. I had the mussels, and it was a HUGE order of mussels with plenty to share between 2 people. The mussels were very good in a tomatoey-vodka sauce. I also sampled the lobster mac n cheese which was good but not as rich as I had hoped but not bad by any means! For our main I tried the "Fisherman's platter" which consisted of small samples of salmon, tilapia, crab cake, and shrimp. It was pretty good, but I wasn't sure how everything fit in together. All the components individually were good, and it's good if you want to sample a lot of different things so next time you can order the one you liked the best! I do have to recommend the crab cakes which was awesome, lots of crab meat. All in all we had a really great dining experience. Dessert was ok, all our our cobblers and pies were cold which was a disspointment but the ice cream was delicious! The loud ceilings makes the dining room loud, in a good way of course! Our waitress was very helpful and nice as well which added to the experience! Lastly, I hadn't been to Phoenixville in a long time, and it truly is going thru a major rejuvenation. That being said, it's still Phoenixville....unfortunately. Give it another 3-5 years and I'm sure not only the buildings but the atmosphere will be just like West Chester.
(3)
cotie s.
Last night was probably our sixth visit and while not completely disappointing a couple items we ordered were mediocre. My sights are set high when we go to Black Lab, so being let down may be too easy. Chicken Livers: Awesome! Best item we had. Chicken livers, onions, bacon, citrus, delicious. Potato Pancakes: Not so much. Kinda weird consistency of the cakes and the lox were okay. The dish did not make a lot of sense. New York Strip: Good, just not great. My wife actually ordered the Rib Eye, which she was told they were out of? Hmmm...the Rib Eye was probably better. The steak was well seasoned, though a little overdone for my tastes and we ordered it medium. Game Trio: Been debating ordering this every time and finally dropped the hammer and ordered. The quail was the highlight. Cooked perfectly and season lightly. Venison medallion, tender well seasoned. Buffalo Rib Eye, tender and well cooked, just under seasoned. Chocolate Ravioli: I really liked theses. They are made with chocolate pasta, filled with chocolate ganache, accompanied with whip cream and raspberries. Served warm with just a little crispiness on the pasta. Mouthwatering. There are enough new menu items to keep us coming back to black lab. Though I would like them to bring back a couple items I've had in the past that were really good.
(4)
Holly H.
We've brought another 6 people here last night and had a fab time. I'm glad they're a neighborhood staple.
(5)
Maria W.
Not much selection for vegetarians. Onion soupis amazing! Our server, Jim, was completely disinterested in us- we barely saw him. I had to flag him down for pepper for my salad, and he just tossed it onto the table. On the upside-our busboy was very attentive and helpful!
(3)
Julie S.
We went with friends on a cold, rainy Tuesday night @ 7:30. It was pretty obvious that customers were not clamoring to eat out that night- so I found it a bit bizarre to be asked "did we have a reservation" in lieu of a "good evening, welcome..." We were seated to a 4 top along the chair wall near the door. Those tables are really small and too close together. Calamari with 5 spice and sambal aioli: really tasty, lightly seasoned and dusted, fried to perfection with tentacles and all ( husband was quite happy). Moules with garlic creme: Lacking in any real flavor, did not taste all the layering of garlic, white wine, parsley. Could have used some reduction of the juices with the cream...it was too milky and very watery. House salad: fresh, crunchy and crispy Andouille pasta: All the good ingredients were there, but the tomato creme could have been executed a bit better. Pasta with crabmeat: Looked like marinara with crab in it. The presentation was not an "ooh-ah" moment Diver sea scallops with pecans: The dish tasted great, the pecans were savory with the mashed potatoes and demi glaze. My one disappointment was in the scallops, seared to perfection and left on the heat too long. They were too rubbery by the time they got the table and there was no translucency left in the middle of the scallop. A more gentle hand with them would have been perfection. Shrimp scampi with lemon risotto and spinach: Another great combination, and the seafood just a bit overdone. Great flavors, good presentation. Blueberry creme brulee: Creme brulee with blueberry garnish. Had the perfect "burnt" sugar crust that cracked with my spoon with the creamy, smooth vanilla custard that was perfection. ( I am VERY particular about how creme brulee is made, and made well!) Overall, the service was attentive and not over bearing. The food could use a little tweaking, but all the great flavors and ingredients are there. This has the potential of being something really great and we look forward to them stepping it up a notch on a return visit.
(3)
James M.
Sat down just as they opened at 5 pm on a Saturday. Excellent service, food and the room temperature was perfect. Our table was in a tight-corner: on one side, the 3 chairs were against the wall, on other side, my chair was right up-against a chair behind me. Expensive, $38 per person (water, appetizers and entrees only; no drinks or desserts), but each dish was very good. Note: no reservations on the weekend; don't take Discover Card.
(5)
Joanna F.
I went with a friend for lunch on Saturday and we arrived 20 minutes before the kitchen closed for the gap between lunch and dinner. Our service was fast and friendly, and we were certainly not made to feel rushed or that we were inconveniencing them, which can be the case at some places. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually thought the prices were decent. I'm not sure if they're worse at dinnertime. Both of us ordered off the specials menu. I had a cuban sandwich that seemed appropriately priced at $10 because it was huge and I got two full meals out of it. It was loaded with meat and homemade pickles and was delicious. My only minor gripe is that there was too much butter on the outside so it was a bit greasy. My friend had the shrimp scampi with risotto, which cost $12 and was delicious except that it had too much garlic (and we are big garlic eaters so that's saying something if we agree that there's too much in a dish. You can't be too careful with all those vampires around, you know). We also split the duck spring rolls as an appetizer which were tasty and had a really good sauce. So basically, some minor issues with the food but overall we agreed that we were happy with the flavor and with the price and that we would definitely go back. Next time I'll bring a bottle of wine though, now that I know it's a byob!
(4)
Katie H.
Amazing food. BYOB. The magic concept of Philadelphia works well here. Great atmosphere and service rounded out all of my experiences here. One thing to think about: I love seafood and almost cried because their carmelized sea scallops were so good. Try them if given the opportunity. The main drawbacks are wait time and food to dollar ratio, but you aren't going to a place like this for three days worth of leftovers.
(4)
Dan P.
I went with a friend and we both had a hard time deciding what to order. We had great service and didnt have to wait long on a friday night at 730. They were very accomodating. The bread and butter was tasty and the first course of salads were fresh. The caesar was tasty and flavorful , I cleaned the plate with a piece of bread. The house salad was finished off by my dining companion. Our Entrees arrived promptly and cooked to order. I had the Ribeye with the mac and cheese and it was really good! The argentinian steak was very flavorful and the cajun spices were not over bearing. Dessert was very tasty the carrot cupcake and the pumpkin cheese cake were both devoured barley leaving the sauce on the plate. I always enjoy my meal at the Black lab.
(5)
Jean H.
Fantastic meal of butterfish - perfectly cooked with a flavorful salsa. Decent service, nice decor. I went with a large group but seems more like a date night restaurant. Will definitely go back.
(3)
Matthew M.
My wife and I love the Black Lab. It's our favorite place in Phoenixville. It's a little more expensive than some other places in town (save Majolica), but it's well worth it. ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere inside is great. It's not an enormous place, I'd say they probably have twenty tables or so. Very nice refurbished room with exposed brick and high ceilings. In the summertime they open the windows and have seating outside. Patrons tend to be well-to-do couples or larger groups of yuppie friends. Dress is casual, but nice. Jeans are acceptable, but I personally wouldn't wear sneakers (not that they'll throw you out if you do). SERVICE: The wait staff is always friendly and attentive, if not phenomenal. Our table was rocking a bit the last time we were there, and the waitress was kind enough to stoop down and prop up one leg with a napkin for us. Very thoughtful. I recently learned from a staff member that they take reservations for dinner during the week, but not on Friday or Saturday nights. If you go on a weekend, be sure to get there around 6 or wait until around 8:30, otherwise you'll likely have to wait for a table. FOOD: We've never had anything bad at the Black Lab. Our most recent visit was a couple weeks ago to celebrate my wife's birthday. She got the crab cakes and I got a pan seared cod on lobster rizzotto, both of which were excellent. I always try and get the lobster bisque if it's available. Excellent! For dessert we ordered the Tiramisu, which rivaled what I have tasted in Florence. The Black Lab is BYOB, but if you happen to forget your wine there is a liquor store conveniently located right down the street. OVERALL: If someone wanted to dine in Phoenixville one time for the rest of his life, I would send him to the Black Lab. Go there. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Phil G.
I give Black Lab a lot of credit for being one of the pioneer restaurants in the new Phoenixville. The atmosphere is great, perfect for the area. The menu is a little formulaic--why are all restaurants in this area obsessed with lobster mac and cheese?--but not too expensive for what it is. I had lunch there recently with a fairly large group. My seared tuna was ok--good conception, good ingredients, but overcooked. Others at my table had the burger, which was good. The crab cake sandwich was also well-liked by my companions. My main criticism? The service was very off-puting. We were there towards the end of the lunch hour, and although the hostess was very cheerful and told us we had plenty of time before closing, the waitress was visibly annoyed at our presence, and reminded us at every interval that they were closing soon. If you don't want to be open, don't be open!
(3)
Jessica A.
Black Lab has become one of my fiance and my favorite spots in the suburbs. Phoenixville is really going through a revolution, and spots like this are helping push that along. The restaurant is small and cozy (and can get loud as a result), but the best feature is definitely the food. Start out with the lobster bisque, which is creamy with just the right amount of sherry. I've had several entrees there, which have never been disappointing. You can't go wrong with any of their steaks, which are always cooked perfectly. And for dessert I would HIGHLY recommend the cinnamon bun sundae. Service can be slow at times, but it's never been an issue for us.
(5)
Percy N.
Always enjoyed grabbing lunch there or an occasional dinner. The freshly made and well executed salads as well as soups and sandwiches make it a favorite lunch destination in the area. The lobster bisque is excellent as is their burger. I feel compelled to warn those who are pressed for time that on more than a few occasions service has been a bit slow, so don't expect a 30 min lunch here unless you sit at the "kitchen bar" area. If you are lucky, you will find street side parking and grab a table outside when the weather is good. They have a private lot behind the store, which is quite small, but luckily there are a few public parking areas nearby.
(4)
Vikki C.
We ate dessert here twice, once at a table, and once at the bar. DH had the hot chocolate cake and the creme brulee, both very nicely done. A good solid 8 out of 10, great presentation. I had the banana crepes and the cinnamon bun sundae. The crepes were delightful, possibly the best dessert of the entire trip. I was disappointed in the sundae. Not that it wasn't good, presentation was great, ice cream was excellent. But after you've had (and love) Mr. Sticky's sticky buns nothing else ever compares. And don't get me wrong - the bun was moist and had a cinnamon taste, but I'd expected so much more after the banana crepes...
(4)
Damien V.
After hearing good reviews from friends about this place, my wife and I decided to try it last Friday night. Although there are no reservations on Fridays, we did a call ahead 1 hour before we arrived. Once at the restaurant around 7:30 PM, we waited less than 20 minutes to get seated. No complaints there. When we were seated, we waited around 5 minutes before someone came over to greet us. Not bad considering how busy they were. The waiter approached our table and opened with "Have you decided?" No introduction, no "Can I get you a bucket of ice and a bottle opener for your BYO?" and no explanation of the specials or menu recommendations. The waiter's poor level of service continued throughout the meal and his interaction with us was lacking to the point it was awkward. The guys walking around refilling the water glasses did a better job of taking care of us. Food: Lobster bisque for both, Seafood diablo for me and Teriyaki Salmon pasta for my wife. The bisque was the best part of dinner although not the best I have ever had. Both seafood pasta dinners were overpriced and quality was average. Overall the restaurants "don't care" attitude towards it's customers was the most disappointing aspect. With all of the restaurants and bars in downtown Phoenixville, I see no reason to go back here.
(2)
David F.
Black Lab is consistently very good. They do a great job of maintaining high quality meals with all of the selections they offer. Black Lab is a staple for good food and good times (we love eating here). I just at at Black Lab again and the food was out of this world again. They just continue to serve consistently good food with great service and always seem to put their best foot forward. Bring some friends, bring some wine and bring your appetite.
(4)
Kristina C.
By far one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Brunch, lunch, dinner - I have never had anything I didn't love. My trust in the menu here has caused me to try things I wouldn't normally try and I remain impressed.
(5)
Mark S.
I had a very pleasant and delicious lunch there the other day. My only issue is eating outside is noisy w/ traffic, but it is what it is. Try the shrimp & arugula w/watermelon or the tuna tartar. Very good.
(4)
Charles R.
Really good spot for lunch. Always fresh and they usually have game on the menu. Never been for dinner since they don't take reservations of Fri or Sat. BYO, takes most credit cards and you can go to the Columbia Hotel piano bar after dinner for a drink.
(4)
Jessica H.
I've only ever been here for breakfast, but I always thought that it was fantastic. They used to have weekly specials including pumpkin pancakes, and french toast, eggs benedict; in addition to delicious staples like omelets and their bakery. It's been a while since I've been in P-ville but I still often think about my yummy meals there.
(4)
Statia M.
I believe that this is the same restaurant that's on Bridge street. Unless there's another Black Lab one street over. Anyway, friends of ours have been raving about this place for awhile, and even before we moved back to the area, I've been wanting to try it out. The place is quaint and warm. We were seated quickly and were attended to promptly. One thing I liked about this place is that it wasn't just your average menu. They had pureed parsnips, which I LOVE. They had a very large daily specials menu, which made it incredibly hard for me to choose what I wanted. It's better to have a hard time deciding because it all looks so good, rather than having a hard time deciding what to have because it all looks crappy We decided on a couple of appetizers (artichoke fritters with marscapone dip and duck confit. Both were pretty good. I had the filet and my husband had the striped sea bass, which looked pretty good too, and I don't really like fish. The service was, OK. The wait staff seemed rather annoyed, which, kind of put me on edge. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hopefully it was just an off night. The restaurant is BYO, which is both good and bad. I was aware of it beforehand, so we could stop off and grab a bottle of wine. Sometimes I like BYO, since it tends to make the bill a little more inexpensive, and other times, I'd rather just pay someone to make me a drink. I don't always like to have wine with dinner, but it is what it is. It didn't take away from the restaurant at all. Definitely someplace that I would visit again. There were a lot of things on the menu that I'd like to try.
(4)
Kathy O.
We have never had a bad meal at the Black Lab Bistro in trendy new Phoenixville. My favorites are the Artichoke appetizer and the Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream sandwich dessert. You can never go wrong when they have the Butterfish entree as a special. Would not recommend for large groups as the room is too small. Love when we can sit at the tables on the sidewalk on summer evenings. First Fridays in the summer in Phoenixville are the best, but you have to get there before 6 for a seat.
(5)
M. I.
Black Lab Bistro is a charming little place in the heart of downtown Phoenixville. I have been there a couple of times and will definitely go back. The food is absolutely fantastic (I had the filet mignon last time) and the service is wonderful. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)
Diona S.
My husband and I went for dinner this evening. First the menu is too large and way over priced. I ordered chicken with asparagus, EVOO, and penne. What a horrible experience! I swear that penne must have been microwaved. It was dark brown in color and completely crunchy. Not to mention the fact that the dish was not just a puddle, but a pool of oil! Don't use EVOO like you would red tomato gravy. I had to send it back and the waitress even agreed that she thought the pasta looked overcooked. The excuse we got was that the chef was trying to caramelize the penne..that's why there was so much oil. What? My husband's shrimp were also overcook and complete rubber. I thought it was overpriced when we sat down...it was worse when I experienced the food.
(1)
Henry B.
We had an enjoyable dinner there last Saturday. The food was good, but not as outstanding as others have suggested. I had mussels with Vodka sauce. The sauce was outstanding, but the mussels were dry as was the pasta. My wife had an excellent shrimp dish. The room was very crowded and noisy. The tin ceilings which are attractive make it a very noisy room. Service was very good, but a bit slow. I think it is very good, but over rated.
(3)
JM T.
We have been going to the Black Lab since it first opened. It had a nice atmosphere, great food and was very welcoming. We've been back several times since their remodeling a few years ago but have found it to be much stuffier and don't enjoy it nearly as much. The food is still really good but we rarely go anymore due to the 'stuffiness'.
(3)
Jeff H.
Had my birthday dinner here last week. Very decent food at a fair price. Not a 5 star establishment but the portions are large and the food is very well done. Definitely a place I will return to again and again. Staff was friendly and service was quick. BYOB as well which is a plus.
(4)
Eduardo C.
We were looking for a place to have a nice dinner one night and it came up as a good option. We found this small place cozy and interesting. The menu was diverse and our appetizers and entrees were delicious. For the price range, we thought it was superb. I will be returning to try something else from their great menu. I took away one star because when we called to check for reservations they did not mention that it was BYOB, so my date and I had to settle for diet cokes for dinner. Otherwise, great place with great taste!
(4)
Prasant N.
Got there around 8 o'clock on a Tuesday Night after Christmas with no reservation and they were able to sit us within 10 minutes which was great considering it was pretty full. The only bad thing was it was BYOB and we forgot so we had to order sodas to drink. I had the Chrgrilled Filet and Truffled Mashed Potatoes which was really good I would recommend to anyone. For dessert, I ended up ordering the Cinnamon Bun and Ice Cream which was okay and one of the reasons I am giving it four stars instead of five. Also even though it is a great food it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay. Overall I would recommend this place to someone looking for a good place to eat in Phoenixville.
(4)
Local Guest D.
The Black Lab is the BEST restaurant in Phoenixville for the quality and variety of on the menu! The menu is diverse and unique with specials that would keep you coming back for quite some time! We had the duck breast and scallops and it was out of this world! My guest had the seafood fra diablo - definitely worth every penny!!! The atmosphere was great - wait time was a bit long but well worth it!!! We enjoyed our experience and would STRONGLY recommend to those restaurant goers who don't want to have just an "average" dining experience. The Black Lab is the place for a great meal and night out and hands down is the best in Phoenixville!!!!!
(5)
Donna S.
I ate here a few weeks ago for lunch and it was awesome. We each got a sandwich and we split the fries with blue cheese on them. The fries were to die for and I'm not a huge blue cheese person. But it was good blue cheese, which makes a difference. I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. The atmosphere was great and so was the service.
(5)
Becky N.
my new favorite restaurant! they have a really versatile menu and everything on it is done to perfection. Last time I went I got the Frisee salad to start and then the crepe manicotti. INCREDIBLE. just, wow. Dinner can be a little pricey by their lunch menu can't be beat. Best meal you'll ever get.
(5)
Guy S.
First Time eating here. I took my girlfriend here last Friday night. The service was good and our waiter was friendly. The restaurant is BYOB. We don't drink so don't mind that, but if you drink be prepared. The menu is huge. It can be difficult to pick an entree, but we were never rushed and any questions we had regarding how dishes were prepared were answered well. I tried the $14.00 Lobster Mac & Cheese. It was good but not $14 dollars good. Both of our entrees were delicious. The fish was cook nicely and the sauces paired well and were not drowning out the flavor of the dish. I had the scallops, also very nice, the sauce was sweet and complimented the dish. the atmosphere is busy and loud but it was comfortable and did not make me feel rushed or unwelcome. Our bill was almost $90.00 with tip. I have no problem shelling out cash for gourmet restaurants and high end cuisine but $90.00 in Phoneixville seems a tad much. Next time I would drive to Philly. If you are local and don't mind over paying a little bit for a nice meal I totally recommend this place. Everything was good and satisfying, just felt it could have been priced more reasonably.
(3)
Allison C.
Have been meaning to get to Black Lab Bistro for a couple years now, and I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. Had a wonderful meal! Atmosphere was great, service was great and the food was outstanding. My husband and I split a starter, each had an entree and could barely finish dessert, needless to say food was substantial! It was hard to decide on what to get - too many wonderful choices AND the specials offered more than doubled the menu. Great selection of beef and fish entrees. Can't wait to get back!!!
(5)
Brendan E.
Fantastic place to eat. Great atmosphere, great food. A little pricey for dinner, but definitely worth it. Their brunch is quite reasonable and also quite delicious. The service is lacking...but not enough to downgrade the food.
(5)
Tim F.
The food, atmosphere and service are all A+. A favorite place for us to take friends and family from out of town.
(5)
Jand J.
If I could give this restaurant less than 1 star, I would. Avoid it. The decor is bland, and the food is not much better, although terribly overpriced. I am a vegetarian and mistakenly missed that the dish I ordered had bacon in it. I returned it to the waitress, with my apologies, and was treated nothing short of disdainfully. My meal was replaced with another that clearly was still cooked in bacon. When I explained I needed to return it, I was told I could not. THE WAITRESS would not allow me to return the meal, nor to speak to a manager. I paid $20 for 5 ravioli that I cannot eat. My companion paid $65 for a very mediocre meal. The service is terrible, the food is so-so, and the decor is boring, at best. I highly suggest dining at ANY of the other wonderful restaurants in Phoenixville and avoiding this place at all costs.
(1)
Barb ..
Finally, some sophistication has come to "re-Phurbished" Phoenixville, thanks in part to the newly improved Black Lab Bistro & Bakery. Within the last couple of years Black Lab has "morphed" from a place that strived to be upscale but didn't quite make the mark, into one that finally found itself and delivers. If you are expecting "Mom's Meatloaf" to still be on the menu, there's a new Iron Hill down the block. As for first course selections, you will discover Bella Foie Gras in lieu of cheese fries, Colossal Lump Crab Cake in lieu of potato skins and Calamari in lieu of french onion soup. Sushi Grade Tuna, Veal Tenderlion Medallions, Surf & Turf and Scottish Salmon are among the list of wonderful entree choices. Black Lab is an attractive, cozy little bistro with a decor that boasts exposed brick, bright yellow walls, and contrasting dark woods. The cuisine is carefully prepared and artfully presented. BYO. Entrees range in price from the low $20s to low $30s. Don't overlook the "& Bakery"...save room for dessert.
(4)
Melinda S.
way over priced, poor food selection, vegetarian unfriendly food. we went there for dinner looked at the menu and got up and left. went to iron hill instead!
(1)
Li L.
The food is fantastic and the staff perfect.
(5)
Garrett O.
Wow! Our server was amazing! She basically ran the show. She had ten 2 to 5 tops and covered them all! Food was outstanding! $$$, however I give it five stars based on service, food presented well and top notch service. No rush to turn tables, relaxed and tasty.
(5)
Mary Norena M.
I love this place BYOB awesome! The owner is very sweet & very friendly & her daughter is so helpful & adorable! I'm very picky with my food but every time I came here for dinner NEVER disappoint me!! I love there food, everything is delicious!!
(5)
Megan R.
Reviewing dinner here this evening. Service: 5/5 polite and helpful while being unobtrusive but not overly friendly. It was a slow night so no hostess - the woman that greeted us at the door was also our server. Ambiance: 5/5 again, slow night, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves but I can see how other reviewers may have felt crammed. If the tables were all filled it could definitely be noisy and crowded feeling. Tonight the ambiance was wonderful, though. Food: 3/5 The dishes we tried were: Maine mussels in vodka sauce, pear/prosciutto/goat cheese crepes, and we each ordered the Bronzino special. The Bronzino was incredible, perfectly cooked and full of flavor - definitely the highlight of the meal. It was accompanied by crisp snow peas and a Parmesan risotto, also wonderful. Mussels were wayyyyy too salty. The crepes were okay, small portion, not a whole lot of flavor (surprising for the tasty ingredients they were made with).. Not too memorable. Overall, a solid 4/5. I would return and recommend.
(4)
Dori H.
Dropped in for Restaurant Week with a friend - it was definitely a great deal. The portions were generous and the selections were great. There was absolutely something for everyone. I have to admit - they knocked it out of the park with the desserts. Delish!
(4)
Sugata T.
Definitely a awesome place to go. Very nice atmosphere inside. Our server was an older, super nice, Asian lady...a bit of a language barrier but you understood her fine. She was very receptive to our questions about vegetarian options as well. She took the time to go back to the kitchen and directly ask questions to the chef about the entrees we were interested in. Albeit the lighting was a bit too bright for my liking but that isn't enough of a draw back to take a star off. Well definitely go back again and suggest this place to friend and family!
(5)
Timothy A.
I have been to this place two times now and it is excellent. When in area look forward to going again. Love the duck. The service is good.
(5)
Jay W.
Their reservation policy is weird, and annoying. They "don't take reservations," but they take your name and number of people and hold a table for you. It seems like they don't keep track of their "reservations" very well, and over book the restaurant. This leads to people waiting long periods of time for their "reservation." There are too many tables cramped into the restaurant, the half wall needs to be removed or take out a table or two. Servers were practically climbing over diners to get food to the tables. People were knocking into my chair throughout the entire meal. That being said, the food was very good. I ordered the braise short ribs with stewed carrots and mashed potatoes. The meat was well cooked and could be pulled apart with a fork. The carrots soaked up the meaty flavoring and were well accompanied by the potato mash. I also tried the shrimp and grits. The flavor was terrific, good heat, well cooked sausage and shrimp. Very good. My only complaint with this dish was that the grits were a bit too watery for my taste. There was also a bit of wilted lettuce in the salad. If attention can be paid to these little things that are overlooked, this could be an excellent restaurant. A bit over priced as it is now. BYOB
(3)
Prof J.
This used to be my favorite place to eat in Phoenixville. After it was sold the customer service went to crap. The hostess is rude and tried to not honor a gift certificate from the business in violation of pa gift certificate law. Upon citing said law and threatening to contact the attorney generals office of consumer affairs they decided to honor it all of the sudden. Food went from awesome to mediocre. It's deeply upsetting to me. :-(. I wish the old owners would come back.
(2)
johnny s.
My dad got terrible food poisoning from this location. When he called to inform the that there was an issue, the person on the phone called him a liar. Not. Okay. Be responsible for your actions and live up to the fact that you did this. He wasn't asking for anything form you, but was just telling you so that you can monitor the situation in the future. Jeee. Zuz.
(1)
Ellen M.
I really like this place! Most recently I was here for brunch with my girlfriends (BYO champagne!) and we all had a great time. We had made reservations to sit inside, thinking it was going to rain, but it ended up being a beautiful day and the staff was very accommodating when we asked to sit outside. The food was delicious, as it always is every time I go. Very reasonably priced, I'd say. I recommend it all the time!
(4)
Natasha G.
Perhaps it's because I don't live around these parts, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with the Black Lab. This was one of the worst dinners I've had in a while, and after my second meal at this restaurant, I have no desire to come back. Perhaps this place was happening in Phoenixville in 2009, but it has definitely lost any charm that previous reviews ascribe to it. If you like well-executed and thoughtful cuisine, don't bother trying this place. The menu is, in a word, ambitious. The dishes attempt to span several genres and cuisines, and they fall short. Black Lab, you need to pick a niche and stick with it. The menu attempts to do New American bistro, French meat/sauce prep, Spanish tapas, and some "misc Asian" but doesn't quite succeed with any of them. E.g. scallop shu mai sounds incredibly gluey, and calling every sauce a demi-glace doesn't make it French. We've had a selection of dishes here, and some have been less disappointing than others. The octopus with andouille sausage and chickpeas is in a smoked paprika and vinegar sauce that manages to lack any complexity, and the octopus is in slices that taste like Chinese fish cake. Tuna tartare is awful... I've had better tuna/rice combos in supermarket sushi. I did feel fairly positively about the calamari in crispy Chinese five-spice batter but the mango aioli (or whatever it purported to be) was a huge misstep. I think the calamari is the only dish on the menu I can reasonably recommend, but ask for sauce on the side. A dining companion had the lobster bisque and remarked it was notable for its lack of lobster and gluey consistency. The duck breast with scallops was okay, but the sauce was overly sweet. I ordered the rosemary-dijon crusted lamb chops with potato cake, asparagus, and the ubiquitous demi-glace. Lamb is supposed to be tender. This was chewy, lacked any of the claimed herb-mustard flavor, and was not really aided by the sauce. The potato cake was savory, and they didn't mess up the asparagus. The steak frites: essentially inedible, with meat like "airplane food," as my dining companion described it. The frites were fine and very heavily seasoned with 2-4 dithiapentane... but I like the fake taste of "truffle" oil, so these seemed fine to me. Generally, all the sauces are pretty seasoned but still lacking in real flavor. To add insult to all this gastronomic injury, the food is incredibly overpriced. It is nice that they're BYOB, and the service is much warmer and attentive now than in the past. Ambiance is also fine -- I can't really say anything bad about the setup, though it doesn't seem conducive to an intimate date. Seating can be tight in some areas. The art prints on the wall didn't offend me and the layout is basically okay. I gather, from the reviews, that there are better restaurants on this block. If you have any kind of discerning palate, seriously, do not come here. You can find better food at the Cheesecake Factory or Red Lobster.
(2)
Danielle D.
This is a BYOB and one of the only non chain restaurants on the strip. The food is good but not worth the price. I think they charge that much knowing they are the only/few non chain restaurants. The ambiance is very nice. The restaurant is very open space and the decor very nice. I would really be into this place if it was not for the price.
(3)
Eric P.
The food here is ok, nothing special but not bad by any means. I stopped here for brunch and the price was right but the food was average at best, there was no "wow" factor to it. The decor is beautiful so I think that also feeds into the expectation the food will be great. The coffee was terrible though, only real down side. Nice place to check out if you want a quick and easy brunch
(3)
Brian M.
If your accustomed to nicer restaurants, you won't find BLB anything out of the ordinary, but nothing about the food or service is the least bit bad. You'll always get a dependably good meal; but never really great. I found the dinner prices a bit high for what they serve, and thus I'd be more apt to hit it for lunch rather than dinner. But the BYOB aspect is a plus!
(3)
James S.
Decided to give this place a try, food was relativity good, staff was mostly friendly ! I had the black Angus burger and it was cooked well and one of the better burgers I have had . The price was not bad either ! There was a bus boy with red hair who was very very friendly and outgoing and did more than was needed to make my meal Great ! My server was named Kate I believe ,and she was also very out going and a great server we had a conversation and she Evan recommended some things to do that night ! The owner (I think) was very hard to understand and was not very friendly but it could have been worse , I may be back but thanks for a good meal !
(3)
Jan F.
Back to Black Lab and again it didnt disappoint. I had the fixe price for $25. Very fresh greens with shaved carrots, cucumber and a nice light dressing as a start. Then a delicious pan seared tilapia with nice green beans and deep fried polenta. Once again i had the tres leche cake which is outstanding. It's a dense pudding cake served with butterscotch and whipped cream. My mom had a burger and fries. It was cooked as she asked and she thought it was just fine!
(5)
Kathleen K.
I had a great "date" dinner here with one of my girlfriends. It's in her neighborhood so she frequents it often and had her favorite (a steak with bacon mac and cheese). We ordered a baked brie special for an appitizer which was wonderful and came with a fruity jam and some baguette slices. For my meal, I got the butternut squash ravioli. I am not a vegetarian, however, I tend to eat veg. There were no veg options on the menu, but the raviolis were close. They had panchetta along with it. The waitress did, however, ask if the panchetta was ok to include, which I thought was very nice. For dessert, we had banana crepes with ice cream. Fantastic. Loved it. All in all, it's a nice little BYOB and I'd gladly be back again.
(4)
Brian C.
We went here today for a special Father's Day brunch and were treated to bad service by inattentive and rude waitstaff. It took approximately 20 minutes for our waitress to take our order then over an hour for our food to come. When our breakfasts finally arrived they were cold and under cooked. No one ever came back to check on us or to even see if we needed our waters or coffee refilled. We had to flag down the staff members and ask for refills and eventually to speak to the manager. The manager was apologetic and took one meal off of our check, for the father in our group, but it was really too little too late and an overall unpleasant experience. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone.
(2)
Laura R.
My boyfriend and I come here for brunch frequently. The food is always excellent. Brunch menu has a nice variety. Highly recommend
(5)
Erica J.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Every service is better than the last. The staff is super friendly. The food is always wonderful. I look forward to brunch every weekend and it is such a treat when my boyfriend takes me there for dinner. We both just love Black Lab.
(5)
James Y.
It's a bit hard to classify this place. It's got an interesting menu and the food I've had has been very good. Dinner can get pricey if you have appetizers and dessert, but if you're just having an entree it's not bad. And the brunch is inexpensive, unless you are trying to compare it to McD's prices. It looks like a place that should have a liquor license, but it's a BYOB. The wait staff are very friendly, but not always the fastest. I continue to dine there regularly because the food is very good and the staff is friendly.
(4)
Jaime K.
The Black Lab has so many dedicated fans in Phoenixville I continue to try it again and again in hopes that I will love my meal. Perhaps the dedication has more to do with the restaurants longevity in the area than their culinary clout. In general, the dishes all seem expensive for what they are and lack the fresh, made from scratch love that you would expect. Service is kind but generally inexperienced.
(2)
Lynn S.
We stopped by Black Lab Bistro this last Friday. We hadn't been there in a while and were greeted in a very welcoming manner by the new owners. We sat out side and had a very nice meal. We thought it was a little pricy, but never the less enjoyed the food and the Phoenixville evening atmosphere. I had the Veal Marsala special, which was good, and my husband enjoyed the fettuccini with chicken, prosciutto and vegetables that is on the menu. Five hours later I woke to the walls of our bedroom shaking with my husband sick in the bathroom. Food poisoning. Saturday afternoon he called Black Lab to inform them of his situation. We weren't looking for anything other than to make them aware of his plight so that the restaurant had the opportunity to remedy the situation. My husband was kind and told the owner just what I said above, only to be called a liar and that it couldn't be. Needless to say, they lost 2 customers.
(1)
John M.
Eat here, get Fu...d.. Keep going down 76 to phila and have a better meal... for 100 bucks less!! way overpriced!!! Really, 225.00 for two with wine.. your in phoenixville!! Not really worth it..
(1)
Joe C.
We have eaten here many times and always have very good food and service. Lobster bisque and short ribs are outstanding. Never disappointed.
(4)
Javier G.
Brunch was slow and ok and overpriced, no need to say more. There are much better places to go too.
(1)
Mikkimo T.
I had heard great things about them and that the food while $$$$ was good. Well I went there last night with my husband and was very disappointed. Went: Mid Week Busy: Rest was 1/2 full and a few tables outside. Waitstaff: while ok were neither warm and inviting nor overly attentive Food: Ordered Soups & Steaks Lobster Bisque: Very Thick, lacked Lobster but more so was overpowered by a tomato flavor (thinking they used it to give it a orange/red color. Summer Minestrone was also lacking broth and was thick and over seasoned. I ordered a filet Oscar. Crab meat and steak were cooked nicely but the asparagus was replaced with brocolinni and the bernaise was thick enough to hang wall paper with. The demi glace was overpoweringly peppery as it left its mark of spice and heat in the back of my throat. The meal was also lukewarm. My husband ordered a strip steak which was small, thin and again drowning in a redish pepper sauce that completely killed the flavor of everything on the plate and again was lukewarm. Bread that came with dinner was no lie 1/4" thick and only small crostini size half slices of the baguette from whence it came. The butter while soft was again over seasoned. Overall...Thick sauces, over seasoned and small portions for large prices. Skipp this one you can do better.
(2)
Angela S.
Had a small work dinner before the holidays here. I will be going back! Love this place. Relaxed atmosphere, good food, knowledgable staff, and BYOB! Good located with tons of parking a block away. I had the crab cakes and they were amazing!
(5)
Mark T.
I miss the Black Lab of old before the remodel. Used to always be packed. It wasn't fancy but I thought there was just something cool about the place. Went there again tonight and it was basically empty, stood at the hostess station for five minutes no one came out to seat us, we left. I think the poor old black lab has died:(
(1)
Shawn R.
This was my second vist to this bistro. The first being with a coworker. The second on a date. Both times I enjoyed the BYOB aspect of the restaurant as should you. I don't remember what I got the first time but my second experience was not so good. I ordered the Bistro Steak and asked for medium well. Instead, I was given an undercooked piece of meat. I had it sent back and they still returned it undercooked. It was purple. Not good. The thing I found especially frustrating was that the meat was cut so it was not difficult to cook it properly. The fries with seasoning were good. Not that impressed with the place overall.
(2)
V Y.
I had another great Sunday brunch at the Black Lab Bistro today. The owners and wait staff are very friendly and welcoming. My favorite is the shrimp and grits with andouille sausages. It's an explosion of flavor in every bite. My only "criticism" is that the chef can mince up the garlic a little more. It is a BYOB restaurant, so feel free to bring a beverage of your choice. I've never been disappointed with my choice if entrees there. I've been there for brunch and dinner. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the Black Lab! Give it a try the next time you are in PXV.
(5)
Jennifer L.
Had Sunday brunch here about a month ago. It was great! We ate outside and enjoyed our meal. There was a bit of a wait to get our food but it was worth it. I look forward to having dinner here soon--maybe tonight!
(4)
GoBlue G.
Had brunch with Mom, nephew and son, and we enjoied it very much. My andouille sausage omelette was nicely prepared and i customized with a blackened sea scallop....great. Zucchini bread was moist and a nice addition instead of the stanard toasts. Potato wedges were crispy. Mom's spinach salad topped with salmon was just right for her, although i can not for the life of me remember my son's or nephew's meal i know the enjoied them.....sorry no help there. Over all our experience was satisfing and will return.
(4)
Matt K.
I really wanted to give this place 3 stars, it's not bad food or bad service, it's just average. But the prices are much too high for average food. The menu is eclectic and very large, which is a danger signal unless their turnover is high. On this night, it wasn't. The other problem with a huge menu is that the restaurant typically loses any pretense of a theme or a soul. We had a buffalo rib-eye steak and the soft shell crabs special. The rib-eye was so thin, it was practically impossible to cook it medium-rare like I asked. Instead, it came out almost well done. I did not feel like returning it since I knew that the second time around, it would probably be bloody. The kale on the side was tasty, but the ribs had not been removed, and since the greens were al dente, the ribs were rock hard. Rather offputting, to say the least. The potatoes were average. The soft shell crab, however, was very tasty, it was the highlight of the meal. It had some fresh, spicy Asian flavors. But the tempura batter was a bit heavy. Since my rib-eye was so tiny, I was still hungry, and ordered the strawberry rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream. The rhubarb texture was a bit dense, it is hard to do it right, and it wasn't very tart or flavorful. Service was efficient enough, no complaints, but then again, there were only 4 tables occupied so it should have been good.
(2)
Alex W.
A very crowded and noisy place. Our table for 7 was in a corner and foot traffic as constantly going by. I had the lobster bisque. It was good. It didn't have much meat in it and it had a little acidic tang to it. A first for me, I saw striped bass on the menu and I wanted to try it. It was $30 and came with brocolini and lobster risotto. When it arrived I was disappointed with the size of the fish. It was about 2 1/4" by about 3 1/2 inches. I thought that was pretty small especially for $30. It came with the skin on and in one way I liked that cause it looked like striper skin. The fish was OK. It was a little fishy and the seasoning didn't seem to compliment the fish. The vegetable was good and the risotto was excellent. I could have eaten a lot more of the risotto. My wife had the scallops and again, the seasoning didn't go well with the scallops. I've been to Black Lab before and had their short ribs dinner which I really enjoyed. I'll give them a try again even though their food is a little pricier than other restaurants.
(3)
Carolyn G.
Overall, we had good entrees and depressing service. Not sure I would go back because our overall dining experience was just boring. I'm tempted to give a two star rating, but the food was good. Now for the details: It's my mistake that I didn't read the BYOB note so we didn't bring any wine to a Friday lunch. We arrived right after the lunch rush, about 1 PM, and there were only a few parties in the restaurant. Upon arriving we were impressed with the decor and how comfortable the atmosphere was. Menu time...we both considered an appetizer and an entree. Our server was, to say the least, bland. He offered no greeting, no specials, and didn't ask if we wanted anything to drink besides the two glasses of water on the table. I inquired about the soup and the description was delivered so poorly that I didn't want to take a chance; we skipped the appetizers. We both ordered entrees (blackened salmon) and at that point discovered we were in a BYOB...not the server's fault. However, he didn't offer iced-tea, coffee, or an alternative. No bread was served. Our entrees arrived 20 minutes later and they were very good. The portion is perfect, neither too small nor too large, and was well presented on the plate. And that was it...nothing on the table but two glasses of water and our two entrees...no salt and pepper, no decor, nothing. We looked at the dessert menu, declined to order, paid the bill and left; again, without any interaction with our server. This is the first place we've tried in Phoenixville and would probably try another place, probably the Iron Hill pub, before we return to the Black Lab. I like what they are attempting to do but the service is not well executed.
(3)
Brandon G.
People on yelp are way too uptight. Yeah there is a list of rules, it's a joke. Foods awesome. Great atmosphere in a great little town. Not a hush hush with your pinky up kinda spot. Highly recommend lobster bisque and the grilled angus filet oscar Lump Crabmeat, Bearnaise Sauce, Demi-Glace, Whipped Potato, Asparagus delicious! Only complaint is our server, felt a tad bit rushed. Very busy Saturday in his defense.
(4)
Tiffany L.
I would agree with other reviewers that the service is not great. Our waiter was very slow to take our orders and we went on a Sunday around 4:30 so it was very slow in the restaurant. But the assistant waiter and/or bus boy was very prompt with keeping our drinks filled, which is always appreciated since the waiter was not that attentive. Also the waiter was not personable or helpful, came off very snobby and with attitude like he was just going through the motions. BUT the food was FANTASTIC! My husband had the garden salad, filet minion chop steak, and the dolche de leche cake for desert. The salad was so good, the dressing was a kind of vinaigrette but very light and tasty. The steak came with potatoes, which had some sort of blue cheese or Gorgonzola mixed in, very smooth. Also had broccolini nothing to brag about but good. I had the flat bread pita with hummus, feta, and olives. Great light appetizer would recommend. For dinner I had the bolognese baked penne, very good. I would say it was light for a bolognese which I enjoyed because sometimes the sauce can be too heavy. Also had the peanut butter pie, a little to rich I enjoyed the dolche de leche cake much more. It was also over priced I felt. The option we had was a pre-fixed menu that was in addition to their regular menu and it was $25 for three courses. So I felt that was decent pricing but their normal menu will run you probably $40 or more a person for 3 courses, and while the food was great combined with the service I don't think it warrants almost $50 a plate with everything. I will definitely try again because restaurants are always changing and this one has a lot of potential to be great.
(3)
Helen D.
When we were leaving the restaurant I noticed the "LIST OF RULES" on the wall. Oh how I regret not taking that picture. When eateries have "RULES" you can expect mediocrity which is exactly what we experienced. The menu sounded exciting & every special sounded better than the next. The food was ok & I most likely will not go back unless someone else is picking up the tab. It was way overpriced. The service was not friendly or prompt - for me that was a deal breaker. If you want good food & great service this is NOT the place to go. The only "bonus" is that it is byob.
(2)
Ting Ting G.
I love black lab for their great service and wonderful dinner, This time I went for brunch, eggs and bacon don't seem to be their strong point. Crab eggs benedict: I decided to get this because of how great their crab cakes are, the crab was tasty however the poached eggs were way overcooked and the hollandaise sauce was nothing special and had no taste French toast: a lot of toast, I enjoyed the whipped cream cheese topping. Could have used more berries. The french toast was bordering on soggy The coffee and service were fantastic however. Probably not coming back for brunch, dinner is definitely their strong suite.
(3)
Theresa G.
Took reservation, waited over 1 hour and basically left.
(1)
Paul K.
Went for dinner on a Sat night with my wife. Quickly seated, bottle opend fast. Tables are a little tight but overall a great room to eat in. Service was great, not pushy, not rushed but there when you needed them. The foie gras app was pretty weak. Very small compared to other places we have had it. The entrees though were very good, and very well portioned. Great place to go on a date.
(4)
Teresa M.
Ate Sunday brunch here a few weeks ago with my BF. We both ordered omlettes. Both were served with toast and diced hash brown potatoes. My omlette had chorizo sausage and cheese-which were so good together. Interestingly enough, I chose the zucchini bread toast which I had hoped would have tasted a little better (hance 4 stars instead of 5). Our waitress was very attentive and refilled our water and coffee several times. Oh-by the way...the coffee was excellent! We will definitely come for brunch again and possibly stop in for dinner too.
(4)
John R.
Ok....list of rules?! Right off the bat, this sorta ruined it. No restaurant should ever post "rules". It is insulting to patrons! Maybe this is why the place was dead on Saturday night? Maybe it was the fact the menu was way too big or maybe it was the fact the you don't get a lot of food for the price. Who knows... The menu seemed uninspired and lacked creativity. I could tell because my rib steak tasted like something I could have ordered at Outback for half the price. Also, the calamari was rubbery. The service was decent...could have been better since there weren't many people eating. The server we had was very friendly tho. Returning here? Severely doubt it!
(2)
Craig D.
(4) ~ Overall Food & Service OUR MENU: * Water(tap) = (3.5) good * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Calamari = (3.5) good * Butternut Squash Ravioli = (4) very good * Wild Boar Ragu = (3.5) good...it's a BIG portion. * Burger w. American Cheese & Fries = (3.75) good fries & Brioche rolls * Devil's Food Chocolate Cake = (3.5) good * Cinnamon Roll Ice ream Sandwich = (4) very good * Cappucino w. rock candy = (4.5) Very Good * Coffee = (4) very good NOTES: No Reservations on Friday & Saturday; It's First come~First Serve:-)
(4)
Nicolas E.
Best restaurant in Phoenixville. Creative chef has built an impressive menu, it's always a delight to eat here. The service is also excellent.
(5)
John D.
I've been to this place 3 times. The menu was fine. The burgers are large and tasty. They do have a tendency to use a little more grease on their burger but it was not too bad. The salad was great so were the crabmeat and lobster bisque. I took one star away because it gets noisy during busy hours. For a young group of friends, it's not an issue. For a couple looking for a more intimate dinner date, it may be a little distracted. The service was quick and to the point. I'll be back again.
(4)
Rick J.
You lost us at the front door.... My wife and I where perusing a place to eat last Friday night and strolled into this place. It looked busy until you realized that the bar sitting area was not available and several tables were open but not being seated. The hostess seemed more interested in sitting on her perch than greeting walk ins... We gave it 10 minutes and when another table opened up with no response from her we left. There are way too many other restaurants in this town for a place not to be more accommodating to walk ins.. I was thinking that this was too bad as we left since the food smelled good but based on the other reviews that I have now read it doesn't sound like we missed much.
(1)
Pamela K.
The Black Lab is a staple in our restaurant armory! Love the atmosphere, the service is always excellent, and the food consistently delicious. it's our go to for date nights, dinners with friends and treating out of town guests to a great meal.
(5)
Julie C.
Very, very slow service. Food quality does not match the price. Steaks undercooked, burger for a little one was burnt (no childrens menu), ended up with a pitcher of water and sprite combined because the staff did not talk to each other and only had 1 pitcher to share apparently, service so slow, completed 2 appetizers with nothing to drink because no one ever came back to fill or check on status of meal. Offered free dessert and some off the bill to attempt to fix, which was nice, but still a frustrating experience overall.
(2)
James R.
Its a pricey joint, but the steak was perfect and the calamari was the best I have ever had anywhere.
(4)
Mike K.
I have lived in this area for a long time, and have heard good things about this place; after eating there, I can't say I agree. The food is expensive for what it is, everything you order is extra, an 8pm reservation turns into an 8:45 seating, and worst, the wait staff treats you like you are lucky to be eating there at all. I left there wondering; who do these people think they are?
(1)
David M.
Amazing! The food was the highest quality, fresh, delicious, full of flavor with absolutely stunning presentation! Service was quick, flawless and cortious. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a auperb meal in a nice atmosphere!
(5)
Matt O.
Great food, but overpriced. I've been here three times. I've never had a bad dish here, but I do feel that the prices are excessive. If you're looking for a nice evening out in Phoenixville Black Lab is a great place to have dinner, just be prepared to spend more than average on your meal.
(4)
Shelley W.
Mmmmm......sunday brunch! The Black Lab did it right! They were even considerate enough to come up with an option for a friend who was unable to eat dairy. (Note to management: might not be a bad idea to have some butter-substitute or olive oil hiding in the kitchen) Pumpkin Pancakes with dried cranberries and pecans? DON'T MIND IF I DO! The omlette that my friend had looked good and must have been because she didn't share! I'd come back here in a flash
(4)
Er B.
Went back this weekend for dinner. It's been awhile. They were surprisingly busy for 8:00pm on a Sunday, but outside had some empty spots available. We were seated rather promptly by the hostess, given menus, and then waited...and waited....for someone to come by. Not a single server entered/exited the restaurant to check on the other tables, either. About 10 minutes after being seated (and we were just about to get up to leave), a server came over. We were ready to order, but we were told they were out of several dishes. After finding out that one of our entrees was 86-ed, we asked for a moment to revisit the menu while we waited for glassware to be delivered to our table. We placed our order for an appetizer and two entrees. The Crab Louis appetizer came out very quickly; which we enjoyed thoroughly. In previous visits, courses have come out rather quickly and there is little interruption between them (I eat slower, so sometimes I'm still finishing when my entree arrives). I'd say it was between 15 to 20 minutes from the time that our appetizer was cleared and when our entree arrived. Again, I am conceding that the place was unusually busy, but this was now after 9pm, and no new customers had come in. I had ordered the scallops and the mr had ordered the goat cheese gnocchi. I enjoyed my entree, but the mr was disappointed in the gnocchi. There was no flavor of goat cheese and the dish was hopped up on much too much garlic and crushed red pepper. We had received a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant, so dinner (incl. tax and tip) cost less than $20 that evening. We did not get dessert and opted to visit a place nearby for ice cream. Sadly, a place that was such a great go-to restaurant has me thinking that I will probably hesitate about a return visit. I'm bummed about that.
(2)
Melissa S.
(4) ~ Overall Food (1) ~ Service OUR MENU: * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Appetizer = (4) very good * Meals = (4) very good * Desserts (5) excellent The server was terrible. It was not very busy for a Thursday night. He (John) was not interested in us at all. He did not want to accomadate our requests and put his hands on his hips when we had questions. At the end of the evening he tried to scam us when paying separately by taking some of the cash but charging more than should have been on the credit card. Seriously...4 professional women would not check this? Too bad. He made the end of the evening finsh poorly. Jerk.
(3)
Cheryl M.
We stopped at the Black Lab when in the area looking at houses. I had the french toast brioche with berries. It was fantastic. Just the perfect size to fill you up but not too much. The berries were fresh, the cream cheese filling was not too sweet and just complimented the toast perfectly. The plate came with homemade whipped cream. The place was adorable and the service was great. I thought it was a perfect breakfast.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Li L.
The food is fantastic and the staff perfect.
(5)Garrett O.
Wow! Our server was amazing! She basically ran the show. She had ten 2 to 5 tops and covered them all! Food was outstanding! $$$, however I give it five stars based on service, food presented well and top notch service. No rush to turn tables, relaxed and tasty.
(5)Mary Norena M.
I love this place BYOB awesome! The owner is very sweet & very friendly & her daughter is so helpful & adorable! I'm very picky with my food but every time I came here for dinner NEVER disappoint me!! I love there food, everything is delicious!!
(5)Prof J.
This used to be my favorite place to eat in Phoenixville. After it was sold the customer service went to crap. The hostess is rude and tried to not honor a gift certificate from the business in violation of pa gift certificate law. Upon citing said law and threatening to contact the attorney generals office of consumer affairs they decided to honor it all of the sudden. Food went from awesome to mediocre. It's deeply upsetting to me. :-(. I wish the old owners would come back.
(2)johnny s.
My dad got terrible food poisoning from this location. When he called to inform the that there was an issue, the person on the phone called him a liar. Not. Okay. Be responsible for your actions and live up to the fact that you did this. He wasn't asking for anything form you, but was just telling you so that you can monitor the situation in the future. Jeee. Zuz.
(1)Megan R.
Reviewing dinner here this evening. Service: 5/5 polite and helpful while being unobtrusive but not overly friendly. It was a slow night so no hostess - the woman that greeted us at the door was also our server. Ambiance: 5/5 again, slow night, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves but I can see how other reviewers may have felt crammed. If the tables were all filled it could definitely be noisy and crowded feeling. Tonight the ambiance was wonderful, though. Food: 3/5 The dishes we tried were: Maine mussels in vodka sauce, pear/prosciutto/goat cheese crepes, and we each ordered the Bronzino special. The Bronzino was incredible, perfectly cooked and full of flavor - definitely the highlight of the meal. It was accompanied by crisp snow peas and a Parmesan risotto, also wonderful. Mussels were wayyyyy too salty. The crepes were okay, small portion, not a whole lot of flavor (surprising for the tasty ingredients they were made with).. Not too memorable. Overall, a solid 4/5. I would return and recommend.
(4)Dori H.
Dropped in for Restaurant Week with a friend - it was definitely a great deal. The portions were generous and the selections were great. There was absolutely something for everyone. I have to admit - they knocked it out of the park with the desserts. Delish!
(4)Sugata T.
Definitely a awesome place to go. Very nice atmosphere inside. Our server was an older, super nice, Asian lady...a bit of a language barrier but you understood her fine. She was very receptive to our questions about vegetarian options as well. She took the time to go back to the kitchen and directly ask questions to the chef about the entrees we were interested in. Albeit the lighting was a bit too bright for my liking but that isn't enough of a draw back to take a star off. Well definitely go back again and suggest this place to friend and family!
(5)Timothy A.
I have been to this place two times now and it is excellent. When in area look forward to going again. Love the duck. The service is good.
(5)Jay W.
Their reservation policy is weird, and annoying. They "don't take reservations," but they take your name and number of people and hold a table for you. It seems like they don't keep track of their "reservations" very well, and over book the restaurant. This leads to people waiting long periods of time for their "reservation." There are too many tables cramped into the restaurant, the half wall needs to be removed or take out a table or two. Servers were practically climbing over diners to get food to the tables. People were knocking into my chair throughout the entire meal. That being said, the food was very good. I ordered the braise short ribs with stewed carrots and mashed potatoes. The meat was well cooked and could be pulled apart with a fork. The carrots soaked up the meaty flavoring and were well accompanied by the potato mash. I also tried the shrimp and grits. The flavor was terrific, good heat, well cooked sausage and shrimp. Very good. My only complaint with this dish was that the grits were a bit too watery for my taste. There was also a bit of wilted lettuce in the salad. If attention can be paid to these little things that are overlooked, this could be an excellent restaurant. A bit over priced as it is now. BYOB
(3)Ellen M.
I really like this place! Most recently I was here for brunch with my girlfriends (BYO champagne!) and we all had a great time. We had made reservations to sit inside, thinking it was going to rain, but it ended up being a beautiful day and the staff was very accommodating when we asked to sit outside. The food was delicious, as it always is every time I go. Very reasonably priced, I'd say. I recommend it all the time!
(4)Natasha G.
Perhaps it's because I don't live around these parts, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with the Black Lab. This was one of the worst dinners I've had in a while, and after my second meal at this restaurant, I have no desire to come back. Perhaps this place was happening in Phoenixville in 2009, but it has definitely lost any charm that previous reviews ascribe to it. If you like well-executed and thoughtful cuisine, don't bother trying this place. The menu is, in a word, ambitious. The dishes attempt to span several genres and cuisines, and they fall short. Black Lab, you need to pick a niche and stick with it. The menu attempts to do New American bistro, French meat/sauce prep, Spanish tapas, and some "misc Asian" but doesn't quite succeed with any of them. E.g. scallop shu mai sounds incredibly gluey, and calling every sauce a demi-glace doesn't make it French. We've had a selection of dishes here, and some have been less disappointing than others. The octopus with andouille sausage and chickpeas is in a smoked paprika and vinegar sauce that manages to lack any complexity, and the octopus is in slices that taste like Chinese fish cake. Tuna tartare is awful... I've had better tuna/rice combos in supermarket sushi. I did feel fairly positively about the calamari in crispy Chinese five-spice batter but the mango aioli (or whatever it purported to be) was a huge misstep. I think the calamari is the only dish on the menu I can reasonably recommend, but ask for sauce on the side. A dining companion had the lobster bisque and remarked it was notable for its lack of lobster and gluey consistency. The duck breast with scallops was okay, but the sauce was overly sweet. I ordered the rosemary-dijon crusted lamb chops with potato cake, asparagus, and the ubiquitous demi-glace. Lamb is supposed to be tender. This was chewy, lacked any of the claimed herb-mustard flavor, and was not really aided by the sauce. The potato cake was savory, and they didn't mess up the asparagus. The steak frites: essentially inedible, with meat like "airplane food," as my dining companion described it. The frites were fine and very heavily seasoned with 2-4 dithiapentane... but I like the fake taste of "truffle" oil, so these seemed fine to me. Generally, all the sauces are pretty seasoned but still lacking in real flavor. To add insult to all this gastronomic injury, the food is incredibly overpriced. It is nice that they're BYOB, and the service is much warmer and attentive now than in the past. Ambiance is also fine -- I can't really say anything bad about the setup, though it doesn't seem conducive to an intimate date. Seating can be tight in some areas. The art prints on the wall didn't offend me and the layout is basically okay. I gather, from the reviews, that there are better restaurants on this block. If you have any kind of discerning palate, seriously, do not come here. You can find better food at the Cheesecake Factory or Red Lobster.
(2)Danielle D.
This is a BYOB and one of the only non chain restaurants on the strip. The food is good but not worth the price. I think they charge that much knowing they are the only/few non chain restaurants. The ambiance is very nice. The restaurant is very open space and the decor very nice. I would really be into this place if it was not for the price.
(3)Eric P.
The food here is ok, nothing special but not bad by any means. I stopped here for brunch and the price was right but the food was average at best, there was no "wow" factor to it. The decor is beautiful so I think that also feeds into the expectation the food will be great. The coffee was terrible though, only real down side. Nice place to check out if you want a quick and easy brunch
(3)Brian M.
If your accustomed to nicer restaurants, you won't find BLB anything out of the ordinary, but nothing about the food or service is the least bit bad. You'll always get a dependably good meal; but never really great. I found the dinner prices a bit high for what they serve, and thus I'd be more apt to hit it for lunch rather than dinner. But the BYOB aspect is a plus!
(3)James S.
Decided to give this place a try, food was relativity good, staff was mostly friendly ! I had the black Angus burger and it was cooked well and one of the better burgers I have had . The price was not bad either ! There was a bus boy with red hair who was very very friendly and outgoing and did more than was needed to make my meal Great ! My server was named Kate I believe ,and she was also very out going and a great server we had a conversation and she Evan recommended some things to do that night ! The owner (I think) was very hard to understand and was not very friendly but it could have been worse , I may be back but thanks for a good meal !
(3)Jan F.
Back to Black Lab and again it didnt disappoint. I had the fixe price for $25. Very fresh greens with shaved carrots, cucumber and a nice light dressing as a start. Then a delicious pan seared tilapia with nice green beans and deep fried polenta. Once again i had the tres leche cake which is outstanding. It's a dense pudding cake served with butterscotch and whipped cream. My mom had a burger and fries. It was cooked as she asked and she thought it was just fine!
(5)Kathleen K.
I had a great "date" dinner here with one of my girlfriends. It's in her neighborhood so she frequents it often and had her favorite (a steak with bacon mac and cheese). We ordered a baked brie special for an appitizer which was wonderful and came with a fruity jam and some baguette slices. For my meal, I got the butternut squash ravioli. I am not a vegetarian, however, I tend to eat veg. There were no veg options on the menu, but the raviolis were close. They had panchetta along with it. The waitress did, however, ask if the panchetta was ok to include, which I thought was very nice. For dessert, we had banana crepes with ice cream. Fantastic. Loved it. All in all, it's a nice little BYOB and I'd gladly be back again.
(4)Brian C.
We went here today for a special Father's Day brunch and were treated to bad service by inattentive and rude waitstaff. It took approximately 20 minutes for our waitress to take our order then over an hour for our food to come. When our breakfasts finally arrived they were cold and under cooked. No one ever came back to check on us or to even see if we needed our waters or coffee refilled. We had to flag down the staff members and ask for refills and eventually to speak to the manager. The manager was apologetic and took one meal off of our check, for the father in our group, but it was really too little too late and an overall unpleasant experience. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone.
(2)Laura R.
My boyfriend and I come here for brunch frequently. The food is always excellent. Brunch menu has a nice variety. Highly recommend
(5)Erica J.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Every service is better than the last. The staff is super friendly. The food is always wonderful. I look forward to brunch every weekend and it is such a treat when my boyfriend takes me there for dinner. We both just love Black Lab.
(5)James Y.
It's a bit hard to classify this place. It's got an interesting menu and the food I've had has been very good. Dinner can get pricey if you have appetizers and dessert, but if you're just having an entree it's not bad. And the brunch is inexpensive, unless you are trying to compare it to McD's prices. It looks like a place that should have a liquor license, but it's a BYOB. The wait staff are very friendly, but not always the fastest. I continue to dine there regularly because the food is very good and the staff is friendly.
(4)Jaime K.
The Black Lab has so many dedicated fans in Phoenixville I continue to try it again and again in hopes that I will love my meal. Perhaps the dedication has more to do with the restaurants longevity in the area than their culinary clout. In general, the dishes all seem expensive for what they are and lack the fresh, made from scratch love that you would expect. Service is kind but generally inexperienced.
(2)Lynn S.
We stopped by Black Lab Bistro this last Friday. We hadn't been there in a while and were greeted in a very welcoming manner by the new owners. We sat out side and had a very nice meal. We thought it was a little pricy, but never the less enjoyed the food and the Phoenixville evening atmosphere. I had the Veal Marsala special, which was good, and my husband enjoyed the fettuccini with chicken, prosciutto and vegetables that is on the menu. Five hours later I woke to the walls of our bedroom shaking with my husband sick in the bathroom. Food poisoning. Saturday afternoon he called Black Lab to inform them of his situation. We weren't looking for anything other than to make them aware of his plight so that the restaurant had the opportunity to remedy the situation. My husband was kind and told the owner just what I said above, only to be called a liar and that it couldn't be. Needless to say, they lost 2 customers.
(1)John M.
Eat here, get Fu...d.. Keep going down 76 to phila and have a better meal... for 100 bucks less!! way overpriced!!! Really, 225.00 for two with wine.. your in phoenixville!! Not really worth it..
(1)Joe C.
We have eaten here many times and always have very good food and service. Lobster bisque and short ribs are outstanding. Never disappointed.
(4)Javier G.
Brunch was slow and ok and overpriced, no need to say more. There are much better places to go too.
(1)Mikkimo T.
I had heard great things about them and that the food while $$$$ was good. Well I went there last night with my husband and was very disappointed. Went: Mid Week Busy: Rest was 1/2 full and a few tables outside. Waitstaff: while ok were neither warm and inviting nor overly attentive Food: Ordered Soups & Steaks Lobster Bisque: Very Thick, lacked Lobster but more so was overpowered by a tomato flavor (thinking they used it to give it a orange/red color. Summer Minestrone was also lacking broth and was thick and over seasoned. I ordered a filet Oscar. Crab meat and steak were cooked nicely but the asparagus was replaced with brocolinni and the bernaise was thick enough to hang wall paper with. The demi glace was overpoweringly peppery as it left its mark of spice and heat in the back of my throat. The meal was also lukewarm. My husband ordered a strip steak which was small, thin and again drowning in a redish pepper sauce that completely killed the flavor of everything on the plate and again was lukewarm. Bread that came with dinner was no lie 1/4" thick and only small crostini size half slices of the baguette from whence it came. The butter while soft was again over seasoned. Overall...Thick sauces, over seasoned and small portions for large prices. Skipp this one you can do better.
(2)Angela S.
Had a small work dinner before the holidays here. I will be going back! Love this place. Relaxed atmosphere, good food, knowledgable staff, and BYOB! Good located with tons of parking a block away. I had the crab cakes and they were amazing!
(5)Mark T.
I miss the Black Lab of old before the remodel. Used to always be packed. It wasn't fancy but I thought there was just something cool about the place. Went there again tonight and it was basically empty, stood at the hostess station for five minutes no one came out to seat us, we left. I think the poor old black lab has died:(
(1)Shawn R.
This was my second vist to this bistro. The first being with a coworker. The second on a date. Both times I enjoyed the BYOB aspect of the restaurant as should you. I don't remember what I got the first time but my second experience was not so good. I ordered the Bistro Steak and asked for medium well. Instead, I was given an undercooked piece of meat. I had it sent back and they still returned it undercooked. It was purple. Not good. The thing I found especially frustrating was that the meat was cut so it was not difficult to cook it properly. The fries with seasoning were good. Not that impressed with the place overall.
(2)V Y.
I had another great Sunday brunch at the Black Lab Bistro today. The owners and wait staff are very friendly and welcoming. My favorite is the shrimp and grits with andouille sausages. It's an explosion of flavor in every bite. My only "criticism" is that the chef can mince up the garlic a little more. It is a BYOB restaurant, so feel free to bring a beverage of your choice. I've never been disappointed with my choice if entrees there. I've been there for brunch and dinner. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the Black Lab! Give it a try the next time you are in PXV.
(5)Jennifer L.
Had Sunday brunch here about a month ago. It was great! We ate outside and enjoyed our meal. There was a bit of a wait to get our food but it was worth it. I look forward to having dinner here soon--maybe tonight!
(4)GoBlue G.
Had brunch with Mom, nephew and son, and we enjoied it very much. My andouille sausage omelette was nicely prepared and i customized with a blackened sea scallop....great. Zucchini bread was moist and a nice addition instead of the stanard toasts. Potato wedges were crispy. Mom's spinach salad topped with salmon was just right for her, although i can not for the life of me remember my son's or nephew's meal i know the enjoied them.....sorry no help there. Over all our experience was satisfing and will return.
(4)Matt K.
I really wanted to give this place 3 stars, it's not bad food or bad service, it's just average. But the prices are much too high for average food. The menu is eclectic and very large, which is a danger signal unless their turnover is high. On this night, it wasn't. The other problem with a huge menu is that the restaurant typically loses any pretense of a theme or a soul. We had a buffalo rib-eye steak and the soft shell crabs special. The rib-eye was so thin, it was practically impossible to cook it medium-rare like I asked. Instead, it came out almost well done. I did not feel like returning it since I knew that the second time around, it would probably be bloody. The kale on the side was tasty, but the ribs had not been removed, and since the greens were al dente, the ribs were rock hard. Rather offputting, to say the least. The potatoes were average. The soft shell crab, however, was very tasty, it was the highlight of the meal. It had some fresh, spicy Asian flavors. But the tempura batter was a bit heavy. Since my rib-eye was so tiny, I was still hungry, and ordered the strawberry rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream. The rhubarb texture was a bit dense, it is hard to do it right, and it wasn't very tart or flavorful. Service was efficient enough, no complaints, but then again, there were only 4 tables occupied so it should have been good.
(2)Alex W.
A very crowded and noisy place. Our table for 7 was in a corner and foot traffic as constantly going by. I had the lobster bisque. It was good. It didn't have much meat in it and it had a little acidic tang to it. A first for me, I saw striped bass on the menu and I wanted to try it. It was $30 and came with brocolini and lobster risotto. When it arrived I was disappointed with the size of the fish. It was about 2 1/4" by about 3 1/2 inches. I thought that was pretty small especially for $30. It came with the skin on and in one way I liked that cause it looked like striper skin. The fish was OK. It was a little fishy and the seasoning didn't seem to compliment the fish. The vegetable was good and the risotto was excellent. I could have eaten a lot more of the risotto. My wife had the scallops and again, the seasoning didn't go well with the scallops. I've been to Black Lab before and had their short ribs dinner which I really enjoyed. I'll give them a try again even though their food is a little pricier than other restaurants.
(3)Carolyn G.
Overall, we had good entrees and depressing service. Not sure I would go back because our overall dining experience was just boring. I'm tempted to give a two star rating, but the food was good. Now for the details: It's my mistake that I didn't read the BYOB note so we didn't bring any wine to a Friday lunch. We arrived right after the lunch rush, about 1 PM, and there were only a few parties in the restaurant. Upon arriving we were impressed with the decor and how comfortable the atmosphere was. Menu time...we both considered an appetizer and an entree. Our server was, to say the least, bland. He offered no greeting, no specials, and didn't ask if we wanted anything to drink besides the two glasses of water on the table. I inquired about the soup and the description was delivered so poorly that I didn't want to take a chance; we skipped the appetizers. We both ordered entrees (blackened salmon) and at that point discovered we were in a BYOB...not the server's fault. However, he didn't offer iced-tea, coffee, or an alternative. No bread was served. Our entrees arrived 20 minutes later and they were very good. The portion is perfect, neither too small nor too large, and was well presented on the plate. And that was it...nothing on the table but two glasses of water and our two entrees...no salt and pepper, no decor, nothing. We looked at the dessert menu, declined to order, paid the bill and left; again, without any interaction with our server. This is the first place we've tried in Phoenixville and would probably try another place, probably the Iron Hill pub, before we return to the Black Lab. I like what they are attempting to do but the service is not well executed.
(3)Brandon G.
People on yelp are way too uptight. Yeah there is a list of rules, it's a joke. Foods awesome. Great atmosphere in a great little town. Not a hush hush with your pinky up kinda spot. Highly recommend lobster bisque and the grilled angus filet oscar Lump Crabmeat, Bearnaise Sauce, Demi-Glace, Whipped Potato, Asparagus delicious! Only complaint is our server, felt a tad bit rushed. Very busy Saturday in his defense.
(4)Tiffany L.
I would agree with other reviewers that the service is not great. Our waiter was very slow to take our orders and we went on a Sunday around 4:30 so it was very slow in the restaurant. But the assistant waiter and/or bus boy was very prompt with keeping our drinks filled, which is always appreciated since the waiter was not that attentive. Also the waiter was not personable or helpful, came off very snobby and with attitude like he was just going through the motions. BUT the food was FANTASTIC! My husband had the garden salad, filet minion chop steak, and the dolche de leche cake for desert. The salad was so good, the dressing was a kind of vinaigrette but very light and tasty. The steak came with potatoes, which had some sort of blue cheese or Gorgonzola mixed in, very smooth. Also had broccolini nothing to brag about but good. I had the flat bread pita with hummus, feta, and olives. Great light appetizer would recommend. For dinner I had the bolognese baked penne, very good. I would say it was light for a bolognese which I enjoyed because sometimes the sauce can be too heavy. Also had the peanut butter pie, a little to rich I enjoyed the dolche de leche cake much more. It was also over priced I felt. The option we had was a pre-fixed menu that was in addition to their regular menu and it was $25 for three courses. So I felt that was decent pricing but their normal menu will run you probably $40 or more a person for 3 courses, and while the food was great combined with the service I don't think it warrants almost $50 a plate with everything. I will definitely try again because restaurants are always changing and this one has a lot of potential to be great.
(3)Helen D.
When we were leaving the restaurant I noticed the "LIST OF RULES" on the wall. Oh how I regret not taking that picture. When eateries have "RULES" you can expect mediocrity which is exactly what we experienced. The menu sounded exciting & every special sounded better than the next. The food was ok & I most likely will not go back unless someone else is picking up the tab. It was way overpriced. The service was not friendly or prompt - for me that was a deal breaker. If you want good food & great service this is NOT the place to go. The only "bonus" is that it is byob.
(2)Ting Ting G.
I love black lab for their great service and wonderful dinner, This time I went for brunch, eggs and bacon don't seem to be their strong point. Crab eggs benedict: I decided to get this because of how great their crab cakes are, the crab was tasty however the poached eggs were way overcooked and the hollandaise sauce was nothing special and had no taste French toast: a lot of toast, I enjoyed the whipped cream cheese topping. Could have used more berries. The french toast was bordering on soggy The coffee and service were fantastic however. Probably not coming back for brunch, dinner is definitely their strong suite.
(3)Theresa G.
Took reservation, waited over 1 hour and basically left.
(1)Paul K.
Went for dinner on a Sat night with my wife. Quickly seated, bottle opend fast. Tables are a little tight but overall a great room to eat in. Service was great, not pushy, not rushed but there when you needed them. The foie gras app was pretty weak. Very small compared to other places we have had it. The entrees though were very good, and very well portioned. Great place to go on a date.
(4)Teresa M.
Ate Sunday brunch here a few weeks ago with my BF. We both ordered omlettes. Both were served with toast and diced hash brown potatoes. My omlette had chorizo sausage and cheese-which were so good together. Interestingly enough, I chose the zucchini bread toast which I had hoped would have tasted a little better (hance 4 stars instead of 5). Our waitress was very attentive and refilled our water and coffee several times. Oh-by the way...the coffee was excellent! We will definitely come for brunch again and possibly stop in for dinner too.
(4)John R.
Ok....list of rules?! Right off the bat, this sorta ruined it. No restaurant should ever post "rules". It is insulting to patrons! Maybe this is why the place was dead on Saturday night? Maybe it was the fact the menu was way too big or maybe it was the fact the you don't get a lot of food for the price. Who knows... The menu seemed uninspired and lacked creativity. I could tell because my rib steak tasted like something I could have ordered at Outback for half the price. Also, the calamari was rubbery. The service was decent...could have been better since there weren't many people eating. The server we had was very friendly tho. Returning here? Severely doubt it!
(2)Craig D.
(4) ~ Overall Food & Service OUR MENU: * Water(tap) = (3.5) good * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Calamari = (3.5) good * Butternut Squash Ravioli = (4) very good * Wild Boar Ragu = (3.5) good...it's a BIG portion. * Burger w. American Cheese & Fries = (3.75) good fries & Brioche rolls * Devil's Food Chocolate Cake = (3.5) good * Cinnamon Roll Ice ream Sandwich = (4) very good * Cappucino w. rock candy = (4.5) Very Good * Coffee = (4) very good NOTES: No Reservations on Friday & Saturday; It's First come~First Serve:-)
(4)Nicolas E.
Best restaurant in Phoenixville. Creative chef has built an impressive menu, it's always a delight to eat here. The service is also excellent.
(5)John D.
I've been to this place 3 times. The menu was fine. The burgers are large and tasty. They do have a tendency to use a little more grease on their burger but it was not too bad. The salad was great so were the crabmeat and lobster bisque. I took one star away because it gets noisy during busy hours. For a young group of friends, it's not an issue. For a couple looking for a more intimate dinner date, it may be a little distracted. The service was quick and to the point. I'll be back again.
(4)Rick J.
You lost us at the front door.... My wife and I where perusing a place to eat last Friday night and strolled into this place. It looked busy until you realized that the bar sitting area was not available and several tables were open but not being seated. The hostess seemed more interested in sitting on her perch than greeting walk ins... We gave it 10 minutes and when another table opened up with no response from her we left. There are way too many other restaurants in this town for a place not to be more accommodating to walk ins.. I was thinking that this was too bad as we left since the food smelled good but based on the other reviews that I have now read it doesn't sound like we missed much.
(1)Pamela K.
The Black Lab is a staple in our restaurant armory! Love the atmosphere, the service is always excellent, and the food consistently delicious. it's our go to for date nights, dinners with friends and treating out of town guests to a great meal.
(5)Julie C.
Very, very slow service. Food quality does not match the price. Steaks undercooked, burger for a little one was burnt (no childrens menu), ended up with a pitcher of water and sprite combined because the staff did not talk to each other and only had 1 pitcher to share apparently, service so slow, completed 2 appetizers with nothing to drink because no one ever came back to fill or check on status of meal. Offered free dessert and some off the bill to attempt to fix, which was nice, but still a frustrating experience overall.
(2)James R.
Its a pricey joint, but the steak was perfect and the calamari was the best I have ever had anywhere.
(4)Mike K.
I have lived in this area for a long time, and have heard good things about this place; after eating there, I can't say I agree. The food is expensive for what it is, everything you order is extra, an 8pm reservation turns into an 8:45 seating, and worst, the wait staff treats you like you are lucky to be eating there at all. I left there wondering; who do these people think they are?
(1)David M.
Amazing! The food was the highest quality, fresh, delicious, full of flavor with absolutely stunning presentation! Service was quick, flawless and cortious. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a auperb meal in a nice atmosphere!
(5)Matt O.
Great food, but overpriced. I've been here three times. I've never had a bad dish here, but I do feel that the prices are excessive. If you're looking for a nice evening out in Phoenixville Black Lab is a great place to have dinner, just be prepared to spend more than average on your meal.
(4)Shelley W.
Mmmmm......sunday brunch! The Black Lab did it right! They were even considerate enough to come up with an option for a friend who was unable to eat dairy. (Note to management: might not be a bad idea to have some butter-substitute or olive oil hiding in the kitchen) Pumpkin Pancakes with dried cranberries and pecans? DON'T MIND IF I DO! The omlette that my friend had looked good and must have been because she didn't share! I'd come back here in a flash
(4)Er B.
Went back this weekend for dinner. It's been awhile. They were surprisingly busy for 8:00pm on a Sunday, but outside had some empty spots available. We were seated rather promptly by the hostess, given menus, and then waited...and waited....for someone to come by. Not a single server entered/exited the restaurant to check on the other tables, either. About 10 minutes after being seated (and we were just about to get up to leave), a server came over. We were ready to order, but we were told they were out of several dishes. After finding out that one of our entrees was 86-ed, we asked for a moment to revisit the menu while we waited for glassware to be delivered to our table. We placed our order for an appetizer and two entrees. The Crab Louis appetizer came out very quickly; which we enjoyed thoroughly. In previous visits, courses have come out rather quickly and there is little interruption between them (I eat slower, so sometimes I'm still finishing when my entree arrives). I'd say it was between 15 to 20 minutes from the time that our appetizer was cleared and when our entree arrived. Again, I am conceding that the place was unusually busy, but this was now after 9pm, and no new customers had come in. I had ordered the scallops and the mr had ordered the goat cheese gnocchi. I enjoyed my entree, but the mr was disappointed in the gnocchi. There was no flavor of goat cheese and the dish was hopped up on much too much garlic and crushed red pepper. We had received a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant, so dinner (incl. tax and tip) cost less than $20 that evening. We did not get dessert and opted to visit a place nearby for ice cream. Sadly, a place that was such a great go-to restaurant has me thinking that I will probably hesitate about a return visit. I'm bummed about that.
(2)Melissa S.
(4) ~ Overall Food (1) ~ Service OUR MENU: * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Appetizer = (4) very good * Meals = (4) very good * Desserts (5) excellent The server was terrible. It was not very busy for a Thursday night. He (John) was not interested in us at all. He did not want to accomadate our requests and put his hands on his hips when we had questions. At the end of the evening he tried to scam us when paying separately by taking some of the cash but charging more than should have been on the credit card. Seriously...4 professional women would not check this? Too bad. He made the end of the evening finsh poorly. Jerk.
(3)Cheryl M.
We stopped at the Black Lab when in the area looking at houses. I had the french toast brioche with berries. It was fantastic. Just the perfect size to fill you up but not too much. The berries were fresh, the cream cheese filling was not too sweet and just complimented the toast perfectly. The plate came with homemade whipped cream. The place was adorable and the service was great. I thought it was a perfect breakfast.
(4)Gullbritt M.
The food was bottom of the line. The onion soup tasted as made from bouillon cubes, salty and raw. Applebees' hamburger is better and at half the price! The environment very pleasant and service attentive. Going back? Doubt it....
(1)Stephen W.
Phoenixille Is undergoing a rare transformation from rusty industrial town to a vibrant, entertaining main street of galleries, shops and restaurants. One of the best restaurants is the Black Lab. BL features one of the most interesting and creative menus in the area. The weekend Specials list may be all that you need. A BYOB, we had a nice white wine with their swordfish in puttenesca sauce atop penne with broccoli rabe. Terrific. Black Lab is not inexpensive compared to chain pubs, but the food is far better. Prices are reasonable considering how careful and fresh the selections tend to be. Perfect evening - casual dinner at an outside table at the Black Lab, the cross the street for a small-run indie film at the Colonial Theater.
(4)Lauren F.
Went to the Black Lab for my birthday dinner last summer. Decided last minute, and I was uber concerned about there being a wait. Only five minutes and we were seated. The place was a pretty packed and a little loud for my taste but the meal and service certainly make up for it. Our server was excellent and so kind. Although I would be too for the prices. I started off with the foie gras (the special that night). Felt like heaven in my mouth. For my entree I ordered the salmon. Really good. The risotto underneath was way better if I do say so. My younger sister ordered the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese and loved it!! The desserts were possibly the best part of the meal. There were four of us and we all decided to order something different for each and split it. The creme brulee, cheesecake, and tiramisu were pretty good but the cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich was out of this world. EAT IT EAT IT! Overall, me likey. Me likey a lot
(5)Chris H.
Absolutely LOVE this place! Been here several times and have always had an amazing dinner! The calamari with the "sauce" is out of this world! I don't stray too far off what I know and love - the Filet Oscar. You don't need a knife - it is that tender. And the flavor...just an amazing place! Keep it up!
(5)reviewer m.
I went here for dinner and had the Colossal Lump Crab Cakes....these are not very tasty in my opinion and for the price, I would not go back. The crab did not have a lot of flavor and I was still starving after the meal. The atmosphere was nice and friendly, but it is quite loud and hard to hear people at your table. I'm not really sure why there was a line to eat there considering the quality of the food and ambience were lacking. I think it's mostly locals but not worth the drive. I would not care to return here.
(3)Holly H.
We've brought another 6 people here last night and had a fab time. I'm glad they're a neighborhood staple.
(5)Kristine G.
I bookmarked this place awhile ago when I read these beautiful words, "cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich" but on Saturday we finally had the time to go there for lunch. When you first walk in, the entryway is painted like Starry night and there are Van Gogh paintings throughout the restaurant (along with other artists). He's my favorite so instantly I liked the decor. We started with the duck egg rolls for an appetizer. They were tasty, but very small and probably not worth the $8 or $9 we paid. We decided to split their lobster mac n cheese. Now, I can only compare this to Gypsy Saloon's lobster mac n cheese and Gypsy's is definitely better but in a different way. Gypsy's is like a big bowl of comfort mac n cheese with big chunks of lobster. Black Lab's was like a spring lobster mac n cheese. It was light, aromatic, and the lobster was more part of the dish rather than a separate entity. It was topped with panko for a nice crunch, but they did go a little panko happy. Usually we split dessert, but I was set on having the cinnamon bun and Jeff had other ideas (he's not so smart sometimes). He ordered banana foster crepes with vanilla ice cream. First, it wasn't an ice cream sandwich like I normally picture them. It seriously was a cinnamon bun cut in half, piping hot, with all the sugary goodness covered with ice cream. It was awesome. Our waitress was really nice. She even insisted on fixing our wobbly table that neither one of us noticed. Overall, I'm glad that other yelpers led me to bookmark this place. It won't disappoint you.
(4)Rob R.
I arrived, I went to their bathroom only to find the door hard to close, not a normal lock a bolt lock, very downtrodden. I have to wash may hands because the latch had to be muscled before I could lock the door. had to search the bathroom for the soap, found it up on a shelf. Set it on the sink and it slid down the sink wanting to dump into the sink due to the slanted sinktop. Wash my hands .... the water got too hot to the point of being unsafe. (Dag I really gotta go) ... wash up after using the facility only to step on the garbage pail stomper to find it did not open the lid, I'm like this is like a bad bar bathroom and I thought we stepped into a restaurant for some lunch ... I go back to my table where my wife was seated and I see a few flys about the table on the menus. I just said ... honey we aint staying here, let's go. Down to Molly McGuires where we had a lovely lunch on the outdoor terrace. Best decision we made. This place is dark in the daylight. Sorry Black Lab you missed the cut on first impression.
(2)Catherine N.
Took mom to Mother's Day brunch here. The food was very good. Mom and hubby had crab cakes and were both happy to find real chunks of crab inside. Our only complaint was that the acoustics, especially with such a large crowd, made talking to each other difficult without shouting. Overall, a nice place and we'll be back.
(3)Alex C.
This is really 31/2 stars. This is a very cute restaurant and a BYOB (both big pluses), with a looooong menu! It really is overwhelming! The atmosphere is great, it's nice and loud, makes you feel like you're somewhere more hip. But back to the food and the menu. It is one of the longest menus I have ever seen. There are plenty of things that look and sound good but unfortunately my immediate reaction when I see such a large menu is that there is no way everything can be fresh. They did have a specials menu that changes every day so I would suggest sticking to ordering from there, just to be safe! We were a party of four so we all decided to try a couple of different things. We ended up starting with the mussels, oysters, frishee salad and the beet salad, as well as sharing a small order of the lobster mac n cheese. I had the mussels, and it was a HUGE order of mussels with plenty to share between 2 people. The mussels were very good in a tomatoey-vodka sauce. I also sampled the lobster mac n cheese which was good but not as rich as I had hoped but not bad by any means! For our main I tried the "Fisherman's platter" which consisted of small samples of salmon, tilapia, crab cake, and shrimp. It was pretty good, but I wasn't sure how everything fit in together. All the components individually were good, and it's good if you want to sample a lot of different things so next time you can order the one you liked the best! I do have to recommend the crab cakes which was awesome, lots of crab meat. All in all we had a really great dining experience. Dessert was ok, all our our cobblers and pies were cold which was a disspointment but the ice cream was delicious! The loud ceilings makes the dining room loud, in a good way of course! Our waitress was very helpful and nice as well which added to the experience! Lastly, I hadn't been to Phoenixville in a long time, and it truly is going thru a major rejuvenation. That being said, it's still Phoenixville....unfortunately. Give it another 3-5 years and I'm sure not only the buildings but the atmosphere will be just like West Chester.
(3)cotie s.
Last night was probably our sixth visit and while not completely disappointing a couple items we ordered were mediocre. My sights are set high when we go to Black Lab, so being let down may be too easy. Chicken Livers: Awesome! Best item we had. Chicken livers, onions, bacon, citrus, delicious. Potato Pancakes: Not so much. Kinda weird consistency of the cakes and the lox were okay. The dish did not make a lot of sense. New York Strip: Good, just not great. My wife actually ordered the Rib Eye, which she was told they were out of? Hmmm...the Rib Eye was probably better. The steak was well seasoned, though a little overdone for my tastes and we ordered it medium. Game Trio: Been debating ordering this every time and finally dropped the hammer and ordered. The quail was the highlight. Cooked perfectly and season lightly. Venison medallion, tender well seasoned. Buffalo Rib Eye, tender and well cooked, just under seasoned. Chocolate Ravioli: I really liked theses. They are made with chocolate pasta, filled with chocolate ganache, accompanied with whip cream and raspberries. Served warm with just a little crispiness on the pasta. Mouthwatering. There are enough new menu items to keep us coming back to black lab. Though I would like them to bring back a couple items I've had in the past that were really good.
(4)Maria W.
Not much selection for vegetarians. Onion soupis amazing! Our server, Jim, was completely disinterested in us- we barely saw him. I had to flag him down for pepper for my salad, and he just tossed it onto the table. On the upside-our busboy was very attentive and helpful!
(3)Julie S.
We went with friends on a cold, rainy Tuesday night @ 7:30. It was pretty obvious that customers were not clamoring to eat out that night- so I found it a bit bizarre to be asked "did we have a reservation" in lieu of a "good evening, welcome..." We were seated to a 4 top along the chair wall near the door. Those tables are really small and too close together. Calamari with 5 spice and sambal aioli: really tasty, lightly seasoned and dusted, fried to perfection with tentacles and all ( husband was quite happy). Moules with garlic creme: Lacking in any real flavor, did not taste all the layering of garlic, white wine, parsley. Could have used some reduction of the juices with the cream...it was too milky and very watery. House salad: fresh, crunchy and crispy Andouille pasta: All the good ingredients were there, but the tomato creme could have been executed a bit better. Pasta with crabmeat: Looked like marinara with crab in it. The presentation was not an "ooh-ah" moment Diver sea scallops with pecans: The dish tasted great, the pecans were savory with the mashed potatoes and demi glaze. My one disappointment was in the scallops, seared to perfection and left on the heat too long. They were too rubbery by the time they got the table and there was no translucency left in the middle of the scallop. A more gentle hand with them would have been perfection. Shrimp scampi with lemon risotto and spinach: Another great combination, and the seafood just a bit overdone. Great flavors, good presentation. Blueberry creme brulee: Creme brulee with blueberry garnish. Had the perfect "burnt" sugar crust that cracked with my spoon with the creamy, smooth vanilla custard that was perfection. ( I am VERY particular about how creme brulee is made, and made well!) Overall, the service was attentive and not over bearing. The food could use a little tweaking, but all the great flavors and ingredients are there. This has the potential of being something really great and we look forward to them stepping it up a notch on a return visit.
(3)James M.
Sat down just as they opened at 5 pm on a Saturday. Excellent service, food and the room temperature was perfect. Our table was in a tight-corner: on one side, the 3 chairs were against the wall, on other side, my chair was right up-against a chair behind me. Expensive, $38 per person (water, appetizers and entrees only; no drinks or desserts), but each dish was very good. Note: no reservations on the weekend; don't take Discover Card.
(5)Percy N.
Always enjoyed grabbing lunch there or an occasional dinner. The freshly made and well executed salads as well as soups and sandwiches make it a favorite lunch destination in the area. The lobster bisque is excellent as is their burger. I feel compelled to warn those who are pressed for time that on more than a few occasions service has been a bit slow, so don't expect a 30 min lunch here unless you sit at the "kitchen bar" area. If you are lucky, you will find street side parking and grab a table outside when the weather is good. They have a private lot behind the store, which is quite small, but luckily there are a few public parking areas nearby.
(4)Joanna F.
I went with a friend for lunch on Saturday and we arrived 20 minutes before the kitchen closed for the gap between lunch and dinner. Our service was fast and friendly, and we were certainly not made to feel rushed or that we were inconveniencing them, which can be the case at some places. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually thought the prices were decent. I'm not sure if they're worse at dinnertime. Both of us ordered off the specials menu. I had a cuban sandwich that seemed appropriately priced at $10 because it was huge and I got two full meals out of it. It was loaded with meat and homemade pickles and was delicious. My only minor gripe is that there was too much butter on the outside so it was a bit greasy. My friend had the shrimp scampi with risotto, which cost $12 and was delicious except that it had too much garlic (and we are big garlic eaters so that's saying something if we agree that there's too much in a dish. You can't be too careful with all those vampires around, you know). We also split the duck spring rolls as an appetizer which were tasty and had a really good sauce. So basically, some minor issues with the food but overall we agreed that we were happy with the flavor and with the price and that we would definitely go back. Next time I'll bring a bottle of wine though, now that I know it's a byob!
(4)Katie H.
Amazing food. BYOB. The magic concept of Philadelphia works well here. Great atmosphere and service rounded out all of my experiences here. One thing to think about: I love seafood and almost cried because their carmelized sea scallops were so good. Try them if given the opportunity. The main drawbacks are wait time and food to dollar ratio, but you aren't going to a place like this for three days worth of leftovers.
(4)Dan P.
I went with a friend and we both had a hard time deciding what to order. We had great service and didnt have to wait long on a friday night at 730. They were very accomodating. The bread and butter was tasty and the first course of salads were fresh. The caesar was tasty and flavorful , I cleaned the plate with a piece of bread. The house salad was finished off by my dining companion. Our Entrees arrived promptly and cooked to order. I had the Ribeye with the mac and cheese and it was really good! The argentinian steak was very flavorful and the cajun spices were not over bearing. Dessert was very tasty the carrot cupcake and the pumpkin cheese cake were both devoured barley leaving the sauce on the plate. I always enjoy my meal at the Black lab.
(5)Jean H.
Fantastic meal of butterfish - perfectly cooked with a flavorful salsa. Decent service, nice decor. I went with a large group but seems more like a date night restaurant. Will definitely go back.
(3)Matthew M.
My wife and I love the Black Lab. It's our favorite place in Phoenixville. It's a little more expensive than some other places in town (save Majolica), but it's well worth it. ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere inside is great. It's not an enormous place, I'd say they probably have twenty tables or so. Very nice refurbished room with exposed brick and high ceilings. In the summertime they open the windows and have seating outside. Patrons tend to be well-to-do couples or larger groups of yuppie friends. Dress is casual, but nice. Jeans are acceptable, but I personally wouldn't wear sneakers (not that they'll throw you out if you do). SERVICE: The wait staff is always friendly and attentive, if not phenomenal. Our table was rocking a bit the last time we were there, and the waitress was kind enough to stoop down and prop up one leg with a napkin for us. Very thoughtful. I recently learned from a staff member that they take reservations for dinner during the week, but not on Friday or Saturday nights. If you go on a weekend, be sure to get there around 6 or wait until around 8:30, otherwise you'll likely have to wait for a table. FOOD: We've never had anything bad at the Black Lab. Our most recent visit was a couple weeks ago to celebrate my wife's birthday. She got the crab cakes and I got a pan seared cod on lobster rizzotto, both of which were excellent. I always try and get the lobster bisque if it's available. Excellent! For dessert we ordered the Tiramisu, which rivaled what I have tasted in Florence. The Black Lab is BYOB, but if you happen to forget your wine there is a liquor store conveniently located right down the street. OVERALL: If someone wanted to dine in Phoenixville one time for the rest of his life, I would send him to the Black Lab. Go there. You won't be sorry.
(5)Phil G.
I give Black Lab a lot of credit for being one of the pioneer restaurants in the new Phoenixville. The atmosphere is great, perfect for the area. The menu is a little formulaic--why are all restaurants in this area obsessed with lobster mac and cheese?--but not too expensive for what it is. I had lunch there recently with a fairly large group. My seared tuna was ok--good conception, good ingredients, but overcooked. Others at my table had the burger, which was good. The crab cake sandwich was also well-liked by my companions. My main criticism? The service was very off-puting. We were there towards the end of the lunch hour, and although the hostess was very cheerful and told us we had plenty of time before closing, the waitress was visibly annoyed at our presence, and reminded us at every interval that they were closing soon. If you don't want to be open, don't be open!
(3)Jessica A.
Black Lab has become one of my fiance and my favorite spots in the suburbs. Phoenixville is really going through a revolution, and spots like this are helping push that along. The restaurant is small and cozy (and can get loud as a result), but the best feature is definitely the food. Start out with the lobster bisque, which is creamy with just the right amount of sherry. I've had several entrees there, which have never been disappointing. You can't go wrong with any of their steaks, which are always cooked perfectly. And for dessert I would HIGHLY recommend the cinnamon bun sundae. Service can be slow at times, but it's never been an issue for us.
(5)Vikki C.
We ate dessert here twice, once at a table, and once at the bar. DH had the hot chocolate cake and the creme brulee, both very nicely done. A good solid 8 out of 10, great presentation. I had the banana crepes and the cinnamon bun sundae. The crepes were delightful, possibly the best dessert of the entire trip. I was disappointed in the sundae. Not that it wasn't good, presentation was great, ice cream was excellent. But after you've had (and love) Mr. Sticky's sticky buns nothing else ever compares. And don't get me wrong - the bun was moist and had a cinnamon taste, but I'd expected so much more after the banana crepes...
(4)Damien V.
After hearing good reviews from friends about this place, my wife and I decided to try it last Friday night. Although there are no reservations on Fridays, we did a call ahead 1 hour before we arrived. Once at the restaurant around 7:30 PM, we waited less than 20 minutes to get seated. No complaints there. When we were seated, we waited around 5 minutes before someone came over to greet us. Not bad considering how busy they were. The waiter approached our table and opened with "Have you decided?" No introduction, no "Can I get you a bucket of ice and a bottle opener for your BYO?" and no explanation of the specials or menu recommendations. The waiter's poor level of service continued throughout the meal and his interaction with us was lacking to the point it was awkward. The guys walking around refilling the water glasses did a better job of taking care of us. Food: Lobster bisque for both, Seafood diablo for me and Teriyaki Salmon pasta for my wife. The bisque was the best part of dinner although not the best I have ever had. Both seafood pasta dinners were overpriced and quality was average. Overall the restaurants "don't care" attitude towards it's customers was the most disappointing aspect. With all of the restaurants and bars in downtown Phoenixville, I see no reason to go back here.
(2)David F.
Black Lab is consistently very good. They do a great job of maintaining high quality meals with all of the selections they offer. Black Lab is a staple for good food and good times (we love eating here). I just at at Black Lab again and the food was out of this world again. They just continue to serve consistently good food with great service and always seem to put their best foot forward. Bring some friends, bring some wine and bring your appetite.
(4)Kristina C.
By far one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Brunch, lunch, dinner - I have never had anything I didn't love. My trust in the menu here has caused me to try things I wouldn't normally try and I remain impressed.
(5)Mark S.
I had a very pleasant and delicious lunch there the other day. My only issue is eating outside is noisy w/ traffic, but it is what it is. Try the shrimp & arugula w/watermelon or the tuna tartar. Very good.
(4)Charles R.
Really good spot for lunch. Always fresh and they usually have game on the menu. Never been for dinner since they don't take reservations of Fri or Sat. BYO, takes most credit cards and you can go to the Columbia Hotel piano bar after dinner for a drink.
(4)Jessica H.
I've only ever been here for breakfast, but I always thought that it was fantastic. They used to have weekly specials including pumpkin pancakes, and french toast, eggs benedict; in addition to delicious staples like omelets and their bakery. It's been a while since I've been in P-ville but I still often think about my yummy meals there.
(4)Statia M.
I believe that this is the same restaurant that's on Bridge street. Unless there's another Black Lab one street over. Anyway, friends of ours have been raving about this place for awhile, and even before we moved back to the area, I've been wanting to try it out. The place is quaint and warm. We were seated quickly and were attended to promptly. One thing I liked about this place is that it wasn't just your average menu. They had pureed parsnips, which I LOVE. They had a very large daily specials menu, which made it incredibly hard for me to choose what I wanted. It's better to have a hard time deciding because it all looks so good, rather than having a hard time deciding what to have because it all looks crappy We decided on a couple of appetizers (artichoke fritters with marscapone dip and duck confit. Both were pretty good. I had the filet and my husband had the striped sea bass, which looked pretty good too, and I don't really like fish. The service was, OK. The wait staff seemed rather annoyed, which, kind of put me on edge. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hopefully it was just an off night. The restaurant is BYO, which is both good and bad. I was aware of it beforehand, so we could stop off and grab a bottle of wine. Sometimes I like BYO, since it tends to make the bill a little more inexpensive, and other times, I'd rather just pay someone to make me a drink. I don't always like to have wine with dinner, but it is what it is. It didn't take away from the restaurant at all. Definitely someplace that I would visit again. There were a lot of things on the menu that I'd like to try.
(4)Kathy O.
We have never had a bad meal at the Black Lab Bistro in trendy new Phoenixville. My favorites are the Artichoke appetizer and the Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream sandwich dessert. You can never go wrong when they have the Butterfish entree as a special. Would not recommend for large groups as the room is too small. Love when we can sit at the tables on the sidewalk on summer evenings. First Fridays in the summer in Phoenixville are the best, but you have to get there before 6 for a seat.
(5)M. I.
Black Lab Bistro is a charming little place in the heart of downtown Phoenixville. I have been there a couple of times and will definitely go back. The food is absolutely fantastic (I had the filet mignon last time) and the service is wonderful. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)Diona S.
My husband and I went for dinner this evening. First the menu is too large and way over priced. I ordered chicken with asparagus, EVOO, and penne. What a horrible experience! I swear that penne must have been microwaved. It was dark brown in color and completely crunchy. Not to mention the fact that the dish was not just a puddle, but a pool of oil! Don't use EVOO like you would red tomato gravy. I had to send it back and the waitress even agreed that she thought the pasta looked overcooked. The excuse we got was that the chef was trying to caramelize the penne..that's why there was so much oil. What? My husband's shrimp were also overcook and complete rubber. I thought it was overpriced when we sat down...it was worse when I experienced the food.
(1)Henry B.
We had an enjoyable dinner there last Saturday. The food was good, but not as outstanding as others have suggested. I had mussels with Vodka sauce. The sauce was outstanding, but the mussels were dry as was the pasta. My wife had an excellent shrimp dish. The room was very crowded and noisy. The tin ceilings which are attractive make it a very noisy room. Service was very good, but a bit slow. I think it is very good, but over rated.
(3)JM T.
We have been going to the Black Lab since it first opened. It had a nice atmosphere, great food and was very welcoming. We've been back several times since their remodeling a few years ago but have found it to be much stuffier and don't enjoy it nearly as much. The food is still really good but we rarely go anymore due to the 'stuffiness'.
(3)Jeff H.
Had my birthday dinner here last week. Very decent food at a fair price. Not a 5 star establishment but the portions are large and the food is very well done. Definitely a place I will return to again and again. Staff was friendly and service was quick. BYOB as well which is a plus.
(4)Eduardo C.
We were looking for a place to have a nice dinner one night and it came up as a good option. We found this small place cozy and interesting. The menu was diverse and our appetizers and entrees were delicious. For the price range, we thought it was superb. I will be returning to try something else from their great menu. I took away one star because when we called to check for reservations they did not mention that it was BYOB, so my date and I had to settle for diet cokes for dinner. Otherwise, great place with great taste!
(4)Prasant N.
Got there around 8 o'clock on a Tuesday Night after Christmas with no reservation and they were able to sit us within 10 minutes which was great considering it was pretty full. The only bad thing was it was BYOB and we forgot so we had to order sodas to drink. I had the Chrgrilled Filet and Truffled Mashed Potatoes which was really good I would recommend to anyone. For dessert, I ended up ordering the Cinnamon Bun and Ice Cream which was okay and one of the reasons I am giving it four stars instead of five. Also even though it is a great food it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay. Overall I would recommend this place to someone looking for a good place to eat in Phoenixville.
(4)Local Guest D.
The Black Lab is the BEST restaurant in Phoenixville for the quality and variety of on the menu! The menu is diverse and unique with specials that would keep you coming back for quite some time! We had the duck breast and scallops and it was out of this world! My guest had the seafood fra diablo - definitely worth every penny!!! The atmosphere was great - wait time was a bit long but well worth it!!! We enjoyed our experience and would STRONGLY recommend to those restaurant goers who don't want to have just an "average" dining experience. The Black Lab is the place for a great meal and night out and hands down is the best in Phoenixville!!!!!
(5)Donna S.
I ate here a few weeks ago for lunch and it was awesome. We each got a sandwich and we split the fries with blue cheese on them. The fries were to die for and I'm not a huge blue cheese person. But it was good blue cheese, which makes a difference. I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. The atmosphere was great and so was the service.
(5)Becky N.
my new favorite restaurant! they have a really versatile menu and everything on it is done to perfection. Last time I went I got the Frisee salad to start and then the crepe manicotti. INCREDIBLE. just, wow. Dinner can be a little pricey by their lunch menu can't be beat. Best meal you'll ever get.
(5)Guy S.
First Time eating here. I took my girlfriend here last Friday night. The service was good and our waiter was friendly. The restaurant is BYOB. We don't drink so don't mind that, but if you drink be prepared. The menu is huge. It can be difficult to pick an entree, but we were never rushed and any questions we had regarding how dishes were prepared were answered well. I tried the $14.00 Lobster Mac & Cheese. It was good but not $14 dollars good. Both of our entrees were delicious. The fish was cook nicely and the sauces paired well and were not drowning out the flavor of the dish. I had the scallops, also very nice, the sauce was sweet and complimented the dish. the atmosphere is busy and loud but it was comfortable and did not make me feel rushed or unwelcome. Our bill was almost $90.00 with tip. I have no problem shelling out cash for gourmet restaurants and high end cuisine but $90.00 in Phoneixville seems a tad much. Next time I would drive to Philly. If you are local and don't mind over paying a little bit for a nice meal I totally recommend this place. Everything was good and satisfying, just felt it could have been priced more reasonably.
(3)Allison C.
Have been meaning to get to Black Lab Bistro for a couple years now, and I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. Had a wonderful meal! Atmosphere was great, service was great and the food was outstanding. My husband and I split a starter, each had an entree and could barely finish dessert, needless to say food was substantial! It was hard to decide on what to get - too many wonderful choices AND the specials offered more than doubled the menu. Great selection of beef and fish entrees. Can't wait to get back!!!
(5)Brendan E.
Fantastic place to eat. Great atmosphere, great food. A little pricey for dinner, but definitely worth it. Their brunch is quite reasonable and also quite delicious. The service is lacking...but not enough to downgrade the food.
(5)Tim F.
The food, atmosphere and service are all A+. A favorite place for us to take friends and family from out of town.
(5)Jand J.
If I could give this restaurant less than 1 star, I would. Avoid it. The decor is bland, and the food is not much better, although terribly overpriced. I am a vegetarian and mistakenly missed that the dish I ordered had bacon in it. I returned it to the waitress, with my apologies, and was treated nothing short of disdainfully. My meal was replaced with another that clearly was still cooked in bacon. When I explained I needed to return it, I was told I could not. THE WAITRESS would not allow me to return the meal, nor to speak to a manager. I paid $20 for 5 ravioli that I cannot eat. My companion paid $65 for a very mediocre meal. The service is terrible, the food is so-so, and the decor is boring, at best. I highly suggest dining at ANY of the other wonderful restaurants in Phoenixville and avoiding this place at all costs.
(1)Barb ..
Finally, some sophistication has come to "re-Phurbished" Phoenixville, thanks in part to the newly improved Black Lab Bistro & Bakery. Within the last couple of years Black Lab has "morphed" from a place that strived to be upscale but didn't quite make the mark, into one that finally found itself and delivers. If you are expecting "Mom's Meatloaf" to still be on the menu, there's a new Iron Hill down the block. As for first course selections, you will discover Bella Foie Gras in lieu of cheese fries, Colossal Lump Crab Cake in lieu of potato skins and Calamari in lieu of french onion soup. Sushi Grade Tuna, Veal Tenderlion Medallions, Surf & Turf and Scottish Salmon are among the list of wonderful entree choices. Black Lab is an attractive, cozy little bistro with a decor that boasts exposed brick, bright yellow walls, and contrasting dark woods. The cuisine is carefully prepared and artfully presented. BYO. Entrees range in price from the low $20s to low $30s. Don't overlook the "& Bakery"...save room for dessert.
(4)Melinda S.
way over priced, poor food selection, vegetarian unfriendly food. we went there for dinner looked at the menu and got up and left. went to iron hill instead!
(1)reviewer m.
I went here for dinner and had the Colossal Lump Crab Cakes....these are not very tasty in my opinion and for the price, I would not go back. The crab did not have a lot of flavor and I was still starving after the meal. The atmosphere was nice and friendly, but it is quite loud and hard to hear people at your table. I'm not really sure why there was a line to eat there considering the quality of the food and ambience were lacking. I think it's mostly locals but not worth the drive. I would not care to return here.
(3)Gullbritt M.
The food was bottom of the line. The onion soup tasted as made from bouillon cubes, salty and raw. Applebees' hamburger is better and at half the price! The environment very pleasant and service attentive. Going back? Doubt it....
(1)Stephen W.
Phoenixille Is undergoing a rare transformation from rusty industrial town to a vibrant, entertaining main street of galleries, shops and restaurants. One of the best restaurants is the Black Lab. BL features one of the most interesting and creative menus in the area. The weekend Specials list may be all that you need. A BYOB, we had a nice white wine with their swordfish in puttenesca sauce atop penne with broccoli rabe. Terrific. Black Lab is not inexpensive compared to chain pubs, but the food is far better. Prices are reasonable considering how careful and fresh the selections tend to be. Perfect evening - casual dinner at an outside table at the Black Lab, the cross the street for a small-run indie film at the Colonial Theater.
(4)Lauren F.
Went to the Black Lab for my birthday dinner last summer. Decided last minute, and I was uber concerned about there being a wait. Only five minutes and we were seated. The place was a pretty packed and a little loud for my taste but the meal and service certainly make up for it. Our server was excellent and so kind. Although I would be too for the prices. I started off with the foie gras (the special that night). Felt like heaven in my mouth. For my entree I ordered the salmon. Really good. The risotto underneath was way better if I do say so. My younger sister ordered the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese and loved it!! The desserts were possibly the best part of the meal. There were four of us and we all decided to order something different for each and split it. The creme brulee, cheesecake, and tiramisu were pretty good but the cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich was out of this world. EAT IT EAT IT! Overall, me likey. Me likey a lot
(5)Chris H.
Absolutely LOVE this place! Been here several times and have always had an amazing dinner! The calamari with the "sauce" is out of this world! I don't stray too far off what I know and love - the Filet Oscar. You don't need a knife - it is that tender. And the flavor...just an amazing place! Keep it up!
(5)Kristine G.
I bookmarked this place awhile ago when I read these beautiful words, "cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich" but on Saturday we finally had the time to go there for lunch. When you first walk in, the entryway is painted like Starry night and there are Van Gogh paintings throughout the restaurant (along with other artists). He's my favorite so instantly I liked the decor. We started with the duck egg rolls for an appetizer. They were tasty, but very small and probably not worth the $8 or $9 we paid. We decided to split their lobster mac n cheese. Now, I can only compare this to Gypsy Saloon's lobster mac n cheese and Gypsy's is definitely better but in a different way. Gypsy's is like a big bowl of comfort mac n cheese with big chunks of lobster. Black Lab's was like a spring lobster mac n cheese. It was light, aromatic, and the lobster was more part of the dish rather than a separate entity. It was topped with panko for a nice crunch, but they did go a little panko happy. Usually we split dessert, but I was set on having the cinnamon bun and Jeff had other ideas (he's not so smart sometimes). He ordered banana foster crepes with vanilla ice cream. First, it wasn't an ice cream sandwich like I normally picture them. It seriously was a cinnamon bun cut in half, piping hot, with all the sugary goodness covered with ice cream. It was awesome. Our waitress was really nice. She even insisted on fixing our wobbly table that neither one of us noticed. Overall, I'm glad that other yelpers led me to bookmark this place. It won't disappoint you.
(4)Rob R.
I arrived, I went to their bathroom only to find the door hard to close, not a normal lock a bolt lock, very downtrodden. I have to wash may hands because the latch had to be muscled before I could lock the door. had to search the bathroom for the soap, found it up on a shelf. Set it on the sink and it slid down the sink wanting to dump into the sink due to the slanted sinktop. Wash my hands .... the water got too hot to the point of being unsafe. (Dag I really gotta go) ... wash up after using the facility only to step on the garbage pail stomper to find it did not open the lid, I'm like this is like a bad bar bathroom and I thought we stepped into a restaurant for some lunch ... I go back to my table where my wife was seated and I see a few flys about the table on the menus. I just said ... honey we aint staying here, let's go. Down to Molly McGuires where we had a lovely lunch on the outdoor terrace. Best decision we made. This place is dark in the daylight. Sorry Black Lab you missed the cut on first impression.
(2)Catherine N.
Took mom to Mother's Day brunch here. The food was very good. Mom and hubby had crab cakes and were both happy to find real chunks of crab inside. Our only complaint was that the acoustics, especially with such a large crowd, made talking to each other difficult without shouting. Overall, a nice place and we'll be back.
(3)Alex C.
This is really 31/2 stars. This is a very cute restaurant and a BYOB (both big pluses), with a looooong menu! It really is overwhelming! The atmosphere is great, it's nice and loud, makes you feel like you're somewhere more hip. But back to the food and the menu. It is one of the longest menus I have ever seen. There are plenty of things that look and sound good but unfortunately my immediate reaction when I see such a large menu is that there is no way everything can be fresh. They did have a specials menu that changes every day so I would suggest sticking to ordering from there, just to be safe! We were a party of four so we all decided to try a couple of different things. We ended up starting with the mussels, oysters, frishee salad and the beet salad, as well as sharing a small order of the lobster mac n cheese. I had the mussels, and it was a HUGE order of mussels with plenty to share between 2 people. The mussels were very good in a tomatoey-vodka sauce. I also sampled the lobster mac n cheese which was good but not as rich as I had hoped but not bad by any means! For our main I tried the "Fisherman's platter" which consisted of small samples of salmon, tilapia, crab cake, and shrimp. It was pretty good, but I wasn't sure how everything fit in together. All the components individually were good, and it's good if you want to sample a lot of different things so next time you can order the one you liked the best! I do have to recommend the crab cakes which was awesome, lots of crab meat. All in all we had a really great dining experience. Dessert was ok, all our our cobblers and pies were cold which was a disspointment but the ice cream was delicious! The loud ceilings makes the dining room loud, in a good way of course! Our waitress was very helpful and nice as well which added to the experience! Lastly, I hadn't been to Phoenixville in a long time, and it truly is going thru a major rejuvenation. That being said, it's still Phoenixville....unfortunately. Give it another 3-5 years and I'm sure not only the buildings but the atmosphere will be just like West Chester.
(3)cotie s.
Last night was probably our sixth visit and while not completely disappointing a couple items we ordered were mediocre. My sights are set high when we go to Black Lab, so being let down may be too easy. Chicken Livers: Awesome! Best item we had. Chicken livers, onions, bacon, citrus, delicious. Potato Pancakes: Not so much. Kinda weird consistency of the cakes and the lox were okay. The dish did not make a lot of sense. New York Strip: Good, just not great. My wife actually ordered the Rib Eye, which she was told they were out of? Hmmm...the Rib Eye was probably better. The steak was well seasoned, though a little overdone for my tastes and we ordered it medium. Game Trio: Been debating ordering this every time and finally dropped the hammer and ordered. The quail was the highlight. Cooked perfectly and season lightly. Venison medallion, tender well seasoned. Buffalo Rib Eye, tender and well cooked, just under seasoned. Chocolate Ravioli: I really liked theses. They are made with chocolate pasta, filled with chocolate ganache, accompanied with whip cream and raspberries. Served warm with just a little crispiness on the pasta. Mouthwatering. There are enough new menu items to keep us coming back to black lab. Though I would like them to bring back a couple items I've had in the past that were really good.
(4)Holly H.
We've brought another 6 people here last night and had a fab time. I'm glad they're a neighborhood staple.
(5)Maria W.
Not much selection for vegetarians. Onion soupis amazing! Our server, Jim, was completely disinterested in us- we barely saw him. I had to flag him down for pepper for my salad, and he just tossed it onto the table. On the upside-our busboy was very attentive and helpful!
(3)Julie S.
We went with friends on a cold, rainy Tuesday night @ 7:30. It was pretty obvious that customers were not clamoring to eat out that night- so I found it a bit bizarre to be asked "did we have a reservation" in lieu of a "good evening, welcome..." We were seated to a 4 top along the chair wall near the door. Those tables are really small and too close together. Calamari with 5 spice and sambal aioli: really tasty, lightly seasoned and dusted, fried to perfection with tentacles and all ( husband was quite happy). Moules with garlic creme: Lacking in any real flavor, did not taste all the layering of garlic, white wine, parsley. Could have used some reduction of the juices with the cream...it was too milky and very watery. House salad: fresh, crunchy and crispy Andouille pasta: All the good ingredients were there, but the tomato creme could have been executed a bit better. Pasta with crabmeat: Looked like marinara with crab in it. The presentation was not an "ooh-ah" moment Diver sea scallops with pecans: The dish tasted great, the pecans were savory with the mashed potatoes and demi glaze. My one disappointment was in the scallops, seared to perfection and left on the heat too long. They were too rubbery by the time they got the table and there was no translucency left in the middle of the scallop. A more gentle hand with them would have been perfection. Shrimp scampi with lemon risotto and spinach: Another great combination, and the seafood just a bit overdone. Great flavors, good presentation. Blueberry creme brulee: Creme brulee with blueberry garnish. Had the perfect "burnt" sugar crust that cracked with my spoon with the creamy, smooth vanilla custard that was perfection. ( I am VERY particular about how creme brulee is made, and made well!) Overall, the service was attentive and not over bearing. The food could use a little tweaking, but all the great flavors and ingredients are there. This has the potential of being something really great and we look forward to them stepping it up a notch on a return visit.
(3)James M.
Sat down just as they opened at 5 pm on a Saturday. Excellent service, food and the room temperature was perfect. Our table was in a tight-corner: on one side, the 3 chairs were against the wall, on other side, my chair was right up-against a chair behind me. Expensive, $38 per person (water, appetizers and entrees only; no drinks or desserts), but each dish was very good. Note: no reservations on the weekend; don't take Discover Card.
(5)Joanna F.
I went with a friend for lunch on Saturday and we arrived 20 minutes before the kitchen closed for the gap between lunch and dinner. Our service was fast and friendly, and we were certainly not made to feel rushed or that we were inconveniencing them, which can be the case at some places. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually thought the prices were decent. I'm not sure if they're worse at dinnertime. Both of us ordered off the specials menu. I had a cuban sandwich that seemed appropriately priced at $10 because it was huge and I got two full meals out of it. It was loaded with meat and homemade pickles and was delicious. My only minor gripe is that there was too much butter on the outside so it was a bit greasy. My friend had the shrimp scampi with risotto, which cost $12 and was delicious except that it had too much garlic (and we are big garlic eaters so that's saying something if we agree that there's too much in a dish. You can't be too careful with all those vampires around, you know). We also split the duck spring rolls as an appetizer which were tasty and had a really good sauce. So basically, some minor issues with the food but overall we agreed that we were happy with the flavor and with the price and that we would definitely go back. Next time I'll bring a bottle of wine though, now that I know it's a byob!
(4)Katie H.
Amazing food. BYOB. The magic concept of Philadelphia works well here. Great atmosphere and service rounded out all of my experiences here. One thing to think about: I love seafood and almost cried because their carmelized sea scallops were so good. Try them if given the opportunity. The main drawbacks are wait time and food to dollar ratio, but you aren't going to a place like this for three days worth of leftovers.
(4)Dan P.
I went with a friend and we both had a hard time deciding what to order. We had great service and didnt have to wait long on a friday night at 730. They were very accomodating. The bread and butter was tasty and the first course of salads were fresh. The caesar was tasty and flavorful , I cleaned the plate with a piece of bread. The house salad was finished off by my dining companion. Our Entrees arrived promptly and cooked to order. I had the Ribeye with the mac and cheese and it was really good! The argentinian steak was very flavorful and the cajun spices were not over bearing. Dessert was very tasty the carrot cupcake and the pumpkin cheese cake were both devoured barley leaving the sauce on the plate. I always enjoy my meal at the Black lab.
(5)Jean H.
Fantastic meal of butterfish - perfectly cooked with a flavorful salsa. Decent service, nice decor. I went with a large group but seems more like a date night restaurant. Will definitely go back.
(3)Matthew M.
My wife and I love the Black Lab. It's our favorite place in Phoenixville. It's a little more expensive than some other places in town (save Majolica), but it's well worth it. ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere inside is great. It's not an enormous place, I'd say they probably have twenty tables or so. Very nice refurbished room with exposed brick and high ceilings. In the summertime they open the windows and have seating outside. Patrons tend to be well-to-do couples or larger groups of yuppie friends. Dress is casual, but nice. Jeans are acceptable, but I personally wouldn't wear sneakers (not that they'll throw you out if you do). SERVICE: The wait staff is always friendly and attentive, if not phenomenal. Our table was rocking a bit the last time we were there, and the waitress was kind enough to stoop down and prop up one leg with a napkin for us. Very thoughtful. I recently learned from a staff member that they take reservations for dinner during the week, but not on Friday or Saturday nights. If you go on a weekend, be sure to get there around 6 or wait until around 8:30, otherwise you'll likely have to wait for a table. FOOD: We've never had anything bad at the Black Lab. Our most recent visit was a couple weeks ago to celebrate my wife's birthday. She got the crab cakes and I got a pan seared cod on lobster rizzotto, both of which were excellent. I always try and get the lobster bisque if it's available. Excellent! For dessert we ordered the Tiramisu, which rivaled what I have tasted in Florence. The Black Lab is BYOB, but if you happen to forget your wine there is a liquor store conveniently located right down the street. OVERALL: If someone wanted to dine in Phoenixville one time for the rest of his life, I would send him to the Black Lab. Go there. You won't be sorry.
(5)Phil G.
I give Black Lab a lot of credit for being one of the pioneer restaurants in the new Phoenixville. The atmosphere is great, perfect for the area. The menu is a little formulaic--why are all restaurants in this area obsessed with lobster mac and cheese?--but not too expensive for what it is. I had lunch there recently with a fairly large group. My seared tuna was ok--good conception, good ingredients, but overcooked. Others at my table had the burger, which was good. The crab cake sandwich was also well-liked by my companions. My main criticism? The service was very off-puting. We were there towards the end of the lunch hour, and although the hostess was very cheerful and told us we had plenty of time before closing, the waitress was visibly annoyed at our presence, and reminded us at every interval that they were closing soon. If you don't want to be open, don't be open!
(3)Jessica A.
Black Lab has become one of my fiance and my favorite spots in the suburbs. Phoenixville is really going through a revolution, and spots like this are helping push that along. The restaurant is small and cozy (and can get loud as a result), but the best feature is definitely the food. Start out with the lobster bisque, which is creamy with just the right amount of sherry. I've had several entrees there, which have never been disappointing. You can't go wrong with any of their steaks, which are always cooked perfectly. And for dessert I would HIGHLY recommend the cinnamon bun sundae. Service can be slow at times, but it's never been an issue for us.
(5)Percy N.
Always enjoyed grabbing lunch there or an occasional dinner. The freshly made and well executed salads as well as soups and sandwiches make it a favorite lunch destination in the area. The lobster bisque is excellent as is their burger. I feel compelled to warn those who are pressed for time that on more than a few occasions service has been a bit slow, so don't expect a 30 min lunch here unless you sit at the "kitchen bar" area. If you are lucky, you will find street side parking and grab a table outside when the weather is good. They have a private lot behind the store, which is quite small, but luckily there are a few public parking areas nearby.
(4)Vikki C.
We ate dessert here twice, once at a table, and once at the bar. DH had the hot chocolate cake and the creme brulee, both very nicely done. A good solid 8 out of 10, great presentation. I had the banana crepes and the cinnamon bun sundae. The crepes were delightful, possibly the best dessert of the entire trip. I was disappointed in the sundae. Not that it wasn't good, presentation was great, ice cream was excellent. But after you've had (and love) Mr. Sticky's sticky buns nothing else ever compares. And don't get me wrong - the bun was moist and had a cinnamon taste, but I'd expected so much more after the banana crepes...
(4)Damien V.
After hearing good reviews from friends about this place, my wife and I decided to try it last Friday night. Although there are no reservations on Fridays, we did a call ahead 1 hour before we arrived. Once at the restaurant around 7:30 PM, we waited less than 20 minutes to get seated. No complaints there. When we were seated, we waited around 5 minutes before someone came over to greet us. Not bad considering how busy they were. The waiter approached our table and opened with "Have you decided?" No introduction, no "Can I get you a bucket of ice and a bottle opener for your BYO?" and no explanation of the specials or menu recommendations. The waiter's poor level of service continued throughout the meal and his interaction with us was lacking to the point it was awkward. The guys walking around refilling the water glasses did a better job of taking care of us. Food: Lobster bisque for both, Seafood diablo for me and Teriyaki Salmon pasta for my wife. The bisque was the best part of dinner although not the best I have ever had. Both seafood pasta dinners were overpriced and quality was average. Overall the restaurants "don't care" attitude towards it's customers was the most disappointing aspect. With all of the restaurants and bars in downtown Phoenixville, I see no reason to go back here.
(2)David F.
Black Lab is consistently very good. They do a great job of maintaining high quality meals with all of the selections they offer. Black Lab is a staple for good food and good times (we love eating here). I just at at Black Lab again and the food was out of this world again. They just continue to serve consistently good food with great service and always seem to put their best foot forward. Bring some friends, bring some wine and bring your appetite.
(4)Kristina C.
By far one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Brunch, lunch, dinner - I have never had anything I didn't love. My trust in the menu here has caused me to try things I wouldn't normally try and I remain impressed.
(5)Mark S.
I had a very pleasant and delicious lunch there the other day. My only issue is eating outside is noisy w/ traffic, but it is what it is. Try the shrimp & arugula w/watermelon or the tuna tartar. Very good.
(4)Charles R.
Really good spot for lunch. Always fresh and they usually have game on the menu. Never been for dinner since they don't take reservations of Fri or Sat. BYO, takes most credit cards and you can go to the Columbia Hotel piano bar after dinner for a drink.
(4)Jessica H.
I've only ever been here for breakfast, but I always thought that it was fantastic. They used to have weekly specials including pumpkin pancakes, and french toast, eggs benedict; in addition to delicious staples like omelets and their bakery. It's been a while since I've been in P-ville but I still often think about my yummy meals there.
(4)Statia M.
I believe that this is the same restaurant that's on Bridge street. Unless there's another Black Lab one street over. Anyway, friends of ours have been raving about this place for awhile, and even before we moved back to the area, I've been wanting to try it out. The place is quaint and warm. We were seated quickly and were attended to promptly. One thing I liked about this place is that it wasn't just your average menu. They had pureed parsnips, which I LOVE. They had a very large daily specials menu, which made it incredibly hard for me to choose what I wanted. It's better to have a hard time deciding because it all looks so good, rather than having a hard time deciding what to have because it all looks crappy We decided on a couple of appetizers (artichoke fritters with marscapone dip and duck confit. Both were pretty good. I had the filet and my husband had the striped sea bass, which looked pretty good too, and I don't really like fish. The service was, OK. The wait staff seemed rather annoyed, which, kind of put me on edge. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and hopefully it was just an off night. The restaurant is BYO, which is both good and bad. I was aware of it beforehand, so we could stop off and grab a bottle of wine. Sometimes I like BYO, since it tends to make the bill a little more inexpensive, and other times, I'd rather just pay someone to make me a drink. I don't always like to have wine with dinner, but it is what it is. It didn't take away from the restaurant at all. Definitely someplace that I would visit again. There were a lot of things on the menu that I'd like to try.
(4)Kathy O.
We have never had a bad meal at the Black Lab Bistro in trendy new Phoenixville. My favorites are the Artichoke appetizer and the Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream sandwich dessert. You can never go wrong when they have the Butterfish entree as a special. Would not recommend for large groups as the room is too small. Love when we can sit at the tables on the sidewalk on summer evenings. First Fridays in the summer in Phoenixville are the best, but you have to get there before 6 for a seat.
(5)M. I.
Black Lab Bistro is a charming little place in the heart of downtown Phoenixville. I have been there a couple of times and will definitely go back. The food is absolutely fantastic (I had the filet mignon last time) and the service is wonderful. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)Diona S.
My husband and I went for dinner this evening. First the menu is too large and way over priced. I ordered chicken with asparagus, EVOO, and penne. What a horrible experience! I swear that penne must have been microwaved. It was dark brown in color and completely crunchy. Not to mention the fact that the dish was not just a puddle, but a pool of oil! Don't use EVOO like you would red tomato gravy. I had to send it back and the waitress even agreed that she thought the pasta looked overcooked. The excuse we got was that the chef was trying to caramelize the penne..that's why there was so much oil. What? My husband's shrimp were also overcook and complete rubber. I thought it was overpriced when we sat down...it was worse when I experienced the food.
(1)Henry B.
We had an enjoyable dinner there last Saturday. The food was good, but not as outstanding as others have suggested. I had mussels with Vodka sauce. The sauce was outstanding, but the mussels were dry as was the pasta. My wife had an excellent shrimp dish. The room was very crowded and noisy. The tin ceilings which are attractive make it a very noisy room. Service was very good, but a bit slow. I think it is very good, but over rated.
(3)JM T.
We have been going to the Black Lab since it first opened. It had a nice atmosphere, great food and was very welcoming. We've been back several times since their remodeling a few years ago but have found it to be much stuffier and don't enjoy it nearly as much. The food is still really good but we rarely go anymore due to the 'stuffiness'.
(3)Jeff H.
Had my birthday dinner here last week. Very decent food at a fair price. Not a 5 star establishment but the portions are large and the food is very well done. Definitely a place I will return to again and again. Staff was friendly and service was quick. BYOB as well which is a plus.
(4)Eduardo C.
We were looking for a place to have a nice dinner one night and it came up as a good option. We found this small place cozy and interesting. The menu was diverse and our appetizers and entrees were delicious. For the price range, we thought it was superb. I will be returning to try something else from their great menu. I took away one star because when we called to check for reservations they did not mention that it was BYOB, so my date and I had to settle for diet cokes for dinner. Otherwise, great place with great taste!
(4)Prasant N.
Got there around 8 o'clock on a Tuesday Night after Christmas with no reservation and they were able to sit us within 10 minutes which was great considering it was pretty full. The only bad thing was it was BYOB and we forgot so we had to order sodas to drink. I had the Chrgrilled Filet and Truffled Mashed Potatoes which was really good I would recommend to anyone. For dessert, I ended up ordering the Cinnamon Bun and Ice Cream which was okay and one of the reasons I am giving it four stars instead of five. Also even though it is a great food it is a little pricey but I am willing to pay. Overall I would recommend this place to someone looking for a good place to eat in Phoenixville.
(4)Local Guest D.
The Black Lab is the BEST restaurant in Phoenixville for the quality and variety of on the menu! The menu is diverse and unique with specials that would keep you coming back for quite some time! We had the duck breast and scallops and it was out of this world! My guest had the seafood fra diablo - definitely worth every penny!!! The atmosphere was great - wait time was a bit long but well worth it!!! We enjoyed our experience and would STRONGLY recommend to those restaurant goers who don't want to have just an "average" dining experience. The Black Lab is the place for a great meal and night out and hands down is the best in Phoenixville!!!!!
(5)Donna S.
I ate here a few weeks ago for lunch and it was awesome. We each got a sandwich and we split the fries with blue cheese on them. The fries were to die for and I'm not a huge blue cheese person. But it was good blue cheese, which makes a difference. I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. The atmosphere was great and so was the service.
(5)Becky N.
my new favorite restaurant! they have a really versatile menu and everything on it is done to perfection. Last time I went I got the Frisee salad to start and then the crepe manicotti. INCREDIBLE. just, wow. Dinner can be a little pricey by their lunch menu can't be beat. Best meal you'll ever get.
(5)Guy S.
First Time eating here. I took my girlfriend here last Friday night. The service was good and our waiter was friendly. The restaurant is BYOB. We don't drink so don't mind that, but if you drink be prepared. The menu is huge. It can be difficult to pick an entree, but we were never rushed and any questions we had regarding how dishes were prepared were answered well. I tried the $14.00 Lobster Mac & Cheese. It was good but not $14 dollars good. Both of our entrees were delicious. The fish was cook nicely and the sauces paired well and were not drowning out the flavor of the dish. I had the scallops, also very nice, the sauce was sweet and complimented the dish. the atmosphere is busy and loud but it was comfortable and did not make me feel rushed or unwelcome. Our bill was almost $90.00 with tip. I have no problem shelling out cash for gourmet restaurants and high end cuisine but $90.00 in Phoneixville seems a tad much. Next time I would drive to Philly. If you are local and don't mind over paying a little bit for a nice meal I totally recommend this place. Everything was good and satisfying, just felt it could have been priced more reasonably.
(3)Allison C.
Have been meaning to get to Black Lab Bistro for a couple years now, and I'm kicking myself for not going sooner. Had a wonderful meal! Atmosphere was great, service was great and the food was outstanding. My husband and I split a starter, each had an entree and could barely finish dessert, needless to say food was substantial! It was hard to decide on what to get - too many wonderful choices AND the specials offered more than doubled the menu. Great selection of beef and fish entrees. Can't wait to get back!!!
(5)Brendan E.
Fantastic place to eat. Great atmosphere, great food. A little pricey for dinner, but definitely worth it. Their brunch is quite reasonable and also quite delicious. The service is lacking...but not enough to downgrade the food.
(5)Tim F.
The food, atmosphere and service are all A+. A favorite place for us to take friends and family from out of town.
(5)Jand J.
If I could give this restaurant less than 1 star, I would. Avoid it. The decor is bland, and the food is not much better, although terribly overpriced. I am a vegetarian and mistakenly missed that the dish I ordered had bacon in it. I returned it to the waitress, with my apologies, and was treated nothing short of disdainfully. My meal was replaced with another that clearly was still cooked in bacon. When I explained I needed to return it, I was told I could not. THE WAITRESS would not allow me to return the meal, nor to speak to a manager. I paid $20 for 5 ravioli that I cannot eat. My companion paid $65 for a very mediocre meal. The service is terrible, the food is so-so, and the decor is boring, at best. I highly suggest dining at ANY of the other wonderful restaurants in Phoenixville and avoiding this place at all costs.
(1)Barb ..
Finally, some sophistication has come to "re-Phurbished" Phoenixville, thanks in part to the newly improved Black Lab Bistro & Bakery. Within the last couple of years Black Lab has "morphed" from a place that strived to be upscale but didn't quite make the mark, into one that finally found itself and delivers. If you are expecting "Mom's Meatloaf" to still be on the menu, there's a new Iron Hill down the block. As for first course selections, you will discover Bella Foie Gras in lieu of cheese fries, Colossal Lump Crab Cake in lieu of potato skins and Calamari in lieu of french onion soup. Sushi Grade Tuna, Veal Tenderlion Medallions, Surf & Turf and Scottish Salmon are among the list of wonderful entree choices. Black Lab is an attractive, cozy little bistro with a decor that boasts exposed brick, bright yellow walls, and contrasting dark woods. The cuisine is carefully prepared and artfully presented. BYO. Entrees range in price from the low $20s to low $30s. Don't overlook the "& Bakery"...save room for dessert.
(4)Melinda S.
way over priced, poor food selection, vegetarian unfriendly food. we went there for dinner looked at the menu and got up and left. went to iron hill instead!
(1)Li L.
The food is fantastic and the staff perfect.
(5)Garrett O.
Wow! Our server was amazing! She basically ran the show. She had ten 2 to 5 tops and covered them all! Food was outstanding! $$$, however I give it five stars based on service, food presented well and top notch service. No rush to turn tables, relaxed and tasty.
(5)Mary Norena M.
I love this place BYOB awesome! The owner is very sweet & very friendly & her daughter is so helpful & adorable! I'm very picky with my food but every time I came here for dinner NEVER disappoint me!! I love there food, everything is delicious!!
(5)Megan R.
Reviewing dinner here this evening. Service: 5/5 polite and helpful while being unobtrusive but not overly friendly. It was a slow night so no hostess - the woman that greeted us at the door was also our server. Ambiance: 5/5 again, slow night, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves but I can see how other reviewers may have felt crammed. If the tables were all filled it could definitely be noisy and crowded feeling. Tonight the ambiance was wonderful, though. Food: 3/5 The dishes we tried were: Maine mussels in vodka sauce, pear/prosciutto/goat cheese crepes, and we each ordered the Bronzino special. The Bronzino was incredible, perfectly cooked and full of flavor - definitely the highlight of the meal. It was accompanied by crisp snow peas and a Parmesan risotto, also wonderful. Mussels were wayyyyy too salty. The crepes were okay, small portion, not a whole lot of flavor (surprising for the tasty ingredients they were made with).. Not too memorable. Overall, a solid 4/5. I would return and recommend.
(4)Dori H.
Dropped in for Restaurant Week with a friend - it was definitely a great deal. The portions were generous and the selections were great. There was absolutely something for everyone. I have to admit - they knocked it out of the park with the desserts. Delish!
(4)Sugata T.
Definitely a awesome place to go. Very nice atmosphere inside. Our server was an older, super nice, Asian lady...a bit of a language barrier but you understood her fine. She was very receptive to our questions about vegetarian options as well. She took the time to go back to the kitchen and directly ask questions to the chef about the entrees we were interested in. Albeit the lighting was a bit too bright for my liking but that isn't enough of a draw back to take a star off. Well definitely go back again and suggest this place to friend and family!
(5)Timothy A.
I have been to this place two times now and it is excellent. When in area look forward to going again. Love the duck. The service is good.
(5)Jay W.
Their reservation policy is weird, and annoying. They "don't take reservations," but they take your name and number of people and hold a table for you. It seems like they don't keep track of their "reservations" very well, and over book the restaurant. This leads to people waiting long periods of time for their "reservation." There are too many tables cramped into the restaurant, the half wall needs to be removed or take out a table or two. Servers were practically climbing over diners to get food to the tables. People were knocking into my chair throughout the entire meal. That being said, the food was very good. I ordered the braise short ribs with stewed carrots and mashed potatoes. The meat was well cooked and could be pulled apart with a fork. The carrots soaked up the meaty flavoring and were well accompanied by the potato mash. I also tried the shrimp and grits. The flavor was terrific, good heat, well cooked sausage and shrimp. Very good. My only complaint with this dish was that the grits were a bit too watery for my taste. There was also a bit of wilted lettuce in the salad. If attention can be paid to these little things that are overlooked, this could be an excellent restaurant. A bit over priced as it is now. BYOB
(3)Prof J.
This used to be my favorite place to eat in Phoenixville. After it was sold the customer service went to crap. The hostess is rude and tried to not honor a gift certificate from the business in violation of pa gift certificate law. Upon citing said law and threatening to contact the attorney generals office of consumer affairs they decided to honor it all of the sudden. Food went from awesome to mediocre. It's deeply upsetting to me. :-(. I wish the old owners would come back.
(2)johnny s.
My dad got terrible food poisoning from this location. When he called to inform the that there was an issue, the person on the phone called him a liar. Not. Okay. Be responsible for your actions and live up to the fact that you did this. He wasn't asking for anything form you, but was just telling you so that you can monitor the situation in the future. Jeee. Zuz.
(1)Ellen M.
I really like this place! Most recently I was here for brunch with my girlfriends (BYO champagne!) and we all had a great time. We had made reservations to sit inside, thinking it was going to rain, but it ended up being a beautiful day and the staff was very accommodating when we asked to sit outside. The food was delicious, as it always is every time I go. Very reasonably priced, I'd say. I recommend it all the time!
(4)Natasha G.
Perhaps it's because I don't live around these parts, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with the Black Lab. This was one of the worst dinners I've had in a while, and after my second meal at this restaurant, I have no desire to come back. Perhaps this place was happening in Phoenixville in 2009, but it has definitely lost any charm that previous reviews ascribe to it. If you like well-executed and thoughtful cuisine, don't bother trying this place. The menu is, in a word, ambitious. The dishes attempt to span several genres and cuisines, and they fall short. Black Lab, you need to pick a niche and stick with it. The menu attempts to do New American bistro, French meat/sauce prep, Spanish tapas, and some "misc Asian" but doesn't quite succeed with any of them. E.g. scallop shu mai sounds incredibly gluey, and calling every sauce a demi-glace doesn't make it French. We've had a selection of dishes here, and some have been less disappointing than others. The octopus with andouille sausage and chickpeas is in a smoked paprika and vinegar sauce that manages to lack any complexity, and the octopus is in slices that taste like Chinese fish cake. Tuna tartare is awful... I've had better tuna/rice combos in supermarket sushi. I did feel fairly positively about the calamari in crispy Chinese five-spice batter but the mango aioli (or whatever it purported to be) was a huge misstep. I think the calamari is the only dish on the menu I can reasonably recommend, but ask for sauce on the side. A dining companion had the lobster bisque and remarked it was notable for its lack of lobster and gluey consistency. The duck breast with scallops was okay, but the sauce was overly sweet. I ordered the rosemary-dijon crusted lamb chops with potato cake, asparagus, and the ubiquitous demi-glace. Lamb is supposed to be tender. This was chewy, lacked any of the claimed herb-mustard flavor, and was not really aided by the sauce. The potato cake was savory, and they didn't mess up the asparagus. The steak frites: essentially inedible, with meat like "airplane food," as my dining companion described it. The frites were fine and very heavily seasoned with 2-4 dithiapentane... but I like the fake taste of "truffle" oil, so these seemed fine to me. Generally, all the sauces are pretty seasoned but still lacking in real flavor. To add insult to all this gastronomic injury, the food is incredibly overpriced. It is nice that they're BYOB, and the service is much warmer and attentive now than in the past. Ambiance is also fine -- I can't really say anything bad about the setup, though it doesn't seem conducive to an intimate date. Seating can be tight in some areas. The art prints on the wall didn't offend me and the layout is basically okay. I gather, from the reviews, that there are better restaurants on this block. If you have any kind of discerning palate, seriously, do not come here. You can find better food at the Cheesecake Factory or Red Lobster.
(2)Danielle D.
This is a BYOB and one of the only non chain restaurants on the strip. The food is good but not worth the price. I think they charge that much knowing they are the only/few non chain restaurants. The ambiance is very nice. The restaurant is very open space and the decor very nice. I would really be into this place if it was not for the price.
(3)Eric P.
The food here is ok, nothing special but not bad by any means. I stopped here for brunch and the price was right but the food was average at best, there was no "wow" factor to it. The decor is beautiful so I think that also feeds into the expectation the food will be great. The coffee was terrible though, only real down side. Nice place to check out if you want a quick and easy brunch
(3)Brian M.
If your accustomed to nicer restaurants, you won't find BLB anything out of the ordinary, but nothing about the food or service is the least bit bad. You'll always get a dependably good meal; but never really great. I found the dinner prices a bit high for what they serve, and thus I'd be more apt to hit it for lunch rather than dinner. But the BYOB aspect is a plus!
(3)James S.
Decided to give this place a try, food was relativity good, staff was mostly friendly ! I had the black Angus burger and it was cooked well and one of the better burgers I have had . The price was not bad either ! There was a bus boy with red hair who was very very friendly and outgoing and did more than was needed to make my meal Great ! My server was named Kate I believe ,and she was also very out going and a great server we had a conversation and she Evan recommended some things to do that night ! The owner (I think) was very hard to understand and was not very friendly but it could have been worse , I may be back but thanks for a good meal !
(3)Jan F.
Back to Black Lab and again it didnt disappoint. I had the fixe price for $25. Very fresh greens with shaved carrots, cucumber and a nice light dressing as a start. Then a delicious pan seared tilapia with nice green beans and deep fried polenta. Once again i had the tres leche cake which is outstanding. It's a dense pudding cake served with butterscotch and whipped cream. My mom had a burger and fries. It was cooked as she asked and she thought it was just fine!
(5)Kathleen K.
I had a great "date" dinner here with one of my girlfriends. It's in her neighborhood so she frequents it often and had her favorite (a steak with bacon mac and cheese). We ordered a baked brie special for an appitizer which was wonderful and came with a fruity jam and some baguette slices. For my meal, I got the butternut squash ravioli. I am not a vegetarian, however, I tend to eat veg. There were no veg options on the menu, but the raviolis were close. They had panchetta along with it. The waitress did, however, ask if the panchetta was ok to include, which I thought was very nice. For dessert, we had banana crepes with ice cream. Fantastic. Loved it. All in all, it's a nice little BYOB and I'd gladly be back again.
(4)Brian C.
We went here today for a special Father's Day brunch and were treated to bad service by inattentive and rude waitstaff. It took approximately 20 minutes for our waitress to take our order then over an hour for our food to come. When our breakfasts finally arrived they were cold and under cooked. No one ever came back to check on us or to even see if we needed our waters or coffee refilled. We had to flag down the staff members and ask for refills and eventually to speak to the manager. The manager was apologetic and took one meal off of our check, for the father in our group, but it was really too little too late and an overall unpleasant experience. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone.
(2)Laura R.
My boyfriend and I come here for brunch frequently. The food is always excellent. Brunch menu has a nice variety. Highly recommend
(5)Erica J.
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Every service is better than the last. The staff is super friendly. The food is always wonderful. I look forward to brunch every weekend and it is such a treat when my boyfriend takes me there for dinner. We both just love Black Lab.
(5)James Y.
It's a bit hard to classify this place. It's got an interesting menu and the food I've had has been very good. Dinner can get pricey if you have appetizers and dessert, but if you're just having an entree it's not bad. And the brunch is inexpensive, unless you are trying to compare it to McD's prices. It looks like a place that should have a liquor license, but it's a BYOB. The wait staff are very friendly, but not always the fastest. I continue to dine there regularly because the food is very good and the staff is friendly.
(4)Jaime K.
The Black Lab has so many dedicated fans in Phoenixville I continue to try it again and again in hopes that I will love my meal. Perhaps the dedication has more to do with the restaurants longevity in the area than their culinary clout. In general, the dishes all seem expensive for what they are and lack the fresh, made from scratch love that you would expect. Service is kind but generally inexperienced.
(2)Lynn S.
We stopped by Black Lab Bistro this last Friday. We hadn't been there in a while and were greeted in a very welcoming manner by the new owners. We sat out side and had a very nice meal. We thought it was a little pricy, but never the less enjoyed the food and the Phoenixville evening atmosphere. I had the Veal Marsala special, which was good, and my husband enjoyed the fettuccini with chicken, prosciutto and vegetables that is on the menu. Five hours later I woke to the walls of our bedroom shaking with my husband sick in the bathroom. Food poisoning. Saturday afternoon he called Black Lab to inform them of his situation. We weren't looking for anything other than to make them aware of his plight so that the restaurant had the opportunity to remedy the situation. My husband was kind and told the owner just what I said above, only to be called a liar and that it couldn't be. Needless to say, they lost 2 customers.
(1)John M.
Eat here, get Fu...d.. Keep going down 76 to phila and have a better meal... for 100 bucks less!! way overpriced!!! Really, 225.00 for two with wine.. your in phoenixville!! Not really worth it..
(1)Joe C.
We have eaten here many times and always have very good food and service. Lobster bisque and short ribs are outstanding. Never disappointed.
(4)Javier G.
Brunch was slow and ok and overpriced, no need to say more. There are much better places to go too.
(1)Mikkimo T.
I had heard great things about them and that the food while $$$$ was good. Well I went there last night with my husband and was very disappointed. Went: Mid Week Busy: Rest was 1/2 full and a few tables outside. Waitstaff: while ok were neither warm and inviting nor overly attentive Food: Ordered Soups & Steaks Lobster Bisque: Very Thick, lacked Lobster but more so was overpowered by a tomato flavor (thinking they used it to give it a orange/red color. Summer Minestrone was also lacking broth and was thick and over seasoned. I ordered a filet Oscar. Crab meat and steak were cooked nicely but the asparagus was replaced with brocolinni and the bernaise was thick enough to hang wall paper with. The demi glace was overpoweringly peppery as it left its mark of spice and heat in the back of my throat. The meal was also lukewarm. My husband ordered a strip steak which was small, thin and again drowning in a redish pepper sauce that completely killed the flavor of everything on the plate and again was lukewarm. Bread that came with dinner was no lie 1/4" thick and only small crostini size half slices of the baguette from whence it came. The butter while soft was again over seasoned. Overall...Thick sauces, over seasoned and small portions for large prices. Skipp this one you can do better.
(2)Angela S.
Had a small work dinner before the holidays here. I will be going back! Love this place. Relaxed atmosphere, good food, knowledgable staff, and BYOB! Good located with tons of parking a block away. I had the crab cakes and they were amazing!
(5)Mark T.
I miss the Black Lab of old before the remodel. Used to always be packed. It wasn't fancy but I thought there was just something cool about the place. Went there again tonight and it was basically empty, stood at the hostess station for five minutes no one came out to seat us, we left. I think the poor old black lab has died:(
(1)Shawn R.
This was my second vist to this bistro. The first being with a coworker. The second on a date. Both times I enjoyed the BYOB aspect of the restaurant as should you. I don't remember what I got the first time but my second experience was not so good. I ordered the Bistro Steak and asked for medium well. Instead, I was given an undercooked piece of meat. I had it sent back and they still returned it undercooked. It was purple. Not good. The thing I found especially frustrating was that the meat was cut so it was not difficult to cook it properly. The fries with seasoning were good. Not that impressed with the place overall.
(2)V Y.
I had another great Sunday brunch at the Black Lab Bistro today. The owners and wait staff are very friendly and welcoming. My favorite is the shrimp and grits with andouille sausages. It's an explosion of flavor in every bite. My only "criticism" is that the chef can mince up the garlic a little more. It is a BYOB restaurant, so feel free to bring a beverage of your choice. I've never been disappointed with my choice if entrees there. I've been there for brunch and dinner. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the Black Lab! Give it a try the next time you are in PXV.
(5)Jennifer L.
Had Sunday brunch here about a month ago. It was great! We ate outside and enjoyed our meal. There was a bit of a wait to get our food but it was worth it. I look forward to having dinner here soon--maybe tonight!
(4)GoBlue G.
Had brunch with Mom, nephew and son, and we enjoied it very much. My andouille sausage omelette was nicely prepared and i customized with a blackened sea scallop....great. Zucchini bread was moist and a nice addition instead of the stanard toasts. Potato wedges were crispy. Mom's spinach salad topped with salmon was just right for her, although i can not for the life of me remember my son's or nephew's meal i know the enjoied them.....sorry no help there. Over all our experience was satisfing and will return.
(4)Matt K.
I really wanted to give this place 3 stars, it's not bad food or bad service, it's just average. But the prices are much too high for average food. The menu is eclectic and very large, which is a danger signal unless their turnover is high. On this night, it wasn't. The other problem with a huge menu is that the restaurant typically loses any pretense of a theme or a soul. We had a buffalo rib-eye steak and the soft shell crabs special. The rib-eye was so thin, it was practically impossible to cook it medium-rare like I asked. Instead, it came out almost well done. I did not feel like returning it since I knew that the second time around, it would probably be bloody. The kale on the side was tasty, but the ribs had not been removed, and since the greens were al dente, the ribs were rock hard. Rather offputting, to say the least. The potatoes were average. The soft shell crab, however, was very tasty, it was the highlight of the meal. It had some fresh, spicy Asian flavors. But the tempura batter was a bit heavy. Since my rib-eye was so tiny, I was still hungry, and ordered the strawberry rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream. The rhubarb texture was a bit dense, it is hard to do it right, and it wasn't very tart or flavorful. Service was efficient enough, no complaints, but then again, there were only 4 tables occupied so it should have been good.
(2)Alex W.
A very crowded and noisy place. Our table for 7 was in a corner and foot traffic as constantly going by. I had the lobster bisque. It was good. It didn't have much meat in it and it had a little acidic tang to it. A first for me, I saw striped bass on the menu and I wanted to try it. It was $30 and came with brocolini and lobster risotto. When it arrived I was disappointed with the size of the fish. It was about 2 1/4" by about 3 1/2 inches. I thought that was pretty small especially for $30. It came with the skin on and in one way I liked that cause it looked like striper skin. The fish was OK. It was a little fishy and the seasoning didn't seem to compliment the fish. The vegetable was good and the risotto was excellent. I could have eaten a lot more of the risotto. My wife had the scallops and again, the seasoning didn't go well with the scallops. I've been to Black Lab before and had their short ribs dinner which I really enjoyed. I'll give them a try again even though their food is a little pricier than other restaurants.
(3)Carolyn G.
Overall, we had good entrees and depressing service. Not sure I would go back because our overall dining experience was just boring. I'm tempted to give a two star rating, but the food was good. Now for the details: It's my mistake that I didn't read the BYOB note so we didn't bring any wine to a Friday lunch. We arrived right after the lunch rush, about 1 PM, and there were only a few parties in the restaurant. Upon arriving we were impressed with the decor and how comfortable the atmosphere was. Menu time...we both considered an appetizer and an entree. Our server was, to say the least, bland. He offered no greeting, no specials, and didn't ask if we wanted anything to drink besides the two glasses of water on the table. I inquired about the soup and the description was delivered so poorly that I didn't want to take a chance; we skipped the appetizers. We both ordered entrees (blackened salmon) and at that point discovered we were in a BYOB...not the server's fault. However, he didn't offer iced-tea, coffee, or an alternative. No bread was served. Our entrees arrived 20 minutes later and they were very good. The portion is perfect, neither too small nor too large, and was well presented on the plate. And that was it...nothing on the table but two glasses of water and our two entrees...no salt and pepper, no decor, nothing. We looked at the dessert menu, declined to order, paid the bill and left; again, without any interaction with our server. This is the first place we've tried in Phoenixville and would probably try another place, probably the Iron Hill pub, before we return to the Black Lab. I like what they are attempting to do but the service is not well executed.
(3)Brandon G.
People on yelp are way too uptight. Yeah there is a list of rules, it's a joke. Foods awesome. Great atmosphere in a great little town. Not a hush hush with your pinky up kinda spot. Highly recommend lobster bisque and the grilled angus filet oscar Lump Crabmeat, Bearnaise Sauce, Demi-Glace, Whipped Potato, Asparagus delicious! Only complaint is our server, felt a tad bit rushed. Very busy Saturday in his defense.
(4)Tiffany L.
I would agree with other reviewers that the service is not great. Our waiter was very slow to take our orders and we went on a Sunday around 4:30 so it was very slow in the restaurant. But the assistant waiter and/or bus boy was very prompt with keeping our drinks filled, which is always appreciated since the waiter was not that attentive. Also the waiter was not personable or helpful, came off very snobby and with attitude like he was just going through the motions. BUT the food was FANTASTIC! My husband had the garden salad, filet minion chop steak, and the dolche de leche cake for desert. The salad was so good, the dressing was a kind of vinaigrette but very light and tasty. The steak came with potatoes, which had some sort of blue cheese or Gorgonzola mixed in, very smooth. Also had broccolini nothing to brag about but good. I had the flat bread pita with hummus, feta, and olives. Great light appetizer would recommend. For dinner I had the bolognese baked penne, very good. I would say it was light for a bolognese which I enjoyed because sometimes the sauce can be too heavy. Also had the peanut butter pie, a little to rich I enjoyed the dolche de leche cake much more. It was also over priced I felt. The option we had was a pre-fixed menu that was in addition to their regular menu and it was $25 for three courses. So I felt that was decent pricing but their normal menu will run you probably $40 or more a person for 3 courses, and while the food was great combined with the service I don't think it warrants almost $50 a plate with everything. I will definitely try again because restaurants are always changing and this one has a lot of potential to be great.
(3)Helen D.
When we were leaving the restaurant I noticed the "LIST OF RULES" on the wall. Oh how I regret not taking that picture. When eateries have "RULES" you can expect mediocrity which is exactly what we experienced. The menu sounded exciting & every special sounded better than the next. The food was ok & I most likely will not go back unless someone else is picking up the tab. It was way overpriced. The service was not friendly or prompt - for me that was a deal breaker. If you want good food & great service this is NOT the place to go. The only "bonus" is that it is byob.
(2)Ting Ting G.
I love black lab for their great service and wonderful dinner, This time I went for brunch, eggs and bacon don't seem to be their strong point. Crab eggs benedict: I decided to get this because of how great their crab cakes are, the crab was tasty however the poached eggs were way overcooked and the hollandaise sauce was nothing special and had no taste French toast: a lot of toast, I enjoyed the whipped cream cheese topping. Could have used more berries. The french toast was bordering on soggy The coffee and service were fantastic however. Probably not coming back for brunch, dinner is definitely their strong suite.
(3)Theresa G.
Took reservation, waited over 1 hour and basically left.
(1)Paul K.
Went for dinner on a Sat night with my wife. Quickly seated, bottle opend fast. Tables are a little tight but overall a great room to eat in. Service was great, not pushy, not rushed but there when you needed them. The foie gras app was pretty weak. Very small compared to other places we have had it. The entrees though were very good, and very well portioned. Great place to go on a date.
(4)Teresa M.
Ate Sunday brunch here a few weeks ago with my BF. We both ordered omlettes. Both were served with toast and diced hash brown potatoes. My omlette had chorizo sausage and cheese-which were so good together. Interestingly enough, I chose the zucchini bread toast which I had hoped would have tasted a little better (hance 4 stars instead of 5). Our waitress was very attentive and refilled our water and coffee several times. Oh-by the way...the coffee was excellent! We will definitely come for brunch again and possibly stop in for dinner too.
(4)John R.
Ok....list of rules?! Right off the bat, this sorta ruined it. No restaurant should ever post "rules". It is insulting to patrons! Maybe this is why the place was dead on Saturday night? Maybe it was the fact the menu was way too big or maybe it was the fact the you don't get a lot of food for the price. Who knows... The menu seemed uninspired and lacked creativity. I could tell because my rib steak tasted like something I could have ordered at Outback for half the price. Also, the calamari was rubbery. The service was decent...could have been better since there weren't many people eating. The server we had was very friendly tho. Returning here? Severely doubt it!
(2)Craig D.
(4) ~ Overall Food & Service OUR MENU: * Water(tap) = (3.5) good * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Calamari = (3.5) good * Butternut Squash Ravioli = (4) very good * Wild Boar Ragu = (3.5) good...it's a BIG portion. * Burger w. American Cheese & Fries = (3.75) good fries & Brioche rolls * Devil's Food Chocolate Cake = (3.5) good * Cinnamon Roll Ice ream Sandwich = (4) very good * Cappucino w. rock candy = (4.5) Very Good * Coffee = (4) very good NOTES: No Reservations on Friday & Saturday; It's First come~First Serve:-)
(4)Nicolas E.
Best restaurant in Phoenixville. Creative chef has built an impressive menu, it's always a delight to eat here. The service is also excellent.
(5)John D.
I've been to this place 3 times. The menu was fine. The burgers are large and tasty. They do have a tendency to use a little more grease on their burger but it was not too bad. The salad was great so were the crabmeat and lobster bisque. I took one star away because it gets noisy during busy hours. For a young group of friends, it's not an issue. For a couple looking for a more intimate dinner date, it may be a little distracted. The service was quick and to the point. I'll be back again.
(4)Rick J.
You lost us at the front door.... My wife and I where perusing a place to eat last Friday night and strolled into this place. It looked busy until you realized that the bar sitting area was not available and several tables were open but not being seated. The hostess seemed more interested in sitting on her perch than greeting walk ins... We gave it 10 minutes and when another table opened up with no response from her we left. There are way too many other restaurants in this town for a place not to be more accommodating to walk ins.. I was thinking that this was too bad as we left since the food smelled good but based on the other reviews that I have now read it doesn't sound like we missed much.
(1)Pamela K.
The Black Lab is a staple in our restaurant armory! Love the atmosphere, the service is always excellent, and the food consistently delicious. it's our go to for date nights, dinners with friends and treating out of town guests to a great meal.
(5)Julie C.
Very, very slow service. Food quality does not match the price. Steaks undercooked, burger for a little one was burnt (no childrens menu), ended up with a pitcher of water and sprite combined because the staff did not talk to each other and only had 1 pitcher to share apparently, service so slow, completed 2 appetizers with nothing to drink because no one ever came back to fill or check on status of meal. Offered free dessert and some off the bill to attempt to fix, which was nice, but still a frustrating experience overall.
(2)James R.
Its a pricey joint, but the steak was perfect and the calamari was the best I have ever had anywhere.
(4)Mike K.
I have lived in this area for a long time, and have heard good things about this place; after eating there, I can't say I agree. The food is expensive for what it is, everything you order is extra, an 8pm reservation turns into an 8:45 seating, and worst, the wait staff treats you like you are lucky to be eating there at all. I left there wondering; who do these people think they are?
(1)David M.
Amazing! The food was the highest quality, fresh, delicious, full of flavor with absolutely stunning presentation! Service was quick, flawless and cortious. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a auperb meal in a nice atmosphere!
(5)Matt O.
Great food, but overpriced. I've been here three times. I've never had a bad dish here, but I do feel that the prices are excessive. If you're looking for a nice evening out in Phoenixville Black Lab is a great place to have dinner, just be prepared to spend more than average on your meal.
(4)Shelley W.
Mmmmm......sunday brunch! The Black Lab did it right! They were even considerate enough to come up with an option for a friend who was unable to eat dairy. (Note to management: might not be a bad idea to have some butter-substitute or olive oil hiding in the kitchen) Pumpkin Pancakes with dried cranberries and pecans? DON'T MIND IF I DO! The omlette that my friend had looked good and must have been because she didn't share! I'd come back here in a flash
(4)Er B.
Went back this weekend for dinner. It's been awhile. They were surprisingly busy for 8:00pm on a Sunday, but outside had some empty spots available. We were seated rather promptly by the hostess, given menus, and then waited...and waited....for someone to come by. Not a single server entered/exited the restaurant to check on the other tables, either. About 10 minutes after being seated (and we were just about to get up to leave), a server came over. We were ready to order, but we were told they were out of several dishes. After finding out that one of our entrees was 86-ed, we asked for a moment to revisit the menu while we waited for glassware to be delivered to our table. We placed our order for an appetizer and two entrees. The Crab Louis appetizer came out very quickly; which we enjoyed thoroughly. In previous visits, courses have come out rather quickly and there is little interruption between them (I eat slower, so sometimes I'm still finishing when my entree arrives). I'd say it was between 15 to 20 minutes from the time that our appetizer was cleared and when our entree arrived. Again, I am conceding that the place was unusually busy, but this was now after 9pm, and no new customers had come in. I had ordered the scallops and the mr had ordered the goat cheese gnocchi. I enjoyed my entree, but the mr was disappointed in the gnocchi. There was no flavor of goat cheese and the dish was hopped up on much too much garlic and crushed red pepper. We had received a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant, so dinner (incl. tax and tip) cost less than $20 that evening. We did not get dessert and opted to visit a place nearby for ice cream. Sadly, a place that was such a great go-to restaurant has me thinking that I will probably hesitate about a return visit. I'm bummed about that.
(2)Melissa S.
(4) ~ Overall Food (1) ~ Service OUR MENU: * Bread & Sage Butter = (4) very good * Appetizer = (4) very good * Meals = (4) very good * Desserts (5) excellent The server was terrible. It was not very busy for a Thursday night. He (John) was not interested in us at all. He did not want to accomadate our requests and put his hands on his hips when we had questions. At the end of the evening he tried to scam us when paying separately by taking some of the cash but charging more than should have been on the credit card. Seriously...4 professional women would not check this? Too bad. He made the end of the evening finsh poorly. Jerk.
(3)Cheryl M.
We stopped at the Black Lab when in the area looking at houses. I had the french toast brioche with berries. It was fantastic. Just the perfect size to fill you up but not too much. The berries were fresh, the cream cheese filling was not too sweet and just complimented the toast perfectly. The plate came with homemade whipped cream. The place was adorable and the service was great. I thought it was a perfect breakfast.
(4)